Do you ever feel like you can't ask God for help because you've brought a problem on yourself? If so, hopefully this will encourage you...
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Watching the Son Rise
Though following in his famous father’s career, Michael Landon Jr. is making a name of his own as a producer of family-friendly films. Love’s Enduring Promise was a smash hit on the Hallmark Channel, and Saving Sarah Cain garnered impressive awards as well. Now families can add another favorite to their collections with the recent (March 17) DVD release of The Velveteen Rabbit, unique for being set in both the “real” and animated worlds.
The DVD features the vocal talents of Golden Globe® winner Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” Somewhere in Time) as the mom, with Emmy Award® winner Tom Skerritt (Top Gun, "Picket Fences") as the skin horse, and Oscar® winner Ellen Burstyn (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Requiem for a Dream) as the swan.
Landon, married for eighteen years and a father of three, talks about his new film, the process, and storytelling.
What made you choose The Velveteen Rabbit —and to tell it from the boy’s perspective rather than the toy’s, as the book does?
I love the original classic by Marjorie Williams and the theme that “love makes us real.” I knew I didn’t want to adapt it, taking a based-on approach—for one, it had been done as a short animated film. Second, I thought Williams created perfection. So my approach is an “inspired-by” one. I didn’t want to make an animated film. I wanted to tell the story from the boy’s point of view. The boy is mentioned in Williams’s story—it’s his toy, and I thought we needed to give him life.
Since The Velveteen Rabbit is your first film to include animation, how did the process differ from your usual directing?
This time I had to exercise a lot of patience. It took more than three years to get the animation completed. We shot the live action first, and once it was finished, the animation started. I laid out in the screenplay what I felt the story should be, but then I let the animation direction take over. And I waited.
This time I had to exercise a lot of patience. It took more than three years to get the animation completed. We shot the live action first, and once it was finished, the animation started. I laid out in the screenplay what I felt the story should be, but then I let the animation direction take over. And I waited.
Some of your more recent films— Saving Sarah Cain, The Last Sin Eater and now The Velveteen Rabbit —represent a change from the pioneer setting. Is that on purpose?
I wouldn’t want to do only pioneer films. But it’s not “on purpose.” It’s all about the story for me. Still, a “period” film allows me to tell a story without having to worry about having a so-called edge. For example, from a language standpoint, young people believe more easily in the world of the past where there’s no cursing. It’s hard for contemporary teens to believe the world otherwise.
What do you look for when choosing a film to produce?
There’s the practical sense of telling a story and also weighing the chance of it being made. Story is definitely number one. There’s the viability of what I bring to the table as a storyteller. But also I have to be realistic about where my career is and what I can get made. I had to convince somebody to spend a million dollars on ninety pages of work.
When I produced Love Comes Softly, it took ten years to get it made. In Hollywood when people read the novel and eventually the book, no one had any interest in the genre. They said “It’s been done.” And then we put it on, and it became the highest-rated movie in the history of the channel. That means there are people out there who are not being fed.
In terms of story, it’s impossible for me to avoid the spiritual element, though it doesn’t necessarily have to be overt. The Last Sin Eater, the original novel, has a strong spiritual message. I didn’t want to shy away from it. The Velveteen Rabbit is a perfect example of a film with spiritual themes throughout. I know there’s a physical world and a spiritual world.
Who are some of your moviemaking heroes and why?
It may sound clichéd, but Stephen Spielberg is definitely at the top. I don’t think there’s a more versatile storyteller—someone who can go from ET to Schindler’s List and do it all well. He’s a master—and at more than just visuals. He’s the whole package.
It may sound clichéd, but Stephen Spielberg is definitely at the top. I don’t think there’s a more versatile storyteller—someone who can go from ET to Schindler’s List and do it all well. He’s a master—and at more than just visuals. He’s the whole package.
Another director is Ridley Scott. If I see a Ridley Scott film—Gladiator, for example—visually, I’m always blown away.
Going back in time, Capra is another. I relate to him as a storyteller. In It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, he captured reality but allowed a bit of heaven to sneak in, too. So it doesn’t have a Scorsese grittiness in which you’re living in the dark part of people’s souls. There’s a softening effect. Capra is a bright man, very capable of doing something gritty and raw. But he doesn’t.
If you were to speak to artists about how to communicate faith effectively, what would you tell them?
Use metaphors. Allegory. You do try not to just hit spiritual things right on the nose. That’s why you go to church. But even a good preacher tells stories. Jesus told stories. Otherwise, you only speak to the person’s mind and not his or her heart. Good story telling does both.
Use metaphors. Allegory. You do try not to just hit spiritual things right on the nose. That’s why you go to church. But even a good preacher tells stories. Jesus told stories. Otherwise, you only speak to the person’s mind and not his or her heart. Good story telling does both.
And I Thought It Was Tough Here...
I received this in an email recently from a woman in Kenya:
I was wondering if you have time and you could help me understand [the issue of infertility]. I am writing a manual for women's ministry, and one of the topics that I am dealing with is infertility. Infertility in Africa is a very big deal but it's an issue that is not [discussed] in the church. Sad to mention infertile women are not well received in the community where there are small children. Besides, in the secular world as well as in the Church, men get a second wife if the first one is infertile.
There is a common saying that an infertile woman is a friend to a witch (wizard). To add insult to injury secular musicians compose songs that use the saying and the songs are played over the radio. I would like to begin a ministry to these women.
