Here's my New Year's resolutions:
1. I resolve to lose fifteen pounds between January 1st and April 1st and then slowly gain it all back plus a couple extra between April 2nd and December 31st.
2. I resolve to read the first 30% of the Brothers Karamozov, again.
3. I resolve to play phone tag with the three or four old friends I've lost touch with, before just forgetting about them again for another five or six years.
4. I resolve to continue in my steadfast commitment to procrastination.
5. If my cell phone and ATM card ever turn up, I resolve to lose them again about every three weeks or so.
6. I resolve to lose more hair.
7. I resolve to intend to be faithful to my one year reading plan for the whole Bible.
8. I resolve to get restless somewhere in the middle of the book of Numbers and then just read whatever Biblical books I feel like reading for the rest of the year and promise that I'll really stick with it in 2007.
9. I resolve to drink more coffee.
10. I resolve to spend just as much money on music downloads as I did last year and rationalize it by telling myself "hey, at least you're not stealing it off of Kazaa or whatever".
11. I resolve to continue feeling guilty for not painting more frequently.
12. I resolve to keep my morning prayer time sporadic, scatter-brained and unfocused.
31.12.05
30.12.05
Resolutions.
THE RESOLUTIONs OF Jonathan Edwards
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
underground projection
1. mount a projector to the outside of a subway car.
2. board the subway car
3. video the images from the inside of the moving subway car
4. pray to God you don't get shot for mounting something to the side of a subway car
5. post the results on the internet
2. board the subway car
3. video the images from the inside of the moving subway car
4. pray to God you don't get shot for mounting something to the side of a subway car
5. post the results on the internet
Devil in Blue Jeans
A man wears a pair of Cheap Monday jeans, seen at a shop in Stockholm Thursday Dec. 29 2005. Cheap Monday jeans are a hot commodity among young Swedes thanks to their trendy tight fit and low price, even if a few buyers are turned off by the logo: a skull 29 2005. Cheap Monday jeans are a hot commodity among young Swedes thanks to their trendy tight fit and low price, even if a few buyers are turned off by the logo: a skull with a cross turned upside down on its forehead. Logo designer Bjorn Atldax says he's not just trying for an antiestablishment vibe. 'It is an active statement against Christianity,' Atldax told The Associated Press. 'I'm not a Satanist myself, but I have a great dislike for organized religion.'
(AP photo/Pressens Bild/Jonas Ekstromer)
(AP photo/Pressens Bild/Jonas Ekstromer)
29.12.05
Down With Ugly: Thomas Kincaid, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the Source of Beauty
I was browsing around Barnes and Noble last night with my wife when I spotted the title "The Beauty of Holiness" on the cover of a periodical entitled "Chronicles". It caught my attention because I am increasingly convinced of the vital connection between truth and beauty, between theology and aesthetics, between the glory of God and the glory of created order. These are connections we seem to have all but lost track of as the Church over the last few centuries.
Those of you who know me well, know I am prone to give Thomas Kincade crap from time to time. It's nothing against Thomas personally, I guess, it's just that his art is so darn bad. And not bad as in good. Bad as in ugly. Normally I wouldn't go out of my way to draw attention to bad art. There is afterall a lot of it out there. But TK goes out of his way to connect his syrupy, treacle to the Christian faith. And I can not let this slide without comment. Bad art is bad religion. (I think Rookmaker said that). Kincaid's paintings are so self consciously untrue in what they communicate, I'll stop just short of labeling what he does "sin". I have taken a lot of heat for comparing his paintings to pornography. Yes, I'm serious. It's nothing against Kincaid personally, and his work is not worse that much of what is out there under the guise "Christian art". It just happens to be the most popular. But I will continue to insist that aesthetics is a moral issue. Or perhaps aesthetics and morality are subsets of the same over arching category: Shalome. Either way, bad art disrupts Shalome. (Shalome, according to theologian Cornelius Plantinga, can be understood as "the way things ought to be").
Unfortuantely, the Church (especially the Evangelical church in the West) has contributed to this vandalism of aesthetic Shalome in a number of ways, (and we simply don't have room in this post to address the train wreck called "Christian Contemporary Music") but one way we continue to offend is with poor architectural design of our places of worship. Churches should not be ugly. They should be beautiful.
Thomas Fleming agrees. Check out these excerpts from his article then go buy the magazine:
During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, magnificent churches were constructed, and even if I sometimes deplore the taste and spiritual formation of the builders, I have to admire the splendor. Even in the spiritually bankrupt 19th century, people demanded something more than mere utility in church architecture... these poor souls wanted to adore their Creator in a building that no one could confuse with a factory or grain silo. Then what the Hell has happened?
