Playdate

Kevin James and Alan Ritchson fall right into type on Playdate, and that's a great thing! This could have been lower rated, even PG-13, if the language was adjusted, but I can't really call it a family film. It is a lot of fun. My wife didn't get it. I laughed almost non-stop at their juvenile jokes. I'm a guy after all.

Imagineer Eddie Sotto Has Passed- and Here's One of His Amazing Disneyland Concepts

The great Imagineer Eddie Sotto had died. His work on Disneyland Paris' Main Street is unbelievable, but he also worked on many other projects for Imagineering. To honor him today, here's my favorite posts on some of his unfinished work for Disneyland and the ties that bind Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was first published on Easter Sunday many years ago.

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Disney park fans, have you ever been to the real New Orleans? If so, the blend of charming mansions, lush vegetation, and incredible places to dine, shop, and listen to live music, make it a must see destination. So do the sacred places found in the wide variety of old churches and cathedrals. Of course, any place the sacred is found, the dark side of the spiritual world co-exists with the light. 

Disneyland's New Orleans Square is the epitome of Imagineering brilliance. When the brand new land finally opened at the park in the mid-60's, fans were amazed that theme park designers could create something so authentically charming and accurate, very faithful to the original. Here was a beautiful rendition of the city, calling visitors to explore its alleys and destinations. Watching the Mark Twain riverboat cruise the Rivers of America only added to the atmosphere.  

The masterpiece work still is Pirates of the Caribbean with its swashbuckling journey through grottoes, a burning village, and a bit of the ethereal. The opening of  The Haunted Mansion in 1969 filled out the land's roster, bringing some more obvious spirited fun for guests who dared to venture beyond its front door. Placed close to each other, Pirates and Mansion deliver the very best Imagineering has ever offered. In some ways, no other Magic Kingdom park delivers the Art of Imagineering as does this land. Even Tokyo Disneyland's mini land cannot compare to the original.

Concept Art by Eddie Sotto for the unbuilt original attraction.

It's a credit to the old school Imagineering team that folks like Bob Gurr, Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats continued to look for ways to further deepen the richness of the experiences found at the park. For New Orleans Square, however, it took a next-generation great, Imagineer Eddie Sotto, to come up with another thrilling attraction for an area so limited in acreage. 

These pieces of concept art reveal Eddie's proposal to add a walk through attraction into the crypt of famed Pirate Jean Lafitte. Think of Paris' famed catacombs, and you will not be too far off the mark from was proposed but never built. The mystery and stories of his exploits are still told today. Imagine exploring the creepy tomb with decayed bodies, leading to unknown adventures! 

It had been quite awhile since I thought about this project. There's  an interview with him on the subject. Go to this Imagineering Disney post to see a number of photos and the story in full.  Walt himself would have been thrilled to add this to the park. He always loved bringing some history into his kingdom.  In his day, the parks were viewed as living artwork to be enjoyed by families together, not solely a tool to increase profits and tie into the latest movies for merchandise sales. 

I found this to be the perfect piece for today! Imagine exploring the empty tomb of Jesus the Christ, His crucified body risen back to life to the glory of God the Father. Proving Jesus' own words that He would rise again- fully paying the price for my sin and yours. Owning this as eternal truth deep inside your heart leads to untold adventures of spirit and soul. It was truly a very Good Friday! His story is told to this day all over the world- and in spite of any opposition, it has never been able to be stopped.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) 

This video, above, is the absolute best visual presentation to be found. It's fairly recent, as fans of the attraction will know by observing the attic scene, but it's a complete tour with plenty of opportunities to stop the video and discover some secrets. 

Want more about the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean? Being these are my two favorite park attractions, this blog of more than 1800 posts contains dozens of articles, rare pieces of concept art, photographs, and more. Browse around and check it out!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Better

My wife and I have been so sick since Thanksgiving! The doctors diagnosed us with influenza and pneumonia. In addition to all this, I had Mononucleosis. Such fun! Lots of medicines, a three changes of what to take, but I just wasn't getting any better. My wife was, thank God!

I kept thinking, "What does God want me to learn from this illness?" All in between me wondering if I was ever going to recover. In fact, for two nights in a row, I just couldn't breathe. I thought I was going to continue on a downhill slide until I died. It was scary!

