Question: If you could be any character in any fiction book, which character would you choose and why? (Answers in alphabetical order).
Alli:
Jo March from Little Woman and Little Men. She is such a strong and unique woman who goes against the flow. She is loyal to a fault and brings spark to everyone she knows. She is intelligent, well-spoken and gutsy. And she gets the guy =)
Dani:
I would like to be Maggie from Maggie's Dare because she reminds me of myself in alot of ways, but at the same time, she is what I strive to become. She isn't afraid to take risks even when her choices may be unpopular. And she gets the guy =)
Jessa:
There are actually two characters that I would like to be because I just couldn't decide which one to choose! First one would have to be Arwen from Lord of The Rings. I mean, she's an elf, how cool is that?! Everything from her language to her pointy ears to her dresses are absoloutly stunning! She's graceful, courageous, and a great horse rider! Then my second choice is Keely from Disney Channel's Phil of the Future. (It's not a book but, hey it's fictional!)Keely is a teenager who is a free spirit and doesn't care what others think of her. She is energetic, spunky, full of life, and a great friend. She is always willing to help others, even at the cost of her own comfort. And they both get the guy =)
Katy:
Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Predjudice because her descisions are governed by her heart rather than society's expectation's. And she gets Mr. Darcy =)
Lyds:
Allison beat me to the chase for my first choice! I will have to go with Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia. She discovers a new world where animals talk and magic potions cure any wound! Plus, she gets to ride a lion. She doesn't get a guy but, hey, she becomes queen!
Readers, we would love to get to know you better too, so why don't you share your answer with us in the comment section!
January 24, 2007
January 23, 2007
HELP! :)
Hi readers! We're doing a little bit of revamping and 'redecorating' here at the 5 Peas blog. We finally figured out how to add individual authors (see 'Contributors') but we can't manage to figure out how to arrange the authors in order!! If anyone knows how, please post your suggestions here.
Bear with us. :)
Bear with us. :)
January 15, 2007
Be Thankful
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over head, and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, spare change in a dish some place and a nice car/truck/motorcycle in the garage..... you are among the top 8% of the world's most wealthy.
If you woke up this morning in good health, you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing inthat someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remindothers how much we really have to be thankful for.
Author unknown
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, spare change in a dish some place and a nice car/truck/motorcycle in the garage..... you are among the top 8% of the world's most wealthy.
If you woke up this morning in good health, you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing inthat someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remindothers how much we really have to be thankful for.
Author unknown
January 8, 2007
Fresh Beginnings
Hi Everyone.
Can you believe that another Christmas holidays has gone by in what seems like a flash?! And now what looms ahead for most of us SA students (unless you're a SA university student, like a couple lovely sisters of mine who only go back the middle of Feb!) is another brand new school year. I realize that some of you foreign readers may be in the middle of a grade, but you also are starting back up again after a nice Christmas break, I hope.
I admit that starting on Day 1 can be kind of daunting and depressing, but it can also be exciting! The beginning of the school year, in my life at least, marks the real beginning of the year, because it's not only the time that we start a new school grade, but that's also when all the other activities our lives consist of go back to normal. The church schedule goes back to normal, youth meetings start up again as well as other ministries you might be involved in, sports seasons begin or resume, etc. It's the time of fresh beginnings! Look back on all the areas of your life from last year, and be grateful for the successes in those areas, as well as resolve to improve yourself this year in those areas where improvement is needed. And, if you're like me, improvement is always needed! Let's be passionate about all that we spend our time on: our schoolwork, ministries, other church involvement, friendships, extra-curricular activities, as well as the new things we'll venture to do this year. May we guard ourselves from falling into laziness. May glorifying God be the driving motive behind all of our ambitions for this year. And let's remember, as one of my family's pastors reminded the congregation in a recent sermon, that the way to determine whether or not each day, year, or our life was a success is by examining how our relationship with Christ grew and how we fought the spiritual battles that we faced. 2 Tim 4:7--"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Here are some more words from the wise on school/learning to inspire and humor you:
I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
This one's especially for you public and private schoolers.=) For us homeschoolers--this explains a lot about our mothers:
If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler
A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown
Have a great year you guys!
