DOES ART EDUCATION HELP THE BRAIN AND LEARNING?

Please see my recently published article addressing this question!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/561349/does_art_education_help_the_brain_and.html

Carnival Celebrations World Wide

Today marks the beginning of Carnival celebrations across the world. And the countdown of one week until Fat Tuesday has begun! The week long celebrations are usually opened with the Rei Momo (or Carnival King) with the ceremonial key to the city.

For details and a brief history of major Carnival celebrations, see MSN's World Party: Carnival Around the Globe slide show.

The roots and history of carnival celebrations date back as early as the 1200's and span the entire globe. Each country has slightly different traditions and style, but parades, costumes, masks and a good time can be found everywhere you can imagine.

Carnevale in Venice, Italy:


Venice is well-known for its decorative masks, usually made from papier-mâché or leather; their use in Carnival dates to the 13th century.

Carnival in Rio de Janiero, Brazil:


The samba is the lifeblood of Carnival here, and the creativity of the Brazilian people is expressed in dance, music and costume.

Fasching in Cologne, Germany:


More than a million spectators crowd the streets each year for Cologne’s huge street festival. The official Carnival season begins at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, and continues until Ash Wednesday, though most of the celebrating takes place in the final week.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana USA:


The Carnival celebration in New Orleans is one of the world’s most famous. For two weeks the city is abuzz with parades, masquerade balls, feasts and music.

Here is a special story I found: A Survival Guide to Carnival in Rio.

It's not too late to get in on the Carnival and Mardi Gras dress up action! www.MardiGrasCostumes.com offers same day shipping on most orders received by 3pm EST and rush delivery is available with shipping options as fast as next business day for orders placed by 3pm EST. See the website for Mardi Gras shipping deadlines or contact customer service: 1-877-413-8747.

Chapter 72.4: Thank You, Omar

It's a long, long baseball season, and even months in first place doesn't guarantee that your team will be there at the end. Case in point: the 2007 Mets.

But my Mets have taken a much needed and long awaited step toward absolution for the 2007 season by acquiring a man who may be the best pitcher in baseball. Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is on the brink of joining the Mets. All that stands in the way is a multi-million dollar contract, which is expected to land in the realm of $150 million for seven years. By the time the new stadium opens next year, I'll count myself lucky to still be able to afford to watch them play on television.

But I can always read a paper, and I look forward to recounting around twenty wins next season and perhaps even another Cy Young Award for Mr. Santana. Welcome to New York, Johan. We're happy to see you. Now win.

Marvel Comics Creator Stan Lee Interview

What would our world be like without Stan Lee and his genius imagination? Marvel is not just the comic company's name, but also a verb describing what a fan like me does while revering his work. It's hard to imagine a world with no Spiderman, no Hulk, no Iron Man, no X-Men, and so many other characters that we have grown up with and love; not to mention hundreds of other super heroes whose creators were inspired by this man's imagination and talent. The costume scene would be pretty baron without these classic characters to dress up as.

So glad that Mahalo Daily recently interviewed Mr. Lee, who answers Marvel Comic fans' questions in this video:


Notice the subtle shot at Superman (a DC Comic Hero with dandruff?)
Plus:

• Stan lee's favorite and least favorite cameo appearance?
• Who would win a battle Hulk vs. Iron Man?
• Hugh Hefner (The Hef) a secret agent spy man?
  

EXCELESIOR to Mahalo Daily for a job well done!

Star Trek Enterprise Video Cams

Trekie Alert!

J.J. Abrams has released a new website in relation to the new Star Trek movie that is slated to be released Christmas Day. The web site appears to be live cams filming the construction of the USS Enterprise.

Chapter 72.3: Even More Competition

This story from the Los Angeles Times made me wince. It hadn't occurred to me that in addition to the writers' strike consigning us all to a springtime of reality shows sprouting up like weeds, it will also pose a new challenge to authors (like myself) hoping to break into the ranks of the publishing world.

Those people who are able to spin teleplays to us over the TV screens are looking for something else to fill their time as the strike continues. So they've turned back to the novels they said they'd write "eventually." Well, Eventually has arrived, and these people should have the discipline to actually finish their work, unlike the people like me who have strong drafts that need a little tweaking but who put that off to do things like attend a Burns Supper on a Saturday night and recover the next morning (to read, mostly).

Ok, that's not so bad. People have to enjoy life in order to write well about it. And I'm not truly threatened by the "increased" competition that's out there, primarily because the industry is so difficult to get into any way that these other writers don't really scare me. What's another hundred zombies (ick) when you're already up against ten thousand?

So bring it on, writers' strike! Challenge me! Challenge us all. As long as we all get some good books out of it, I say: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the competition, I will fear no evil.

Seung Mina appears

It’s been tougher than normal to get to some good updates due to a recent major life event. Catching up on some recent items:


Lost Planet PS3
I really wish they were porting Dead Rising to PS3 and adding new characters. I had a good time with Lost Planet on 360, but it’s not a title I want to play again (at least until the proper sequel comes out).

Hats for everyone
Kingdom Under Fire Circle of Doom has been dogged by terrible reviews and based off the demo I played, I would agree with them. Even so I’m keeping track of the many costume developments just in case there is something so amazing that makes me want to give it a second chance. The packs that have been released are pretty lame, especially since you have to buy them!

Virtua Fighter 5 Online patch and custom packs
A few weeks ago a cool patch for VF5 360 came out introducing a host of fixes. The cool thing is that the patch allows you to mix and match some pants from different costume sets (pants from costume A can now be used with costume B, etc). Doesn’t sounds like much, but it should make for some great combinations. Three other packs that you have to buy are also out now, but I haven’t been able to find any pics online. Based off forum posts, the first pack is pretty good, but the other two are crappy. VF5 360 is still on my “eventually buy” list so I can’t test anything out just yet.


