Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Go Watch It!

Hey followers, readers, and anybody with the slightest trace of a brain, go watch the awesome Crusader's Tale at http://lordandladyproductions.blogspot.com/2011/12/crusaders-tale-part-1.html Please go watch it and follow their blog!

Trailer for it:

Saturday, March 24, 2012

My Story

Well, I finally decided to post my story on my blog. It will not appear as a regular post, (so I won't bore my uninterested readers) but will be available through the category My Book. Click on that and it will bring you to my book. My story is a fictional, fantasy book which I have recently started and new chapters will depend on how much I write. Spring is a busy time on a farm and I will be EXTREMELY busy. Nevertheless I will try. I thought of posting and introductory paragraph here but decided against it so you'll be able to read one at the aforesaid category, My Book. I will warn you, my book is not very good; consider it as you would an amateur film production, (though some amateur movies are really good) but I didn't write the book to be famous, I wrote it for myself, to improve my writing. I'm posting it here to 1. keep me consistent 2. to get other people's input (positive or negative) and 3. for an incentive to write better and better since people will be reading it. I would love for people to read it and I would appreciate all comments and input and I do not care whether it is bad or good. Speak your mind, help me to improve. Your time and input will be GREATLY appreciated.

A.J (Gwyn)

I will hereafter be posting as Gwyn

Friday, March 23, 2012

Movies/Reviews

I watched the movie about two months ago and thought I should do a review. It's been awhile since I wrote a review anyway. Unlike Braveheart, The Last of the Mohicans was not too gory or bloody (except for one scene) and was not a complete tragedy. I like movies that have some tragedy in them, but the end of Braveheart just didn't fit my happy ending preferences. Last of the Mohicans was staged during the French and Indian War and the hero was a hunter who fought for the British when war came upon the land. The story was based on Cooper's book which I have not read so I couldn't give you my opinion on how close it stayed to the book. I love movies which keep to the book and I would say that generally speaking, the book is better than the movie. Now there are people out there who like watching better than reading who may differ with me, but for those who like reading the same as or more than watching, I think the would agree with me. Last of the Mohicans was filmed well, had good acting and would have a rate of 4 out of 5 on my list. The movies I've watched who have reached the 5 mark would currently be Lord of the Rings, as my favorite movie, The Phantom Menace, the latest three Narnia movies, The last of the Mohicans and the Young Sherlock Holmes. Braveheart gets a 4, along with The Last Samurai, Star Wars, and the Bourne Trilogy . Indiana Jones and Cranford get a 3.

I'm sorry, it's not that I don't like the bugs in Indiana Jones, it's just that I really don't like Harrison Ford. Call me crazy, but somehow Harrison Ford always plays in movies wherein he is a very arrogant, proud and extremely rude person. Harrison Ford fans and those who have seen his movies will have to agree with me that he is often rude. I believe that the types of movies Harrison Ford plays in reveal parts of his character. Character is revealed through our speech, actions and thoughts. If I was a Christian person, honest and upright, I would not play in movies like Indiana Jones or the Star Wars episodes 4-6 as the part he played. In fact, as a Christian I would not act in Hollywood movies, at least none that I've seen.

 I prefer acting in my own amateur productions and those of people I know, like The Crusader's Tale (5 stars by the way, I love that movie!), Isundae I and II, and Ye Castle Attack. I love amateur movies, especially as I have made three myself. Someday all of us who write/direct/film amateur movies should make our own filming company. That, my friends, would be awesome!

Well, I should go write the script for King Arthur and finish some schoolbooks. Thanks to all who follow and to those who comment on my blog,
A.J

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Filming

Here is a little update on what's going on in my life. I am currently writing the screenplay for an amateur movie about King Arthur based off Howard Pyle's book, King Arthur and His Knights. As screenwriter, photographer, co-director and producer, my job should start get heavier as we come into April. First film night, Wednesday the 4th or the 11th. I may try to post this one on my blog, but I've had troubles with previous movies so I may not be able to. If anyone has tips or hints on how to upload Windows Movie Maker and other program films online I would appreciate it. I love filming!


Our previous productions include, A Winter's Tale, starring myself and other friends, Robin Hood, starring myself as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Battle in the Wood, starring my brother, and a stop motion film using Playmobils. Our property has been converted into battlefields, castles, etc. and our journey with filming has been fun and educating. My sister is our wonderful producer and director and should get the credit for editing and holding the movies together. I am hoping King Arthur will be our best production, which reminds me, in order for it to be so I should get to writing the script. Til' next time,


A.J

Francis Bacon Quotes


"Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse but to weigh and consider.

Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all; that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it not either for pleasure of the mind, or for contention, or for superiority to others, or for profit, or fame, or power, or any of these inferior things; but for the benefit and use of Life; and that they perfect and govern it in charity. --General Preface to the Great Instauration

He that cometh to seek after knowledge, with a mind to scorn, shall be sure to find matter for his humor, but no matter for his instruction. Advancement of Learning, Book I(1605)

As touching the explication of Mysteries, we see that God vouchsafeth to descend to the weakness of our capacity, so expressing and unfolding His Mysteries as they may be best comprehended by us; and inoculate, as it were, His Revelations upon the conceptions and notions of our Reason; and so applying His inspirations to open our understandings, as the form of the key is fitted to the ward of the lock. In which respect notwithstanding, we ought not to be wanting to our selves; for seeing God makes use of the faculty and function of Reason in His Illuminations, we ought also every way to employ and improve the same, whereby we may become more capable to receive and draw in such Holy Mysteries: with this caution, that the mind for its module be dilated to the amplitude of the Mysteries, and not the Mysteries be girt into the small compass of the mind. Advancement of Learning, Book I (1605)

If a man will begin with certainties, he will end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he will end in certainties.

Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them; and wise men use them.

To write at leisure what is to be read at leisure does not interest me. My concern is with life and human affairs and all their troubles and difficulties. It is these I wish to improve by true and wholesome thoughts.
--Letter to Casaubon, 1609.

That men ought to know that in the theatre of human life it is only for Gods and angels to be spectators. -Adv. of Learning

But one thing is most admirable, which is, that this communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects, for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in halfs. For there is no man that imparteth his joys to his friend, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his griefs to his friend, but he grieveth the less.

Times glory is to calm contending Kings, to unmask falsehood, and bring truth to light.

The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his spirit.- from his essay, "Of Truth"

The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall; but in charity there is no excess; neither can angel or man come in danger by it

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Discovery sooner emerges from error than from confusion.

Laws are made to guard the rights of the people, not to feed the lawyers. The laws should be read by all, known to all. Put them into shape, inform them with philosophy, reduce them in bulk, give them into every man's hand.

The monuments of Wit survive the monuments of power. The verses of a poet endure without a syllable lost, while States and Empires pass many periods. Let him (the poet) not think he shall descend : for he is now upon a hill as a ship is mounted upon the ridge of a wave : but that Hill of the Muses is above tempests, always clear and calm; a hill of the goodliest discovery, that man can have, being a prospect upon all the errors and wanderings of the present and former times. Yea, in some cliff it leadeth the eye beyond the horizon of time, and giveth no obscure divination of time to come.

Men believe what they prefer.

Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid.

The best part of beauty is that which a picture cannot express.


 Great riches have sold more men than ever they have bought out.

Number itself importeth not much in armies, where the people are of weak courage; for (as Virgil says) it never troubles a wolf how many the sheep be.

There is a great difference betwixt a cunning man and a wise man. There be that can pack the cards, who yet cannot play well;

God never wrought miracles to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.

Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more a man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.

He that studieth revenge, keepeth his own wounds green.

It is a strange desire which men have, to seek power and lose liberty.

That sick man does ill for himself, who makes his physician his heir.
I would live to study, and not study to live.

If money be not they servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be wealth, as that may be said to possess him.

Conscience is worth a thousand witnesses."

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Life of Francis Bacon

Some of my readers may not know who Sir Francis Bacon was but I will soon enlighten them. Francis Bacon was the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, knight and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England. His mother was Anne Cook, a woman skilled in Greek and Latin. Francis was given a very good education and knew Greek and Latin. He was sent to Trinity College in Cambridge at an age younger than most people and was tutored by the afterwards renowned Archbishop of Canterbury, Doctor John White-gift. He fell into dislike of Aristotle' philosophy at sixteen, not for worthlessness but for unfruitfulness. He ascribed to Aristotle's teaching high attributes but he said it was barren for the advancement of the life of man. He was sent with the ambassador lieger into France to learn the arts of state after his education at Trinity. On his return he took up the study of law and became a judge later on in his life. the largest blot on Francis Bacon's character would be his decision to speak against his great friend the Earl of Essex when that unfortunate man stood in court for minor treason. Bacon's actions were not the main reason Essex died, but he had betrayed a trust which he should have kept more carefully. Bacon came to his greatest fame not under Elizabeth but under James I under whom his fortune escalated and he held the titles of Counsel Learned Extraordinary to His Majesty, King's Solicitor General, His Majesty's Attorney General, Counselor of Estate, Lord Chancellor and keeper of the Great Seal of England. He married Alice but they had no children. Bacon's name was more famous in foreign countries than in England and was considered a very learned man in Italy and France. Bacon died of a fever at sixty-six after pursuing an experiment in freezing meat to preserve it. To him may be attributed our modern way of refrigeration. He died in Earl Arundel's house on April 9, 1626.
I have read several of Bacon's essays and some of his quotes I really like. I'll post some of his quotes in my next post. 
"Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all; that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it not either for pleasure of the mind, or for contention, or for superiority to others, or for profit, or fame, or power, or any of these inferior things; but for the benefit and use of Life; and that they perfect and govern it in charity."   --General Preface to the Great Instauration by Bacon 

A.J

Friday, March 16, 2012

Losing our Freedom

People in America are losing their freedoms. It is a fact. Every year kids are taken away from homeschooling parents, every year the United States kills thousands of children and every year more corruption unfolds in the government. I have attached here the link to an incredible story of several pro-life people, all under age, who were leg-cuffed, handcuffed, strip searched, not allowed to contact their parents, arrested and jailed for breaking no laws and doing what they are allowed to do in the First Amendment. The case went to court and the city was fined 380,000 dollars which was given to the children. The trooper refused to tell them what laws they were breaking and insisted that they had to have a permit when no such thing was needed. Unbelievable!