Remembering the day of my church's staff meeting, I drove myself in to get prayer from the pastoral staff. I brought with me a small amount of oil, so they could anoint me in accordance with scriptural direction found in James 5:14:

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."  

I didn't see immediate results. But that night, the first time in almost three weeks, I slept more than two hours. In fact, I slept 9.5 hours total with only two breaks. It was amazing! I woke up feeling immensely better since this all started. I'm hopeful for a full recovery. I know for whatever reason in His wisdom, God doesn't heal everyone, but it seems like He is stepping in on my behalf. God is good all the time, even when I can't see it.

Donald Trump on the Rob Reiner Tragedy

I don't care if you are the President of the United States. To respond to the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife the way he did is just disgusting. Very inapproprite.  President Donald Trump is showing a lack of respect for the dignity of the office. The same can be said for those who responded with equal amounts of inhumanity in the murder of Charlie Kirk. There's no excuse. We are all the worse for things like this. It's just so, so sad!
 

The Ultimate Guide: Ranking All the Carpenters Albums

Even after all these decades, Karen Carpenter and her incredible voice are celebrated and for very good reason. As Carpenters, she and brother Richard, a musical genius in a league all this own, created timeless music beloved by fans of all ages, all races, all backgrounds. Nowadays, you only hear them on American radio at Christmas, but that wasn't always the case. 

Along with millions of others, I discovered their records in 1970, but it was not their breakout hit "(They Long to Be) Close to You" that grabbed my ear. This mega-smash put them on the charts and on the public's radar, but not mine. That prize was awarded to their follow up hit "We've Only Just Begun". I was hooked ever since. And so was the U.S. A, the U.K., most of Europe and Japan. 

Richard Carpenter continued on after his sister's death to preserve their legacy. Fans continue to clamor for more, especially as he ages, but Christmas music aside, the most recent release as a duo is their album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018.

Back then, Karen and Richard were often thought of- if at all- as singles artists by the rock elite. The more carefully examined truth was that under Richard's impeccable leadership, he and his sister created beautifully crafted albums, each distinct and unlike the ones before or after. 

With that in mind, here's my Ultimate Guide ranking all of the Carpenters albums. I will cover their many singles in a list similar to this early next year. I'm aiming for February 4, 2026.

On this blog, there are so many posts about the duo from Downey that I've lost count. But my Revisited / Fresh Look series at each of their albums continues to be some of the most highly visited posts on the blog, and in particular my look at their landmark album Horizon, and Karen's aborted solo album. 

I'm continuing on with that popular series that explores the creation, promotion, and sales success of each of their albums and their lives during that time. I'm working on the Made in America review at this time.  But for now, I wanted to give an overview and ranking of all their albums. This includes duo and solo releases as well as some of their major hit compilations and their two live albums.

A few caveats before we begin. First, this list represents my personal choices. You'll agree with my ranking and comments on some as much as you'll disagree with others. That's quite alright- my friends at the A&M Corner discussion boards engage in lively debate while we all agree on what makes the duo special. I'd encourage you to join us.

Next, my ranking reflects a listen to the albums as originally mixed and not the multitude of remixes done by Richard over the decades. All are single disc releases unless otherwise noted. Not all of the compilations are included here.

Then, I have considered how the entire album feels when listening to it. Do I listen to the entire disc or cherry pick? Do I get bored by it? How often will I listen to it if I've just given it a spin days earlier?

Let's get started. 

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27-  RICHARD CARPENTER’S PIANO SONGBOOK,  2021: 

Simple piano album. On his third release as a solo artist, Richard plays beautifully, and the set as expected includes many Carpenters hits. It's good music for the background to a cocktail party. Personally, I'm not ready to listen to elevator music even at this age. One unique aspect: It's the only release by the duo or by Richard and Karen as solo artists that does not have the A&M Records imprint. This one is on Decca. Finally, I'm glad I own it- I'm kind of a completist- and I won't ever dismiss the man's talent, but Piano Songbook rightfully fits at the bottom of the list.

