The After-Christmas Update

Hello all! How was your Christmas? Mine was wonderful. I always love spending time with the fam and going through various Christmas festivities. But I have to say that I am glad some of it is over with. With the last remains of Christmas leftovers desposed of tonight, it feels that its all over with until next year. I am REALLY glad that the before Christmas rush in retail is over with. At Family Christian, work has seemed to settle down and not be so rushed, which is great! Now it's back to normal, or as normal as things can be in Christian retail.

I was very pleased with my Christmas gifts this year. Mom and Dad really surprised me this year. I got a flat-screen 32 inch tv that is now hanging on my wall in my room. Its really cool. I didn't even ask for that, but they felt I needed it in my room...which I am not complaining. I also got a DVD player that wasn't working properly (perhaps due to the fact that it was an off-brand player) so Dad is going to return it tomorrow. I got some new dress shirts and ties. I also got a pair of sunglasses and that Bible I wanted (The Message). Overall I had a wonderful Christmas.

Well, I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. Have a happy New Years all!

Watching, Reading, Listening To (12/5/06)

Ok, so I stole the title and idea from my friend Jamie Cole.

Lately I have been wanting to blog about some things I have been watching, reading, and listening to. So here it goes:

Watching - I rented a few movies this weekend for my viewing pleasure. Among the titles were:

The DaVinci Code - Ok, before some of you freak out, keep in mind that this is PURELY FICTION! Yes, it does undermine Christianity and the divinity of Christ, but I believe that if you are a true Christian, that you shouldnt be worried about this. Although I am very concerned that unbelievers will take this as truth. It is not. It is pure gnosticism.

Little Man - Yet another funny Wayans Brothers film. Although it could've done without some of its perverted moments. It was pretty funny.

The Producers - I had a few friends over on Friday and we watched it. Although I own this movie, watching it in a group makes it all the more enjoyable. This is in my top fav movies right now. I like it because of it's Broadway caliber songs and stuff, but it also makes a good movie.

I am wanting to watch Chocolat and Moulin Rouge again. I really like musicals. Not in an overly obsessive way, but in a casual way.

Reading - As i've probably said before, I am very ADD when it comes to reading. I somehow seem to find myself reading a few books at a time and then whenever I go to Barnes and Noble or to work (Family Christian) I stumble across something I would like to read.

Blue Like Jazz - One word: WOW! I really like this book. It is just so honest and such. Donald Miller really bears his soul in this book. I would recommend this to everyone who is looking to define their faith and spirituality. After I finally finish reading this, I kind of hope to write a review for it.

The Case for Faith - I really like reading things that Lee Strobel writes. He used to be a journalist and I really like his journalistic approach towards issues he writes about. He lists possible claims why people could not have faith, but then goes behind them and refutes their claims.

The Last Disciple: John's Story - I found this when I was shelving some books in the Left Behind Series. It seems like Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins have yet again written a wonderful novel. This ficticious, yet biblically based, account is the story of how the Apostle John wrote the Gospel according to John as well as 1, 2, and 3 John and Revelation. It is a great story and I have hardly put it down since I started.

Those are just a few I am actually actively reading. I still have some that I have started, but am not actively pursuing. The list goes on...

Listening To - Of recent, I have began to listen to more Christmas tunes and new music.

Awake by Josh Groban - OH MY GOODNESS. I didn't think that he could get any better, but I was wrong. In my opinion, this is his best CD yet and I have most of his CDs. Such songs as "February Song" and "You Are Loved (Don't Let Go)" are sooooooooo good. So good enough that today when I was feeling a bit stressed, I selected "February Song" on my iPod and turned it up to where all I could hear was this and I suddenly felt very mellow and calm.

The Nativity Story: Sacred Songs by Various Artists - Some of my favorite Christmas songs have been arranged in a newer fashion. I think I am going to like the movie The Nativity Story. So far from all I have heard, it looks really good. Such songs as "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and other "traditional" Christmas songs are on here, but newer Christmas songs, such as "Labor of Love" and "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and "The Virgin's Lullaby" are also on here and I like them alot.

U2 - I have recently taking a liking towards them. I know they have been around since the 80s, but I am just now getting into them. I am very musically eclectic and so I always love to hear something new. I like their sound and the messages behind their music. Bono is a pretty cool guy also. He is a great humanitarian and I like what he is doing with his organization (RED) (an organization that takes the proceeds from some (RED) endorsed products and gives the funds to The Global Fund to raise money for anti-retroviral medicines for people suffering with AIDS over in Africa.

Well, it is late, so I think I shall retire. I always appreciate comments and such.

Thanks for reading about my ramblings.

Brian