LIFE

  After I watched this thought provoking trailer. It made me think about why we reach out  to worlds better than our own? As a child I longed to go to Narnia and my brother wanted to go to Middle Earth. I dreamed that Aslan would come roaring in and change my life forever.
Why do we do this? If we are just highly evolved apes, as everyone tells us then why do we long for more? Sure, animals want to run from pain to somewhere safer. And people do similar things when they are in agony. But I'm talking about the moments when you are not in pain or agony when you have this strange ache to be free.

  In another film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) we are faced with the question of life. What is it to actually live and not just breathe? We long to go out and change the world, fight the villains, fall in love, and be the hero. Yet we don't know how.
  We're told to go out and live. But how?
  Which way do to we go?
  What is truth?
  What is true life?
  Even in The Bible the question is asked, like in John 14:5. "Thomas said to Him, "Lord we don't to know where You are going, and how can we know the way?""

  The questions echo through this world like a distant scream.
Yet no normal man can answer it. Why do we want more than this world can offer? Why can't we seem to live the way we're meant to?

But there is a whisper. A soft voice that murmurs through these stories like Tomorrowland and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

The Whisper says, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."" John 14:6.

So remember, when you watch a movie, or read a book, or hear a song that awakens a longing that seems far away and too beautiful to describe. Know that there is a answer to that call.

And although this is not a Christ centered quote, it has a point. (LIFE Magazine motto in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty). "To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."

And guess what? In Philippians 1:21 it says, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Christ is life. He is the one we should serve.

We're to see the world He's made, to fight the danger to come, to see His truth that has been hidden behind walls of evil, to draw closer to Him and each other, and to feel Him. To Glorify Him. That is the purpose of life.

And remember that longing for someplace better? Well . . . "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I got to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Realize where these great stories are pointing. Him

So go out and live.

NEWS on my BOOK

Its been a while since I have posted on here. And I know what you are guys are thinking.

IS . . .THERE . . . ANY . . . NEWS . . . ABOUT . . . X-ALITY?

Well, matter of fact there is. Thank you for asking. =)

Jerry. B. Jenkins has gone through the first chapter and chopped it from 5 pages to 2. That is a lot of editing folks. I've been working on the second chapter and Mr. Jenkins has kindly given me pointers on that as well. I may be adding completely new material as well. Which means more adventure for you readers.
 Mr. Jenkins was saying that my title maybe to confusing for marketing. So I'm thinking of making a new title for my manuscript. But I'm stuck and need help. Please read my synopsis and try and come up with an idea for a title I can't promise I'll use the titles but then again I might. Here is the synopsis for X-ality (er my manuscript). Post your title idea as a comment below . . .

"Sixteen-year-old Jason Sorn has a normal life, friends, and goes to school like other American kids. But everything changes when his parents are mysteriously murdered and Jason must move in with his uncle and aunt in Montana. Six months later, while his aunt and uncle are away on a business trip, Jason is seriously injured in a traffic accident. At the hospital, doctors discover an inexplicable new organ growing inside his body. Soon, the FBI becomes involved. Jason is baffled over their interest in him.
Before the FBI can move Jason to a secure facility to study this unusual development, a shadowy agency comes after him. Terrified, Jason runs. He doesn’t trust the FBI, and he has no idea who this other sinister agency—ANO, Agents of the New Order—is. Worse, Jason does not know what is going on inside his body. Why he is haunted by visions of sinister, yellow eyes? Why can he toss people and semi-trucks around with his mind? Is this why he has become the hunted?
Leon Weston, a man with a dark past, comes across Jason and hides him from ANO and the FBI. Jason is drawn to Leon but wonders why he would help . . . and what he is hiding. Leon possesses the ability to see in the future and has invulnerable skin. Leon introduces Jason to others like him, who exhibit unusual powers: Rachel who wields fire with her hands and Jude who can teleport.
Jason learns the reason he has been drawn into this extraordinary circle of unique people: ANO has infiltrated the FBI and plans to start World War III for their own nefarious purposes. Leon’s group, of which Jason is now a member, uncovers a factory where ANO is building an army. Using their God-given super powers, they must destroy it. But as Jason and his friends slip into the factory to plant bombs, everything falls apart. Jason is shot, ANO stops the explosions, and most of the strike team is killed. It appears their mission has failed.
As Jason’s life fades, he finds himself in his mentor’s arms. He asks Leon why he helped him in the first place. Leon reveals that he is Jason’s adopted brother. He’d run away before Jason was born because of his guilt for the death of a loved one. Sadly, Jason dies before hearing this confession.
Leon yells at God to show Himself, but only Jude appears and says they need to leave. When Leon touches Jude, their world spins. The two find themselves back in the past—before the destruction. In shock, Jude has just proven he has the ability to time travel.
Now alive, Jason helps destroy the factory and fights against other ANO super villains. Defeating the enemy, Jason and the others return to their home, grateful to be alive—this time."

