Y.S. Stephen - Reader | Casual Observer

Cute! Directed by John Kahrs (a Disney talent directing for the first time). You Had Me At Hello: Mhairi McFarlane: Books ISBN : 000748805X ISBN-13 : 9780007488056

“Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;” Romans 14:16 Have you ever felt the need to tell some people to keep their hard-earned money instead of giving it to charities . There are so many charities in today’s western world that I am tempted to believe the world is now a kind and loving place where most people are looking out for your well-being. Charities are big business that makes people feel happy they are not like other people. Their main business is making money and distributing it to places where it won’t benefit anyone but the man at the helm. The tree of charity offerings sometimes bears the fruit of arrogance. For example, some people believe they are better than the residents of a region because they give to a charity that distribute used items there. Compassion takes more than feeling sorry for someone. Compassion breeds humility in the giver, which in turn cultivates respect for the receiver. Don’t give to charities to feel good that you are doing goo...

The Silmarillion Gift Set: J. R. R. Tolkien, Martin Shaw: Books ISBN : 0007120605 ISBN-13 : 9780007120604 Just finished listening to the audiobook of The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien . Still enthralled by its scale and grandeur. The fact that Tolkien worked on it throughout his life and loathe to publish it was sad but understandable. Some of the stories were personal to him, no doubt. And the emotions he poured into it still reeked off the pages of the book. Beren and Luthien , the sons of Noldor , Fingolfin and his brothers, the siege of Angband are few of the tales in The Silmarillion that makes you sigh and meditate on life’s issues. This is a rare feeling that is not common when engaging with most fantasy fiction. This book is an underrated classic and makes an impactful reading every time I pick it up in whatever form. Blessed Lord , your gift to the sons of men is lovely. Beautiful is its glory and humbling is its majesty.  

Bless This House: Music ASIN : B009QYIC2E

So some critics did not like the Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit . Tough luck. I reckon book readers will appreciate it much more since this is a trilogy that is meant to cover not just The Hobbit’s tale alone but some parts of other Tolkien’s tales . As for me, I did enjoy seeing Radagast on the screen. He was loony, as I expected. Fervently looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug in December 2013, God willing.

“I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.” Genesis 31: 38-41 ( NIV ) He was a good man, Laban . He loved to entertain strangers in need, enjoyed welcoming visitors, upheld good tradition, and never turned his back on family members. As a business man , he was doing well enough to stay afloat. His employees worked well, but gave him nothing special. One day, Laban met Jacob . Jacob was broke. He was desperate for shelter, food, and money. He came to Laba...

" The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 ( New Living Translation ) In ancient times it is not rare to see two humans have a physical tussle. These tussles sometimes lead to severe maiming or even death. Because physical bullying is common, strength is prized above many things. If you are not strong, another man may invade your home and steal…no, demand that you hand over your valuables or forfeit your life. All this because you are the weaker one and he, the aggressor, is the stronger. It is deceptive to assume this particular culture has disappeared in the modern age. Just in case you are living in a deep hole near the earth’s core, you might want to spare few minutes and listen to, let’s say, ten people recount different daily experiences at work and other places. If you are patient enough to listen you will discover that humans rarely bully physically anymore. We have grown mor...