spring

Worth writing home about

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: FAMILY (Moms, Dads, Kids, Grandparents, Pregnant, Family Heirlooms,...)

perseverance

The central reality for Christians is the personal, unalterable, persevering commitment God makes to us. Perseverance is not the result of our determination, it is the result of God's faithfulness. We survive in the way of faith not because we have extraordinary stamina but because God is righteous, because God sticks with us.

Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God's righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing in God's will and purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms. It is out of such a reality that we acquire perseverance.

- Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Photo: Wild Bleeding Heart, seen Sunday - Elgin Park & Stewart Farmhouse, walk, Surrey, BC.

controverisal "Expelled" not in Canada - yet

Ben Stein's movie "Expelled" is doing well and making waves in the U.S. since it opened on April 18th.

The NY Times movie list from last week, where it's number 11, describes it as: "One of the sleaziest documentaries to arrive in a very long time, 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed' is a conspiracy-theory rant masquerading as investigative inquiry."

Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) writes this tirade on Richard Dawkins.net (you'd almost think the movie had hit a nerve).

Viewing this 7-minute trailer may give you some idea why it's controversial.



Here are a few bits from a review by Matt Barber:

This is not your father's documentary. “Expelled” rocks the house both literally and figuratively. It's gripping, music-packed, comically wry and always entertaining. But its entertainment value is yet surpassed by its educational merit.

...there are those who won't like it, not one little bit...

As the movie masterfully illustrates, we live in a cultural climate where secular elitists in academia, the media and the courts chew up and spit out anyone who dares to question the gospel according to Charles Darwin. They're absolutely terrified to follow the scientific evidence wherever it may lead.

Consequently, it's no wonder “Expelled” has Darwin's disciples scurrying for the shadows. Those secular humanist one-trick-ponies in the media, throughout academia, on the blogosphere and elsewhere are in full damage control. They're doing everything possible to discredit the film before it even opens. It's even been reported that two major networks are refusing to cover the movie. (Gotta love that journalistic objectivity.)

“Expelled” is a must-see. If you're already a person of faith, prepare to have your faith strengthened. And even if you're not, you can't possibly walk away without at least admitting that the debate over who we are and how we got here is far from over.

from Matt Barber's review on Townhall.com

Lorna Dueck and Patricia Paddey did a feature on the movie in a recent "Seeking Truth" segment of Listen-Up TV (about 30 minutes).

I am looking forward to "Expelled" being released in Canada. The Theatre Locator on the movie's website says not till the summer though.

modern biblical artists

One of the things I enjoy about putting up my kids' devotionals is finding illustrations to go along with each story. A web site that has helped me immeasurably with this is Biblical Art on the WWW.

I actually have this page bookmarked. It lists the books / main epochs of the Old Testament. Clicking on any topic takes you to a page of the topic broken down into the events or stories of that time, each of which leads to a page of thumbnails. Clicking on any one of those takes you to a link of where the illustration is found on the Internet. It was through that site I found a thumbnail of this wonderful illustration of David, celebrating as he brought the ark into Jerusalem.


Many of these illustrations are in the public domain. This one, however, is not, as Darlene Slavujac is very much alive. However, this painting so captures the joy and energetic worship of the story, I decided to contact the artist and ask for permission to use it on Bible Drive-thru.

Ms. Slavujac graciously gave her permission. Thus a larger view of her painting is on yesterday's post. She also told me a little about the painting. Her husband (who has since died) was the model for David. She is the one playing the harp. This post is illustrated with her painting of the child Samuel and Eli. On her site are many other paintings and works for sale. (I'm thinking - Christmas gift possibilities...)

Another working artist I found through the Biblical Art On the WWW site is Diana Shimon. Here is her rendering of Elisha leaving his oxen and running after Elijah, with thumbnails linking more or her Children's Illustrated Bible pictures here. Graham Kennedy of The Bible Illustration Blog interviewed this Soviet emigre to Israel recently. That interview is here.

