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Watched Happily N'Ever After with the twins the other afternoon.  Not bad, particularly compared to some other recent recasting of fairy tales which we've not let cross the threshold of our house.  According to Hayley and Ellen, Ricky's the best part of film, just over the dwarves.  But Ellen was hoping for more fairy tale characters from diverse stories being engaged instead of focusing on Cinderella.  After the film, they enjoyed playing the bonus feature games which worked with our DVD player. 

Over dinner we discussed the difference between fairy tales characters/stories and the Word of God (apologies to Tolkien, further development will occur at a later age).  As to my personal reaction to the film, I agree with Christianity Today's review in that Frieda's appearance is exaggeratedly sexy and that the Prince would have benefited from some development.   But overall there is only so much character development for such a piece and the main characters evidenced enough for me. 

Our beautiful morning in Eagles Mere, PA, included some purchases at the bookstore (for more read Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?), treats at the sweet shop, and a conversation with the village potter.

For more of Kathy's work visit here.

After a weekend at the cabin (pics coming shortly), I returned to a lot of webmail.  Among the NY Times daily news feeds, I found Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading? How ironic to read the piece on-line and to share it with you in this manner!

Today, Randy Pausch passed away.  Pray for his family and friends as they walk through this time of grief and transition.  In addition pray for the gift of creativity to continue to flow through his colleagues and those whom he mentored at the CMU's Entertainment Technology Center.  The CMU news story is posted here and the Chronicle of Higher Education here.

Miller, who is thankful for the months he was able to be close to Francis and Edith Schaeffer at Swiss L'Abri and go with them on their Christmas vacation at the Matterhorn area, passed along the below quote from  Colin Duriez's Francis Schaeffer:  An Authentic Life.

This summer our chidren's/elementary age Sunday school has focused upon the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5). Have you ever taught children the 7th Commandment: Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery?  Not a hot topic for adult or children's Christian education! Earlier today when asked for ideas, I patched together the below material from a variety of sources (not to mention some thoughts of my own).  Would anyone else have suggestions of ideas/material/exercises/illustrations to add?  Note:  Maybe another post should focus just on the significant value of teaching this commandment -- anyone have a comment? 

Let me encourage you to take a few minutes to read Tony Snow's The Unexpected Blessings of Cancer.  As you read the article give praise for Bush's former Press Secretary's testimony and continue to remember his family and friends in prayer.  Below's an excerpt from the Christianity Today piece which sets the stage in the proper manner.  

This question came up as part of an on-line discussion group AND it caught my attention as I've been reading Carlton O. Wittlinger's Quest for Piety and Obedience in preparation for the August Brethren in Christ History and Values course taught by E. Morris Sider (Note:  more from the course as I get to it).  Here's some material from Wittlinger's Quest for Piety and Obedience which I shared:

I've mentioned Following Christ 08 several times before (e.g., N.T. Wright on the Colbert Report, Prayer for 2008-2009 Planning, Where should young emerging evangelicals turn for care and feeding), but how about a give-away of three $30 Amazon.com gift certificates. (Watch the video to learn how to enter.)