This morning a little pink line appeared on our home pregnancy test. This brings me great joy because it means our third little one is on the way!
It also brings me great joy, because at first I thought she was peeing on my ipod shuffle.
Here's to more babies.
8.11.05
7.11.05
Office work.
This post goes out to all you office workers who are hanging on until Friday. Rock on, cubicle dwellers.
Anheuser Busch donates water to victims, Baptists refuse to distribute it.
This is ridiculous. Then again, maybe they did the right thing. Can you imagine what a bummer it would be to snap open an icy cold can of the suds only to find it filled with mere water? I mean come on, first a hurricane destroys your town, and now THIS?!
Click the title to read the article.
Click the title to read the article.
Still protesting.
Recently I've had a handful of conversations with Roman Catholics concerning the schism between Catholics and Protestants. The conversations have served to increase my awareness of my own continued protest. I desire unity among all who call themselves Christians. But not at any cost.
In the meantime, I remain under the Roman Catholic "anathema" which means "condemnation" which means in the opinion of the Roman Catholic church, I stand eternally condemned and am no child of God.
Here is the ruling of the Council of Trent:
CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.
Well, that's exactly what I saith. Thus, still protesting. God haste the day when your Church is one under the free grace of Jesus Christ.
In the meantime, I remain under the Roman Catholic "anathema" which means "condemnation" which means in the opinion of the Roman Catholic church, I stand eternally condemned and am no child of God.
Here is the ruling of the Council of Trent:
CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.
Well, that's exactly what I saith. Thus, still protesting. God haste the day when your Church is one under the free grace of Jesus Christ.
31.10.05
Ryan Adams Has The Right Idea.
Maybe this explains why he seems to have so little time for personal hygene maintenance.
Ryan Adams is set to release his third album of 2005. This third full length album of all original material is currently slated for release in December of 2005. One of his albums this year (Cold Roses) was even a double disc! I did the math- that's fourty-three tracks. Ryan Adams will have released in one year, the amount of music it took u2 twelve years to release. TWELVE YEARS!
Here's how I see it: If you are a professional musician like Adams or U2, your job is to make music, to write songs. It's why you get paid. If you can't turn out AT LEAST ten decent tracks a year, then maybe you're in the wrong line of work, you know what I'm saying? I mean what are these rock stars doing all day? I'll tell you. They're going to Hollywood Movie Premiers with their ex-supermodel girlfriends and crap like that. (I should probably cut Bono some slack for saving Africa or whatever) But still! Take your guitar with you and write me some freakin' songs on your lunch break.
Anyway, props to Ryan Adams for being the hardest working songwriter in rock and roll. And let this be a rebuke to all the bands that release one album every four and half years with every third one being some crappy live- acoustic rehash of previously recorded material.
Ryan Adams is set to release his third album of 2005. This third full length album of all original material is currently slated for release in December of 2005. One of his albums this year (Cold Roses) was even a double disc! I did the math- that's fourty-three tracks. Ryan Adams will have released in one year, the amount of music it took u2 twelve years to release. TWELVE YEARS!
Here's how I see it: If you are a professional musician like Adams or U2, your job is to make music, to write songs. It's why you get paid. If you can't turn out AT LEAST ten decent tracks a year, then maybe you're in the wrong line of work, you know what I'm saying? I mean what are these rock stars doing all day? I'll tell you. They're going to Hollywood Movie Premiers with their ex-supermodel girlfriends and crap like that. (I should probably cut Bono some slack for saving Africa or whatever) But still! Take your guitar with you and write me some freakin' songs on your lunch break.
Anyway, props to Ryan Adams for being the hardest working songwriter in rock and roll. And let this be a rebuke to all the bands that release one album every four and half years with every third one being some crappy live- acoustic rehash of previously recorded material.
28.10.05
Eli, Peyton & Polanyi: Quarterbacks and the Tacit Coefficient
If you are into football and obscure twentieth century epistemologists, then you will LOVE this article. If you're just into football, you'll still like it. If you're only into obscure twentieth century epistemologists, then your name is Dru Johnson, and you should stop horsing around on the internet and get back to work before I call Dr. Williams and tattle on you.
30!
I don't want to give away any secrets or anything, so let's just say, one of the persons in this photo is now 30 years old. Happy Birthday, Sweet Heart!
In my world, this makes perfect sense.
Those of you who, like me, were raised on rock and roll and now find yourselves raising small children will be able to relate to this excellent music video. The rest of you will think we've all lost it. Enjoy
New Development
Attention: In order to further enhance my 'street cred', I will from now on refer to myself solely in third person and using the moniker G Love and Special Bloss. You may now return to your normally shceduled activites.
Sincerely,
G Love and Special Bloss
Sincerely,
G Love and Special Bloss
25.10.05
say what?
I stumbled upon this lovely piece of rational thought and air tight argumentation when perusing the website of Fred Phelps, pastor and owner of www.godhatesfags.com
Guys like this are the reason why 75% of my ministry is spent doing damage control.
Guys like this are the reason why 75% of my ministry is spent doing damage control.
Not Too Cool for School
This from Relevant Magazine:
One lucky Harvard student will get the ultimate roommate this spring semester when Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo returns to the university to finish his bachelor’s degree. The multi-platinum rocker has said that he will move back into the dorms, officially making him that weird 35-year-old guy that creeps everyone out
One lucky Harvard student will get the ultimate roommate this spring semester when Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo returns to the university to finish his bachelor’s degree. The multi-platinum rocker has said that he will move back into the dorms, officially making him that weird 35-year-old guy that creeps everyone out
22.10.05
Apple's itunes now sells music videos for $1.99
And you can watch them on your new ipod with video capabilities. But don't buy them! Videos use to be available to watch for free on the itunes website. Now you can only watch a short sample before paying to download the whole thing. That really sucks. Music Videos are advertisments for the musicians that are selling music. It is ridiculous to ask me for $1.99 so you can advertise your product to me.
