Dear john

Dear John is trademark Nicholas Sparks–romantic, sappy, sad and redeeming. If you like Sparks’ previous novels, you will probably enjoy Dear John, a love story about an army sergeant who falls in love shortly before 9/11. Sparks’ writing is smooth and easy, but the characters and plot are not particularly memorable. Recommended for those who like sappy romantic comedies (or tragedies, in Sparks’ case), but not for those who like a little meat in their reading.
Dear John starts in the present day with John watching Savannah from afar and thinking about how much he loves her and why their relationship dissolved. He then takes the reader back in time and narrates the story of their love.

There is, unfortunately, not much more to say about the book. Dear John has a pretty formulaic plot. Although Sparks is one of the first to set the age old boy meets girl love story in the modern, post-9/11 world, he does not delve into how the war affects the characters or go very deep in this area. In Dear John, it could be any war keeping them apart. This specific war is not important.

The interactions between John and his father create a nice sub-plot, and the descriptions of North Carolina were interesting to me, but that’s probably just because I live in the state.

Overall, I would describe Dear John as light reading that is not painful to read but also not extremely enjoyable to read. If you need some beach reading, go ahead and borrow it. It will give you a few hours to escape, if nothing else.

source: http://bestsellers.about.com/od/womenslitchicklit/gr/Dear_John.htm

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), popularly nicknamed J.Lo, is an American pop and R&B singer, actress, record producer, dancer, model, fashion and perfume designer and film and television producer. She is the richest person of Latin American descent in Hollywood according to Forbes, and the most influential Hispanic entertainer in America according to People en Español’s list of “100 Most Influential Hispanics”.

Starting in 1999, Lopez released seven albums, including two #1 albums on the Billboard 200 charts and four Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles. She won the 2003 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and the 2007 American Music Award for Favorite Latin Artist. She has appeared in numerous films, and has won ALMA Awards for outstanding actress for her work in Selena, Out of Sight, and Angel Eyes. She parlayed her media fame into a fashion line and various perfumes with her celebrity endorsement.

Media attention has also focused on her personal life. She has had high-profile relationships with Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, Sean Combs, Ben Affleck, and Marc Anthony. Her first children, fraternal twins named Max and Emme, were born on February 22, 2008.

Jennifer Lopez was born and grew up in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodriguez and David Lopez. She has two sisters, Lynda and Leslie.

source:

Rihanna

Saint Michael, Barbados (2005 – present)
Robyn Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988), known by her stage name, Rihanna, is a Bajan singer. Her song Umbrella was one of the highest-selling songs of 2007 and her 3rd album Good Girl Gone Bad was critically acclaimed, helping propel her to superstar status. She has attained nine Billboard Hot 100 number ones thus far and is the second Bajan artist to win a Grammy Award. She is also a cultural ambassador for Barbados.

Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados to Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor, and Monica Fenty, an accountant. Her mother, a native of Guyana, is Afro-Guyanese and her father is Bajan and Irish. She is the oldest of three siblings; two younger brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty. She began singing at around the age of seven. Her childhood was deeply affected by her father’s addiction to crack cocaine and parent’s rocky marriage, which ended when she was fourteen years old. Rihanna attended Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then the Combermere School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates at the age of fifteen. In 2004 she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant. She was an army cadet in a sub-military programme that trained with the military of Barbados and Shontelle was her drill sergeant.
source: http://www.last.fm/music/Rihanna

Ke$ha

Kesha Rose Sebert (born March 1, 1987 in Los Angeles, United States), better known mononymously as Kesha (stylized as Ke$ha or K$), is an American recording artist. An active singer since before 2005, her breakthrough came in early 2009 after appearing on Flo Rida’s number one single Right Round. Ke$ha later supported Calvin Harris on tour in the UK and toured with Mickey Avalon in the US. She also performed at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2009 for the Z100 Jingle Ball. She was announced as one of the acts for the 2010 revival of Lilith Fair and presented at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

Her debut album, entitled Animal, was released on January 5, 2010 in the US to mixed reviews from music critics. The album sold 152,000 copies in its first week in the US, debuting at number one. Animal was seven years in the making and resulted in Ke$ha’s accumulating over two hundred songs by the time of its release, with fourteen making the final cut. A number one placing in New Zealand for the first single TiK ToK (first released on August 7, 2009) gave Ke$ha her first solo number one; this was followed by number one positions in Canada, Australia, Norway and the United States, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 as the first number one of the 2010 decade. During its second week at number one on the chart, TiK ToK set the female download record and became the second best-selling single in a week, after Right Round, for shifting over 610,000 copies. During its fifth week at the top of the chart, it broke the record for the highest weekly plays on the radio airplay chart. Her second single, Blah Blah Blah (feat. 3OH!3), was first released on February 19, 2010 and has since charted within the top 10 in four different countries.