Obviously Christians can worship in a barn or in a sewer, but , given the choice and resources, any normal person would prefer to worship in "the beauty of holiness".
-That's just your opinion. Haven't you ever heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
I'd rather to find it in the eye of the storm. "There's beauty in the bellow of the blast- and grandeur in the growling of a gale." Terror is apart of grandeur... "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," but what sort of fear or awe is inspired by light woods, soft carpet, and the reassuring comercial ambiance of the contemporary mall-church, wether Protestant or Catholic?
Then Fleming goes on to argue that the 19th century witenssed the rise and fall of aestheticism as an alternative to Christianity. he says we walked away from "the beauty of holiness" and pursued the "holiness of beauty" instead. When Richard Wagner composed Parsifal, a Christian themed opera, it was too much to handle for his Christophobic friend, Friedrich Nietzsche who hated the work "because he admired and feared it". Nietzsche said "It was as if someone were speaking to me again, after many years, about the problems that disturb me- naturally not supplying the answers I would give, but the Christian answer, which afterall has been the answer of stronger souls than the last two centuries of our era have produced".
Fleming writes,
This then is the reason why Tel Aviv is so ugly, and why Moscow and Detroit are (for the most part) ugly... We of the Modern Age have not accidentally stumbled into ugliness; we have embraced it the way a married man embraces an ugly prostitute. We hate beauty because we hate the Source of beauty, and in deliberately building ugly churches, we are betraying our true allegience, which is not to God or even to Mammon. But, sursum corda: There is nothing wrong with modern churches that a fleet of FEMA bulldozers cannot fix.
A couple of years ago a friend and I were having coffee at a local coffee house that just happens to be down the street from an abortion clinic where Christians were picketing and across the street from the ugliest, electric blue office building with some sort of odd, decorative silver scaffolding pasted all over the facade. My friend (who is not a part of any church) and I were discussing the merits and follies of Christian picketing when he (a graphic designer by trade) suggested that perhaps my church should get some signs and picket the ugly office building across the street. Our signs would say "DOWN WITH UGLY!" We had a good laugh. But you know... I think we were on to something. Unfortunately, the place our protest should begin is with our own churches that disregard aesthetics as a sign of our own disregard for the Source of beauty.
Down with ugly, indeed.
Those of you who know me well, know I am prone to give Thomas Kincade crap from time to time. It's nothing against Thomas personally, I guess, it's just that his art is so darn bad. And not bad as in good. Bad as in ugly. Normally I wouldn't go out of my way to draw attention to bad art. There is afterall a lot of it out there. But TK goes out of his way to connect his syrupy, treacle to the Christian faith. And I can not let this slide without comment. Bad art is bad religion. (I think Rookmaker said that). Kincaid's paintings are so self consciously untrue in what they communicate, I'll stop just short of labeling what he does "sin". I have taken a lot of heat for comparing his paintings to pornography. Yes, I'm serious. It's nothing against Kincaid personally, and his work is not worse that much of what is out there under the guise "Christian art". It just happens to be the most popular. But I will continue to insist that aesthetics is a moral issue. Or perhaps aesthetics and morality are subsets of the same over arching category: Shalome. Either way, bad art disrupts Shalome. (Shalome, according to theologian Cornelius Plantinga, can be understood as "the way things ought to be").
Unfortuantely, the Church (especially the Evangelical church in the West) has contributed to this vandalism of aesthetic Shalome in a number of ways, (and we simply don't have room in this post to address the train wreck called "Christian Contemporary Music") but one way we continue to offend is with poor architectural design of our places of worship. Churches should not be ugly. They should be beautiful.
Thomas Fleming agrees. Check out these excerpts from his article then go buy the magazine:
During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, magnificent churches were constructed, and even if I sometimes deplore the taste and spiritual formation of the builders, I have to admire the splendor. Even in the spiritually bankrupt 19th century, people demanded something more than mere utility in church architecture... these poor souls wanted to adore their Creator in a building that no one could confuse with a factory or grain silo. Then what the Hell has happened?
Obviously Christians can worship in a barn or in a sewer, but , given the choice and resources, any normal person would prefer to worship in "the beauty of holiness".