Can you imagine?
I was wondering if you have time and you could help me understand [the issue of infertility]. I am writing a manual for women's ministry, and one of the topics that I am dealing with is infertility. Infertility in Africa is a very big deal but it's an issue that is not [discussed] in the church. Sad to mention infertile women are not well received in the community where there are small children. Besides, in the secular world as well as in the Church, men get a second wife if the first one is infertile.
There is a common saying that an infertile woman is a friend to a witch (wizard). To add insult to injury secular musicians compose songs that use the saying and the songs are played over the radio. I would like to begin a ministry to these women.
Can you imagine?
Egg Freezing
Scientists are working to improve the process of cryopreserving human eggs, which I applaud, as it may lead to a reduce number of frozen embryos. Here's a short video about egg freezing:
Sunday, March 29, 2009
For Potential Book Reviewers
Thomas Nelson has a program for providing new books to bloggers willing to post reviews. It's a great way to break into freelance writing. Here's the link to their info.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wealth Effects
One of my artsy friends (Carol) sent me a link to this terrific little World interview with Roberta Green Ahmanson on poverty, affluence, faith, art, and journalism.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
They Like Us, They Really Like Us
During my press trip to Jordan in November, I spent one evening interviewing a DTS grad who lives there. (We’ll call him Bob, which is not his real name.) As Bob was driving me back to my hotel that night, a machine-gun wielding soldier flagged us over.
I gripped the sides of my seat. “What’s going on?”
Bob looked at his speedometer. “I was probably doing about three miles over the speed limit.” He wasn’t joking. “But watch this—I’ll speak only in English. They love Americans—you’ll see.” He pulled over, rolled down his window, and smiled at the guard. “Hi.”
The man held his stern expression. “Your name, sir?”
“Bob.”
“Where you are from?”
“The United States.”
A fraction of a smile appeared.
Bob took advantage of the opportunity. “What do you think of Obama?”
The smile inched bigger as the guard considered this question. I had arrived there with seventeen journalists two days after the election, and—though we’d looked—we hadn’t found one national who wanted McCain to win.
The smile gave way to a grin. “Oh-h-h—BA-ma. O-ba-MA. O-ba-MA.” Then he stopped and looked past Bob to me, stern again. “What is her name?”
“Sandi.”
“Okay. Bob.” He nodded. “Sandi.” He nodded again. “You go.” He tilted his head in the direction of the road and flagged us on.
Bob sped off. “What did I tell you?”
I gripped the sides of my seat. “What’s going on?”
Bob looked at his speedometer. “I was probably doing about three miles over the speed limit.” He wasn’t joking. “But watch this—I’ll speak only in English. They love Americans—you’ll see.” He pulled over, rolled down his window, and smiled at the guard. “Hi.”
The man held his stern expression. “Your name, sir?”
“Bob.”
“Where you are from?”
“The United States.”
A fraction of a smile appeared.
Bob took advantage of the opportunity. “What do you think of Obama?”
The smile inched bigger as the guard considered this question. I had arrived there with seventeen journalists two days after the election, and—though we’d looked—we hadn’t found one national who wanted McCain to win.
The smile gave way to a grin. “Oh-h-h—BA-ma. O-ba-MA. O-ba-MA.” Then he stopped and looked past Bob to me, stern again. “What is her name?”
“Sandi.”
“Okay. Bob.” He nodded. “Sandi.” He nodded again. “You go.” He tilted his head in the direction of the road and flagged us on.
Bob sped off. “What did I tell you?”
Plan B on the Morning-After Pill
Yesterday's NY Times reported that a NY federal judge ordered the FDA to make the morning-after pill accessible to seventeen-year-olds.
For my take on the morning-after pill, go here.
For my take on the morning-after pill, go here.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Takin' It to the Streets
While I enjoyed the big EXPO event in Dallas this past weekend, I also noticed the cavernous halls nearly devoid of people. The three-day event cost $29 bucks plus $10 daily for parking. All so people could meet authors, browse, and buy books? At the Convention Center, which is near…nothing. Ow.
I felt fortunate in that Kregel, who published three of my books, donated a case of each for me to give away. And AMG, which produces the Coffee Cup series, coughed up ten copies of each of the six studies. Three cases and sixty books are sizeable investments in an author. They certainly did their part.
Now, considering the poor turnout at CBE, I could have had a lot of leftovers. But my trainer had invited me to set up a booth at a Gold's Gym grand opening in Dallas on Saturday and to give away a bunch there. I did, and I met the most interesting people, many of whom wanted to talk about faith. Seriously. They’d see my titles and bring it up.
One woman, seeing my Bible studies, told me boldly that she wasn't "anything" but leaned toward Buddhism. She then waited for my reaction. I asked if she had been to the Far East or if she got her introduction to Buddhism some other way.
And she got the coolest look on her face. Like she was glad I asked. And she went on to tell me how she grew up in Japan as the daughter of Baptist missionaries. She spoke of what it was like being a third-culture kid. And about how the mission board had clamped down on women in ministry in the sixties (when radical feminism freaked out many American Christians), and she watched her mother go from having a thriving ministry to pretty much serving coffee. Ow.
We had a wonderful conversation about women, the church, and history—the intertwining of these subjects being one of my favorites—and at the end, she took a copy of Mocha on the Mount. Initially she said she wanted it for her sister. But as she left she told me she just might read it for herself, too. I loved that she would talk to a stranger about issues of such import.