Lydia(Pea #3) for the 5 Peas
Can you believe that another Christmas holidays has gone by in what seems like a flash?! And now what looms ahead for most of us SA students (unless you're a SA university student, like a couple lovely sisters of mine who only go back the middle of Feb!) is another brand new school year. I realize that some of you foreign readers may be in the middle of a grade, but you also are starting back up again after a nice Christmas break, I hope.
I admit that starting on Day 1 can be kind of daunting and depressing, but it can also be exciting! The beginning of the school year, in my life at least, marks the real beginning of the year, because it's not only the time that we start a new school grade, but that's also when all the other activities our lives consist of go back to normal. The church schedule goes back to normal, youth meetings start up again as well as other ministries you might be involved in, sports seasons begin or resume, etc. It's the time of fresh beginnings! Look back on all the areas of your life from last year, and be grateful for the successes in those areas, as well as resolve to improve yourself this year in those areas where improvement is needed. And, if you're like me, improvement is always needed! Let's be passionate about all that we spend our time on: our schoolwork, ministries, other church involvement, friendships, extra-curricular activities, as well as the new things we'll venture to do this year. May we guard ourselves from falling into laziness. May glorifying God be the driving motive behind all of our ambitions for this year. And let's remember, as one of my family's pastors reminded the congregation in a recent sermon, that the way to determine whether or not each day, year, or our life was a success is by examining how our relationship with Christ grew and how we fought the spiritual battles that we faced. 2 Tim 4:7--"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Here are some more words from the wise on school/learning to inspire and humor you:
I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
This one's especially for you public and private schoolers.=) For us homeschoolers--this explains a lot about our mothers:
If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler
A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown
Have a great year you guys!
Lydia(Pea #3) for the 5 Peas
December 24, 2006
To You and Yours...
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We hope that each and every one of you have a memorable, special day celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Thanks for commenting on our humble musings - we appreciate you all!
Lots of love! The Peas
Photo: for those of you who don't know us personally, from left to right: Lydia (#3), Dani (#5), Halle (cutest dog ever), Katy (#2), Jessica (#4), Alli (#1)
December 14, 2006
A Christmas Challenge
We want y'all to think about something for a minute. Think about your family. Think about how blessed you are to have been given a family - your family. Yeah sure, they're not a perfect family...maybe they're a little broken. But aren't we all? We all have issues - that's what it means to be human.
The point is this: you - yes, you - have been so incredibly blessed with a family while millions of children around this globe are alone. Let it sink in. So many children don't know the loving touch and gentle words of a mommy. Many have no idea what it means to be swung up on dad's shoulders, high above the world, feeling like nothing can ever go wrong cos, hey, dad's here. So many people on this earth are alone this Christmas - widows, widowers, lonely people, orphans. No lively dinner times where everyone stumbles over one another's words to tell their news. No family to confide in and share daily life. Alone. Alone.
It is not a comfortable thought, is it? It's tempting to push this devestating reality out of our minds - ignorance is bliss, right? Yeah, its bliss, but its no way to make a difference in God's world. Thoughts of orphans and widows makes us feel guilty and helpless. I mean, what can I do? But as Christians we cannot ignore this. If we do so, we might as well rip James 1:27 right out of our Bibles. The verse says this: pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble. God loves the fatherless and, as His children, so should we.
So during this Christmas season, when it is tempting to focus on one's own family, let's share God's concern for those who are alone. Let's light our world by reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves. Why not include some lonely members of your church in one of your Christmas celebrations? Maybe make some cookies for a grieving widow in your local body of Christ? You only have a little to offer those who are alone? So what? A little goes a long way. Be creative - we can all make a difference. Let's shine Christ's love this season.
We encourage you to watch a music video by Steven Curtis Chapman, who has a real heart for orphans. The song is called All I Really Want for Christmas and can be found at the links below.
Windows - http://media.emicmg.com/SPD11231/video/wma/300/AllIReallyWant.asx
Real -
http://media.emicmg.com/SPD11231/video/real/AllIReallyWant.ram
May it touch and challenge your hearts as it has ours.
The Peas
December 7, 2006
The Goodness of God
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our Salvation!
