CFB Christmas Play Watch: Evangel Cathedral

Evangel Cathedral Presents the 16th Annual Christmas Celebration'
Location: Evangel Cathedral, 13901 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD
Date: Saturday, December 1 - Sunday, December 16, 2007

Info: Reminiscent to the Black Nativity this production chronicles the life and death of Christ. 12 productions run over 3 weekends. Guest starring Grammy Award winning gospel recording artist, Vicki Winans and Pastor Marvin Sapp.

For more information. Evangel Christmas Celebration

Rating: Splitting Harriett

I haven't done a book review in a minute. But as I prepare for my Gospel Fiction Top Ten and Christian 25 Countodwn in December I thought I would post a review, so that you can see how I build my ratings.


Title: Splitting Harriet
Author: Tamara Leigh
ISBN: 9781590529287
Publisher: Multnomah
Rating: 3.5 stars

It's hard to believe that holier-than-though Harri could have been a prodigal preacher's daughter. She whines too much about the good old days to be real. But when she meets Pastor Maddox McCray, who seems to destroying her father's legacy at First Grace the bad girl blasts out, along with her Jelly Belly addiction.

Favorite line excerpt...

Overwhelmed by the thrill of being on a motorcycle again and an awareness of the man in front of me, I stiffly hold myself as far apart from him as possible. A moment later, we're on the road, and the warm night air turns cools as the motorcycle stirs it to life, I draw a breath and am struck by the scents of grass, pine, dust, pavement, and Maddox.

This romantic comedy is cute and quaint, but there is stilted in the dialogue between the characters. There is a moment between Harrri and her brother, Tyler that could have been more heartwarming, but Leigh's commitment to keep the tone light made the moment feel more glossed over than 3D.

I often question whether an author can pull off writing a story that has two internal plots going: a romance and a spiritual journey. How can a story like that be balanced and entertaining without one losing its value. In this case I think it didn't. However, I do know that its sweetness and contemporary setting is lovable enough for a reader to enjoy. (Nov, pp382, $12.99)

Rating breakdown
1. Character - .5
2. Plot- 1
3. Theme/Orthdoxy- 1
4. Style/Flow- .5
5. Voice- .5

Is Being A Good Girl Stressing You Out?

This weekend I was forced to step down from leading my girlscout troop. Parents felt that I could no longer lead their girls, and I agree. I am not who I was last year. Back then I wanted to reclaim my suburban life--the one I had before I became disabled. I wanted my husband back. I wanted a new home. I wanted people to stop judging me because I don't have money, I can't work, I can't give the latest, trendiest toys, clothes, things to Selah. I hated her teachers judging her because I am poor and black. I hated having constantly explain why I'm poor. I wanted more than anything to move into house and be treated like somebody that mattered.

So I joined PTA, GirlScouts, a popular neighborhood church and tried to live a good, promising life. At the same time I lost my time to write, my time to pray, my time to enjoy my family. And eventually my common sense. I began making careless mistakes, not getting enough sleep, and losing a child.

Last month my second child should have been burn. On it's birthday I made myself stop and think about my life. Is this the life God has for me? Or am I trying to make myself fit into a world I wasn't created to be a part of in the first place.

I asked God to make me over. Remove what needs to be removed from my life. Now I didn't know that would mean having Girl Scout Parents hate me, making me stupid mistakes, getting sick or leaving Rico again. I don't want to leave him, but I can't live with him without God and I don't think he knows what that means, because I don't know how to define what that means. I'm at my mother's house writing my novel with Selah and wondering should I ever go back home. While here I just read an article in Christian Women Today featuring author, Lisa Samson. She speaks about leaving the suburbs and how she is reconnected with God and her family. I need to feel that. I want you read this article. I want you to pray for me and my family. Please.

NANOWRIMO: Fun Scenes First

I am rewriting Blessed to Kill this month as a part of the NANOWRIMO project. Last week I began with a goal to write 2000 words a day. I met that goal two days this week, so I have catching up to do. One thing that I realized yesterday that I had forgotten and should have done sooner was write my fun scenes first.

Why write fun scenes of your novel first?

1. It gets your juices going.
2. You can write them very quickly.
3. You can map out the novel at the same time in the manuscript.
4. You can build pathos by making sure that her highest high has an equal lowest low.
5. You can build up the courage to let her suffer.

