My Review of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I'm sorry that it has taken me a while to get this up, but I have been debating how much to tell you about the movie. I will try not to spoil it for you too much. :)

Overall, I enjoyed VDT. It was much, much better than PC (especially since Caspian loses the Inigo Montoya wannabe accent!), but I think it was not quite as good as LWW.

The movie is only 1 hour and 50 minutes, the filmmakers cut out things that they could have used to flesh it out. They did get some things quite right but also added and played around with other things.

The character of Eustace was well done, he actually was not as bratty as I thought he might have been. He was actually enjoying himself there for a while. :) And Dragon Eustace was very nice. His transformation from dragon to boy by Aslan, while different from the books, was well done.

Probably the biggest problem I have is the addition of a strange green mist. The dark island is made up of this green mist and it apparently symbolyzes tempatation. The White Witch again makes an apperance as green mist, and the very stupid sea serpant that the crew struggle to keep from crushing Dawn Treader is morphed into a slightly creepy creation of the green mist which creates the epic battle of the movie.

There was also the addition of needing to find the seven swords of the seven missing lords in order to defeat the green mist. And a little girl named Gael who wants to find her mother who was swollowed up by the green mist. (Gael's father coming, good. Gael coming as an eight year old stowaway...totally unneccessary and almost distracting.)

The best part about the movie was the ending. Rheepicheep's joyful farewell and sailing away to Aslan's Country was beautiful. The Children's farewell to Aslan was beautifully sweet and sad, especially as Lucy and Edmund said goodbye to Narnia for the last time. And the filmmakers did get one thing perfectly right. Aslan's line where he told the children that he was in their world too was beautiful, perfect, sweet, sad, melencholy, hopeful and brought tears to my eyes.

I encourage all of you to go and see it. VDT needs to be supported or else this will be the last Narnia installment. The price of tickets is expensive, but it is money well spent. Merry Christmas and sail on with the Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Awaiting The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...

I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 3rd movie installment of CS Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." While circumstances (meaning my busy school schedule and lack of money for airfare and such!) did not permit my attendance at the World Premiere in London with the Queen of England in attendance (!), I do plan on attending the opening night of VDT.

To say that I am on pins and needles would be an understatement. I have been waiting for this movie ever since the credits first rolled on Prince Caspian. Prince Caspian turned out to be rather a dissapointment. I had dearly hoped for visualization of one of my favorite passages where Aslan leads the Pevensies and Trumpkin along the the River Rush and slowly, as their eyes of faith permit, becomes visible to each. However, that was omitted, and several other unnecssary parts elaboratly added. As one of my friends recently said, "It is tolerable if you keep reminding yourself that this is an alternitative reality, like fanfiction!"

I have high hopes for VDT and trust that I will not be dissapointed. (Although, with Hollywood involved, that is a very large possibility...) There are a number very beautiful and poingant passages that, if well done, will carry CS Lewis's Christianity and amazing story into the forefront of everyone's minds and stay there, niggling at our brains and reminding all of us of who Aslan really is. I end with words from the great writer himself, CS Lewis:

""It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?" "But you shall meet me, dear one." said Aslan. "Are--are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund. "I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This is the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.""

Things we say wrong! :)

This is one of the funniest videos I have seen in a long time, and guess what? It's intelligent and if you are still in school, you can count it for English class! (Right Mom?...) :D

You are Not Alone

You are Not Alone

When the night seems long,
And day does not appear,
Don’t be afraid,
I am near,
When you feel alone,
Call to me,
I will see you through,
Do not fear.

You hide in the dark,
Curled up in fear,
You’re too afraid,
To see those here with you.
But you’re not alone,
I am here,
And I’ll never leave.

You are secure,
You’re safe in me,
I’m holding you,
There’s naught to fear.
Trust in me,
I’ll see you through,
Call to me,
I’ll answer you.

The fire gleams,
And tears outpour,
You’re consumed by fear,
You feel so alone,
But I promised you,
You’d never be alone,
I am here,
And I’m holding you.

Reach out your hand,
Touch someone close,
You’re in a living chain,
That cannot break,
You’re bound by love,
Perfect love,
That casts out all fear.

So don’t be afraid,
I am near,
Though darkness lingers on,
I am here,
You’re not alone,
You never were.
Just trust in me,
I’ll see you through,
I’ll carry you.

Hear my words,
Listen for my voice,
I’m calling you,
Remember me.
You’re safe in me,
I’ll see you through,
Soon this night will disappear.

You are not alone,
I am here,
Don’t be afraid,
You are secure,
I’m holding you,
And I won’t let go,
You’re safe in me,
I’ll carry you.

The daylight gleams,
Dawn is near,
The darkness flees,
And now you see,
I’m right here,
I never left,
I helped you through,
Just as I promised you.

So don’t be afraid,
The shadows flee
When the light appears.
Watch for the light,
I promise you,
When you call for me,
I’ll answer you.

So don’t be afraid,
The darkness flees.
Open up your eyes,
To see the truth,
I never left,
I’ve carried you,
Don’t be afraid,
I’m here with you.

The Chronicles of Narnia...READ THEM! :)

Go read or re-read The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. They are full of great truths and are wondeful stories. I hope to soon post some of my favorite passages and observations.

Wisdom from Oswald Chambers

I have been reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chamebrs this year as my devotional. I cannot express how much God has been using this book to express wisdom and truth that I need to hear. I would like to share some of the quotes with you, my faithful readers, in hopes that they may bless your heart too.

"You will find yourself at your wits' end and at the beginning of God's wisdom."

"Jesus Christ's life was an absolute failure form every standpoint but God's."

"God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute."

"There is only one Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ."

"When I pray --"Lord, show me what sanctification means for me," He will show me. It means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus Christ puts into me: it is Himself in me (1 Cor. 1:30)."

"We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others."

"Undaunted radiance is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can alter. The experiences of life, terrible or monotonous, are impotent to touch the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"To be a disciple is to be a devoted love-slave of the Lord Jesus."

Watch this...

Take a moment and watch this video. This is a group of young people who have taken their summer and has devoted their time and lives to become like Christ.

http://www.ellerslie.com/Home.html

(It is the main one on the page, but all their videos are good, and very challenging.)

The Rwandan Confession of Faith

I have been contemplating this statement made by a martyr for Christ. It is very powerful and one I hope to be able to say for myself.

In 1980 a young man from Rwanda was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the following commitment which was found in his room:

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made- I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving & dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.”

Hello...

Hi people!

I just wanted to say that I am still in the land of the living and I have NOT fallen off the edge of the planet and a longer post will be forthcoming shortly!

I do apologize for the long absence, but I was without access to my blog for about 9 weeks, and then life got busy. Anyways, expect something of substance soon!