Here's a new "Live" version of Straight No Chaser's big hit:

Readers of this blog know that I like Uncle Jay's take on the news. Each year he gives a (musical) recap of that year's news as a special Christmas gift. Enjoy:

Mary Ann Melton is an extraordinary photographer. She sometimes enjoys using her art to meet needs. This year she's produced a calendar to raise funds for the needy in Namwianga, Zimbabwe. You can order the calendar by clicking here.

You can view Mary Ann's blog here.

Take a moment to ponder this short message:


Upside Down from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Thanks to Art Rogers.

Last Christmas I was introduced to the video posted here.

Here's another classic carol from Straight No Chaser, enjoy.

When Bubba turned 5 earlier this week, we decided to have his party today (Saturday). He and his sisters decided to help the Blushing Bride make the cake, here's the result:

Here's more fun Bill Crider referred me to:



Or how about with a little 'soul patch'?

In an effort to reduce lurking, bloggers worldwide are encouraged to comment on five (count them, 5) different blogs today--that's December 3, 2008. If you are not a perenial lurker (you comment on your friends' blogs) you are asked to make at least two of the five are blogs on which you've never posted a comment.

For those who are unsure about making a comment, all you have to do is click on the comment link at the end of a post you're interested in and follow the instructions to join the conversation. Most people in the blogosphere make it easy for you to participate in their thought processes. So, welcome to the world wide web.

I'm off to make some rounds.

HT: John Smulo

Update -- Just so you know, here's my five for today (I may comment more, but these are the ones I've hit for BCD):

1. Of course I had to comment at SmuloSpace. After all I found the fun at his place. (Frequent reader, occasional commenter)
2. Pickle-osophy -- I found a great Advent poem at this new (to me) site.
3. Gabbatha Ministries Blog -- Josh is a long-time blog friend who comments here from time to time, as I do on his site.
4. Ramblings -- This is a super photo blog that I visit often, and only occasionally comment on.
5. Bookish Adventures of Bibliomom -- another new blog for me, but one I should find interesting given my love for all things Book.
   

Bubba is officially a hand-full today (That's 5 for the uninspired). He's looking forward to a "skateboard" party (complete with skateboard shaped cake) this coming weekend -- yes, I'll post the pictures of the cake. So, he screamed, "Awesome!" when he got this out of the package:

The Elementary School has a Christmas program each year. Here's a clip of Puddn 'n Pie singing "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" with some of her classmates:

The Blushing Bride and I decided to treat each other to a new digital camera for Christmas this year. She braved the throngs of "Black Friday" and picked up a Nikon S210 which we did not wait until Christmas to unwrap.

Here's a sample of the first video clip:

If I did a bit of verbal and mental calisthenics I could probably fit this into the "Word Police" category, but this one is personal. So, if you're tired of the griping and belly-aching that runs rampant throughout the blogosphere, this is a great post to skip.

Today's gripe? Namely, names.

I received another letter at the office today addressed to "Ben Potter." Granted I tried to adopt the more "manly" affectation of Ben several years ago. As a matter of fact I have several Ben friends. When we moved to a new school district at the beginning of my freshman year in high school, the computer did a massive overhaul on my name crunching my first name to three letters ("Ben") in order to include my middle name -- and so teachers had to be corrected for the first several weeks of school every year. Otherwise everyone would have been trying to get my attention with a hearty Ben Allen (don't try it, some of you out there, or you're liable to get a nasty word-lashing in your comment section).

Here's the thing -- to my friends, my name is Benjie (I've long since quit trying to correct people's spelling on the matter, although I am a whole 'e' better than the movie dog). To people who don't know me, and in legal matters, etc. I introduce myself as Benjamin. After all, that's my name. My problem with 'Ben'? Every time someone calls me that (with the possible exception of my father and sometimes my older brother) my mind flashes on an old movie, and a very young Michael Jackson's voice enters my head.



So my advice to you, if someone introduces themself to you -- use the name they told you. I've discovered that if Angela introduces herself as Angela, then 'Angie' is a bad move. Same with Jennifer and Jenny. I have a friend whose name is Robert, and he cringes when people take it upon themselves to call him Bob.

In other words, don't call me 'Ben' if you don't know me. If you do know me, then you know better. You should understand that the mail came from a source that got my name either off of a list (which should have read 'Benjamin') or from my church website in which I am referred to as either 'Benjamin' or 'Benjie' and never as 'Ben.'

