One of the top five live shows I've seen ever.
15.2.06
Jokes Told by Framian-Presuppositional Indie Rock Fans:
Here's one I made up last night at a concert:
Guy walks out on stage. Says:
"Hello, Situational Perspective! We are Existential Perspective! This next song is called Normative Perspective! "
This joke is mostly for Dru Johnson. But I don't think he'll like it.
Guy walks out on stage. Says:
"Hello, Situational Perspective! We are Existential Perspective! This next song is called Normative Perspective! "
This joke is mostly for Dru Johnson. But I don't think he'll like it.
10.2.06
Ha!
An hilarious article from the onion. Reminds me of what a professor of mine once said. Something like this, "It is a sin to preach in such a way that makes God's word appear irrelevant. It is also a sin to do it in such a way that makes his word appear boring".
8.2.06
I AM by Robert Rottet
I Am
I.
I am the forgotten song emerging in you
I communed with your soul when your grandmother sang
My verses are in your veins
my rhythm courses through your heart
Open your mouth and let me out
I will fly back to the place of your birth
I will gather visions of school yards
and adolescent games
I will cross the ocean to the home of your ancestors
I will summon their language within your body
You will hear the echoes of revolution and war
You will feel the passion of love and release
You will know the peace of joy and bravery
Its all here
inside of me
I am the song
II.
I am blues
I am jazz
I am rock and roll
I am Muddy Waters singing "I be’s troubled" on the front porch of
a cabin on Stovall Plantation
I tell you "I never be’s sasafied"
and you say the sorrow sounds sweeter
than sweet potato pie
I am John Coltrane with my tenor sax on a good night in the
Harlem Beat Kitchen
Miles is playing the sad notes
Bird is playing the pretty ones
and I am burning a hole in this ceiling
Art and Monk are sitting there with their mouths wide open saying
"Boy what got into you?"
and I say "No, what got out of me?"
because I got the heroine out of my veins
I am loud amplifiers, headbands, costumes, platform shoes and yes
I can play this guitar
behind my back
and when I’ve strangled every sound out of this Stratocaster
that you couldn’t imagine
and she is destroyed because her message was too wonderful to
hear
and burned like a witch
then you say
"He was our voice and our savior"
III.
I am bald like the eagle
and I glide high above
with succinct movements
exuding regality in all that I am
I screech and my voice
is swallowed in this canyon
where I believe myself to be
king
You admire me
but you smile a smug smile
knowing that one day
the sky will become a mirror
IV.
I am fat and spoiled
like the squirrel who plunders the moldy bread and bird seed
that my mother has left for the blue jays
In the thrill of my theft
I wander into the street
to receive rebuke from an angry Monte Carlo
panic stricken
I turn both to the left and to the right
forgetting my origin and name
V.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am every man and every woman
(no, this is not Walt Whitman)
and I am the LORD’s creation
I am the forgotten song that is emerging in you
I am the inner-city and the country
the soy beans and the section-8-government housing
I am the earth, wind, sky and stars
I am the eagle
I am the squirrel
blues, jazz, rock and roll
rich, poor, wise and otherwise
I am american
I am the world
I am
VI.
I AM the I AM
from the beginning
(as you call it)
and to the end
I am not something you can figure out
with your finite mind
I am very near you
and will never be far
Surrender to me
love me
I am the LORD
I.
I am the forgotten song emerging in you
I communed with your soul when your grandmother sang
My verses are in your veins
my rhythm courses through your heart
Open your mouth and let me out
I will fly back to the place of your birth
I will gather visions of school yards
and adolescent games
I will cross the ocean to the home of your ancestors
I will summon their language within your body
You will hear the echoes of revolution and war
You will feel the passion of love and release
You will know the peace of joy and bravery
Its all here
inside of me
I am the song
II.
I am blues
I am jazz
I am rock and roll
I am Muddy Waters singing "I be’s troubled" on the front porch of
a cabin on Stovall Plantation
I tell you "I never be’s sasafied"
and you say the sorrow sounds sweeter
than sweet potato pie
I am John Coltrane with my tenor sax on a good night in the
Harlem Beat Kitchen
Miles is playing the sad notes
Bird is playing the pretty ones
and I am burning a hole in this ceiling
Art and Monk are sitting there with their mouths wide open saying
"Boy what got into you?"
and I say "No, what got out of me?"
because I got the heroine out of my veins
I am loud amplifiers, headbands, costumes, platform shoes and yes
I can play this guitar
behind my back
and when I’ve strangled every sound out of this Stratocaster
that you couldn’t imagine
and she is destroyed because her message was too wonderful to
hear
and burned like a witch
then you say
"He was our voice and our savior"
III.
I am bald like the eagle
and I glide high above
with succinct movements
exuding regality in all that I am
I screech and my voice
is swallowed in this canyon
where I believe myself to be
king
You admire me
but you smile a smug smile
knowing that one day
the sky will become a mirror
IV.
I am fat and spoiled
like the squirrel who plunders the moldy bread and bird seed
that my mother has left for the blue jays
In the thrill of my theft
I wander into the street
to receive rebuke from an angry Monte Carlo
panic stricken
I turn both to the left and to the right
forgetting my origin and name
V.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am every man and every woman
(no, this is not Walt Whitman)
and I am the LORD’s creation
I am the forgotten song that is emerging in you
I am the inner-city and the country
the soy beans and the section-8-government housing
I am the earth, wind, sky and stars
I am the eagle
I am the squirrel
blues, jazz, rock and roll
rich, poor, wise and otherwise
I am american
I am the world
I am
VI.
I AM the I AM
from the beginning
(as you call it)
and to the end
I am not something you can figure out
with your finite mind
I am very near you
and will never be far
Surrender to me
love me
I am the LORD
6.2.06
"Singles Ministry" According to Belle and Sebastian
If You Find Yourself Caught In Love
If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
Thank him for everything you know
You should thank him for every breath you blow
If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
You should thank him for every day you pass
Thank him for saving your sorry ass
If you’re single, but looking out
You must raise your prayer to a shout
Another partner must be found
Someone to take your life beyond
Another TV “I Love 1999”
Just one more box of cheapo wine
If you find yourself caught in love
You should say a prayer to the man above
If you don’t listen to the voices then my friend
You’ll soon run out of choices
What a pity it would be
You talk of freedom don’t you see
The only freedom that you’ll ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Give up your will to Him that loves you
Things will change, I’m not saying overnight
But something has to give
You’re too good looking not to live
If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
Thank him for everything you know
You should thank him for every breath you blow
If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
You should thank him for every day you pass
Thank him for saving your sorry ass
If you’re single, but looking out
You must raise your prayer to a shout
Another partner must be found
Someone to take your life beyond
Another TV “I Love 1999”
Just one more box of cheapo wine
If you find yourself caught in love
You should say a prayer to the man above
If you don’t listen to the voices then my friend
You’ll soon run out of choices
What a pity it would be
You talk of freedom don’t you see
The only freedom that you’ll ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Give up your will to Him that loves you
Things will change, I’m not saying overnight
But something has to give
You’re too good looking not to live
Fighting Entropy
Over the past couple of months I have implemented the following systems to help hold back the ever present onslaught of entropy in my vocational life. It's helping.