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26-  PIANIST, ARRANGER, COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR, 1997: 

Solo album number two is one step up from the album below it on this list. There's full orchestration and background vocals, including some background vocals from Karen herself- an unforeseen surprise. This set contains two songs you wouldn't expect: the instrumental "Karen's Theme" from "The Karen Carpenter Story" television show;  and "All Those Years Ago" a song first recorded on Canadian Véronique Béliveau's 1989 album produced by Richard. Overall, a very pretty but ultimately forgettable listen.

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25-  LIVE IN JAPAN,  1974:

Live concert albums are not my favorite. Apparently, Richard himself hates them. The album cover is terrific, but for the most part, the music contained is so stiffly close to the original hits in execution that I'd rather just listen to their superior studio work. Exceptional pieces include "Sing", rendered wonderfully by Karen in Japanese and the "Oldies Medley", where the band and its superstar duo prove they can rock out too. The best part about Live in Japan? It reveals that even without any technical wizardry, Karen was a one of a kind vocalist. She was just as good in person as she was behind a studio microphone.

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24-  OFFERING/TICKET TO RIDE, 1969: 

Karen and Richard's debut album is a product of its time. Offering is the originally titled very limited release, and Ticket is the repackaged album. As far as the music, there's a 60's swagger and exaggeration that is only matched by its innocence. Ticket shows how Richard can brilliantly reimagine records by others, and Karen hits vocal pay dirt by giving us a delicate "All of My Life". Their jazz roots come into play here as does their background and love for choral music. The debut is good but not great- yet the stage was set.

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23 -  FROM THE TOP, 1991:

In the late 1980's and early 1990's, boxed sets were all the rage. These were prestige markers for the artist, putting vinyl out to cement their importance to a label or perhaps as a vanity project. Music collectors couldn't get enough of rare and unreleased recordings along with demos, a live number or two and a few bits of studio dialogue set alongside unheard takes of old favorites. The Carpenters were no exception to the allure of the boxed set, and A&M Record's superstar duo was certainly worthy of its release. From The Top was their first of two boxed sets in the States. Notable standouts include the very first Karen Carpenter solo singles from Magic Lamp records, versions of now well known cuts when the duo was part of a group known as Spectrum, commercial jingles for Suntory Pop and The Bell System aka AT&T, the U.S. telephone company who I worked for as a young man. Of biggest interest at the time were two previously unreleased songs from Karen's 1980 solo album. However, when mixed in with early jazz numbers, the hits remixed instead of their initial recordings, ditties recorded for commercials, clips of in studio discussions, and finally the inclusion of Christmas music, Disc One and Three (of four total) make the boxed set a difficult listening experience from start to finish. Still, it is invaluable for the collector and a fascinating look at their career from a musical standpoint. 

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22- TIME - RICHARD CARPENTER, 1987:

Richard's first album as a solo act following Karen's passing is his best. No, it's not the duo, and there was no way it could be. So, how could he pull off presenting his best side? The answer was first by following what  Quincy Jones did with his smash album The Dude. Instead of using relatively fresh talent though, Richard went old school and employed Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. To his credit, he did get the unknown 16 year old Scott Grimes for one song, but it felt really out of place. Secondly, he took a page out of the duo's Passage book, and began with a number that was totally unexpected, "Say Yeah!" The title track is a solid instrumental, and Dusty's recording on "Something in Your Eyes" is nice. Richard also wrote one number with Richard Marx.  The production is as well done as any Carpenters disc, and I'm Still Not Over You has the classic Carpenters sound, but success was not to be. 
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21- CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE, 2024:

Probably the last Carpenters album we will see in Richard's lifetime. This single disc of selections from both their Christmas albums feels complete, but in reality it is missing some of my favorite recordings by the duo. No Silent Night, no What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, and no Selections from The Nutcracker. You do get The Christmas Song (Chestnuts), Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and of course, Merry Christmas, Darling all in one sparkling remastered and remixed package. 

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20- CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, 1996: 

In contrast, if you can find it- but it's CD only- this is the one you want. You get both full length Carpenters Christmas albums on two discs. Richard's playing sparkles, and Karen was born to sing these classics. As a listening experience, it gets a bit too much at almost 2 hours total, hence the lower rating. 

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19- AS TIME GOES BY,  2001/2004: 

The two release dates reference the initial one for the Japanese market and the later one for the U.S.  There's a beautiful cover photo by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. The "single disc boxed set"- a quote attributed to Richard- covers a variety of outtakes, medleys, and previous unreleased material. Take note: This is the only album that includes Karen's incredible version of Perry Como's classic song "It's Impossible". That alone makes it worth the purchase price. 

