Happenings of the Month: November 2016

Whew, what a month! I wonder if yours was as full as mine!

Entertainment of the Month:

• Movies/TV:

I don't watch many shows on NBC, but one of their newest, Timeless, is proving to be an exception. The show follows the exploits of historian Lucy, Delta Force soldier Wyatt, and programmer Rufus as they travel through time, fighting to save history from the destructive efforts of Garcia Flynn. As they work, though, they find that each choice they make in the past has consequences in the future, and the mysterious Written House may be a bigger problem than any of them realize. Though I am slightly worried about the potential longevity of the program, I am really enjoying it so far.

On NanoWriMo, Pressure, Pacing, and Uniqueness

Can I share a rather unpopular opinion?

I don't like NaNoWriMo.

Shocker, I know. My Twitter feed has been full of it all month. Many of the blogs I follow make much of it. I'm surrounded by NaNo excitement. But I don't like it.

I get nervous, frankly, to consider writing 50,000 words in a single month, a month that happens to be a very busy time of the year for me. I have other things to focus on. And my one pseudo-attempt at NaNo resulted in a whole lot of stress and major burnout. I prefer not to repeat it.

That being said, I know many people really enjoy NaNo and get a lot out of it. That's great for them. I would never want to say that someone else's writing success is a bad thing. I just get tired of hearing only one opinion. All I hear is: "You've gotta do NaNo." or "It's the best thing ever." But I never hear the opposite. I never hear that it's okay not to like NaNo. I never see my own opinion reflected back at me. So I decided to do it myself.

Sunday Psalms: Chapters 51 & 53

Psalm 51:16-17 "You do not delight in sacrifices, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

God doesn't just want the outer trappings of my life. He doesn't want me to lip sync through life, imitating other Christians but withholding my heart.

Why I Keep a Prayer Journal

I like having things in writing. They're more solid that way, more tangible. Now, I know that's not true for every person. Some prefer other mediums for keeping certain thoughts. I totally understand that. Video, in particular, has an important place in my heart. But writing is my first love.

I've taken notes in church for years, since I was old enough to understand what the pastor was saying. It helps me stay focused and lets me look back on things I've learned. I've also kept a personal journal for a very long time. I'm not always consistent with it, but it is an invaluable part of my life.

Reading Through My Bookshelf: October's Reads

I hope that, on this Veterans' Day, we can remember the sacrifice that so many make and have made to defend our country and realize that this country is built on diversity and unity. This week, our election process occurred, as it does every four years, and now it's time to move forward. I pray that we can reach out to those who think differently from us and let God heal our wounds.

Moving on to today's post, last month I read six books and listened to an audiobook (one of my new favorite things to do). It's not a lot, but they kept me entertained amidst the never-ending slew of schoolwork.

Sunday Psalms: Chapters 46. 48, & 50

Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

It seems like I'm hearing about an ever-increasing number of natural disasters around the world. Most terrifying, they seem to be occurring more and more frequently in the United States. Earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis. They reap devastation and create fear wherever they go.

Star Wars: Lessons of the Prequels

I've always been frustrated by the vehement hate that people lay upon Star Wars Episodes I-III, sometimes called the prequels. People have deeply polarizing opinions about those three movies that I've never heard expressed about the original trilogy, Episodes IV-VI. As someone who enjoys all six (and now seven, with The Force Awakens) episodes, as well as the saga as a whole, I think that's a little unfair.

Of course, everyone can have an opinion about a movie. We each enjoy (or don't enjoy) things a little differently. I have plenty of unpopular opinions about some stories; why should I be surprised that I have a different opinion on the Star Wars prequels? Regardless, I recently watched Episodes I, II, and III, and I found myself distinctly struck by some deep lessons in the arc.