1. Man Bag- As you know, I bought a man bag... a murse... a satchel. Whatever. It helps because it holds my planner. It is really just a way of physically attaching my calendar to myself at all times. So I can schedule and check my schedule and store important papers and receipts, etc at all times.
2. Drugs- I went to the Dr and was diagnosed with narcolepsy and add. The drugs are helping somewhat. Now I can concentrate for more than 15 minutes at a time. Which is part of the reason my blog posts are fewer and farther between.
3. Admin Assitant- I hired my wife to be my admin assistant, even though every body said not to. It was the best decision I've made since I married her. I should have hired her two years ago. She does three times the work in half the time.
4. Cell phone clip- Every three weeks I lose my cell phone for ten days. I recently spent twenty bucks on a crappy little cell phone holder that clips to the strap of my man bag (see item 1). Well worth the money, even if the design of the holder totally throws off the aesthetic of the bag. I've not lost my cell phone since I purchased it! I'm going to get another clip to attach my keys to my bag. I think my entire life should be held together with little clips like that. Maybe I'll create a clip system and write a book with a an accomanying work book and journal and go on the motivational speaking circuit. Nobody would come of course, unless a charged 25k per session and called it a "workshop".
Other things I am excited to implement: A prayer system I found out about that helps to organize prayer requests in a systematic manner so you can pray through them in a way that makes some sense. Now when I say I'll pray for somebody there's about a 40% chance I'll either forget, or only pray for them once and then forget. This new system should help greatly. I'll keep you updated. Also, a strategic planning system for the church that will help us align what we do with what we say wwe want to do. I kind of had something like this in effect already, but this system I learned about is much more thorough, yet simple and has less holes in it. It will help keep me and GC on task.
1. Man Bag- As you know, I bought a man bag... a murse... a satchel. Whatever. It helps because it holds my planner. It is really just a way of physically attaching my calendar to myself at all times. So I can schedule and check my schedule and store important papers and receipts, etc at all times.
2. Drugs- I went to the Dr and was diagnosed with narcolepsy and add. The drugs are helping somewhat. Now I can concentrate for more than 15 minutes at a time. Which is part of the reason my blog posts are fewer and farther between.
3. Admin Assitant- I hired my wife to be my admin assistant, even though every body said not to. It was the best decision I've made since I married her. I should have hired her two years ago. She does three times the work in half the time.
4. Cell phone clip- Every three weeks I lose my cell phone for ten days. I recently spent twenty bucks on a crappy little cell phone holder that clips to the strap of my man bag (see item 1). Well worth the money, even if the design of the holder totally throws off the aesthetic of the bag. I've not lost my cell phone since I purchased it! I'm going to get another clip to attach my keys to my bag. I think my entire life should be held together with little clips like that. Maybe I'll create a clip system and write a book with a an accomanying work book and journal and go on the motivational speaking circuit. Nobody would come of course, unless a charged 25k per session and called it a "workshop".
Other things I am excited to implement: A prayer system I found out about that helps to organize prayer requests in a systematic manner so you can pray through them in a way that makes some sense. Now when I say I'll pray for somebody there's about a 40% chance I'll either forget, or only pray for them once and then forget. This new system should help greatly. I'll keep you updated. Also, a strategic planning system for the church that will help us align what we do with what we say wwe want to do. I kind of had something like this in effect already, but this system I learned about is much more thorough, yet simple and has less holes in it. It will help keep me and GC on task.
3.2.06
Do not be alarmed.
I apologize for my extended absence. About ten days ago, I listened to the album "let there be morning" by the Perishers and was immediately over powered by the awesomness. All the beauty of Colplay none of the "what is it about these guys that I find mildly annoying".
Anywho, I am back among the living, as you can plainly tell. Thanks for your concern. And whatever you do, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM.
Anywho, I am back among the living, as you can plainly tell. Thanks for your concern. And whatever you do, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM.
25.1.06
Corn!
Spent the morning with my friend Jeff who is planting a Vineyard church in Columbus. Maybe the most refreshing three hours I've experienced so far this year. We're gonna try to make it a monthly meeting.
24.1.06
Sam's first sentence.
Well, yesterday Sam was sitting on Mommy's lap in front of the computer, when a picture popped up on the screen. Sam pointed and said his first sentence.
"Look! That Daddy !"
To see the image that prompted this eloquent exclamation, click the title link.
"Look! That Daddy !"
To see the image that prompted this eloquent exclamation, click the title link.
23.1.06
That's my King.
Most of you have probably heard this, before. I can't get over it. Maybe one of the most moving pieces of audio I have ever heard.
21.1.06
Jesus & the Indie Rock Scene: Read This Article
"Almost no strain of music is as secular as indie rock: It's quaint when old men on 78s sing spirituals, and a rugged legend like Johnny Cash can pray however he wants, but if you're a scrawny songwriter with a 4-track, siding with Jesus makes you a leper"
20.1.06
Evie's Tears by Freedy Johnston
Can you tell what this song is about?
Evie's Tears
In the middle of her confession
He comes over and holds her hand
I wake up, she is crying
I guess he was here again
Chorus:
Evie's tears are never going to dry
Evie's secret tears burn this bed she comes to
only when it's light
We met in a lonely summer
Two survivors of paradise
She ran up when I first touched her
Now she wakes me every night
Chorus
Faithless girl
You've been dreaming
Staring up your face is what we fear
OK, now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
Now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
In the middle of Evie's garden
In a simple iron chair
Wind's blowing and she is singing
Begs the moon to disappear
Catholic girl
You've been dreaming
Staring up your face is what we fear
Ok, now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
Then later in the album, Johnston returns to Evie's story with this song (note the similarity of the first lines):
Evie's Garden
In the middle of Evie's garden
Was a rock she could never move
Worn away by a faithful handtill
No one knows the date
Chorus:
Bring back the rain
We'll go walking
Bring back the wind
Like you do
Of the flowers in Evie's garden
One would never go out of bloom
Planted over a well forgotten
Opened by the moon.
