Hey everyone!

The highly anticipated arrival of The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢ is at hand! After a few non-stop days, lots of missed meals, and more than one program crash, the post-production team has delivered what I think is a stunning glimpse into the perilous state of Dionia as we find it in Book II of The White Lion Chronicles.

Under the watchful eye of my assistant Producer and Director, David Seaman of Re-Vive, the Book Trailerâ„¢ is masterfully cut and assembled into exactly what I wanted: “Wow. I gotta’ read that book!” And the more people we play it for here in the office, the more my ears ring with those exact words.

To play the trailer, simply click on the vod:pod window beside this post. All the credits are below. And if you were there and don’t see your name, please let us know.

You can also view the trailer on YouTube.

The trailer will also be appearing at Creation 2007 in PA, and in select movie theaters across the US. We’ll keep you up to date on all those showings as we know more.

On behalf of Tsaba House, Grandath Films, Re-Vive, Quest Productions, AireFire Music, and COS Productions, thank you for all your support, for spreading the word about the Book Trailerâ„¢, and for buying the books.

Just as a reminder, we’ll be giving away a free book each week starting next week, running all the way to June 15th. For details on how you can join our Reader’s Club, please visit Tribe Grandath.

Thanks for spending some time with me today,

CH

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CREDITS

The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢

Tsaba House Publishing Company presents, a Grandath Films Book Trailerâ„¢, in association with Re-Vive, Quest Productions, AireFire Music and COS Productions

Produced and Directed by Christopher Hopper and David Seaman

Music by Christopher Hopper

Cast – Noel Mattingly, Phillip Thomas, John Brennan, Jeff Krajna, Ben Gilchrist, Ian Krajna, Cole Shauger, Dan Giles, Matt House, Christian Burt, Tom Brennan, David Woodkirk, Ephraim Burt, Franklin Powell, Joseph Peterson, Esther Bovier, Daniel Allen, Tyler Mangum, Hillary Bovier, Brent Desormo, Jennifer Hopper, Manasseh Burt, Jason Rodgers

Camera Operators – David Seaman, Steve Yelle, Christopher Hopper, Carlton Yelle, Tony Hayner
Ariel Camera Operator – Nate Yelle
Photography – Dudley Danielson, Hannah Hayner

Edited and Assembled by David Seaman

Prop Master – Tony Hayner
Equestrian Coordinator – Jennifer Hopper
Helicopter Pilot – Doug Johnston
Grip – Nathan Clement
Makeup – Anna Fahey, Emily Fahey
Personal Assistant to Christopher Hopper – Rachel Jenks
Personal Assistant to Jennifer Hopper – Lora Mattingly

Catering – Maureen Bovier, Amy Parker, Mrs. House

Reporter – Robert, Watertown Daily Times
Photographer – Colleen White, Watertown Daily Times

Filmed On Location in Chaumont, NY USA
Music Recorded at Grandath Films/AireFire Studios B, Depauville, NY USA

Special Thanks To – Safari Helicopter Services, Matt & Amy Parker

Soundtrack available exclusively on iTunes (coming soon!)

© 2007 Christopher Hopper / Tsaba House / Grandath Films – PO Box 235 Depauville, NY 13632 – All Rights Reserved. The Lion Vrie Book Trailer™ licensed for free distribution on the internet and movie theatres. Not for retail sale. Created in the USA. Book Trailer™ is a Trademark of COS Productions.

www.christopherhopper.com
www.thewhitelionchronicles.com
www.tsabahouse.com
www.questproductions.com
www.re-vive.org
www.airefire.com
www.cosproductions.com

Saturday’s filming of The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢ was a marvelous success. With five cameras running (one steady cam, two on foot, one in the helicopter, and one dedicated to “the making of”), plus three photographers, we got more than enough footage.

The weather looked as though it would cooperate, but the forecasted “sunshine and 53 degrees” never manifested. However, the overcast skies and slight drizzle made for perfect filming conditions, especially those depicting Dionia’s state in Book II.

Over 50 people came out for the shoot, and I can’t remember hearing a single complaint all day. From those who did make-up and costumes, to the prop master, to the mom’s that cooked chili, I couldn’t have been more pleased by the group effort put forth by everyone. The tremendous “team feel” of the whole day allowed David Seaman (Re-Vive Ministries) and I, along with the rest of the film crew, to get the absolute best shots possible. Big thanks go to camera men Steve & Nate & Carlton Yelle, Tony Hayner, and helicopter pilot Doug Johnston.

