Friendship Tolkien Style/Cheerfullness with Merry and Pippin

I know a lot of people view Merry and Pippin as silly little characters who are just there for the sake of it. Although most of the time those people have only watched the movies. However Merry and Pip have a message to share just like the others.
These two are just so cute together and their actions and quotes make for good laughs, but they are so much more than that.

How they meet:
Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took have been close friends for as long as we know. They are quite the goofballs when together and love to get into trouble. (Like when they set off one of Gandalf's fireworks the wrong way)

What brings them close:
Although Merry and Pip are cousins and have been BFFs since little tiny Hobbits, they are immature in their friendship till the adventure. As they go through dangers and trials they start to realize how much they truly need each other.

Their friendship:
One very good scene is where Merry and Pippin have been separated for a while and Merry ends up getting hurt in a battle. Pippin finds him an comforts him. Merry asks if he's going to leave him and Pippin says no. I don't know yet if it's in the books too, I haven't gotten that far in the Return of the King. But the sweetest thing about that is Merry has always been the older cousin, looking out for Pip. I think this is where Pippin finally grows up a bit.

What I love about these two is they might not be great fighters like Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli, or save the world like Frodo and Sam, and they might not be as smart as Gandalf, and yet they have a purpose. Other than the few times they save each other and others I think what they're really there for is to keep everyone's hopes up. I mean, if those little hobbits hadn't of been there I think every one would of had some serious depression. Those two where funny, they goofed around together even when great danger pressed against them. They could have let fear grip and paralyze their hearts, but they had each other and they knew that together they could put a smile on and face whatever came their way. Sure they were immature, sure they had no clue how dangerous everything was, and sure they had no real qualifications for being on that quest, but they sure did make a difference.
These two remind me that even if I feel like I have no qualifications for being here, when I feel useless with no real talents, I remember that even Merrys and Pippins can make a difference. And nobody's here without a reason. :)

What do you think of Merry and Pip? Did I miss anything? And... Wait, they come in pints? Excuse me.

Brookie

Haven't Even Kissed by Moriah Peters

 

True love doesn't evolve around kissing and the physical. Love goes much deeper. You don't need to be kissed by someone to know they love you. There are so many different acts of showing love, giving gifts, helping out, saying kind words.  A lot of people get caught up in the kissing, when should I kiss? How should I kiss? Who should I kiss? When really that will come at the right time if you wait and think on what's really important. Their heart. Are they a godly person? Will they treat me right? Do they put God first? And such questions like that. :) 

Brookie

Friendship Tolkien style/Self-Sacrafice with Sam and Frodo

I love the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. It's greatly inspired me in many ways. But one thing that really struck my heart was the friendships in them all. Most of all between Sam and Frodo.

Now I could go on and on forever about the friendships in these wonderful books. I won't, or at least I'll try my best not to. ;)

Now a lot of people say Frodo was a jerk and Sam should have been the real hero in the story. I don't believe that is so. If you read the books you'll be reminded a lot that the weight of the ring is almost unbearable, it gnaws at Frodo's self-control. Frodo has a hard enough time just carrying the thing. And it gets harder the closer they get to Mount Doom. Frodo has all he can bear carrying the ring, Sam is amazing, and Frodo might not have been the best friend at the time, but considering the circumstances I think we might be able to give Frodo a little slack.  Alrighty, now that I have that rant out of the way. (I might have sounded pretty calm while sharing that, but ask my little sister, I can really get annoying with my ranting on this subject!)

How they meet:
The Gaffer, Sam's father was Bilbo's gardener at Bag End, Sam and Frodo then took on their places. They are friends before the adventure, not super close though, but Sam feels a type of loyalty to Frodo.

What brings them close:
Gandalf tells Sam that he is to go on to Rivendell with Frodo. Then he makes him promise, "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." Sam promises and keeps that promise to the very best of his abilities. And he carries it out more than once, reminding Frodo of his promise. He takes on a real protective stance over Frodo.

Their friendship:
There are so many parts, but I'll stick to just a few.
When they're at Rivendell and Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mount Doom Sam has been hiding and keeping watch over Frodo, he then comes out and says that if Master Frodo is going, he is too.
At the end of the Fellowship of the Ring Frodo is taking off on his own without the rest of the group, Sam realizes while looking for him what he was probably doing. He runs back down to the shore of the lake and makes Frodo take him too.
When Frodo is kidnapped by the orcs Sam doesn't leave him to be taken to Sauron, but goes and rescues him.
Sam gives up much of his food and sleep to keep watch over Frodo from Gollum.
Then when Frodo is about to give up Sam carries him up Mount Doom.

