Life

Every once in a while, I go through these phases where I'm thinking about life. I'm guessing that's pretty normal of anyone out there, so it's not like that in itself is anything special. Actually, the thoughts that go through my head aren't really anything special either. I'm sure they've gone through many a head before.

When I say life, I mean my life. My future life, the life that's whirling around me at this moment, and the life I've already gone through. Life. 

Once again, it's nothing special that I often wonder where I'll end up in the next five years, or even the next year. I guess every kid my age probably wonders the same thing from  time to time. Some of us have plans, a lot of us don't. Some of us are filled with confidence. Some of us aren't. It's the way God made us. It's the way He wanted us to be.

I can't believe what has happened in my life as it is. Where I am at the moment, I never saw coming. Where I'll be in the next year? I can't really see that coming either, but God can. He's got it all planned out. I've just got to follow His voice.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure. -Philippians 2:13

Okay, I'll push post now before I delete these rambling thoughts.

Seasons Thoughts

I was going to write this awhile back, but my book was calling out to me. I'm reading Bleak House and once again Charles Dickens has been showing me what an amazing artist he is.

So, I tried again a few days after that, but work got in the way. I'm a barista at a malt shoppe. Well, I should be at least. Service is kind of slow at the moment, so I've been more on call than anything else. Here's to hoping it picks up soon!

That brought me to tonight. I was really going to write a blog post. The page wouldn't load though. I almost gave up, but an hour, or so later, the internet connection seemed to improve. Here I am, writing this, and not even sure where I'm headed with it.

I can't believe it's almost Christmas day already. I used to think December was the longest month I ever had to live through. Now I feel as if it's been the shortest of the year. I'll be having a very quiet Christmas this year, but I'm perfectly okay with that. It gives me more time to think, which I've been doing a lot of lately. So much, it's been keeping me up at night. Not always the best thing.

I feel like Christmas day is one of the best days to think. It gives you even more to dwell over then you've already got. Well, the entire season does really. The people who rush about, the cars that are all over the roads, making you realize you may have a touch inner road rage after all. Maybe not rage, just frustration.

The gifts. Fin and I kept telling ourselves we would get out and do our shopping before the holiday rush closed in, but somehow we never really got around to it. Thankfully we managed to do most of it in one day. I'd like to think I'll enjoy giving more then receiving this year, but I know whatever I find inside my own packages will please me just as much as the looks on loved ones faces when they see what I've packed in theirs. I haven't quite decided if that's the point, or not. I guess I'll have to think on it longer.

Naw, in all reality, the gifts are great, but as we all continue to remind each other. It's not what it's all about. I think everyone knows it really, some people just don't like to admit it. Others purposely shove it to the back of their minds. Some of us tell ourselves we remember, and isn't it all wonderful, but we don't really care. I guess it's just part of that human nature that was given us.

I know you've heard it a million times already this year, but don't forget His name. Don't forget the reason you breath in and out. Don't forget He granted you mercy. Don't forget the true story of Christmas.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

Weakness

I just finished making the cover for The Way We Love. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, despite the complications I had while making it. You all probably want to see it, but you'll have to wait. It'll be on my updated Current Writing Projects page, after NaNo starts.

I'm sitting on Fins bed at the moment, listening to Celtic Thunder. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since we went and saw them in concert. It was the kickstart to NaNo last year for me. This year I'll be taking a trip to the best bookstore on the face of this earth. Powell's. Books on my list to look for? Oh, you know, the usual. Charles Dickens, Ted Dekker, John Keats, C.S. Lewis... the list goes on. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find one, or two books to lug home with me.

Someone shared a verse with me lately. I love it when that happens.

And he said unto me, "my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I think the world overrates the wrong kind of strong. Who cares if you've got abs. Until you are weak in Him, you will never be truly strong. I think I need to work on that more. Much more.

In Which Georgie Remembers Why She Wants to Direct Film

Just when you think the world has truly gone under and turned their back on God. Just when you think there is nothing humanly possible to help those around you. Just when everything looks completely and utterly lost, you find things like this.