Seung Mina/Maxi/Yun-Seong
Pics of Seung Mina, Maxi, and Yun-Seong from Soul caliber IV have started to make the rounds. Seung Mina appears to have received the upper body boost that all the ladies are sporting in SCIV. It’s strange that so many new screens are being released regularly for SCIV, but not very much for Tekken 6, which is supposed to come out sooner. Odd.

No More Heroes
There’s been almost no time for recreational gaming since the baby, but I still had to buy No More Heroes. I loved Killer 7 and I’ve been following NMH for a long time. Sounds like the game has gameplay flaws and I’m prepared for them.

Chapter 72.2: Burns Supper

We're about to head out for a Burns Supper. For those who aren't familiar with them, Burns Suppers are the annual remembrance of the Scottish bard, Robert Burns, who is best known for the poem Auld Lang Syne as well as A Man's a Man For A' That, To a Louse, and To a Mouse. Burns was born on January 25, 1759, so next year will be a hearty anniversary indeed!

Of course, at a Burns Supper, you can't enjoy the night without the Address to a Haggis. While people usually have a bad impression of haggis -- primarily because it's cooked in stomach lining -- it's actually not all that bad. And it goes well with scotch.

In keeping with the life of Rabbie Burns, who fathered at least eleven children, a Burns Supper has a tendency to be filled with vitality and fun. Ribald stories are often told in addition to respectful recollections about the bard himself. But like most special dinners, it's mostly about community getting together and sharing a meal and a pleasant time. Aye.

Chapter 72.1: Pitchers and Catchers

It's freaking cold outside! While I'm very happy about the Giants making the Super Bowl (more on that over the weekend), I'm getting a little antsy waiting for baseball. I just started reading Fantasyland by Wall Street Journal reporter Sam Walker, which is about how he fares in his first Rotisserie baseball experience, playing in one of the toughest leagues out there, Tout Wars.

I've been playing fantasy baseball for close to ten years now, though not in a formal Rotisserie league. My unfamiliarity with Roto drafts hasn't gotten in the way of my enjoying the book, which -- at least from a baseball fan's perspective -- is hilarious. Indeed, I'm finding the book inspiring; I will spend some time this weekend starting to analyze the players and getting a better sense of who I might want for my team. If the guys in my league are anything like those described in the book, I'm way behind already.

Baseball is an important part of my life. I know it's a game, but there's something that's so eternal about the sport that it transcends simple things like who won and who lost. Of course, I want my team to win, but I also enjoy being able to look back on the careers of players I've watched and discuss with other fans whether this guy was better than that guy or great plays from the past.

Yes, I'm a traditionalist, and I'm a guy who appreciates the little things that help teams win. As any fantasy baseball player out there reading this has probably determined, it's true: I suck at fantasy baseball.

So, with approximately twenty days to go before pitchers and catchers report, I issue a request: Give me your hungry, your tired, your poor tips for how I can improve my play. Tell me Web sites you find helpful. Leave a comment (anonymously is fine with me). What's in it for you? I don't know yet, but I'll at least give you the electronic equivalent of a hearty handshake and genuine thanks for well meaning advice.

I play in a free Yahoo head-to-head league with guys from work. For the first time we're going to include Holds. So I've got to figure out who the better middle relievers are and likely will be. I'm not sure where to start evaluating them and how they'll affect my staff. So any thoughts on that in particular would be appreciated.

CraftKitsForKids.com

Please remember I have lots of free printable kid crafts and coloring pages on my website. Take a look and remember, items are always being added so check back often!!!

http://www.craftkitsforkids.com/

Easter Sunday is March 23, 2008!

Easter always falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon of Spring. In 2008, this happens almost as early as possible, so we have an early Easter as well as an early Mardi Gras this year.

Please plan early for your Easter celebrations. EasterBunnyCostumes.com carries over 30 different Easter Bunny mascot costumes for you to choose from.

As well as all the multiplying rabbit costumes, they also have a full selection of biblical character costumes for both children and adults, which can be used for Passion Plays and displays for church and school presentations.

As well as the costumes, you will also find accessories: wigs and beards, hooked staffs and more.

And for makeup for your stage productions, visit www.StageAndTheaterMakeup.com. There you will find makeup and plenty of fake blood for reenactments of the death and birth of Christ.

Valentine's Day Dress-Up

What better way to make this Valentine’s Day special than to play a little dress-up?

You’ll really get his motor running with a sexy costume from anniescostumes.com.

And whether you’re feeling a little devilish or a little angelic, we’ve got fun, sexy costumes for you, as well.

Want to take matters into your own hands and play cupid yourself? This Cupid Cutie Costume should fit the bill. (Watch where you aim those arrows!)

Mardi Gras Cams - Watch the Parades & Celebrate New Orleans Style

Check out the Mardi Gras cams set up on www.MardiGras.com. They show the action on St. Charles Avenue from Fat Harry's.

Watch the Parades & Celebrate Mardi Gras New Orleans Style!

You can prepare for Mardi Gras with the fabulous masks and beads available at MardiGrasCostumes.com/beads.htm

DISCIPLE MAKERS BASIC TRAINING - Introduction

Coram Deo Church will begin its Disciple Makers Basic Training this Wednesday. For fourteen or so weeks we will gather as the “Called Out, Called Together, Called To Serve” Church to explore what it means to be a disciple maker. Each session will include a presentation of Biblically based content, a time of directed discussion and application, and some informal fellowship. Bring a Bible, a notebook, a writing utensil, and a desire to grow in faith, love and deeds. The sessions are family-integrated so I encourage whole families to attend.

