I have blogged before about my love for the novels of Clive Cussler. He is either the sole or lead author of more than eighty books, seventeen of which have reached The New York Times fiction best seller list. What is more, many of his works have inspired various other media productions, including films, television, other novels, and even video games.
Given that his novels have sold scores of millions of copies, it seems somewhat surprising that only two of them have ever been made into full-length motion pictures. These are “Raise the Titanic” and “Sahara”. This may be due to the fact that neither performed well at the box office. “Raise the Titanic” lost $33 million; and “Sahara”, despite starring Matthew McConaughey and Penélope Cruz, lost over $40 million. It follows that few, if any, investors are likely willing to chance a third film.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, “Sahara” is still a fairly good movie (and an even better novel). In a previous blog post, “NOTE TO SELF” back on 09/17/2018, I shared a well-written scene in this movie. Today, I would like to share another one.
In this particular scene, World Health Organization Doctors Eva Rojas and Frank Hopper, who are accompanying National Underwater and Marine Agency team members Dirk Pitt, Al Giordino, and Rudi Gunnis up the Niger River, stop at a port for supplies. As they do, Dirk is (once again) talking about his love of diving. Dr. Rojas asks him if all he ever thinks about is diving.
He responds by saying no, and then adds that sometimes he thinks about the “angel wing clam", a sample of which he picks up and calls "Petricola Pholadiformis". He further tells her that the Niger River is the only place on the earth they are found.
After turning the empty white shell halves around and positioning them to look like angel’s wings, he then tells her that they glow in the dark, adding that the amazing thing is that scientists still do not know why. “Until then,” he says “my theory is that they do so because they can!”
I love this scene. The reason why is because it reminds us that there is so much in nature that we do not understand. Perhaps we never will. Yet, in spite of this, we can still wonder at the sheer spectacle of it all!
Whether I am looking at beautiful sunrises or beautiful sunsets, whether I am looking at dazzling displays of lightning or of lightning bugs, whether I am hearing the roar of lions or the roar of oceans, I know in my heart that all these things are simply doing what they were made to do! They are simply doing what they were empowered by their Creator to do! All because they can! And because they should.
You and I, too, are a part of God’s creation. As such, we too were designed by our Creator to do certain things. And when we do these things, and do them well - because we can, we too bring glory to our Creator!
How has God gifted you? With what talents and skills has He gifted you? In light of this, how are you utilizing these God-given talents and skills? What are you doing with what you have been given?
I encourage you to glorify God with all that you have been entrusted and/or endowed with by Him. All because you can! All because you should!
Given that his novels have sold scores of millions of copies, it seems somewhat surprising that only two of them have ever been made into full-length motion pictures. These are “Raise the Titanic” and “Sahara”. This may be due to the fact that neither performed well at the box office. “Raise the Titanic” lost $33 million; and “Sahara”, despite starring Matthew McConaughey and Penélope Cruz, lost over $40 million. It follows that few, if any, investors are likely willing to chance a third film.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, “Sahara” is still a fairly good movie (and an even better novel). In a previous blog post, “NOTE TO SELF” back on 09/17/2018, I shared a well-written scene in this movie. Today, I would like to share another one.
In this particular scene, World Health Organization Doctors Eva Rojas and Frank Hopper, who are accompanying National Underwater and Marine Agency team members Dirk Pitt, Al Giordino, and Rudi Gunnis up the Niger River, stop at a port for supplies. As they do, Dirk is (once again) talking about his love of diving. Dr. Rojas asks him if all he ever thinks about is diving.
He responds by saying no, and then adds that sometimes he thinks about the “angel wing clam", a sample of which he picks up and calls "Petricola Pholadiformis". He further tells her that the Niger River is the only place on the earth they are found.
After turning the empty white shell halves around and positioning them to look like angel’s wings, he then tells her that they glow in the dark, adding that the amazing thing is that scientists still do not know why. “Until then,” he says “my theory is that they do so because they can!”
I love this scene. The reason why is because it reminds us that there is so much in nature that we do not understand. Perhaps we never will. Yet, in spite of this, we can still wonder at the sheer spectacle of it all!
Whether I am looking at beautiful sunrises or beautiful sunsets, whether I am looking at dazzling displays of lightning or of lightning bugs, whether I am hearing the roar of lions or the roar of oceans, I know in my heart that all these things are simply doing what they were made to do! They are simply doing what they were empowered by their Creator to do! All because they can! And because they should.
You and I, too, are a part of God’s creation. As such, we too were designed by our Creator to do certain things. And when we do these things, and do them well - because we can, we too bring glory to our Creator!
How has God gifted you? With what talents and skills has He gifted you? In light of this, how are you utilizing these God-given talents and skills? What are you doing with what you have been given?
I encourage you to glorify God with all that you have been entrusted and/or endowed with by Him. All because you can! All because you should!