Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Song to the Men of England
"Men of England, wherefore plough
For the lords who lay ye low?
Wherefore weave with toil and care
The rich robes your tyrants wear?
Wherefore feed, and clothe, and save,
From the cradle to the grave,
Those ungrateful drones who would
Drain you sweat – nay, drink your blood?
Wherefore, Bees of England, forge
Many a weapon, chain, and scourge,
That these stingless drones may spoil
The forced produce of your toil?
Have ye leisure, comfort, calm
Shelter, food, love's gentle balm?
Or what is it ye buy so dear
With your pain and with your fear?
The seed ye sow, another reaps;
The wealth ye find, another keeps;
The robes ye weave, another wears;
The arms ye forge, another bears.
Sow seed, - but let no tyrant reap;
Find wealth, - let no impostor heap;
Weave robes, - let not the idle wear;
Forge arms, - in your defense to bear.
Shrink to your cellars, holes, and cells;
In halls ye deck another dwells.
Why shake the chains ye wrought? Ye see
The steel ye tempered glance on ye.
With plough and spade, and hoe and loom,
Trace your grave, and build your tomb,
And weave your winding-sheet, till fair
England be your sepulcher.
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
2 Peter 3.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle {in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder},
that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent hear; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." ~ 2 Peter 3. NKJV
that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent hear; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." ~ 2 Peter 3. NKJV
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Top 15 Books to Read in 2011.
Top School Books.
- Lawrence of Arabia by Jeremy Wilson.
- Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence.
- History of Egypt by James Henry Breasted.
- Riddle of the Rosetta Stone by James Cross Gavlin.
- Sahara: A Natural History by Mara deVillers and Sheila Hirtle.
- Persia Revisited by Thomas Edward Gordon.
- The Blue Nile by Alan Moorehead.
- Into the Mummy's Tomb by Nicholas Reeves.
- The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson.
- The Sea Hawk by Rafael Sabatini.
- Rubies and Sapphires by Fred Ward.
- Far Above Rubies by George McDonald.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.
- Sir Gawain and The Green Knight by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris.
- Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer.
- Halt's Peril by John Flanagan.
- Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz.
- Captain Blood Returns by Rafael Sabatini.
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
- The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss.
- The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells.
- Ben Hur by Lew Wallace.
- Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.
- Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.
- The Brethren by H. Rider Haggard.
- The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott.
- Sir Nigel by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Honor in the Dust by Gilbert Morris.
- At Aboukir and Acre by G.A. Henty.
- In the Heart of the Rockies by Henty.
- A Roving Commission by Henty.
- Rujub, The Juggler by Henty.
- The Young Carthaginian by Henty.
- Won by the Sword by Henty.
- By Right of Conquest by Henty.
- In The Reign of Terror by Henty.
- True to the Old Flag by Henty.
- By Pike and Dike by Henty.
- A Final Reckoning by Henty.
- Wulf the Saxon by Henty.
- Captain Bayley's Heir by Henty.
- St. Bartholomew's Eve by Henty.
- Among Malay Pirates by Henty.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Greeting Followers!
I'd like to give a warm welcome to A Random Girl, God's Girl. Welcome to my library! Feel free to explore, make comments, and request reviews!! God bless! :)
Random Quotes.
I try to post on Wednesdays a scene from the current book I'm reading {regardless of whether or not I plan to write a review on it after I've finished it}. However, the current book I'm reading {Timeline by Michael Crichton} doesn't really have a good enough scene for me to post, so I shall substitute it with some random quotes from various other books I've read. For a semi-complete list of books I've read, look to the right of your screen where you will see a long column of authors and titles. ;)
"He shook his head, thinking of some of those adventures, which had involved near escapes, brushes with the law, even danger of death. Yes, it had been interesting, but he couldn't expect the rest of his life to be quite as adventurous. At some point, he was going to have to settle down, get serious about life, maybe even cut his hair.
Naaah." ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"And he wondered what his dad had been up to. Most likely, Dad had figured out a new way to hack into the government computer database and reprogram their coffee makers. Or create software that would change every traffic light from yellow to purple, or something. Alex had better get home and find out." ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"With a karate yell, he leapt over the fence into the yard, instigating cries of 'Alex is back!'" ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"Ah. Here, Kateri, are the inhabitants of this house known collectively as the barbarian horde. As the Chinese treated the Mongolians, so we share the same territory, and attempt to control, educate, and eventually civilize, them." ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"'He didn't teach me. I'm a pacifist.' "Well, that's dumb,' Sam said. 'What do you want to be that for? You could be learning a valuable skill. For free.'" ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"My plan is to be undefeatable!" ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"Barbarians, look alive. There are great opportunities for civilization ahead." ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"Baker, a forty-year-old building contractor in Phoenix, was beginning to feel uneasy. Especially since his wife, an architect, was one of those artistic people who wasn't practical about things like gas and water. His tank was half-empty. And the car was starting to run hot." ~ Timeline by Michael Crichton.