Background
As I have researched discipleship programs I have concluded that modern individualism has radically influenced our concept of how disciples are made. Many discipleship programs seem to emphasize personal fulfillment rather than radical obedience to the commands of Scripture. This is no great surprise, since the recent church growth movement has drawn crowds into mega-facilities, but failed to make disciples of Jesus. The stunning admission by trend-setting Willow Creek Church, that their dynamic programming and small group emphasis did not produce self-feeding believers, should send a shock wave through the “seeker-sensitive” evangelical community.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-2, 8). I'd say it's time for some serious pruning.

The myth of separation between things sacred and things secular has become the default perspective of American culture, including many of those who call themselves born again believers. Most Christians send their children to secular schools and work at secular jobs. On Sundays they might spend a couple hours at church. That’s 2 out of 112 hours awake each week, or just under 2% of our time devoted to the things of God.

Some of us think we’re more committed to our walk of faith by listening to Christian radio. Some of us think we're evangelizing when we flash someone with a fish outline glued on the back of our car. Some of us think we're raising spiritual kids by dropping them off at a church youth group. Some of us join a small group and think we're rolling down the road of disipleship. In reality most of us do not really grow, or serve, or bear much fruit, says researcher George Barna. Mostly, we're content to be recipients of the spiritual work of others, rather than servants of Christ and His church, called to make disciples (Matthew 28:1-20).

The Challenge
God is sovereign over all of life. There is no secular realm beyond His authority. He owns all things and all people, and those He calls into His kingdom by faith, He calls to obedience and service as disciple-makers. Of course, in order to make disciples, one must first be a disciple. This means making a commitment to study the Bible, getting to know the person and teachings of Christ, then obeying everything He has commanded in His Word.

That’s where we’ll start in the Disciple Makers Basic Training. I look forward to breaking new ground with you in the service of our Lord. I will try to use this blog site as a way to keep online visitors up to date with our progress. Email me if you have any questions or comments.

In Christ,

Pastor John Sleadd
pastorjohnsleadd@gmail.com

Heath Ledger - Joker Star - Found Dead

So sad to hear and report that actor Heath Ledger was found dead in New York today. I am such a fan of his work in movies and feel so saddened and the news of his death. The New York Times web site blog reports he actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday afternoon in an apartment in Manhattan, according to the New York City police. Signs pointed to a suicide or an accidental overdose, police sources said. Mr. Ledger was 28. More Heath Ledger story details.

Coincidently for me, we are currently here in Vegas at a buying show previewing the costumes for Batman The Dark Knight movie and just yesterday we were watching the new Batman movie trailer and commenting on what a great job it looks like he has done in his role as The Joker.

And rather ironic is the "Why So Serious?" tag line for what will be his last character role. Evidently, he was a troubled young man and maybe should have took that saying a little more seriously.

We mourn the death of this great star and pay respects, but as they say in Hollywood, "The Show Must Go On" and business must go on too.

So for us in the costume industry, it begs the question, will this increase the popularity of his character and subsequent costume sales? After all, we are RIGHT in the middle of placing our orders as we speak (or type).

So with this make him a Hollywood Icon with a cult following? Comments and messages welcome.

Current Batman Costume selections at AnniesCostumes.com

Homemade Paint Recipes

I just had one of my articles published! There are lots of great homemade paint recipes for kids! If you could forward the article on to others, it would be appreciated...the more people that read it, the better for me! :) Thank you!

www.associatedcontent.com/article/554029/kids_love_to_paint.html

2008 Halloween Costume Preview

I know that some big Halloween fans may already be thinking and planning for Halloween 2008. It will definitely be a big year for Halloween parties since Leap Year puts Halloween on a Friday this year. We here at Extreme Halloween pretty much have Halloween on the brain all year long. Of course we pay attention and have costumes for every holiday and event, but Halloween is always our main focus.

Harold (my dad) and I are currently in Las Vegas at buying show put on by the largest costume wholesaler and manufacturer, Rubies Costume Co. Over the next 4 days we will see costumes from several different branches of costume wholesalers owned by Rubies and Rubies new 2008 costume line.


The most popular Halloween costumes are always driven by movies, TV, pop culture and fashion. Halloween 2008 will be a big year for movie costumes. I can already tell you what some of this year's most popular costumes and top selling Halloween costume themes will be.

1. Batman The Dark Knight (July 18, 2008) - Christian Bale returns as Batman in this sequel and getting much attention for his role as The Joker is Heath Ledger. Adults and Children costumes for Batman and The Joker will be very popular this Halloween.