I love these new Bible story illustrations. Many of them are rich with details that suggest the artist has spent time soaking in the Scriptures and researching the biblical culture in which the stories are rooted. If I had another lifetime, I would be an artist and paint Bible story pictures like Darlene Slavujac or Diana Shimon.

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More: Check out this complete Gospel of John illustrated cartoon style by Keith Neely.

clothes that say 'Buzz Off!'

What's special about this shirt? Would you believe it's insect repellent?

While filming in Africa and other buggy places, Jessica Kizorek (author of Show Me) protects herself by wearing just such clothing.

A company called Insect Shield has developed a way to bond Premethrin (a man-made version of natural insect repellent found in chrysamthemum plants) to the fibers of clothing. And the clothing stays repellent through 70 washings.

Insects it repels include mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges (no-see-ums).

Can you imagine the difference this clothing would make to outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, camping etc. It's also a guard against insects that transmit diseases like dengue fever, malaria, lyme disease and West Nile virus.

Check out the Buzz Off Insect Shield website for a video, lots of information and a list of stores that carry Insect Shield clothes.

Jessica works with Bill Kizorek, her dad. He gave this testimonial to Exofficio, where he got his Buzz Off clothes.

Women's Buzz Off clothing - only the bugs will know.

Book Review: Show Me - Marketing With Video On the Internet By Jessica Kizorek

Title: Show Me- Marketing With Video On the Internet
Author: Jessica Kizorek
Publisher: PSI Publications (December 21, 2007) Hardcover, 216 pages
Genre: Business, Technology
ISBN-10: 1884230016
ISBN-13: 978-1884230011

When creating video content for the Internet, one of the biggest mistakes is taking a video originally made for television and uploading it online.

This is the kind of advice you’ll find in Jessica Kizorek’s book Show Me: Marketing With Video On the Internet. The enterprising 26-year-old film director and author, who has visited 55 countries on all seven continents directing and filming video projects for charitable and humanitarian organizations, knows whereof she speaks (despite the tongue-in-cheek disclaimer on the back cover: “Don’t pretend you know what you’re doing. Nobody does.”).

In the Preface to Show Me Kizorek promises “… an amalgamation of practical advice and general rules of thumb…” in a book “…about utilizing videos as a powerful form of communication.” She makes good on that promise in 12 numbered and two bonus chapters, plus a 19-page section of appendices.

Kizorek builds the case for using video as a marketing tool logically by first taking a look at the evolving Internet and the advantages of video. In a chapter called “The New Marketing Model” she examines the unique attributes of the Internet and explores ways online video can and should exploit those attributes.

In further chapters Kizorek talks about identifying one’s audience and deciding how to measure the success of online video content. She follows with an analysis of ten successful online video marketing campaigns. She rounds out the offering with a set of chapters on how to produce internet videos, get people to watch them, avoid legal entanglements, and ends with a speculative look at the future of the Internet and the part videos will play.

In the bonus chapters she relates online video use to not-for-profit and humanitarian work. Her company, Two Parrot Productions, recently filmed in Ghana. She talks about the perils and pitfalls of working on such projects as she experienced them on that trip. The appendices contain helpful legal document samples (Producer’s Agreement, Director’s Agreement, etc.) referred to in the text.

Kizorek’s writing is direct and easy to understand. The times she used technical jargon, I was easily able to figure out what was meant by the context. She frequently substantiates her statements with quotes from others in the industry and includes more quotes on pages interspersed in her narrative. As a whole, the book is authoritative; the beginning of the book lists 42 advertising agencies and 38 members of the marketing community who contributed exclusive interviews to the project – including such industry notables as Donny Adkins (Interactive Team, Soffer Adkins), Ari Paparo (VP, DoubleClick), and Michael Griffin (EVP Marketing, EyeWonder).

The 216-page hardcover book is printed on glossy white stock and has a nice heft. The first page of each chapter displays a black-and-white image above a black background with white type and chapter numbers in red. The whole book, designed using black and white with red accents, is striking and handsome.