I won't pay for it. You won't advertise to me. And then I won't buy your product. Now go home and cry on your ex-supermodel wife's shoulder. Bad! Bad rock star!
I won't pay for it. You won't advertise to me. And then I won't buy your product. Now go home and cry on your ex-supermodel wife's shoulder. Bad! Bad rock star!
Every church is liturgical
Click the link and scroll down below the fine photo of the marching band uniform. Thanks to KDNY for pointing this out.
Baptize your babies
The following was lifted from a blog quoting Doug Wilson. The argument from silence is VERY strong.
"The question for our baptistic brethren is this. Are you prepared to maintain that an infant brought to your congregation (formally and covenantally excluded) is in the same position as an infant brought to a believing synagogue in Jerusalem in AD 52? Not only would the believing synagogue not exclude such an infant, I believe that they would have difficulty even comprehending the concept of excluding the infants. And if there was such a generation-long uproar over the inclusion of the Gentiles, what would the commotion have been if the apostles really were teaching the Jews that not only must you start admitting the Gentile adults, but you must start excluding your own children? I have trouble believing that this would not have caused the Mother of all Theological Controversies. But there is not a word about such a controversy in the New Testament".
"The question for our baptistic brethren is this. Are you prepared to maintain that an infant brought to your congregation (formally and covenantally excluded) is in the same position as an infant brought to a believing synagogue in Jerusalem in AD 52? Not only would the believing synagogue not exclude such an infant, I believe that they would have difficulty even comprehending the concept of excluding the infants. And if there was such a generation-long uproar over the inclusion of the Gentiles, what would the commotion have been if the apostles really were teaching the Jews that not only must you start admitting the Gentile adults, but you must start excluding your own children? I have trouble believing that this would not have caused the Mother of all Theological Controversies. But there is not a word about such a controversy in the New Testament".
Baptize your babies
The following was lifted from a blog quoting Doug Wilson:
"The question for our baptistic brethren is this. Are you prepared to maintain that an infant brought to your congregation (formally and covenantally excluded) is in the same position as an infant brought to a believing synagogue in Jerusalem in AD 52? Not only would the believing synagogue not exclude such an infant, I believe that they would have difficulty even comprehending the concept of excluding the infants. And if there was such a generation-long uproar over the inclusion of the Gentiles, what would the commotion have been if the apostles really were teaching the Jews that not only must you start admitting the Gentile adults, but you must start excluding your own children? I have trouble believing that this would not have caused the Mother of all Theological Controversies. But there is not a word about such a controversy in the New Testament".
"The question for our baptistic brethren is this. Are you prepared to maintain that an infant brought to your congregation (formally and covenantally excluded) is in the same position as an infant brought to a believing synagogue in Jerusalem in AD 52? Not only would the believing synagogue not exclude such an infant, I believe that they would have difficulty even comprehending the concept of excluding the infants. And if there was such a generation-long uproar over the inclusion of the Gentiles, what would the commotion have been if the apostles really were teaching the Jews that not only must you start admitting the Gentile adults, but you must start excluding your own children? I have trouble believing that this would not have caused the Mother of all Theological Controversies. But there is not a word about such a controversy in the New Testament".
21.10.05
Problem: Two Parties- One Funky Presbyterian
It's all boils down to math, really. Two parties Saturday night and only one Funky Presbyter to go around. Ah well. Such is the price one pays for such a hip happenin' social life. Normally I would choose which party to attend based on the predicted funkiness of each. Unfortunately both are registering as maximum funk on the funkometer. In such a case I would normally choose based on which party would afford me the greatest opportunity to display my break dancin' skills. I mean skillz. Neither gathering bodes well for my awesome robotics. (I was pro'lly gonna do the worm too, but whatever). So I guess I must resort to going where I was invited first. Maybe I'll bust out the windmill anyway.
As consolation for your deep empathy with my dilemma, I've linked to an appropriate cartoon. Enjoy.
As consolation for your deep empathy with my dilemma, I've linked to an appropriate cartoon. Enjoy.
All Things Beautiful and Bright
Hey. Remember that really awesome Christian Rock band that played Cornerstone back in in the summer of '93 and blew everybody away? Remember? They opened with Adam Ants "good two shoes" and then ripped through a set of songs good enough to make Thom York jealous. Remember? Then they left Cornerstone and wrecked thier van and they all almost died and were in the hospital for months and then when they all got out they recorded one more album which was one of the best albums of the year- maybe even the decade? Remember that? It had that Frank Lloyd Wright designed interior of a public library on the cover? And it had that song "Mincemeat" that just absolutely left you breathless everytime you heard it? And then they just disappeared. Remember? Of course you don't. No one does.
Well, I remember. That band was called Luxury and recently their ex-lead singer, Lee Bozeman has released a solo project under the name "All Things Beautiful and Bright". You can listen to a track by clicking the title link of this post.
In addition, Luxury released a NEW album on Northern Records this month. Look it up, check it out. Purchase it.
File Under: Christian Rock that doesn't suck. (it's a very small category).
Well, I remember. That band was called Luxury and recently their ex-lead singer, Lee Bozeman has released a solo project under the name "All Things Beautiful and Bright". You can listen to a track by clicking the title link of this post.
In addition, Luxury released a NEW album on Northern Records this month. Look it up, check it out. Purchase it.
File Under: Christian Rock that doesn't suck. (it's a very small category).
