A Friend's Plea..."Clockwork Charlie, The Kidnap Plot"

My friend Dave Butler posted on his blog today about an upcoming event for which he is extremely excited. And for good reason--he's worked hard for it.

His book, The Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie, The Kidnap Plot is being published through Knopf and will be launched one month from tomorrow, June 14, 2016. In Dave's blog post he explains some of the details surrounding the publishing world and his hopes for how this particular book fits into that world.

I've read the book (my review can be read: HERE). I loved it! It's exciting and tender and fantastic and fun. Dave turned to Facebook and his blog today to do a sort of "pre-launch announcement." So, I'm doing what little I can to help the pre-launch along.

If you're looking for a great book for your kids--or even yourself--please follow this link: HERE. It will direct you to Dave's blog (it's a great place to visit even if he's not hawking his own, and other's works...). On his blog is a link to the book's Amazon page where you can pre-order the tale of Clockwork Charlie.

When all the craziness of life is said and done, we're basically a product of our decisions. And if you decide to buy this delightful little book, I can say without hyperbole, your life will be 1000 times better. Yes, it's that good. You'll thank me later.

Away...In A Manger

Last week a friend asked me if I could help him out. He needed some wise men, and for the life of me, I'm not sure why my name come up. But it did and he asked. 

And I said, "yes."

And I'm glad I did.

I was given the assignment to recruit two friends to join me, and they needed to be able to sing. Luckily, I have several friends who possess such talents. The first two I asked agreed to help.

I'm not going to tell you who asked me or where the nativity play was held. But it's an annual event, mostly held for family and close friends. I felt honored to be asked. They put on two shows--we counted the first as a rehearsal because the three wise men sort of didn't know all the things we should do. The second show, however--we nailed it! Brought the goods and sang four verses of We Three Kings. 

So, I'm standing in a barn surrounded by hay (of which I am allergic...) and with me are two other wise men. As I watched the play come to an end, I kept thinking of what a great experience I was having. It was such a pure, innocent event to celebrate the Christ child's birth.

My friend asked me to be a wise man. I think I was wiser when I left, than when I came.