The Watertown Daily Times sent out a team to cover the story, and they did a wonderful piece that made the front page of the local section in Sunday’s paper! The article and photographs are a small tribute to the incredible group of people that made it all possible.

After relating much of the shoot to my publisher last night, Tsaba House extends it’s “heartfelt thanks” to all those that participated.

We are fervently putting the trailer together this week, preparing for the April 1st launch of our new readers club (Tribe Grandath). The team is busy composing music, editing, and adding special effects to make this the most extraordinary Book Trailerâ„¢ to date. The final product will be available (in numerous lengths) on my website, YouTube.com, and seen in various theaters across the country this summer.

For now, I’ve uploaded more pix to our Flickr site for you to enjoy (on the right side of my blog). These photos are courtesy of the amazingly talented Dudley Danielson, Clayton, NY. You can also download a jpeg of the article from the Watertown Daily Times by clicking below.

Thanks for spending some time with me today!

CH

Greetings Dionians!

We just got in from an amazing day filming The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢. All cast and crew are exhausted, but totally pumped. The production teams at Grandath Films and Re-Vive are working overtime to edit the footage in time for the April 1st launch of Tribe Grandath.

For now, here are a few photos to tantalize you!

Enjoy!

CH

If you are an artist of any kind, you need to check out Bryan Davis’ address before the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference at lambstv.com, channel 21.

CH

The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢ Episode 1 is now available on YouTube! Please check it out and let us know what you think.

CH

Being a musician long before I was a novelist, I’m very used to people saying things like, “You know, you are like a cross between Dave Matthews, Sting, and U2, only like a Christian version, man.”

Gee. Thanks.

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

Well, over the years, I’ve learned that it is, because humans in general typically judge the “new” by their experience with “the old.” And if they can find enough of “the old” to justify a comparison, then a true compliment is born. Though I know most artists have a hard time with that.

Why?

Because we want to be original, to be the first me, rather than the next best them. And that day may come for me. I may get some grandiose vision and present it in such a way that the world staggers in awe.  Kind of like how my horses feel when I give them grain after a -40 degree northern NY night…

“Wow! Grrrrain!”

I’m completely digressing here. So sorry, Randy.

My whole point is that as I spent some more time browsing through Randy Ingermanson’s sight, I actually started to get excited! I know that sounds bad, like I don’t while looking at other author’s sites, but this was a genuine feeling of, “Wow, I think I need to buy a few of these books!”

And why so excited? Because after reading his amazing bio where he talks about things like reducing the Schwinger-Dyson equations for the effective action to a self-consistent expansion, and measuring the Wess-Zumino effective action (no clue; but it sounds cool!), he starts talking about his Christian faith.

But it gets better.

You start reading the synopsis’s of his book titles (of which I count 7!) and realize, “Hey, this guy is a like Michael Crichton meets Isaac Asimov, only Christian!”

And while I feel terrible in saying so, almost like I’m doing a disservice to the creative genius in this guy, I genuinely mean it; I really respect both of those authors for their love of science and yet their creative abilities at weaving a good yarn.

Only this guy loves Jesus, and accordingly, probably has a Judeo-Christian ethic behind it, something  that would set his work far above Asimov’s and Crichton’s, at least in my mind.

If you like what I term “relevant sci-fi,” I think Ingermanson is the author for you.

Or, better put…

“Grrrrain!”

Thanks for spending some time with me today,

CH

My Readers Club (Tribe Grandath) president, Hillary, has just created a new MySpace site for The White Lion Chronicles. It’s part of a new campaign that we’re unveiling April 1st (no foolin!). We thought we’d give you a sneak peak before then! Enjoy!

myspace.com/thewhitelionchronicles

CH

I just finished watching the movie, The Prestige, a fantastic plot-twisting mind bender with just a touch of sci-fi to make it interesting. Though this great film is about as new to me as Randy Ingermanson, a man I just learned of today, his work already interests me on the same intrinsic and mysterious level.