I am speechless.
One Nation Under... Hey Wait a Second! I am speechless, but thankfully, KDNY is not! KDNY suspects the bushfish is the reason for Katrina. You know... I think he may be on to something.
Originally uploaded by Greg Blosser.
20.10.05
19.10.05
17.10.05
15.10.05
This looks like a Pez dispenser...
...but really it's an MP3 player. I am overwhelmed by the awesomeness.
13.10.05
HOW SERIOUS IS THE THREAT OF ASIAN BIRD FLU?
Well, check this out. I pulled it off the cdc web site. Apparantly in April of this year W signed an executive order broadening the scope of quarantinable diseases to include influenza. ahh- Ahhh- AHHHH- CHOO!
Executive Order: Amendment to E.O. 13295 Relating to Certain Influenza Viruses and Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 361(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264(b)), it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Based upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Surgeon General, and for the purpose set forth in section 1 of Executive Order 13295 of April 4, 2003, section 1 of such order is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:
"(c) Influenza caused by novel or reemergent influenza viruses that are causing, or have the potential to cause, a pandemic.".
Sec. 2. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees or agents, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 1, 2005.
Executive Order: Amendment to E.O. 13295 Relating to Certain Influenza Viruses and Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 361(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264(b)), it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Based upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Surgeon General, and for the purpose set forth in section 1 of Executive Order 13295 of April 4, 2003, section 1 of such order is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:
"(c) Influenza caused by novel or reemergent influenza viruses that are causing, or have the potential to cause, a pandemic.".
Sec. 2. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees or agents, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 1, 2005.
12.10.05
you go, google.
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin (search) vowed to create a company "that does good things for the world even if we forgo short-term gains." Toward that end, the pair said they would earmark 1 percent of Google's stock and future profit for a charitable foundation.
- Read the rest of the article at the above link. Man, just imagine what couold be done with 10%.
- Read the rest of the article at the above link. Man, just imagine what couold be done with 10%.
11.10.05
you go girl.
I give Oprah flack whenever I can. It's really not Oprah- the person- I have a problem with. It's what she represents. It's all the cheap psycho-babble- believe in yourself- remember your spirit- just look inside- stuff she preaches each day and the way America undiscerningly laps up every empty self-help cliche she spews forth. She's preaching the only gospel she knows. Just so happens it's no gospel at all. Then there's Dr. Phil, Oprah's instead-man. Don't get me started. (However I will say he definiely knows how to rock the 'stache).
Yes. I give Oprah crap.
Therefor it is only fair that I also give Oprah props on her admirable and courageous behavior as well. Most recently she has announced that she intends to fight for the improvement of laws relating to the sentencing of convicted child molesters. She intends to attack this issue state by state and at her own personal expense. She believes this is the purpose for which she was created. (It's just too bad she got side tracked with that whole talk show thing for the last couple of decades).
Anyway, her passionate conviction and determination to make positive change in defense of the defenseless and at great personal expense is truly noble. You go girl.
Yes. I give Oprah crap.
Therefor it is only fair that I also give Oprah props on her admirable and courageous behavior as well. Most recently she has announced that she intends to fight for the improvement of laws relating to the sentencing of convicted child molesters. She intends to attack this issue state by state and at her own personal expense. She believes this is the purpose for which she was created. (It's just too bad she got side tracked with that whole talk show thing for the last couple of decades).
Anyway, her passionate conviction and determination to make positive change in defense of the defenseless and at great personal expense is truly noble. You go girl.
Lyrics
From The Mountain Goats album The Sunset Tree:
love love love
king saul fell on his sword when it all went wrong,
and joseph's brothers sold him down the river for a song,
and sonny liston rubbed some tiger balm into his glove.
some things you do for money and some you do for love love love.
raskolnikov felt sick but he couldn't say why
when he saw his face reflected in his victim's twinkling eye.
some things you'll do for money and some you'll do for fun,
but the things you do for love are going to come back to you one by one.
love love is going to lead you by the hand
into a white and soundless place.
now we see things as in a mirror dimly.
then we shall see each other face to face.
and way out in seattle young kurt cobain
snuck out to the greenhouse, put a bullet in his brain.
snakes in the grass beneath our feet, rain in the clouds above,
some moments last forever, but some flare up with love love love.
love love love
king saul fell on his sword when it all went wrong,
and joseph's brothers sold him down the river for a song,
and sonny liston rubbed some tiger balm into his glove.
some things you do for money and some you do for love love love.
raskolnikov felt sick but he couldn't say why
when he saw his face reflected in his victim's twinkling eye.
some things you'll do for money and some you'll do for fun,
but the things you do for love are going to come back to you one by one.
love love is going to lead you by the hand
into a white and soundless place.
now we see things as in a mirror dimly.
then we shall see each other face to face.
and way out in seattle young kurt cobain
snuck out to the greenhouse, put a bullet in his brain.
snakes in the grass beneath our feet, rain in the clouds above,
some moments last forever, but some flare up with love love love.
10.10.05
Another Sign of the Apocalypse:
This Louis Vuitton wallet sells for $570. Of course the obvious question: Once we've purchased the wallet, what the @#*%! are we suppose to put in it?
Kabbala, Madonna and the Christ
By RACHEL HOAG
Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM
A song on Madonna's upcoming album dedicated to a Kabbalist rabbi is drawing criticism from other rabbis, the Israeli Maariv daily reported Sunday.
The album, "Confessions on a Dance Floor," is to be released on Nov. 15 and features a track entitled "Isaac" about Yitzhak Luria, a 16th century Jewish mystic and Kabbalah scholar.