I am someone whose only experience with online videos is viewing them as a consumer, so it was eye-opening to consider these videos from the other side of the camera lens and realize how intentional video marketing campaigns are. Kizorek’s analysis of the online video experience, the chapter describing successful marketing campaigns, and the one with her stories about working as a videographer in Ghana were ones I found especially captivating.

Whether your interest in online video marketing is sociological, humanitarian, or for business, Show Me really is a must-have - a valuable, timely, and beautiful addition to your reference library.

Check out Jessica’s video work here and here.

earth

Approaching Calgary, Alberta

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: SPRING (Leaves on Trees, Baby Animals, Green Grass, Flowers, Sunny Days, Melting Snow,...)

listen to Pastor Sunday Adelaja live!

Update - Wednesday 04/23/08
I was unable to hear the streaming video last night, but this morning Strang Ministries sent me a link which I can access. If you missed it, it's here. It's a worthwhile interview - Listen!

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Join in on a teleconference call with Stephen Strang (President & CEO of Strang Communications - Charisma Magazine) and Pastor Sunday Adelaja from Kiev Ukraine. Or, if you prefer, listen to the conversation by streaming audio on the internet. This is happening Tuesday, April 22/08 - 6:00 p.m. PST.

About Pastor Sunday Adelaja (blurb taken from the Strang Ministries email):

Sunday Adelaja is the founder and senior pastor of The Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations in Kiev, Ukraine. Pastor Sunday has an international ministry that reaches more than 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, England, Germany, Russia and Singapore.

Born in Nigeria, he was recruited by Russian communists as a teenager. Today he pastors one of the largest churches in Eastern Europe. His congregation has had a direct influence on the regime change during the Orange Revolution. His cross-cultural ministry has had more than 2 million converts and 600 church plants worldwide.

You can register here

Related: Read Pastor Sunday Adelaja's testimony about prayer: How Sunday Adelaja Learned to Pray.

Title: Journal of the Angelic, Odyssey of the Divine
Author: Mark Raborn
Publisher: WingSpan Press, 2007
Genre: Speculative Fiction

• ISBN-10: 1595941649
• ISBN-13: 978-1595941640

Karmus...Karmus...

Hearing my name is my earliest memory, and my clearest...Like a whisper awakening me from a long, deep slumber, the call seemed ghostly, perhaps dreamlike, though I could see nothing."

These earliest memories introduce us to Karmus, the last created angel, as he becomes conscious. He is our guide through events that take us, in Mark Raborn's speculative fiction Journal of the Angelic, Odyssey of the Divine, from eternity past — when the angels were one glorious and united community — through the rebellion of Lucifer and a great heavenly war, to the heartbreak of a divided heaven, and the saga of earth and humanity.

The concept of the book — with its space setting, its eon-spanning time frame, and its angelic characters — is vast, but intricately imagined. Raborn has created a detailed universe down to an explanation of the physics of angelic navigation, how they go in and out of the visible realm, communicate, and get injured but don't die. The book is heavy with the names of angels, planets, and foreign-sounding angel-speak that describe aspects of space and angelic life. Thankfully, Raborn includes a glossary at the end to help us keep these imaginative but often-inconsequential details slotted in their places.

Though the story germinates from sketchy references to the fall of Lucifer in the Bible, Raborn has used his imagination extensively - and to good effect. The plot has its share of surprises, with suspense building every time Lucifer is mentioned. Though some of Raborn's ideas are unconventional (like the way planet earth comes to be populated with humans) within the framework of the rest of the plot, even these bits seem plausible.

Character-wise Karmus, along with the rest of the angelic characters, felt lacking in personality to me. Neither did God feel like a real person; rather he felt more like an energy force. However, Raborn did paint some compelling pictures of the company of angels. In their love, respect, loyalty, and acceptance of each other, they formed a strong and beautiful community which, when it fell apart, had me feeling as torn and disappointed as they were. The way Karmus tells the story, using formal and often exalted language, also made him seem realistic as a creature from some other realm.

