updates

March is almost over, next month is my graduation and what happens after that only God knows. I've settled in my heart to face whatever it is. Unless a major miracle happens I'll be going back home for good.

This month has been one of discovery for me. I started the year with the bible in a year program but gave it up because I found that I was starting to read just to get a check mark against the day and was not really getting much out of my reading. So I'm back to devotionals with one message for the day that guides my thoughts.

Our Thursday lifegroup has been really good for my spirit. I get to really express myself and do more. It seems like such a long time since I've been active. It's like playing sports again after such a long time of not doing so. This week is our fellowship night and there might be a Kinect involved :)

I really thank God for bringing good people into my life to help guide me along the way. I know I'll be lost without some good examples to follow. I also thank God for his grace, and try not to take it for granted. I always want to have a heart that will acknowledge my sins and plead for mercy and grace to change.

It's been good, these few months. Just being quiet and alone to think and reflect. I hope I can always do that because then you see how God has worked in your life over the years. God has been good.

-ONWARD!

Oz the great and powerful

I've not done a movie post in a while simply because for a while I just stopped going to the cinema. Either that or I didn't feel the need to say anything about it. Anyway I watched Oz the great and powerful last night in 3D. I love 3D minus the headaches.

movie poster: Oz the great and powerful

As is usually the case with these movies, I prefer the old Wizard of Oz movie. But in many ways that is a different movie in that it is set before the Wizard of Oz and told the story of Oz the man, or Oscar, the man and how he became the 'Wizard'.

First of all, just to set your expectations right, this is a Disney movie. So keep that in mind. There will be a good ending, it's going to leave you feeling good inside. Children can even watch it, as was the case last night. Which seriously, I don't get. I watched quite late at night and there were kids in the hall. But I digress.

I think James Franco was perfect for the role of young Oz. We get to see how his life was in Kansas, before he came to Oz thanks to surprise, surprise, a tornado. I didn't like that he was something of a Casanova character but I guess that's necessary to make him the man he eventually became.  

I like the transformation of Theodora but I felt kind of sad. I always wished that there will be some kind of redemption for her. She looked such a sweet girl. Let that be a lesson to all you guys out there. Don't go breaking girl's hearts. It doesn't end well.

My favourite character has to be China girl. She looks so adorable. Although she's quite tiny compared to everyone else, you can't accurately judge how old she is. She could well be much older than is portrayed or really young but very courageous. 

While I loved the movie, and had a good laugh. I would have loved to see an Oz the great and powerful that is not done by Disney. One that has more. That is not afraid to take chances. One for the adults. That said it's a good movie, go watch it if you can.

-ONWARD!

How he loves

I love this song because it's so easy to play on my guitar and the words are simple and powerful. I've been reminded again and again of the love of God, how passionate and unrestrained it is and how I'm supposed to respond to it. He loves us.


He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…


 -ONWARD!

7x7

I discovered 7x7 on the All About Android show and have been playing it non-stop since then. It has a clean, beautiful design. Kind of reminds me of letterpress for iOS.

Start screen

I have a game going on already so you see the resume game option at the top. This is the start screen, you can resume your last game or start a new one or go through a one page tutorial on how to play. 

New game screen

When you start a new game, there will be three blocks on the 7x7 grid and you move one of the blocks around to start the game. Once that is done, the three blocks in the up next area will be randomly placed on the 7x7 grid. Your job is to move the blocks of the same colour and match up to 4 of them vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Match 40 lines to get to the next level. 

I won't go into great detail explaining game play but it's a very challenging game. However once you play a few rounds you get the hang of it. Watch out though, it can get very addicting. 

I only managed to score 10,672

7x7 is available for Android 4.0 and above and is very well done. I love it because it runs smoothly on my low end Xperia Sola. Highly recommended. Great job Kiip Inc.

-ONWARD!

100 things

1. Time spent waiting is not always time wasted.
2. Be happy for the happy things in the lives of others. Don't fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself.
3. Find something that makes you happy and do that.
4. Delay is not denial.
5. First to start does not mean first to finish.
6. Be hopeful in all things. Don't ever lose that.
7. Do whatever it takes to live at peace with yourself.
8. Don't be proud. And watch out for pride in your life. Sometimes it's very subtle.
9. Be content with little but dream big.
10. Learn to live with little or much.
11. Make big plans.
12. Don't let disappointments stop you from doing something you've always wanted.
13. Love with all your heart.
14. Live with few regrets.
15. Live in the present.
16. In every break up, it's not any one person's fault. It never is.
17. Learn to heal from break ups.
18. Face your problems or they'll keep coming.
19. Fear God.
20. Be afraid of the man or woman who doesn't believe in anything.
21. Stand up for yourself.
22. Be nice but don't be too nice.
23. Play an instrument.
24. Think for yourself. Don't just follow others.
25. There's never a good reason to be unkind.
26. Forgive quickly.
27. Hold no grudges.
28. Try something new once in a while.
29. Travel.
30. Have good friends.
31. Read books. The bible is a great book.
32. Don't take your family for granted. They're all you've got.
33. Honour your parents.
34. Don't be greedy. It's disgusting.
35. Take care of your body. Don't wait until you're sick or old.
36. Resist the pressure to quit. In your lowest moments, those small victories will count.
37. Don't smoke.
38. Live for something.
39. Learn to communicate. It's the same as talking.
40. Learn another language.
41. Learn to cook. 
42. Play sports.
43. Don't live in debt.
44. Remember people's names.
45. Finish what you start.
46. Keep a journal. 
47. Be willing to change.
48. Learn to swim. About 70 per cent of the earth is water.
49. In an argument, be the first to apologize.
50. Call your mom.
51. Make time to be still and quiet.
52. Don't compare yourself with others. You're one of a kind.
53. Don't waste food.
54. Think good thoughts. You are what you think.
55. Don't give up on people.
56. Don't take advantage of people. It's cruel.
57. Learn a few clean jokes.
58. Give thanks for your food.
59. At least once a year, take time out to look back at your life.
60. Learn from people's mistakes.
61. Stand against injustice every where you see it.
62. Be careful with money.
63. Practice moderation in all things.
64. Don't let yourself fall into depression. Fight it, it's not fun.
65. Learn to listen.
66. Don't be a slave to technology. It's there for your convenience. 
67. Don't live above your means.
68. Learn to appreciate different cultures and traditions while staying true to yours.
69. Everyone is important but no one is indispensable.
70. You have to be okay with people coming into your life and some leaving.
71. You can't please everyone, so don't even try.
72. Say what you mean and mean it.
73. Learn to say no.
74. There's a quote for everything. Don't believe everything you read.
75. Be aware of the world around you.
76. Don't isolate yourself.
77. Regardless of your current temperament, remember that they are not fixed.
78. Be the best you can be.
79. Don't over-think things. Think simple.
80. Never respond in anger. Words are powerful.
81. Listen to that inner voice, especially when you find you always regret it when you don't.
82. Be a good friend.
83. Once in a while, take a leap of faith.
84. Believe in yourself. Sometimes you're your only fan.
85. Do the right thing, even if it means standing alone.
86. Say thank you a lot.
87. Practice empathy.
88. Always count on God.
89. Remember the good times, learn from the bad times.
90. Volunteer.
91. Laugh from the heart.
92. Be teachable.
93. Never give up on your dreams.
94. Don't count yourself out.
95. Believe in miracles.
96. Be a good leader. 
97. Be a good follower.
98. It's ok to dream, just remember to wake up.
99. Time flies, live with no regrets.
100. Let go.

Felt I needed to write these.

-ONWARD!