You guys are amazing. Thanks.

NOTICE: I just realized that the comments are not working well. So go ahead and post your title ideas on my Facebook Author page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-Kuehn/1428516144079464?ref=bookmarks

Sixteen-year-old Jason Sorn has a normal life, friends, and goes to school like other American kids. But everything changes when his parents are mysteriously murdered and Jason must move in with his uncle and aunt in Montana. Six months later, while his aunt and uncle are away on a business trip, Jason is seriously injured in a traffic accident. At the hospital, doctors discover an inexplicable new organ growing inside his body. Soon, the FBI becomes involved. Jason is baffled over their interest in him.
Before the FBI can move Jason to a secure facility to study this unusual development, a shadowy agency comes after him. Terrified, Jason runs. He doesn’t trust the FBI, and he has no idea who this other sinister agency—ANO, Agents of the New Order—is. Worse, Jason does not know what is going on inside his body. Why he is haunted by visions of sinister, yellow eyes? Why can he toss people and semi-trucks around with his mind? Is this why he has become the hunted?
Leon Weston, a man with a dark past, comes across Jason and hides him from ANO and the FBI. Jason is drawn to Leon but wonders why he would help . . . and what he is hiding. Leon possesses the ability to see in the future and has invulnerable skin. Leon introduces Jason to others like him, who exhibit unusual powers: Rachel who wields fire with her hands and Jude who can teleport.
Jason learns the reason he has been drawn into this extraordinary circle of unique people: ANO has infiltrated the FBI and plans to start World War III for their own nefarious purposes. Leon’s group, of which Jason is now a member, uncovers a factory where ANO is building an army. Using their God-given super powers, they must destroy it. But as Jason and his friends slip into the factory to plant bombs, everything falls apart. Jason is shot, ANO stops the explosions, and most of the strike team is killed. It appears their mission has failed.
As Jason’s life fades, he finds himself in his mentor’s arms. He asks Leon why he helped him in the first place. Leon reveals that he is Jason’s adopted brother. He’d run away before Jason was born because of his guilt for the death of a loved one. Sadly, Jason dies before hearing this confession.
Leon yells at God to show Himself, but only Jude appears and says they need to leave. When Leon touches Jude, their world spins. The two find themselves back in the past—before the destruction. In shock, Jude has just proven he has the ability to time travel.
Now alive, Jason helps destroy the factory and fights against other ANO super villains. Defeating the enemy, Jason and the others return to their home, grateful to be alive—this time. - See more at: https://www.crowdscribed.com/challenges/74#sthash.5gziIBFh.dpuf

Sixteen-year-old Jason Sorn has a normal life, friends, and goes to school like other American kids. But everything changes when his parents are mysteriously murdered and Jason must move in with his uncle and aunt in Montana. Six months later, while his aunt and uncle are away on a business trip, Jason is seriously injured in a traffic accident. At the hospital, doctors discover an inexplicable new organ growing inside his body. Soon, the FBI becomes involved. Jason is baffled over their interest in him.
Before the FBI can move Jason to a secure facility to study this unusual development, a shadowy agency comes after him. Terrified, Jason runs. He doesn’t trust the FBI, and he has no idea who this other sinister agency—ANO, Agents of the New Order—is. Worse, Jason does not know what is going on inside his body. Why he is haunted by visions of sinister, yellow eyes? Why can he toss people and semi-trucks around with his mind? Is this why he has become the hunted?
Leon Weston, a man with a dark past, comes across Jason and hides him from ANO and the FBI. Jason is drawn to Leon but wonders why he would help . . . and what he is hiding. Leon possesses the ability to see in the future and has invulnerable skin. Leon introduces Jason to others like him, who exhibit unusual powers: Rachel who wields fire with her hands and Jude who can teleport.
Jason learns the reason he has been drawn into this extraordinary circle of unique people: ANO has infiltrated the FBI and plans to start World War III for their own nefarious purposes. Leon’s group, of which Jason is now a member, uncovers a factory where ANO is building an army. Using their God-given super powers, they must destroy it. But as Jason and his friends slip into the factory to plant bombs, everything falls apart. Jason is shot, ANO stops the explosions, and most of the strike team is killed. It appears their mission has failed.
As Jason’s life fades, he finds himself in his mentor’s arms. He asks Leon why he helped him in the first place. Leon reveals that he is Jason’s adopted brother. He’d run away before Jason was born because of his guilt for the death of a loved one. Sadly, Jason dies before hearing this confession.
Leon yells at God to show Himself, but only Jude appears and says they need to leave. When Leon touches Jude, their world spins. The two find themselves back in the past—before the destruction. In shock, Jude has just proven he has the ability to time travel.
Now alive, Jason helps destroy the factory and fights against other ANO super villains. Defeating the enemy, Jason and the others return to their home, grateful to be alive—this time. - See more at: https://www.crowdscribed.com/challenges/74#sthash.ARhVpkFl.dpuf