-That's just your opinion. Haven't you ever heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
I'd rather to find it in the eye of the storm. "There's beauty in the bellow of the blast- and grandeur in the growling of a gale." Terror is apart of grandeur... "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," but what sort of fear or awe is inspired by light woods, soft carpet, and the reassuring comercial ambiance of the contemporary mall-church, wether Protestant or Catholic?
Then Fleming goes on to argue that the 19th century witenssed the rise and fall of aestheticism as an alternative to Christianity. he says we walked away from "the beauty of holiness" and pursued the "holiness of beauty" instead. When Richard Wagner composed Parsifal, a Christian themed opera, it was too much to handle for his Christophobic friend, Friedrich Nietzsche who hated the work "because he admired and feared it". Nietzsche said "It was as if someone were speaking to me again, after many years, about the problems that disturb me- naturally not supplying the answers I would give, but the Christian answer, which afterall has been the answer of stronger souls than the last two centuries of our era have produced".
Fleming writes,
This then is the reason why Tel Aviv is so ugly, and why Moscow and Detroit are (for the most part) ugly... We of the Modern Age have not accidentally stumbled into ugliness; we have embraced it the way a married man embraces an ugly prostitute. We hate beauty because we hate the Source of beauty, and in deliberately building ugly churches, we are betraying our true allegience, which is not to God or even to Mammon. But, sursum corda: There is nothing wrong with modern churches that a fleet of FEMA bulldozers cannot fix.
A couple of years ago a friend and I were having coffee at a local coffee house that just happens to be down the street from an abortion clinic where Christians were picketing and across the street from the ugliest, electric blue office building with some sort of odd, decorative silver scaffolding pasted all over the facade. My friend (who is not a part of any church) and I were discussing the merits and follies of Christian picketing when he (a graphic designer by trade) suggested that perhaps my church should get some signs and picket the ugly office building across the street. Our signs would say "DOWN WITH UGLY!" We had a good laugh. But you know... I think we were on to something. Unfortunately, the place our protest should begin is with our own churches that disregard aesthetics as a sign of our own disregard for the Source of beauty.
Down with ugly, indeed.
Puppet Show Tonight!
You guys all missed a fantastic puppet show at the ol' Funky P homestead this evening. It was called "The Saving of the Dragon" and was about, not the dragon being saved, but rather about the salvation the dragon brought to all the Kingdom by defeating the devil and his three demonic helpers who looked remarkably like little pigs.
It is a well known fact...
that the only way to purge a blog from the lingering effects of Hasselhoff infection is by frequent and regular references to Johnny Cash.
This is how tough Johnny Cash is...
Johnny Cash only wears black, but not because he's so tough. It's that black is the only color tough enough not to run screaming in fear when Johnny enters the room. And even black is a little uneasy. If it weren't for the color black, Johnny Cash would have to be naked most of the time.
This is how tough Johhny Cash is...
I know most of you won't believe me, but I thought of this in my sleep last night. True.
Johnny Cash is so tough that once, back in the 60's he was doing drugs and he accidentally did all the drugs. In the world. This angered a bunch of central American drug cartells who went out of business as a result so they came to Nashville and shot Johnny Cash in the face. Johnny caught the bullet in his teeth and chewed on it for a few seconds. Then he pulled it out of his mouth like dental floss. As the drug cartells and various other onlookers stared in amazement he used the wire to restring his guitar, and spontanteoulsy wrote and performed the song "A Boy Named Sue" which sounded so good it made the drug cartells cry. And everybody knows drug cartells NEVER cry. Then Johhny Cash kicked them all in the teeth and became presdent of the united states.
Johnny Cash is so tough that once, back in the 60's he was doing drugs and he accidentally did all the drugs. In the world. This angered a bunch of central American drug cartells who went out of business as a result so they came to Nashville and shot Johnny Cash in the face. Johnny caught the bullet in his teeth and chewed on it for a few seconds. Then he pulled it out of his mouth like dental floss. As the drug cartells and various other onlookers stared in amazement he used the wire to restring his guitar, and spontanteoulsy wrote and performed the song "A Boy Named Sue" which sounded so good it made the drug cartells cry. And everybody knows drug cartells NEVER cry. Then Johhny Cash kicked them all in the teeth and became presdent of the united states.
28.12.05
27.12.05
SCANDALHOFF!
Dear readers,
I regret to inform you that this blog must once again undergo a change in nomenclature.
As the photo at the right clearly indicates, Mr. Hasselhoff's love for puppies is neither innocent, nor masculine. In fact, the image is evidence of very disturbing developments for admirers of both Hasselhoff and k-9s.
