Rock Band 2

I love music, but don't really have any musical talent. So I was pretty excited about Rock Band. I can at least pretend to be a musician, playing guitar or drums or singing songs. My fav is definitely playing the drums. Yes, I'm unleashing my inner rocker. Lots of fun!

"Dream On" Aerosmith

This song, sometimes described as "a blues-influenced power ballad," was on Aerosmith's debut album, and has appeared on several of their greatest hits albums. I love this song, especially how the music builds and the song gets more intense as it goes on.

Stone Hill Concord

This is a delicious sweet red wine. Stone Hill Winery is located in Missouri and has lots of fabulous wines such as this one.
http://www.stonehillwinery.com/

Micah 7:18-19

18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

What an awesome description of our God! Because of what Christ has done for us, we can have comfort and peace knowing this is what God does with our sins.

One of My Wives is Missing

This movie, which came out in 1976, may not be well known, but it is awesome! It is about a man named Daniel Corban who reports to the police that his wife is missing. The local police chief (played by Jack Klugman) of the small town where Daniel and his wife are honeymooning says he'll investigate. Then a woman shows up claiming to be Daniel's wife though he swears she isn't his wife. I love this movie because there are twists and it leaves you wondering what is really going on--is Daniel crazy, are others out to get him? You have to see it to the end to discover what the truth is. I always enjoy watching this movie.

Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

While at Borders one day, I was looking at books up toward the front of the store, and this caught my eye. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I heard about gang activity frequently on the news, and when I was a student, I had the opportunity to do field work in a hospital in one of the 'burbs of Chicago where I visited several men who had been in gangs.

Venkatesh shares the story of the research he did while he was a grad student at the University of Chicago. He was studying sociology, and was particularly interested in studying poverty and the Chicago housing projects, but felt the normal means of gathering information and doing research were insufficient to really understand the issues and the people. Instead of learning about the issues and people a detached way, Venkatesh went to the Robert Taylor Homes (located in Chicago, it was the largest public housing project in the US), and befriended a gang leader. For years he spent time with people at Robert Taylor, spending a lot of time with gang members, and learned about the community and economy of the projects. It is interesting to read about his adventures and what he learned about people.

Micah 5:2-5a

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be their peace.

This passage points to the birth of Jesus, our Savior. It also speaks of Jesus as the Shepherd, an image which brings us much comfort. I love v. 5a. Most people desire peace, and the world offers us many ways we can supposedly find peace, but this verse says cleary, "He will be their peace." True peace is only found in Jesus Christ.

Cinnamon Dolce White Chocolate Mocha

This is one of my favorite beverages to get at Starbucks. I love the sweetness of the White Mocha and love the flavor of the cinnamon added to that. It's a very soothing drink (even if it is caffeinated!)

Hosea 13:14

14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?

Awesome passage speaking of the Lord's power and triumph over death, something we can take great comfort in! We are ransomed! We are redeemed!

"Love That Girl" Raphael Saadiq

Raphael Saadiq - Love That Girl

When I first heard this song on the radio, I thought it was an oldie. But no, this is a song that came out in 2008, though it sounds like it could be from several decades ago--and I think that's really cool. I love the sound of this song. Raphael Saadiq was lead vocalist of the group Tony! Toni! Tone!, but has been a solo artist since the 90s. The album the song "Love That Girl" is from--The Way I See It, was nominated for Grammy awards.

August Rush

This is an amazing film! It is about a boy who grows up in an orphanage, but believing his parents are alive and are coming to get him someday, does not want to be adopted. As times goes on, it is discovered he is a musical prodigy. He believes through his music he will be able to let his parents know where he is. The story of how his parents (who are both musicians) met and how their lives unfold is also told. Great story and music. Freddie Highmore, who plays the boy, is an outstanding actor.

Duma Key by Stephen King

Just like King's other novels, Duma Key keeps the reader engrossed throughout. So even though this book is almost 770 pages, you don't think of it as being 770 pages. King is humorous, and builds suspense in this book, and has written characters who are fascinating.

As to not give too much away, I'll just share the description on the back cover of the book, "After a terrible construction site accident severed his right arm, scrambled his mind, and imploded his marriage, the wealthy Minnesota builder faces the ordeal of rehabilitation alone and enraged. Renting a house on a stunningly beautiful and eerily undeveloped splinter off the Florida coast, Edgar slowly emerges from his prison of pain to bond with Elizabeth Eastlake, a sick old woman whose roots are tangled deep in Duma Key. As he heals, he paints--feverishly, compulsively, his exploding talent both a wonder and a weapon. For Edgar's creations are not just paintings but portals for the ghosts of Elizabeth's past...and their power cannot be controlled."

Stitch

After Mickey, I think Stitch is my favorite Disney character. The Lilo and Stitch movies are really cute and fun, and Stitch is an odd, mischievous, lovable character. I like this character so much that when I was at Disney World, I bought the Stitch hat and "paws."

Hosea 11:1-9

God's Love for Israel

1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
5 "Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?
6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

I love how this passage speaks of God's love and compassion for Israel (and us). I especially like v. 4 and v. 9.