One of my favorite artists, a guy who played “the aquarium section” at the Kennedy Center's Princess Grace Memorial Concert, makes music using ordinary glasses filled with varying amounts of water. And he and his wife made the commitment early in his career that he would always make time to play his music out on the streets. Now I see why. Something happens when we take our craft to the street and make ourselves available to strangers. We meet folks who add meaning to our lives, who give us new perspectives on stuff, who get us out of our sheltered worlds and force us to encounter something we don’t ordinarily see—beauty and pain through completely new points of view.
I felt fortunate in that Kregel, who published three of my books, donated a case of each for me to give away. And AMG, which produces the Coffee Cup series, coughed up ten copies of each of the six studies. Three cases and sixty books are sizeable investments in an author. They certainly did their part.
Now, considering the poor turnout at CBE, I could have had a lot of leftovers. But my trainer had invited me to set up a booth at a Gold's Gym grand opening in Dallas on Saturday and to give away a bunch there. I did, and I met the most interesting people, many of whom wanted to talk about faith. Seriously. They’d see my titles and bring it up.
One woman, seeing my Bible studies, told me boldly that she wasn't "anything" but leaned toward Buddhism. She then waited for my reaction. I asked if she had been to the Far East or if she got her introduction to Buddhism some other way.
And she got the coolest look on her face. Like she was glad I asked. And she went on to tell me how she grew up in Japan as the daughter of Baptist missionaries. She spoke of what it was like being a third-culture kid. And about how the mission board had clamped down on women in ministry in the sixties (when radical feminism freaked out many American Christians), and she watched her mother go from having a thriving ministry to pretty much serving coffee. Ow.
We had a wonderful conversation about women, the church, and history—the intertwining of these subjects being one of my favorites—and at the end, she took a copy of Mocha on the Mount. Initially she said she wanted it for her sister. But as she left she told me she just might read it for herself, too. I loved that she would talk to a stranger about issues of such import.
One of my favorite artists, a guy who played “the aquarium section” at the Kennedy Center's Princess Grace Memorial Concert, makes music using ordinary glasses filled with varying amounts of water. And he and his wife made the commitment early in his career that he would always make time to play his music out on the streets. Now I see why. Something happens when we take our craft to the street and make ourselves available to strangers. We meet folks who add meaning to our lives, who give us new perspectives on stuff, who get us out of our sheltered worlds and force us to encounter something we don’t ordinarily see—beauty and pain through completely new points of view.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Chocolate Sabbath
Sundays are sacred in the Glahn household. We try to take 24 hours to pull away from the insane schedule, beginning on Saturday evening. Often we have a movie or fun night (last night it was dinner and Cranium with my sister's family and our friends the Wagoners). Then on Sunday morning we attend worship services followed by a nap and/or a movie and/or reading until Sunday evening. And because I love to cook when I don't have to, today I puttered making four different kinds of salad for dinner. If it were work, I wouldn't do it. But because I take pleasure in it, it recharges me.
The word "Sabbath" used to evoke images of rigid limitation for me. But with grace as the backdrop, such days now bring joy. I love this time in my week when I choose to push aside the PhD studies and the grading of papers. I think these days are to time as holes are to lace. Without them I'd just have a plain piece of fabric, but with them I have something beautiful.
Now, as I mentioned a couple of days ago, my dear friend of 30+ years, Ruth Haley Barton, was in town this weekend. We were in each others' weddings long before either of us aspired to write books. But as it happens, Ruth has in fact written a number of excellent works, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.
I read the first few chapters today, and it was like a chocolate Sabbath for my soul. But rather than describe it to you, I'll let you see Ruth and hear about it straight from her. (And after hearing from her, I think you'll see why I feel so blessed to call her my friend for all these years. )
The word "Sabbath" used to evoke images of rigid limitation for me. But with grace as the backdrop, such days now bring joy. I love this time in my week when I choose to push aside the PhD studies and the grading of papers. I think these days are to time as holes are to lace. Without them I'd just have a plain piece of fabric, but with them I have something beautiful.
Now, as I mentioned a couple of days ago, my dear friend of 30+ years, Ruth Haley Barton, was in town this weekend. We were in each others' weddings long before either of us aspired to write books. But as it happens, Ruth has in fact written a number of excellent works, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.
I read the first few chapters today, and it was like a chocolate Sabbath for my soul. But rather than describe it to you, I'll let you see Ruth and hear about it straight from her. (And after hearing from her, I think you'll see why I feel so blessed to call her my friend for all these years. )
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Let's Hear It for The Girl
The earliest record I have of one of my ancestors converting to Christianity comes from two centuries ago near the French town of Strasbourg. “Papa” Oberlin—as my father’s people called their pastor—brought the gospel to villagers subsisting on grass soaked in milk. Along with the gospel came instruction on agricultural practices such that today the same valley is one of the richest foodie destinations in the world.
Two centuries before the arrival of Pastor Oberlin—for whom Oberlin College is named—Strasbourg, which France and Germany passed back and forth, was home of another wonderful Protestant, Katherine Zell. A sixteenth-century German, Zell promoted the Reformation and supported gender equality. She also published a collection of congregational hymns, cared for the sick and imprisoned, and reached out to refugees displaced by religious warfare.