Anytime someone uses the words “Physicist” and “Novelist” in the same sentence, I’m intrigued. Maybe growing up 5 miles from Cornell’s subterranean atom smasher put wild thoughts in my head; or maybe living 6 miles from the late Carl Sagan did it. Not sure. But I do know I love a good story, and a good twist.

I can not write too much more today as I feel it would be a true faux pas; my ignorance, albeit creative, would belittle the true merit of the man I perceive lies behind this month’s Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog Tour.

If you’d like to beat me to it, feel free to check out his site. I’ll be writing more tomorrow, and hopefully much more informed.

Please make sure to check out any of the following authors. And, for the very brave, read the March 13th post for the Open Casting Call for Vrie below, being shot this coming Saturday, March 24th at 10:00am in Chaumont, NY.

So what do atom and books have in common? You can pick both apart as much a you want, but at their very foundation are elements that no one can explain. They simply must be accepted for what they are, the fundamentals of life itself. To “figure them out,” as it were, would be to ruin the mystery. And that is what we humans thrive upon: the unknown. For if we fully understood God, what need would we have of Him?

Break apart your atoms. Pick apart your books. But you’ll never find the True magic.

Unless it finds you.

CH

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CSFF Blog Tour:

<a href=”http://moreoveralt.blogspot.com“> Nissa Annakindt</a>
<a href=”http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/“> Wayne Thomas Batson</a>
<a href=”http://jimfictionreview.blogspot.com/“> Jim Black</a>
<a href=”http://gracebridges.blogspot.com“> Grace Bridges</a>
<a href=”http://www.journeyintograce.blogspot.com“> Jackie Castle</a>
<a href=”http://invalslittleworld.blogspot.com/“> Valerie Comer</a>
<a href=”http://www.kcreviews.blogspot.com“> Karri Compton</a>
<a href=”http://csffblogtour.com/“> CSFF Blog Tour</a>
<a href=”http://genecurtis.blogspot.com/“> Gene Curtis</a>
<a href=”http://www.scificatholic.com“> D. G. D. Davidson</a>
<a href=”http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/“> Janey DeMeo</a>
<a href=”http://www.brightlyshining.blogspot.com“> Tessa Edwards</a>
<a href=”http://projectinga.blogspot.com/“> April Erwin</a>
<a href=”http://www.kameronmf.com/”> Kameron M. Franklin</a>
<a href=”http://lindaruthspot.blogspot.com“> Linda Gilmore</a>
<a href=”http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/“> Beth Goddard</a>
<a href=”http://www.goodwordediting.com/“> Marcus Goodyear</a>
<a href=”http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/“> Andrea Graham</a>
<a href=”http://foundationsofhope.blogspot.com“> Leathel Grody </a>
<a href=”http://writingchristiannovels.blogspot.com/“> Katie Hart</a>
<a href=”http://sphibbs-bookreviews.blogspot.com/“> Sherrie Hibbs</a>
<a href=”http://www.sharonswriting.blogspot.com/“> Sharon Hinck</a>
<a href=”http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/“> Jason Joyner</a>
<a href=”http://www.struggleandemerge.com/blog/“> Kait</a>
<a href=”http://www.karenee.blogspot.com“> Karen</a>
<a href=”http://tinakulesa.com/weblog/“> Tina Kulesa</a>
<a href=”http://www.kevinlucia.net/bookreviews/“> Kevin Lucia</a> and <a href=”http://thebookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/“> The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 – The Compendium</a>
<a href=”http://www.shadowofthewood.com/happenings/“> Rachel Marks</a>
<a href=”http://shenandoahdawn.blogspot.com/“> Shannon McNear</a>
<a href=”http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/“> Rebecca LuElla Miller</a>
<a href=”http://dragonlady4.wordpress.com“> Nicole</a>
<a href=”http://questwriter.blogspot.com/“> Eve Nielsen</a>
<a href=”http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/“> John W. Otte</a>
<a href=”http://otter.covblogs.com/“> John Ottinger</a>
<a href=”http://www.infuzemag.com/staff/robin/“> Robin Parrish</a>
<a href=”http://zyphe.blogspot.com/“> Rachelle</a>
<a href=”http://www.unseenworlds.blogspot.com/“> Cheryl Russel</a>
<a href=”http://hannaslifeiscool.blogspot.com/“> Hanna Sandvig</a>
<a href=”http://mirathon.blogspot.com/“> Mirtika Schultz</a>
<a href=”http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/“> James Somers</a>
<a href=”http://christiansf.blogspot.com/“> Steve Trower</a>
<a href=”http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/“> Speculative Faith</a>
<a href=”http://www.danieliweaver.com/blog“> Daniel I. Weaver</a>

We’re just five days away from the filming of the epic battle scenes for The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢ in Chaumont, NY. We’re hearing from people from all over NY state, the record currently being held by a father and son driving all the way from Niagara Falls, over 300 miles away!