Rabbis who oversee Luria's tomb and a seminary in the northern town of Safed are unimpressed with Madonna's musical tribute and see the inclusion of the song about Luria on the album as an attempt by the pop star to profit from his name.
Rabbi Rafael Cohen, head of a seminary named after Luria, suggested Madonna's actions could lead to divine retribution.
"Jewish law forbids the use of the name of the holy rabbi for profit. Her act is just simply unacceptable and I can only sympathize for her because of the punishment that she is going to receive from the heavens," Cohen told the newspaper.
Another rabbi called for Madonna to be thrown out of the community.
"Such a woman brings great sin on kabbalah," Rabbi Israel Deri told Maariv. "I hope that we will have the strength to prevent her from bringing sin upon the holiness of the rabbi (Yitzhak Luria)."
Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment Sunday.
The singer and actress was raised a Roman Catholic but has become a follower of Kabbalah in recent years and adopted the Hebrew name Esther. She made a much publicized visit to Israel in 2004, when she visited many sites important to Kabbalah, but didn't travel to Luria's grave.
And this from Grace Central last night:
come ye sinners, poor and wretched,
weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
full of pity joined with power
he is able, he is able
he is willing, doubt no more.
Kabbala rejects "such a woman" because she brings great sin upon Kabbala. Jesus calls "such a woman" SO THAT SHE MAY bring her great sin upon him, and thus recieve mercy, grace and transformation.
The beauty of the gospel as seen in contrast is overwhelming. At least to those of us who understand we too are "such a woman". He is able. He is willing. Doubt no more.
Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM
A song on Madonna's upcoming album dedicated to a Kabbalist rabbi is drawing criticism from other rabbis, the Israeli Maariv daily reported Sunday.
The album, "Confessions on a Dance Floor," is to be released on Nov. 15 and features a track entitled "Isaac" about Yitzhak Luria, a 16th century Jewish mystic and Kabbalah scholar.
Rabbis who oversee Luria's tomb and a seminary in the northern town of Safed are unimpressed with Madonna's musical tribute and see the inclusion of the song about Luria on the album as an attempt by the pop star to profit from his name.
Rabbi Rafael Cohen, head of a seminary named after Luria, suggested Madonna's actions could lead to divine retribution.
"Jewish law forbids the use of the name of the holy rabbi for profit. Her act is just simply unacceptable and I can only sympathize for her because of the punishment that she is going to receive from the heavens," Cohen told the newspaper.
Another rabbi called for Madonna to be thrown out of the community.
"Such a woman brings great sin on kabbalah," Rabbi Israel Deri told Maariv. "I hope that we will have the strength to prevent her from bringing sin upon the holiness of the rabbi (Yitzhak Luria)."
Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment Sunday.
The singer and actress was raised a Roman Catholic but has become a follower of Kabbalah in recent years and adopted the Hebrew name Esther. She made a much publicized visit to Israel in 2004, when she visited many sites important to Kabbalah, but didn't travel to Luria's grave.
And this from Grace Central last night:
come ye sinners, poor and wretched,
weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
full of pity joined with power
he is able, he is able
he is willing, doubt no more.
Kabbala rejects "such a woman" because she brings great sin upon Kabbala. Jesus calls "such a woman" SO THAT SHE MAY bring her great sin upon him, and thus recieve mercy, grace and transformation.
The beauty of the gospel as seen in contrast is overwhelming. At least to those of us who understand we too are "such a woman". He is able. He is willing. Doubt no more.
Reading...
"But in all fairness, there is another side to this story, justifiably provoking the contempt of the skeptic. Much of what has passed for the Chrisitian message has been nothing more than frothy God-talk - mindless, thoughtless and in it's exploitation of people, heartless. This too, will not do. Just as so much of antitheistic thinking when scrutinized is sensically impoversished, so also much religious verbiage, seeped in emotional drivel and bereft of reason, can be tossed at unsuspecting audiences in the name of orthodoxy. The ruinous end of the latter, in it's destruction of lives plundered materially and spiritually, may be greater than the ideas perpetrated by the openly cynical. Is there an answer to all this? I sincerely trust there is. And it is to find that common ground of interaction that this material is presented."
- page xvi, Can Man Live Without God
Ravi Zacharias
- page xvi, Can Man Live Without God
Ravi Zacharias
7.10.05
Josh Ritter's Thin Blue Flame
A new track by Josh Ritter. You've got to check him out. This guy's got the goods. I'd love to read your review of this track here. Who likes it? Who doesn't & why?
6.10.05
Second Greatest Band Of All time Releases Oral History Today
It is now time for the celebratory rocking out...
I had me a vision
There wasn't any television
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
We got to think quick
Says blind St. Nick hey
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
We got to get some beer
We got no atmosphere
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
I had me a vision
There wasn't any television
From looking into the sun.
I had me a vision
There wasn't any television
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
We got to think quick
Says blind St. Nick hey
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
We got to get some beer
We got no atmosphere
From looking into the sun
Looking into the sun
I had me a vision
There wasn't any television
From looking into the sun.
Depression and Liturgy: Insights from the funky study
Have you ever been to a church service in which the order and content of the service was prescribed from start to finish? These are called liturgical services. They consist of prayers and readings that have been prepared in advance.
If you are depressed, you are going to have to learn to be a liturgical worshipper.
If you wait until you feel motivated to worship, you might be waiting a long time. If you are remotely inclined to communicate with God, you might find that words fail and you have nothing to say. When you drag yourself to worship, the service had better be mapped out ahead of time.
- from "Depression: A Stubborn Darkness" by Edward T. Welch (MDiv, PhD)
If you are depressed, you are going to have to learn to be a liturgical worshipper.
