An Outing to the Arch  

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Yesterday I got the chance to have a day with our older two. We went to Saint Louis and enjoyed the Arch. This marvel of architecture will make you say, “WOW!” I’d been before, but this was the first time for J and C to see it. The transport to take you to the observation deck in the top is like something out of the old TV program UFO. Loads of fun. When you’re in St. Louis, don’t miss out on this modern wonder of the world.

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99 Bond  

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Noted author Ian Fleming, who introduced the world to James Bond in 1953 with Casino Royale would have turned 99 today. I must admit that most of my exposure to Fleming and his work has been on the silver screen. The difference between books about bond and the films based on them is that the books are edgier, darker if you please. Last year’s adaptation of the first Bond novel actually held more true to the book than any of the others I have had the opportunity to read and/or see.

Many people are unaware that Fleming also brought us that wonderful flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The stories appeared in 1964 and were dedicated to the “original” Chitty Chitty Bang Bang built in 1920 according to Fleming. I procured a reprint of the original stories a few years ago and fell in love all over again with Caracticus Pott and his magical car.

As with Bond the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stories and movies have very little in common. I would say that the similarities end almost as quickly as the movies begin. In the case of Fleming books and the movies “based” on them, I would not hazard to indicate one is superior to the other because of this departure. Instead I would say consider them as separately qualified and separately entertaining. Enjoy the books; enjoy the films; and don’t bother trying to unite the two.

And happy birthday Mr. Fleming.

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Pause for a Moment . . .  

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And say thanks to a veteran.
And say thanks for your freedom.
And remember those who made it all possible.

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Crime, Suspense, and Thriller Readers . . . Heads Up!  

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Attention fans of crime and suspense genre writing. For their first anniversary the good people over at The Rap Sheet have listed (via a growing number of posts) the “most unjustly overlooked, criminally forgotten, or underappreciated [books] over the years.” Check it out, but beware—you may have to spend lots of time at the local library or used bookstore to fulfill your wanted list.

You’ll find my pick here.

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An Annoying, Tagless Meme  

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A couple of days ago, Josh started a meme in which you post two things that most annoy you. Then he refused to tag anyone specifically--perhaps to avoid "being tagged for a meme" as an annoyance. Anyway, just to gripe, I'll post my annoyances now:

  1. Telemarketers. I know that people are just doing their job, and that their bosses are just trying to make money, but they always seem to call when I (a) am eating supper, (b) am sitting down to relax after a long day, or (c) have just gotten the kids to bed and have some time with my blushing bride.

  2. Having to wait (wait, wait, wait) when I've made an appointment. I make appointments because my time is valuable, too. This is especially irksome when I'm having to pay for the privilege of seeing the person with whom I've made the appointment.

So there you have it. If you'd like to participate, just add a comment with your gripes here, or post yours and leave me a note that you've done so.

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Rocket Scientists  

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Last week, our little town made the news. Read about it here. This morning one of the young rocketeer's mother let us know that this year the team made the top ten.

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Another from the Artist  

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Here's another that my 5-year-old drew this morning. She looked at her teddy bear (Puppa Bear) and drew this. Then she titled the picture, signed it (notice that she's learning to draw her "J"s in the right direction) and dated it--she's still writing the "7"s backward.

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Family Fun Time  

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Fundex has created a game that is fun for the whole family: the Peanut Butter & Jelly card game. It comes packaged in a miniature metal lunch box style container and is recommended for 2 to 4 players ages 4 and up.

We’ve enjoyed playing even with our three-year-old. The object of the game is to build three sandwiches using cards: bread, then peanut butter (or jelly), then jelly (or peanut butter), and topped by another bread card. If you can’t draw the exact card you need you may have an “ant” card that allows you to steal from someone else’s sandwich the part you need. But beware, someone may play the dreaded “fly” card that will stop your sandwich building progress.

The game comes complete with giant plastic fly to move from sandwich to sandwich. A great game that’s fun for everyone.

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8-Up  

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I’ve been tagged by Charley to meme eight random thoughts about myself.

Here are the rules:

  1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
  2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.

  3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.

  4. Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

Now for the 8:

  1. I took first year, second semester and second year, first semester Spanish in college as my language requirement. The rule was that I should take second year because of the two years I had in high school, but I couldn’t remember enough to fail the competency test properly.

  2. I learned all I know about The Hobbit from my brother and a couple of friends because I’d tried to read it about eight times never getting past chapter 3. (I’ve since slogged all the way through the book.)

  3. In high school I received the National Council of Teachers of English award in writing for my short story “Keep Your Feet on the Ground, Professor.”