While this book is largely about speculating on events in heaven before recorded time, I found it also had much to say, by way of angelic example, about our spiritual life now in areas of purpose, creativity, and worship. Raborn shows the angels always motivated and busy with interplanetary projects. Worship is an integral part of angelic life. Some scenes reminded me of descriptions of heaven from the Bible book of Revelation.

Journal of the Angelic is a worthwhile read just to experience the imaginative universe Raborn has created. However, the spiritual truths the story delivers will linger with you long after Karmus has left Adreenta for other orbs, to tell more seraphs, storfs, and dariats what he has seen.

quick

Rupert - the Grand-dog

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: EARTH (Nature, Mountains, Hills, Lakes, Rivers, Gardens, Mines, Rocks, Dirt,...)

promptings' potpourri

This is totally frivolous but I couldn't help but share this cool piece about different ways to lace your shoes. Apparently there are 43,200. Who knew?

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Congratulations to Canadian singer/writer Carolyn Arends on becoming a Christianity Today columnist! (You may recall I reviewed Arend's book Wrestling With Angels here a few weeks ago.) Her first column "Carbonated Holiness" begins:

Recently, I threw out three boxes worth of my kids' Sunday school crafts. I felt heartless and vaguely evil. But really, one can only store so much Fun Foam in a single house.

Still, there was one piece of art I was compelled to save. My daughter had cut out and colored pictures of children engaged in different acts of worship, and glued them onto a sheet. (She was three; you were expecting decoupage?)

Bethany had been particularly proud of this assignment because of the gluing part. (I think she may have a future in adhesives.) The day she brought it home, I acknowledged the excellence of the glue-work and then asked her to tell me what the pictures represented. "Praying! Giving! Reading the Bible!" she shouted as I pointed to each scene.

I saved the best picture for last—a boy with his mouth open wide in song. Singing is my favorite form of worship. I knew it would be Bethany's too, what with her mother being a singer and all.

"Laughing," said Bethany, when I pointed to the boy with the open mouth.

I stood corrected. Laughing is my favorite form of worship.

More...

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The winners of the 2008 Utmost Poetry contest have been announced. (I made the list -- somewhere in the middle. Check back as more winning poems will be viewable in the days ahead.)

an appetite for grace

A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace.

- Eugene Peterson in A Long Obedience In the Same Direction

this was one fine day

What a fabulicious day! For starters, the sun was shining and it was warm - as in over 20!

We started off by taking a trip to the Angel Christian Supplies store in South Surrey to spend some gift certificates. It's not often hubby and I are let loose in a bookstore with $90 spend! Here's what we bought:

- The Call by Os Guinness (this is a copy to replace the one I borrowed from my s.i.l., and then began highlighting - bad bad. I will send her this new clean copy).

- Desiring God by John Piper.

- A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson.

- Jerusalem Countdown by John Hagee (hubby's choice for his reading)

- The Best of Stuart Townend Live...(a double CD which we're both going to love! S.T. has written new-hymn favorites like "In Christ Alone.")

Next we went to the White Rock beach for a walk. It was clear, warm, bright and we had lots of company!


Our third stop was the Ocean Park Hall, where my nephew's wife had a craft table at the "Celebrating Grace" Artisan Show. She has begun this business of sewing baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths and baby clothes. Most of her things are bold 100% cotton print on one side, lined with the softest fuzzy fleece, called 'minky.' She gave Sonia a blanket for the new baby, so I know her things are beautiful. How about this absolutely sentimental-journey bib I bought for someone special! She calls her business Superfly Lullabies and sells lots of stuff online at her Etsy story, which you can visit here (nice stuff!).


Then it was home for lunch, and watch the rest of the men's curling game from the Ford World's between Canada and Norway. Canada won - so they're in the final tomorrow.

