Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Story Behind Ted Dekker's Book Boneman’s Daughters

The Story Behind Ted Dekker's Book Boneman’s Daughters

Ted: Boneman's Daughters is a very passionate story. It’s about a serial killer called Boneman who is obsessed with finding the perfect daughter. He takes young women, kidnaps them, and when they fail to meet his expectations of what a perfect daughter should be, he kills them. And he does so in a rather gruesome manner, by breaking their bones without breaking their skin. He breaks all of their bones and leaves them to die.

The whole story is centered around this one girl who’s taken. Her name’s Bethany; she’s a bit of a rebel—a very strong-willed person—and her father, who she’s estranged from. When he learns she’s been taken, he just goes ballistic. He goes after Boneman himself. The FBI suspect that he himself might be Boneman, so they go after him. They have this very interesting chase. The whole novel really goes back and forth across the whole state of Texas. But at the heart of this novel is a father’s desperation to recover his daughter.

The story itself was born out of my personal experience. When my daughter was eighteen she was taken, in my view, by a similar kind of character. Now, it wasn’t a serial killer, obviously. It was this guy she’d fallen in love with. In my view though he was like a Boneman. He was an abusive person. She couldn’t see it, but he was dangerous. Because she was eighteen I couldn’t stop her. I could just hope and pray. During that time I began to ask myself about this amazing love I had for my daughter and the emotions that went through me. I would have done anything to protect her, anything to save her. It was then that the roots of this story began to form in my own mind. So in Boneman’s Daughters we explore that. The extremes of a father, and how far would you go to rescue your daughter? Would you kill another man to save your daughter’s life? These are the themes we explore.

Read full interview

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Randy Travis Three Wooden Crosses

Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis
Reviewed by Tracy Darlington

"...a must for Randy Travis fans and a great start for the uninitiated. It blends country, Gospel, and rich vocals into a delightful mix."

He wasn’t always known as Randy Travis to the world of country music. At the age of ten he and his brother started a duo called the Traywick Brothers. Their father hoped Randy would be a country singer, so at sixteen he entered a talent show. After winning the competition hands down, Travis was encouraged when he was asked by a club owner to play at their night spot. But soon after that this country music mainstay was turned down by nearly every record label. He finally signed his first record deal in 1985, but it wasn’t until the late ‘80's that Randy took country music by storm, and he still is.

I saw Randy Travis perform “Three Wooden Crosses”, the title track of Travis’s inspirational collection, in Branson MO a few years back. It was just Randy’s deep baritone and an accompanying guitar. The cut on the cd has the same simple acoustic feel. The first half of the project features Travis’ versions of the old hymns we have known and love, while the second half showcases more of Randy’s authentic country style.

Southern Gospel fans will find “Swing Down Chariot” right up their alley. Mac Powell of Third Day joins Randy on vocals in “Love Lifted Me” . The number “Pray for the Fish” is sure to put a smile on your face as Travis champions wildlife as he sings Preacher said people take a moment or two / there’s something we need to do / Pray for the Fish. Lord be with them. They’ve done nothing, please won’t you leave them just a little bit of room to swim... You won’t be able to keep you toes from tapping to it’s upbeat and catchy rhythm.

The final track is perhaps the crowning glory of the collection as Randy makes the classic song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” all his own. “Three Wooden Crosses - The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis” is a must for Randy Travis fans and a great start for the uninitiated. It blends country, Gospel, and rich vocals into a delightful mix.

Buy this album at Amazon

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Design Your Own Sneaker

Want to design your own sneaker? I found this cool site that shows you how! Check out nikeid.com :) Have fun! I can't wait to get mine.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Kings Firecracker Performance

I think I better brush up on my jumping skills. Watch this video and you will see what I mean!

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Word Wednesday

Chapter of the Week:

Hebrews 11 Part 1

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Just Between You and Me New Fiction Book by Jenny B.Jones

Get a Sneak Peek at Jenny B Jones' New Book coming in September!

Summary:

Maggie lives life on the edge, seemingly unafraid of anything. But the image she so carefully constructed is coming undone. Maggie's job as a videographer takes her around the world. She tells people's stories, especially those of impoverished children. That's when she feels most alive, like she's making the world better.
But when a secret from her past resurfaces, Maggie gets a call that sends her home. Her dad desperately needs her help. Her estranged sister has run off, leaving 8-year-old Riley in his care.

She returns reluctantly, hoping to help her neice. There she reconnects with Cooper--a once awkward and shy, now handsome, veterinarian. Her feelings skyrocket when she's with him, but she's afraid if she shows him her true self, he'll reject her.
An honest, hilarious journey that will transform Maggie--if she just learns to trust more and fearless.

Buy Jenny's books here.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Hoops and Yoyo Coffee Jitters

For those of you coffee lovers out there, this will put a smile on your face. All I can say is bring on the beans! :)

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Chapter of the Bible for the Week

Chapter of the Week

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."