I also just heard from good friend and filmographer, David Seaman, that he’ll be joining us for the shoot, coming up from Rochester. We’ll be meeting everyday starting Wednesday to block each shot and prep the set.

Costumes are being prepared, and horses are being readied for this amazing day! Make sure to tell any of your friends and family that may be interested. Read last week’s post (below) for all the details.

Also, we’re preparing to unveil a brand new site for our Readers Club on April 1st. You’ll be able earn points and win exclusive prizes, all because you like to read!

CH

Calling all people and horses!

You are officially invited to be cast as an extra or a crew member for the filming of The Lion Vrie Book Trailerâ„¢ scheduled for Saturday, March 24th at 10:00am EST in Chaumont, NY, with a rain date of Sunday, March 25th at 2pm.

As part of the promotion of Book II of The White Lion Chronicles, Grandath Films is producing the second Book Trailerâ„¢ for Christopher’s upcoming novel, The Lion Vrie, due out June 15th 2007. The trailer will be edited into three different lengths, the longest of which will be around two minutes. It will be available online at Christopher’s site, as well as on YouTube and numerous blogs. It will also be played in select movie theaters across the country.

We will be filming a large battle scene as well as a forest chase scene. Complete with a helicopter fly-over, this promises to be an exciting day! And, as before, the person with the best costume will be awarded a free signed copy of The Lion Vrie when it comes out in June.

All are welcome to come and watch, but there are certain restrictions on who can participate. If after reading this you would like to attend, please e-mail hillary-at-christopherhopper-dot-com to confirm your role.

REQUIREMENTS

Casting requirements for warriors:

-Ages 13 years and up with parent/legal guardian written permission
-Ages 18 years and up
-Male or female (*see Wardrobe)
-Must sign physical injury disclaimer, liability disclaimer, and a non-monetary reimbursement disclaimer
-Must provide own wardrobe (*see Wardrobe)
-If bringing a horse, must provide own transportation, food, and water, as well as wardrobe (*see Wardrobe). Horse must not be too skittish as there will be smoke and shouting during the scene, as well as a helicopter flying over head. Horses used to motor vehicle presence a must.
-Option of providing own weapon. If not, one will be provide (*see Weaponry)
-Min. 3 hour time commitment

Requirements for crew:
-Ages 13 years and up with parent/legal guardian written permission
-Ages 18 years and up
-Male or female
-Must sign physical injury disclaimer, liability disclaimer, and a non-monetary reimbursement disclaimer
-You will need to be at the shoot at least one hour prior to the start time
-You will be selected and placed as the director sees necessary
-In good physical condition
-Dressed appropriately for late March in northern NY
-Min. 4 hour time commitment

THE SHOOT

Location:

Parker’s
30836 Depauville Rd.
Chaumont, NY 13622

MapQuest this location.

The crew will be rendezvousing at The Parker Farm between 8am and 9am on Saturday morning. There we will begin prepping the field (set) for the battle scene, including the smoke fires and extra props. We’ll also be readying the weaponry, and giving a brief class to the make-up crew. (If you’d like to specifically be in the make-up department, please notify us when you arrive).

At 10:00am we’ll be receiving the cast and get everyone settled in. Please arrive in full costume and ready for make-up. We will have a short briefing by the director on how the day is going to work and get the paper-work out of the way. We’ll then assign warriors to various parts of the set with specific instructions for each shot. Water and snacks will be provided. Please have a heavy winter coat on hand that you can run to between shots if the temperature is cold. We’ll keep vehicles running, too.

If you are trailering a horse to the set, please plan on arriving at least half-an-hour early. You’ll need the time to prepare your horse’s costume as well as to familiarize him or her with the environment.

We expect the shoot to last no more than three hours. For those that can stay and help clean up, that would be greatly appreciated.