Chorus
Bring back the rain
To Evie's garden
I'm at the gate
Looking through
In the middle of Evie's garden
Was a rock she could never move
Nearly buried in a night bloom tango
Pale and smooth as skin
Evie's Tears
In the middle of her confession
He comes over and holds her hand
I wake up, she is crying
I guess he was here again
Chorus:
Evie's tears are never going to dry
Evie's secret tears burn this bed she comes to
only when it's light
We met in a lonely summer
Two survivors of paradise
She ran up when I first touched her
Now she wakes me every night
Chorus
Faithless girl
You've been dreaming
Staring up your face is what we fear
OK, now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
Now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
In the middle of Evie's garden
In a simple iron chair
Wind's blowing and she is singing
Begs the moon to disappear
Catholic girl
You've been dreaming
Staring up your face is what we fear
Ok, now I'm listening
You're not mine and he's not here
Then later in the album, Johnston returns to Evie's story with this song (note the similarity of the first lines):
Evie's Garden
In the middle of Evie's garden
Was a rock she could never move
Worn away by a faithful handtill
No one knows the date
Chorus:
Bring back the rain
We'll go walking
Bring back the wind
Like you do
Of the flowers in Evie's garden
One would never go out of bloom
Planted over a well forgotten
Opened by the moon.
Chorus
Bring back the rain
To Evie's garden
I'm at the gate
Looking through
In the middle of Evie's garden
Was a rock she could never move
Nearly buried in a night bloom tango
Pale and smooth as skin
Forthcoming Reviews and A Musical Exorcism
I promise reviews of Velvet Elvis and The Book of Daniel are coming soon! They are already in the works and partially written, saved as drafts in the mysterious electronic catacombs of the FP blog. It takes more time to put things like that together than to just spew some random thoughts on music or family or whatever. And time has not been in abundence as I've been working somewhere in the neighborhood of 65-70 hours a week since the new year. I seem to be most content when busy- or maybe it's because when a pastor is busy it is usally because he is spending lots of time with people- and being with people (especially "my peeps") makes me happy. So.. happy, busy, reviews on the way. And Freedy Johnston on the ipod...
"You always tell me I'm just one more thing to break..." -Freedy Johnston from One More Thing to Break, album: Never Home
Perhaps I'll throw a review of an old Freedy Johnston record in there just for good measure. What?! You don't know Freedy Johnston?! Rectify that immediately. Click on the link above and be healed!
(metaphorical) DEMONS (of unfortunate underexposure to underrated songwriter) COME OUT!
"You always tell me I'm just one more thing to break..." -Freedy Johnston from One More Thing to Break, album: Never Home
Perhaps I'll throw a review of an old Freedy Johnston record in there just for good measure. What?! You don't know Freedy Johnston?! Rectify that immediately. Click on the link above and be healed!
(metaphorical) DEMONS (of unfortunate underexposure to underrated songwriter) COME OUT!
19.1.06
Questions asked by a six year old presbyterian:
Takes a bite of peanut butter sandwich.
Chews slowly.
Contemplative expression.
Swallows.
"Daddy, what's the last number?"
Chews slowly.
Contemplative expression.
Swallows.
"Daddy, what's the last number?"
18.1.06
Listening: Steve Earle
If Chuck Norris did a roundhouse kick in righteous anger at the exact moment that Johnny Cash was smashing his guitar in indignant outrage and the two forces collided, the resulting cosmic blast of bitter, bearded, brokenhearted manhood, would spontaneously generate Steve Earle and the three albums he wrote, recorded and produced between the years of 1995 and 1997.
Earle dropped out of school at the age of fourteen and hit the road. By the age of 40 he had been married six times to five different women. He once helped a friend beat his alcohol addiction by tying him to a tree.
After experiencing some moderate success in the country music industry, Earle moved to the bad side of Nashville where he listened to Dr. Dre's the Chronic and dealt drugs for a few years, mostly homeless. Eventually he did find a nea home along with an orange jumpsuit with numbers on the back.
The liner notes of the album he recorded after his reales from prison say this: "When I was locked up I was getting ready to go off on this boy that stole my radio. My partner Paul asked me where I was going. I said "to get my radio-and then go to the hole for a little while". He looked at me like I look at my 13 year old son sometimes and said "No you aint'. You're gonna sit your little white ass down and do your little time and then you;re gonna get out of here and make me a nice record". So, I made two.
Here are some Lyrics: Now he's standin' at hell's door
With a bad attitude and a forty-four
The devil said, "What's up man
Now what you come here for?"
He said, "Man, let's just get to it"
He said, "I always heard that you were the bad one
There's a few places I ain't been, a few things I ain't done
You got your pitchfork and I got my gun"
Someone's gotta do it
If you never purchase and listen to a Steve Earle album in your life, he will probably not find out about it and come to your house to knock your teeth out with a wrench. But you should probably familiarize yourself with his music just to be safe.
Earle dropped out of school at the age of fourteen and hit the road. By the age of 40 he had been married six times to five different women. He once helped a friend beat his alcohol addiction by tying him to a tree.
After experiencing some moderate success in the country music industry, Earle moved to the bad side of Nashville where he listened to Dr. Dre's the Chronic and dealt drugs for a few years, mostly homeless. Eventually he did find a nea home along with an orange jumpsuit with numbers on the back.
The liner notes of the album he recorded after his reales from prison say this: "When I was locked up I was getting ready to go off on this boy that stole my radio. My partner Paul asked me where I was going. I said "to get my radio-and then go to the hole for a little while". He looked at me like I look at my 13 year old son sometimes and said "No you aint'. You're gonna sit your little white ass down and do your little time and then you;re gonna get out of here and make me a nice record". So, I made two.
Here are some Lyrics: Now he's standin' at hell's door
With a bad attitude and a forty-four
The devil said, "What's up man
Now what you come here for?"
He said, "Man, let's just get to it"
He said, "I always heard that you were the bad one
There's a few places I ain't been, a few things I ain't done
You got your pitchfork and I got my gun"
Someone's gotta do it
If you never purchase and listen to a Steve Earle album in your life, he will probably not find out about it and come to your house to knock your teeth out with a wrench. But you should probably familiarize yourself with his music just to be safe.
the answer to everything
No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is a greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self... The point is this: We were made to know and treasure the glory of God above all things; and when we trade that treasure for images, everything is disordered. The sun of God's glory was made to shine at the center of the solar system of our soul. And when it does, all the planets of our life are held in their proper orbit. But when the sun is displaced, everything flies apart. The healing of the soul begins by restoring the glory of God to its flaming, all-attracting place at the center. - John Piper
17.1.06
16.1.06
this band no longer exists.
