Monday Jan. 30 Christian Culture Watch

‘NARNIA’ HITS STORES APRIL 4. Disney will release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on single and dual-disc DVD versions April 4. Both will include optional pop-up windows throughout the film with facts on the movie and author C.S. Lewis. The dual-disc will include bonus features, including a concept booklet, a making-of featurette, an interactive Narnia map, and more.
In other news, Disney agreed to acquire Steve Jobs’ Pixar Animation for $6.3 billion in stock plus $1.1 billion of the company’s cash, according to MarketWatch.

THE AFTERS SONG ON MTV, MAJOR MOVIE. Christian rock band The Afters’ song “Beautiful Love” on their album I Wish We All Could Win (INO/Provident-Integrity) will be the theme song on MTV’s new show 8th & Ocean airing this spring. The song will also appear in Lindsay Lohan’s new movie, Just My Luck, coming in May 2006.

Must-have worship albums

Caedmon's Call follows up on their 2001 worship album with In the Company of Angels II: The World Will Sing to release March 7. Mark your calendars--this album is definitely worth buying (at your local Christian store :-)
Watermark--Nathan and Christy Nockels--are saying goodbye after more than a decade of music-making. Their farewell concert is recorded on the live album, A Grateful People.
Their friends Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, Shane & Shane, and others join them for an unforgetable worship album.
Pre-order A Grateful People for just $12.97 through FamilyChristian.com and get 5 FREE .mp3 downloads of Watermark's greatest studio hits including "Gloria," "More Than You'll Ever Know," "Take Me There," "The Glory Of Your Name" and "Where To Find Me." Download instructions will be sent via email at the time of pre-order purchase. Offer valid through 3/7/06. Offer not in stores.

End of the Spear gets mixed reviews

Every Tribe Entertainment’s End of the Spear, the true story of five missionaries slain by Waodani tribesmen, opened in approximately 1,162 theaters nationwide Friday, Jan. 20.
The PG-13 film gained mixed reviews and spawned debates whether the Gospel is explicit enough and why the leading role went to a practicing homosexual. However, Christian leaders such as FamilyLife and American Bible Society presidents publicly commended the film, which ranked in the top 10 at the box office and grossed an estimated $4.7 million over the weekend.
What do you think--of the film and the "controversy"?

Great new band alert

Sparrow records recently announced that along with Atlantic/Lava, it will simultaneously release the debut project from NEEDTOBREATHE, the band poised to be “the next big thing.”
Their album Daylight was recorded in the UK and produced by Andy Green, (of Keane’s multi-platinum “Hopes and Fears”).
It streets nationwide April 4, 2006.
I’ve listened to the 11 tracks on the pre-release, and I’m diggin’ it. Unfortunately I can’t share the whole thing with you, but if you go to, http://www.myspace.com/needtobreathe, you can hear three songs.
Take a listen and let me know what you think.

The Outdoor Bible review

Finally, outdoor enthusiasts can carry a Bible on excursions without worrying about its pages getting waterlogged or torn.
The Outdoor Bible’s waterproof, tear-resistant pages are printed on 100% plastic that feels like paper. The only threats are 150-degree temperatures and petroleum products. Ballpoint pens work to make notes and mark passages, but highlighters will smudge off.
The complete NASB New Testament comes in six rugged booklets stored inside a burlap bag. The first volume is Matthew and Mark; volume 2, Luke; volume 3, John; volume 4, Acts and Romans; volume 5, 1 Corinthians through Philemon; volume 6, Hebrews through Revelation.
The folding format can be confusing at first, but instructions adequately explain how to use it. The durable design modeled after outdoor maps is ideal for readers who desire a small, lightweight version, or those who only want to pack a book or two of Bible.
Other versions and the Old Testament would be welcome additions. Bardin & Marsee say they’ll release the KJV this year.Recommend not only to outdoor enthusiasts, but also to travelers, or those prone to spilling on or ripping Bible pages.

The Run of My Life

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. –Isaiah 40:31

This is one of my life verses. Call me crazy, but I love to run. Though I may never set any records (besides my own), I feel God’s pleasure when I run, just like Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire.
Sunday I ran the P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Arizona half-marathon in Phoenix.

Even though I trained hard for 12 weeks I almost didn’t go. I thought it would be too expensive, too much of a hassle. Though it wasn’t cheap or easy, it was worth every penny and drop of sweat—and then some.

Thanks to my dear friend Ruth who encouraged me to seize the day (and to take pictures along the way)!

At each mile mark I kept being surprised at how good I felt. I started worrying what would happen when I finally reached mile 13. But I banished those futile thoughts and repeated in my head, “God gives joy for the journey and strength for each step.”
Life is so much like running. It’s not just about the finish line. All we have right now is this one step, this moment of this day. If we race well now, we’ll finish well later.
One mile at a time (averaging 7:50) I finished in 1:42, had fun, enjoyed the sun and felt really good during the run.

It's Not About Me

When I read other people’s blogs, I get discouraged and downtrodden as I start to compare myself to their pretty pictures, well-spoken words, and fascinating lives of accomplishment.
I confess—one reason I haven’t posted recently is nothing I say will be clever enough to compete in comparison. But by the grace of God I’m recognizing the lies I’m so prone to believe.
I suppose society has taught me to compete and compare (isn’t that what races are all about?), but God’s society teaches that I am unique and special no matter what anyone else says or thinks. You are too.
We each have our very own purpose and reason why we were placed on this planet. Yet we share common purposes—like building others up. I want my blog to be a place where others come to be encouraged. When I get so focused on impressing I get choked up and cant’ do any blessing. I must remind myself it’s not about me.
I’d rather bless than impress. And so I’m renaming my blog “It’s Not About Me.”