One Million Arrows: Book Review

Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.

Recently I read this book, One Million Arrows, after the author, Julie Ferwerda, contacted me and asked me if I was interested in joining her book blog tour. After learning what the book was about, I knew this was something I wanted to do.

So one day, I looked in my mailbox and found a package containing this book, which I immediately began to read. I discovered that Julie doesn't focus on just one international ministry, but writes of many different families, couples, organizations, and people who are all making a vital difference in reaching the lost children of this world. 

The book is divided into three parts: Gather, Sharpen, and Launch. Recognizing that the time is short, and the need great, Julie exhorts all parents to disciple their children to impact the world instead of the world impacting their children. In her section on gathering, she lays out a plan for the parents to chart their own course with their families, and to hop on board the one million arrows campaign. She challenges each family to own the mission of discipling their children.


Part two guides the parents in gathering the arrows (children) to sharpen them. She helps the reader to understand how to shape your arrows in your home and beyond. In so doing, you will ultimately be able to send your arrows off into the world to impact the kingdom of God.

The final part of the book is how to launch your arrows. This can be a difficult process for all parents while also being perhaps one of the most rewarding times in a parent’s life.

While I do not think I would feel peace in my heart about sending out my own 15-year-old daughter to start an orphanage, as in one of the stories in the book, I do agree with the heart of Julie's message. (My family and I have always had a soft spot for lost orphans, and have supported a little boy in Thailand for many years.)
Throughout the book, you get to know Papa–Dr. M.A. Thomas. He was the inspiration behind the book and the movement, One Million Arrows.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter in which Julie wrote about the Tebow family, and some of the principles they followed when raising their children, including:
*Start training them when they're young
*Teach them to give thanks to the Lord in everything
*Get them outside of themselves from an early age, caring about the needs and problems of others.
(F.Y.I, if you haven't checked out the Tim Tebow foundation, I suggest you go take a look.)

I would encourage you to go check out Julie's website, onemillionarrows.com, for more information about the book, the ministry, and how you can help.

If you want to cut to the chase and purchase the book, you can buy it online.


Blessings!

Julie Ferwerda is recognized for making the Bible exciting and relevant to everyday life through her writing and speaking. Her articles are featured in many Christian magazines and websites for both adults and teens, and she frequently volunteers her time and talents to international orphan ministry. Learn more at OneMillionArrows.com.


 
 
 

Julie has a special place in her heart for orphans and has designated that all proceeds from the sale of One Million Arrows be used for international orphan ministry.

Night At The Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian - A review

My first impression was - Wow! Great movie. I really liked the first one and this one was awesome as well. There wasn't the initial wonder at the discovery that yes, the museum does come to life, but "Battle at the Smithsonian" captures all the feeling of the first movie.



Things to watch out for-



Amelia Earhart is ...uh, shall we say, a little... forward. She has a rather 'feministic' attitude - but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't stomach it. 2 swear words, but the movie in general was pretty clean, as far as movies go. The mysticism was kept in check, which I appreciated.



Kahmunrah (sp?) was the perfect 'badguy' for this film - he's so funny! He has a slight lisp so even in his most scary moments he's really not that scary. I loved the fight scene between him and Larry (Ben Stiller) - I was like "Wow, they really look like they're dueling!"


General Custer joins the cast in this movie and (Hint-hint!) even gets a chance to redeem his bungled 'last stand'.



Jedediah and Octavius also re-appear in this movie. (They have to be some of my very favorite characters!)

Jedediah gets imprisoned by Kahmunrah in an hourglass and Octavius goes for help while Larry and Amelia Earhart try to figure out how to translate the tablet of Akmunrah. Akmunrah was the Egyptian king in the last movie, and his big brother Kahmunrah stars in this one.

You can see the hilarious trailer video HERE.

And read as much about the movie as you want HERE on Wikipedia.

Blog Finagle-ing and Movie Madness

Hi Readers!

Well, the first thing you might have noticed is the new background. I'm still messing with it but I think I like this one better than some of my other attempts. :P

I really like these header pictures I made...

...But I couldn't find backgrounds that matched!! *sigh* It looks like I'll just have to learn how to design backgrounds. How I'll do that, I have no idea. :) Anyone got any tips??

And for the second part of my post, My family and I watched two new movies yesterday and enjoyed both. The first one was "Horton Hears A Who", which was really cute and crazy, and I loved seeing a favorite story come to life. The second was "Wall-e", which was so cool and also very bizarre...but enjoyable. :D That sounded funny. :) Anyway, I give both movies a thumbs-up.