2. Star Wars TV Series "The Clone Wars" (Fall 2008) - There are many Star Wars character costumes that will be coming out from this series, which is set to premiere this fall. Costume styles will be available for this new series as well as new classic Star Wars costumes never before available, like Hans Solo costume for children and adults and the Princess Leia Sexy Slave Costume for adults!
3. World of War Craft (Online Multi-Player Video Game) - This year there will see the debut licensed World of Warcraft Costumes available in adult sizes. Many different characters will be available and have the Blizzard seal of approval.
4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - (May 22, 2008) - Adult and Child costumes for Indiana Jones and Mutt Williams. This is one of the most anticipated films for Indy fans, since it has been 19 years since the last one.
5. Iron Man (May 2, 2008) - Robert Downey Jr. stars in this blockbuster super hero movie from Marvel Comics.
6. High School Musical 3 (October 24, 2008) The Grease of today's generation is releasing the third movie, which will be the last one to include the original actors. High School Musical costumes will be available for the first movie as well as the second one.
7. Hannah Montana (Disney TV Series) Miley Cyrus is the vivaciously adorable and talented actress, singer and dancer on this fun Disney show that is wildly popular with children of all ages.
8. Speed Racer (May 9, 2008) - There is a Speed Racer live action movie as well as a new animated Speed Racer Next Generation TV series premiering in 2008.
9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (November 21, 2008) - the 6th installment in this series. With each new Harry Potter movie come new costume designs
10. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16th 2008) - the second installment in this fantasy series based on the classic and amazing books by C.S. Lewis. Disney promises this movie will have more action than the first.
11. Power Rangers (Ongoing Disney TV Series) - These 5 jump-suited super heroes have been fighting evil in the galaxy for the last 16 years in this live action TV series and many straight to video DVD releases over the years.
12. Hell Boy II: the Golden Army (July 11, 2008) The sequel to this comic book series is based in a fantasy underground world and lends itself to some great costumes. The movie is directed by Guillermo Del Toro and Ron Perlman returns to the role of HellBoy.
13. The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008) This time Marvel's own production company has taken it upon themselves to re-do The Incredible Hulk movie. Ed Norton will make an awesome Bruce Banner and with the popularity of comic book movies and super hero movies, the timing is right and they can learn from the mistakes of the last Hulk film which did not do as well.


Check out trailers to these great costume movies:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9DF567B144C77D58

Iron Man Movie Trailer & New Star Trek Movie Teaser Trailer

Almost as exciting as Cloverfield, was the previews before it. 2008 will be a great year for costumes from movies.

More on the movie costumes later, but for now, check out the trailers!

Iron Man Trailer - the song makes it even better!



Star Trek Teaser Trailer:

Cloverfield is a Monster of a Hit at the Box Office

All the hype was definitely worth it all and well deserved - what an awesome flick! J.J. Abrams has redeemed the US for the Godzilla debacle. Cloverfield is set to break the 3 day January box office record according to filmjabber.com. The mystery, the marketing, the internet hype were all done so well and they had a great movie to back it all up too.

Well done - BRAVO!

Chapter 72: That's What I've Been Saying...

Finally, there's something I can point to that supports what I've been telling people about John McCain: He's a conservative, not a moderate. He's probably more conservative than President Bush in many areas.

Of course, I could have done the investigative work myself and misleadingly taken credit for espousing this viewpoint -- which is not exactly new, merely not commonly reported. But why bother right now? I'm not voting for him in the upcoming primary. I can wait for the national election if he's the Republican nominee, which I now think is how it'll work out. I've said before that McCain is a noble politician, and I still believe that. I respect this man. I'll have time to do the research.

Anyway, back to my point. The New York Times published the op-ed by Adrian Woolridge that I linked to above and added an "Editorial Observer" opinion piece by Francis X. Clines about the senator and his appeal to South Carolina primary voters.

I wish I had written this paragraph from Woolridge's piece:

There is a reason Republican primary voters are so confused by Mr. McCain. He is a Republican who is disliked by the hard core of his party but loved by many independents and Democrats. He is almost universally regarded as a moderate and a maverick, a combination that independents love and conservatives loathe. The trouble with this widespread understanding of Mr. McCain’s politics is that it is entirely wrong.

He goes on to explain that McCain's squabbles with other conservatives have been primarily to battle for principles he believes are not conservative enough. "He opposed torture because he thought it was a violation of the American tradition of human life and human rights," Woolridge writes. (As a moderate, I agree with him.) McCain's opposition to Bush's tax cuts were because he felt Congress was spending too much (that's a discussion for another time), and he promoted immigration reform "because he thought the 'conservative' alternative (encouraging illegal immigrants to go home) is unworkable economically and dubious morally." Yeah, I can see that, too.

What I like about McCain is that he is intelligent and takes reasoned stands on issues. Democrats could learn a lot from him, and I hope they do. And fast, because I think one of them is going to be running against him for president throughout the summer and into November.

Chapter 71.75: Antarctica Anniversary

In light of the death of Edmund Hillary -- and my own interest in things south of the border (as I continue to research and "pre-write" sections of my next novel) -- I thought I'd note the anniversary of Captain Scott arriving at the South Pole, where he discovered that he was late to the party. Roald Amundsen and his group had been there first.

The story of Captain Robert Falcon Scott is tragic and amazing, and one that I don't have time to go into right now. But check out the original story from the New York Times, which I've linked to above and here.

Santa of the Year Photo Contest Winners

From the Easter Bunny to Santa Claus . . . .

Announcing the winners of the Santa of the Year Photo Contest

SantaSuits.com just announced the winners of their annual Santa of the Year photo contest. There are 5 categories: Santa of the Year, Funniest Santa, Jr. Santa, Most Original Santa and Pet Santa.

And the winners are:

Santa of the Year:



Funniest Santa:


Jr. Santa:



Most Original Santa:

Pet Santa:


We had so many great entries, we thought we would share some of them with you. See more Santa of the Year entries.

3:10 TO YUMA Released on DVD

Based on the Elmore Leonard story, 3:10 TO YUMA is a riveting remake of the 1957 classic Western.

It's the story of Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a down-and-out rancher who lost his leg in the Civil War. With a wife and two sons, he is struggling to put food on the table, and unable to make payments on his land. When the notorious gunman Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) is apprehended nearby, a few local men are needed to escort him to the town of Contention so he can be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma Prison.

Few will volunteer for the job, as they know that Wade's ruthless gang will follow them, but Evans sees an opportunity to make some fast cash, and offers to go in exchange for $200. The small team of men set off and are later joined by Evans's young son William (Logan Lerman), who has run away from home to join them.