Watch the video and read the article here.

Another case which people are still fighting in court are two young boys who were wore small American flags on their shirts on Cinco de Mayo day and were ordered to turn them inside out or remove them.

Another man said in a facebook comment that he wished he had a magic wand which would make Rick Santorum disappear. The police came to his house and interrogated him.

A law was passed about six months ago or a year, the NDAA Bill, I believe, which said that the government had the right to arrest anyone, including U.S citizens, and interrogate them on suspicion of that person's being a terrorist.

What has happened to our justice system? Why do people like this get expelled and jailed and arrested while murderers are set free or spend a brief amount of time in a prison better than the house they live in? Why do we, the people of the United Sates, allow this to happen? Why hasn't this caused a revolution? Why are Americans sitting back and allowing their freedoms to be trampled? Our government is not accountable to higher law. Our government does not follow the two fundamental laws: do not encroach on other persons or their property and do all you have agreed to do. A country whose government is run by men who are not accountable will never succeed. In my opinion, the government has to be accountable to these laws. Daily our freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and other freedoms are taken away and we must fight back. Now, as my last post stated, I am still grateful that Americans still have so many freedoms and I am very blessed to live where I do. That does not mean though, that being trampled is okay, we still can fight back, maybe not with the sword but definitely with the pen. We must write books, articles, newspapers and essays which unveil this corruption. "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." ~ President John F. Kennedy

The same is true of one person. We must educate the people. That is what leaders and dictators fear. That is why countries have propaganda, to blind the people so they can't see the truth and why they have schools, so the next generation will be tools in the hands of the government. That is what Hitler did in Germany. We must be educated people who can learn from the countless examples in the past.

A.J

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Martyrs and U.S Christians

Recently I read Richard Wurmbrand's, Tortured For Christ and it led me to think about the strength of my own faith. For a little background, Richard Wurmbrand spent fourteen years in a Romanian Communist prison where he was mistreated, tortured and beaten for preaching Christ to the unsaved Soviet Union. He also went to prison in other places as well for less lengthy periods of time. It took eight and a half years for Christians to find where he was and several more years to get him out. He also was imprisoned under the Nazis in Germany during WW II. The story of his life and the stories of hundreds of martyrs like him, draw me to consider the state of my own faith. Here is a man who was tortured, imprisoned, separated from his wife and son, endured unspeakable horrors and who continued to love his enemies and preach God's Word. He is just one of the millions of Christians who have been and are being persecuted around the world. I consider his life and I think, "Wow!" The majority of Christians in America today do not know what persecution is and many of them do not know what pain is. Sure, lots of us have encountered pain, but none of us have endured pain to the extremity that Richard Wurmbrand, or Justin Martyr did, or the rest of the incredible men who preached the Gospel to Communist Russia and China and Europe and the Roman Empire.
            After considering the incredible sacrifices these men made, I considered the state of Christianity in the United States today. Christians in America don't know the horrible persecution that those men endured and they do not face the same persecution today. Christians today do face the slow loss of their rights and many more Christians will face the loss of their rights and will probably have to withdraw from society, but we can thank God that we are not in the same situations as those brave men and women. I would say that my main point here is that we should consider the state of our faith and ask ourselves if, when the time comes, we will be able to stand against the persecution, not deny our Lord and remain faithful to the end. Also, it has made me more thankful and grateful that I have not had to face those trials, or my family or my friends. It will make us much happier if we consider all the freedoms we still have in America and to be grateful that we are even allowed to meet and worship when so many around the world are not allowed to do.
          I wanted to give you a quote here from Justin Martyr or Wurmbrand but now I can't find it, but it went something like, "The more Christians are persecuted, the more Christianity will spread." This quote is totally true. The martyrs turned more people to Christ than the evangelical program of any church. Their deaths turned more people to Christ than their lives. They gave a standard and an example to the rest of the world and their persecutors and those who saw them turned to Christ. Think about it, Christians in America today are not persecuted and Christianity is not shooting up in America right now. wherever there is persecution there will be growth. History has proved that.
          Now, just for a little clarification, of course I'm not saying that evangelical programs are bad or that we shouldn't try to have those types of programs or that we should be persecuted, I'm just saying that we should be very thankful for the freedoms we have, pray for those who do not have them, love our enemies as the martyrs did, and daily strengthen our faith so that we too, will be able to serve Christ and be faithful to the very end. For more information on Wurmbrand and other martyrs, I recommend Wurmbrand's Tortured For Christ, and Jesus Freaks by the Dc Talk band with the Voice of the Martyrs, a program started by Wurmbrand. Remember the martyrs.

A.J