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!"

Our friends over at Missional Press (who recently brought us the great book Journeys by Wright and Duren) have decided to expand to general Christian publishing through the imprint MorFX Press. Read their announcement here, and stay tuned for the first title under this new label.

For those of Mexican descent among us, HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

When I first found the blogosphere, I also found Fred's World. Fred is a teacher in Tampa, FL who has lots of interesting posts--including pictures and humor and everything that makes blogging entertaining. Just as I was getting my sea legs in the blog world Fred posted this announcement that he was leaving the sphere.

Well, now he's back after a little over a year, and his hair is gone, but his wit and wisdom are still there. Give him a click for a great read, and welcome back, my friend.

Plus, with the new "Blog List" feature in the sidebar (when it's working right) you can see when he's been updated.

Last night, the Blushing Bride and I sat down to enjoy this gem birthed out of British Comedy. I've always liked Bean, his nine year old trapped in a thirty-year-old body antics are consistently endearing. In my opinion, Bean is by far Rowan Atkinson's best character (although he did put in a sleeper of a performance in The Rat Race).

Mr. Bean's Holiday is good but not spectacular. The Bean character tends to get slow after about twenty minutes, so an hour and a half can drag at times. So on to the highlights--

Mr. Bean wins the raffle of a holiday trip to Cannes. Along the way he stumbles into an expensive (but grotesque) meal, a taxi ride to the opposite end of Paris, but with the help of his trusty compass walks across the city (in a straight line--through traffic), and all in his happily oblivious state.

Bean meets and befriends a young Russian boy, whose father is in Cannes to help judge the film festival, and an aspiring actress who doesn't understand how short her career is . . . until she meets Bean. And all Mr. Bean wants to do is get to the beach (losing his money and his passport along the way).

Especially entertaining to me was getting to hear the little boy speak in slow clear Russian -- I was kind of homesick for the former Soviet Union. The plot was okay, but slow-moving. There was plenty of entertainment for about twenty minutes of Bean-esque fun. Die-hard fans of Atkinson or Mr. Bean will want to get a copy of this, others will want to take a pass.

Twitter must be the newest thing in the blogosphere. For those who don't know, it's like an on-line minute-by-minute of your day. Art Rogers has an excellent post on the twittering that has become all the rage in the world of blogging.

Along with Art, I read several blogs via an rss reader, and I'd just as soon not know how many times and when you blew your nose last. Read Art's rant, you'll get the picture.