What follows is a race against time, as the group tries to get to Yuma without the clever and dangerous Wade outsmarting them.

Crowe is fantastic as the smooth-talking gunman, and Bale delivers a moving performance as the weary-eyed Evans. The two men are perfect foils for each other. Wade is the infamous gunman, living the high life on the wrong side of the law, while Evans, who has struggled to lead an honest life, has only faced one hardship after another.

It is a classic tale of good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and yet, by the story's end, it becomes harder to separate the good guys from the bad. As the clock ticks down, the film builds to an emotional nail-biter of an ending, reminiscent of BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID.

Get into the spirit of the Wild West with an Old West costume from anniescostumes.com.

Where did the Easter Bunny Come From?

Easter is Sunday, March 23, 2008

The traditions of painting Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny are ancient history - literally!

The ancient Greeks colored Easter Eggs and rabbits and hares (being such famously fertile animals) represent the fertility of Spring and are symbols of the rising fertility of the earth at the Vernal Equinox.. Eggs are also symbols of fertility, thusly, painted and decorated eggs were given as gifts representing new life. The name Easter is thought to have derived from Eostre, an ancient pagan goddess of Spring.

Yes, that's correct! Some Easter origins, as well as those of the Easter Bunny, come from pre-Christian lore. Dating back to the time before Jesus Christ, parents told their children to expect presents from a magic hare. Since hares are quite rare in many regions, the bunny rabbit widely replaced the hare; this is how the Easter Bunny has become so famous now. Eostre is related to the German Ostara; and according to a popular piece of folklore, Eostre once saved a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs, and that rabbit became the modern Easter Bunny.

More Easter Bunny Origins and Folklore

Men's Ministry In The Church: Rise Up And Serve

For many years I have had a passion and concern for the discipleship of men. Through my involvement in various men’s ministry activities, I have concluded that men are rarely discipled. Too often we mistake fellowship for discipleship. Perhaps this is why men can have a great time going to pep rallies and retreats, or playing golf and paint ball together, yet remain spiritually immature.

The idea of taking up one’s cross to follow Christ in radical obedience seems foreign to the average guy in church. Too often churches treat men like individuals who are in need of therapeutic, male bonding. Too often churches emphasize personal fulfillment for men, rather than duty and commitment. Where is the call for men to be faithful husbands, fathers and sons who are called as spiritual warriors, servant leaders, and ambassadors of God’s Kingdom in the culture?

Last week I had a conversation with a nationally acclaimed author of books on masculinity and men’s issues. He shared the opinion that men don’t like going to church because they are autonomous by nature, and chafe when sitting under the authority of an institution. While I think this is an astute observation, I do not think that men despise authority. I think that most men thrive under the right kind of authority. When men are expected to be passive spectators at a religious performance it is no surprise when they become disinterested and drift away. But when they are called into a glorious cause for which they have been created, I believe many men of God will rise up and serve.

Recently I watched a couple of DVDs featuring the leadership of Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. These men achieved amazing things in battle, and the soldiers under their command served with radical devotion. Although the cause for which they fought was tainted by the sinful institution of slavery, the character and legendary skill of these generals is an inspiring example of masculine leadership.

Men today need an urgent call, a noble cause, and a Godly leader. Our Heavenly Commander In Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ, calls men to serve under his authority. He calls disciples into obedient commitment, into self-denying sacrifice, into risk and adventure. A cosmic war rages between the dominion of darkness and God’s Kingdom of Light, while churches across America are content to park men in pews and lead them in what one wry pastor calls “prom songs to Jesus.” It’s not authority that makes them chafe and bail. It’s passivity. It’s feminized leadership that makes them prefer sitting at home watching sports contests on Sundays.

“We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and then bid the geldings to be fruitful.” - C.S. Lewis

Gentlemen, your God has summoned you to duty. Start at home. Keep your wedding vows, protect and serve your family. Train up your kids. It will cost you your life. The Lord has given His magnificent Word of Truth and He orders you to teach it to your children (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4). Blessed is the man who fills his quiver full of them (Psalm 127).

Think twice before you drop your precious children off at a secular humanist institution where God's Word is forbidden, where the lordship of Christ is denied, where truth is relativized, and where immoral behavior is justified. This will shake up your lifestyle and it may cause you to adjust your standard of living downward. But better that a millstone be tied around the necks of those who cause the little ones who believe in Jesus to sin (Matthew 18:6). If you don't have children, then commit yourself to make disciples of young men who you call out of the world by the power of the Gospel.

Don't waste your life, gentelmen. Put aside the desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of possessions. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, so lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I pray that the Holy Spirit will call you once more into active duty. After all, your very life is not your own. You were bought with the price of Jesus’ atoning blood. Offer back, then, to your Lord the life that is rightfully His.

Rise up, O men of God
Be done with lesser things
With heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor John Sleadd

Women’s Ministry in the Local Church

A Book Review by Pastor John Sleadd

I was asked a while back to review a book that a local church wanted to use to enhance its women's ministry. Here it is in the form of a letter to the authors.

Dear Ligon Duncan and Susan Hunt,

I just read your book, Women’s Ministry in the Local Church. Thank you for challenging the egalitarian and feminist practices that have crept into many of our churches today. Thank you for affirming male headship and complementarianism in gender roles. And thank you for reminding women, particularly older women, to be spiritual mentors to the younger ladies. You make a strong case for promoting submission, compassion, community, and discipleship, all guided by Scripture. The material in your appendices for organizing women's Bible studies is strong on doctrine and organization.