But through the mystery of binary code, you can still enjoy the songs they made. I know it's just zeros and ones, but the way they put them together sure is cool.
This track is a B-side from the coast is always clear.
This track is a B-side from the coast is always clear.
14.1.06
13.1.06
Eels to release live cd & dvd with string section.
Listen here to a an interview with E concerning the writing and recording of Eels latest album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Morning Dose
A New Law by Derek Webb
(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus/chorus)
(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus/chorus)
(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
12.1.06
11.1.06
Down the hatch.
Reputation by Derek Webb
i know i always let everybody down
i know i've got a bad name in this town
'cause my last friend stopped calling months ago
i know i always make you wait around
i know the way my promises must sound
and even though you've heard it all before
darlin' could you listen just once more
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now
with you, i'm so glad to get into a bad situation
'cause nothing makes us close, nothing like a little incarceration
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now...
i know i always let everybody down
i know i've got a bad name in this town
'cause my last friend stopped calling months ago
i know i always make you wait around
i know the way my promises must sound
and even though you've heard it all before
darlin' could you listen just once more
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now
with you, i'm so glad to get into a bad situation
'cause nothing makes us close, nothing like a little incarceration
i've got a reputation with everyone
but i don't want one with you
i know you know me well enough by now
and you're loving me as well as you know how
but i need one more chance to let you down
'cause no one else will give it to me now...
Nic Armstrong
You can't find a decent music video on MTV or VH1 to save your life these days. But FP is hooking you up.
Ohio boy does it up right.
Why is Tim Easton not famous yet? It is perplexing to me. He's got the complete package. Stellar musician (as evidenced by his guitar work on this live recording), a perfectly raspy voice, and lyrics far more intereting and substantive than most of the stuff out there these days. I just don't get it.
Easton's music was introduced to me by my friend Nand. Easton himself was introduced to me by me. He use to drink coffee everyday at the coffee shope where I did a lot of my work back in the olden days before the church had office space. He's from Columbus and spends a few months here every once in a while. If you get a change to catch him live, you'll be glad you did.
Check the link for a live track from a show in Brussels of all places!
Easton's music was introduced to me by my friend Nand. Easton himself was introduced to me by me. He use to drink coffee everyday at the coffee shope where I did a lot of my work back in the olden days before the church had office space. He's from Columbus and spends a few months here every once in a while. If you get a change to catch him live, you'll be glad you did.
Check the link for a live track from a show in Brussels of all places!
10.1.06
Listening to: Joseph Arthur
You've been loved
You don't know how you feel
Are you a dream?
Are you for real?
Cause you don't ever slow down
To find what you lost or lose what you found
No one's saying what you need to hear
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
It's always hard to admit
Most days you feel like you don't exist
Temptation sneaks past your fists
Until the devil won't let you resist
Oblivion is what you want
But you've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You don't know how you feel
Are you a dream?
Are you for real?
Cause you don't ever slow down
To find what you lost or lose what you found
No one's saying what you need to hear
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
It's always hard to admit
Most days you feel like you don't exist
Temptation sneaks past your fists
Until the devil won't let you resist
Oblivion is what you want
But you've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
What you're gonna do with your life?
You've been loved
You've been loved
You've been loved
This is my only comfort in life and in death
That I am not my own
but belong body and soul in life and death
to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in Heaven.
In fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him,
Christ by his Holy Sprit, assures me of eternal life
and makes me whole heartedly willing and ready
from now on, to live for him.
but belong body and soul in life and death
to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in Heaven.
In fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him,
Christ by his Holy Sprit, assures me of eternal life
and makes me whole heartedly willing and ready
from now on, to live for him.
I'd Want To Be A Polar Bear
Ok. So I've been thinking about it now for a long time and I think I've finally come to a conlcusion. If I had to be an animal I would choose to be a polar bear. Now here's my reasoning: First, if you're going to be an animal, you'd generally like to be a real mean kick-butt kind of animal at the top of the food chain in your habitat, right? Now sharks certainly qualify, so for a while I thought I should be a shark. Sharks don't worry about ANYTHING. They just cruise around with that evil frown on their face looking for something to chomp. To a shark, everyone is lunch. After consideration, however, it seemed to me that sharks aren't really enjoying themselves. Terrorizing the open seas must be hard work. It just doesn't seem like much fun. When it comes to fun, there's always monkeys. But monkeys stink. And throw poop. I think with monkeys it's not so much that they are fun as it is that they are all insane. I don't want that. Plus, chics don't dig guys who throw thier own poop. So then I thought, I got it! The sea otter! Sea otters have fun. THey don't throw poop as far as I'm aware. They've got that cuteness factor for the ladies. Oh... but sea otters don't inspire awe and fear into thier natural enemies. That's when it occurred to me. Polar Bears. They're always slip sliding around in the snow. They've got the cute and cuddly factor working for them on account of thier smiley faces and bright white fur. But they also will eat anybody. They're bad bad carnivores. So that's my pick. Polar Bears. What's yours?
We Shall Over Comb!
There is a fine line between vigilance and denial. This man has crossed that line.
I've Moved These Comments Up Here Into A Post For You, In Case You Missed It
anon said...
as a very devoted sufjan fan, i was aware of him being mildly christian, but would argue that if you put the lyrics of any song from illinoise up against thos of your derek webb, you wouldn't find any of the overt imagery or blatant references to christ with sufjan. Also, he made an entire album of songs relating to the zodiac.
After more thought about the subject, I've begun to think that it's more a question of subject matter. I subscribe to the "high fidelity" school of pop music - namely that 98% of good songs are about heartbreak, rejection, or loss. And i think as a fairly dejected, quarter-life crisis sufferer, i appreciate those themes in music, and have come to accept them. Christian music, on the other hand, is far too uplifting for me. Like most of america, i don't want to be cheered up, i want to see the dregs of existence. This is why so much of our entertainment centers on sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, etc. Even the passion of the christ had to have an uber violent crucifixition scene. It's just what the people want from entertainment. We save being saved for sundays only ;)
______________________________________
Sunday, 08 January, 2006
Greg said...
anon,
Thanks so much for your comments. I appreciate and relate to your sentiments. I wonder if perhaps your understanding of what Christianity is about is not a bit off. One of the great heartaches (and frustrations!) of my life is the widespread misapprehension of the essence of Christianity.