"Safety is the last refuge of the scoundrel!" ~ Timeline by Michael Crichton.
And, for your added enjoyment {or lack thereof if you're a guy ;)}, a couple of quotes from my favorite movie, The Phantom of the Opera!!
"In sleep he sang to me; in dreams, he came; that voice which calls to me, and speaks my name." ~ Christine.
"You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you!" ~ The Phantom.
"No more memories, no more silent tears, no more gazing across the wasted years, help me say goodbye." ~ Christine.
"The power of the music of the night; you alone can make my song take flight." ~ The Phantom.
"You alone can make my music take flight; it's over now the music of the night!" ~ The Phantom.
The quotes sound better when they're being sung by the actors. ;) Catch ya later!!
"He shook his head, thinking of some of those adventures, which had involved near escapes, brushes with the law, even danger of death. Yes, it had been interesting, but he couldn't expect the rest of his life to be quite as adventurous. At some point, he was going to have to settle down, get serious about life, maybe even cut his hair.
Naaah." ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"And he wondered what his dad had been up to. Most likely, Dad had figured out a new way to hack into the government computer database and reprogram their coffee makers. Or create software that would change every traffic light from yellow to purple, or something. Alex had better get home and find out." ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"With a karate yell, he leapt over the fence into the yard, instigating cries of 'Alex is back!'" ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"Ah. Here, Kateri, are the inhabitants of this house known collectively as the barbarian horde. As the Chinese treated the Mongolians, so we share the same territory, and attempt to control, educate, and eventually civilize, them." ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"'He didn't teach me. I'm a pacifist.' "Well, that's dumb,' Sam said. 'What do you want to be that for? You could be learning a valuable skill. For free.'" ~ Alex O'Donnell and The 40 Cyberthieves by Regina Doman.
"My plan is to be undefeatable!" ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"Barbarians, look alive. There are great opportunities for civilization ahead." ~ Alex O'Donnell.
"Baker, a forty-year-old building contractor in Phoenix, was beginning to feel uneasy. Especially since his wife, an architect, was one of those artistic people who wasn't practical about things like gas and water. His tank was half-empty. And the car was starting to run hot." ~ Timeline by Michael Crichton.
"Safety is the last refuge of the scoundrel!" ~ Timeline by Michael Crichton.
And, for your added enjoyment {or lack thereof if you're a guy ;)}, a couple of quotes from my favorite movie, The Phantom of the Opera!!
"In sleep he sang to me; in dreams, he came; that voice which calls to me, and speaks my name." ~ Christine.
"You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you!" ~ The Phantom.
"No more memories, no more silent tears, no more gazing across the wasted years, help me say goodbye." ~ Christine.
"The power of the music of the night; you alone can make my song take flight." ~ The Phantom.
"You alone can make my music take flight; it's over now the music of the night!" ~ The Phantom.
The quotes sound better when they're being sung by the actors. ;) Catch ya later!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sir Rowan and The Camerian Conquest Book Review.
Title: Sir Rowan and The Camerian Conquest.
Author: Chuck Black.
Gene: Christian, Fantasy, Allegory, Action/Adventure, End-Times.
Plot: Rowan was a mere lad of twelve or thirteen when he, a poor orphaned stable boy, first met Sir Aldwyn and his life was changed forever. Sir Aldwyn, taking a liking to the boy, took him on as a pupil and became his mentor, teaching him everything he knew from sword-fighting to manners to all about the noble Prince he serves and fights for. Upon Rowan's commissioning, he is presented with a "magnificent sword" and an invitation to join his mentor in the great mission of the Prince. But Rowan has his heart set on competing in Cameria's famous tournaments and when he is eighteen and against Sir Aldwyn's wishes, he enters the lists and seals his fate. Being stronger than the average man and more skillful with the sword than mot men, Rowan quickly rises to fame and fortune, but at a high cost to himself and his character.
One fateful day, when Rowan is traveling to attend his largest tournament yet, he is waylaid by brutal bandits who kill those traveling with him and take Rowan captive, intending to hold him for ransom. Rowan spends nearly a year bond by chains, beaten on a regular bases, left alone for hours and hours in a dark cave, and given only enough food and water to keep him alive. Deep in his darkest moment of existence, Rowan finally realizes that his tournament dreams were wasted time and energy, and he cries out for forgiveness from the Prince before losing consciousness for what he deems the last time. But the Prince isn't finished with him yet. In a vivid dream, He says, "Your life is not over, for you are a mighty knight of the King. Time is short and I have a mission that awaits you in Arrthtrae." Then, while Rowan lies awake trying to figure out what just happened, He sends him the aid of a kind young widow named Mariah who gets him out of the cave and nurses him back to health on her nearby farm.
