Fairy Tales seem ingrained in us. We read them as children, and they form the structure for virtually every epic story mankind has ever told. A prince fights to rescue the princess from the dragon/tower/wicked stepmother, and they live happily...
Read moreTurning Traitor
In the movie “How to Train Your Dragon,” the hero – Hiccup – is in a tough spot. If you’re born into his town, you grow up to be a big, strong Viking who kills dragons. Hiccup is not big (a “talking fishbone”), and though he’s the...
Read moreIt's Not About the Benjamins
When I was in high school, a band called Big Tent Revival came out with a song called, “Two Sets of Joneses.” It told the story of two couples (both with the last name of “Jones”): Rothschild and Evelyn, and Reuben and...
Read morePutting Clothes on the Emperor
I read a lot of bedtime stories these days, and one of our favorites is the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. You remember that one: two sleazy tailors agree to make the emperor a new suit (payment in advance). Of course, on delivery day, they...
Read moreTear down and rebuild
I swear to you that the Lord of the Rings theme this week is entirely unintentional. I saw Frank post his yesterday and sent him a message saying that I already had this one ready for today. At least we didn’t pick the same topic -Clay What...
Read moreMy Precious
In The Lord of the Rings, there’s a tragic character known as Gollum. Once a Hobbit, Gollum discovers the “One Ring” and becomes enslaved by his love for it, frequently refering to it as “my precious.” His outer body withers just as...
Read moreA Slow Burn
I’m always amused by people from outside the South who seem to think we have no appreciation for true art. And while there are many among us who have – ahem – interesting taste in something they refer to as “lawn art,” I would...
Read moreWhen Things Don't Go According to Plan
On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 blasted off on a mission to the moon. As the movie pointed out, the mission was largely overlooked since the moon had already been visited, and with the exception of Apollo 1, space travel had been made to look about...
Read moreOur daily bread
Before I get into this, I have to admit something. I’ve not always been the most faithful reader of the Bible. Sure, I’m always reading articles, books, stories, illustrations, whatever, about the Bible but it always seemed difficult...
Read moreReverse the Curse
There’s a legend surrounding the Old Testament story of Nimrod that’s fairly interesting. The name probably sounds vaguely familiar. Nimrod was Noah’s great-grandson, and his mention in Genesis is not particularly lengthy. He is described only as...
Read moreReady, set, wait…
Imagine that you are a world class sprinter, ready for the 100 meter finals in the Olympics (it’s difficult for me to imagine it too, but just go with it). Your coach has been getting you all revved up for the race, your body is in prime...
Read moreI Am the Job
In the movie, Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock plays FBI Agent Gracie Hart. With most FBI Agents apparently being male, it’s something of a guys’ club – and in order for Hart to make it as a girl, she’s become more masculine than many of...
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