You talk about "sex, violence, crime, heartbreak", "rejection and loss", "the dregs of existence" as if those are aspects of life outside of or foreign to Christianity. No doubt many Christians and churches are guilty of giving that impression. But in my experience (and in the understanding of the great bulk of Christians who've practiced our faith in diverse regions and times for two thousand plus years) Christianity and the life of the Christian is all about those things.
Sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, rejection, loss... man, you just described 50% of my experience living life as a Christian. In addition there is passion, drama, love, mercy, grace, mystery and longing. Not only in our lives, but the Grand Story, the Redemptive Drama that gives shape to our faith. (I still maintain that the dirtiest book sold in any Christian bookstore is the Bible).
I think a part of what is unsatisfying about the music being produced by the "Christian" music industry is that not much of it respects the complexity of life as a Christian who, while experiencing redemption (being "saved") is doing so in a world and a life that is both beautiful and broken. The problem is that the Christian music iNdustry in general, produces art from the perspective that "being saved" is just for Sunday. This allows no room for the "Christian" expression of joy in the beauty of the world or the expression of sorrow, grief and indignance over the brokenness of the world. What is left is a white bread, sugary-sweet, watered down, pseudo-religious, kum-bah-ya kind of Christianity that has been so neutered and nullified that it no longer looks anything like the "Christ" we are named for.
Any attempt (by Christians or non-Christians) to compartmentalize our lives in such a way that confines Christ to one "sunday" segment or slice of the pie, will always produce an experience and understanding of Christianity that is distorted, unattractive and ultimately unfulfilling.
If you are in the central Ohio area, I'd love it if you could visit our church and hang out with us sometime. We are attempting to forge lives wholly forged by Christ and his message. In this view, the sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, rejection and loss all have their place. As does, passion, truth, beauty, brokenness, mystery, grace and love.
Here's to seeing the big picture.
Peace.
_____________________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
Greg said...
BTW, Seven Swans is an album all about the transfiguration of Christ.
_____________________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
anon said...
If you only know one or two things about Sufjan Stevens, chances are the second is that he is a practising Christian who isn't afraid to let his beliefs impact upon his work. "If someone asked, I would say that I was born again. I would look you right in the eye and say it."
"I don't know anything about CCM. I'm not an evangelist. I'm a songwriter and a storyteller. If that story happens to be about Christ, then perhaps, in some odd semantic way, the song could be termed 'evangelical'. I gladly accept that. I also sing about divorce. And murder. And adultery. I sing about chickens and war and bathrooms. In my mind, the gospel is not something to pander and pawn off like a diet soda drink. There is no product. There is no selling point."
"This is what it means to be born again: to fully and completely disengage with the preconceptions and preoccupations of the adult world and its religions, to dismantle all laws - of physics and society - and yield yourself to the birth canal, and what comes after, in which everything begins to shake and tremble with all senses fully turned to the centre of the universe, the creator, God the Father, in whose cultivation we begin to know and understand our true selves, our real selves, as a reflection of God's image, his creation, like newborn babies, full, fresh, suckling, elated and laughing at everything. But honestly, I have no idea how this relates to my music. I hate talking about this stuff."
"I'd like to spend less time talking about God and more time being in God's presence. I think that would put an end to this conversation, once and for all."
___________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
anon said...
that's my kind of christian
as a very devoted sufjan fan, i was aware of him being mildly christian, but would argue that if you put the lyrics of any song from illinoise up against thos of your derek webb, you wouldn't find any of the overt imagery or blatant references to christ with sufjan. Also, he made an entire album of songs relating to the zodiac.
After more thought about the subject, I've begun to think that it's more a question of subject matter. I subscribe to the "high fidelity" school of pop music - namely that 98% of good songs are about heartbreak, rejection, or loss. And i think as a fairly dejected, quarter-life crisis sufferer, i appreciate those themes in music, and have come to accept them. Christian music, on the other hand, is far too uplifting for me. Like most of america, i don't want to be cheered up, i want to see the dregs of existence. This is why so much of our entertainment centers on sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, etc. Even the passion of the christ had to have an uber violent crucifixition scene. It's just what the people want from entertainment. We save being saved for sundays only ;)
______________________________________
Sunday, 08 January, 2006
Greg said...
anon,
Thanks so much for your comments. I appreciate and relate to your sentiments. I wonder if perhaps your understanding of what Christianity is about is not a bit off. One of the great heartaches (and frustrations!) of my life is the widespread misapprehension of the essence of Christianity.
You talk about "sex, violence, crime, heartbreak", "rejection and loss", "the dregs of existence" as if those are aspects of life outside of or foreign to Christianity. No doubt many Christians and churches are guilty of giving that impression. But in my experience (and in the understanding of the great bulk of Christians who've practiced our faith in diverse regions and times for two thousand plus years) Christianity and the life of the Christian is all about those things.
Sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, rejection, loss... man, you just described 50% of my experience living life as a Christian. In addition there is passion, drama, love, mercy, grace, mystery and longing. Not only in our lives, but the Grand Story, the Redemptive Drama that gives shape to our faith. (I still maintain that the dirtiest book sold in any Christian bookstore is the Bible).
I think a part of what is unsatisfying about the music being produced by the "Christian" music industry is that not much of it respects the complexity of life as a Christian who, while experiencing redemption (being "saved") is doing so in a world and a life that is both beautiful and broken. The problem is that the Christian music iNdustry in general, produces art from the perspective that "being saved" is just for Sunday. This allows no room for the "Christian" expression of joy in the beauty of the world or the expression of sorrow, grief and indignance over the brokenness of the world. What is left is a white bread, sugary-sweet, watered down, pseudo-religious, kum-bah-ya kind of Christianity that has been so neutered and nullified that it no longer looks anything like the "Christ" we are named for.
Any attempt (by Christians or non-Christians) to compartmentalize our lives in such a way that confines Christ to one "sunday" segment or slice of the pie, will always produce an experience and understanding of Christianity that is distorted, unattractive and ultimately unfulfilling.
If you are in the central Ohio area, I'd love it if you could visit our church and hang out with us sometime. We are attempting to forge lives wholly forged by Christ and his message. In this view, the sex, violence, crime, heartbreak, rejection and loss all have their place. As does, passion, truth, beauty, brokenness, mystery, grace and love.