On March 5, 2010, it was announced that Ke$ha will be performing at Lilith Fair 2010, which is back by popular demand. ABC is the official sponsor of this year’s Lilith Fair. For more information on the tour schedule and artists visit the Lilith Fair official website.

source: http://www.last.fm/music/Ke%24ha/+wiki

Katy Perry

Santa Barbara, California, United States (2007 – present)
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Perry rose to fame in 2007 with her internet hit “Ur So Gay”, and has since had three number one hits, in the forms of ‘I Kissed a Girl’, ‘California Gurls’ and ‘Teenage Dream’.

Perry was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, United States by Christian pastor parents and grew up listening only to gospel music. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. Perry’s musical influences include Alanis Morissette, pop rockers Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Shirley Manson, and Freddie Mercury.

As Katy Hudson, she released a self-titled gospel album in 2001. In 2004, she recorded an album with production team The Matrix. After signing on with Capitol Music Group in 2007, she took on stage name Katy Perry and released her first mainstream album, One of the Boys. Her newest album, Teenage Dream, was released on August 24, 2010 in the United States, and went worldwide August 30, 2010.

Katy married UK comedian Russell Brand in India on October 23rd 2010.

source: http://www.last.fm/music/Katy+Perry

The Script

Heartbroken or full of love, The Script once again delivered a masterful creation of melodies and lyrics.

After its first album, self-titled “The Script,” and its slow crawl to success, the band’s much-anticipated release of “Science and Faith” came with high hopes.

And listeners won’t be disappointed.

While its first album was unappreciated until the re-release of “Breakeven” last fall, “Science and Faith” proves the group’s more than a one-trick pony.

Some songs do sound reminiscent of older pieces, but they keep the band’s true voice throughout.

With songs drenched in the poetry of lead singer Danny Donoghue, it’s enough to make a heart swoon or even break.

I went into this review with an optimistic outlook and can honestly say I wasn’t disappointed.

Yes, the album has the songs that will appeal to the teenie-boppers of today, but The Script found its own style, too.

Love songs are a common theme, as is loss, but the band’s developed a way to combine rap, soul and pop into a blend of reality in music — something we’re missing in today’s pop culture.

When listening to this music, I feel like I genuinely know where these guys are coming from.

Better yet, they know where I’m coming from.

The band’s single, “For The First Time,” is guaranteed to be a sure-fire hit. With traces of John Mayer lingering in the opening chords, it immediately transports the listener back to the beauty of why these guys should be performing.

“Even after all these years/ We just now got the feeling that we’re meeting/ For the first time” puts love into a new light, and not one that is necessarily pretty.

The Script took risks with its songs — the members put themselves in them.

“Walk Away” is an instant favorite, too, and lucky for the listeners, the new album features two versions.

The first one — also most likely to get airtime — features B.o.B rapping away with Donoghue.

This song features the versatility that makes me love The Script.

The group can rap, feature a killer line-up of guitar, bass and drums, and yet still blow you away with the lyrics.

“Cause if you’re looking for heaven, baby it sure as hell ain’t me” speaks to the honesty of what it means to be in love. And to know it’s not the right thing.

These are the songs that make The Script an artistic band.

Other easy favorites include “Nothing,” “Science and Faith” and “If You Ever Come Back,” for their catchy melodies and backbeats.

Granted, they may not be the first songs you’ll fall in love with, but they get better and better with every play.

And quite frankly, the songs appeal to the college crowd.

The Script sings of frustration, love and what else? Alcohol.

The band doesn’t once take it over the top, but the members are not afraid to be real.

And that’s pretty darn refreshing.

It’s clear from the start that the album — released more than two years after its predecessor — took some time.

Songs are original, despite the repetitive “ooo’s” found in a few songs.

Nothing squelches The Script’s sound though.

These boys have found their beat and should have no problem continuing it in the future.

All I know is that I can’t get them out of my head.

source: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/25/the_script.aspx

Doa Tak Bersyarat

Barangkali kita sudah sering mendengar tentang kasih tanpa syarat. Kasih tanpa syarat ditunjukkan oleh orang tua kita kepada kita anak-anaknya. Mereka tetap mengasihi dan merawat kita tidak peduli seperti apa keadaan kita. Kasih tanpa syarat juga ditunjukkan oleh Bapa kita di Sorga. Anugerah keselamatan-Nya diberikan bukan karena kebaikan kita, namun semata-mata karena kemurahan-Nya. Tapi, pernahkah kita mendengar tentang doa tak bersyarat? Itulah doa yang dinaikkan oleh Sadrakh, Mesakh dan Abednego.