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18  -  THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965 - 1997,  2002:

Boxed set number two is largely the same as the earlier From The Box but includes a stronger line up of selections from the later years- including Karen's medley with Ella Fitzgerald. 

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17-  AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS, 1984:

Seven more selections that feature Karen's illustrious voice. She absolutely shines on "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" among others. The answer to these questions is 1- Yes, I'm marveling at her glorious instrument, and 2- Wishing she was around to record for so many more years!

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16-  MADE IN AMERICA,  1981:

A rather weak comeback album that still has some strong points. Touch Me When We're Dancing may be the only true hit on the disc, but the Richard / John Bettis written Those Good Old Dreams is a solid tune, a softer Top of the World. The one surprising standout is When It's Gone (It's Just Gone), a rather mournful country tune with a beautiful, lush instrumentation. Karen's voice floats above it all- and that's the main problem. Her deeper contralto that made her famous seems missing gone from the proceedings. Unfortunately, this is mostly a for "the fans only" collection.

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15-  THE SINGLES 1974-1978:

Initially released only in the U.K., this collection has its fans, but it is really just a reminder of how far the mighty have fallen since the duo's first greatest hits collection. It's a mixed bag of the second half of their career. There's the alternate, remixed version of Can't Smile Without You, the same on I Won't Last A Day Without You, and some beautiful numbers showcasing the first three years the album references. Only Yesterday still gives the feels with Karen's opening line, Solitaire is stunning, I Need to Be in Love breaks your heart, and the strange Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft remains in the "What were they thinking?" category.

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14-  PASSAGE,  1977:

For the first time ever, the upbeat numbers are better than the ballads! B'wana She No Home is an instant "wake up and smell the coffee" moment. The duo has never recorded anything else like it, and it is the star of this unexpected gathering of songs. Just incredible. The more traditional All You Get From Love is a Love Song was a fantastic but overlooked first single. The last single, Sweet Sweet Smile, surprised everyone by becoming a hit on Country radio. It's hard not to love it!

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13-  THE SINGLES 1969-1973: 

Now this is the real greatest hits collection! Richard gives listeners a glimpse of what is to come when he goes into full orchestra mode after Karen's passing. The lush opening lines of Close to You merged with a full on We've Only Just Begun is as unexpected as the blend of Rainy Days and Mondays with Superstar and Goodbye to Love. That's all Side One on vinyl. Side Two has no surprises but just the hits as recorded. And what monstrous hits they were. It is Yesterday Once More. If you buy only one single disc Carpenters album, this is  without a doubt the one.

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12-  VOICE OF THE HEART,  1983:

A mixed bag but a sentimental favorite due to it being the first album released after Karen's death in 1983. Now, Karen's last recording, kicks off the first half, but the rest of it is rather unfocused. On the plus side, there's a great bit of stylistic variety. Karen ever sings a Bonnie Raitt tune. Side Two shines with Paul Williams' saloon song Ordinary Fool, a breathtaking Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore, and the swan song Look to Your Dreams. If you don't get misty eyed on that last number, you just don't have a heart.

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11-  NOW AND THEN, 1973:

There's Yesterday Once More and the best version of This Masquerade you'll ever hear. Side One is uneven- no one needs to hear the instrumental of a Geritol commercial-  and on Side Two, the Oldies don't always wear well listen after listen even though they are individually quite excellent. Yet Our Day Will Come is extraordinary. Richard sounds terrific on The Night Has a Thousand Eyes. And Karen cooing Johnny Angel? Heavenly!

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Now, for the Top Ten Best Carpenters Albums...

10-  CARPENTERS,   1971:

When it's good, it's great. Three major hits here: For All We Know, Rainy Days and Mondays, and Superstar. Shoulda been a hit Let Me Be The One. There's two hidden gems, Hideaway and Sometimes. The upbeat Bacharach Medley is fun, but it is balanced out by the rather mediocre One Love, the bright but short Saturday, and the bottom of the barrel groupie ode Druscilla Penny.  