WARDROBE

Building your own costume can be as rewarding as it is challenging! Obviously, there is a certain look we are going for. To be truly Dionian you would need a budget (and a physique!) beyond reason, so we’ve made certain exceptions to make a costume accessible to everyone and still allow room for your own creative flare.

If you are a lady yet you still have the desire to be in the battle scene, we’ll take you! However, with one exception: you have to look like a guy. Since no women fought in Dionia, at least in the traditional sense, we need to stay true to that fact. But only visually. Although we hate to say it, we do need you to mask your feminine qualities as much as possible, including pulling your hair up and no make up. You may be placed in the distance for most of the shots, but you’ll be extremely useful (especially those female equestrians out there!).

Bottom line here is be creative. And when in doubt, bring it out; our producers will give you a “yea,” or “nay.”

CLOTHING

The following costume is just an example of what could be done, and was purchased at Wal-Mart and a local hardware store for under $20. Christopher kindly modeled it for us!

The mantel is a yard of faux animal fur with a hole cut in the center to poke your head through. A regular brown leather belt was used to bind it around the waist. Three yards of plaid fabric are wrapped and fold-pleated once around the waist, and folded over at the waist to bind it (or can be held together with a clothes pin). Christopher could ride in this as he’s wearing his riding boots, but wrapped with 3″ wide strips of the same faux animal material and tied together. Whatever boots or footwear you decided to go with, try and wrap them with material or faux fur. Brown or black footwear works best. The torc around his neck is a four foot long length of 17 gauge electric fence wire, wrapped in one-foot length around two dowels: the dowels are then twisted by hand to created a “braided” look, and the large rings at the ends are the natural result of the dowels.

Other ideas for mantels would include adding two extra yards to your plaid wrap and throwing it over your shoulder; either a bare chest or a brow t-shirt with the hemming around the neck and arms cut off and ragged would work just fine. Wearing a dark undergarment and then constructing a cloak of faux animal fur or colored fabric and binding it around your neck with a clasp or broach would also be great.

If you don’t like the plaid kilt look, you could wear breecs, or primitive pants of leather or dark fabric. The more open and flowing they are the better.

ARMOR

If you have or would like to make a few pieces of plate armor (steel or spray painted cardboard), shoulder and elbow are a great way to go. A breastplate would be alright, too. Vambraces, or forearm guards would also be perfect. Chain mail and boiled leather (Cuirboulli) elements are also great.

Helmets are a wonderful addition to any warriors outfit. But, again, they can be expensive, and potentially difficult to make. While we have just a few for some of the main characters, you may want to consider bringing your own, or better yet, trying your hand at making one!

Here is a wonderful tutorial online on how to construct a cardboard helmet that looks amazing!

You would have to alter the the design slightly (mostly because we don’t want Boba Fett in Dionia), but the design is in-line with what we’re looking for (minus the range finder and paint job). Any design that is close to the Greek, Trojan, and Spartan helmets, or even some of the Roman designs is ideal. Keep it metallic gold or silver; hardware stores have awesome metallic and antique paints these days.

JEWELRY

Torcs, neck bands, arm bands, rings, and bracelets are always welcome finishing touches. If you are in doubt about any piece of our wardrobe, bring it and our producers will tell you what to use and what to leave in the car.

Overall, we are trying to go with pre-medieval attire: not full suits of armor, but not tights and fluffy sleeves. It’s a sort of northern European tribal theme. Remember that Dionians were only used to summer and dressed in light flowing clothes and bare chests for the men. But because this battle takes place in a winter-like season, they had to scrounge for things that would keep them warm. And in battle, anything would do.

Beware of marking and materials that look too modern (ie. the Nike swoosh logo, basketball shorts with mesh material). Because many people will be in the background, a lot fo things will blend in and not be seen. But the ore authentic things are, the better shots we can get (and maybe even push you to the front!).

WEAPONRY

Weaponry is fun facet of a costume. But it can also be expensive. We will have a limited number of swords, spears, and axes on the set. But we may not have enough for you. If you happen to own a sword, even a non-functional replica, please bring it. If not, here are some options for you.

-Build a spear: cut a slot in the end of a 3/4″ piece of grey PVC conduit. Cut a spear head out of wood (jigsaw). Spray pain the spear head a metallic silver and the PVC black. Adorn with feathers and leather.

