The Wait Is Over

You'll never believe what came in the mail today. The Passion 2011 CD titled, "Here For You." My legs have been sore for the last two days, but that didn't stop me from wanting to do a little dance of excitement. After all, I've been waiting since January 4th for its release.


Without out a doubt, if you haven't purchased this album yet, then  I highly recommend you get right on it. Last year's release, "Awakening," which features the radio hit, "Our God," can only be defined as epic. This year, I'm not sure if there is even a word to describe the musical and spiritual climax the music takes.


The Passion albums are recorded live during the Passion conferences. For some reason, that is what I love most about the Passion series. I find it incredibly awesome that one can hear the students who attended the conference actually singing on the record.


The songs on this year's album are incredible. From the powerful opening track "Here For You," to the upbeat "Set Free" that will make you move on your feet, to my all-time favorite, "Spirit Fall," this album is bound to move you in worship.

One major disappointment with the album is that it failed to completely capture the Passion 2011 experience. But let's be honest--that is asking a lot from anyone. After all, it's impossible to capture the amazing, awe-inspiring, Holy presence of God the students experienced during those four days at Passion 2011 Atlanta, and cram Him into a tiny album. It's one of those things you have to experience for yourself and carry with you for the rest of your days, maintaining the zeal and fire that surrounded the students at Passion.

If you didn't have a chance to take part in the experience I just described, then you still have another opportunity. On April 1-3, 2011, Passion conferences will host another event in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. There's still time to register. I highly recommend you jump on the chance. Simply click on the banner below, and it will take you to the site, where you can learn about further details.

Into the West

It's been a while since I've last posted. I've been hard at work on my manuscript. I thought I would take this time away from my manuscript and relay to you about an awesome dvd series I purchased several months ago.


A few years ago, while researching for my manuscript, I came across a synopsis for a mini-series called Into the West. Since reading that synopsis, I've been dying to see this series. Sometime in August I purchased the series on dvd--and I have to tell you that it is amazing.


First off, it's not a Western. And it's not a documentary. It's a TNT tv series, nominated for sixteen Emmy awards, and produced by Steven Spielburg. It's a story that chronicles the lives of two fictitious families, American and Native American, as the United States expands west. Starting with the fur trappers and ending with the battle of Wounded Knee, this series brings history to life with an engaging plot, historical accuracy, and characters that are true to life.


If you love history--especially western history--then you will love this series. I can tell you that the writers have done their research. The experts on clothing have done their research. Even the actors did their research.


This series includes a large cast of actors, most of them well known in Hollywood, such as Rachel Lee Cook, Kerri Russell, Matthew Settle, Beau Bridges, Graham Greene, Matthew Modine, and many others.


I highly recommend this series. It is incredible. There are parts that will be hard to watch, areas that will make you stop and think, and a vast majority of areas that will help you understand how this nation grew into the county we live in today. If you have the opportunity, definitely purchase this series. I can promise you will not regret it.

The Young Vicotria

As you can imagine, I have a particular love for historical fiction. My favorite time period is the nineteenth-century Victorian Era, which ranges from 1840 to the late 1880s. When someone suggested I watch the movie, The Young Victoria, I jumped at the chance.


Ever since I began researching for my historical fiction, I've formed a fascination with Queen Victoria and her influence on both American and British culture. During the mid-nineteenth-century, Queen Victoria became the "It girl." Women's magazines reported details of her social activities and stylish dress. What she wore set the fashion de mode, and how she behaved set the standard of etiquette for millions of women in her day. White wedding dresses, though worn by the rich at the time, did not become popular until Queen Victoria wore white for her own wedding.


The romance between Prince Albert and Queen Victoria is just as fascinating as the woman herself. Unlike most royal marriages, theirs contained genuine love and trust. Such a marriage was uncommon, if not rare, for British monarchs.


The Young Victoria does an amazing job of portraying historical accuracy, while it brings an entertaining and heart-warming story to the screen. I love this movie. I watched it three times in a row.


If you love to watch historical movies/romances, then you will love this movie. If you don't enjoy historicals, you will still love this movie. Even my sister (who is not a particular fan of historical movies) enjoyed it.

While the actress portraying Queen Victoria does a wonderful job, it is the actor playing Prince Albert who brings his character to life. At times you forget you're watching an actor, and almost find yourself believing him to be the real Albert.


A fabulous cast, well-written story, and great costuming, makes this movie one of my favorites. I highly recommend you see it. You will not regret it. I've posted the trailer for the movie to help pique your interest. Check it out:

All stills are are taken from the IMDB site. Trailer is copied from Youtube.