If you wait until you feel motivated to worship, you might be waiting a long time. If you are remotely inclined to communicate with God, you might find that words fail and you have nothing to say. When you drag yourself to worship, the service had better be mapped out ahead of time.
- from "Depression: A Stubborn Darkness" by Edward T. Welch (MDiv, PhD)
5.10.05
Jose Gonzalez
He's Swedish! He's Argentinian! He's a singer! He's a songwriter! He's a super-hyphenated, multi-instrumental, musical-up-and-comer. If you like Elliot Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Redhouse Painters, Alexi Murdoch, or Chumbawumba if there was only one of them and he wrote good songs, didn't suck, played an acoustic guitar, and never had a snowball's chance of making it on Mtv, then click the link above to hear a sample and see a video.
If you wipe boogers under your school desk then do not click the link above.
If you wipe boogers under your school desk then do not click the link above.
Jacksonville City Nights - Ryan Adams
I am currently practicing the art of delayed gratification by NOT purchasing this album. But above is a link to a well written review.
How to Sing the Blues: Depression, Anxiety, Sorrow and the Struggle for Belief
A heart that beats is a heart that breaks. Our modern culture would have us to believe that the experience of depression, anxiety and sorrow is abnormal, wrong and a problem to be “fixed”. Join us as we examine the difficult feelings all people experience and the surprisingly realistic perspective our ancient faith brings to bear at such times.
If the drugs stopped working, you’re on your fifth therapist or you just need a fresh look at an old struggle, join us at grace central for How to Sing the Blues. We look forward to seeing you.
237 West Second Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
6pm Sunday Evenings: October 9th – November 6th
If the drugs stopped working, you’re on your fifth therapist or you just need a fresh look at an old struggle, join us at grace central for How to Sing the Blues. We look forward to seeing you.
237 West Second Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
6pm Sunday Evenings: October 9th – November 6th
Being Truly Progressive by Brett McCracken
Found this article on RelevantMagazine.com
Much that is written on this website—and indeed, most writing anywhere these days—can be categorized as critical. That is, writing that critiques, analyzes, induces or describes something—whether art, a public figure, etc. This kind of writing is largely subjective, marginally informative and dominates public discourse today. Thanks to the influence of decades of postmodern theory, cultural and technological transformations (the Internet and other digital communication) as well as the general deconstructed “information age” in which most of us have grown up, this rather new phenomenon is not just a passing fad.
Lest you shrug off the influence of this “populist critic” phenomenon, just turn on the news. The media today is less about reporting facts and much more guided by talking-head orgies of analysis. There are head-filled squares all over the screen, prattling on about who’s to blame for this and that, or what the latest polls about thus and such mean. It is all a wild game of speculation, and the viewers eat it up. Why? Because we too are obsessed with deconstructive critique. Look no further than the mirror to see your own favorite critic.
The problem with a culture in love with criticism is obvious, however. Amid all the accusatory rambling, partisan bickering and self-serving questioning, there is a massive dearth of the one thing we use to find helpful: answers. Unfortunately for us, postmodern life has infused in us a general disposition away from answers, largely because they proved so ineffective in the modernist, totalitarian chaos that was the 20th century. Questions are much more fun, less judgmental and certainly less dangerous than answers. But where, if not eventually to some sort of answers, will our questions lead us?
Before I go further, I want to make a distinction that I think is important when we talk about questioning. On one hand, questioning is a very good thing. Neil Postman called it “the most important intellectual ability man has yet developed” (Teaching as a Subversive Activity). When it is done out of a sincerely inquisitive, awe-inspired spirit, questioning is a beautiful thing. We were made for such reflection. The sort of questioning that plagues our society today, however, is that which we first learned in school: questioning to learn what we must to get by; questioning for our self-advancement. It is this spirit that leads us away from serious, unpretentious inquiry and toward a perverted skepticism that thrives on passing off blame, purging self-guilt and demolishing all that comes close to threatening our subjective paradigms.
Where will such a philosophy take us? To a cultural meltdown I think, and perhaps much sooner than later. It is only logical to assume that in a society where answers are forbidden and objectivists are burned at the ideological stake, we will eventually run ourselves into the muck of useless existential filibuster. It is all too apparent that if our politics continue to phase out dialogue in favor of bloody-knuckle turf warfare, our government will collapse under its own identity crises. Finally, it is eerily evident that in these days when men so aggressively downplay their own culpable characters in favor of arbitrary value judgments against forces outside of themselves (parents, gender, governments, hurricanes), C.S. Lewis was dead right: “Stepping outside the Tao, they have stepped into the void … They are not men at all: they are artifacts. Man's final conquest has proved to be the abolition of Man.”
In an effort to not defeat my own argument here, I must now take this discussion away from doomsday speculation and back to a practical level of application. For therein lies the heart of what I am saying here—it is fun, easy and (sometimes) productive to critique the world, but only helpful if there are suggestions or answers to be offered as well; or at least directions we can be productively pushed.
So that I do not sound like one of those “postmodernity is the devil” Christians, let me make clear: I do not advocate a return to a dogmatic, “we have ALL the answers” faith. Part of postmodernity’s value is in its reminder that truth is far more decentralized than Western rationalists might like. That said, we must recognize a key difference between possessing truth and proclaiming that it exists. The mindset today is that since truth is relative, a la carte and localized, its broad relevance or application is negligible. This attitude quickly becomes a sort of teleological defeatism, with study and inquiry ultimately to a rather undefined, paltry end. What Christians and most religions proclaim, however, is that there are Answers with a capital A, and that they apply to everyone and everything under the sun.