This discovery comes as an especially hard blow for those of us who've come to follow Hasselhoff so devoutly over the last few days, through the operation of this online publication. I am sure you share in the grief, shock and general feelings of ickiness, we here at the FP are experiencing.
Please don't allow this to shake your faith in mankind.
Now I'm gonna go take a shower. With bleach. And steel wool.
I regret to inform you that this blog must once again undergo a change in nomenclature.
As the photo at the right clearly indicates, Mr. Hasselhoff's love for puppies is neither innocent, nor masculine. In fact, the image is evidence of very disturbing developments for admirers of both Hasselhoff and k-9s.
This discovery comes as an especially hard blow for those of us who've come to follow Hasselhoff so devoutly over the last few days, through the operation of this online publication. I am sure you share in the grief, shock and general feelings of ickiness, we here at the FP are experiencing.
Please don't allow this to shake your faith in mankind.
Now I'm gonna go take a shower. With bleach. And steel wool.
25.12.05
Christmas Morning 2005
Sam is a little under the weather. He cried all night long. No one got any sleep. Which is why mommy looks drunk. She's just very tired.
Christmas Morning 2005
Jack wanted Play Doh for Christmas. At a buck ninety seven for a four pack, you really can't beat it. And no, that's not all he got.
24.12.05
Rearrange the Letters
DORMITORY
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM
PRESBYTERIAN
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER
DESPERATION
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT
GEORGE BUSH
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS
SLOT MACHINES
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME
ANIMOSITY
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY
MOTHER-IN-LAW
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER
SNOOZE ALARMS
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S
A DECIMAL POINT
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE
THE EARTHQUAKES
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE
ELEVEN PLUS TWO
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM
PRESBYTERIAN
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER
DESPERATION
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT
GEORGE BUSH
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS
SLOT MACHINES
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME
ANIMOSITY
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY
MOTHER-IN-LAW
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER
SNOOZE ALARMS
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S
A DECIMAL POINT
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE
THE EARTHQUAKES
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE
ELEVEN PLUS TWO
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE
23.12.05
Don't fear the Hasselhoff.
Hasselhoff is not to be feared. Hasselhoff uses his powers only for good. Hasselhoff's gentle masculinity is demonstrated by his renowned rapport with mother nature's four legged friends. Hasselhoff loves puppies.
Hasselhoff!
Hasselhoff!
Blog change:
Due to the recent controversy concerning all things Funky and Presbyterian, Funky presbyterian had been changed to a more harmonious purpose. The name of the blog changed as well, to Jesus Loves Kittens. This new blog was devoted to the non-denominatinal celebration of kittens, somthing I thought we all could agree upon.
Unfortunately I was less than thoughtful in my new choice. With characteristically insensitive ham-handedness, I overlooked the small, yet significant portion of our readership which is offended by kittens. In addition, I am aware that there are also those (though less vocal than the anti-feline contingent) who may be offended by mention of Jesus. So as not to continue offense, Jesus Loves Kittens is undergoing another change.
Jesus is being removed from the title of the blog and in his place our readers will find David Hasselhoff, the much less controversial and more clean shaven of the two. In addition, kittens will no longer be the focus of the blog, but rather puppies. As it has been pointed out, one reader of this blog hates puppies. Therefore, the focus of the blog will not be to celebrate puppies, but rather the celebration of David Hasselhoff's love for puppies. While not all of us may not love puppies, certainly we can celebrate the fact that David Hasselhoff has found great joy in their company and companionship.
I thank you for your patience and continued readership.
Hasselhoff!
Unfortunately I was less than thoughtful in my new choice. With characteristically insensitive ham-handedness, I overlooked the small, yet significant portion of our readership which is offended by kittens. In addition, I am aware that there are also those (though less vocal than the anti-feline contingent) who may be offended by mention of Jesus. So as not to continue offense, Jesus Loves Kittens is undergoing another change.
Jesus is being removed from the title of the blog and in his place our readers will find David Hasselhoff, the much less controversial and more clean shaven of the two. In addition, kittens will no longer be the focus of the blog, but rather puppies. As it has been pointed out, one reader of this blog hates puppies. Therefore, the focus of the blog will not be to celebrate puppies, but rather the celebration of David Hasselhoff's love for puppies. While not all of us may not love puppies, certainly we can celebrate the fact that David Hasselhoff has found great joy in their company and companionship.
I thank you for your patience and continued readership.
Hasselhoff!
Happy Birthday, Rae!
Rae! You didn't tell me it was your birthday this month. You'd have had a cake or a mix cd or something! I'll get you a belated mix cd.