Eventually and predictably, Rowan and Mariah fall in love and get married. But their happy time together is cut short and they sell the farm before joining up with the Resolutes, the last people of Cameria who defy the new strict laws and continue worshipping the King and His Son anyway. But in one battle and post-battle tragedy, Rowan's heart shatters into shards and he feels like he can't go on. Yet, the Prince is still with him and sends him a new companion in the form of Lijah and Rowan finally understands what his mission is. Together, the two men boldly travel to Chessington, the famous capital of Arrthtrae and the pivotal point in both the land's history and the story. Having already battled pride, vanity, hopelessness, and heartbreak, Rowan is ready for this last and greatest task of all. And, even as the world around him falls apart, he and Lijah never waver, leaning solely on the strength of their Prince to get them through the toughest difficulties.
Likes/Dislikes: This is the sixth {and, I believe, the final} book in The Knights of Arrthtrae, the sequel series to The Kingdom Series by the same author. I was sent a free review copy from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review by the way. While the books are all good and clean, they are terribly short! {I'm not use to reading books under two hundred pages anymore. ;)} However, they seem to make up for that with boldly spoken characters, intense battles, and a fast pace overall. Highly recommended for family read-alouds and boys who might be termed "reluctant readers." ;) Go to this link to download the first chapter! http://www.scribd.com/doc/36812260/Sir-Rowan-by-Chuck-Black-Chapter-1
Rating: G.
Date Report Written: December 31, 2010.
Author: Chuck Black.
Gene: Christian, Fantasy, Allegory, Action/Adventure, End-Times.
Plot: Rowan was a mere lad of twelve or thirteen when he, a poor orphaned stable boy, first met Sir Aldwyn and his life was changed forever. Sir Aldwyn, taking a liking to the boy, took him on as a pupil and became his mentor, teaching him everything he knew from sword-fighting to manners to all about the noble Prince he serves and fights for. Upon Rowan's commissioning, he is presented with a "magnificent sword" and an invitation to join his mentor in the great mission of the Prince. But Rowan has his heart set on competing in Cameria's famous tournaments and when he is eighteen and against Sir Aldwyn's wishes, he enters the lists and seals his fate. Being stronger than the average man and more skillful with the sword than mot men, Rowan quickly rises to fame and fortune, but at a high cost to himself and his character.
One fateful day, when Rowan is traveling to attend his largest tournament yet, he is waylaid by brutal bandits who kill those traveling with him and take Rowan captive, intending to hold him for ransom. Rowan spends nearly a year bond by chains, beaten on a regular bases, left alone for hours and hours in a dark cave, and given only enough food and water to keep him alive. Deep in his darkest moment of existence, Rowan finally realizes that his tournament dreams were wasted time and energy, and he cries out for forgiveness from the Prince before losing consciousness for what he deems the last time. But the Prince isn't finished with him yet. In a vivid dream, He says, "Your life is not over, for you are a mighty knight of the King. Time is short and I have a mission that awaits you in Arrthtrae." Then, while Rowan lies awake trying to figure out what just happened, He sends him the aid of a kind young widow named Mariah who gets him out of the cave and nurses him back to health on her nearby farm.
Eventually and predictably, Rowan and Mariah fall in love and get married. But their happy time together is cut short and they sell the farm before joining up with the Resolutes, the last people of Cameria who defy the new strict laws and continue worshipping the King and His Son anyway. But in one battle and post-battle tragedy, Rowan's heart shatters into shards and he feels like he can't go on. Yet, the Prince is still with him and sends him a new companion in the form of Lijah and Rowan finally understands what his mission is. Together, the two men boldly travel to Chessington, the famous capital of Arrthtrae and the pivotal point in both the land's history and the story. Having already battled pride, vanity, hopelessness, and heartbreak, Rowan is ready for this last and greatest task of all. And, even as the world around him falls apart, he and Lijah never waver, leaning solely on the strength of their Prince to get them through the toughest difficulties.
Likes/Dislikes: This is the sixth {and, I believe, the final} book in The Knights of Arrthtrae, the sequel series to The Kingdom Series by the same author. I was sent a free review copy from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review by the way. While the books are all good and clean, they are terribly short! {I'm not use to reading books under two hundred pages anymore. ;)} However, they seem to make up for that with boldly spoken characters, intense battles, and a fast pace overall. Highly recommended for family read-alouds and boys who might be termed "reluctant readers." ;) Go to this link to download the first chapter! http://www.scribd.com/doc/36812260/Sir-Rowan-by-Chuck-Black-Chapter-1
Rating: G.
Date Report Written: December 31, 2010.
Greeting Followers!
A warm welcome to Marian and EldraFromDaremo!! I'm glad you're here! ;) Hope you're enjoying a fine Sunday today!
Psalm 46.
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge." ~ Psalm 46, NKJV.
Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge." ~ Psalm 46, NKJV.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Greeting Followers!
I just want to take a moment real quick to acknowledge all my readers {two of whom are new!}! Hello to you all and welcome, Ellie and Noah, to this, my humble blog! I hope you like it here and please, don't hesitate to comment or request book/movie reviews. Sometimes, it's wise not to leave me to my own devices. ;) Happy New Year!!!
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