Have a nice day.

Some of you will recall that the Blushing Bride and I found similar gifts for our Copper Anniversary. We don't think that will happen again, but I thought I'd share with you our Brass gifts for year eight.

I stumbled upon this possibility and was able to keep it secret from her until this morning.

I must say that the Blushing Bride did well in looking for something that said "I love you" in brass. We have collected candlesticks since we wed eight years ago. She found this candle holder and a nifty snuffer to go with.

I also made some snide remark about it being our brass anniversary, and so did she get me a brass door knocker? At the bottom of the gift bag I found this (she bought it before the remark, I must say). Now I just have to find the perfect place for it.

Ya'll have a good one, and a happy thanksgiving to boot.

It was eight years ago that the Blushing Bride became my Blushing Bride by saying, "I will" to me in front of both our dads and a small gathering of friends and family.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie.

Special message just for you -- Olive, Olive!

Everyone seems to be playing the "grab a book" meme. Bill Crider joined in the version that includes "the bookworm award" a couple of days ago! My friend Kacy from Billy Graham's Electric Rodeo popped one up on her Facebook page. So I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. The meme says to pick up a book--any one near at hand will do (don't go looking for that intellectual tome to make you look smarter than the average bear), find page 56, and post the fifth full sentence. There are variations on a theme here.

Since I just finished one read (look for a review of Sinner over at Book 'em Benj-O soon), I had to stand up to get a new book. What I found was Ed McBain's Killer's Choice. Here's the obligatory sentence:

"That car'd been repainted."

As memes go, your suppose to tag friends. Since I'm just playing around, anyone who wants to play the game can do so in the comment section here, or pick up the thread on your own blog.

Have fun.

Some of you will not understand why the title displays today's "Word Police" entry. But perhaps by the end of your reading you to will be able to distinguish more nuances of the English language.

In our current example the writer has chosen to use a word not related to the present tense word to indicate past tense. Let me help you out --

Lead (pronounced with the long 'e' sound: ee) is a verb in its present tense, suggesting that the leading is in process (or should be in process) "Can he lead us to victory?"

Lead (pronounced with the short 'e' sound: eh) is a soft, heavy metal (symbol: Pb; atomic number: 82--don't ask me, go check your periodic table!). It shouldn't be confused with soft rock or heavy metal, though. This word can also be used to great advantage in the colloquial expression "Get the lead out!"

The offense occurs so often when people use our second example to denote the past tense of our first. The past tense, instead, should simply drop the 'a' and find its spelling as led (pronounced like our second example today). Thus, our title would rightly read "He led them to victory!" indicating a fixed past action of leading.

Have a nice day.

I just heard that Michael Crichton lost a battle with cancer yesterday. Crichton gave us works like Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Next, and Prey.

I cannot say that I always enjoyed everything of Crichton's that I read, but he was an excellent writer nonetheless. Just last night the Blushing Bride and I enjoyed the adaptation of Timeline while waiting on election results to come in.

Another one gone. May he rest in peace.

Here's one of my favorite oft-misquoted lines. Enjoy.

I’d like to start this with a lengthy quotation that haunts me still, although I encountered this fable as a college student (more years ago than I care to admit):

A Fable

They were not overdressed, but their clothes spoke of quality, impeccable with a hint of flair—the right balance for the morning’s gathering. On this fall Sunday the four of them had just come from morning worship service at their church in the near suburbs.

One of the couples seemed in their mid-twenties, at that point where youthful enthusiasm haas merged with the air of confidence from early business success. Their companions appeared in the prime of middle age, reflecting a subdued pride of accomplishment mixed with physical well-being born of careful diet and measured exertion.

They had chosen a restaurant table near, but not next to, the tinted window, a location affording a view without distraction. After sutable study of the oversized menu, featuring samples in four-color views, each husband placed an order. In due course the diners were enjoying the cuisine, paced with relaxed conversation. They murmured proper appreciation of the dishes set before them, each laden with ample serving.

The young wife saw them first. Perhaps the two youngsters had left their customary alley route for a short cut beside the eating place. Maybe some movement among the diners caught the children’s notice. Or the seductive aroma may have beckoned them. What ever the reason, there they were, faces pressed to the window. They said nothing to each other, but stared at the tastefully set tables, the finely dressed patrons, and the heaping servings.