A mix cd performed entirely by kittens.
A mix cd performed entirely by kittens.
No Creed But Kittens.
Until further notice this blog will address topics neither funky nor presbyterian.
It seems in recent days, the Funky Presbyterian has been alienating people with it's unique blend of humor, music, and theological content. Because the Funky Presbyterian loves everyone and wishes to be a catalyst for peace and harmony in the world, we are hence forth abandoning the coverage of all things funny, funky and Presbyterian.
Instead, my readers will be please to find I have chosen a topic for my blog that should be entirely nonoffensive, nondenominational, and nonhumorous.
This blog is now called "Jesus loves kittens". It is a broadly Christian and non-demoninational celebration of kittens.
Thank you for your continued support.
It seems in recent days, the Funky Presbyterian has been alienating people with it's unique blend of humor, music, and theological content. Because the Funky Presbyterian loves everyone and wishes to be a catalyst for peace and harmony in the world, we are hence forth abandoning the coverage of all things funny, funky and Presbyterian.
Instead, my readers will be please to find I have chosen a topic for my blog that should be entirely nonoffensive, nondenominational, and nonhumorous.
This blog is now called "Jesus loves kittens". It is a broadly Christian and non-demoninational celebration of kittens.
Thank you for your continued support.
Please note:
This blog is both funky AND presbyterian.
funky-Adj. Slang.
Characterized by originality and modishness; unconventional.
presbyter-N.
1. A priest in various hierarchical churches.
2. A teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church.
3. A ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.
Please be informed, this blog is operated and maintained by an unconventional teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church. If you find this causes discomfort, please click the link above to be connected to a less offensive website.
funky-Adj. Slang.
Characterized by originality and modishness; unconventional.
presbyter-N.
1. A priest in various hierarchical churches.
2. A teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church.
3. A ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.
Please be informed, this blog is operated and maintained by an unconventional teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church. If you find this causes discomfort, please click the link above to be connected to a less offensive website.
Listen to this.
This is a much better articulation of what being a Chrisitian ought to look like. Ironically it's a message delivered by a guy with the same theological perspective as the folks who made the add below. It's a little long (unless you're use to sitting through my sermons-sorry). So download it and listen later if you have to. It's good. Barry Henning at New City Fellowship in St Louis, Mo.
Ugh!
Pulled this add off of a Reformed theology website I read. Now see... it's this kind of crap that I find completely embarassing as a Reformed thinker. More so, however, I find it embarassing as a Christian.
Are liberals my enemies? Are humanists my competition? Are atheists the bad guys?
To Bahnsen's credit, he was dead by the time this ad was made. If these folks really think this is the way to view life and our calling as Christians, then their theology is not nearly as orthodox as they imagine it to be.
Think about it. Isaiah 53 says Jesus was "crushed for our iniquities". If Jesus made this ad it would say "be crushed for the competition". You know, the whole take up your cross thing? Oh yeah, we forgot about that part of our theology, didn't we?
We're suppose to love our enemies, dumbass.
Are liberals my enemies? Are humanists my competition? Are atheists the bad guys?
To Bahnsen's credit, he was dead by the time this ad was made. If these folks really think this is the way to view life and our calling as Christians, then their theology is not nearly as orthodox as they imagine it to be.
Think about it. Isaiah 53 says Jesus was "crushed for our iniquities". If Jesus made this ad it would say "be crushed for the competition". You know, the whole take up your cross thing? Oh yeah, we forgot about that part of our theology, didn't we?
We're suppose to love our enemies, dumbass.
21.12.05
If I needed another reason to be protestant...
We here at the Funky Presbyterian have made no efforts to conceal our affiliation with the protestant reformation and it's outworkings. We are regrettably still protesting aspects of Roman Catholicism and are eagerly awaiting it's reform according to scripture.
That is all just a way of saying that we are "Presbyterian" and if we're gonna be presbyterians, then dang it, we're gonna be good ones! We should be quick to add that we are not Catholic haters. No, quite the contrary. We love Christ's Church in every stream of history and tradition where it is embodied. That means we love the Roman Catholic Church and it's rich (though often misguided) history- especially the really early years. We are glad that our own confession of faith (The Westminster Standards) no longer refer to the Pope as an anti-Christ. We were heartened to find Pope Benedict a staunchly conservative Roman Theologian who understands and preserves the distinctions between Geneva, Rome, and Wheaton. Afterall, if you;re going to be a Catholic, then be a good one, right?