What other reasons should you write the fun scenes first?

And how are you coming along with NANOWRIMO?

Christian Fiction Speedlink: Midnight Clear

CF's Speedlink is back. Thanks to my sweety for getting me running again. This speedlink comprises christian fiction information received between 11/01-11/07/07. Enjoy.

Writing Projects: Bloggers unite at NABLOPOMO. Write one post a day this month to participate. If I wasn't nanowrimoing I would do it.
Blog Tours: Lisa Samson's Hollywood Nobody. CFBA features

Robert Liparulo. Auditions: Disney's The Lion King.
Book discounts: Christmas Anthology Midnight Clear's BOGO: Buy 1 Get One Free. Features: Sherri Lewis, Stacy Hawkins Adams and Tia McCollors to name a few.
Blog Poll: Michael Snyder needs you to vote on the relvancy of his guest blogger.
Bookgiveaway: Camy's Loft: The Road Home: A Modern Retelling of Ruth’s Ancient Story
Book News: Lisa Samson's Quaker Summer was considered one of the best books of 2007 by Publisher's Weekly. Way to go, Lisa! ECPA and ChristianBookEXPO.com ready to go.
Blog to Read: Claudia Burney's Ragamuffin Diva. She's too many things. Love it. And love this pic of black jesus.

CFB News Brief: Dollar & Holywood

Televangelist Senate Investigaton
6 popular preachers, including 2 ministers here, Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Creflo Dollar in Atlanta are under investigation. Iowa Senator, Charles E. Grassley's investigations have led to changes in the American Red Cross and the Smithsonian to name a few.

"I’m following up on complaints from the public and news coverage regarding certain practices at six ministries," Grassley said. "The allegations involve governing boards that aren’t independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces. I don’t want to conclude that there’s a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

He sent letters to: Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.; Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church, Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas; David and Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo.; Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas; Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., and Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga.

Do you think that Grassley has a right to launch this investigation?

Holywood
Actress Naimi Imani co-founded a ministry to create inspirational films. She recently has founded "Let's Rise! Ministries" . This ministry's first mission is to provide financial support to holywood actresses. Submissions are currently being accepted at www.LettsRise.com.

Why do you think so many black actors are pursing Christian based films?

Chris Martin and Gerard Henry's Media Alliance
Gerard Henry, host of BET's Lift Every Voice and Christ "Play Martin" have united their companies to broaden and deepen their impact on urban Christian media. Henry's GerardHenry.com and Martin's 24Gospel.com will become the Strategic Alliance.

"Gerard Henry is a world-renowned personality, minister and leader within and throughout the urban and gospel community. As the weekly host of BET’s "Lift Every Voice" airing each and every Sunday Afternoon, Gerard Henry has been an instrumental visionary in advancing the Gospel worldwide. This timely alliance between GerardHenry.com and 24Gospel.com will demonstrate the power of individuals and organizations to reach greater audiences, more effectively, utilizing the power and efficiency of the Internet," said Christopher Martin.

For more information, check out the new 24Gospel.com and GerardHenry.com, by clicking on either of the following two links or visiting the following web-portals: www.24Gospel.com (or) www.GerardHenry.com

Question:Do you tune into Christian media outlets? Which ones?

Are you More Artistic than a 1rst Grader?

If I try to imagine God’s essence, and think, for example, of the infiniteness of time, I get lost in a mixture of dismay and excitement. I sense the order and harmony that suggest intelligence, and I discover, with a slight shiver, that my own language becomes evangelical. –Toni Morrison, an excerpt from Antonio Monda’s Do you Believe? Conversations on God and Religion.

Imagine a blue world with spaceships that look like the perfect big bubble, and time machines just as cute and simple, and smiling children who travel through time in both these spheres. Imagine them moving and loving a world void of past, future and present.

A first grade student in my daughter’s school created this world in a visual arts piece that is displayed alongside seventeen other Reflections art entries from our school (including Selah’s photography) at the Hudgens Children Arts Museum in Suwanee, GA. He made this picture with mix media: crayon, pen, marker, and watercolor crayon. It is one of the purest and sweetest things I’ve ever seen.

Experiencing this art reminded me of three important truths about what a master’s artist possesses:

Continue reading "Are you More Artistic than a 1rst Grader?" »