Ketika ancaman dapur api sudah di depan mata, dengan lantang mereka berkata,”Jika Allah kami yang kami puja sanggup melepaskan kami, maka Ia akan melepaskan kami dari perapian yang menyala-nyala itu, dan dari dalam tanganmu, ya raja; tetapi seandainya tidak, hendaklah tuanku mengetahui, ya raja, bahwa kami tidak akan memuja dewa tuanku, dan tidak akan menyembah patung emas yang tuanku dirikan itu.” (Dan. 3:17-18) Bayangkan betapa tersentuhnya hati Tuhan mendengar pengakuan iman seperti itu. Saya membayangkan Sorga langsung gempar! Para malaikat menggeleng-gelengkan kepala dan bersorak sorai, air mata haru Bapa di Sorga menitik di pipi-Nya.

Beranikah kita mengucapkan doa seperti yang diucapkan oleh Sadrakh, Mesakh dan Abednego? Bisakah kita tetap mengucap syukur seandainya jawaban doa Tuhan enggak sesuai dengan harapan kita? Mampukah kita tetap berkata “Tuhan itu baik” meski kenyataannya pahit bagi kita? Kita patut bersyukur memiliki Bapa yang begitu baik. Tuhan tidak pernah meremehkan iman sebesar biji sesawi sekalipun. Ketika kita sungguh-sungguh berdoa dengan iman, mempercayai Tuhan dengan sepenuh hati – maka lihatlah Tuhan justru bekerja dengan cara-Nya yang ajaib menolong dan menyelamatkan kita. Di akhir cerita kita tahu Sadrakh dkk. selamat dari dapur api. Terjemahan King James menyebutkan pengakuan Nebukadnezar ,”Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Dan.3:25) Orang yang keempat yang dilihat Nebukadnezar dalam perapian itu rupanya seperti Anak Allah. Yesus sendiri hadir menyertai mereka, berjalan di dalam api untuk menyelamatkan mereka. Haleluya!

sumber:http://renungan-harian-kita.blogspot.com/2010/09/doa-tak-bersyarat.html

Iman Seorang Anak Kecil

“Tuhan sayang,” putra kecilku berbisik, “Aku berdoa kepada-Mu berikanlah papa dan mama seorang bayi.”

Setelah berdoa selama 4 tahun meminta kepada Tuhan agar diberikan anak kedua, kami kemudian menyadari mungkin Tuhan tidak berkehendak agar kami memiliki anak lagi. Namun, setiap malam putra kecil kami Steven berdoa tanpa henti meminta seorang adik. Apa yang bisa kami lakukan untuk memintanya berhenti berdoa?

Ketika doa Steven menjadi dilema bagiku, Tuhan menunjukkan jalan-Nya kepadaku. Tepat sebelum ulang tahunnya yang ke-5, saya dan Steven sedang duduk di meja makan kecil miliknya sambil menikmati selai kacang dan sandwich jelly. Steven kemudian melihat ke arahku, dan dengan tampang serius penuh kebijaksanaan ia kemudian bertanya, “Ma, pernahkah terpikir oleh mama kalau Tuhan mungkin menginginkan supaya mama hanya memiliki satu anak saja?”

“Ya, anakku. Mama sudah memikirkan hal itu,” jawabku. “Dan jika memang harus seperti itu, mama senang karena Tuhan telah memberikan mama segalanya dalam satu paket ketika Tuhan memberikan kamu, putra kecil mama.”

“Well, saya pikir yang harus kita lakukan adalah terus berdoa sampai mama sudah terlalu tua untuk memiliki bayi lagi. Dan saat itulah kita akan tahu jawabannya.”

Steven belum mengerti berapa lama waktu yang dibutuhkan untuk berdoa sampai saya “terlalu tua”. Yang dia tahu Sarah dalam kisah Alkitab berumur 90 tahun ketika ia melahirkan Ishak. Tapi apapun hasilnya, Steven tidak mempermasalahkan jika Tuhan pada akhirnya mengatakan tidak. Putraku tahu saya juga sering berkata tidak kepadanya, namun itu tidak berarti bahwa saya tidak mengasihinya. Namun hal itu justru menunjukkan, “Kami orangtuamu, dan kami tahu apa yang terbaik bagimu.”