To acknowledge the existence of Answers and universal truths is a big step. If Christians can reconcile this reality with the notion that we do not, in fact, possess all such knowledge, we might start to become truly progressive. Progress builds upon what we know already (which is not everything) into the world our senses and intellect can explore. Progress comes when questions, probes and queries about the nature of being, art, origin and end become the driving force of a culture willing to expand its mind.
This section of RELEVANT is known as “Progressive Culture,” but is that title aptly descriptive? Too often the section seems bogged down by culture critique and entertainment analyses that offer little in the way of progressive advice or engagement. Progress can be as little as raising a genuine question that will instigate needed discussion; it can be as much as a cultural call to arms. What it can not be, however, is self-gratifying ranting which proclaims, “This is how it is, we have nowhere to go from here.” That is the opposite of progression.
My cultural call to arms, then, is this: Christians, embrace dialogue, thought and search for that elusive frame of mind in which, as Lewis describes in The Abolition of Man, the love of truth exceeds the love of power. Do not sit back and join the choir of carefree criticism that dominates our culture. Mark Noll is right to warn, in The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, “If we take this action by inaction, we are saying that we want our lives to be shaped by cultural forces—including intellectual forces—that contradict the heart of our religion.” To be passive in a culture that seems to define progress as the destruction of traditional truth seeking will surely be our downfall.
Much that is written on this website—and indeed, most writing anywhere these days—can be categorized as critical. That is, writing that critiques, analyzes, induces or describes something—whether art, a public figure, etc. This kind of writing is largely subjective, marginally informative and dominates public discourse today. Thanks to the influence of decades of postmodern theory, cultural and technological transformations (the Internet and other digital communication) as well as the general deconstructed “information age” in which most of us have grown up, this rather new phenomenon is not just a passing fad.
Lest you shrug off the influence of this “populist critic” phenomenon, just turn on the news. The media today is less about reporting facts and much more guided by talking-head orgies of analysis. There are head-filled squares all over the screen, prattling on about who’s to blame for this and that, or what the latest polls about thus and such mean. It is all a wild game of speculation, and the viewers eat it up. Why? Because we too are obsessed with deconstructive critique. Look no further than the mirror to see your own favorite critic.
The problem with a culture in love with criticism is obvious, however. Amid all the accusatory rambling, partisan bickering and self-serving questioning, there is a massive dearth of the one thing we use to find helpful: answers. Unfortunately for us, postmodern life has infused in us a general disposition away from answers, largely because they proved so ineffective in the modernist, totalitarian chaos that was the 20th century. Questions are much more fun, less judgmental and certainly less dangerous than answers. But where, if not eventually to some sort of answers, will our questions lead us?
Before I go further, I want to make a distinction that I think is important when we talk about questioning. On one hand, questioning is a very good thing. Neil Postman called it “the most important intellectual ability man has yet developed” (Teaching as a Subversive Activity). When it is done out of a sincerely inquisitive, awe-inspired spirit, questioning is a beautiful thing. We were made for such reflection. The sort of questioning that plagues our society today, however, is that which we first learned in school: questioning to learn what we must to get by; questioning for our self-advancement. It is this spirit that leads us away from serious, unpretentious inquiry and toward a perverted skepticism that thrives on passing off blame, purging self-guilt and demolishing all that comes close to threatening our subjective paradigms.
Where will such a philosophy take us? To a cultural meltdown I think, and perhaps much sooner than later. It is only logical to assume that in a society where answers are forbidden and objectivists are burned at the ideological stake, we will eventually run ourselves into the muck of useless existential filibuster. It is all too apparent that if our politics continue to phase out dialogue in favor of bloody-knuckle turf warfare, our government will collapse under its own identity crises. Finally, it is eerily evident that in these days when men so aggressively downplay their own culpable characters in favor of arbitrary value judgments against forces outside of themselves (parents, gender, governments, hurricanes), C.S. Lewis was dead right: “Stepping outside the Tao, they have stepped into the void … They are not men at all: they are artifacts. Man's final conquest has proved to be the abolition of Man.”
In an effort to not defeat my own argument here, I must now take this discussion away from doomsday speculation and back to a practical level of application. For therein lies the heart of what I am saying here—it is fun, easy and (sometimes) productive to critique the world, but only helpful if there are suggestions or answers to be offered as well; or at least directions we can be productively pushed.
So that I do not sound like one of those “postmodernity is the devil” Christians, let me make clear: I do not advocate a return to a dogmatic, “we have ALL the answers” faith. Part of postmodernity’s value is in its reminder that truth is far more decentralized than Western rationalists might like. That said, we must recognize a key difference between possessing truth and proclaiming that it exists. The mindset today is that since truth is relative, a la carte and localized, its broad relevance or application is negligible. This attitude quickly becomes a sort of teleological defeatism, with study and inquiry ultimately to a rather undefined, paltry end. What Christians and most religions proclaim, however, is that there are Answers with a capital A, and that they apply to everyone and everything under the sun.
To acknowledge the existence of Answers and universal truths is a big step. If Christians can reconcile this reality with the notion that we do not, in fact, possess all such knowledge, we might start to become truly progressive. Progress builds upon what we know already (which is not everything) into the world our senses and intellect can explore. Progress comes when questions, probes and queries about the nature of being, art, origin and end become the driving force of a culture willing to expand its mind.
This section of RELEVANT is known as “Progressive Culture,” but is that title aptly descriptive? Too often the section seems bogged down by culture critique and entertainment analyses that offer little in the way of progressive advice or engagement. Progress can be as little as raising a genuine question that will instigate needed discussion; it can be as much as a cultural call to arms. What it can not be, however, is self-gratifying ranting which proclaims, “This is how it is, we have nowhere to go from here.” That is the opposite of progression.