For Frodo's part he doesn't do a whole lot for Sam, but you can clearly see how much he loves Sam and appreciates him. I want to share one of my favorite moments between Sam and Frodo.

“Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. We're in one, of course, but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!" And they will say: "Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. Frodo was very brave, wasn't he, dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot."
'It's saying a lot too much,' said Frodo, and he laughed, a long clear laugh from his heart. Such a sound had not been heard in those places since Sauron came to Middle-earth. To Sam suddenly it seemed as if all the stones were listening and the tall rocks leaning over them. But Frodo did not heed them; he laughed again. 'Why, Sam,' he said, 'to hear you somehow makes me as merry as if the story was already written. But you've left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. "I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad? That's what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?"'
'Now, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam, 'you shouldn't make fun. I was serious.'
'So was I,' said Frodo, 'and so I am.

What I love about these two:
Gosh, I just can't put my love for these two into words. They are such amazing friends. They care for one another more than they care for themselves. They would die before they saw something bad happen to the other and that is the ultimate friendship. :)

I hope you liked it and there's more coming!! Tell me what do you think about Frodo's and Sam's friendship? And if you dare, what do you think about Frodo's attitude towards Sam? Tread that ground very lightly around here, I warn you. ;)

Brookie

That's What I'm Looking for by Anthem Lights

That's What I'm Looking for

Pretty girl walking down the street
I like your smile when you look at me oh oh 
Do you know what I'm looking for
Not a face at a magazine 
Don't need a friend on a movie screen oh oh
It's not what I'm looking for 

I know there's something more 

Hey girl I gotta be honest
Truth is all I really want is
Someone who knows who they are
Beauty found inside her heart 
I want her to be modest 
That kind of girl is hottest 
A lady living for the Lord 
Just so ya know 
That's what I'm looking for 

Big smile and fancy hair 
Airbrushed skin can not compare oh oh
To the one that I'm looking for 

Glows just like the morning sun
Shows Gods love to everyone oh oh 
That's what I'm looking for 

Hey girl I gotta be honest
Truth is all I really want is
Someone who knows who they are
Beauty found inside her heart 
I want her to be modest 
That kind of girl is hottest 
A lady living for the Lord 
Just so ya know 
That's what I'm looking for 

That girl's gunna be worth it 
For me she's gunna be perfect
Till then I'm gunna keep searchin'

I want her to be modest 
That kind of girl is hottest 
A lady living for the Lord 
Just so ya just so ya know ohoh 

Hey girl I gotta be honest
Truth is all I really want is
Someone who knows who they are
Beauty found inside her heart 
I want her to be modest 
That kind of girl is hottest 
A lady living for the Lord 
Just so ya know 
That's what I'm looking for 

Just so you know
That's what I'm looking for 

That's what I'm looking for

There are guys out there who want a godly girl. They don't want some fake girl who's trying to keep up with the world. They want someone with personality, which I think their being silly shows. :) So don't compromise for the majority, stay true for the godly men out there. 

Role Models

I am often looking for someone to look up to. And I've found I've been looking in all the wrong places.

I find a famous role model, I look up to them for a while, watching everything they do. Then they do it. They make a mistake. I get sad for a while. How could they betray me like that? They where supposed to be perfect. They're famous Christian's for Pete's sake. I then find a new one after a little bit. And it happens again.

I've gotten so confused. Aren't we supposed to find role models? Why do mine always disappoint?

Then it hit me. Where am I looking? Who am I watching? I was making these people gods. Idols. I didn't do it on purpose. But it still happened. I was taking sinful people and hoping they would be perfect just for me. I should have been looking at the only perfect role model, Jesus. The only one who has lived this life and made it through perfectly. The only one who can show me everything I need to do and how to do it, and with what attitude. I missed the perfect role model.

Now that doesn't mean I can't look up to other Christians. I can't expect them to be perfect though. I can't follow their every move. I can't expect them not to make mistakes, because they are just as much human as I am.

In fact, God tells us to find someone to look up to. Someone who tries to follow Him with all their heart. Someone who can show us how to live our lives in a way pleasing to God.

Have you found you've been looking up to the wrong role models? Do you have anything to add to what I said?

Brookie

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!

Rules: 

• Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site. 
• Put the award logo on your blog. 
• Answer the ten questions they’ve set you. 
• Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer. 
• Nominate ten people.