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9-  LOVELINES,  1989:

This is the best Carpenters album you may not heard of. Released at the end of 1989, almost a full year after the television smash hit The Karen Carpenter Story, Lovelines showcases two great tunes from the biopic (Where Do I Go From Here? and You're the One). There's also four numbers from Karen's solo album in remixed form, plus a couple of cuts that were unused from the Made in America sessions. One of these, Kiss Me The Way You Did Last Night, is just eons better than everything found on the duo's 1981 comeback album. Toss in the old standard When I Fall in Love, and you have Karen and Richard at their very best. Do not overlook this one.

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8-  LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM,  1976:

The exception to the live album rule. By this point in their career, Karen and Richard were not nearly as beloved in the States as they had been. Instead, they were wildly popular in the U.K. and in Japan. This single disc captures them at a time when Karen displayed versatility and personality in her performances, both visually and vocally, no longer straddled with having to duplicate the sound of the records that made them famous. Yes, you get a good number of the hits but in medley form- and that's alright because you've heard them millions of times. She sounds incredible as ever. And without Auto-Tune. Karen's energetic drum solo and Richard's Warsaw Concerto add variety to the proceedings. With nothing left to prove, the duo shows once again the unique gift they were to the music world. A must hear.

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7-  A KIND OF HUSH,  1976:

The downward slide had only just begun, but this set contains three gems in a row that open Side Two, and they should not be missed: The Richard Carpenter / John Bettis composed I Need to Be in Love, the elegant and understated One More Time- perhaps the best cut on this disc- and the intoxicatingly sensual Boat to Sail. The album was a certain downgrade from the previous collection, Horizon. The disc has its merits- I love the title song- and the album is a personal favorite choice for a lazy afternoon by the fire.

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6-  A SONG FOR YOU,  1972:

A landmark album that showcases not only Karen's voice but Richard's creativity and willingness to break the mold. Goodbye to Love startled long time listeners. Karen just kills it with the raw vocals of the title track while stacks of vocals bring a different kind of chill- especially now that she has passed- with those closing lyrics. The initial side of the album is the most perfect sequencing of songs you'll find in their catalogue. The country tinged Top of the World in its original, softer form is here, setting the stage for the drama of Hurting Each Other. It's one of the best albums the duo ever recorded and holds up to this day.

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5- KAREN CARPENTER,  1996:

Karen without Richard. Yes, he knew how to frame her voice best, but no, Richard should not have been the only one to produce her. Her voice was for all time and deserved a wide range of settings. Imagine a great disc with a general vibe like Michael Jackson's Off the Wall or George Benson's classic Give Me the Night. Songwriter Rod Temperton gave Karen some very unCarpenterlike material, and producer Phil Ramone swung for the fences. Listen with an objective ear, and you'll discover a whole new Karen. In a smooth jazz setting, on a piano only tune, or even on the set's one pure disco number, you may just fall in love with her voice again. Just the inclusion of her eye opening version of Still Crazy After All These Years makes it worth your money. If this doesn't convince you to give it a listen, read my detailed review here. 

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4-  CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT, 1978:

The first and original Carpenters Christmas album is the best. The sequencing is fantastic. There's no lengthy wait for Karen to come in as Christmas Waltz enters at just the right time. This is the very first appearance of the re-recorded Merry Christmas Darling. Gone is the dark, husky voiced singer and in its place is the refined, velvety toned crooner. Silent Night brings a reverent dignity to it all as does the closer, Ave Maria. It's a classic for a reason!

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3-  CARPENTERS WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA,  2018:

Hearing this album for the first time brought me to tears. The new interludes between songs brings a sense of grandeur, sophistication, and historical significance to their already iconic richly arranged and orchestrated selections. To hear the beautiful For All We Know with the guitar opening that was initially recorded for it for Jose Feliciano (and then deleted at the instance of his manager) reminds listeners that Richard thought out of the box early in their career. Trumpets on Goodbye to Love bring the Beatles touch to an already groundbreaking record. The downsides are few. Be prepared: The overall emotion brought out by these newly reimagined selections carries more impact than you'd think. 

