--The longtime pastor of Steven Curtis Chapman, Scotty Smith, has been ministering to the family in the wake of the death of their 5-year-old daughter Maria.

--Fellow blogger and fellow radio personality Rodney Olsen of Australia has posted an interview he did with transplanted Australian Mike Rayson, who lives in Nashville. Rayson's 11-year-old son died a year ago, and another son almost died recently. He tells Rodney:

I've read Psalm 23 a lot this year...I've discovered a promise inside the psalm that now fits at the very core of my faith, and the core of faith of many people in many places. The writer of the psalm goes on to write: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I shall fear no evil for--and these I believe are the four most important words in the Bible--thou art with me. That's the secret of our faith, that even though sometimes we will journey deep and dark places... the promise is sure that despite what we go through,what we encounter, where we end up,what life throws at us, that we have this promise--that God will always be with us, in the bad times as well as the good times, but more importantly, I think, in the bad times. We have this promise that we'll never be left alone.

In other news...and stuff...:

--Purgatorio has another classic edition of Divine Vinyl, showcasing cheesey Christian album covers of yesteryear...

--Here's a mini Fitness Friday recap: I've exercised four times this week and am headed to the gym this afternoon. I haven't lost any significant poundage on the scale recently--just a quarter-pound last week--but I DO feel like I'm losing weight. I've recently started taking chromium picolinate every day, having heard and read that it's good for diabetics.

--You can take a 10-day tour that chronicles C.S. Lewis' Christian journey through England--spots are still available on the September 6th and October 4th departures.

--Christian Newswire reports that if elected, Barack Obama would be the abortion president.

--This husband, father, deacon and grad student confesses: he loves chick flicks. (Hat tip to semicolon)

--Remember last year's American Idol runner-up, Melinda Doolittle--she of the incredible voice, but who wasn't quite as young and gorgeous as the winner, Jordin Sparks? Well, you should soon be able to buy Melinda's album.

Everyone go out and have an amazing Memorial Day weekend...

UPDATE: Here is a site where you can go to leave your personal condolences to Steven and his family.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing
— our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted
to experience more of that"

Just after reporting yesterday the happy news of the engagement of Steven Curtis Chapman's oldest daughter, some tragic news for the Chapman family.





AP reports today that the youngest of Chapman's adopted daughters, 5-year-old Maria, has died after being run over in the family driveway.




Please keep the family in your prayers.

Chapman and his wife have been active in promoting international adoption, and founded Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

...and other stuff to tell you

This is Word Out Wednesday, and I'm getting the word out about several different things today. Here we go...

--Apparently scientists are now saying that all fat on your body is not created equal.

--Steven Curtis Chapman's [pictured above] sentimental new song, "Cinderella," is about to come true in real life. According to Chapman's manager, Steven's daughter Emily got engaged over the weekend. Congratulations, Emily and Tanner!

--Christian singer Jeremy Camp is guest-starring on a new faith-based web TV series called "Tyler's Ride." From the website:

Created and produced by Paulist Productions, Tyler’s Ride is the latest in the growing world of Internet television. With general market hits like Quarterlife and Roommates, this expanding medium is becoming a launching point for writers and actors, showcasing new talent such as Tyler’s Ride lead actors Grant Alan and Natalie Wachen. Also featuring Christian music favorite, Jeremy Camp, in his acting debut, new episodes of the web series are posted each Tuesday, taking viewers into the life of Tyler, an aspiring musician, and his quest to follow his dreams.

The show is partnering with IndieHeaven, the leading Christian independent artist organization, to present Scene And Heard, a contest for independent songwriters around the world. Find out more here. July 31st is the deadline.

--Former Women of Faith speaker Thelma Wells is now on board with the Extraordinary Women conferences.

“Thelma brings a wealth of wisdom, humor, and the keen ability to communicate biblical truths out of a heart that understands the issues and challenges that women face everyday,” says Julie Clinton, president of the Extraordinary Women Association. “She has an instant connection with the audience.”