Thank you WildHorse for nominating me! :)

WildHorse's questions:

What is your favorite story no one has ever heard of? We always need new, unusual books in our lives.
The Pearl Maiden. I love historical novels, and there's a handsome Roman. ;) 

Your life is now the last movie/TV show you watched. What was that? And are you happy or worried? If you are the Doctor, I want to meet you.

 Return of the King. I'm Frodo and I'm happy because I'm going with Bilbo and the elves across the sea. Not to mention I got rid of that stinking ring. 

You are about to be marooned on an island. You get a pistol and a book. Which book? Pick carefully.
The Bible. It's my ultimate guide. :)

Favourite type of cookie? This is very important. 

Chocolate chip. Or maybe peanut butter...

Do you dance in the rain? There is only one answer. 

Nope. I like watching the rain while I drink hot chocolate and read though.

What do you look for in a friend? I know that you only really need me, but I will allow you to have contact with other mortals. 

Kindness is the biggest thing. 

Now that I am King (or Queen, maybe), will you bring me cookies? I know you will. 

I can't exactly fly half way across the world to bring you cookies. But if I lived closer, sure. But just because I'm awesome and kind like that. ;)

The longest you've gone without sleep? We should compare. 

Two days? I don't really know. Maybe even three.

What do you know about New Zealand? Be careful, I love my home. 

Um, there's a lot of mormons over there.

Tell me something you are scared of. I promise not to use the knowledge against you.

I try not to be scared of anything. You know God tells us not to be in a lot of places... but I am terrified of the ocean and what it holds. Sharks, and krakens, and lumpy fish, oh my!

My questions:

If you could rule any country, which one would you rule?

What is your favorite genre and why?

Who is your favorite blogger (Remember how awesome I am)?

If you could "live" in a fictional world which one would you live in?

If you could "save" a fictional world and then leave, which one would you choose?

Who is your favorite fictional character? (It can be one of your own)

Hot chocolate or coffee?

Reading and sun or reading and rain?

Cowboys or Romans?

Is my (filthy) boy the cutest or what?

I nominate:

Elizabeth

Ghost Writer

Sarah

Moriah 

Anna 

I'm only doing five because I'm a rebel and a lot of people I would have nominated have already been by others.

Sea of Faces by Kutless

I see the city lights all around me
Everyone's obscure
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care

And in Your eyes I can see
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Sometimes my life it feels so trivial
Immersed in the greatness of space
Yet somehow you still find the time for me
It's then You show me Your love

And In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

If only my one heart
Was all you'd gain from all it cost
Well I know you would have still been a man
With a reason
To willingly offer your life

I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Just one in a million faces

We need to remember that even when we're feeling down and sad, God chose us. And He chose us for a reason. The Bible says,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ESV

We probably won't grow up to be prophets, but God has a purpose for each and everyone one of us. He knows us by name, He has a plan,


"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

So when we're feeling like nobodies, remember Christ died for you, you aren't just one more face in a sea of faces, you are a saved face, a known face, and you have a name, Child of God.

New design

Hey everyone,
For a while I've been thinking about changing the background here. Then I was prompted to by someone else. So after a bit more thought, I did. What do you think? I took the picture of the flower a few months ago myself, btw. Do you think it's more professional? I felt the old one was quite immature, the blog of a seven year old. ;)

I also moved to Disqus. What does everyone think of that? It's what they use at the Rebelution, and I find it really nice, so far.

Also, I'm very sorry about how much I've been slacking off on posting lately. I will try my very best to do it more regularly.

Let me know what you're thinking and how you like it! :)

Brookie

Attention Seeker

So, just recently I've been convicted. I was reading through blog posts and going through my G+, when I started getting a little jealous at how many comments everyone was getting, and how many friends everyone has. I thought, they haven't been on here as long as me, and look how popular they are. What are they doing right? What am I doing wrong? Then I started thinking of ways I could get people's attention. Maybe more posts? More of my sappy life? Oh wait, I don't have a sappy life...

Then it hit me. What am I doing? What am I trying to do? Are these thoughts glorifying God?

Obviously not. I mean, does God care how popular we are? Or how many likes and comments we get? No. But he does care about our thoughts, feelings, and actions. My thoughts and feelings where not thoughts of truth, love, or anything that the Bible teaches us to think about.