Ponder it. God - the Maker of the universe, the Most High King, the One who holds this earth together. This God daily loads us - pitiful, pathetic, transient specks on this earth - with benefits. What benefits? Clothes on our backs, food at our tables, homes, cars, sunshine, music, friends, birds, health, babies, colour, the list cannot be exhausted. And this over and above God's gift of redemption! There are no words to adequately describe the goodness of our God!
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our Salvation!
Ponder it. God - the Maker of the universe, the Most High King, the One who holds this earth together. This God daily loads us - pitiful, pathetic, transient specks on this earth - with benefits. What benefits? Clothes on our backs, food at our tables, homes, cars, sunshine, music, friends, birds, health, babies, colour, the list cannot be exhausted. And this over and above God's gift of redemption! There are no words to adequately describe the goodness of our God!
December 5, 2006
November 27, 2006
Happy Birthday Lauren!
It is our dear cousin Lauren's birthday tomorrow and we just wanna give a shout-out to her - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Laurie! Hope it's as awesome as it could possibly be! We'll be thinking of you!
Luv, us
Luv, us
November 25, 2006
Mark Hall's Testimony - Part 1 of 3
Do yourself a favour and watch as Mark Hall (lead singer of Casting Crowns) shares his heart. He addresses Satan's lie that you're just not good enough to do anything for the Lord. This is really good stuff!
November 23, 2006
A Convicting Quote
People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.
- D.A. Carson (For the Love of God)
- D.A. Carson (For the Love of God)
November 17, 2006
"Bible Experience"
As I read a piece of news over at cnn.com this weekend, I couldn't help but think, are Christians today brain-dead? Once you've read this, I'm pretty sure you'll be thinking along similar lines.
It seems that Zondervan (a Christian publishing company) has just released an audio Bible. But this isn't your typical audio Bible. No, this audio Bible features the voices of Denzyl Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Angela Bassett, and a host of other celebrities (actors, actresses, etc). What's more, this production has enlisted a full-scale orchestra to help capture people's attention.
Kyle Bowser, the driving force behind the project, shared his reason for this production. When he "recommitted" himself to Christianity (whatever that can mean in Hollywood), he began listening to an audio Bible but "quit listening after the first two or three discs". Why? Because he was not inspired by the storytelling. Bowser states, The production value was lacking and I thought, gee whiz, if we could do this and really capture people's attention, how much more impactful and engaging it might be.
Here is a novel idea - why not let Amighty God "capture people's attention" with His living Word? Do we need to add music and drama to God's Word to impact people? Or do we believe the Scriptures when it says, for the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)?
Furthermore, Bowser said, There was some debate among the producers whether to restrict the cast to Christians. They finally decided not to, since the Bible is filled with both Christians and non-Christians. True. But that certainly doesn't mean that there are only insignificant differences between the two! God embraces the one and condemns the other! Can a Christian really benefit from the Word of God when it is being read by pagans? I simply don't think I could remove the voice from the actor/actress.
Am I crazy to be so shocked and offended by this? I would really appreciate feedback on how y'all feel and think about the "Bible Experience".
Pea #1 (Alli)
It seems that Zondervan (a Christian publishing company) has just released an audio Bible. But this isn't your typical audio Bible. No, this audio Bible features the voices of Denzyl Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Angela Bassett, and a host of other celebrities (actors, actresses, etc). What's more, this production has enlisted a full-scale orchestra to help capture people's attention.
Kyle Bowser, the driving force behind the project, shared his reason for this production. When he "recommitted" himself to Christianity (whatever that can mean in Hollywood), he began listening to an audio Bible but "quit listening after the first two or three discs". Why? Because he was not inspired by the storytelling. Bowser states, The production value was lacking and I thought, gee whiz, if we could do this and really capture people's attention, how much more impactful and engaging it might be.
Here is a novel idea - why not let Amighty God "capture people's attention" with His living Word? Do we need to add music and drama to God's Word to impact people? Or do we believe the Scriptures when it says, for the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)?
Furthermore, Bowser said, There was some debate among the producers whether to restrict the cast to Christians. They finally decided not to, since the Bible is filled with both Christians and non-Christians. True. But that certainly doesn't mean that there are only insignificant differences between the two! God embraces the one and condemns the other! Can a Christian really benefit from the Word of God when it is being read by pagans? I simply don't think I could remove the voice from the actor/actress.