Here's to seeing the big picture.
Peace.
_____________________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
Greg said...
BTW, Seven Swans is an album all about the transfiguration of Christ.
_____________________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
anon said...
If you only know one or two things about Sufjan Stevens, chances are the second is that he is a practising Christian who isn't afraid to let his beliefs impact upon his work. "If someone asked, I would say that I was born again. I would look you right in the eye and say it."
"I don't know anything about CCM. I'm not an evangelist. I'm a songwriter and a storyteller. If that story happens to be about Christ, then perhaps, in some odd semantic way, the song could be termed 'evangelical'. I gladly accept that. I also sing about divorce. And murder. And adultery. I sing about chickens and war and bathrooms. In my mind, the gospel is not something to pander and pawn off like a diet soda drink. There is no product. There is no selling point."
"This is what it means to be born again: to fully and completely disengage with the preconceptions and preoccupations of the adult world and its religions, to dismantle all laws - of physics and society - and yield yourself to the birth canal, and what comes after, in which everything begins to shake and tremble with all senses fully turned to the centre of the universe, the creator, God the Father, in whose cultivation we begin to know and understand our true selves, our real selves, as a reflection of God's image, his creation, like newborn babies, full, fresh, suckling, elated and laughing at everything. But honestly, I have no idea how this relates to my music. I hate talking about this stuff."
"I'd like to spend less time talking about God and more time being in God's presence. I think that would put an end to this conversation, once and for all."
___________________________________________
Monday, 09 January, 2006
anon said...
that's my kind of christian
Christians & Fiction
Why does Christian fiction (like Christian music) suck? Here is an article which sheds light on the issue. Some good world view issues here.
9.1.06
2: Lyrics That Demonstrate A Belief System that Respects the Complexity of Life as a Jesus-Follower in a World Which is Both Beautiful and Broken
Go Down Easy (by Over the Rhine)
words and music: Bergquist and Detweiler
recording: Good Dog Bad Dog
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
Take all the time you need.
We've no place else to go.
Gonna put on my favorite dress.
Put my hair up too.
Take me North, South, East or West.
I guess I'll leave it up to you.
You threw a noose around my shadow.
Got me into all this mess.
I would have dove in head first anyway
for less, for a whole lot less.
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
Take all the time you need.
We've no place else to go.
Say farewell to the confines of my own back yard.
Weeds growin' 'round the flowers.
Sometimes the only way to break the curse
is to leave it all behind.
Find the slow curve of a back road,
one hand on the wheel.
Drive till I remember how it feels.
So this is how it feels. Oh.
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
If there's anything better than this
I'd like to know.
words and music: Bergquist and Detweiler
recording: Good Dog Bad Dog
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
Take all the time you need.
We've no place else to go.
Gonna put on my favorite dress.
Put my hair up too.
Take me North, South, East or West.
I guess I'll leave it up to you.
You threw a noose around my shadow.
Got me into all this mess.
I would have dove in head first anyway
for less, for a whole lot less.
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
Take all the time you need.
We've no place else to go.
Say farewell to the confines of my own back yard.
Weeds growin' 'round the flowers.
Sometimes the only way to break the curse
is to leave it all behind.
Find the slow curve of a back road,
one hand on the wheel.
Drive till I remember how it feels.
So this is how it feels. Oh.
Go down easy babe.
Go down slow.
If there's anything better than this
I'd like to know.
Lyrics That Demonastrate A Belief System that Respects the Complexity of Life as a Jesus-Follower in a World Which is Both Beautiful and Broken
Casmir Pulaski Day, from the album "Illinoise", by Sufjan Stevens
Goldenrod and the 4H stone,
the things I brought you,
when I found out you had cancer of the bone
Your father cried on the telephone,
and he drove his car into the navy yard,
just to prove that he was sorry
In the morning, through the window shade,
when the light pressed up against your shoulderblade,
I could see what you were reading.
All the glory that the Lord has made,
and the complications you could do without,
when I kissed you on the mouth.
Tuesday night at the Bible study,
we lift our hands and pray over your body,
but nothing ever happens.
I remember at Michael's house,
in the living room when you kissed my neck,
and I almost touched your blouse.
In the morning at the top of the stairs,
when your father found out what we did that night,
and you told me you were scared.
All the glory when you ran outside,
with your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied,
and you told me not to follow you.
Sunday night when I cleaned the house,
I find the card where you wrote it out,
with the pictures of you mother.
On the floor at the great divide,
with my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied,
I am crying in the bathroom.
In the morning when you finally go,
and the nurse runs in with her head hung low,
and the cardinal hits the window.
In the morning in the winter shade,
on the 1st of March on the holiday,
I thought I saw you breathing.
All the glory that the Lord has made,
and the complications when I see His face,
in the morning in the window.
All the glory when he took our place,
but he took my shoulders and he shook my face,
and he takes and he takes and he takes.
Goldenrod and the 4H stone,
the things I brought you,
when I found out you had cancer of the bone
Your father cried on the telephone,
and he drove his car into the navy yard,
just to prove that he was sorry
In the morning, through the window shade,
when the light pressed up against your shoulderblade,
I could see what you were reading.
All the glory that the Lord has made,
and the complications you could do without,
when I kissed you on the mouth.
Tuesday night at the Bible study,
we lift our hands and pray over your body,
but nothing ever happens.
I remember at Michael's house,
in the living room when you kissed my neck,
and I almost touched your blouse.
In the morning at the top of the stairs,
when your father found out what we did that night,
and you told me you were scared.
All the glory when you ran outside,
with your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied,
and you told me not to follow you.
Sunday night when I cleaned the house,
I find the card where you wrote it out,
with the pictures of you mother.
On the floor at the great divide,
with my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied,
I am crying in the bathroom.
In the morning when you finally go,
and the nurse runs in with her head hung low,
and the cardinal hits the window.
In the morning in the winter shade,
on the 1st of March on the holiday,
I thought I saw you breathing.
All the glory that the Lord has made,
and the complications when I see His face,
in the morning in the window.
All the glory when he took our place,
but he took my shoulders and he shook my face,
and he takes and he takes and he takes.
8.1.06
quote
“In general, I hate Christian rock music. But now I have heard the songs of Derek Webb. Webb’s songs are free of the pietistic sentimentality that usually characterizes popular Christian music. His music, like the Gospel, is at once hard, edgy, and beautiful.”
—Stanley Hauerwas, author, educator, Duke Divinity School
—Stanley Hauerwas, author, educator, Duke Divinity School
Take Your Medicine, Again.