The pair’s color was uncertain. Perhaps brown; or black. A generous trimming of grime on each face blurred the hue. Their skin matched their clothes, dirty with a thoroughness achieved only over many days. They were not exactly thin, but their gaunt faces and the dullness in their eyes hinted at a lack of proper food.

The young wife stared, saying nothing. The sudden lump in her throat, born of a surge of pity, blocked words. She gently laid down her food-laden fork, but its soft tap against the plate drew the attention of the others at the table. Without a spoken question, they followed her line of sight. And they, too, became arrested by the sad tableau at the window.

Perhaps a dozen thoughts scampered through the young woman’s mind. Among them were words she vaguely associated with the morning’s sermon. The message, she seemed to recall, had something to do with responsibility to neighbors.

Here husband broke the silence. “Seeing those hungry faces makes this steak taste a little flat,” he ventured. The older man nodded his agreement. His wife added, “How can you look at them and not do something?”

“What can we do?” challenged her husband.

“It’s so simple, so obvious,” she answered with disdain, looking from the still-steaming food to the hungry eyes.

She pushed back from the table. With an unaccustomed directness she strode almost silently across the carpet. Straight to the window she moved, found the tassled cord dangling at the wall, and firmly pulled it. With only a sibilant swish the heavy, almost luxurious, drapery material shut out the view. The drapes swayed for a moment before their weight stilled the motion.

Resuming her seat, the young woman reached fro her fork. “There now,” she said brightly, “isn’t that much better?”

(from Endangered Species by Dunn, Loring, and Strickland, Broadman Press, Nashville, pp. 121-123)

Poverty has a face. It is a face that we would like to ignore. But if we look around us, we will find it staring through our window. Whether we are in the city, the suburbs, or even in a village such as the one where I live, poverty is with us. We must do something. Let me offer a couple of possible actions:

• Donate to a charity that focuses on iradicating poverty.
• Volunteer your time at a shelter or soup kitchen.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore the faces in your window.

Tomorrow is "Blog Action Day 2008." I'll be participating by including an article on poverty. Please take the time to respond with your thoughts on the matter as well. Or better yet, join in the action by posting your own article on poverty.



(HT: Tony Kummer)

I just received word via email that Oklahoma Baptist University has called its 15th president. I would like to be one of the first to welcome Dr. David Whitlock to OBU family. Whitlock will be moving from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO to assume responsibilities at OBU.

Again, Welcome, Dr. Whitlock. May God bless your work at my Alma Mater.

You can read the announcement here.

You have been waiting with bated breath, counting the seconds, and now the time is here! A Time for Miracles is available for purchase from the Loom & Wheel online store at Lulu.com.

As with my original novelettes (Something Special at Leonard's Inn and Just a Simple Carpenter) I've fictionalized the story of a biblical character -- in this case John the Baptist -- hoping to expose more people to the Gospel message. Reuben, the narrator, tells of all the miracles that he witnesses surrounding the birth and life of John the Baptist. Ultimately, Reuben is introduced to the real miracle, Jesus Christ.

I've released this story in time for you to order plenty of copies for your friends and family at Christmas.

Publish-on-demand (POD) orders for the book with the traditional cover art by Jane Potter can be made @ Loom & Wheel [ISBN 978-09677668-7-4]

Those interested in the "black" cover can order (POD) from Wordclay.com (production may be slightly delayed because of WordClay's readiness to print). [ISBN X-00000039706]

Our oldest turns seven today. She's been so excellent in learning to tell time, she received her first wristwatch. Happy Birthday, Sweetie. You've got to love the "Princess Crown" Cake from the party on Saturday.

Fans of old movies and salad dressing will be mourning for the next few days. Actor, racer, entrepreneur Paul Newman has succumbed to a long battle with cancer. Remembered for roles in movies starting in the 1950s. One of my favorite roles from Paul was in Cool Hand Luke, especially the egg scene.

Paul also wowed his fans by active involvement in stock car racing, then he offered up "Newman's Own" in our grocery aisle. Good-bye to a true Renaissance man. (Read an obituary here.)

I haven't linked a good quiz in a long while. Hope you enjoy this one (tipped to me at Taran's place):

I could survive for 1 minute, 22 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Saturday was a really enjoyable time for the family. We went with some friends from church to Carmi, Illinois to enjoy the Baptist Children's Home and Family Services' (BCHFS) annual Family Fun Day and Quilt Auction. The kids enjoyed all the booths and clowns and such, as well as several turns at the slid on the playground. My mom donated a quilt (at my request), and it performed well--not as well as I thought it should, but it was in there with the rest of them.