And last, I indulged in my first gardening jag. I spent over two hours weeding all the places there wasn't grass. Now it looks tidy and ever so springy, with the daffodils, hyacinths and anemones in bloom, and very soon, the tulips to pop. There are also lilies coming up as well as the red shoots of my very own peony plant. How sweet is that!

book review: The Cake Thief by Sally O. Lee

Title: The Cake Thief
Author: Sally O. Lee
Publisher: BookSurge, 2007
Genre: Children's Picture Book
ISBN: 1419683926

Clarence is a little boy who steals cakes from everyone in town. But his life changes the day he finds something that isn’t a cake under the cover of a cake stand.

In her book The Cake Thief, author and illustrator Sally O. Lee shows how Clarence is transformed when someone offers him unexpected kindness.

The author never tells us the reason for Clarence’s stealing. This may be a good thing because the open-endedness could lead to discussions about why children misbehave in general and steal in particular. Other subjects that might come up are ways to treat kids who don’t fit in and how a sense of belonging can change someone for the better.

The vivid illustrations are oil paintings on paper. There are several that fill entire pages and the bright colors add playfulness. The illustrations also help interpret the story, as we see Clarence at the end minus the eye mask which he never takes off in his thieving days.

The text of this 34-page book is simple, short and to the point. It should hold the attention of even busy little people when it’s read to them. Competent early elementary readers will be able to read it themselves. Children ages two to six years will enjoy The Cake Thief.

saturday shopping list

Some new inventions you won't want to be without:

- the coffee pot toaster

- the stair drawer

- the teabag timer

- the public accountability belt

- the Siamese umbrella

- the no-hogging sheet set

- the don't-waste-a-minute work centre

- the coffee-and-cookies mug

Hat-tip - Thanks Joe!

a prayer aid

Probably most of us pray at some time or other. I know I certainly do -- for things that concern me personally as well as requests that others give me, or for things that I hear about in the world at large that leave me feeling helpless, or upset or threatened or frightened or any number of other things.

However, a few months ago I began to feel convicted about the sloppiness with which I handled these prayer concerns. Because I was trusting my memory to pull them up for me, my praying was very hit-and-miss. That's when I decided to do something list-wise and designed my monthly prayer-list / chart.

I decided to make this a list I will revisit weekly. I designed my chart to fit on two pages, with five large sections (to accommodate even the longest month). Each large section is divided into a request box on the left, and an answer box on the right. When I get an answer to prayer, I write it across from the request in red - so I'm sure not to miss it.


I confess I haven't been completely regular about keeping current with this list. But I do now have quite a few filled-out sheets that help me see what I've prayed for and how God has answered those prayers. Often when looking back over past weeks, I see answers when I didn't at the time (keeping a list with a space for answers keeps one alert for something to put in that section).

To motivate me further. I placed two of my favorite quotes about prayer at the top of the first page:

"Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray . . . . Get into the real work of intercession, and remember it is a work that taxes every power; but a work that has no snare"
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, March 30

and

"Without the intervention of God's kingdom rule through prayer, Earth's circumstances will succumb to inevitable consequences. Earthly scenes of need must be penetrated by God's "will here as in heaven." Either the weakness of man's rule (the flesh) or the viciousness of hell's works (the Devil) will prevail. God's power alone can change things and bring heaven's rule (kingdom) instead, and the honor and the glory for prayer's answers are His. however, the praying is ours to do. Unless we ask for the intervention of His kingdom and obey His prayer-lessons, nothing will change. All kingdom ministry begins with and is sustained by, and will triumph through prayer

- Jack Hayford (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible)

Aren't those great!

Rebecca runs a monthly theme on her blog Rebecca Writes, and this month's theme is "Petitionary Prayer." On Tuesdays and Fridays she does a Petitionary Prayer post where she links to posts where other bloggers share things for which they are currently petitioning God.