Am I crazy to be so shocked and offended by this? I would really appreciate feedback on how y'all feel and think about the "Bible Experience".
Pea #1 (Alli)
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday to our sweet and hilarious cousin, Beth. We hope that you have a day filled with cherished memories, lots of fun, and (obviously), tons of presents! :) We love you, Beth!
YFCs ;)
So Much More than Captivating
One of the most useless books we ever read is Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge. That may not be a very nice thing to say about someone's book, but it is wholly true. At the heart of our dissastisfaction is the elevation of women and the diminishing of God which this book implicitly suggests. Another serious problem with this book is the Eldredge's assertion that gender-specific roles are a product of the Fall and not God's perfect design. Furthermore, in the first chapter, the authors exhibit a blatant scorn of the Proverbs 31 woman! This book quotes movies and celebrities more than Scripture, and human experience is exalted over Biblical revelation. We'd recommend a review over at www.cbmw.org - we'd post a link but don't know how! :) So girls - a word to the wise, don't read this book! Guys - don't buy this book for any female in your life! By the way, John Eldredge wrote a book called Wild at Heart for men. I'd be interested to hear from any guys who have read this book - is it simply the male equivalent of Captivating?
Now here's a book you should read. So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. Girls from BBC, you will recognise this book as the one we will be going through in our book club. Now here's a book that embraces, rather than resents, the feminine role.
November 16, 2006
Keep On Shinin'
For the past few weeks, this song has been playing in my car c-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-l-y and has been a huge blessing and challenge to me. As I drive to varsity or work, I am reminded to "keep on shining" and to not be ashamed of this amazing news that I have - why keep it a secret? How selfish is that!? I could have literally written this song myself - that's how accurately it describes my thoughts when it comes to witnessing. I guess that's why I like it so much. Hope it blesses y'all as much as it did for me. Oh yeah...keep on shining, people.
"Keep On Shinin'"
THIRD DAY
It feels like forever since I can remember
It seems like it's always been this way
Keep the good news to ourselves, like a secret we'll never tell
I don't know why we've been so ashamed
But changes are in the air, sparks are starting everywhere
And oh, what a sweet, sweet sound
With millions of voices, singing new choruses
Leading the way to higher ground
Keep on, keep on shinin'
Wherever you may be
Keep on, keep on shinin'
For all the world to see
Having faith in the long run is easier said than done
It's hard to live out in the light of day
You're bruised and you're battered, your dreams have been shattered
Your best laid plans scattered over the place
Despite all your tendencies, God sees it differently
Your struggle's a time to grow
And you, you're a miracle, anything but typical
It's time for the whole wide world to know
Philippians 2:15 - that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Pea #1 (Alli)
November 15, 2006
Boring Blog...?
The Peas are currently very busy with exams, tutoring, etc. Oh yeah, and Pea #3 is in India! This is the reason our blog has been so deadly boring lately, but keep checking cos you never know when inspiration will strike one of us! Meanwhile, we leave you with another kid funny.
Peace, y'all!
Peace, y'all!
November 7, 2006
Zachary Taylor - An Example of Godliness
Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States of America. He was more than that, though. He was also a strong Christian who refused to comprimise his beliefs. James K. Polk's term as President expired on March 3, 1849. His successor Taylor was to be inaugurated the next day, which was a Sunday. He could have just done the easy thing and followed the crowd. But, he didn't. He obeyed his heavenly Father, postponed his inauguration to the Monday, and kept the Sabbath day holy. Wow, what an witness that must have been to the whole nation! His example has inspired me to be a shining light to the people around me by keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Pea #4 (Jess)
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States of America. He was more than that, though. He was also a strong Christian who refused to comprimise his beliefs. James K. Polk's term as President expired on March 3, 1849. His successor Taylor was to be inaugurated the next day, which was a Sunday. He could have just done the easy thing and followed the crowd. But, he didn't. He obeyed his heavenly Father, postponed his inauguration to the Monday, and kept the Sabbath day holy. Wow, what an witness that must have been to the whole nation! His example has inspired me to be a shining light to the people around me by keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Pea #4 (Jess)
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