Sixteen-year-old Jason Sorn has a normal life, friends, and goes to school like other American kids. But everything changes when his parents are mysteriously murdered and Jason must move in with his uncle and aunt in Montana. Six months later, while his aunt and uncle are away on a business trip, Jason is seriously injured in a traffic accident. At the hospital, doctors discover an inexplicable new organ growing inside his body. Soon, the FBI becomes involved. Jason is baffled over their interest in him.
Before the FBI can move Jason to a secure facility to study this unusual development, a shadowy agency comes after him. Terrified, Jason runs. He doesn’t trust the FBI, and he has no idea who this other sinister agency—ANO, Agents of the New Order—is. Worse, Jason does not know what is going on inside his body. Why he is haunted by visions of sinister, yellow eyes? Why can he toss people and semi-trucks around with his mind? Is this why he has become the hunted?
Leon Weston, a man with a dark past, comes across Jason and hides him from ANO and the FBI. Jason is drawn to Leon but wonders why he would help . . . and what he is hiding. Leon possesses the ability to see in the future and has invulnerable skin. Leon introduces Jason to others like him, who exhibit unusual powers: Rachel who wields fire with her hands and Jude who can teleport.
Jason learns the reason he has been drawn into this extraordinary circle of unique people: ANO has infiltrated the FBI and plans to start World War III for their own nefarious purposes. Leon’s group, of which Jason is now a member, uncovers a factory where ANO is building an army. Using their God-given super powers, they must destroy it. But as Jason and his friends slip into the factory to plant bombs, everything falls apart. Jason is shot, ANO stops the explosions, and most of the strike team is killed. It appears their mission has failed.
As Jason’s life fades, he finds himself in his mentor’s arms. He asks Leon why he helped him in the first place. Leon reveals that he is Jason’s adopted brother. He’d run away before Jason was born because of his guilt for the death of a loved one. Sadly, Jason dies before hearing this confession.
Leon yells at God to show Himself, but only Jude appears and says they need to leave. When Leon touches Jude, their world spins. The two find themselves back in the past—before the destruction. In shock, Jude has just proven he has the ability to time travel.
Now alive, Jason helps destroy the factory and fights against other ANO super villains. Defeating the enemy, Jason and the others return to their home, grateful to be alive—this time. - See more at: https://www.crowdscribed.com/challenges/74#sthash.ARhVpkFl.dpuf

I've talked with Left Behind's Jerry B. Jenkins!

   Big news people! The author of Left Behind emailed me this week. As I mentioned in my last post, there has been some miscommunications. So in order to iron everything out, the president of Believer's Press Publishing, a branch of Jerry B. Jenkin's Christian Writer's Guild, (where I was a student for two years) has agreed to over see my contact issues with Mr. Jenkins.
  When Mr. Jenkins emailed, it was a very lengthy email. I don't want to put the email on here but I thought posting the highlight of the email would do.



  " . . .Look forward to seeing your work and working with you."
                     
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                    ~Jerry B. Jenkins



   So there you are folks. I'll keep you posted for more updates as they come!

   And just for fun I posted the preview for the trailer of the film adaption of Left Behind here. . .
 

 

News on MY book! I'm Reading The Contract NOW!

  Yes, it has been a while since I could report anything. But here it is!
Crowdscribed.com has emailed me the contract to read, sign, and send back. It's been really interesting to read the 11 page contract. It has also been extremely long and boring.
  One thing is for sure, this is not a self publishing company. Which is a good thing in a way, because self publishing has been getting some bad rap lately. The bad thing about traditional publishing is that I don't have as much control over my book by far. Either way, there are sacrifices.
  There is some confusion going on with some miscommunications. Prayers are appreciated. Thank you for you patience and understanding.