-Make a wooden sword: by either fashioning your own design, or ordering a practice Tai Chi sword, you can use metallic spray paints for a the silver blade, gold pommel and hilt, and a black (or even leather wrapped) handle.

-Make a shield: resembling a large, round shield of the Spartans, or of the tall, narrow shields of the romans.

-Long bow: you can either bring your own recurve bow, our try your hand at building one. (No arrow heads please. Keep all arrows blunt).

-A standard bearer: some of you we will make standard bearers. If you’d like to build your own flag, use a tall piece of grey PVC and attach a two foot wide piece of brightly colored fabric to the top.

- – -

“A big thank you to all those of you how can journey out for this grand adventure!”

CH

- – -

Remember, please e-mail hillary-at-christopherhopper-dot-com to confirm your spot on the shoot!

Sincerely,

Grandath Films Production Team

So I guess people are actually reading my posts, at least the most recent comments would suggest at least two people are. Wonder of wonders! That’s encouraging! Though I must say, one of the comments was written far better than anything I could write; I was even becoming mad with the person they were talking about! Then I realized…

…oh, it’s me!

It seems everywhere I turn these days I hear a Christian talking about the arts. I was just on the phone yesterday with a dear friend who is thinking about starting a school for the arts, but unlike anything ever done before. And considering this guy has the means and experience to do so, I don’t doubt he will. Not wishing to disclose his ideas at present, that subject will have to wait.

But not an hour later, I’m with my dear friend Dudley Danielson, an amazing writer/photographer in his own right, who hands me a “jewel”: an out of print issue of Melody Green’s “The Last Days Magazine,” and in it an amazing article by Andrew Sievright entitled, “What’s The Church Doing With The Powerful Gift of Art?” If you can find it, read it. It will change your life.

But one of Sievright’s points identifies the next “Christian Renaissance.” Next to Jesus coming back, I dare say nothing could inspire me more.

If there was ever a need for the Church to stand up tall and strong, it is now. The world needs to notice Her beauty, and not because she’s blending in with them, but because she is so unqiuly stunning that she makes all else pale in comparison. Minstrel Michael Tyrrell makes this point so clear in his song “Beautiful Mountain,” when he says, “Stand tall, beautiful mountain, your foundation is sure. Stand tall, beautiful mountain, till your waters run pure.”

I had the privilege of doing a photo shoot with Dudley yesterday. With my wife toting the wardrobe duties, as well as make-up, and even holding up sun screens against the glaring direct sunlight, the three of us wandered about the gorgeous Boldt Castle BoatHouse located on Wellesley Island in the beautiful 1,000 Islands. Privileged to have this spectacular scenery not 20 minutes from our home, it was a delight to be with my wife and my brother in the Lord, making art for the King. Between Dudley’s prolific skill, a vast photographic repertoire spanning over half a century, and the fact that these photos were taken for my second novel, I couldn’t help but feel giddy, immersed in the world of creating marvelous art for the Kingdom.

Everywhere we turned, Dudley found a new angle, a new potential masterpiece. It wasn’t until we made our way into one of the old turrets of the BoatHouse, currently closed to the public (we call that “favor”), and found a 100 year old stair case, that the juices really started flowing.

I guess what I’m realizing is that it’s not only our right as the Bride of Christ to make art that surpasses the world’s, but it should be our joy as well. We should be excited to be setting the standard.

Which raises another point: if you’re not excited, are you making the right art? In the right way? For the right cause? With the right people?

I think we all could drum up any number of excuses to justify, and even defend, our “turmoil,” but are they true? And is that really the heart of the Father for us in our art-making? Or does He intend for us, as I believe He has all along, to be so full of joy, and find so much fulfillment, that the world would not only marvel at our fruit, but also at our labor? I couldn’t help but think that even the winter staff at the BoatHouse noticed our fun, and smiled at they watched.

Though that BoatHouse was all of 10 degrees Fahrenheit inside, I found great joy, even while changing shirts, laughing at the privilege afforded me. Who in the world gets to do this? Then I realized again…

…oh, me, again. I do. A son of the Most High, rightful heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.

And my hope is that you would see yourself the same way.

Thanks for spending time with me today,

CH