But, if I needed an additional reason to continue in my protest of Papery and all it's accoutrements, I've found it in this photograph. This is the pope. Wearing a Santa hat. And looking... well... looking... evil.
What on earth could possibly more frightening than an evil looking pope in a Santa hat? Every time I see it I scream like a little girl. AHHHHHHHHHH! I just looked at it. GO ahead. Look at it. Scroll up there and peek. AHHHHHHHHH! See what I mean? Looks like fire is about to shoot out his eyes. Man, is that creepy.
All I'm saying is that if something that looks like that comes down my chimney, I'll probably beat it with a stocking and run down the street in my pajamas. I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.
AHHHHHHHHHHH! sorry.
That is all just a way of saying that we are "Presbyterian" and if we're gonna be presbyterians, then dang it, we're gonna be good ones! We should be quick to add that we are not Catholic haters. No, quite the contrary. We love Christ's Church in every stream of history and tradition where it is embodied. That means we love the Roman Catholic Church and it's rich (though often misguided) history- especially the really early years. We are glad that our own confession of faith (The Westminster Standards) no longer refer to the Pope as an anti-Christ. We were heartened to find Pope Benedict a staunchly conservative Roman Theologian who understands and preserves the distinctions between Geneva, Rome, and Wheaton. Afterall, if you;re going to be a Catholic, then be a good one, right?
But, if I needed an additional reason to continue in my protest of Papery and all it's accoutrements, I've found it in this photograph. This is the pope. Wearing a Santa hat. And looking... well... looking... evil.
What on earth could possibly more frightening than an evil looking pope in a Santa hat? Every time I see it I scream like a little girl. AHHHHHHHHHH! I just looked at it. GO ahead. Look at it. Scroll up there and peek. AHHHHHHHHH! See what I mean? Looks like fire is about to shoot out his eyes. Man, is that creepy.
All I'm saying is that if something that looks like that comes down my chimney, I'll probably beat it with a stocking and run down the street in my pajamas. I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.
AHHHHHHHHHHH! sorry.
Beautiful Photographs
Here is a link to photography I found particularly moving. I know nothing about them or the photographer. I don't know what else to say about them.
20.12.05
2005 Year of the Sufjan
As regular readers will know, the Funky Presbyterian has made no attempt this year to conceal his enthusiasm for Mr. Stevens and his latest, greatest album: Illinoise. Now as the year draws to a close, we can surf the "internets" as G-dub would say, and find our favorite oddly monickered songsmith topping the lists of many critics lists. We should not be surprised.
Here's his place in the standings:
Metacritic: #1
Pitchfork: #1
Pop Matters: #2
Glide: # 4
NPR's All Songs Considered: #1
Rate Your Music: #1
This is not mention the untold number of independant music bloggers who rank him at the top and many more officaly publications where his work is in the top 10 for 2005. Buy it. Buy it now. Stop reading. Get up and go to the store and buy the album. Or... as I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU PEOPLE you can sign up for Emusic and choose this album as one of your 50 free downloads you get just for signing up (If you do, let me know before you do and I can get hooked up with 50 free tracks for referring you).
Click the link for a free track from the album. It's a song about a friend with cancer. Have the puffs plus handy.
Good job, Sufjan.
Here's his place in the standings:
Metacritic: #1
Pitchfork: #1
Pop Matters: #2
Glide: # 4
NPR's All Songs Considered: #1
Rate Your Music: #1
This is not mention the untold number of independant music bloggers who rank him at the top and many more officaly publications where his work is in the top 10 for 2005. Buy it. Buy it now. Stop reading. Get up and go to the store and buy the album. Or... as I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU PEOPLE you can sign up for Emusic and choose this album as one of your 50 free downloads you get just for signing up (If you do, let me know before you do and I can get hooked up with 50 free tracks for referring you).
Click the link for a free track from the album. It's a song about a friend with cancer. Have the puffs plus handy.
Good job, Sufjan.
19.12.05
17.12.05
That we might become rich.
when we penetrate to the mysterious and marvelous primary purpose of the Christmas miracle, I think we must conclude that both Evangelists intend that we should understand before everything else that, by means of the virginal conception, "the pre-existant Word became flesh". Mary's virginal conception, in other words, was the means whereby God became man, the means whereby he who "was rich, for our sakes became poor, that through poverty, we might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9) - Robert L. Reymond
That we might become rich.
when we penetrate to the mysterious and marvelous primary purpose of the Christmas miracle, I think we must conclude that both Evangelists intend that we should understand before everything else that, by means of the virginal conception, "the pre-existant Word became flesh". Mary's virginal conception, in other words, was the means whereby God became man, the means whereby he who "was rich, for our sakes became poor, that through poverty, we might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9) - Robert L. Reymond
free sufjan christmas album
Check out Joe's blog here where he links to a free Sufjan tvens Christmas album. Merry Christmas.
