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.