backwards

So I plan on doing another post on some amazing artists I've had the pleasure of seeing in concert for the first time this year but this song has been running through my head this week and I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. The song is called "Moving Backwards" by a guy named Ben Rector. He's not hugely known (yet) but I have a feeling he'll one day get there. And what's really cool about this song is that I saw him perform it which somehow makes it that much better in my mind.

I tried researching the story behind it because I think it interesting to hear the inspiration. My digging didn't turn up anything so I'll give my own take on the song. To me, it's about putting faith in God even when it doesn't make sense. Others may not understand why you choose to believe - to them the Bible may just be a jumble of stories - but it's more than that to you. Life is always moving and we're constantly making choices...

Here's a promo for the video...

book review: "the clouds roll away" by sibella giorello w/ contest!

Raleigh Harmon has just returned from a transfer with the FBI back to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. On the heels of her homecoming, Raleigh finds herself in an investigation centering around a cross burning at a famous rapper’s home. Her boss is pushing her to solve the case as soon as possible and the deeper she digs, the more complicated things become. Raleigh also begins work on a gang task force. The lines between the two seemingly separate cases start to blur with each new development, leaving Raleigh working frantically to uncover the truth. While looking for those responsible, Raleigh is also juggling her widowed mother and an old boyfriend who wants a second chance. Can she solve her cases and manage to not get her heart broken again?

I had no idea what to expect with this book but I was quickly pulled in. Giorello threw in several unexpected twists, leaving me thinking “no way!” as I read. My only complaint with the story would be the lack of romantic interest. The attraction between Raleigh and her old boyfriend is told in such a cut and dry manner that I found myself wanting to read about those tender moments. Other than that, it’s a definite page turner that will keep you guessing.

Read more reviews by clicking here or go here to buy the book.

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity and was not required to write a positive review.

Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Clouds Roll Away by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!
One Grand Prize winner will receive:
Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
To enter simply click here! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella's blog: http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/.

trendsday: photo op

This picture immediately stood out to me - the colors just seemed to grab me. It reminds me of a small city where you get to one place to another by walking - cars are optional. I love the idea of that!! I have a secret wish to move to such a place, relishing the "small town" feel of it. This picture also makes me think of any number of movies (though I can't think of a single one at the moment) where there's a street chase in Italy or any other European locale. Someone's either on foot and can feel the bad guy following them or they're in a car and trying to evade said bad guy. Ooh, the Bourne Identity would be a prime example (whichever of the three is applicable - I've only seen bits and pieces of each).

I also love the simplicity of the picture. It's a snapshot of an abandoned street but at the same time, it's so much more than that. Who knows what history transpired in that exact place? The idea of not knowing the sum total at what you're really looking at is fascinating to me. I love the idea of everything having a history and every photo telling a story...

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fa la la la la

Sometimes we need to take a break. We need to momentarily lay down our responsibilities and the plate that's piled high with things we must accomplish. And we need to laugh. I went with some friends this weekend to see Dave Barnes and Drew Holcomb (if you've never heard either of them, google their music - that's all I'm saying) in concert. What I love about Dave is that while you go to hear him sing, he's also incredibly funny (most often in a cheesy kind of way but I like that) and you end up laughing as well. This weekend was no different. He played some songs from his new Christmas album as well as some of his other stuff and he made us laugh. I don't know if we laugh enough. We can be so focused on what we need to do that we forget to find the humor in situations (sometimes that's the only way to deal with what you may be going through). Thank you Dave for giving me a brief respite in this hectic Christmas season. And the "fa la la la la" comes in because he sang "Little Lies" (off his newest album "What We Want, What We Get"). He had the audience sing the chorus which begins with "la la la la la." One of the girls I went with had us singing "fa la la la la" instead since it's Christmas time which actually I liked better :-)

book review: "fall to grace" by jay bakker

Though Jay grew up in the church, he reached a point in his life when he was through with faith and God. He couldn’t understand why everyone who had once rallied around him and his family were turning their backs on them in 1987 when scandal erupted in the Bakker home. Jay dealt with the upheaval by taking up smoking, drinking and doing drugs. It wasn’t until years later that Jay would return to the message of grace. “Paul’s message wasn’t about guilt and punishment. It was about acceptance; it was about forgiveness; and it applied to me! What I felt instinctively about God – that He must be loving and understanding of human frailty – was right after all.” He had thought he was too far gone for God to still love him. He had messed up one time too many for God to want to take him back. “Grace taught me that I don’t have to run from failure, that God hasn’t abandoned me even when things get tough. I don’t think you ever arrive, fully, at grace. You have to keep it front and center in your mind. You have to remind yourself every day that God’s love for us is complete, irrational and unrelenting.”

I was disappointed in Jay’s message. While grace is key to understanding salvation, I disagree with Jay’s views on a few things, homosexuality being the main one. Jay’s theme is that God loves everyone, regardless of lifestyle, the color of your skin or economic status. I agree with that. Where I have a problem is that since God loves everyone, he’s basically saying it doesn’t matter how you live your life as long as you love God and accept His grace. What he seems to be missing is the point of leaving your old life behind you when you begin a journey with God. He also talks about the apostle Paul a lot, quoting from Galatians over and over. Paul seems to be his basis for Biblical references. What also bothered me was the mild use of language by Jay. Overall, I didn’t care too much for the book.

I received a free copy of this book from FaithWords Publishing group and all opinions are my own.

more than one teacher

I'm a substitute teacher and am constantly reminded of the simplicity of kids. To them, the highlight of the day is recess, no one's a stranger and everyone is their best friend. I was watching my class of kindergartners on the playground today and couldn't help but smile as they ran around, free to be as loud as they wanted. Every so often a few would run over to me, wanting to show me something or tattle (if they only knew I don't respond to tattling) and would then go play some more. I feel like there's so much to learn from kids - teaching is a major give and take because with as much as I teach them, they teach me a few things as well. I think being open minded is one of the most important things for a teacher. Not being there to merely cram information into students heads but taking the time to actually listen to them as well. I love the predictable unpredictability - though you have a lesson plan you have no idea what the day actually holds. No day is the same - every day brings with it a new set of circumstances and new chances to learn. It's pretty cool.

trendsday: december 1

Today is special for many reasons. It's the first day of the last month of the year bringing us that much closer to Christmas (I've yet to start my shopping) and 2011. Today is someone's birthday (including Woody Allen and Lou Rawls) and there's some historical significance to the day as well but the one thing that I found really interesting is that in 1982 at the University of Utah, a dentist named Barney Clark becomes the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart, prolonging his life for another 112 days. This may not grab your attention but my dad underwent heart surgery a few months ago and it's eerily fascinating how they're able to "rewire" the heart.

Today also marks my wishing a "Merry Christmas" to the cashier/server when going to the store or anywhere else. The window for such a greeting is so small when compared to the rest of the year (I guess you could tell someone "Merry Christmas" in June but it just wouldn't be the same) so I want to take advantage of it. And that reminds me, I need to find my jingle bell necklace :-)

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