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2-  HORIZON,  1975:

Aside from the Magic Lamp singles, Karen's first solo performance is actually found on this album. Where? On the sublime I Can Dream Can't I? Richard is nowhere to be found, not as arranger or performer. It's just Karen. Arrangement by Big Band legend Billy May. It's only one of many highlights. This is the Carpenters for a new era. Please Mr. Postman aside, this album is widely reviewed as the best recording of Karen's incredible vocals. There's the extended cut of Only Yesterday, the definitive take on Neil Sedaka's Solitaire, and a version of Eagles hit Desperado that you never thought could get any better, but it does. 1975's Horizon is just a stunning album.

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1-  CLOSE TO YOU,  1970:

According to Richard, this album had to be thrown together quickly, but you'd never know it. The first hit album belongs in every music lover's library. Vibrant, diverse, and much more interesting than just their first two iconic hits, Close to You and We've Only Just Begun. There's a youthful energy and hopefulness that's evident here. An anticipation of what's to come. Most importantly, you can hear the pure joy in the end result. Beyond the hits, to hear Karen do even more Bacharach tunes is a delight. Their road ahead should have lasted for decades longer, but what a beginning of a great slew of top notch albums.

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There you have it! The Ultimate Guide to all the Carpenters albums. On February 4th of 2026, I post an article reviewing all the single releases from the duo. Until then, enjoy exploring some incredible music!

Disclaimer:  Yes, love it or hate it, the image at the top was created by me via AI by using an original photograph. Pretty astonishing results. 

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This is part of a continuing series on the music, life, and albums of Karen and Richard Carpenter. There are so many stand alone posts highlighting different aspects of their career, recordings, rare photographs, and life that I've lost count. 

Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and then my initial ones a decade earlier. Each have different photos and clippings.

My Revisited / Fresh Look at the albums:

Offering / Ticket to Ride
Close to You
Carpenters 
A Song for You 

Now & Then

The Singles 1969 - 1973

Live in Japan

Horizon

A Kind of Hush

Live at the Palladium

Passage

The Singles 1974 - 1978

Christmas Portrait

Karen Carpenter - The Solo Album

Music, Music, Music 

Made in America (Coming soon!)

My Initial Reviews of the Albums:

Offering/Ticket to Ride

Close to You

Carpenters

A Song for You

Now & Then

The Singles 1969-1973

Live In Japan

Horizon

A Kind of Hush

Live at the Palladium

Passage

The Singles 1974-1978

Christmas Portrait

Made in America

Voice of the Heart

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Time (Richard Solo)

Lovelines

Karen Carpenter (Solo)

As Time Goes By

Christmas Family Devotional 2025, Week Three: God’s Love Is Stronger – “From the Manger to the Cross”

Week Three of Four

God’s Love Is Stronger – “From the Manger to the Cross”

Scripture: John 3:16–17  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The Christmas story doesn’t end with the baby in the manger. It's only the beginning of the world's greatest story! The manger points to the cross Jesus would die on to save us. That's the most important piece of the story and the one that is often forgotten. 

The whole Bible points to this very big truth and then what happens when Jesus returns to judge and rule the world. The story is an adventure and a mystery at times, but most importantly, it is a love story about the One True God who loves the people He created. That's me, you, and the people on this earth.

Jesus died in place of you! Yes, that’s how much God loves you. He saw how our sin hurts the people He loves. He saw how it hurts us, too! He saw the brokenness in our world—the hate, the fear, the ways of living that bring pain to His heart. He knew He had to step in because we couldn't fix any of it. Without Him, we'd be totally lost. We'd have no hope, no purpose, no joy. And our eternal future would be pretty awful!

When we look at Jesus, we see the Father’s love in action. It’s not a distant, “maybe someday” kind of love. It’s real, personal, and strong enough to change our lives.  He is the very definition of love, and He is the Conquering King who will return to earth one day! 

Discussion Questions

• What does God’s love shown through Jesus mean to you personally?
• If you really believed God’s love is that strong, how might it change the way you live, the way you treat others—or yourself?
• Who in your life needs to see this kind of love through you this Christmas? How can you show it?
• Who do you know that needs to understand this story about why God sent Jesus to the earth? Try practicing how to tell them.

Prayer

Describe back to God all His characteristics. Tell Him why you love Him. Then ask Him to give you strength to live for Him. Think about the people you know who do not know Him. Talk to God about them by name, and ask Him to show them who He is and how much He loves them.

(All content copyright Mark Taft.)