As I read through your book, however, I got the feeling that you had missed something important. One of your foundational assertions is that women are “helpers” and “life givers, (pgs. 34, 35), yet not a single paragraph in your work addressed the role of women as wives and mothers in the home. This is curious since the major Scriptural proof texts you use for your assertion explicitly state homemaking as a primary ministry role.

“No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander” (1 Timothy 5:9-10, 14) [author's emphasis].

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God” (Titus 2:3-5 ) [author's emphasis].

Perhaps this oversight is due to your focus on the involvement of women solely in church programs, apart from home life. By omission, your book seems to imply that a woman’s helping role to her husband at home (in household management, business and ministry), and her mothering role to her children (including education), are not significant contributions to the local church. This is a serious mistake, I think.

While I appreciate your exhortations that women be involved in diaconal ministry in the church, I think you have neglected to remind them of their glorious calling to motherhood at home. God commands and blesses it in His dominion mandate to fill and subdue the earth. (Genesis 1:28) He seeks godly offspring (Malachi 2:15). He declares children as a gift and a reward. (Psalm 127:3) He declares that women are restored by childbearing. (1 Timothy 2:15) He commends diligent women who care for their children and their household (Provebs 31). A mother's instruction adorns the character of a child (Proverbs 1:8-9).

Church leaders should encourage women to rejoice in their roles of wives and mothers, and trainers of children. This does not prevent them from participating in great Bible studies, affinity groups, outreach projects, and church programs. It just helps them put the first things first. As they bring blessing to those around them in their homes, so shall they bring blessing to the gathering of the church, as well.

I admit that I have not read other books you have written. Perhaps you speak of such things in Susan’s book, Spiritual Mothering. Still, Women’s Ministry in the Local Church should itself include an emphasis on the crucial, primary service of women to fully employ their helping, life-giving gifts in their homes.

I recommend the book, So Much More, by Anna Sofia Botkin and Elizabeth Botkin, for a good read on the ministry of young women in their calling to advance the kingdom of God.

Respectfully,

John Sleadd

Find a Costume to Dress Up for Mardi Gras

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! In French that means “Let the Good Times Roll” and that’s just what people around the globe are doing to get ready for this year’s annual Mardi Gras celebration. MardiGrasCostumes.com offers a variety of Mardi Gras masks and costumes to dress up in.

“If you’re going to celebrate Mardi Gras, it’s a good idea to order your decorative masks and clothing early,” said Shari McConahay, marketing director of MardiGrasCostumes.com. Mardi Gras is coming early this year, it's important to order your Mardi Gras masks and costumes early.

Mardi Gras costumes can include a Jolly Jester, Venetian Sorceress, Karnival Queen or King. Or dress up in your ball gown finery and add a Mardi Gras mask. The site also offers variety of other Mardi Gras accessories to get into the Fat Tuesday spirit.

New Dark Knight Trailer and Joker Website Update

Check out the new Trailer for the new Batman movie called The Dark Knight:



This is one of the most anticipated movies of 2008 and Batman costumes will be among the most popular this year.

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the movie release. I last posted with images of the new Batman costume for the movie and Batman's new vehicle : The BatPod used in the film. There are also a few websites out that are officially related to the movie. One of which appears to be the Joker's web site (www.whysoserious.com) it formerly had a "rent a clown" theme, and now has a message cut out of newspaper clippings and if you click on each letter, it gives you a clue as to where something is that visitors should photograph and mail in, but give no address???


Official Batman Movie web site: http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

Also check out: IBeliveinHarveyDent.com

Chapter 71.7: A Man Atop the World

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest, has died. Ad Astra, Sir Ed.

Less well known is that Hillary had ventured to Antarctica, too, the first time just a few years after his trek to the mountaintop. In fact, he died days after the fiftieth anniversary of his arrival at the South Pole. Decades later, he and Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, flew over the Arctic and landed (back when that was still possible). So Sir Ed was the first to set foot on both poles and the Everest summit.

What I like about Hillary is that he remained humble. Moreover, he helped the people of Nepal. Unlike the way these things usually happen, Tenzing Norgay, his partner on the Everest climb, became nearly as famous as Hillary; it's all too common that the white man is credited with the accomplishment (read also Matthew Henson, who was first to reach the North Pole). Only after Norgay wrote that Hillary was actually first atop Everest -- by about six feet -- did Hillary take the credit. They shared their fame. It's an example I hope other adventurers follow.

Go Goths, Go!

Unfortunately, the goth couple on The Amazing Race could not catch up last week and were eliminated from the race. I am so sorry to see them go, I was really rooting for them to go all the way to the $million$.

Besides their vibrant colors, they also brought colorful personalities, a special flair, and a great attitude to the show. They represented the Goth community well and showed everyone on Prime Time, that Goths are happy-go-lucky, very nice people with an awesome sense of fashion, design and music too.

So you want to acheive the fabulous Goth look like Kynt and Vyxsin? Visit ExtremeCostumes.com and StageandTheaterMakeup.com- we have what you need for the Goth makeover you've been craving every Sunday night while watching the Amazing Race on CBS.

Check out Manic Panic hair color for that vibrant, shocking pink hair: www.extremecostumes.com/manic.htm - choose the Cotton Candy Pink or Hot Hot Pink for Vyxsin hair*; for Kynt's jet black hair choose Raven. See the Hair Color Chart

For makeup beyond the "everyday" check out Manic Panic's Lust Dust or Bloody Mary's Rebel makeup line. See the list of all of our Extreme Makeup.

Notice their light foundation. This is achieved with foundation colors like Alabaster or Geisha. Choose a light color, but NOT white. White foundation is called "Clown White" for a reason.

And for black nail polish: Check Out Bloody Mary Makeup Line.