Cheer up all you harlots and whores. Here's another dose of medicine from the lyrics of Derek Webb. This song changed me. Hope it changes you, too.
The Church
i have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified
i have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone
so when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
‘cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church
i have long pursued her
as a harlot and a whore
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more
so when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
there is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids
they can never be my bride
The Church
i have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified
i have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone
so when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
‘cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church
i have long pursued her
as a harlot and a whore
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more
so when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
there is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids
they can never be my bride
7.1.06
6.1.06
End of the Year Lists
The following end of the year lists were found over at junkmailforblankets where a former seminary classmate of mine blogs.
Top Ten Wrestlers Who Never Wore the Belt of Truth in the Christian Wrestling Federation, Due, Possibly, to the Lack of Imprecation in their Chosen Wrestling Names
1. The Wounded Prophet
2. The Crippled Beggar
3. The Witch of Endor
4. The Angel of Life
5. The Passover Lamb
6. The Scarlet Cloth
7. The Circumcised
8. The Good Samaritan
9. The Kinsman Redeemer
10. Nard
Top Ten Least Successful Wrestling Moves Employed by the Above
1. The Flying Scroll
2. The Flow of Blood
3. The Mound of Wheat
4. The Resounding Gong
5. The Gentle Rebuke
6. The Love Feast
7. The Useless Vine
8. The Threshing Floor
9. The Slanderous Accusation
10. Forgiveness
Top Ten Best Names* for Christian Blues Musicians Among Christian Blues Musicians who Randomly Opened the Bible and Pointed When Choosing a Christian Blues Musician Name
1. Tent Peg
2. Dry Bones
3. Withered Fig
4. Pentecost
5. Raisin Cake
6. Sackcloth
7. Gethsemane
8. Wineskin
9. Rooster Crow
10. Almond Rod
(*To test, add Johnson to the end of each name)
Top Ten Wrestlers Who Never Wore the Belt of Truth in the Christian Wrestling Federation, Due, Possibly, to the Lack of Imprecation in their Chosen Wrestling Names
1. The Wounded Prophet
2. The Crippled Beggar
3. The Witch of Endor
4. The Angel of Life
5. The Passover Lamb
6. The Scarlet Cloth
7. The Circumcised
8. The Good Samaritan
9. The Kinsman Redeemer
10. Nard
Top Ten Least Successful Wrestling Moves Employed by the Above
1. The Flying Scroll
2. The Flow of Blood
3. The Mound of Wheat
4. The Resounding Gong
5. The Gentle Rebuke
6. The Love Feast
7. The Useless Vine
8. The Threshing Floor
9. The Slanderous Accusation
10. Forgiveness
Top Ten Best Names* for Christian Blues Musicians Among Christian Blues Musicians who Randomly Opened the Bible and Pointed When Choosing a Christian Blues Musician Name
1. Tent Peg
2. Dry Bones
3. Withered Fig
4. Pentecost
5. Raisin Cake
6. Sackcloth
7. Gethsemane
8. Wineskin
9. Rooster Crow
10. Almond Rod
(*To test, add Johnson to the end of each name)
The Following Are All They Are Cracked Up To Be:
Most things in life do not live up to the hype. Wether it is new technology, a new experience or a new stage in life, seldom does the reality measure up to the expectation. Once in a while however, something comes along that does measure up and even exceeds our hopes. Over the course of my life I've been keeping a running mental list of things that are all they are cracked up to be. As it stands so far with brief commentary, no particular order:
1. Drivers License: instant freedom and independance. At 16 I learned that a dork in a rusty $600 Mustang II trumps a non-dork on a bicycle.
2. College: more freedom and independance. Don't feel like going to school today? Fine. Go back to bed. Eat cereal in the shower. Who's gonna stop you? Beautiful.
3. I Pod: Come on. Every song you've ever owned in your pocket all the time? Don't pretend that's not awesome.
4. The Gospel: It just keeps getting deeper. And wider. And I'm not just saying this cause I'm suppose to.
5. Sex: awww yeah.
6. Fatherhood: As a father of two little boys I've created my own instant fan club. No matter how my day has gone, or what kind of mess I'm making out of my vocational life, when I walk in the house at the end of the day I am a rock star, a stand up comedian and the world's strongest man.
7. Hawaii: Way too commercialized and over-populated, but absolutely, jaw-droppingly beautiful. Photos do it no justice. Worth the trip just to stand on the beach and stare up at Diamondhead.
8. The Millenium Falcon: My parents bought it for me in 1984 when I had my tonsils removed. It was the coolest, ever. Han behind the controls, Chewie riding shot gun, and if you removed the batteries you could even cram Yoda into the battery compartment.
Let's hear it. What are yours?
1. Drivers License: instant freedom and independance. At 16 I learned that a dork in a rusty $600 Mustang II trumps a non-dork on a bicycle.
2. College: more freedom and independance. Don't feel like going to school today? Fine. Go back to bed. Eat cereal in the shower. Who's gonna stop you? Beautiful.
3. I Pod: Come on. Every song you've ever owned in your pocket all the time? Don't pretend that's not awesome.
4. The Gospel: It just keeps getting deeper. And wider. And I'm not just saying this cause I'm suppose to.
5. Sex: awww yeah.
6. Fatherhood: As a father of two little boys I've created my own instant fan club. No matter how my day has gone, or what kind of mess I'm making out of my vocational life, when I walk in the house at the end of the day I am a rock star, a stand up comedian and the world's strongest man.
7. Hawaii: Way too commercialized and over-populated, but absolutely, jaw-droppingly beautiful. Photos do it no justice. Worth the trip just to stand on the beach and stare up at Diamondhead.
8. The Millenium Falcon: My parents bought it for me in 1984 when I had my tonsils removed. It was the coolest, ever. Han behind the controls, Chewie riding shot gun, and if you removed the batteries you could even cram Yoda into the battery compartment.
Let's hear it. What are yours?
What is sleep paralysis?
Sleep paralysis consists of a period of inability to perform voluntary movements either at sleep onset (called hypnogogic or predormital form) or upon awakening (called hypnopompic or postdormtal form).
Sleep paralysis may also be referred to as isolated sleep paralysis, familial sleep paralysis, hynogogic or hypnopompic paralysis, predormital or postdormital paralysis
What are the symptoms?
