Reading is Fun!

This past weekend, I literally spent the entire time reading! I had all day Friday off (very rare not to have a youth night / activity scheduled) & part of Saturday off to just read!

My youth & a DCE friend of mine have been talking A LOT about this "Twilight" Series. Now, I'm normally a romance, Nicholas Sparks, Francine Rivers, Christian fiction kind of person. I have adventured into different authors: Dean Koontz & Steven King or is it Stephen King? Anyways, I generally stick with the basics. Nothing too weird. Well, these "Twilight" books (Series of 4 books) are about vampires & warewolves. Haha! I actually liked them. I can see why my youth like them. They're pretty decent & it gets kids reading again. So, I can't complain. I wish they would read their Bible more than fiction, but oh well... I am the DCE afterall.

So, while reading these novels, I realized how many of my favorite books have the same kind of strong male characters: possessing qualities that I look for in a husband. "Pride & Prejudice", "Redeeming Love", "Twilight", "Harry Potter" (well, this one might be a stretch), the Bible. Seriously, all these books have strong male models.

First, "Pride & Prejudice": I'm pretty sure every girl dreams of their own personal Mr. Darcy. Confident, bold, mysterious. I mean, he is a little prideful...or is he prejudice? But, he has some awesome qualities! He's not afraid to speak his mind, stand up for what is right, rescue the heroin's sister & the heroin herself. Wow, what a man! Plus, Colin Firth is very handsome...so is the other guy who plays him w/ Kierra Knightly. Yum.

Second, "Redeeming Love": By far my favorite romance novel. Francine Rivers does an amazing job in her character of Michael Hosea. If he was a real person, I would be all over him like white on rice! His debonair traits? Patient, persistent, persevering, pursuing stud of a farmer! He's strong, handsome, loves Angel (even though she has this thing with running away from him just like the story of Hosea in the Bible) & loves Jesus more than anything! His faith is absolutely amazing & his passion for Christ is amazing! Woof.

Third, "Twilight": Even though the entire series is alright, Edward (main male character) is so incredibly selfless & sacrificial, it's not even funny. He's so willing to make his love, Bella, in every way possible, denying himself is second nature. His passion & love for her, no matter who she is, what she looks like, what kinds of crazy things come out of her mouth, is apparent in everything he does for her. He cherishes her! He denies himself & treats her with utmost respect, love & passion. Holy crow!

Finally, the Bible: The Bible has so many amazing characters that possess all the things above. Selflessness, passion, boldness, honesty, perseverance, persistence, I could go on & on...Jacob loves Rachel (even though there are some complications w/ Leah), Boaz & Ruth, Hosea & Gomer, Mary & Joseph, Jesus & the church, Solomon & his Bride...God does such an incredible job with showing us what a true, loving, God-centered relationship can look like! It warms my heart to know that God is a hopeless romantic like I am!