  I'll keep you posted!

The Giver Offical Trailer #2

Well, since I'm on this THE GIVER tangent. I thought you'll like to see the trailer. Enjoy and spread the word about this movie.

The Giver (the film)

    Most stories are entertaining. Most movies are cool, fun, hilarious, or intense. But very few go into the category of powerful.

  I came home last night from seeing THE GIVER, and was moved in a way that I have never felt before.
  The movie starts with a boy named Jonas, who is selected to become the receiver of memories in his socialistic community far in the future.
  But what happens when emotions return to a emotionless mind? What of color, life, death, hope, and morals?
  They are told, in the this fictitious world, that control is to protect people. Control is to keeps harmony and prevent murder. But what happens when control become the very thing that kills?
  Memory has been stolen, so how can they learn from the mistakes of the past?
What is the sanctity of life? Just because something seems painless or humane doesn't mean that it is not murder. What of family? What of love?


This film asks all of these questions and more. Bringing strange parallels to our world of big government, forgotten history, abortion, and true love.

Of course, that is not the only thing that this movie offers. A good story is one thing that is films wields with good characters and action. The action oriented question is: Will Jonas survive long enough to find the truth and set his family and friends free?

There are plenty of "cool" films to go out and watch. But usually they don't mean much. Don't get me wrong, I love pulp fiction books and movies. But is that all our generation is going to produce? Will we forget our memory and history? Will we forget our morals?

Most stories are entertaining. Most films are fun, awesome, or intense. But very few are powerful.

This film is powerful.

If you can, go see this movie.
And if you agree with me on this post, please share THE GIVER on Facebook, blog about it, Tweet about it, or talk about. This film has not done well in the box office so let's spread the news about its merit. 

Book Review for "Mindwar" by Andrew Klavan

  Andrew Klavan has proven once again his ability to create and craft diverse worlds, stories, and people. I have to admit that the synopsis on the back of the book didn't seem as appealing as Klavan's other books. But once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Here is the synopsis:

  "Rick Dial has the potential to be a hero. He just doesn't know it yet.

  Rick's high school football team couldn't be stopped when he was leading them as their quarterback. He was going to Syracuse on a scholarship. But then his dad abandoned them and a terrible accident left him crippled.

  Certain his old life is completely lost, Rick spends months hiding away in his room playing video games. He achieves the highest scores on so many games that he's approached by a government agency who claims to be trying to thwart a cyber attack on America that would destroy the technological infrastructure of the entire country. The agents say that the quick-thinking of a quarterback coupled with Nick's gaming experience make him perfect for this assignment. The problem is that there are no extra lives and this isn't just a game . . . but Rick doesn't have many other options at the moment.

  Entering "The Realm" gives Rick the one thing he thought he'd never have again: a body that's as fast and as strong as he ever was before the accident. But the more time he spends in The Realm, the more questions he has. What secrets are these agents keeping from him? What really happened to his father? How many others have gone into The Realm already . . . and failed? And perhaps most important, is he the hero they think he is?"

 
Content Advisory:

Violence: There is plenty of violence but nothing more than a PG-13 movie would have. Most of the violence happens in the Realm where if a person dies, they dissolve. It is mentioned that blood spatters once or twice but it is only a sentence or two and nothing more. 
Language: None.

Sexuality/Crude Humor: There is only one mention of a boy kissing a girl but none of it is shown.

Positive Elements: God is shown to have power even in the Realm. There are various situations of bravery, goodness, selflessness, love, and character growth (especially with Rick).



   Granted, the beginning tended to be slow. But to me it seemed just the right pace considering this is not a stand alone novel. The character development was not as strong as Klavan's other works lately but then again this is the first book in a trilogy. There is plenty of growing room.
Rick's emotional state seemed plausible and understandable. The Realm felt unreal and real at the same time. I couldn't help but see the world the author was describing (red grass and blue leaved trees and all), and feel the booming footsteps of gigantic monsters. It may sound far fetched and weird but hey, its a computer game. Its weird surrealness is the very thing that makes the book credible. Let's face it, video games can be on-the-other-side-of-the-galaxy weird

  Oh, and I hope that a certain character named Victor One returns for the remaining two books. He is a small character but I couldn't help but love him. His coolness probably came from his strength of character and 3D personality.

  Over all, I really loved this book. If you enjoy action, strong characters, and intriguing plots (Think a Matrix/Inception hybrid with some other unique story plot ideas mingled within).

This book is for you.