The fact that Carrie Underwood even chose to sing this song surprises me (albeit in a rather... interesting choice of dress). It makes me wonder who will watch this and listen to those words? Who will close the page as soon as they hear the first line? Who in the audience was listening to the message of how great Thou art? Did she realize she could affect hundreds, if not thousands of people by singing this? Did she realize that children are watching her, looking up to her, waiting for her next move?

I just finished reading a book called Harry & Frodo: Understanding Visual Media and its Impact on Our Lives. While rather redundant, it did make clear to me once again, just how much media has an impact on our lives. It affects us more than most people would think. With this renewed realization, I was reminded why I want to make movies. Why I want to make good movies. So much could be accomplished in that field. So many people reached. It doesn't even have to have blaring Christian themes. Just a movie with good morals would be nice for once. With a hero that you can learn from.

Then again, it's not that easy to get yourself in a position to be that kind of an influence. Even if I were to get the money to make a movie, it doesn't mean anyone would watch it. I've told myself this a thousand times, and yet I keep hearing a little voice out of nowhere, "but what if they did?"

I'd like to think Carrie Underwood's standing ovation was due to the fact that she was willing to stand on that stage and sing about a God who has been rejected by society, not just because she sang it like a... well... country star. I believe this youtube video can change lives, if that's the plan God has for it. I believe a film about a person with the faith of a mustard seed, would make an impact on someone out there, and in the end, if it brought just one person a step closer to Christ, my goal will have been reached.

The Beautiful King

I'm not a fan of Bethany Dillon. However, I am a fan of Kurt Russell and Kris Kristofferson. Put those guys together and I get Dreamer.

I really like the movie. I adore this song. Most of all I love the fact that I have my own beautiful King. Willing to leave the comfort of His Kingdom to fight for victory. Talk about love.

God Given Style

Everyone has different ways of developing and writing their novels. That's just the way we are as humans. God installed something in writers that makes their heart sing when they were supposed to be asleep four hours ago, but stayed up to finish a scene they just couldn't wait to get down. He thought it best not to add that feature to others... goes to prove God truly does know best.

So, we've established that God made writers, and a whole bunch of other people. He didn't stop there though. Within the group of writers He decided to give them each their own style and method. He gave them character. Set one apart from the other.

The fun thing here is that He didn't tell them from the beginning what that style was. He let them grow, learn, and discover for themselves, and, well, the fact of the matter is... I'm still in the discovery stage. I think a lot of people still are and don't even realize it.

If you're unsure what stage you're at, read the following quotes that are rather popular among the "believing they've discovered" stage. If you've ever said, or thought any of them, read on.

"I've only ever written one genre. I don't have to try others, I already know this one is my style."

"I write all my novels the same way. I don't have to try anything different. My method works perfectly."

"I always have a female/male main character. It's just what I know best."

Oh dear. Oh my. I know these sayings so well because I've heard them in so many places, including coming from my own mouth. In the last year, I've learned differently. It started back when I began to realize writing was more then just a small hobby for me. It was something bigger.

I read books on writing. I read blogs on writing, and I continued to write myself. As I found myself writing more and more, I was inspired to try new concepts, new characters, and even new genre's.

Where as before I had remained with fantasy and only fantasy, I discovered historical fiction and sci-fi. My main characters were all girls. Now the role of MC varies so much, it's hard to say which gender I use more often. I once told myself a novel required no planning, or outlining. I'd heard so often that the characters will write the story for you, if you just give them the chance (which I do believe is true, to an extent). What I now consider to be my best novel was around nine months in the planning before I began to write.

I would still return to fantasy as my main genre, but now I've tried something different. I know that out of the genre's I've tried, fantasy will always be home. For now.

I encourage you to branch out and discover. God knows your style, but He can't prove to you what it is if you refuse to try it. I once thought writing couldn't become any more fun. I was wrong. I once thought I couldn't do anything else with my writing. I was wrong. I'm willing to bet you may be wrong as well.