Zell’s husband, Matthew, was among Strasbourg’s reforming pastors. When the Church excommunicated him for marrying her, she published a letter to the bishop in defense of clerical marriage. Considering literacy rates along with women’s lack of social power, Katherine’s actions amounted to no small feat of skill and courage.
She also published tracts. One she wrote for the consolation of wives whose husbands were exiled for their faith. In it she cited Isaiah 49:15 in which the prophet describes God as as a mother who cannot forget a nursing child. Another consolation tract was for the city magistrate who was quarantined. A meditation on the Lord's prayer, it included these thoughts: “Our Father, who art in heaven. He is called not Lord or judge, but Father. And since through his Son we are born again we may call him grandfather, too. He may be likened also to a mother who has known the pangs of birth and the joy of giving suck.”
In saying this Zell was no radical writing about God as female. Rather, she was a godly, theologically sound woman living long before Second Wave feminism. She, like many before her such as Lady Julian of Norwich in the fourteenth century, found comfort in the biblical mothering metaphors used to reveal God.
In visiting prisoners, caring for the sick, and arranging care for floods of refugees, Zell encouraged many in the faith at a time when Protestants faced severe persecution.
March is Women’s History Month. And now it's your turn. Name a woman who inspires you. (She does not have to be famous.)
Two centuries before the arrival of Pastor Oberlin—for whom Oberlin College is named—Strasbourg, which France and Germany passed back and forth, was home of another wonderful Protestant, Katherine Zell. A sixteenth-century German, Zell promoted the Reformation and supported gender equality. She also published a collection of congregational hymns, cared for the sick and imprisoned, and reached out to refugees displaced by religious warfare.
Zell’s husband, Matthew, was among Strasbourg’s reforming pastors. When the Church excommunicated him for marrying her, she published a letter to the bishop in defense of clerical marriage. Considering literacy rates along with women’s lack of social power, Katherine’s actions amounted to no small feat of skill and courage.
She also published tracts. One she wrote for the consolation of wives whose husbands were exiled for their faith. In it she cited Isaiah 49:15 in which the prophet describes God as as a mother who cannot forget a nursing child. Another consolation tract was for the city magistrate who was quarantined. A meditation on the Lord's prayer, it included these thoughts: “Our Father, who art in heaven. He is called not Lord or judge, but Father. And since through his Son we are born again we may call him grandfather, too. He may be likened also to a mother who has known the pangs of birth and the joy of giving suck.”
In saying this Zell was no radical writing about God as female. Rather, she was a godly, theologically sound woman living long before Second Wave feminism. She, like many before her such as Lady Julian of Norwich in the fourteenth century, found comfort in the biblical mothering metaphors used to reveal God.
In visiting prisoners, caring for the sick, and arranging care for floods of refugees, Zell encouraged many in the faith at a time when Protestants faced severe persecution.
March is Women’s History Month. And now it's your turn. Name a woman who inspires you. (She does not have to be famous.)
Back Home
We've had a whirlwind bunch of days.
Thursday morning we drove from Oceanside back to a second day at Universal Studios. (Since March is pre-season, we scored two-day passes for the price of one.) We learned about how the pros filmed movies like "Apollo 13," "ET," and "War of the Worlds." We saw Edith Head's costume drawings for "The Sting." And we saw a fascinating live show with animals in which the trainers showed us how they film scenes with dogs, cats, birds, rats, and a chimpanzee. Included were clips of "Evan Almighty" along with demonstrations of how the producers pulled off the 300-animal scenes in that movie.
From Universal we drove to Union Station and turned in our car. Then we caught a shuttle to the airport. When I went to board the plane, a woman in front of me fell when she lost all feeling in her left side. So we waited for paramedics to take her to the hospital. (I was surprised it took 15 minutes for them to arrive. I thought airports kept ambulances handy.) Three hours later we strolled off the plane after midnight Dallas time.
Yesterday I had the EXPO event at the Convention Center-- a place that seriously needs to consider getting a moving sidewalk. I like exercise, but not when I have to carry stuff!
I sat on a panel about conflict in ministry in the afternoon, and that evening I did a book signing with a bunch of giveaways. I think the event planners had 1/10th the expected crowd, but I still had fun meeting interesting people.
Afterward I enjoyed the highlight of the day--a wonderful Italian dinner with a fab woman who served as one of my bridesmaids nearly 30 years ago, Ruth Haley Barton. I hated for the night to end. Ruth and I can go years without seeing each other and still dive deep within minutes. Love her!
This morning while my teen slept (and my husband was out of town overnight), I crept out to do book giveaways at a Gold's Gym grand opening near White Rock Lake. They had a bunch of other vendors, too, so I ate free food from Chili's and got a new Fuller brush. I also had some fascinating conversations with people who, upon seeing my Bible studies on the table, told me about their spiritual lives and interests.
Tonight we celebrate my brother-in-law's fiftieth, and then tomorrow I have every intention of taking a day of rest. I need a break from my vacation!
Thursday morning we drove from Oceanside back to a second day at Universal Studios. (Since March is pre-season, we scored two-day passes for the price of one.) We learned about how the pros filmed movies like "Apollo 13," "ET," and "War of the Worlds." We saw Edith Head's costume drawings for "The Sting." And we saw a fascinating live show with animals in which the trainers showed us how they film scenes with dogs, cats, birds, rats, and a chimpanzee. Included were clips of "Evan Almighty" along with demonstrations of how the producers pulled off the 300-animal scenes in that movie.