Sunday morning I woke up sounding like Barry White. The mallady included sore throat, and progressed as the day went on. Preaching in both Sunday morning and evening services didn't help any, so that by the time the evening service was over I had almost no voice at all. One of my kindly church members suggested a cure for me:

Two parts rum
One part honey
One part lemon juice

If this does not work in two days, do away with the honey and lemon juice.

I figured that this kind of remedy would certainly work, and if it didn't I wouldn't care anyway.

Have a good day.

--Speechless in Mulberry Grove

Q: What is a pirate's favorite fruit?

A: Arrrrrnges, ye scurvy knave.

"Hey, Barnacle Bill, let's get something to eat. Where do you want to go?"

"I'm thinkin' Arrrrrrrby's!"

You only have one day to prepare for Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19, 2008). So, I thought I'd share some basics from the guys who brought us this festive time.

Ahoy! - "Hello!"

Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"

Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."

Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."

Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!

As an aside--since TLAP Day falls on a Friday this year, why not consider an extended weekend celebration.

I struggled to put a category on this album offered by the family praise group iPrayz. This collection features the voices of three members of the group. Husband and wife Eric and Jennifer Hagen and Amy Propst (whose husband Perry has worked as the groups worship painter and technical director) almost deliver a sound that is country with hints of bluegrass, but not really either of those. I was introduced to the group at a recent meeting hosted by our church. Live they show just as much enthusiasm for the music and the message as you hear on the CD.

Featured on this album is a mix of excellent new worship songs penned by Amy and Eric and sometimes coupled with some of the great old hymns of the faith. The title cut is a fine example of the voicing and the message of the group. Their arrangement of Fanny J. Crosby's old standard "Blessed Assurance" is top-notch.

You can order this from iPrayz's website or from Amazon.com. You won't be disappointed.

I rate this album with 4 out of 5 discs.

Lest you fear that my birthday was really a bad thing 10 days ago, I thought I’d let you in on a secret. I am loved. My mom made a point to plan the Weaver Family Reunion (which she hosted) to land on my birthday because mine was the central August birthday in the family (I think there were about seven of us there that had b-days in August), and it fell on a Saturday when everyone could get away.

Also, when we did get back to IL from the great state of Texas, my children showered me with my gifts—I’d told them it could wait until we got back. I know that I’m loved because I received Batman Pez® and the giant 7 oz. package of Red Hots®. Now if I could only swing enough dough to get real Dr Pepper® instead of DR. THUNDER.

Have a good one, y’all!

Tripping through the nostalgia that is former friends and relationships can bring fond memories, and often does. Then you have a week that is bittersweet. Through the miracle of on-line networking I've made contact with several of my buddies and buddettes from yesteryear. Recently I found a couple of old debate friends and they mentioned another of our cohorts to know if I had heard from him over the years.

I had to admit that, while his name crossed my mind from time to time, I had no contact whatever with this one-time better of my friends since our high school days. The reason for their question was that they had indeed had contact with our friend and wanted to let me know that he had succumbed to a battle with a rare form of cancer. He'd been apparently a successful journalist in his own right, and left behind a wife and two children. I regret that I found out too late to read any of the entertaining movie reviews that had been his bread and butter for his last seven years. So here are some belated thoughts. You can read if you like, this is for me.

I remember Bill. He was funny. He was fun. He was my friend. I'm sorry that I did not keep in touch once I traipsed off to college and parts beyond. From everything that I've found to read about him (written in eulogy) his success as a journalist and film critic were an extension of the Bill that I knew. I'd love to read some of those well-worded reviews. I know that they would bring back the humor that brought a quick smile to everyone who knew him. For his wife and children I pray for comfort even at this late date. May their memory of him be as fond as mine--if not reached from as many years' passing.

I must report that my computer virus (caught by downloading an entirely different program but attaching itself to said program) is now gone. I am once again able to write, email and yes blog with confidence.

Here's what I got for turning 45:

• A great family reunion with my Mom's side of the family. :)
  
• A sorry virus of some sort that attacked as far as I can tell only the Office Suite--so I can't check my e-mail through Outlook and I can't do any of the Word document processing necessary for my work--Hope I can get it corrected as soon as I get back to Illinois. :(

Have a nice day now, y'hear!

