Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Praemortis by Miguel Angel Moreno

Usualmente, yo no leo libros en espanol. Soy una estudiante en la universidad y los unicos libros que leo son porque mis profesores me lo mandan. Pero, estoy tratando de ayudar mi espanol un poco como voy a ser maestra y maestros que saben espanol y ingles se necesitan no solo en Tejas, pero en los EU enteros. Perdon por todos los erores gramaticos! :)

Esta historia fue muy interestante porque habla de la importancia de mantener la humanidad cuando uno tiene un proder tan grande en sus manos. Un doctor encontro una formula que pudo ayudar a su hijo, pero su hijo tomo esa formula y la uso para controlar toda la humanidad. Es un recuerdo que a veces los regalos que nos dan se pueden usar para danar. El doctor salvo la vida de su hijo, pero ahora el hijo esta usando un demonio para controlar la humanidad. Muchas veces, dios nos da bendiciones que nosotros usamos para maldad. Dios nos bendice con tantas cosas, pero nosotros habeces no conocemos estas bendiciones y decidimos que nosotros controlamos todos. Yo pienso que esto fue la situacion con el hijo de el doctor. Dios le dio la oportunidad de vivir, cuando estaba bien enfermo, pero el decidio que el hiba a tomar esa oportunidad para maldad. Esta historia fue muy interestante y tambien puede ensenar una leccion a cualquier persona que toma sus bendiciones sin considerar que estas bendiciones vienen de la sangre de Cristo.

Esta libro me lo dieron gratis de Thomas Nelson. No tube que escribrir esta resena de libro por que me dieron el libro gratis, pero yo decidi toda esta informacion.

Desiring God by John Piper (video)

Just completed Desiring God by John Piper. I found that this video released a lot of anxiety from my life. Rather than thinking that God wants us to mundanely follow through with our expected obligations without truly "living", this video made me realize that God wants us to delight in our lives. We should be happy and vibrant in our lives as Christians. The outside world should see us and know that we are followers of Christ due to our inner happiness. This is not to say that we should ignore unfortunate circumstances, but it is rather how these circumstances are dealt with that will show that we are Christians. Believing that God wants us to delight in ourselves is important in how we live our daily lives. We were designed in God's image, and therefore meant to be happy and fulfilled. John Piper is a very respected and educated man who has written many books about Christianity, but I found it awesome that this video (it is a book as well), is such a fundamentally simple concept of Christianity but so wonderfully important in how we conduct ourselves. I firmly believe that God wants us to delight and be happy in our lives. So many Christians believe we must live in guilt or sadness, and while I understand that we cannot be the stereotypical "giddy happy" Christians that we are sometimes made out to seem, we must also learn to handle situations that arise with the understanding that God is in control. We are not. This is a very liberating concept. Thank you, John Piper!

This video was provided courtesy of Multnomah Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the video.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson

I didn't know what to expect when I received this book. I was perhaps expecting a compilation of various miracle stories, but this book exceeded my expectations. There were many stories of everyday miracles, which kept the read interesting and light, but there was also a lot more. The author honestly makes you realize that you might be missing out on everyday miracles, if you are not actively looking for them. Small coincidences might be miracles, depending upon the faith of the beholder. How many times has one said "well, that's a coincidence". Maybe its not. This book makes you realize that in our skeptical culture, as Christians, we should expect miracles from God. When we are reborn, we are reborn into a new existence. The same world surrounds us, but our viewpoints drastically change, or at least they should. So, next time something amazing happens that seems too amazing to be a coincidence, maybe it's not!

This book was provided to me by Multnomah Publishers at no charge in exchange for my review. This review is completely my own opinion and I was not influenced in anyway by either the author or publisher.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Why God Won't Go Away by Alister McGrath

I must confess that I immediately gravitated towards this particular book due to the fact that it was authored by Alister McGrath. After having read the Dawkins Delusion among other McGrath works, I have a deep appreciation for McGrath's common sense approach to "the God issue" as well as his tongue-in-cheek stabs at the "New Atheist" leaders such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. I find McGrath to be brilliant, but also have a good understanding of fairness and common sense. He has publicly debated Hitchens, Dawkins and several other members of the "New Atheism" movement and has held his own, quite admirably. My favorite part of this book was the way in which McGrath completely exposed the inaccuracies and overstatements that have plagued the "New Atheist" leaders. One of my absolute favorite parts was the description of how the "New Atheists" have decided to name themselves the "Brilliants". This move was an obvious show of intellectual cockiness and turned off many individuals, including those within the movement.