I wasn't thinking of ways to bless others. I was being selfish. How can I gain? How can I get more friends? How can I get my name around the block? Can you say, 'Me monster?' Ugg.

I'm going to try to obey this verse now though. And when thoughts of jealousy and loneliness plague me, I'll think on these things.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8 ESV

It's Time

It's that time of year. The time of year when people make resolutions that most likely won't ever happen. The holidays are slowing down, and people are getting back into their old patterns. The time that I avoid talking about new year resolutions cause I never even make lists. I always feel like I'm doing something wrong by not writing up one.

So I've decided, I'll make a short, sweet, and somewhat easy one. ;P Like resolutions are ever easy.

Writing:
Finish the first draft of Trio of Light
Finish the first draft of another WIP

Home and Family:
Be nicer to the sibs
Be more helpful around the house
Get in shape

Faith and school:
Finish ten books of the Bible
Learn Spanish and Quenya
Read at least 55 books
Read fifteen non-fiction books

So yep. Short and somewhat sweet. :) Good luck to the rest of you on your resolutions! :)

The Lyric Medley Tag

Rules: 

Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.

Make a collage that represents your taste in music (or, if you don't feel like it, you can use mine) to go along with your tag post.

List 10 song lyrics (along with song titles and artists) and their genres to go with an emotion/scenario (you can come up with your own or use the ones that the person who tagged you used).

Tag at least 5 bloggers.

Thank you WildHorse for tagging me! :) And Rcubed, I just learned!

Anthem Lights, Francesca Battistelli, Tenth Avenue North, TobyMac, Colton Dixon, the Newsboys

As you can see, I love my Christian music. I feel so much closer to the artists this way. :) 

1. Song that makes me want to cry:

Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me, all that I need
You are so beautiful, beautiful

2. Song that I play on repeat:

 On Top of the World cover by Anthem Lights

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

3. Song that makes me feel calm:

Beloved by Tenth Avenue North

You're my beloved lover
I'm yours
And Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My love it unites us and it binds you to me
It's a mystery

4. Song that makes me feel rebellious:

Titanium cover by Tyler Ward

You shout it out
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud not saying much
I'm criticized
But all your bullets ricochet
Shoot me down, but I get up

5. Song that makes me want more of God:

More of You by Colton Dixon

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I'm meant to be
You're all I want all I need
You're everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You and Less of me
I need more of you
More of you

6. Song that makes me feel battle-ready:

Tonight by TobyMac

We wanna rise,
We wanna touch the other side
(It starts tonight!)
We wanna soar
We wanna reach right out for more
(Cause it starts tonight!)
We wanna rise,
We wanna touch the other side
(It starts tonight)
We wanna soar,
We wanna reach right out for more
(Cause it starts tonight)
Tonight tonight
Tonight tonight tonight
Tonight

7. Song that make me want to dance:

Shake it Off cover by Anthem Lights

Can't stop, won't stop moving
It's like I got this music
In my mind, saying it's gonna be alright
Cause the players gonna play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate
Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake
Shake it off

8. Song that makes me wistful:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by IZ

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?

9. Song that makes me happy:

God's Not Dead by the Newsboys

Our God's not dead he's surely alive!

He's living on the inside

roaring like a lion!

10. Song that reminds me of summer:

No Man is an Island by Tenth Avenue North

                                                 

                                                  No man is an island, we can be found
                                              No man is an island, let your guard down
                                                You don’t have to fight me, I am for you
                                                 We’re not meant to live this life alone

I nominate:

Rcubed
Moriah Faith

Elizabeth Sullivan
Alyssa Monk
and Trent Blake
 

Changing the World guest post by Moriah Faith

First off, I want to say that I really appreciate Brooke for giving me this opportunity to share some things I've had on my heart. 

Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to change the world. 

I remember when I was 4 or 5, after hearing about Christians in other countries who were killed for believing that Jesus was the Son of God, I scribbled a note in the back of my tiny bible that said "Jesus is the Son of God. Moriah wrote this." I wanted to be willing to die for my faith. I wanted to use my entire life to change the course of this world. 

I know that may seem a little far fetched but I wouldn't be surprised if some of you have had dreams that big too. So today I'm going to give you just a Reader's Digest version of how to change the world in three easy steps.

To start, you need a launchpad. For most of us who have grown up in Christian homes, that launchpad would be our family and church. For others it may be something else. But we all need to get that encouragement from somewhere, even if it's just the word of God. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, but kindling is pretty important too. 