14.12.05
13.12.05
12.12.05
10.12.05
How to Make Green Beans Exciting
When you're a six year old boy you have an internal drive to make everything dramatic and exciting.
This evening as we were atttempting to persuade Jack to eat his green beans, he said "But I don't know if I don't like them or if I do like them".
To this Charity replied, "Well it doesn't matter. I cooked them and either way- you're going to eat them".
Jack looked thoughtful, and trying his very best to find the motivation to comply with our completely unreasonable demands, his eyebrows suddenly shot straight up as he enthusiastically queried, "You mean so they don't destroy the world?"
"umm... yes. Eat your green beans. So they don't destroy the world".
Mission Accomplished.
This evening as we were atttempting to persuade Jack to eat his green beans, he said "But I don't know if I don't like them or if I do like them".
To this Charity replied, "Well it doesn't matter. I cooked them and either way- you're going to eat them".
Jack looked thoughtful, and trying his very best to find the motivation to comply with our completely unreasonable demands, his eyebrows suddenly shot straight up as he enthusiastically queried, "You mean so they don't destroy the world?"
"umm... yes. Eat your green beans. So they don't destroy the world".
Mission Accomplished.
9.12.05
Drug may help short boys be taller.
God made a world rich with diversity. Some people have dark brown skin. Some people have light brown skin. Some people have kind of pinkish skin. Some boys are tall, some boys are short. Diversity. It's a good thing.
We must make proper distinctions between diversity to be embraced and disorders to be corrected. In general, shortness is a characteristic like having green eyes or curly hair. It is to be appreciated and embraced. It is not a disorder to be corrected. My theology gives me a framework for this. Shortness of stature is not a part of the fall. Disease and injury and deformation are parts of the fall. They stand to be reversed by the advancements of technology and medicine in part in this life and the complete victory of Christ and his Kingdom in full, in the next. I am 5'5" tall. When the kingdom of God comes in it's fullness, I expect I will be 5'5" tall. (and you just might be as well-wink wink).
Why am I concerned about this? Because I am short? Maybe. But my height has never really been that big of an issue for me. In fact I think being short has helped to develop aspects of my personality and character that otherwise may have been undeveloped. I've always had more than my fair share of self confidence. There's never been much I couldn't do and being short never really hurt me in the "lady department" (as evidenced by my totally hot wife). I don't really even think of myself as short. My wife often laughs at me because sometimes I'll meet a guy who is a good three or four inches taller than me and I'll later make some comment about him being really short and she points out that he' s taller than me and I don't believe her. I feel taller than almost everyone I meet, I guess. I definitely feel wider. And that's gotta be worth something, right?
The main reason why I am concerned about "treating" shortness as a deformity, is because I've got two little boys I'm trying to turn into men and they will probably be short and I don't need the culture continually telling them that short is wrong, or weird, or unfortunate. They'll get enough of that from their classmates. Variation in height is a part of God's intended diversity for mankind. The way I see it, we've all got enough disorders to worry about without trying to "fix" stuff that ain't broken to begin with.
So here's to short people. And tall people. And in-between people. And here's to thinking clearly about the world God created and what's broken and what's not and how to fix what is and how leave alone what isn't and about the view of the world we want our children to inherit from us.
We must make proper distinctions between diversity to be embraced and disorders to be corrected. In general, shortness is a characteristic like having green eyes or curly hair. It is to be appreciated and embraced. It is not a disorder to be corrected. My theology gives me a framework for this. Shortness of stature is not a part of the fall. Disease and injury and deformation are parts of the fall. They stand to be reversed by the advancements of technology and medicine in part in this life and the complete victory of Christ and his Kingdom in full, in the next. I am 5'5" tall. When the kingdom of God comes in it's fullness, I expect I will be 5'5" tall. (and you just might be as well-wink wink).