One of the strongest mainstays of the "New Atheism" is the concept that religion is evil. McGrath faces this concept with dignity, and an open-minded understanding. There are alot of things wrong with "religion". "Religion" has caused wars and bloodshed throughout history. This is why the "New Atheist" leaders declare that religion is evil and therefore so is God and both should be done away with. This intolerant view shows no understanding of the true root of Jesus and his ministry. Unfortunately more than a few Christians don't seem to understand the root of Jesus and his ministry, either. Jesus kept company with sinners and the "undesirables" of the time. He would have come across as a radical, preaching that one should forgive those that sin against us and love our enemies as our friends. Perhaps if the "New Atheist" movement bothered to study their Christian Theology more thoroughly they would see a loving, forgiving God that loves us all, including the "New Atheists".

McGrath has done a wonderful job in explaining the "New Atheism" and the inaccuracies that plague its handful of members. I would have liked this book to have been a bit longer, due to the importance of the information that is covered, but it is a very easy read and quite entertaining. I definitely consider it worth the time and it can even be read in a single sitting, although it took me 3 days since I read it sporadically.

This book was provided to me, free of charge, by the publisher, Thomas Nelson, through the http://www.booksneeze.com program. My review was not influenced by the publisher or the author and is completely of my own understanding of the book.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Bible Verses Dealing With Identity in Christ

Verses Dealing With Christian Identity:
1 Peter 1:23- For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Ephesians 1:7- In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.
1 Corinthians 6:19- Do you now know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not you own;
Colossians 1:13- For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.
Galatians 3:13- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Ephesians 6:10- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 1:4- For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy ad blameless in his sight. In love.
Ephesians 1:6- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14- If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God. You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouses of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
Romans 1:7- To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:12- and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Deuteronomy 28:13- The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Revelations 21:7- Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
1 Peter 2:24- He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sings and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 John 4:17- This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus.
Ephesians 2:19- Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.
Ephesians 1:13- And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2:10- and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Romans 8:1- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
1 Thessalonians 1:4- Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children.
Colossians 2:7- rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
John 13:34-35- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Ephesians 2:20- built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
1 Corinthians 6:17- But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
2 Peter 1:4- Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Philippians 1:6- being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
John 17:21-23- that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved hem even as you have loved me.
Philippians 4:19- And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
John 6:47- Very truly I tell you, the ones who believes has eternal life.
Ephesians 1:14- who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are in God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
John 10:10- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
1 John 5:4- for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Philippians 4:7- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts ad your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:18- For through him we both have access to the Father by one spirit.
Mark 16:17- And these signs will accompany those who believe; In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.
John 14:12- Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Colossians 2:6- So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.
1 John 4:4- You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Philippians 3:14- I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:2- because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
1 Peter 2:9- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Corinthians 2:14- The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.



Thursday, June 30, 2011

Healing and God's Love

Although the title to this blog entry could encompass 10,000 blogs for 10,000 years, both divine healing and god's love are subjects that have been increasingly calling my attention for the past several weeks. My husband and I have both become disillusioned with the standard "church" and with the standard "religion". We are both desperately seeking that personal relationship with Jesus. It can be frustrating at times- it seems as though there is a universe up for grabs for whosoever has the faith to grab it. Divine healing is only the beginning of the miracles that can be performed by someone who is truly in tune with the holy spirit. God's love is so overwhelming and unconditional that sickness could not possibly be in His plans. Therefore if it is not of God, then what is it?

I have been listening to Curry Blake's healing seminars as of late and I am still in the very first handful of mp3s. But he has said some very profound things that have impacted how I live my life and how I view everyday things. He said that there is only black and white and if something is gray, then it is black. Simple enough, but the implications are truly profound. If something is not godly, then it can only be of satan.