Lost Christmas

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the two men that formed Wham, came up with one very catchy holiday tune: Last Christmas. The title was also used for a movie starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. But this isn't about either one. 

After two on line doctor visits and one to urgent care, I'm now the confirmed recipient of the flu, pneumonia and mono. Gifts aplenty! My wife has the same two illnesses but no the mono.  This means not only have I done very little to decorate our house, I haven't been able to enjoy anything about my favorite holiday. I haven't even played my beloved Christmas Portrait album by the Carpenters. I'm just so tired. Lost Christmas indeed!

Happy 100th Birthday Dick Van Dyke! And Some Good Advice from the Man Himself

Dick Van Dyke. Icon. Legend- Disney and more. Family man. One of the nicest celebrities I'm sure anyone has ever met. What an incredible  life! Happy 100th Birthday! Mary Poppins made us love him, and life made us realize just how special he is. What's one piece of advice he'd like to share with us?

"Anyone who does try to live by the Bible sooner or later comes across a text that seems designed especially for him. For me it’s that tremendous question in Matthew 16:26: What does it profit a man if be gain the whole world but lose his own soul?"

                            God bless you, Dick Van Dyke!

The Beauty of Disney's Westcot at Night

The long lost Disney Imagineering project that should have been built in place of Disney California Adventure. They call it Westcot. A new version of EPCOT Center improved upon by learning from mistakes from the past. It has always seemed that the Imagineers were at their most creative point when they were forced to deal with Disneyland's space limitations. Obvious case in point: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Both attractions benefit from the restrictions they had to work around. Such would have been the case with Westcot. By design, the nations of World Showcase would have the be grouped into continents and the Future World pavilions reorganized into more effective layouts. This AI created image shows what could have been.

Want a deeper look with many more real pieces of concept art? Go here and here.  Both are different, and Imagineer Tony Baxter detailed all the plans for Westcot on the second article. Still another missed opportunity by Disney. By hey, we got Pixar Pier and SanFransokyo, right?

 

Main Street Cinema Attraction Poster- Tokyo Style!

After decades of denial, its seems like real Disney theme park fans are finally beginning to acknowledge the truth:  When it comes to the same high standards Walt Disney believed in, be in stunning new attractions, guest value, or park and attraction maintenance, the Tokyo Disney Resort is the new gold standard. The love, attention to detail, and money the Oriental Land Company pours into the place is obvious! 

This includes honoring Imagineering history and their wonderful park attraction posters. Here's a great one for the Main Street Cinema! The star of the show is front and center- Mickey Mouse himself. Disney's reliable, ultimate leading man- and corporate symbol- graces the front against a nice golden yellow backdrop. 

Just a little image with a big grin to warm up a winter's day.

Christmas Family Devotional 2025, Week Two: God Keeps His Promises – “The Plan All Along”

Week Two of Four

God Keeps His Promises – “The Plan All Along”

Scripture: Matthew 1:21–23 

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. … and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”

Long before Jesus was born- in fact all the way back to the beginning of history- in the book of Genesis in Chapter 3, God promised that He would send someone to rescue people from their sin. He himself would pay the penalty we should be paying for its consequences. God himself loved us so much that He decided to fix the problem. All through history, people waited and even at times wondered if God would really follow through with what He said He would do. Those people whose hearts trusted God pleased Him, and they were seen as being in right standing with God even before Jesus showed up on the earth.

True to His word, Jesus the perfect sacrifice for our sin, did show up and right on time. His name “Immanuel” means God with us. That’s huge! It means God didn’t just send someone else to clean us our big mess; He came and did it Himself. No one else in Heaven or on Earth could do what Jesus accomplished! Jesus didn’t show up just to be a nice teacher or do miracles. He came to take away sin—the stuff in our hearts and the bad choices we make that separates us from God. He alone bring us back into a right relationship with Him.

God’s plan was always to rescue, not reject. That’s who He is: a Father who keeps His promises and does whatever it takes to bring His children home. What it took was living a perfect life and then going even further to die on a cross for our sin. Who else could have done that? No one!

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to you that God is “with us”? How does this change or affect the way you live?
• Can you think of a time when it was hard to trust someone to keep a promise? How is God different?
• Has God given you a promise from the Bible? Have you seen it happen yet? How do you feel about that?
• How could you reflect God’s faithfulness by being someone others can count on?