I'm personally in awe of the fact that God gave me strong Christian parents who have homeschooled me since day one and provided so many opportunities for me to grow. I can't speak highly enough of their devotion to raising my siblings and I to love and honor God. 

Another thing is the amazing blessing of living in a country where we're allowed to worship our God and teach others about Him. Yet too often we take for granted our freedom of religion and freedom of speech by shutting up about our faith for the sake of "political correctness" (more on that later).

The second step is to develop our God given talents in order to serve as a functioning member of the body of Christ. To do this we must first find our gifts. 

You may have lots of gifts but find one thing that you enjoy doing, you're good at and that can help others in some way. It's a plus if this gift includes directly interacting with people you may not know. 

Once you've got that down you have to make a plan on how to use it. For instance, I love writing. It's obvious. I write all the time about all kinds of things. I can use that gift to write blog posts, write letters to people and encourage them with my words. There are countless ways to use a simple gift like that. 

When you have put your plan down on paper of what your gift is and how you want to use it, give that to God. The bible says that when we devote our plans to God, He will give us the desires of our hearts. That would be awesome! But we have to totally submit it to Him if we want it to go anywhere. You see? If I have my own little agenda behind it and just want God to bless it, that's not enough. My life has to be His project. That's total submission.

The last step is to actually go out there and change the world.

Once you've found your niche, got your plan, given it to God and you have His blessing, it's time for the rubber to hit the road. So here are a few quick tips...

Don't be afraid. Things will come against you. You may have someone in your life who is discouraging. Don't listen to lies from satan saying that you're not good enough or strong enough for God to use. Just a quick read through the bible and you see tons of stories where God used people like the humble shepherd David, a teenage girl named Mary, a horrible guy named Saul who later became the apostle Paul and helped change the course of the 1st century for Christ. It's people like you and me who end up making history.

Be confident and bold. This means taking risks. You may have to risk your reputation by skipping part of your sport season to go on a mission trip. You may risk being a little short on cash to help out someone in need. You may have to risk seeming politically incorrect sometimes. I don't know what it might be for you but following Christ and doing His will often calls for desperate measures and because our relationship with Him is worth it, we won't think twice.

Most importantly of all, stay humble. I can't tell you how many Christian people have set out to do great things for the Lord only to get caught up in pride and the selfish desires of the flesh. The bible says that God humbles the proud but exalts the humble. With each step you take forward, give God the glory and devote your future to His mission. 

I hope this has encouraged you today! If so, don't forget to like, comment and subscribe. 

God bless and have a fantastic week!

Blessings,

Moriah

 

Thank you, Moriah! :) If you would like to know more about her you can find her links below.

Brooke

Moriah Faith is a 16 year old Christian homeschooler who blogs at The Damsel's Retreat {thedamselsretreat.wordpress.com} where she encourages young women in their relationships with Christ and others. On top of that she enjoys running, photography and graphic design. 

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Do Life Big by Jamie Grace

I gotta slow down,
Stop for a second,
Take a look around,

And I gotta take time,
To hear that little voice inside,

Saying I came to give you life,
So spread your wings and fly,
I've got a secret to share,
You are enough to change the atmosphere,

So go and do life big, big
I wanna do life big, big

Break out them blue skies,
I can feel my heart beating inside,
Yeah, it's like a new day,
Woke up to hear You say,

I came to give you life,
So spread your wings and fly,
Now go and show no fear,
You are enough to change the atmosphere,

So go and do life big, big
I wanna do life big, big

Oh, I wanna love, wanna give every day I live,
I wanna do life big,
I wanna love, serve, and give every chance I get,
I wanna do life big,
Oh, I wanna love, wanna give every day I live,
I wanna do life big,
I wanna love, serve, and give every chance I get,
Oh I wanna do life
I wanna do life big, big

I wanna do life big, big
I wanna do life big, big

I wanna love like You,
I wanna give like You,
Oh, I wanna do life big,
I wanna serve like You,
Lay down my life like You,
I wanna do life big...

I wanna do life...
I wanna do life...
I wanna do life big.
I wanna do life...
I wanna do life...
I wanna do life big.

 

We don't have 900 years to live like Methuselah. It goes along with 'Tonight', we need to make a difference, and we need to do it tonight. We can't live our lives being average. Now, I'm not saying just being a stay-at-home mom, or working in an office is average. I'm saying that acting like what you do is unimportant is average. We need to everything so that God gets glory for it. And He isn't going to get any glory when we take the easy way. :) So do life big!