To quote my younger brother, "Today was the Best Day of 2009!"...yet! :D

Hope you're having a great 2009 so far...

Julia

Currently I am... slightly aggravated, about messing around with blog backgrounds that didn't work... but really I feel Okay. :)

Fabulous... Me? Why, Thanks!

I have had this delightful award bestowed upon me by the very fabulous Laney! :) I am so thrilled! Thank you, Laney!

To accept this award, I have to number 5 things I'm addicted to, and then award 5 other deserving, fabulous bloggers. (Only 5? That's all? Hmmm...)
Well, I don't like the term 'addicted' so I'll call this 'things I enjoy'. :)

1. Books!! I love to read. Mostly fiction, but I also enjoy a good biography or a stirring account of ancient history. I also love the DK books.


2. Blogging. I am so thankful that I was introduced to the blogosphere and that I've met so many wonderful young ladies through places like the Kindred Spirit Network and Maidens for Modesty.


3. The Great Outdoors! I love swimming and hiking and just being outside... although with winter closing upon us, it's not very appealing at the moment...


4. Photography. I love taking pictures.... especially of flowers. :)


5. And, last but SO not least, Jewelry design! I really like sitting down at my bead-strewn worktable and creating a tiny masterpiece (or pieces) out of shining or sparkling glass beads. Color is something that fascinates me - so working with colorful beads is the perfect hobby for me. :)

Now for the fun part... I'm awarding:

Joanna, Joanna is truly fabulous! A classy, lovable person who I'm so grateful to know... and her blog is quite insightful and lovely. :)

Jasmine- Jasmine is amazing. That says it all. :) She is very fabulous, and I love reading her blog because I always learn something I needed to. :)

Ella- Ella is a sweetheart! I love reading her blog and I've been blessed by getting to know her. :)

Kaysie- Kaysie is gentle and oh so insightful! Just by skimming through her blog you can't help but be blessed by this wonderful young lady!

Miss Jocelyn- Jocelyn is a very consistent writer who sees her blog as her ministry to others. And it's not so hard to see how she has so many people who read her blog! A Pondering Heart is quite a great blog to read.

There are a lot of other bloggers I'd award as well... but it said 5, so I'm sorry!!

Blessings!

Julia

Currently I'm feeling: Happy, Ecstatic, and Giddy!

VOTE FOR ME!

No, I am not running for president and I never plan on doing so and all political comments will be deleted. :D LOL. Not really, but please don't turn this into a political discussion.

This is what I want you to vote on.

Which template?

1)

2)3) The orangey one I have now.

Please, please vote! I like both of the new ones and am having an awful time choosing which one to try! :)

Julia

Jane Austen Heroes

All right, readers, you only have 31 more days to vote on my sidebar for your favorite Jane Austen Hero! So far Mr. Darcy has an outrageous lead with 60% of the votes... See my sidebar for the poll!

Julia

Well? What do you Think?

I'm looking for a new background for my blog. This purple-bluey striped and swirled one is called 'Sugar Shoppe, Plum" and I can't decide if I want to keep it or not! I like it, but...is there a better option?? Did you like the old one better?? I'm also considering a few other options...



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So...which do you like the best? I couldn't really find one that was just perfect...although there are a LOT of cute backgrounds at the site I found... Anyway, please let me know what you think!

Blessings,

Julia

Update:

I think I'll stay with the one I have now for a while... and keep looking in the meantime. They're continually adding new ones over at "The Cutest Blog On The Block!" Check it out...it's so easy to use! Just copy and paste!

Jane Austen Heroine Poll Results:

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Well, this is very interesting. I know it's a very very hard choice to choose one favorite from all of Jane's wonderful ladies, but the results were amazing! Of course I only got 20 votes, so I may re-do the poll.

Elizabeth Bennet 12 (60%)

Jane Bennet 0 (0%)

Emma Woodhouse 3 (15%)

Fanny Price 0 (0%)

Elinor Dashwood 5 (25%)

Marianne Dashwood 0 (0%)

Anne Elliot 0 (0%)

First place was Elizabeth Bennet, with 12 votes. Dear Lizzie! She's actually my favorite heroine, why, I have no clue. I very much enjoyed both versions of the movie P&P and watching Lizzie portrayed by Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley. I thought Jennifer Ehle looked more like my ideal Elizabeth Bennet, but Keira was fascinating as well. (Such expressive eyes!) And Matthew Macfayden was great as Darcy!! (More on that later, when I post about the guys...)