From Universal we drove to Union Station and turned in our car. Then we caught a shuttle to the airport. When I went to board the plane, a woman in front of me fell when she lost all feeling in her left side. So we waited for paramedics to take her to the hospital. (I was surprised it took 15 minutes for them to arrive. I thought airports kept ambulances handy.) Three hours later we strolled off the plane after midnight Dallas time.
Yesterday I had the EXPO event at the Convention Center-- a place that seriously needs to consider getting a moving sidewalk. I like exercise, but not when I have to carry stuff!
I sat on a panel about conflict in ministry in the afternoon, and that evening I did a book signing with a bunch of giveaways. I think the event planners had 1/10th the expected crowd, but I still had fun meeting interesting people.
Afterward I enjoyed the highlight of the day--a wonderful Italian dinner with a fab woman who served as one of my bridesmaids nearly 30 years ago, Ruth Haley Barton. I hated for the night to end. Ruth and I can go years without seeing each other and still dive deep within minutes. Love her!
This morning while my teen slept (and my husband was out of town overnight), I crept out to do book giveaways at a Gold's Gym grand opening near White Rock Lake. They had a bunch of other vendors, too, so I ate free food from Chili's and got a new Fuller brush. I also had some fascinating conversations with people who, upon seeing my Bible studies on the table, told me about their spiritual lives and interests.
Tonight we celebrate my brother-in-law's fiftieth, and then tomorrow I have every intention of taking a day of rest. I need a break from my vacation!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Down Time
We're sunning ourselves in Southern Cal. Cool (in the high sixties), but beautiful. Okay, my husband and daughter are sunning themselves. Okay, our daughter is sunning herself. I am sometimes sunning myself and also working. And so is my husband. We'll get a real family vacation this summer, hopefully. But for me, at least, given the choice between editing papers and working on a magazine at home vs. viewing the Pacific, bet you can guess what I chose.
Yesterday we hit Disneyland. That's, um, we and the whole entire rest of the Southwestern Un-i-ted States. Ohmygoodness. And it isn't even spring break week here!
Having been to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland within the span of two weeks, I have to say the former rocked the world and the latter is a lot more like Six Flags. Smaller. More crowded. Landlocked. Less clean than its Florida counterpart. And less impressive fireworks than EPCOT, but then it's hard to beat explosions reflected on a massive lake.
Still, our girl never once complained about waiting 55 minutes to get a three-minute ride on Space Mountain. She did Pirates of the Caribbean twice. (She adores Johnny Depp.) And she thrilled her mom by recognizing more languages than I did on the "It's a Small World" ride (kudos to Reiko for teaching her elementary Japanese). The refurbished small-world ride was one of the day's highlights for me.
Today we all did some beachcombing--mostly rocks here. No shells. Lots of seaweed. But then I
came back and worked, and the father/daughter team stayed to film surfers. I did stop a surfer dude to ask why so many of them passed up great waves. He explained that a solid wall falling all at the same time is unideal, even if huge. It has to curl at an angle so the surfers can shift left or right to keep themselves in the ideal part of the wave for staying vertical. Who knew?
If only everybody had an ocean across the USA!
Yesterday we hit Disneyland. That's, um, we and the whole entire rest of the Southwestern Un-i-ted States. Ohmygoodness. And it isn't even spring break week here!
Having been to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland within the span of two weeks, I have to say the former rocked the world and the latter is a lot more like Six Flags. Smaller. More crowded. Landlocked. Less clean than its Florida counterpart. And less impressive fireworks than EPCOT, but then it's hard to beat explosions reflected on a massive lake.
Still, our girl never once complained about waiting 55 minutes to get a three-minute ride on Space Mountain. She did Pirates of the Caribbean twice. (She adores Johnny Depp.) And she thrilled her mom by recognizing more languages than I did on the "It's a Small World" ride (kudos to Reiko for teaching her elementary Japanese). The refurbished small-world ride was one of the day's highlights for me.
Today we all did some beachcombing--mostly rocks here. No shells. Lots of seaweed. But then I
came back and worked, and the father/daughter team stayed to film surfers. I did stop a surfer dude to ask why so many of them passed up great waves. He explained that a solid wall falling all at the same time is unideal, even if huge. It has to curl at an angle so the surfers can shift left or right to keep themselves in the ideal part of the wave for staying vertical. Who knew?If only everybody had an ocean across the USA!
Were Ye Wearin' the Green Today?
One of my favorite places in New York City is St. Patrick's Cathedral. Patrick of Ireland led a truly inspiring life. To learn more about this great missionary and why Protestants shy away from calling him "Saint," go here. (The writing isn't how I would have worded it, but you get the general idea.)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Cool Flick
My friend Heather Goodman has written her first screenplay and seen it through production. You can view "Mumbai Baby" here. (Give it a sec to load.) Great stuff!
Wisdom in Many Counselors
For a glimpse into our president's spiritual life, read this article in today's New York Times.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The View Tonight
Spring break.Oceanside, California.
Way last May Gary's mom decided to sell her timeshare, but she gave us the final week before it's gone at the end of March. What a gift! We promised our girl two years ago if she made the honor roll, we'd bring her here. And she kept her part of the deal. So now we're keeping ours.
My sis Mary and her hubby took us to the airport this morning, and we caught the flight to San Diego. From there we got on Amtrak.