Trot on over and give Bill a hard time. It's his birthday and he needs to know he's loved. BTW, Bill happens to be one of my favorite writers (he specializes in mystery and is always engaging to read), and one of my fondest memories of Howard Payne University--I took two classes under his watchful eye. He is also blogerific just read EQMM.

So I'm reading my new copy of Christian Ethics Today Journal and find the box that shares this little tidbit of information

Eighty-seven percent of Americans believe in the concept of sin. what counts as sinful behavior? Here's the percentage of Americans who view certain activities as sinful:

• 81% Adultry (sic)
  
• 74% Racism
• 65% Use of hard drugs
• 56% Abortion
• 52% Homosexual activity
• 52% Underreporting income30% Gambling
• 29% Telling a "little white lie" (from Ellison Research/RNS - March 14)

Of course, we've gone to ranking sin and ordering how sinful sinful behavior is, but I wonder what percentage of us would mark such things as gluttony, legalism and arrogance as sin. I also wonder if Christ would have an entirely different list.

Today we said so long to the youngest/oldest of the Golden Girls. I was not a big fan of the show, but she was my favorite when I did catch an episode or two. Read an obit here.

So we took the time to use the trip to Six Flags that someone anonymously gave to us on our second anniversary in Mulberry Grove. The trip to the park wasn't too bad aside from a five-mile slowdown for overpass construction.

We arrived sometime after the park opened and were blessed with prepaid "preferred" parking. We found a nice spot in row 5!

There are plenty of kid-friendly rides at Six Flags, so we rode and we walked and we walked and we rode. The kiddos seemed to enjoy the water-themed rides the most. We even met some cartoon characters and super heroes. In the "Bugs Bunny" area we found rides that the children could enjoy while the Blushing Bride and I stood outside the fence and watched. This, btw, is as much fun as a roller coaster.

Our gift package included tickets for things called "Daffy's Delight" and "Tweety Tweets". Before departure we searched the website but found nothing to explain these items. So when we got to Six Flags we spent our first twenty minutes waiting at the Guest Relations window. The Host who took my question finally came back with the answers I needed to give me confidence to proceed: "Daffy's Delight" is a funnel cake and a medium soda, and "Tweety Tweets" is a giant pretzel and a medium soda.

Mid-afternoon we decided to indulge in our treasure and found the eating establishment in "Bugs Bunny" Land. "We don't have Tweety Tweets here," they said. "Try Calico's Chicken." So the Bride and little ones stayed at the Character Cafe to get the funnel cake, and Puddin' N Pie and I went to search for the pretzel and bring it back. "We don't even know what that is," was the response at Calico's, "try Colonel Cobb's right around the corner." At Colonel Cobb's we saw the pretzels, but they didn't know anything about "Tweety Tweets" either. Back at the Character Cafe, I asked again explaining that the front gate had told me it was a pretzel--"Oh, we don't have pretzels here, but just across the railroad tracks is the Treehouse. Just tell them what it is and they should serve you." I left the whole family this time to enjoy the already procured snack items and proceeded across the tracks to the Treehouse. Pretzels were there but the boy in the snack shack knew nothing about "Tweety Tweets". "Sorry," was the best he could do.

Back at the Character, I sat down with the fam and sipped a drink-ade while examining my coupon. It was labeled "Tweety Tweets" with a confirmation number and "Six Flags St. Louis" printed clearly on the front (along with the price paid plus tax). The reverse side of the ticket had all the small print which included "No Refunds - No Rainchecks" among other things. So the idea of just getting a refund was out. Our anonymous friends had paid the money though, so we didn't want to waste it. At the counter, I tried to see if we could apply the money spent to something they did have. "Wait," he said, "our food service supervisor is right there." I showed her the coupon and immediately we went back to the Treehouse where I was awarded a giant pretzel and medium Pibb (like Dr Pepper only not-so-much). The explanation as to why know one knew what Tweety Tweets meant: "We do have a coupon for 'Tweety Tweets' but it doesn't look like the plain gift ticket that you have."

But finding the elusive "Tweety Tweets" was not the best part of the day. That came when we were back at home having family devotional time. When Bubba prayed it was along this line, "Thank you for the Batman cape. Thank you that I met Green Lantern and Wonder Woman and Batman. Thank you that I saw Shaggy and Scooby." And then he proceeded to go on to thank God for the family. And this is from the one who usually says grace even at bedtime prayers.