Second place goes to Elinor Dashwood, with 5 votes. I love Elinor too, I've seen two versions of Sense and Sensibility, the one played by Emma Thompson and the one shown on the PBS Masterpiece theater. I've also read the book, (I've read all the Austen books!) Which I actually didn't enjoy as much as the movies...it was a bit too drawn-out, although I did like reading it. Anyway, getting back to Elinor, We could all learn a valuable lesson from her example in patience, gentleness, and kindness in the midst of a very exasperating situation.

Third place is Emma Woodhouse with 3 votes! Oh yes, she did know everything, didn't she? :) Or at least she thought she did. How nice of Mr. Knightley to love her in spite of her abominable attitude towards her acquaintances! I've not yet seen the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, but I did watch the version that played on Masterpiece theater once. I have read the book, which I liked! :) There's something amusing about Emma's struggle with her pride...I'm glad she got everything sorted out in the end.

Poor Jane Bennet, Fanny Price, Marianne Dashwood and Anne Elliot all are at the bottom with 0 votes! Now, I didn't particularly fancy Fanny or Anne, but I love Jane and Marianne!! Don't we all love Jane Bennet's sweet goodwill towards all humankind? I love the scene in the Keira version of P&P where Jane and Lizzie are giggling under the covers after the first ball...what a perfect picture of sisterly affection! I actually didn't like the Jane in the Jennifer Ehle version, I thought she wasn't quite as pretty as Lizzie and her breathy voice got on my nerves. (Although I profess to like both P&P versions equally!)

And Oh, pity upon our romantic Marianne Dashwood! What a scoundrel Willoughby is! True, Marianne shows a deplorable lack of common sense but still, our hearts go out to this poor, imaginative maiden! Thank goodness for a heroic Colonel Brandon who most gallantly comes to the rescue. (Even though he's much much older than Marianne, if you stop to think about it)

And how can we forget Fanny. The meek country cousin who falls in love with Edmond. I haven't read this story recently but I do remember that I liked the book way better than the movie adaption I saw...according to several reviewists there has not been a good Mansfield Park movie yet! There's a lot going on in this Jane Austen story....And I'm sorry but I don't have time for an extensive review at present! (Maybe later...)

And lastly Anne Elliot. Again I liked the book better than the movie, in the book Anne's meekness and gentleness come across as desirable virtues but in the movie we are not quite convinced. Thankfully Captain Wentworth arrives on the scene and after a bit of shilly-shallying which causes Anne much heartbreak he writes her a note telling her he hasn't lost his love for her, though it's been 8 years since he left for the sea after she was persuaded to spurn his marriage proposal.

If you didn't get a chance to vote please tell me your favorite Jane Austen Heroine! I'd love to discuss them with you. :)

AND .....to vote for your favorite Jane Austen Hero, see the poll on the sidebar!

Julia

Review of Before You Meet Prince Charming

I recently attended a Father/Daughter retreat hosted by Vision Forum at Callaway Gardens. I'm going to post more on that later, but for now I wanted to write about a book I purchased at the booktable there.

Before You Meet Prince Charming, by Sarah Mally. The title caught my eye. "Before You Meet Prince Charming." Well, thought I, I haven't met Prince Charming yet...what do I need to know? I picked up the book and thumbed through it. This book looked very good. I got it and brought it home. I began to read it.

Let me stop my story a moment here and explain that I LOVE to read. Hours of my day are consumed by reading. And once I find a good book it's like it is super-glued to my hand...I can't put it down. I walk around doing usual tasks with one hand (Like eating, unloading the dishwasher, etc.) while reading, if I must. This was one of those books.

Right at the beginning, the Note from the Author sounded pleasantly in my ears. Part of it reads "Many of the books I have read [on the subject of purity] seem to be written specifically to reach young people who have already made mistakes. Since they are written for this audience, they include some details that I don't think are necessary for younger girls to be thinking about. Even though my desire is that this book would minister to girls of all ages and backgrounds, I have endeavored to keep it discreet and appropriate for younger girls as well." How thoughtful. I appreciate her discretion for my own reading, not just for younger girls. I am thankful that Sarah chose to write her book this way.

Lest you think this was a little-girl story, I must say the book was very informative and enjoyable to me, a 17-year-old young woman. Sarah covered all the important subjects and some I hadn't thought of. Each chapter spoke to my heart. Sarah intersperses scenes from the story of a princess living in a castle with helpful discussion on topics like guarding your heart, delighting in the Lord, relationships, dreams, 'crushes', waiting, God's plan, and many others.

If you're interested in more of what Sarah is involved in, here is the link to the website for her ministry, Bright Lights.

I highly recommend "Before You Meet Prince Charming".

Julia