Tuhan telah memberikan sebuah pelajaran besar kepada saya hari itu. Melalui iman seorang anak kecil seperti Steven, Tuhan memberikan contoh kepada saya bagaimana saya harus bersikap untuk mempercayai Bapa surgawi yang begitu mengasihiku dan tahu dengan persis apa yang terbaik bagiku… dan terkadang itu berarti tetap menerima ketika jawaban yang diberikan-Nya atas doa kita adalah tidak.

sumber:http://renungan-harian-kita.blogspot.com/2010/09/iman-seorang-anak-kecil.html src=”<ce>

Kembali Kepadamu

Aku tidak akan meninggalkan kamu sebagai yatim piatu. Aku datang kembali kepadamu
(Yohanes 14:18)

Tahun 1914 Ernest Shackleton memimpin ekspedisi pelayaran ke Antartika, dilanjutkan berjalan ke Kutub Selatan. Ekspedisi itu berjalan sesuai rencana sampai kapal itu terjebak es dan lambung kapal itu hancur. Para awak kapal berhasil mencapai pulau kecil dengan perahu penolong. Setelah berjanji akan datang kembali, Shackleton dan rombongan kecil penyelamat berangkat melintasi 1.280 kilometer lautan berbahaya ke Pulau South Georgia.

Berbekal sekstan [alat pengukur sudut astronomis untuk menentukan posisi kapal di laut] sebagai pemandu, mereka berhasil mencapai pulau itu. Shackleton lalu memimpin rombongannya melintasi medan berbukit curam menuju pelabuhan kapal penangkap ikan paus di sisi lain pulau itu. Di sana, ia mendapatkan kapal untuk menyelamatkan awak kapalnya. Sang pemimpin memegang perkataannya dan kembali menjemput mereka. Tak ada seorang pun yang tertinggal.

Ketika Yesus hendak meninggalkan para murid-Nya, Dia berjanji akan kembali. Dia berkata, “Dan apabila Aku telah pergi ke situ dan telah menyediakan tempat bagimu, Aku akan datang kembali dan membawa kamu ke tempat-Ku, supaya di tempat di mana Aku berada, kamu pun berada” (Yohanes 14:3). Setelah menanggung sengsara salib, Yesus bangkit dari maut untuk memberi hidup kekal kepada tiap orang yang memercayai-Nya sebagai Juru Selamat. Kini Dia tinggal di dalam kita oleh Roh Kudus, tetapi kelak Dia akan kembali dan mengumpulkan kita dalam hadirat-Nya (1 Tesalonika 4:15-18). Ucapan Yesus dapat dipercaya. – Jika Anda milik-Nya, Dia akan kembali untuk Anda! – HF

KEDATANGAN KRISTUS YANG KEDUA SEPASTI KEDATANGAN-NYA YANG PERTAMA
sumber:http://renungan-harian-kita.blogspot.com/2010/09/saat-teduh-kembali-kepadamu.html

Surat Cinta Bapa Kepada Anak-AnakNya

Bapa sangat mengasihi kita semua sebagai anak-anak -Nya. Tetapi seringkali banyak orang tidak tahu bahwa Tuhan sangat mengasihi manusia, bahkan rela berkorban supaya kita tidak binasa, tetapi sebaliknya mengalami hidup kekal, hidup berkelimpahan dan diberkati. Satu hal yang sering membuat kita mengecewakah hati Tuhan adalah sikap kita sendiri yang kurang percaya bahwa Tuhan itu adalah Bapa kita, Seorang Bapa yang sangat mencintai kita sebagai anak-anak-Nya. Seorang Bapa yang selalu menolong anak-Nya kalau anak-Nya dalam kesulitan. Seorang Bapa yang selalu mengawasi dan memperhatikan anak-Nya.

Tapi bagaimana dengan kita? Saat kita dalam masalah, apakah kita masih bisa mengucap syukur kepada Tuhan? Masih bisakah kita tersenyum menghadapi masalah kita? Kenapa seringkali kita lebih banyak bersungut-sungut dalam menghadapi persoalan kita? Tiada lain adalah karena kita kurang percaya bahwa Tuhan adalah “BAPA” kita.

Bapa sudah mengutus Kristus yang adalah “Yang Terbaik dari Surga” untuk berkorban dan mati bagi kita. Mana mungkin Dia sang Bapa tidak memberkati dan menolong kita dalam mengarungi kehidupan kita. Seperti kata Mazmur Daud ” Sekalipun aku dalam lembah kekelaman, aku tidak takut bahaya sebab Tuhan besertaku”

Di bawah ini ada sebuah video mengenai “Surat Cinta Dari Bapa”. Bapa yang sangat mencintai kita lebih dari cinta kita kepadaNya. Bapa yang mempunyai rancangan terindah untuk kita. Silahkan simak Video berikut ini hingga selesai (Bagus Sekali) agar anda dapat memahami kasihNya kepada kita semua. Kiranya menjadi berkat. God Bless You All.

sumber:http://www.ceritakristen.org/surat-cinta-bapa