(If you'd like to participate in Word Out Wednesday, just blog about anything you want to get the word out about, and check in here.)

I'm blogging here today:

Here it is Tuesday, and I've had a really hard time scaring up energy to blog lately!

So I've decided to make a fly-round of the blogs on my bloglines feeds and tell you what some of them are up to. Here we go:

--Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is talking about making good first impressions.

--Angela at A Life in Pages points us to an online vocabulary game that will help feed the world's poor.

--Debra of As I See It Now points us to some clothespin art.

--Darla of Beauty Inside and Out is asking for tips on keeping bunnies and deer out of her vegetable garden.

--Joe of The Evangelical Outpost doesn't think many homosexual man really want a monogamous marriage.

--Dave at Jollyblogger asks: "What are you afraid to say at church?"

--Linda of Mocha with Linda blogs about Lisa Samson's Embrace Me.

--Dena Dyer of Mother Inferior has an award-winning husband.

--Randy at Reflections in Life is remembering gospel music legend Dottie Rambo.

--Rodney Olsen posts a video from Haiti.

--Sherry of Semicolon says Prince Caspian is everywhere.

There you go...those are just a few. Maybe my own brain will feel a return to creativity at some point!

As always, if you're flitting from Thursday Thirteen to Thursday Thirteen, bookmark this page and come back to pursue the links that interest you!

1. The "Lost" Season 4 finale begins tonight! The bummer: we won't get to see the last two hours of the finale until 2 weeks from now. If you can't wait until tonight, here's a few sneak peeks.

2. Sadly, while driving from Texas to Illinois last weekend, my husband and son came upon the wreck that claimed the life of gospel music legend Dottie Rambo. Now, Christian Newswire reports that what is believed to be the last interview with Dottie will air on the Gospel Music Channel.

3. Here's a video of Sandi Patty singing one of my favorite Dottie Rambo songs, "We Shall Behold Him." (That's Dottie herself in the background, obviously being blown away by Sandi's rendition.)

4. Men's Health recently highlighted the most unhealthy food in America.

5. Men's Fitness has named the 25 Fittest Guys in America--they say Tiger Woods tops the list, which also includes a certain presidential candidate.

6. I guess this is one way to beat those high gas prices!

7. Google has passed up Yahoo to become America's most popular website.

8. USA Today likes Prince Caspian.

9. Good News interviews C. S. Lewis stepson' Douglas Gresham about Caspian and related matters, and Movieguide.org also talks with Gresham.

10. Happy 60th birthday, Israel!

11. UPDATE!!! (5/21/08) Thanks so much to Bonnie Bruno of MacroMoments for alerting me to the fact that my link to a children's drawing site (that I had originally posted here) had turned into a nasty adult site. Yikes! that kind of thing ticks me off. :(

12. Interested in The Hobbit movie? You can take part in an online chat about it with producer Peter Jackson and director Guillermo del Toro.

13. I haven't experimented with it yet, but this website that bills itself as a "media playground" looks intriguing.

What a wonderful trip! Our main reason for going was to see our oldest son, Jonathan, graduate from Texas State University with his MBA. But another highlight was getting to spend time with our adorable grandson, Payton, and me getting to spend Mother's Day with my own mom...as well as spending time with all my loved ones who live in Texas. Thought I would share some pics:

My face is always beaming when I'm in a picture with Payton!

Proud parents with our graduate! An MBA is quite an accomplishment...especially when you're holding down a full-time job and being a new daddy.

Jonathan, Daylyn and baby Payton--who was remarkably good sitting through the lengthy graduation ceremony!

At a picnic the next day to honor Jon--Grandpa obliged Payton on the swing.

Also at the picnic--my adorable little niece Arden (my brother's youngest daughter.)

My beautiful mom and me on Sunday morning, Mother's Day. It was the first time I've spent Mother's Day with my mother since 1976!!!

The only child of mine I got to be with on Mother's Day--my firstborn, Jonathan.

Mom with three of her children (my sister Bev couldn't make it)--me, David and Lisa.