It's 30 miles from San Diego to Oceanside, but it took four hours to get here. The train broke down and had to be "towed." (This marks the third time we've taken a vacation and then sat and sat on a train that wasn't moving.)
It was worth the wait, as you can see. I am no great photographer, but a subject like this can make anybody look good.
It has been more than a year since we had a few days of rest all together. And now we have this view from our balcony. Thank you, Lord!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Autobiography vs. memoir
At the Synergy Conference in Orlando last weekend, I got to sit among the thirty-or-so people who had the pleasure of hearing Lauren Winner's workshop on writing the memoir. Dr. Winner explained first how memoir differs from autobiography. In general famous and infamous people write autobiographies, and in these books the plot is "my life." Unfamous people write memoirs. And in memoir writing the author goes on a journey and takes the reader along. The reader as a co-learner discovers as the author does. If a writer's voice shifts from learner to instructor, the reader takes a step back. The author meets wise people and learns from them and then processes what they say rather than posing as the wise person herself.
Winner wrote her memoir, Girl Meets God, when she was 24. And it hit the best seller list. Sitting next to me on the way home, my friend Kelley read it and kept showing me paragraphs I needed to read for a good laugh or to appreciate an artful turn of phrase. Apparently Winner is from a Reformed Jewish background and then converted to Orthodox Judaism. Through interesting circumstances that we authors and our English teachers might label "foreshadowing" (including a trek through the Mitford series), Winner trusted Christ. Now a prof at Duke Divinity School, Winner seems a little embarrassed by the great role the Mitford series played in her conversion. She notes gratefully that at least it was not the Left Behind series.
Winner wrote her memoir, Girl Meets God, when she was 24. And it hit the best seller list. Sitting next to me on the way home, my friend Kelley read it and kept showing me paragraphs I needed to read for a good laugh or to appreciate an artful turn of phrase. Apparently Winner is from a Reformed Jewish background and then converted to Orthodox Judaism. Through interesting circumstances that we authors and our English teachers might label "foreshadowing" (including a trek through the Mitford series), Winner trusted Christ. Now a prof at Duke Divinity School, Winner seems a little embarrassed by the great role the Mitford series played in her conversion. She notes gratefully that at least it was not the Left Behind series.
I would love to read her book. I already read her work, Real Sex, which was excellent (we quoted it in the third edition of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage). But after meeting with my PhD advisor yesterday, I know I have no time to do so in the near future. Apparently I have to read about 200 novels by October. Fortunately I've read most of Dickens already, so that takes me down to 194. If I decide to craft a memoir taking you on a journey through "the greats" of American and British lit, I'll let you know.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Lavitian?
Today I received two new copies of my coauthored book, The Infertility Companion, in Lavitian. So is Lavitian the language of Latvia, Armenia, or Sweden? (I have found all three proposed on the web, which is why we tell grad students to avoid unjuried web sites when doing reasearch). The book was already available in English and Spanish. But I would have thought we might go with French, German Russian ...or maybe even Swahili or Maasa next.
Review of the The Shack
A few months back, I posted a link to a review of The Shack by my theology-prof friend, Dr. Glenn Kreider. He really wanted to like it, but it raised some serious theological issues for him. Here's his review. Since I originally posted this link, a lot more of you have read the book. So tell me what you thought....
Let's Talk Book Marketing
Over on the Christian Authors Network (CAN) marketing blog, Karen Whiting interviewed me about--what else?--book marketing. You can read the interview here.
What's Darfur?
Several weeks back as I spoke with an intellligent woman I know, I mentioned the conflict in Darfur.
And to my shock she asked, "What's Darfur?"
Her question reminded me that the news often buries atrocities happening a world away, so I shouldn't assume everybody knows.
Do you know what Darfur is? Can you name the two prominent Christian leaders who recently appeared in the news giving opposite counsel about what our government should do there?
Today Nicholas Kristof, the NY Times columnist who tirelessly keeps international justice issues in our faces, provides a great Q/A section that gives a summary about the conflict in Darfur and the various approaches suggested for handling it. I urge you to take ten minutes to learn the basics.
And to my shock she asked, "What's Darfur?"
Her question reminded me that the news often buries atrocities happening a world away, so I shouldn't assume everybody knows.
Do you know what Darfur is? Can you name the two prominent Christian leaders who recently appeared in the news giving opposite counsel about what our government should do there?
Today Nicholas Kristof, the NY Times columnist who tirelessly keeps international justice issues in our faces, provides a great Q/A section that gives a summary about the conflict in Darfur and the various approaches suggested for handling it. I urge you to take ten minutes to learn the basics.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Trend-spotting
Want to learn how to spot a trend? Find out more by reading my blog entry today over at the Tapestry site.
Do you know the top three newspapers in North America?
Can you name the author of three of Amazon's top sellers for last month? (Hint: Twilight)
Do you know the magazine with the most Amazon downloads for February 2009?
Head on over to Tapestry and read what I found with a little help from a friend.
Do you know the top three newspapers in North America?
Can you name the author of three of Amazon's top sellers for last month? (Hint: Twilight)
Do you know the magazine with the most Amazon downloads for February 2009?
Head on over to Tapestry and read what I found with a little help from a friend.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Yesterday in EPCOT
I spent the weekend in Orlando at the Synergy Conference with friends Lesa, Carol, Sue, Joye, Lee, Catherine, Carolyn (what little I saw of her) and Kelley. (Join us next year!)