  4. I started having children when most of my peers were preparing for grandkids.

  5. Floods in Brownwood, Texas and Louisiana, Missouri contributed to a slight phobia of that kind of natural disaster.

  6. My older brother and I once rode every roller coaster at the Six Flags park in Georgia.

  7. My favorite part of Sunbeams mission group when I was a preschooler was the graham crackers and kool-aid.

  8. I met my blushing bride at missionary orientation—she was going to Egypt, and I to Ukraine. We married eight months later.

And now for the cheat: I’m going to tag Hannah, Josh, Danny, and you if you’re reading this (that may get up to eight).

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Moms  

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Mother’s Day is upon us. It’s not too late to grab a card and rush it off in the post, order a nice bouquet of flowers, or determine to call your mother on Sunday. Some are planning on honoring their mother by joining her for church this Sunday. Let me suggest that you honor her by attending church every week—whether it can be with her or not. This would be a most appropriate gift to give your mother.

Today, I’d like to honor mothers, mothers-to-be, and mothers-could-be wherever they may be. Mothers come in a variety of packages—big, small, young, old, dark, light, and everything in between. They present themselves differently as well: working mothers, stay-at-home mothers, strict and lenient, stern and soft. Whatever variety you own, it is a gift. Let me sing the praises of just a few as representative:

The mother who works because she has to: I grew up in this household. My mom was one who could work a full day corralling kids in whatever grade she was teaching at the time and come home to make a tasty meal that was filling to all, keep the house clean and dishes washed with never so much a complaint. She was a task-master, my mom, assigning jobs and supervising them all while grading papers and teaching us to love one another and Jesus. It was greatly because of my mother’s influence that I personally said yes to Jesus at an early age. Thanks, Mom, I love you.

The mother who works in the home: I’m thankful that God has provided a way for my blushing bride to remain at home and be the first influence on our children. Stay-at-home moms are to be praised because they find ways to stretch the shrinking dollars to keep groceries on the table and clothes on the backs of families that are often continuing to grow. My sweet wife finds ways to keep my children busy and entertained (not always with the television, but with activity and “free play” time as well). They are adjusting and learning to care for others within and out of our family. Thanks, Sweetheart, for all that you do.

The adoptive mother: This mom comes in two varieties. (1) The mother who shares the love of motherhood by adopting a child who has lost parents or whose biological parents don’t (for whatever reason) want them. I have friends and acquaintances that have done this and my applause is for you. Taking in a child to love as your own is a task that is laudable in any situation. Thanks, Marianne, Beth, and Diana for being mothers who took in “unwanted” children and made them “wanted” once again. (2) Also, I have seen mothers who, whether they have biological children of their own or not, have become “mother” to a myriad of children. These are those who become the mother for the one whose mother is away or distant, for the one who just wants some more love, for the one who are part of a group that need “mothering”. Thanks, Shirley (Momma) for being willing to share the love with a generation of teenagers.

Thanks, Mom, whoever and wherever you are.

Again, the mothers mentioned are just a representative of all the mothers that are. Feel free to honor your own mom(s) in the comment area.

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Hug a Teacher Today  

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Today is National Teacher Day. Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with persuading Congress to officially notice the day which falls on the Tuesday of the first full week in May. If you miss reading this on May 8, 2007, don’t despair. You can still love on a teacher this week since Parent-Teacher organizations throughout the country have declared the first full week in May to be National Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teachers do a thankless job and are often called upon to make personal sacrifices for the sake of educating our children. Give them a pat on the back, a hug around the neck, a thumbs up today. You and they will be glad you did.

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Hymns and Love Songs  

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I’ve been listening to Contemporary Christian Music since before it was CCM. I’ve been interested in the moves and transitions that the genre has gone through over the years. I’m not a big fan of the Dove awards simply because I’m not a big proponent of any of the industry awards. I guess they have their place, but just give me the list of winners, don’t disrupt the regular television viewing season to make me watch industry people fawn over each other—in a variety of the new “black tie” look. I would like to congratulate those who have been recognized with awards, it is an accomplishment. I just don’t want to have to watch it.

One of the trends that I really like that is going through CCM today is the tendency to write songs that are more worship oriented, songs that don’t require people to be divas to sing them, songs that lend themselves to being sung in a corporate worship setting. Thank you to song writers like Matt Redmon, Chris Tomlin, and Aaron Schust (this year’s song writer of the year) for leading the way. Several years ago Chris Rice shared this one with us:

Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)
Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on
Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Another trend, that I’m still withholding judgment on is the one that Steven Curtis Chapman actually played a pioneering role in CCM circles. That trend is the love song. One of the great things about SC2 and his approach is that he includes a message about the relationship being part of his relationship with Christ. That’s what is often missing from the new songs. Now, this element is not required for a good love song—there are hundreds out there that are really great, but it is interesting to me that “Christian” songs are missing it.

