Hello!
I've just returned from the 10th Annual Ignited by Truth Conference in Raleigh, NC. This is my third year going, and once again I've returned inspired and ready to live out my Catholic faith with new vigor and devotion.
The featured speaker this year was Matthew Kelly. He is a really amazing guy with an awesome Australian accent who has devoted his life to encouraging Catholics to stand up and be "game-changers." He pointed out that it takes 51 million people to elect an American president.... There are 67 million Catholics in the United States.... Something isn't measuring up here..... Because if all of these Catholics were living their lives the way they should be- and were educated and in love with their faith- there is no way Obama would be our President right now.
So, what was his solution? He started giving away free books. To be more specific, his book Rediscovering Catholicism. This book is incredible (according to my dad, I am going to read it soon- then I'll review it for all of you!) and has been changing many lives. He shared a very sad statistc with us. 1% of American Catholics read a good Catholic book last year. One percent!!!!
Do you want to be a game changer? I encourage you to read two good Catholic books. Fiction or non-fiction, just as long as they're helping you grow spiritually (which means they can't contradict any Catholic teachings). And, inspire someone else to do the same! Then, visit his website, http://www.dynamiccatholic.com/. Look up how to start a Mass Journal- another life-changing device.
Lent is approaching, it is time to light the world on fire with the truth- but first you need to know the truth! So, I ask you to please take these suggestions to heart. You never know, God may be depending on you to share the faith with someone else very soon- so make sure you're ready to answer his call! :)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The First Movie is.... Hidalgo!!!!!
Here comes my first movie review!
Hidalgo (2004)
-PG-13
I watched this movie last night after reading about Fr. Hidalgo in my history book. And though this movie has absolutely NOTHING to do with Fr. Hidalgo, I found it to be absolutely amazing!
Summary:
An American cowboy named Frank Hopkins (Mortensen) and his horse, Hidalgo, are famous for never losing a long-distance race. Because of his claim to owning the best long-distance horse ever, he is challenged to a 3000 mile survival race across the Arabian desert called the Ocean of Fire. Normally restricted to Arabs riding pure Thoroughbred horses, all from a long and proud family line- Frank and Hidalgo make history by entering as the first American- and the first mustang- to ever participate. Aside from the already difficult climate, Frank and Hidalgo must also fight all of the Arabs who aren't very happy about how well he seems to be faring- or the fact that he is participating at all. Perseverance and courage are going to be the only things that will keep him going- and that good ol' American will power.
What I liked:
I thought this movie really captured the American spirit. You see Frank amidst all of these seemingly heartless Arabs, determined not to give up or accept all of their strange rules. This movie is truly worth watching. And, best of all, it is based on a true story! :)
Possible concerns:
Any teenager, in my opinion, would be fine watching this movie. The PG-13 rating is predominately for adventure violence, though I did not find any of it to be excessively gory. There was an (very) occasional curse word. And, during one part of the movie, Frank is accused of doing something he didn't. The Arabs have a certain type of punishment in accordance with the crime he has supposedly committed which involves doing something to his male parts. This is not discussed in great detail, and nothing actually happens since a big distraction- and the fact he is actually innocent- prevent any farther pursuing of the torture.
I hope you look into this movie; it really was amazing! If you want a very detailed layout of the movie, go to kids-in-mind.com or decentfilms.com and put it in the search box. Enjoy! :)
-PG-13
I watched this movie last night after reading about Fr. Hidalgo in my history book. And though this movie has absolutely NOTHING to do with Fr. Hidalgo, I found it to be absolutely amazing!
Summary:
An American cowboy named Frank Hopkins (Mortensen) and his horse, Hidalgo, are famous for never losing a long-distance race. Because of his claim to owning the best long-distance horse ever, he is challenged to a 3000 mile survival race across the Arabian desert called the Ocean of Fire. Normally restricted to Arabs riding pure Thoroughbred horses, all from a long and proud family line- Frank and Hidalgo make history by entering as the first American- and the first mustang- to ever participate. Aside from the already difficult climate, Frank and Hidalgo must also fight all of the Arabs who aren't very happy about how well he seems to be faring- or the fact that he is participating at all. Perseverance and courage are going to be the only things that will keep him going- and that good ol' American will power.
What I liked:
I thought this movie really captured the American spirit. You see Frank amidst all of these seemingly heartless Arabs, determined not to give up or accept all of their strange rules. This movie is truly worth watching. And, best of all, it is based on a true story! :)
Possible concerns:
Any teenager, in my opinion, would be fine watching this movie. The PG-13 rating is predominately for adventure violence, though I did not find any of it to be excessively gory. There was an (very) occasional curse word. And, during one part of the movie, Frank is accused of doing something he didn't. The Arabs have a certain type of punishment in accordance with the crime he has supposedly committed which involves doing something to his male parts. This is not discussed in great detail, and nothing actually happens since a big distraction- and the fact he is actually innocent- prevent any farther pursuing of the torture.
I hope you look into this movie; it really was amazing! If you want a very detailed layout of the movie, go to kids-in-mind.com or decentfilms.com and put it in the search box. Enjoy! :)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Let's Honor our First President!
Today is President's Day, and since I can find nothing honorable about our current President, I've decided to tell you all a little about our first President, General George Washington.
(The following facts are from the book The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. I highly suggest this book for all Americans- especially since our country is in grave danger of losing its identity...)
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a great general in our nation's first fight for freedom, leading American forces and pressing his troops onward, constantly cheering them on and reminding them of the important freedoms for which they fought. As Marquis de Lafayette witnessed, "Washington rode all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers, cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to our standard the fortunes of the fight. I thought then, as now, that never had I beheld so superb a man."
After leading the country to freedom, General Washington then oversaw the writing of the Constitution, and finally served as our first President- living by the Constitution and for the American people.
I hope our country will remember our brave founder, and strive to restore the great ideals George Washington once protected and promoted.
And May God Bless America!
(The following facts are from the book The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. I highly suggest this book for all Americans- especially since our country is in grave danger of losing its identity...)
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a great general in our nation's first fight for freedom, leading American forces and pressing his troops onward, constantly cheering them on and reminding them of the important freedoms for which they fought. As Marquis de Lafayette witnessed, "Washington rode all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers, cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to our standard the fortunes of the fight. I thought then, as now, that never had I beheld so superb a man."
After leading the country to freedom, General Washington then oversaw the writing of the Constitution, and finally served as our first President- living by the Constitution and for the American people.
I hope our country will remember our brave founder, and strive to restore the great ideals George Washington once protected and promoted.
And May God Bless America!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Need a Laugh?
Hello!
If you're in need of a laugh, read this article!
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/7-reasons-i-stink-at-praying/
How many of us can relate to this! :)
If you're in need of a laugh, read this article!
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/7-reasons-i-stink-at-praying/
How many of us can relate to this! :)
What This is All About...
Hello Everyone!
This is the first official launch of my blog. Here, I will be posting all sorts of things, from my opinions on current events to movie reviews.
There are a few things I need you, the reader, to do.
- First, subscribe to my blog! :)
- Post suggestions! I'll review movies, books, and music. Just request it, and as long as I'm allowed to see/read/listen to it- I'll review it!
- If there's anything you would like to see me cover, let me know!
This is going to be a very unpredictable blog. Depending on my mood, what's going on in the world, and what movies I'm watching- you never know what I could be writing about each day!
So, I hope you enjoy all the surprises I hope to have in store for you!
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