Why am I concerned about this? Because I am short? Maybe. But my height has never really been that big of an issue for me. In fact I think being short has helped to develop aspects of my personality and character that otherwise may have been undeveloped. I've always had more than my fair share of self confidence. There's never been much I couldn't do and being short never really hurt me in the "lady department" (as evidenced by my totally hot wife). I don't really even think of myself as short. My wife often laughs at me because sometimes I'll meet a guy who is a good three or four inches taller than me and I'll later make some comment about him being really short and she points out that he' s taller than me and I don't believe her. I feel taller than almost everyone I meet, I guess. I definitely feel wider. And that's gotta be worth something, right?
The main reason why I am concerned about "treating" shortness as a deformity, is because I've got two little boys I'm trying to turn into men and they will probably be short and I don't need the culture continually telling them that short is wrong, or weird, or unfortunate. They'll get enough of that from their classmates. Variation in height is a part of God's intended diversity for mankind. The way I see it, we've all got enough disorders to worry about without trying to "fix" stuff that ain't broken to begin with.
So here's to short people. And tall people. And in-between people. And here's to thinking clearly about the world God created and what's broken and what's not and how to fix what is and how leave alone what isn't and about the view of the world we want our children to inherit from us.
On old photos of FP
It has recently come to my attention that there has been some dissatisfaction with the 1991 photo of FP posted below. Apparantly the photo does not meet expectations of revealing a formerly awkward, nerdy, or similarly disfigured FP. Unfortunately, such photos will be difficult to find. You see, unlike FPW, FP is NOT getting better with age. Every day i wake up, I am the worst looking version of FP I have ever been. Slightly more paunch, slightly less hair on the head, slightly more in the nose and ears. Please understand... to turn back the clock for old FP is to return to a day when my mullet flowed like a golden river. My abs were rock hard. My eyebrows were... ok my eyebrows were out of control even then I guess... but you get the picture. SOOO...
If any of you have less flattering (and non-incriminating) photos of the FP laying around, throw them in the scanner and email me. I'll post them here. And then you can all point and laugh.
If any of you have less flattering (and non-incriminating) photos of the FP laying around, throw them in the scanner and email me. I'll post them here. And then you can all point and laugh.
Baby Ticker!
Now you can follow along with the countdown to baby Blosser #3, with our handy baby ticker.
7.12.05
Locating old bandmates
Over the years I've played in bands with about ten different guys. Today I located one of the very first drummers I ever played with. The day he came over to my house to practice, he introduced himself with these words "I am the best drummer in Darke County". And you know something? He was. I am delighted to find that today he is a music director for an emerging congregation in Atlanta. We had a good conversatin about church music and the like.
When I think back over all the guys I've played in bands with, do you know that six or seven of us have been called into full time Christian ministry? Isn't that a crazy ratio? The lesson to be learned here is obvious. If you don't want to end up in full time Christian ministry, don't play in a band with the funky presbyterian.
When I think back over all the guys I've played in bands with, do you know that six or seven of us have been called into full time Christian ministry? Isn't that a crazy ratio? The lesson to be learned here is obvious. If you don't want to end up in full time Christian ministry, don't play in a band with the funky presbyterian.
Funky Free Download of the Week: December 7th
A new feature here at FP. I will scour the internet for free and legal downloads of good songs and post one each week, here for your listnening and downloading pleasure.
Here's one by "the Winterpills". The slow, dreamy chill of this track fits well with the weather outside (and occasionally inside) my office. Enjoy and feel free to track down these groups and purchase their full length albums.
And as always, please remember... this is a bottle neck of sea salt.
Here's one by "the Winterpills". The slow, dreamy chill of this track fits well with the weather outside (and occasionally inside) my office. Enjoy and feel free to track down these groups and purchase their full length albums.
And as always, please remember... this is a bottle neck of sea salt.
6.12.05
Darling Little Tissue Blob at 26 weeks
Amazing 3D imaging now available for expectant mothers.
Charity was able to have an ultra sound performed yesterday and we are about 8 weeks along. Everything looked good and was where it was suppose to be. Even saw the heartbeat. In twelve more weeks we'll be able to determine the sex (assuming the little booger cooperates). And yes, we are going to find out the sex. We always do and no we don't think it ruins the fun.
My guess is that it is a little girl. And I am almost NEVER wrong about these sorts of things. (I've got a method). We'll see, I guess.
Charity was able to have an ultra sound performed yesterday and we are about 8 weeks along. Everything looked good and was where it was suppose to be. Even saw the heartbeat. In twelve more weeks we'll be able to determine the sex (assuming the little booger cooperates). And yes, we are going to find out the sex. We always do and no we don't think it ruins the fun.
My guess is that it is a little girl. And I am almost NEVER wrong about these sorts of things. (I've got a method). We'll see, I guess.
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