This week, one of the top twenty CCM songs is one of these love songs that don’t include Jesus. CCM song (?) or just love song, I got a chance to really listen to the words today. The song is really good, it even brought a tear to my eyes. Here’s the story-song from CCM artist Mark Shultz:

Walking Her Home
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call
Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you’ll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son
His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he’s got your eyes
And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night
(Chorus)

He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side
A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said
Oh Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out
But when they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home

He was walking her home
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

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Spiderman 3 – A Review  

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Tobey Maguire is back, and this time he’s wearing black. My bride and I were able to join a roomful of junior high students as the third installment of the Spiderman movie franchise opened in our county seat.

This outing starts with our friendly neighborhood alter-ego, Peter Parker, dispelling with extra syrup how great it is to be Spiderman. New York loves him, he’s doing well at school, and he’s in love with his girlfriend. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) has landed a role on Broadway, and everything is right. Peter is even planning the perfect date on which to ask MJ to marry him.

Things seem to turn upside down when a mysterious black ooze gets into the Spidey suit and magnifies Pete’s desire for revenge. The movie is one about choices—good and bad—and how they affect our lives and the lives of those around us. Thomas Haden Church does an excellent job in his role as the petty thief who really pulled the trigger in Uncle Ben’s murder. His transformation into the Sandman is one of the highlights of the movie. James Franco reprises his role as Harry Osborn, intent on avenging his father by killing Spiderman. And Eddie Brock (That 70s Show’s Topher Grace) makes an excellent self-absorbed anti-hero. Throughout the movie it seems that his sole purpose in life is to undermine Peter Parker.

I had a good time at the movies, enjoying most of the fare. One thing that is a struggle for the movie itself is the explanation of the ooze that turns Spidey dark and eventually turns Eddie into Venom. But the cameo by Stan Lee more than makes up for it.

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The Green-Eyed Monster  

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I must admit that I have been a little jealous as of late. I'm prone to it, being a preacher and all. The earliest bouts with the green-eyed monster that I can recall had to do with having to share my friends with my siblings. It seemed they always had more than me. This carried itself over into the same kind of jealousy that many preachers of my ilk suffer--church envy. Yes, we have it, whether we admit it or not.


Here's the way it works: You search for a church to serve diligently until you receive a call from one and accept. Three months at the new field and you are dissatisfied. Why? Because the people are acting like people, not like the dream location you expected. You dust off the resume and start fishing it around again. After all, you're just as good a preacher--no better than--as your old college/seminary buddy who was just called to serve in a church twice the size of yours. The age-old green-eye question: Why do more people show up to his services than mine? What's he got that I haven't got?


Well, having dealt with these eminations of the jealousy bug, I've been hit again. And it's all because I discovered the land of blog. So the question I kept asking was, "Why do they have more readers/commenters than I do?"


Then it dawned on me. The people who have lots and lots of comments have a way with words--the way is to ask questions loaded with controversy or to post highly emotion-filled articles on their blogspots. Hey, that's not me! I can still just park my random thoughts and blatherings here. A few will find them interesting, many will pass over them, and once in a while I'll strike a chord with someone and they'll leave a note (Thanks Josh).


So dragon of jealousy, I slay you once again.


Ya'll have a nice day now, ya heah!

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Gator Report  

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Here's one for my friend, Bill Crider, who has a gator fetish. I'm not including the explanation that came with it (reportedly from Florida). Just know that this gator got bit.



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A Different Kind of Quiz  

Posted by Benjie in ,

Disclaimer: The results below are from a quiz. The representatives of each category may or may not reflect the person using the quiz.


Quiz: What kind of Christian are you?

You scored 368, on a scale of 0 to 400. Here's how to interpret your score:
0 - 59
You are a Jesse Ventura Christian (a.k.a. a "Secularist" or non-Christian).
60 - 149
You are a Bishop Spong Christian (a.k.a. "Biblical Revisionist").
150 - 249
You are a Hillary Rodham Clinton Christian (a.k.a. "Left-Leaning Traditionalist").
250 - 329
You are a George Bush Sr. Christian (a.k.a. "Right-Leaning Traditionalist").
330 - 400
You are a Jerry Falwell Christian (a.k.a "Historicist").

You can access the quiz yourself at http://www.BeliefNet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=83

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