We had great speakers. A fab location. Terrif food. And Florida in bloom. I watched the sun rise while swimming laps in an indoor-outdoor heated pool with steam rising off the water. When I raised my goggles, I saw a raccoon scurry by under the shadows of palm trees. Ahhhh. Sometimes I suffer from beauty-withdrawal, and then I get this unexpected fix.
After the conference (more later about the great messages), Kelley and I were met by her aunt, Dorie, who lives in Orlando. She provided curb service to EPCOT, where Kelley and I walked the entire World Pavilion. We caught five rides, three shows, dinner in "Mexico," and a gazillion street acts. Rode the monorail. Enjoyed low crowds and fantastic weather. And the finale: oohing and ahhing to fireworks on the lake in fanfare only Disney could deliver.
We followed all that today with an O-dark-thirty flight home. Z-z-z-z-z-z.
Here's a taste of Disney brought to you by cell-phone quality technology from the girl who forgot to take her camera (that would be me):
During the fireworks as the music blared, a little boy in front of us conducted as if he were Leonard Bernstein. His parents told us he was hearing impaired and that he always does that when music blares because he can actually hear some of it. His directing only added to the magic.
Read and Heal
Harmonygirl wrote, “I was raised by a half-brother and his wife because my grandfather had an affair. The inheritance issues tore my family apart as well. I never understood any of it because I was so young when my half-brother/father died… I vacillate between having strength and at other times feeling totally worthless, even though I know none of this is my fault.”
This message appeared on a blog that Mary DeMuth set up where people can anonymously (or not) share family secrets. She created it as part of the launch of her latest novel, Daisy Chain, in which she explores the damage such secrets can cause.
In Daisy Chain the disappearance of young Daisy Chance in 1973 haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. When she disappears, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers. Guilt over failing to protect his friend strangles him; Emory Chance blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and shattered pieces of a family in crisis pierce Ouisie Pepper.
In this, the first book of a trilogy, Jed’s sickening secret leaves him twisted with guilt that sends him on a quest to solve mysteries in his own life as well as those of others in his town. When he finally confronts the truth, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom. Daisy Chain offers a hopeful backdrop for exploring human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.
This message appeared on a blog that Mary DeMuth set up where people can anonymously (or not) share family secrets. She created it as part of the launch of her latest novel, Daisy Chain, in which she explores the damage such secrets can cause.
In Daisy Chain the disappearance of young Daisy Chance in 1973 haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. When she disappears, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers. Guilt over failing to protect his friend strangles him; Emory Chance blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and shattered pieces of a family in crisis pierce Ouisie Pepper.
In this, the first book of a trilogy, Jed’s sickening secret leaves him twisted with guilt that sends him on a quest to solve mysteries in his own life as well as those of others in his town. When he finally confronts the truth, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom. Daisy Chain offers a hopeful backdrop for exploring human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.
Watch the muy cool trailer:
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Three Cups of Tea
Tonight my friend Carol treated me to a night at Dallas's Belo Mansion, where Austin College presented Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) with the Austin College Leadership Award. That honor came with a $100,000 check, which Mortenson told us he plans to use to grant college scholarships to girls--one of his daughter's passions.
Mortenson included in his address lots of anecdotes and great slides, not to mention fascinating stats and quotes. He explained that the Taliban targets girls' schools because warriors usually get their mothers' blessings before entering into jihad, and educated women usually say "no way."
I think I've mentioned that Mortenson wrote the best book I read last year. So I was happy to hear he has just put the finishing touches on a sequel.
Mortenson included in his address lots of anecdotes and great slides, not to mention fascinating stats and quotes. He explained that the Taliban targets girls' schools because warriors usually get their mothers' blessings before entering into jihad, and educated women usually say "no way."
I think I've mentioned that Mortenson wrote the best book I read last year. So I was happy to hear he has just put the finishing touches on a sequel.
Off to Mickey Land
I'm headed to Orlando in the morning to serve as co-leader of the writers track at Synergy. I'm so eager to hear what Lauren Winner (Girl Meets God) has to say about memoir writing!
I'm also up to my ears in my translation work at UTD. I have spent the past week or so looking at about 2,000 inscriptions from ancient Ephesus. I now have pages and pages of references to Artemis. In other cities Artemis was the goddess of the hunt. But the Ephesian Artemis--while she was a huntress--had a little different flavor. She was the goddess of childbearing. In fact Plutarch said the reason her first temple burned down was because she was away officiating at Alexander the Great's birth. (Greek gods/goddesses were not omnipresent, dontcha know.) Women preparing to deliver would take offerings to her temple and ask her to save them, either by killing them quickly with her arrows or by delivering them safely.
Artemis's second-born twin brother, Apollo, caused their mother to labor for nine days, so Artemis--who watched helplessly--asked her daddy Zeus to make her a virgin forever so she'd never have to endure that stuff. She is one of only three females in the ancient pantheon who was untouchable by love.
Many have taught that Artemis was a fertility goddess, but it looks like nothing could be further from the truth. She was more like a tomboy, anti-fertility goddess. I think this could account for why the apostle Paul affirms single-life-with-a-purpose living when writing to people in Corinth, but he encourages young widows to marry and have kids when writing to people in Ephesus.