My point--we should be like children thanking God for even the simplest of things: a day out with the family, searching for hidden treasure, meeting superheroes along the way.

Have a great day, my friends.

In recent months I heard the hue and cry of home schoolers around the Internet. Their complaint: Subway sandwich stores were discriminating against the home schooled children of our nation. The point of contention was an essay contest which could garner massive athletic and playground equipment prizes for the his or her school. The problem, home schooled students were explicitly excluded from the contest base.

I noted all kinds of suggestions as to why this exclusion was made in the contest rules, and also noted the responses by home school parents galore.

Subway has re-instituted the contest and included everyone who is a citizen of the USA and of school age. The only exclusions seem to be people who are part of the Subway franchise system, Scholastic (the other major sponsor) and the subsidiaries. Those kinds of exclusions that keep people from tampering with the results. You can read the rules disclaimer for the new version of the contest here.

Get your school aged children writing about the stories of their own sandwiches.

Sadly, one of my three stories didn't make the cut this time, but congratulations to the winners of the WordClay short story contest.

You can peruse the list of the winners of both the single short story contest and the short story collection contest by clicking here.

Just to let you know, in this day when commitment means nothing, that this lovely couple just celebrated 49 years. Next year we hope to celebrate big with them.

As you can see from this picture from our day at the Northwest Trek, our family vacation to the Washington was not all bad. We spent time together, time with family, and just relaxed for part of the time.

While on vacation in Washington, I've been exposed to culture upon culture. The first part of the culture that's been interesting is the weather. We were warned to bring jackets and wear layers because the highs would only be in the sixties. When we arrived on Thursday we encountered their highest temps to date. We've only made the children wear jackets once.

On Friday we visited Seattle's Pike Place Market. We expected a general market experience akin to the Renicks of Ukraine. We encountered the tourist trap a la Andrevsky's Spoosk located on Andrew's Descent in Kiev. The prices were high and the street was crowded. Puddin N Pie and Bubba both found places to buy expensive souvenirs with some of their "Nana/Poppi" money. Little Bit is saving hers for today's adventure.

Saturday was interesting because my blushing bride's cousin was getting married (thus the timing of the trip). I'd never been to a Celtic wedding before. No, it had nothing to do with basketball, but was rather more of a druid affair. I'm still processing the differences that were thrown at me during the ceremony. Congratulations to the happy couple.

Culture moment, next: I had the opportunity to preach in my father-by-law's pulpit. It was a great experience as he had asked me to preach on missions (including some info about our time in Ukraine). As any good Baptist I chose as my text the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. This particular experience was not nearly so earth-moving as other cultural moments because it is a SBC church. What was really exhilarating was, due to the size of the room, the house was almost packed.

Finally, Blushing Bride and I got to attend the evening service of the Grace Slavic Baptist Church not far from the in-laws' home. Worship drew us back to Ukraine for even just a moment. We understood enough to catch the gist of the sermons (there were only two this time), and sing along with the worship team. My only struggle with the music was that there was a post and a light obscuring about one-quarter of the projection. I was whisked back to worship in a cine theater in Kiev where I found some of the most heartfelt worship times in my sojourn there.

All in all, I think we've had a culturally good time. We're off to visit the Northwest Trek tourist event today.

Time for a pet peeve brought on by excessive blogging. Whenever comparing things it is most appropriate to use the word "than."

Example: "I would rather take a walk than sit around surfing the 'net."

Increasingly, I find my friends and co-bloggers using the word "then" in place of the aforementioned "than."

For those who don't understand, the word "then" is used to show sequence--"I went for a walk then sat around surfing the 'net for an hour."

Please make a note, and make appropriate corrections.

Have a nice day.

I'm visiting my mother- & father-by-law in Washington (the state, not the capitol). We traveled by train--more on that experience when I've had a chance to digest the experience. When I got the chance to check my rss reader (after two days' absence), I learned that my new AuthorTree website was chosen to be the first monthly spotlight at Author TreeHouse.

Now maybe I will get to be famous!

Father's Day was extremely special. The offspring gave me a framed collage of photos of them. Here's one that touches a daddy's heart.
Look for Little Bit on the blogs in years to come.

