The Outlets

by Chrissy Larson

When you hear the word "outlet," what do you think of?

For those longing to shop and not be stuck in an enclosed building, the outlets are a great alternative to the indoor mall. If you happen to have extra money, where else would you rather be on a fine Spring day such as the those we have been experiencing lately, but strolling down a sidewalk, gazing in store windows. Every time the door swings open, the smell of retail wafts past your nose and out steps a contented addict with their "fix" in hand. Plastic-type bags never truly fill the void. But when you are handed your newly purchased merchandise in a paper-handled bag, you know you are in the zone. If you score a garment bag, life is very good!

If your addiction is fishing or boating, the word outlet might remind you of the place where you take your boat on any given day. An excuse to go can be conjured up in an instant. Living in what's known as "River City," there is one water inlet/outlet after another. I see folks on the river everyday reeling their addiction, who need no reason for getting out a pole and some bait.

However, most of us envision an electrical plug; the outlet being a place where we can plug something in and get something back. Electricity is one of best commodities ever invented by man! That plastic plate on my wall represents convenience and in just a matter of a seconds, my life becomes easier after I "plug it in."

But an outlet can also be a place or opening through which something is let out. For me, writing is that place. I never would have thought for a million years, that I had anything worth writing, much less any interest to others. This kind of mindset will keep us from doing just about anything. One day I woke up and said to myself, "I don't care if anyone ever reads what I have say, I just need the outlet." This begins my blogging journey.

The first time I heard the word "blog," I wondered if it was a new global warming term. Maybe Al Gore made it up and since I never follow him, I could have missed it. But the Internet (which he supposedly created) was full of them. At first, I was overwhelmed by information but after a little investigating, I found help. I decided if I was really going to do this (even if just for myself,) I wanted to do it right.

Last summer, I took several online classes, one of which was a Blog Writing Course (very reasonably priced) that literally walked me through the process, step by step. By the time I finished, I not only had the knowledge to set up my own blog site, I had a new confidence to express myself on the world wide web. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who is or has entertained the idea.

Blogging is one of my outlets . . . an opening through which I can let it all out. This freedom of speech allows me to bellyache and moan from the depths of my soul. But better than that, I have the liberty to scream from the top of my lungs that Jesus is King and His return is imminent.

What is your outlet and why does it work?

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO . . .

by Chrissy Larson

. . . not who I thought it should.

I must say, I was sorely disappointed as I watched the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Walking down the "Red Carpet" we saw every "who's who" in Hollywood.

With a background in tailoring and dressmaking, I can't help but admire the gowns. To me, the fit of the dress and the model who wears it are just as important as casting is in a motion picture. Kate Winslet definitely got my vote in her beautiful Yves Saint Laurent gown.

The program went downhill from there.

In a nutshell, there were many good films whose names were never even mentioned. As the nominees were read, one could almost guess which film would be picked, based on the "message" that Hollywood wanted us to hear. Overall, the themes of those nominated where a far cry from what I considered appropriate.

As usual, I went away hoping for more out of an industry that is so powerful. Motion pictures are truly an art form I appreciate. Hollywood and all it's trappings, on the other hand, remain high on my prayer list.

Short, sweet and opinionated, I move on to the Question of the Week:

What movie of 2008 would you consider to be your top pick and why?

TIME TRAVELER FOR A DAY

by Demetri Maroosis

The world has had amazing history ever since the time of Creation. There have been many famous Bible stories, battles, and ancient cities. There has also been the Pentecost, The Battle of Hastings, and World War II. It is amazing to see the history that God has orchestrated. You can see God's hand throughout all of history. You can see how God planned that Jesus would be born, die, resurrect, and come again.

If I could go to anytime in history it would have to be the Tower of Babel. I have always wondered what the Tower of Babel really looks like. No one has ever known for sure.

My question is simple, if you could go back to any time or place in history; where would you go?

TRADING PLACES

by Alyssa Thrift

God's creations are amazing. Although humans are the most intelligent, animals have many great characteristics that humans don't have.

Birds can fly, sea creatures can breath under water, and some animals can sleep for a whole winter! God's creativity, when it comes to animals, is extremely amazing.

All my life, I have learned to love and appreciate all the creatures that live on the earth. If I could be any animal, I would definitely have to choose between a dolphin or a panda. (Those are pretty sweet animals in my opinion.)

There is NO WAY the earth could have been "an accident"; all the unique creatures that walk the earth prove it. I say that because a sudden explosion, or whatever scientist try to tell us these days, can NOT produce such outstanding creations; and especially SO many!

Think about it. . . What kind of animal would you be?

Based on skills, looks, or the uniqueness of each animal, tell me what kind of animal do you wish you could be?

I'M AN OPEN BOOK by Alaina Wenrich

One of my most favorite things to do would be to read. I could just curl up in my room for hours with my ipod and a stack of books and I'd be ecstatic, heck, leave me alone in the library for a few hours and I couldn't be happier. One of the best things about books is their ability to draw you into them, so that you feel as if you're there with the main character, helping them through the trials they face. It's the authors of those kind of books that simply amaze me.

I practically grew up on fantasy books. It was always the ones with the pretty covers, the ones that just stood out and caught my eye, that I wanted to read. Some of my favorites as a child were The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time, and of course The Chronicles of Narnia. These books have remained with me as cherished favorites of my childhood, and will always hold a special place is my heart, but if I were to choose a favorite among my favorites, I would have to choose Narnia, the world that C.S. Lewis created is just too splendid to give up.

What would you say was your favorite book? If you don't have a favorite book, or if you just can't choose, then tell me your favorite genre of books.