*Please note: to get dark hair to a shocking pink color (or any lighter color), pictured results are obtained by first bleaching hair. This can be damaging! Consult your hair care professional for best results.

Cakes, Krewes & Beads--Are you ready for Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is coming up soon (February 5th)!

Are you ready?

Here’s a great website with all kinds of useful and fascinating information about Mardi Gras—its history, traditions, customs, activities and more.

Learn all about King Cakes, Krewes, beads, how to build a float, and just about everything else you’d need to know to make the most of your Mardi Gras experience.

When Fat Tuesday has finally come, there’s no better place to be than Bourbon Street, but make sure you have a great costume and mask! For a huge selection, check out mardigrascostumes.com.

The Gospel Is Good News

Have you heard any good news lately? It seems like most of the news sources today report a daily stream of shootings, robberies, rapes, the latest terrorist attack, or the current, monstrous amount of the national debt. Talk about discouraging.

Or how about the latest celebrity drip gossip about who’s divorcing who, who’s wearing (or not wearing) what, and who’s in rehab.

I get the impression that mankind has a serious self-control problem. And it’s not just them out there: the criminals, the politicians, the celebrities. It’s all of us. And it’s me. I have a self-control problem. That’s why I want to share with you the gospel, the good news from the Bible to sinners.

It’s like this:

In the beginning, God made man in His own image and declared him good (Gen 1:31). But the first man, Adam, disobeyed God and brought sin into the world so that now all of mankind is sinful by nature.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). God is all powerful, all knowing, holy, just and good, but no one seeks after Him. The Bible says that we, all like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). It says that we suppress the evidence of God and deny His authority over creation. We are subjects in His kingdom, yet we reject Him as king because we want to be in charge. We are law breakers and rebels (Romans 1:18-32).

The Bible also says that the consequences of this rebellion and unbelief is death and punishment (Romans 6:23). A just and holy God cannot tolerate sin. Hell is not a popular topic, but some people think that it’s a popular place because folks are just dying to go there :) However, hell is not a place to party with all the bad boys from the planet who prefer the devil over God. It’s a place of separation from all that is good. It’s a place of isolation and loneliness, of unquenchable fire and of eternal torment beyond mercy (Revelation 20:7-20).

But here’s the good news: The Bible says that God shows His great love for us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Jesus took the punishment we deserve. He came to save His people. Are you one of them?

The Bible says if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Christ is Lord, you will be saved (Romans 10:9) It says that no one comes to God the Father except through Jesus the Son (John 6:44), and that no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him by His Spirit (John 14:6). We are saved by grace, through faith, which is a gift from God, not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8).

Is God calling you to repent of your sin, and believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord? Think about that. Jesus saves sinners like you and me from hell. That’s good news.

Chapter 71.6: There's No Crying in Politics

There may be no crying, but there certainly seems to be political capital in coming close to crying. Hillary Clinton has taken New Hampshire, surprising me and probably a lot of Americans who were starting to think that the Obama Express was getting into gear and powering up for an impressive spring. That still may happen, but Sen. Clinton clearly isn't done.

What surprised me more than Clinton's victory in the primary, however, was that there were voters who were swayed by her emotional answer about how hard the campaign slog can be and why she is still doing it. I don't believe it was forced; I accept that she has finally found her voice, as she said later. But she'll need to back that up with an even more grueling schedule ahead of her. And I don't think for a second that Sen. Obama is going to concede anything either.

Chapter 71.55: Goose and Rice

The Baseball Hall of Fame results are in, and I can't disagree with the selection of Rich "Goose" Gossage. I'll admit I've had my misgivings about his Hall of Fame at times, but his inclusion feels right. I'm not going to gripe about it.

That Jim Rice still isn't in, however, is a mistake. I'd like to get onto a high horse about what a travesty of justice it is, but I also understand some of the arguments against him. While he wasn't the same player in 1988 as he'd been in 1978, he was still a fearsome hitter. Still, I know of few other hitters that seemed to come through in the clutch as well as he did. And as a kid who hated the Yankees, how I loved to see Jim Rice stand in the box against one of the pitchers from the Bronx.

How appropos it would have been for Rice and Goose to enter the Hall together, a member of the Red Sox and the Yankees. Especially this coming summer -- thirty years after the exciting 1978 season. A lot of folks in the New York area forget that there was a newspaper strike back then, so there was even less news about what the teams were doing than we'd see in this Internet era. We often had to settle for the local television news updates and listen to the radio. And then there was also Pete Rose's hitting streak. Talk about an exciting baseball season, especially for a kid who was crazy for the sport!

Growing up in the New York area, I saw Goose pitch a lot and wished my Mets had someone like him (of course, those Mets teams had little need of a fireballing stopper, as they were sometimes called in those bygone days, thirty years ago -- "closer" came later when Dennis Eckersly changed everything in Tony LaRussa's bullpen.) It almost seemed unfair that the Yankees could have Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage. Of course, Lyle was gone soon enough, languishing in Texas after the '78 season and a couple other places. Of course, looking back, the Yankees made the right decision (perish the thought!), despite Lyle entering the '78 season as the reigning Cy Young Award winner; he was in his 30s, and his career was on the decline.

Anyway, back to the Hall vote: I'm not too surprised at Tim Raines receiving 25 percent of the vote. It's a hard road ahead if he hopes to ever gain entrance. Even harder is the path for Harold Baines, who I think should be the first DH elected. Once again, he only had 5 percent. His chances are unlikely to get any better without a major shift in how baseball writers consider the designated hitter. If I can change my mind, however, surely they will eventually too. For Baines' sake, I hope it happens before another thirteen years pass.

