What Would You Do?

Do I appreciate beauty? A friend said that, "we like what we know, not the other way around."

Pomp and Cookies

Yesterday, our precious China Doll Meileah "graduated" from pre-kindergarten. (Don't get me started on the word graduation.)

We are very proud of all she's learned this year. We're grateful for the friends she made.

At the end of the party, her teacher showed a slide show. I invite you to return to the land of glue on fingertips and counting to five.

So Jesus Will Dance with Cinderella

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family tonight as they grieve the tragic loss of their five-year-old daughter, Maria.

Steven Curtis Chapman and his family mean much to me.

As a younger teenager, I marveled at a very talented guy on the stage of "Country Music USA" at Opryland. Steven spent a few summers buck dancing on the stages, imitating Hank Williams, and writing cool songs.

As a older teenager, I listened to songs like, "My Redeemer is Faithful and True" and appreciated the tenderness and turn of a phrase.

As a guy in my 20s, I met him while at FamilyLife. He was interviewed for the broadcast. I had the privilege of chatting briefly with him.

As a guy in my 30s, I was inspired when he and his wife adopted. As an adopted child, I know the value of adoption. Their story moved my wife and me "off the dime" to adopt ourselves.

His daughter Maria is part of the inspiration behind his smash hit, "Cinderella." My daughter, Elisa, and I are dancing to that song with 14 other dads and daughters. The "Father Daughter Dance" is always a hit at the end-of-the-year recital. Elisa's last dance recital is coming up in about 30 days. I've heard the song hundreds of times over the last few weeks and have looked into my daughter's eyes as she dances with me for many of them. With two more daughters at home I can't imagine what the Chapmans are feeling.

As we prayed as a family tonight, Elisa said, "You know Dad, I'm the same age as (the driver whose name is suppressed) and Meileah is the same age as Maria. That's scary."

It brought the tragedy into our den.

Here is the song...and the story behind the song.

Please pray for them.

The Best (Paid) Chef I Know

Last night, my wife whipped up a dinner of porkchops, au gratin potatoes, and pineapple casserole. Yummy. She's a great cook and I love to eat her creations. She's my favorite chef.

My friend, Keith Snow, is paid to create amazing recipes and teach others how to fix them. His website www.harvesteating.com is full of fresh to table recipes that are easy to prepare and healthy for the body.

Keith is competing in the National Restaurant Association's YouTube contest.

Please watch the attached video and vote for Keith!

Strong as an Oke

Jeanette Oke is one of Christian Fiction's most beloved authors. Her "Love Comes Softly" series of books has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. Michael Landon, Jr. has taken on the film adaptations as a labor of love.

Hallmark Channel has boosted their ratings with every airing from the series.

I recently had the privilege of writing a Biblical discussion guide for the latest: Love's Unfolding Dream. I invite you to download the guide.

The movie is showing periodically on Hallmark Channel and will be available to buy or rent on May 6.

Ace of Hearts Entertains a Full House

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
Superman has a dog. Sort of.

Ace of Hearts is a new film from 20th Century Fox and Reader's Digest starring Dean Cain. Inspired by a popular true story from the pages of Reader's Digest, this movie has a heavy dose of Nancy Drew, and a few marriage lessons from the pages of 7th Heaven.

I had the privilege of creating a Junior Detectives Guide to help kids and families enjoy the movie and bring the message home.

I invite you to download the detectives guide. The movie is available for rent of sale beginning March 6.

Moondance Alexander NOW out on video

In a recent post, I introduced you to Moondance Alexander, a new movie from 20th Century Fox. I had the privilege of creating a Biblical discussion guide. It's now available to download.

Moondance Alexander is now available to rent or purchase. Focus on the Family is promoting the film via their email news.

Enjoy:

Moondance Alexander is the story of how hope changes a girl with
no friends, a horse trainer with no clients, and a horse with no
pedigree. This new movie, distributed by Fox Faith, is inspired
by a true story.

In real life, co-producer and co-writer Janeen Damian struggled to find her place in the world. She befriended a German man who knew how to train horses. Together, they helped her pinto pony Checkers ride and jump to competition success.

This family adventure features an all-star cast, including Don Johnson, Olympic-skating silver medalist Sasha Cohen, Lori Loughlin and Kay Panabaker. Life is a rough ride for awkward, friendless, 15-year-old Moondance (Panabaker). But when a Pinto pony named Checkers leaps into her life, Moondance pursues a dream she never knew she had. Convinced that Checkers has champion potential, she enters him in the Bow Valley Classic, and in the process learns only perseverance lands you in the winner’s circle. Directed by Michael Damian, and featuring an irresistible soundtrack, Moondance Alexander is an uplifting story the whole family will enjoy.

Rekindled Dreams

In 1995, my wife and I almost bought the historic theatre in downtown Augusta, Georgia. We were planning on selling our house to buy the soon-t0-be-auctioned property. I had already turned in my resignation.

But then the phone rang. Twice.

The first call was from our real estate agent in Augusta. He had walked through the property on our behalf. When he opened the door on the projection room, the sky greeted him. The roof had caved in. Ouch. What should we do now?

The second call was from our architect . I had hired a local firm to put together a restoration plan and budget. The city government and the historic council were chipping in $250,000. I was hoping our price tag would be around $250,000. Boy, was I wrong: $1.1 million to do what we wanted to do.

I begged for my job back and pulled our envelope from the auction.

Dream dead. Or at least postponed.

When the Franklin Cinema went on the market, several friends called me and urged me to buy it. "This was my dream," they'd say.

I'd reply, "But I don't have the money."

Soon, the papers announced the Historic Preservation Society's plans.

Dream dead. Or postponed again.

Two recent news stories have piqued my interest in this crazy dream.

I receive a newsletter from an organization in Alabama. They recently invested in Village Roadshow's new cinema venture coming to the United States. I love the sound of these theatres.

A few days ago, I heard NPR talk about the resurgence of drive-ins.

Oh dreams, stay with me long enough. Maybe in the next 20 years, I'll make it.