For me an item that has appeared on each list I've made so far is for healing for friends and relatives who are ill, many with cancer. My prayer list has helped me keep regular with these prayers and, praise God, there are some red notes next to those items -- but I wish there were more. Of course I know only eternity will tell the complete effects my prayers have had.

sunday thought

Let us weigh the gain and the loss, in the wagering that God is. Consider these alternatives: if you win, you win all, if you lose, you lose nothing. Do not hesitate, then, to wager that He is.

- Blaise Pascal (French mathematician, physicist, theologian, man of letters 1623-1662)

book review: Not Easily Broken by Ruth Smith Meyer

Title: Not Easily Broken
Author: Ruth Smith Meyer
Publisher: Word Alive Press, 2007
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 1897373104

When parents of 21-year-old Ellie ask her to break up with her dapper and ambitious beau to marry John Kurtz, the recent widower of her older sister, Ellie is outraged. She understands her parents’ need to keep connected to their little granddaughters, but at such a sacrifice on her part? It seems unthinkable! Yet, family allegiance and her ingrained training to respect and obey her parents wins. She ditches Gerhard and a little later, when John asks her to marry him and mother his two little girls, she accepts – with misgivings but a grim determination to make the marriage work.

In Not Easily Broken, a first novel by Ruth Smith Meyer, we follow Ellie from 1877 to 1900 as she makes a life with John on his Ontario farm. We experience the budding of their love and enjoy the warm atmosphere of their family. Then, just when things couldn’t be going better, Ellie is battered by another cruel circumstance. Will life ever be normal and happy again?

The characters Smith Meyer has brought to life made the book memorable for me. Sweet and thoughtful Ellie grows into a practical and wise mother and who only becomes more beautiful and vulnerable. The two main male characters, John and Jake, are very different from each other. Smith Meyer fleshes out those differences with writerly skill by showing their personalities in conversation and action. The children Maria, Marta and George are also distinct individuals.

The book’s late 19th century rural setting is a good one for this pastoral romance. Not only is the plot line – parents asking their daughter to marry the man of their choice though she is in love with someone else – pretty well unthinkable in our 21st century culture, but the leisurely pace of unmechanized life is perfect for this tale of the slow nourishment of love. Smith Meyer sustains the pioneer ambiance, with its horse and buggy transportation, its farming-based economy, and its country and small-town friendliness, without lapses.

The themes of love and marriage are central. Smith Meyer shows us through Ellie and John’s lives that falling in love is much more than a floaty feeling that happens when we first lay eyes on someone special. Instead, she demonstrates how love can grow in an atmosphere of mutual empathy, unselfishness, and generosity.

Faith in God also plays a big role in the story. Again and again the characters acknowledge God in their daily lives as they discuss spiritual matters and pray. Indeed, the title is a phrase from a scripture verse (“A strand of three is not easily broken…”) which Ellie quotes at one point when she refers to God as the third strand in a strong marriage relationship.

Dealing with the death of a spouse also surfaces more than once. Here Smith Meyer’s writing really shone, largely, I think, because she has experienced such a loss herself. This bit, for example, helped me feel Ellie’s shock in an almost physical way:

“Even though just one was missing, the hole seemed larger than that. If felt as thought the anchor post was gone and the whole fence that delineated their family was leaning at a crazy angle. She felt no sense of direction and couldn’t think what she should do or where she should begin.”

If I have one criticism, it would be that the plot (based on a true story) seemed too pleasant and trouble-free in parts – so that I found my interest waning. What is it with us that though we want smooth sailing for the characters, we lose interest when life gets too comfortable and trouble-free for them?

All in all, though, Not Easily Broken is a beautiful story involving well-conceptualized and complex characters. Smith Meyer’s style, with its attention to ethnic detail (a German community) and the way she describes nature and country life, reminded me of Beverly Lewis’s writing. Here’s hoping Smith Meyer doesn’t stop with this book but publishes more romantic Canadiana soon.

spring

I blogged here today.

pets

Being a reindog is serious business

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: SILLY (Silly Smiles, Crazy Laughter, Silly Behavior, Illogical Signs and Other Silly Things, Funny Toys,...)