When do you stop searching though? This could go on forever, and I believe it should. You can always learn new things, but only if you're willing to step out from your comfort zone of fantasy and try something new. I doubt I'll ever be done with this hunt. That would leave no room for development, and no matter how good my writing may get, it can always be better.

Then again, God made me just a little different then all the other writers out there. Maybe I'm the only one on this road of discovery. God gave me a style... He gave you a style. Do you know what it is?

The Heart Press

You know that feeling you get when you sit down to write in your diary for the first time in weeks and you feel like you have millions of things to update about? So much has changed in just those few days. So much of what's happened has shaped your life. Is shaping your life.

You sit down to finally write about it, because you've been to busy to do it before, and it's then you realize it's all already in the past. Already happened. Already gone. You realize there's no way you could write about it in this book. This little book of memories and thoughts.

After you realize all this you simply write what's on your heart. Then once that's all down on paper, you instantly feel like you've unloaded something. You just feel better. You feel like your heart is pressed within the pages of the book. Like a flower, delicately preserved.

I had that feeling today.

I had that feeling and then I prayed. Because my God is good. My God is good and I will praise Him.

God's Love is Like a Meteor Shower

A little known fact about me. I'm an Owl City fan. At first I thought his music was just really weird, but now I think it's weird and awesome at the same time. I think maybe that's what Adam Young was going for... at least, I hope so.

Anyway, I've been listening to this song over and over again lately. It's short, only two verses. I love the words though.

I can finally see

That You're right there beside me

I am not my own

For I have been made new

Please don't let me go

I desperately need You

I am not my own

For I have been made new

Please don't let me go

I desperately need You

Better Than This

The other day I was pondering what this earth is to a Christian. To someone saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. The answer came quickly for me. A temporary home. Somewhere I won't be forever. There is a place so much better than this, waiting for me.

Wait. Better than this?

This earth is a beautiful place. It is filled with the glory of God that shines out at you. Catching you unexpectedly and knocking the air right out of your body. Leaving you breathless as you stare in wonder and try to tell others exactly how gorgeous this place is. This place that God created. With His voice.

Yet, this is not my home. Someday, I will leave this place. I will go to a better place. A place that is much more beautiful than here. Not only that, a place where there is no sin. A place where I won't see the glory of God one minute, and the corruption of Satan the next. It will all scream praises to our Maker.

Then it hit me. Again. Because even though I've realized it before, He always has to remind me. What a loving Father I have. Even though He knew from the beginning I would be on this earth only for a short time, He gave it beauty. He made it livable. He didn't create something that would work for now, He created something He loved. Something we could love. He gave us a taste of heaven. Telling us things would get so much better than this.

What a promise.

All My Bones Shall Say...

I'm so glad the Psalm's are at the center of the Bible. When you open a random page in your Bible, looking for just the verse you need to read, it is very likely it will fall open near the center, the Psalms staring back at you. Asking you to read.

Last night I opened my Bible and the first verse gave me the encouragement I was looking for. As I kept reading I was amazed at the words I read. God's words.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. -Psalm 33:1-5

~

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. -Psalm 33:20-22

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And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones shall say, "Lord, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?" -Psalm 35:10

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"All my bones shall say..." May all my bones proclaim His glory. May all my bones scream the wonderful news of His love. May all my bones be entirely and completely His.

A Lazy Autumn Day

Excerpt from Georgie's journal.

It's raining outside, convincing me that it is, in fact, Autumn. I'm still in my pajamas despite the afternoon looming right around the corner.

Minnie is curled up by my feet, trying to gather all the warmth she can into her soft, fuzzy, little body.

The whole day stretches on before me. I need to catch up on some school and study for my permit. I'm hoping through some miracle I'll be able to get it this week.

Millions of story ideas are tumbling about in my writer's brain and yet even before November has begun, NaNo calls. My outline is not even half way finished and this year I want a complete outline to follow.

Maybe I'll be able to chat with my Sam. I've been loving being able to at least say hello every day again. I can't wait to see her again. I'm not sure when I will, I miss her far to much.

Hopefully today will also hold some quite moments. Moments to simply sit and reflect on God's amazing creation and His glorious love for even me.