My cultural call to arms, then, is this: Christians, embrace dialogue, thought and search for that elusive frame of mind in which, as Lewis describes in The Abolition of Man, the love of truth exceeds the love of power. Do not sit back and join the choir of carefree criticism that dominates our culture. Mark Noll is right to warn, in The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, “If we take this action by inaction, we are saying that we want our lives to be shaped by cultural forces—including intellectual forces—that contradict the heart of our religion.” To be passive in a culture that seems to define progress as the destruction of traditional truth seeking will surely be our downfall.
2.10.05
I am awake way way too late.
I have a coffee & bagels men's group meeting tomorrow morning pretty early. I hope someone shows up, cause I'm stinkin; tired and can't sleep. Ever have one of those nights when you know you have to up early in the morning and you just keep laying there looking at the clock like every ten minutes and one time when you roll over you see it's like super late- like four AM late and you start like doing the math in your head like "ok... if I go to sleep right now i can still get two and half hours of sleep... plus hit snooze twice, maybe I can skip the shower, that'll give me three hours... three hours. that's not too bad" but then like an hour and a h alf later you are still awake? Do you know what I mean? And then you start getting really mad at your wife for laying there all asleep, with her eyes cosed and what not like she's just rubbing it in that she can get some rest while you toss and turn. And then she has the nerve to pretend like she's not sleeping well on purpose, just to make some kind of point. Know what I mean? Alrighty people, I gotta get some rest or the boys may not have any bagels in the AM.
GO TO SLEEP.
SLEEP, %^#@$&!
NOW!
crap.
GO TO SLEEP.
SLEEP, %^#@$&!
NOW!
crap.
A quote I read today (and which I take as a personal challenge!)
However, if your pastor teaches the way of Christ in a such a way that he, at times, is in jeopardy of getting fired you may be in a good church.
Old Canes
Old Canes, Early Morning Hymns: I've been enjoying this abum quite a bit lately. Sometimes it makes me happy and sometimes it makes me sad. Right now it makes me sad. It just sounds sad... in a happy way. I guess you'll just have to listen to see what I mean. It's somewhat low-fi. Everything sounds to have been recorded in one take. Has a very off the cuff feel. I like it and I'm willing to bet you will as well. Click the title of this post for a special treat.
Also, if you scroll down a few posts to the Neutral Milk Hotel entry and click on the title you will be magically transported to a special live recording of NMH's Two-Headed Boy: Part 1. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
Also, if you scroll down a few posts to the Neutral Milk Hotel entry and click on the title you will be magically transported to a special live recording of NMH's Two-Headed Boy: Part 1. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
30.9.05
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE GREATEST WEBSITE IN THE WORLD.
Even if this website were the only website in the world to ever exist, then all the work and money and toil that went into inventing the internet would still be totally worth it. Thanks to my friend Rae for bringing this awsomeness to my attention. I wonder if Rae is secretly a Ninja. Rae, are you secretly a ninja?
Maybe Kanye was right, afterall.
Four of the five wealthiest people in the nation are college dropouts. Discuss.
From Today's "My Utmost for His Highest"
If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed. - Oswald Chambers
29.9.05
28.9.05
Neutral Milk Hotel Review
Yes, this album is nearly a decade old. Yes, the album has a peculiar moniker. Yes, this band vanished as quickly as it appeared. But this new album review at pitchforkmedia is worth reading. Truly one of the greatest albums of the last twenty years. Yes you should own this record.
Delta Blues Poised For Biggest Revival Since 1915
The following article is from the Onion. Is it okay to laugh at this?
September 28, 2005 | Issue 41•39
NEW ORLEANS—Blues historians report that Delta blues, an early blues form that arose in the Mississippi Delta region, is poised for its biggest revival since 1915. "Death, loss, heartbreak, isolation, hard luck—that's what the blues have been missing for decades," said music critic Joel Kushner. "But now, even the most sheltered, derivative Delta blues musician should have enough material to cut an album." The revival is heralded by the recent singles "FEMA Don't Come 'Round No More," "Category Five Woman Done Me Six Kinds Of Wrong," and "Talkin' Drownded Kin Blues."
September 28, 2005 | Issue 41•39
NEW ORLEANS—Blues historians report that Delta blues, an early blues form that arose in the Mississippi Delta region, is poised for its biggest revival since 1915. "Death, loss, heartbreak, isolation, hard luck—that's what the blues have been missing for decades," said music critic Joel Kushner. "But now, even the most sheltered, derivative Delta blues musician should have enough material to cut an album." The revival is heralded by the recent singles "FEMA Don't Come 'Round No More," "Category Five Woman Done Me Six Kinds Of Wrong," and "Talkin' Drownded Kin Blues."
27.9.05
What's Rockin' the Reverend?
Soul Stirrers, "Jesus Gave Me Water".
Traditional black gospel a capella. Check it out. I dare you not to feel better.
Traditional black gospel a capella. Check it out. I dare you not to feel better.
Jesus Christ Restricted From Ministry in the Southern Baptist Churches!
As a Christian, former baptist and fellow evangelical, I am deeply concerned about the Southern Baptist Convention. Albert Mohler (president of a prominent SBC seminary) recently stated the following, effectively banning Jesus Christ from ministry in 99% of the Southern Baptist Convention:
"I can assure you of this: if you are associated with the use of beverage alcohol, I think I dare exaggerate not to say that 99% of all doors of ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention will be closed to you. And I do not believe that is an exaggeration. And let me tell you why...you may think, 'That just shows high-bound and unthinking the Southern Baptist Convention is.' Why should the Southern Baptist Convention or a local church take a risk? Why should it be in the position of deciding whether this is a problem or not. I mean, you have to understand, why would the church take that on? So, I am very concerned about this generation, and that's one of the reasons why our integrity with the denomination, with our churches, requires that we not only have this policy, but that we talk about it, we teach it and we enforce it."