I'm also up to my ears in my translation work at UTD. I have spent the past week or so looking at about 2,000 inscriptions from ancient Ephesus. I now have pages and pages of references to Artemis. In other cities Artemis was the goddess of the hunt. But the Ephesian Artemis--while she was a huntress--had a little different flavor. She was the goddess of childbearing. In fact Plutarch said the reason her first temple burned down was because she was away officiating at Alexander the Great's birth. (Greek gods/goddesses were not omnipresent, dontcha know.) Women preparing to deliver would take offerings to her temple and ask her to save them, either by killing them quickly with her arrows or by delivering them safely.
Artemis's second-born twin brother, Apollo, caused their mother to labor for nine days, so Artemis--who watched helplessly--asked her daddy Zeus to make her a virgin forever so she'd never have to endure that stuff. She is one of only three females in the ancient pantheon who was untouchable by love.
Many have taught that Artemis was a fertility goddess, but it looks like nothing could be further from the truth. She was more like a tomboy, anti-fertility goddess. I think this could account for why the apostle Paul affirms single-life-with-a-purpose living when writing to people in Corinth, but he encourages young widows to marry and have kids when writing to people in Ephesus.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
More Ways to Save Money
In these trying economic times we need to tighten our belts. So here are some suggestions:
. Eat in. And cook ahead using a crock pot. Compared to ovens, crock pots use little electricity.
. Reserve Starbucks for special occasions. The rest of the time, make your own coffee.
. Pack a sack lunch. Throw in an apple a day and you’ll keep your doc happy at the same time.
. Before grocery shopping, make a list and eat a meal. Remember what your mama told you—shopping on an empty stomach means everything looks more appealing.
. Pay off debt ASAP. If you get a tax refund, make a donation to a local food kitchen and use the rest to make an extra payment on your mortgage principal. Okay, spend a little on yourself, too--catch a matinee.
. Borrow books and videos from the library. This semester I got some books through interlibrary loan when my own library didn’t have them. I saved about $65.
When I ran a blog post in this subject four months ago, here’s what you all suggested:
. Use cash. (Those who use credit cards instead of cash spend 30% more.) When you see what you're spending, you are more intentional.
. Simplify birthdays. Kids don't need parties that cost hundreds of dollars. Cake at home and backyard games are so much fun!
. Invite friends over. Hosting is a more affordable option than eating out.
. Walk your child to school. You save gas, the environment, and your gym fee.
. Find a bakery thrift store.
. Start a food swap. "My sister and I have been part of one for years and it saves us so much money. At the beginning of the week four women cook a meal (just the main part). We quadruple it, separate it into Gladware dishes, and then we all swap. I cook one time (which = more time to do other things), get to buy in bulk, and end up with four different meals—some of which I never would have thought of myself. We love it!"
. "We're keeping our heat turned down a bit lower and heating the areas we're actually in, rather than the entire house—which means wearing sweaters and warm socks, wrapping in blankets or robes during the day, bundling up at bedtime, and drinking hot tea to warm up. It's a lot cheaper than cranking the heater up to warm 85% of the home we are not using."
Even while cutting back in these dismal times, be sure to keep art, beauty, and generosity in your life. Frequent museums and play background music when at home. When you see flowers on sale, buy a bouquet to beautify your kitchen. And bear in mind that many non-profit organizations serving a growing number of homeless folks really need your help. So give liberally. Be frugal with yourself, generous with those in need.
. Eat in. And cook ahead using a crock pot. Compared to ovens, crock pots use little electricity.
. Reserve Starbucks for special occasions. The rest of the time, make your own coffee.
. Pack a sack lunch. Throw in an apple a day and you’ll keep your doc happy at the same time.
. Before grocery shopping, make a list and eat a meal. Remember what your mama told you—shopping on an empty stomach means everything looks more appealing.
. Pay off debt ASAP. If you get a tax refund, make a donation to a local food kitchen and use the rest to make an extra payment on your mortgage principal. Okay, spend a little on yourself, too--catch a matinee.
. Borrow books and videos from the library. This semester I got some books through interlibrary loan when my own library didn’t have them. I saved about $65.
When I ran a blog post in this subject four months ago, here’s what you all suggested:
. Use cash. (Those who use credit cards instead of cash spend 30% more.) When you see what you're spending, you are more intentional.
. Simplify birthdays. Kids don't need parties that cost hundreds of dollars. Cake at home and backyard games are so much fun!
. Invite friends over. Hosting is a more affordable option than eating out.
. Walk your child to school. You save gas, the environment, and your gym fee.
. Find a bakery thrift store.
. Start a food swap. "My sister and I have been part of one for years and it saves us so much money. At the beginning of the week four women cook a meal (just the main part). We quadruple it, separate it into Gladware dishes, and then we all swap. I cook one time (which = more time to do other things), get to buy in bulk, and end up with four different meals—some of which I never would have thought of myself. We love it!"
. "We're keeping our heat turned down a bit lower and heating the areas we're actually in, rather than the entire house—which means wearing sweaters and warm socks, wrapping in blankets or robes during the day, bundling up at bedtime, and drinking hot tea to warm up. It's a lot cheaper than cranking the heater up to warm 85% of the home we are not using."
Even while cutting back in these dismal times, be sure to keep art, beauty, and generosity in your life. Frequent museums and play background music when at home. When you see flowers on sale, buy a bouquet to beautify your kitchen. And bear in mind that many non-profit organizations serving a growing number of homeless folks really need your help. So give liberally. Be frugal with yourself, generous with those in need.
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