Sing Unto The Lord

Hello Beautiful. You and me are gonna start spending a lot of time together. We shall sing and praise the Lord.

Psalm 68:32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah.

Hope

I've slowly been discovering that I love many different forms of writing. Short stories, articles, fantasy novels, historical fiction novels, now-a-days fiction novels, blog posts, and last year, much to my surprise, I added poems to the list.

I'm not very good, and it rarely happens, but every now and then a line pops into my head and a poem evolves around it. My poems document has been slowly growing though, so I figured I would share one with my readers.

If it's really terrible you're welcome to throw rotten veggies at me.

Hope

I cast around the darkness

For something to hold on to

I've heard about Your kindness

Hope

One word is whispered in my ear

A word that holds such promise

The enemy wishes me not to hear

Hope

When all seems lost

I still cling to one thing

No matter the cost

Hope

To all the living

There will always be

You are always forgiving

Hope

Eternally Your light will shine

Your love will continue forever

My heart, Your mercy will refine

Hope

The Fight For Life

The war continues to save the millions of lives that so many believe aren't worth saving. Abortion. So many don't give the subject the time of day. So many don't know their opinion on the matter. Many don't know the real facts behind this mass murder that goes on everyday.

I've recently been noticing this subject more, for several factors. The first being the fact that Starbucks supports Planned Parenthood.

My friend Laura has suggested a boycott. Supporting Starbucks is indirectly supporting abortion, and if you're going to say you're ProLife, live your belief. So many people support this company, how many of those believe in life? How many are willing to stand up for that belief?

Another thing that stuck out to me was a video that has been going around in my group of friends on facebook. I had never heard of Gianna Jessen, but just watching this video has made me a fan. Her words almost brought tears to my eyes, and I don't cry very often. Please watch these videos. They're worth your time.

God gave her life for a reason. I pray her voice will make an impact on many and make thousands of people uncomfortable.

Don't brush the subject of abortion off. If your not sure what you think of the subject I encourage you to look into it. Please be sure to ask your parents first. Study your Bible. Pray about it, but don't ignore it. Don't brush off murder.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. ~ Genesis 2:7

Friends I've Lost, Friends I Still Have. A Prayer for All

I have so much trouble with the problems of the world. Understanding why they are even there, and how can anyone be so stupid to do any of it?

I remember several good friends that I spent a lot of time with, goofing off, playing games, and having heart to heart talks. These are sweet memories for me, but over the last few years they have turned sad as well.

Many of those friends have "grown up" in the world’s eyes. They now go to public school, and they act like it. Boys is all they have to talk about, and words I would rather not hear comes out of their mouths every other sentence.

To see this hurts so bad, to know that these girls, who I always thought would be just like me have changed so much. The world and it’s people dragged them down into something terrible. They are no longer pleasant to be around, and any contact with them becomes depressing. I want to stay in touch, I want to be that life line when they realize what they’ve gotten into, but I’m also afraid. What influence can they have on me?

Now is when I look to my other friends, as well as my God, and my family. Here is where they hold me up, stand behind me, hit me over the head if I start going down the wrong path.

I pray for the "friends" I have lost, and I pray for the ones I still have. Keep their hearts pure Lord.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ~ Proverbs 31:10

Fingerprints of... Who?

Just a few minutes ago I was listening to Fingerprints of God, by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Every time I hear that song it makes me think, do people see the fingerprints of God on me? Can they see that he made me, and that I am his. That I believe in him, and worship him? I sure hope so.

Yesterday was the first day of the county fair for us. Since a few of the family members had entered something we decided to go see how they did and check everything else out.

Both Eyebright and I left saying, "There are a lot of scary people in this world."

To tell you the truth, I do not see any of my Lords fingerprints on someone who is showing more skin then needs to be seen, has more then I can count body piercings, with a purple mohawk.

I don’t see anything in that person that glorifies God. I don’t see his fingerprints anywhere that say, "I molded this person into who he is. He is my creation."

All I see is Satan’s work, and I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have God’s thumb print on my forehead, then Satan’s.

Who’s fingerprints are on you?