A complaint of inability to move the trunk or limbs at sleep onset or upon awakening
Presence of brief episodes of partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis
Episodes can be associated with hypnagogic hallucinations or dream-like mentation (act or use of the brain)
Polysomnography (a sleep recording) shows at least one of the following:
suppression of skeletal muscle tone
a sleep onset REM period
dissociated REM sleep
Is it harmful?
Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body.
In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm.
Sleep paralysis consists of a period of inability to perform voluntary movements either at sleep onset (called hypnogogic or predormital form) or upon awakening (called hypnopompic or postdormtal form).
Sleep paralysis may also be referred to as isolated sleep paralysis, familial sleep paralysis, hynogogic or hypnopompic paralysis, predormital or postdormital paralysis
What are the symptoms?
A complaint of inability to move the trunk or limbs at sleep onset or upon awakening
Presence of brief episodes of partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis
Episodes can be associated with hypnagogic hallucinations or dream-like mentation (act or use of the brain)
Polysomnography (a sleep recording) shows at least one of the following:
suppression of skeletal muscle tone
a sleep onset REM period
dissociated REM sleep
Is it harmful?
Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body.
In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. At various times throughout the day, people with narcolepsy experience fleeting urges to sleep. If the urge becomes overwhelming, individuals will fall asleep for periods lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. In rare cases, some people may remain asleep for an hour or longer. In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), three other major symptoms frequently characterize narcolepsy: cataplexy, or the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone; vivid hallucinations during sleep onset or upon awakening; and brief episodes of total paralysis at the beginning or end of sleep. Narcolepsy is not definitively diagnosed in most patients until 10 to 15 years after the first symptoms appear. The cause of narcolepsy remains unknown. It is likely that narcolepsy involves multiple factors interacting to cause neurological dysfunction and sleep disturbances however at this point, researches know only that the narc...
that the nar...
that...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
that the nar...
that...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Take Your Medicine
For the next several days, the FP prescribes a daily dose of Derek Webb lyrics. Here's your pill for today. Caution: May have serious side effects.
A King & A Kingdom
who's your brother, who's your sister
you just walked passed him
i think you missed her
as we're all migrating to the place where our father lives
'cause we married in to a family of immigrants
my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a king & a kingdom
there are two great lies that i’ve heard:
“the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die”
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him
but nothing unifies like a common enemy
and we’ve got one, sure as hell
but he may be living in your house
he may be raising up your kids
he may be sleeping with your wife
oh no, he may not look like you think
A King & A Kingdom
who's your brother, who's your sister
you just walked passed him
i think you missed her
as we're all migrating to the place where our father lives
'cause we married in to a family of immigrants
my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a king & a kingdom
there are two great lies that i’ve heard:
“the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die”
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him
but nothing unifies like a common enemy
and we’ve got one, sure as hell
but he may be living in your house
he may be raising up your kids
he may be sleeping with your wife
oh no, he may not look like you think
Indie Record Stores Fading Out
Back in college I use to go up to Looney T-Bird's every monday night at midnight for the new release party. It was a great weekly ritual. We'd peruse the used cd shelves, swing through the vinyl room and then, if we could find anything worth purchasing (and we always did) we'd wait in line (yes, a line at a record store at midnight on a monday) and we'd take our new find back to the apartment and listen before getting some rest before classes started the next morning.
My top three Looney T-Bird memories:
1. Waiting in line for vs, Pearl jam's much awaited second album.
2. Purchasing an album entitled Bee Thousand from some strange band called Guided by Voices. It was a new movement called "lo-fi". I loved it so much I freaked out.
3. Purchasing both Grant lee Buffalo's Mighty Joe Moon and Radiohead's The Bends in the same evening. These two are forever linked in my psyche.
Alas, Looney's has been gone for several years. I hope my new indie record store (magnolia's in Columbus, Ohio) does not go under also. I'm sure it will eventually.
sigh.
My top three Looney T-Bird memories:
1. Waiting in line for vs, Pearl jam's much awaited second album.
2. Purchasing an album entitled Bee Thousand from some strange band called Guided by Voices. It was a new movement called "lo-fi". I loved it so much I freaked out.
3. Purchasing both Grant lee Buffalo's Mighty Joe Moon and Radiohead's The Bends in the same evening. These two are forever linked in my psyche.
Alas, Looney's has been gone for several years. I hope my new indie record store (magnolia's in Columbus, Ohio) does not go under also. I'm sure it will eventually.
sigh.
4.1.06
Airtight Logical Syllogism Prognosticates a Texas Victory
USC barely beat Notre Dame.
Texas barely beat Ohio State.
Ohio State beat ND.
Hence, Texas is going to beat USC.
See? Airtight.
Texas barely beat Ohio State.
Ohio State beat ND.
Hence, Texas is going to beat USC.
See? Airtight.
Everything I ever needed to Know about the Gospel I learned from Dog the Bounty Hunter
Well, not everything. But this television show is filled with gospel parallels and overt acts of Christian conduct. (As well as more than a bit of "earthiness"... and quite a few stellar mullets as well).
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the gospel is more clearly seen in thie show than it is in 95% of what is aired on religious networks and certainly more than anything ever seen on any of the Tounched by An Angel or 7th Heaven crap.
I hope to get season one on dvd.
"grace & justice join and point to mercy's store"
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the gospel is more clearly seen in thie show than it is in 95% of what is aired on religious networks and certainly more than anything ever seen on any of the Tounched by An Angel or 7th Heaven crap.
I hope to get season one on dvd.
"grace & justice join and point to mercy's store"
3.1.06
2.1.06
Good Dogma
Official Christianity, of late years, has been having what is known as "a bad press". We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine- "dull dogma", as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian Faith is the most exciting drama that ever stagered the imagination of man- and the dogma is the drama.
Now, we may call that doctrine exhilarating or we may call it devastating; we may call it revelation or we may call it rubbish; but if we call it dull, then words have no meaning at all. That God should play the tyrant over man is a dismal story of unrelieved oppression; that man should play the tyrant over man is the usual dreary record of human futility; but that man should play the tyrant over God and find Him a better man than himself is an astonishing drama indeed.
- Dorothy Sayers in Creed or Chaos
Now, we may call that doctrine exhilarating or we may call it devastating; we may call it revelation or we may call it rubbish; but if we call it dull, then words have no meaning at all. That God should play the tyrant over man is a dismal story of unrelieved oppression; that man should play the tyrant over man is the usual dreary record of human futility; but that man should play the tyrant over God and find Him a better man than himself is an astonishing drama indeed.
- Dorothy Sayers in Creed or Chaos
31.12.05
Happy New Year
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.
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.
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)