I am truly inspired and encouraged by the teachings of men like Curry Blake, and of the information provided by websites such as: revivalorriots.orgiamaspirit.org, and several others that have captured my attention. There are multitudes of Christians out there who have become tired of religion. The legalism that has placed conditions on God's unconditional love has kept countless Christians from realizing a true relationship with Jesus- the saddest consequence of all. Many well-meaning individuals attempt to comfort each other with words such as: you were stricken with this illness in order to further God's glory. But, if we are truly God's children as it plainly says in the bible, then how can God want his children to suffer? There are so many bible verses that reference healing and I am still in the beginning stages of reviewing them all.

I will continue to post as this journey unravels itself. I am excited to keep learning about divine healing and I am encouraged to keep seeking an even-closer relationship with Jesus.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Macarthur Book Review

Generally when you hear of Douglas Macarthur you think of the great WW2 general. I am intrigued by the WW2 era and by the Great Generation, overall. I am fortunate to have a grandfather-in-law that is a veteran of WW2 that survived malaria, small pox, a boat accident, and a plane crash. He initially started telling me about Macarthur while watching the news together. There is a rather large, well-traveled overpass in the San Francisco bay area that is named after Macarthur. I felt that this book would be a great opportunity to make even further conversation with my grandfather-in-law, but also to learn more about Macarthur.

I was fascinated to know that Macarthur's father was also a great military hero. He was awarded the medal of honor, an accomplishment that would be followed by Macarthur in later years. They are the only father-so duo to have earned such a prestigious honor. I felt that the book allowed the reader to view Macarthur in a new light. He was rather flamboyant, smoking out of cigarette holder and wearing kimonos. He was a great lover of Filipino culture and served closely in the Phillipines for several years. The author really brought these years to life in his descriptions of the feelings of Macarthur during the various time periods.

I felt that Macarthur was a great way for a normal reader who is interested in WW2 to learn more about Macarthur without dedicating a huge amount of time and effort. Some books centering about pivotal American military figures seem as though they require some in depth knowledge about the figure in order to best understand the book. Yockelson presented the material in a fashion that was simple and easy to understand. This book might not be for everyone- I feel you have to have somewhat of an interest in WW2 or Macarthur to make the read worthwhile, but I felt that it was a great way to learn more about a very important part of American military history.

I was given this book by Booksneeze.com through the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and everything presented above is my own opinion. 

Friday, April 29, 2011

Jolt! by Phil Cooke

I recently finished "Jolt" by Phil Cooke. The book has a bright, engaging cover. The cover is a dark, midnight blue which fades into black on the outsides and electric blue to white on the title area. This book is the sort of book that makes you want to take up a hobby or try something new and challenging. It was a very easy read, with many interesting facts throughout. Phil Cooke challenges the average reader to not be stuck in such a complacent, boring, uninspired place. I think that when you are stuck in the average "routine", you lose the opportunity to do really great things. This book makes you re-examine your place in your household and in your career. It might seem that everything in the world is constantly changing and you have to run at break-neck speed to be able to keep up, but this book helps you prioritize and realize that you might not be all that far off from maximizing the changing world around you. This book is recommended by individuals such as: Joel Osteen and Tim Sanders, who was an officer for Yahoo! This book is not only for the average individual, but also for the accomplished professional.

I was given this book by Booksneeze.com in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and everything presented above is my own opinion. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster

The Sacred Journey focuses on the importance of pilgrimage. I feel that most people do not consider "pilgrimage" as applicable to modern society. We are tourists. We tour places, we do not go on pilgrimages to places, but Charles Foster contends that maybe we should. Perhaps we should be taking pilgrimages. We are not meant to build massive cities and our roots are in the ever wandering nature of ourselves. Charles Foster presents his own pilgrimage experiences as examples for the importance of pilgrimage. He details his experience traveling to the Holy Land, and honestly after reading this book I, too, felt the wanderlust to experience the Holy Land. It was very well written and interesting and presented an age-old concept in a new and exciting way. I feel that the Sacred Journey is worth the time investment, to perhaps change some pre-conceived notions about the nature of pilgrimage.


Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review- The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

I LOVED this book. Normally I am not the type to be reached by books. I will read books, even motivational ones, and not feel any different than when I first started it. This book dramatically changed my outlook. I was very impressed by the ease of the read and the incorporation of the message. The basic premise is that God is going to end the world and these inspirational figures from throughout history have been convened to a boardroom style summit to try and come up with an answer as to why God shouldn't end the world. The book introduces remarkable historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and King David among others. The author, Andy Andrews, brings these characters to life and the way in which he presents their personalities left me with a smile on my face after many of their interactions.  As I mentioned the book is very easy to read and the way in which the story is presented is very easy to follow along with. I read the entire book in 2 sittings and I found myself taking notes in the margins of the motivational and inspirational messages that I found throughout. There is historical fact thrown in with fictional, and the most interesting part of the book was the introduction of Eric Erickson, who was instrumental in the ending of World War 2. I am very interested in history, particularly World War 2 history, but I had never heard of Eric Erickson and his valuable contribution to the war effort. This book was a very worthwhile read and it inspired me to live everyday with the simple concept of "Do Something".  No matter how small or inconsequential it might seem, do something everyday for people around me.

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, March 26, 2011

My Perspective on the Paleo Diet

It is not sustainable as a lifestyle option. It is unrealistic to restrict someone's diet to the point where they are left with broccoli and chicken breast. Considering the fast-paced American lifestyle what are you to do if you're out and about? Sit there and cook a steak and put it in a plastic baggie to carry around in your purse?  I am not going to lie- I have tried the Paleo diet. This is why I feel that I can confirm that it is simply not sustainable as a lifestyle option for the majority of Americans. A low-calorie diet combined with exercise is the easiest and most reasonable way to lost weight long-term. Allowing one or two meals per week of your favorite "bad foods" allows you to keep eating low-calorie the remainder of the week.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Cell Phones Have Eliminated Human Communication

 When was the last time you actually made the effort to talk to someone? Usually it's a text or FB message. Think about it- when was the last time you actually sat down and had a heart-to-heart with someone? Even if it is just about silly things. Sit down and drink some coffee or wine and really listen to each other..?? Cell phones and electronic media have really eliminated the most basic forms of human communication. Talk to each other people!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Prayers to Japan

With everything that is currently happening in Japan, one can only send prayers to those most affected. There is a natural instinct to want to lend a hand- many wish they could fly over to Japan and dive into help find those lost and help by bringing in food and other supplies that are so desperately needed. There is also a feeling of national pride- seeing our military responding so quickly to help out those in need by dropping supplies and helping out in countless other ways. There is a feeling of selfish fortune as well, on the West Coast, that we were not the ones so devastated by an earthquake of that magnitude. The tsunami fear was prevalent in many areas, even though the sea only rose 3 feet or so along the central coast.

As many Americans watch their televisions, fixated on the situation occurring across the ocean, one cannot help but wonder how much worse it will get. The best support that can be offered at this time is to pray for those affected.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Book Review- The Jesus Inquest by Charles Foster

     I am very interested in Christian apologetics. Since I am majoring in Biology, I like to have a balance in my life between the evolutionist theories and the creationist theories, that I adhere to, being a Christian. This is why I chose to read "The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster. This book is by no means an easy read. 

     Charles Foster is a brilliant man with an impressive academic background and his position as a lawyer causes him to have the the ability to be very convincing. But, he does not choose to try and influence the reader in either direction. He is seemingly very unbiased, a very difficult thing to be, when you are discussing your innermost beliefs and then arguing against them. There is a lot of information contained within this book and I found myself learning more and more with each page. There have been so many Christian apologetics books released recently due to the interest in Dan Brown and his books and movies. This book presents a very clear and all encompassing view of Jesus and his death and subsequent resurrection in an academic way, which is what I particularly liked about it.

