The Little Book That Could

It did it. After being released in spring 2007, William P. Young's The Shack made it all the way to the top of the New York Times Bestsellers List. It is truly and amazing book and revolutionary to the way we view Christ. If you are one of the 14 people on the planet that hasn't read this book yet, GO GET IT! I don't usually recommend books because they take so long to read. It's not like a movie where if you hate it, you have only lost 2 hours of your life. With a book, you could potentially lose weeks! But I am recommending this one and will tell you that you NEED to read this book. Its fantastic. And apparently the rest of the country thinks so too.

The Big Announcement

OK, so I had to title this blog "The Big Announcement" because if I had titled it "Emmy Nominations" you probably wouldn't have read it. So now that I have your attention, the nominations for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced this morning. For a complete listing of all the nominees, go here. However, I do want to make a few quick observations as this stuff is real exciting to me.

- Damages and Mad Men made history this year as the first basic cable series to be nominated for Oustanding Drama Series. Premium cable show shave been nominated before but not basicc shows.

- If Tony Shalhoub wins Lead Actor in a Comedy Series again this year for Monk, I may lose all faith in the academy. Alec Baldwin is exceptional in 30 Rock and should kill the competition.

- Michael C. Hall in Dexter for Lead Actor in a Drama Series! Yea! He has been overlooked the past 2 years and it is good to see him here.

- I am so excited to see 12 nominations for Pushing Daisies including a nod for everybody's desired kid sister, Kristin Chenoworth for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

- Another surprise nod for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Amy Poehler in Saturday Night Live. She has long been the best star on that show (currently struggling) but I don't remember the last time a performer on SNL got nominated in a major acting category. Has it ever happened? I will have to check the history books.

- Last year, the song everyone was an eye-opener to be nominated in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics was JT's "D*** in a Box". This year, the academy's choice is Sarah Silverman's "I'm F***ing Matt Damon". (It is pretty funny.)

- 30 Rock owns 4 of the 5 nominations in the Guest Actor category. Nominations couldn't have been more earned.

- Thank goodness Lost got nominated for Best Drama. It had its best year ever! Not recognizing this would have been a crime against humanity!

- The biggest battle of the night has to be in the Outstanding Children's program category. "WHAT?" you may ask. Well its a clash of the pre-teen titans, Hannah Montana vs. High School Musical 2. Pick your sides people.

- Shout out to Michelle who loves Deadliest Catch, which was nominated in the Outstanding Nonfiction Series category.

- Intervention got nominated in the Outstanding Reality Show category! This is one of the most riveting, glue-you-to-your-seat shows on cable. Watch it and you'll see!

- If 30 Rock's guest star nominations were the most deserved, then the 2nd most deserved nomination is for The Office whose episode The Dinner Party was nominated for Oustanding Writing in a Comedy Series and is by far the most uncomfortable single episode of any show....ever!

- My personal disappointments: Maura Tierney in ER not nominated. Last year's winner for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Jamie Pressly was not nominated.

- Other surprises: Desperate Housewives was completely shut out in the main categories. Grey's Anatomy shut out except for 2 supporting actress nods. Critically adored Gossip Girl was completely shut out.

I am sure I will be blogging some more about the emmys closer to awards time. But for now, think about the nominations and let me know if you have any thoughts.

Hopkins Friend

There is this new documentary on ABC called Hopkins. Jess and I watched it the night it premiered and I even talked to jack about it. The show is a really compelling documentary featuring the medical drama that takes place in Johns Hopkins Medical Center. The show also illustrates the stress that medical procedures take on both the patients and the doctors. The third episode last week even featured a heart transplant. But the real shock for me was seeing that one of the doctors they are following around is Ann Czarnik, a friend of mine that I graduated high school with. I was really surprised and shocked to see her on there. Furthermore, she is one of the lead doctors in the documentary. It is really crazy knowing that someone I grew up with and literally went to kindergarten with is now one of the stars on a show on ABC. It's kinda cool. Mom said that it is all the talk in Bluefield, where I am from. And while I think it is cool, I know that it has lost some of its surrealness (is that a word?) because of the town I live in. In Nashville, it is nothing to see world famous stars. Last night, we saw a commercial for Hopkins and it advertised what Ann will be up to this week. Then the next commercial was for Hannah Montana and her new line of whatever. So one commercial has a friend from grade school and the next has one of the largest stars in the world, who goes to my church. It's fun, but being star-struck definitely loses its wide-eyed appeal when you live in this town. Nevertheless, I want to be sure to give Ann a big kudos and shout out. So tune in to Hopkins, this Thursday night at 9PM CST on ABC. After not seeing Ann for about 6-7 years, it is refreshing to see she hasn't changed....at all!

Independence Day Music

I thought it might be fun to give some suggestions on some new summer fun music that you might like to enjoy. Jason Mraz is back and has a great new tune called "I'm Yours". It's one of those songs that you just want to listen to as you hang your arm out the window driving down a curvey country road on a hot summer afternoon. I know there has been some mixed feelings on whether Jewel should have crossed over to country or not but her latest single "I Do" is fantastic and harkens back to the sounds of Crystal Gayle and Roseanne Cash. Staying in the ultra country category, check out Lee Ann Womack's new song "Last Call" which is the best thing she has had since "I May Hate Myself in the Morning". Finally, if country isn't quite what you're looking for this weekend, try some songful stylings of newcomer Delta Goodrem whose song "In This Life" shows her vocal power and range and all around radiates positive niceness. But no matter what you're listening to, enjoy your 4th and your freedom to choose whatever song you want.

Quote of the Day

I found this quote from Maya Angelou. I hope it encourages you today!

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost," Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.
~Maya Angelou~

The Next Superstar

I can't believe I just discovered this girl and she has been gaining wide spread attention for the past six months! This baby stuff must have me preoccupied! Nevertheless, I wanted to show you a video of Charice Pempengco, a 15 year old girl from the Phillipines that will soon be the next Whitney, Celine, or Mariah and maybe even bigger and better. This is a clip of her appearing on Ellen during her first trip to the states. She is un-flippin-believable! See for yourself!