But I congratulate Goose Gossage on being voted into the Hall of Fame. You were one of the best relievers of all time. I hope George Brett hands you a pine tar-coated bat.

Share The Gospel For Your New Year's Resolution

New Year's resolutions are all the rage for the first few weeks of the new calendar. Freshly determined self-improvement practitioners pencil in their pledges to shed pounds, quit smoking, get a real job, or stop being a jerk. Fitness centers have booming business for the month of January. Donut sales dwindle for a week or so. This happens every year.

I recently went to a Christian concert and listened to a youth pastor talk about such things during intermission. He pointed out our tendency to make resolutions we can't keep and to dwell on things of the past. After some personal illustrations and a video clip from Napoleon Dynamite, he recommended that we choose Jesus and live for now. It was gospel-lite aimed at the "seeker" crowd.

Interestingly, the featured musician, presented a heftier message than the pastor. The singer mentioned the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and our desperate need for Christ to save us from the wrath we deserve. He pointed out that some of the churches he visits proclaim a gospel of success and self-improvement. Jesus is sometimes portrayed as the ticket to the good life, and he can clear up your acne to boot.

I am reminded of a popular TV pastor with a bright smile who encourages people to think positively and be all they can be. Why talk about sin, repentance and justification when we can find fulfillment by getting more in touch with our wonderful selves? Everybody's got an inner song and a voice like Josh Groban inside to sing it. We all just need to find it and let it out.

Folks are attracted to this stuff like moths to a porch light. Who needs a savior when God already loves you just as you are, and He has a wonderful plan for your life? Unfortunately, the Bible says that wide is the gate and easy is the way that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many (Matthew 7:13).

Perhaps 2008 is a good time for Christians to preach the gospel in full strength. It may offend some of the "seekers," and it may seem like a downer to the glibsters, but Christians are called to speak the truth in love.

When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?

John

Cloverfield Movie Premiere

Will there be a costume - OOPS, I mean will they show a monster?

Today is King's Day!

Happy King's Day (a.k.a. Three King's Day) to those of you who celebrate it today. For us here is the costume world, King's Day - January 6th represents the start of Mardi Gras celebrations. This year's celebrations are shortened a bit with the early arrival of Fat Tuesday/ Mardi Gras, but all the more reason to party harder, whether it is in preparation for lent, or just a good reason to throw a party - let the celebrations begin!

Mardi Gras is Coming - FAST!

Mardi Gras arrives very early this year.

February 5, 2008 is Fat Tuesday.

Make plans to celebrate before Mardi Gras passes you by.

Why is Mardi Gras on a different date every year? MardiGrasCostumes.com has the answer for you.

Chapter 71.5: Baines Motel in Cooperstown

I was poking around some blogs recently and found a good discussion about the Hall of Fame prospects of Harold Baines. While I never lived in Chicago or any of the cities where Baines starred, I'm enough of a baseball fan to know a pure hitter when I saw him.

Baines was a clutch performer and his RBI totals back me up. While he only topped 100 RBIs twice, he averaged more than 90 per year. That's not too shabby, especially when you're talking about a 22 year career. He nearly reached 2,900 hits, and I'm sure that if the work stoppages hadn't occurred he'd have hit at least another 125-130 knocks, which would have placed him close enough to 3,000 that the White Sox (or some AL team) would have brought him back for a season to garner the last remaining hits to reach the magic number.

I suppose the knock against Baines is that he was a designated hitter; his 1,652 games at DH remain the all-time high, I believe. But the DH has been around for 35 years now and even traditionalists like myself recognize that it's a part of the game. I believe it's time for the best DHs of all time -- Baines and Edgar Martinez -- to be shown the respect they deserve. Baines now, and Edgar in a couple years when he's eligible to be voted into Cooperstown.

Baines never got the accolades that many of his contemporaries received, and the White Sox were rarely very good during that era. He did play in a World Series for the A's (1990, in the loss to the Reds) and his lone hit was a two-run homer. And he was an all-star as late as 1999 -- two years before his retirement -- albeit for a mediocre Orioles club, before he was traded to the Indians for their successful playoff push (and eventual post-season loss). Baines was one of those guys that winning clubs liked to get in their clubhouse: a winner who led by example. His number was retired by the White Sox while he was still playing, and un-retired for his two returns.

While I don't think we'll see him inducted when the announcement is made on Tuesday, I hope to see his numbers increase. That only 5.3 percent of baseball writers voted for him last year is a crime; Harold Baines deserves better.

Chapter 71.45: BookCrossing

More than twenty years ago, Sting sang "Free, free, set them free. ... If you love somebody, if you love someone, set them free."

His grammatical error aside (someone ... them), the former teacher offered good advice for lovers everywhere. Now book lovers can follow his advice. Just before Christmas, the New York Times ran a pleasant little article about BookCrossing, which helps people adopt stray books. Perhaps that's overstating things a bit; it seems from the article that these books are neither neglected nor truly abandoned. Indeed, it is as Sting sang: if you love them, set them free.

I've not yet signed up, though it's possible I will. I find myself adopting books often, though I've not left any published works on their own. It goes against my grain to leave a book, but perhaps this site will help me send books that I won't read again to someone who will enjoy them.

Indeed, their hope is to turn the whole world into a library. I likethat. To me, the world is a story factory, but that doesn't preclude it from being a library too. I've had several inspirational moments smack me in the head at libraries (a few pretty girls too, but that's a different story).

But it also appears to be a wonderful, inexpensive way for new authors to share their books and perhaps create an audience. I don't know if that has worked yet, but it is something I'd be willing to try once I've gotten my novel (and its successors) published.

So I encourage you to check out BookCrossing.com No library card required.