     Some individuals might be insulted by Charles Foster- but I think it is important to have men like him that aren't afraid to challenge your mind- since that is the way that faith grows strongest. It is important to stick with the book, since you might be insulted right off the bat, but it is a worthwhile investment to learn some of the arguments that you might be confronted with as a Christian. Lately it seems as though the entire world is fighting against Christianity, so we have to arm ourselves with the word of God, and it is important to thoroughly understand the word, which is where Christian apologetics comes in. This is definitely one of my books that has highlighted pages and notes written in the margins. :)

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Paleo Diet

Paleolithic nutrition is based on the premise that modern humans are genetically adapted to the diet of their Paleolithic ancestors and that human genetics have scarcely changed since the dawn of agriculture, and therefore that an ideal diet for human health and well-being is one that resembles this ancestral diet.

So my husband and I embarked on the Paleo diet after running into some Cross Fitters at church. If you are unfamiliar with Cross Fit- it is a sort of workout routine that has evolved into a new sport. Sprinting, weight lifting, all done for time. Cross Fit is an excellent workout but the gyms are very expensive. Fortunately many gyms offer WOD (workout of the day) on their websites daily and you can do the best you can at home. The Paleo diet corresponds directly with Cross Fit. The most fit people I have ever met in my life have been Cross Fitters. So, why not give this Paleo diet a try?

It is remarkably simple. No grains, no dairy. You want to stay away from processed unnatural foods. Grass fed meat, veggies, sweet potato instead of white potato, along those lines. I've lost 5 lbs in the past 2 weeks with very minimal effort. We actually threw in 3 cheat days (unplanned) and still lost weight. Feeling good, looking good. I think I might start posting recipes to help me remember my favorites and to help out anyone else who might be interested in also going Paleo. It definitely is a lifestyle, but if you take your time, particularly at the grocery store, then it is worth it!!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Why Leap Castle Haunts Me to This Day..

I saw a documentary about this castle, located in Ireland when I was in my pre-teens. The story of the elemental ghost scared me to death. Still creeps me out watching that documentary- Castle Ghosts of Ireland. They also filmed a "Most Haunted" there. Just because I'm a scientist doesn't mean I don't get scared!!

Leap Castle is an Irish castle in County Offaly, about four miles north of the town of Roscrea on the R421. It was built in the late 15th century by the O'Bannon family and was originally called "Léim Uí Bhanáin," or "Leap of the O'Bannons." The O'Bannons were the "secondary chieftains" of the territory, and were subject to the ruling O'Carroll clan.
The Annals of the Four Masters record that the Earl of Kildare, Gerald FitzGerald, tried unsuccessfully to seize the castle in 1513. Three years later, he attacked the castle again and managed to partially demolish it. However, by 1557 the O'Carrolls had regained possession.
Following the death of Mulrooney O'Carroll in 1532, family struggles plagued the O'Carroll clan. A fierce rivalry for the leadership erupted within the family. The bitter fight for power turned brother against brother. One of the brothers was a priest. The O'Carroll priest was holding mass for a group of his family (in what is now called the "Bloody Chapel"). While he was chanting the holy rites, his rival brother burst into the chapel, plunged his sword into his brother and fatally wounded him. The butchered priest fell across the altar and died in front of his family.[1]
In 1659, the castle passed by marriage into the ownership of the Darby family, notable members of which included Vice-Admiral George Darby, Admiral Sir Henry D'Esterre Darby and John Nelson Darby. The central keep was later expanded with significant extensions. However in order to pay for these extensions, rents were raised and much of the land accompanying the castle was sold. This is one theorised motivation for the burning of the castle during the Irish Civil War in 1922.
Many people were imprisoned and executed in the castle, and it is supposedly haunted by several spectres, the most terrifying of these beings is a small grey humanoid with a decaying face with black holes for eyes. The apparition is said to be accompanied by the stench of a decomposing corpse and the smell of sulphur. Some call this an Elemental and its name is 'It!'
While renovating the castle, workers discovered an oubliette, a dungeon where people are locked away and left to die. There are spikes at the bottom of this shaft, and when it was being cleaned out, it took three cartloads to carry out all the human bones at the bottom. A report indicates that these workmen also found a pocket-watch dated to the 1840s amongst the bones, it is unknown who it belonged to. These series of spikes are now covered with a vast amount of twigs, grass and dirt, to protect anyone entering it.[citation needed]
Since 1991, the castle has been privately owned by Seán Ryan, who is undertaking restoration work.