This week I celebrated my second anniversary as pastor of the church here in the middle USA. I expected the day to go by in its usual uneventful way. Then yesterday, I received a package in the mail. It was addressed to the entire family, but was sent anonymously--addressed to us at the church address with the church address as the return address. No card, no explanation, just a book of poetry inside (by Jeff Foxworthy no less). Taped to the front end papers of the book were a gift card to buy gas and enough tickets to pay for entrance, parking, and snacks at St. Louis' version of Six Flags.

Thanks -- whoever you are!

For the uninitiated, that is what you call an "eight possum Thursday"

I will admit that I haven't read this

Nor have I seen this

But the last two evenings my Blushing Bride and I have enjoyed this newer (mini series) version of Crichton's thriller. We decided to watch part 1 yesterday and were hooked. Benjamin Bratt puts in a stellar performance as Jeremy Stone (leader of the Wildfire team) that carries the mediocrity of the other members of the Wildfire team (Ricky Shroder still has his best work in Silver Spoons) as well as the lackluster presidential portrayal.

The writing keeps you on the edge of your seat even if the acting doesn't. Go ahead waste four hours with this one. You'll enjoy it.

Congratulations to Rhonda McKnight who commented to enter and win the last copy of Steven Hunt's debut novel Guardian of Light I had to give away. Thanks to all who participated. Keep reading and tell your friends.

I was hesitant about posting this one, but I believe in the power of prayer, so . . .

Tragedy hit the Christian Music world again. In the news this morning, I heard about this.

Please be praying for Steven Curtis Chapman, his wife Mary Beth, and their remaining children. The Chapmans have been pioneers in getting the word out about adopting children and will need all the strength of the Lord to help them as they work through the loss of Maria Sue.

To help you start with your summer reading program, I have a giveaway for you. Last year, my good friend Steven Hunt released his first book, Guardian of Light. I was privileged to get an advanced reading (e) copy to review. Then he set up a book signing in my area and left me a few copies to give away. I still have one more autographed copy, and if you're into free books, here's your chance. I will choose the winner from those who leave a message in the comment section--it's that easy. I will draw the name of the winner from the comment section on May 26 (Memorial Day), and post the winner the following day.

After you win, I request (but do not require) that you consider writing a review of the book for me to post at a later date.

Sign in, make a comment, win a book. What fun to start the summer!

Earlier today I read of the disappearance of Pastor Forrest Pollock and have been checking here periodically during the day.

I would ask my readers to keep Dawn Pollock and the rest of the family in your prayers. I did not know Forrest, but am certainly praying for his family. Pray also for the Bell Shoals Baptist Church of Brandon, FL.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, ESV)

I just heard the news that Gospel Music icon Dottie Rambo died in a car wreck in southern Missouri yesterday. Dottie was one of the most prolific writers in the world of Christian/Gospel Music. Read the account here.

Our prayers go out to the family and those who knew Dottie.

Here are a few lines from one of her songs (I can still hear my mom singing this one in church):

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.
For it was grace that brought me liberty,
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me
How marvelous, His grace that caught my falling soul
He Looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

There's a fun little children's song that has a variety of versions floating around. The song is known as "The Little Green Frog"

When I first learned the song as a teenager it went this way:

"Barump went the little green frog one day
Barump with the little green frog
Barump with the little green frog one day
And his eyes went Bonk!Bonk!"

I later heard it on a children's program while I lived overseas and the following words won the day:

Mmm mmm went the little green frog one day
Mmm mmm went the little green frog
Mmm mmm went the little green frog one day
And we all went mmm mmm ahhh!!

But we know frogs go ladedadeda
ladedadeda ladedadeda
We know frogs go ladedadeda
ladedadeda ladedadeda
They don't go mmm mmm ahh.

(Motions--close eyes, then stick out tongue, then sing "went the little green frog"/at the end of the first part--close eyes, stick out tongue, shake face with tongue out/clap before each "ladedadeda"/last line same as last line of first part)

Here you can communicate to a child that the only time appropriate to stick out your tongue is when singing this song.

And now to the point of the story. Not long ago I was reading with Little Bit (my youngest) who is learning to talk. The book was about colors, and on green there was a big picture of a green frog. I asked how does a frog go? fully expecting 'ribbit, ribbit.' And you guessed it, she said, "ladedadeda."

After all we all know frogs go "ladedadeda."

Or, in the words of Dennis Swanberg, "Hug Yo' Mama!"