Prayer

Stop and Thank God for who He is and what He accomplished. Tell Him the things that are on your heart- what you want and need from Him. Then tell Him the things you've done wrong or some of the bad thoughts you've had. Ask Him to forgive you and to give you strength to live in a way that pleases Him.

(All content copyright Mark Taft.)

Day 11

It's day 11 of this flu that has taken over our home, our kids, and their kids. I can certainly see how illness can take over a thought life. This isn't fun by any stretch of the imagination. I knew I needed some time off, but this was not the way I wanted to get it.

Conquering Seasonal Depression

The seasonal blues, the Christmas depression, is much more common than we would want to admit. Especially as men. I've gone in and out of this most of my life. Yet, I've learned some tricks to help me conquer it and to keep going. Even as a follower of Jesus, we have to deal with real issues and cannot just act like they don't exist. If you struggle with depression, don't give up! Read on and be encouraged!

Thankfully, discussion about male depression is not as uncommon as it used to be.  We're freer than ever to be who we really are, and that's a good thing. Wintertime is the season where it is triggered in me big time, especially post holidays when life goes back to normal, and Spring seems far away. That said, I have a slight understanding of the ups and downs that can accompany the feeling of things not being 100% "right".

Although its less so than in years past, I have been constantly amazed by the general reluctance of the society and sometimes the faith community to discuss this very human condition. Yet, I have read two very interesting pieces in the New Testament where both the great Apostle Paul and even Jesus himself struggled with despair. Here's a quote from Paul written to the church in Corinth.

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we even despised of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened what we might not rely on ourselves, but on God,who raises the dead." (II Corinthians 1:8-9)

Jesus' words are even more important here, as He is God in the flesh: In the garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, he says to Peter, James and John, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." (Matthew 26:38)

How much more direct and descriptive can that be?

Personally speaking, it's taken me years to accept the fluctuations that come in life. I've been trained in the Southern California mindset of "Always sunny and free all the time". But life is not like that- which is why I am also so against the prosperity teachers that can populate the Christian airwaves and bookstores. They are a distortion of the truth of who God is and His Word. 

How can I manage and even conquer life's ups and downs when leaning toward depression? A few things I have discovered: One, stay as far away from sin as possible! This will help you- realize that being tempted is NOT the same as sinning. There was something very, very  freeing in that realization. I can be tempted over and over again but I don't have to succumb. Jesus himself was tempted in every way, so I shouldn't feel bad when I'm tempted. Neither should you.

When I'm low, instead of looking toward the things that will seem to meet my needs in the moment but ultimately keep me addicted, I will ask for strength to avoid them. Why add to my problems by doing things I know will cause me to be more deeply depressed later? Be it excess food or alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, gambling, the internet, endless media binging, buying things I don't need etc, the actions which pacify our pain can also be the very ones that keep us captive instead of free. Pain can be a healthy sign that God is still working on my behalf, and there are things He wants to clean up for my own benefit.

Secondly, when my need feels great, when I am sad, or even when I am just craving what I know is ultimately destructive, I am training myself to see that as my clue I need more time with my heavenly father. Time for quiet reflection, prayer, worship, and reading my Bible can bring me back to a peaceful place. I've made the decision that my life belongs to Jesus, so why shouldn't I go right to Him when I know He can and will show tender care for me? He knows everything about me anyway- that's a scary thought at times- so I should look to Him and be 100% honest about where I'm at.

Lastly, I am developing a pattern of choosing to have a thankful heart. This is a choice and this is a battle for control of my thoughts. I am so blessed by God! Yet, how often do I long for more of everything and not be grateful for my life. It will never be perfect or free from want or conflict, so I might as well be as joyful, thankful and at peace as I can be. Again, the story is not over yet.

Years back, there was a brief season of a few months where I even took antidepressants on the advice of my doctor. That helped balance me out when I need it. Others need them as a long term part of their lives. If that's you, please consider it. God uses doctors to heal, too! Keep that in consideration if you struggle.

God is so faithful as we continue to look to Him for hope and strength. May my disclosure and insights help give those of you who struggle some ideas about how to live life well in the midst of difficulty.