In reply:
ATTENTION JESUS: While we at Grace Central Presbyterian Church understand that you've been known to imbibe adult beverages from time to time, we have carefully weighed the pros and cons and have decided that your services are worth "the risk". So please know that you are welcome to minister with us, to us, and among us in any way you so choose. Please bring the wine.
"I can assure you of this: if you are associated with the use of beverage alcohol, I think I dare exaggerate not to say that 99% of all doors of ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention will be closed to you. And I do not believe that is an exaggeration. And let me tell you why...you may think, 'That just shows high-bound and unthinking the Southern Baptist Convention is.' Why should the Southern Baptist Convention or a local church take a risk? Why should it be in the position of deciding whether this is a problem or not. I mean, you have to understand, why would the church take that on? So, I am very concerned about this generation, and that's one of the reasons why our integrity with the denomination, with our churches, requires that we not only have this policy, but that we talk about it, we teach it and we enforce it."
In reply:
ATTENTION JESUS: While we at Grace Central Presbyterian Church understand that you've been known to imbibe adult beverages from time to time, we have carefully weighed the pros and cons and have decided that your services are worth "the risk". So please know that you are welcome to minister with us, to us, and among us in any way you so choose. Please bring the wine.
23.9.05
It's So Obvious! Why Didn't Anyone See This Before Now?!
Hurricanes are invented by the Japanese mafia using dated Soviet cold-war enviro-weaponry.
21.9.05
Cars, Rain, Hope, and the Importance of Good Theology
Everybody is a theologian. All of us have beliefs about God and the world and the way things are that seep into our souls and shape the way we live and the people we become. Not doing theology is not an option. It's like water. We're gonna drink it. The key is being intentional about drinking good water. We oughta be sure to develop good theology.
We need good theology at the least likely of times. Don't just use your theology at church. Don't leave it in books or confine it to discussions with the pastor. Otherwise, you'll find yourself 500 miles away from home, alone, at night, in a storm, in a car, at the end of an entrance ramp onto a highway that has flash flooded. And the car will start filling with water. And then you'll drop your cell phone into the water that is around your feet and it will stop working. And then as you wait and wait and wait for a tow truck or a police car to show up, with the lightening flashing and the water rising, you'll reach for your good theology and DANG IT! You'll suddenly remember you left in a book.. At church. Right there in the pew where you always sit. Or don't.
Sunday's sermon was on rejoicing in our sufferings. Is having your car totaled by a flash flood suffering? Maybe somewhere between suffering and inconvenience, I suppose. I don't know. But I do know that I am very glad I spent all that time last week studying that passage to preach. I needed it in that moment. And I needed it when i found out the car was beyond repair. And I needed it when it suddenly hit me that I would have to find another way back to Columbus, being as my car, a very good car, made a very lousy boat and was "totaled"- as in "totally unable to get me back home". It was a mad scramble to contact the insurance company, find a rental car, get a new cell phone, get to all my meetings, find a flight out of St Louis, conduct the necessary interviews, remove my personal items form the totaled car, find temporary storage for the items which will not travel with me back home via air, return the rental car, arrange for a ride to the airport, etc, etc. AND get home intome to prepare, not only a sermon, but an important congregational meeting to be held Sunday evening. Phew.
I can rejoice, not despite my misfortune, but I can rejoice IN my misfortune. Because I know my God will deliver. He has proven it in the past and is proving it now. This situation, when I meet it with an understanding of my own justification by faith alone, creates in me an assurance of what I know, but do not yet see. With good theology, even the worst possible scenario is not the worst possible scenario. The worst possible scenario is that I will not measure up to God's standards and thus be rejected. Justification by faith alone tells me "of course you do not measure up to God's standards, but because of Jesus, God accepts you as righteous in his sight!" The worst possible scenario would be for God to withdraw his saving love from me. The theology of the gospel tells me that God will not withdraw his saving love from me, but that suffering, when met with faith in Christ, will create in me endurance, character and the confident expectation that Christ will provide what I need for this situation and that expectation will never let me down, because far from withdrawing his love, God has flash flooded my heart with his love through the work of his Spirit in me.
When I need a tow truck, God will send me a tow truck. When I need a car, God will give me a car. This applies in various scenarios. For instance: if I need hair, God will give me hair. If he doesn't I must not need it. The last several years show me that God seems to have determined me to need less hair on my head, but more hair in my ears. And even that is ok.
So let me boast... I totaled my car by driving into three feet of water on a dark and stormy night, 500 miles away from home. And in that frustrating mess of an evening, God provided for all my needs. I am now a little more time-tested and faithful than I was before. Now I have less cars, but more hope in Christ. And when it comes right down to it, whcih would you rather be without on a dark, lonely stormy night? Now while, There's no blue book listing for "hope" but I'm thinking it was a fair trade.
We need good theology at the least likely of times. Don't just use your theology at church. Don't leave it in books or confine it to discussions with the pastor. Otherwise, you'll find yourself 500 miles away from home, alone, at night, in a storm, in a car, at the end of an entrance ramp onto a highway that has flash flooded. And the car will start filling with water. And then you'll drop your cell phone into the water that is around your feet and it will stop working. And then as you wait and wait and wait for a tow truck or a police car to show up, with the lightening flashing and the water rising, you'll reach for your good theology and DANG IT! You'll suddenly remember you left in a book.. At church. Right there in the pew where you always sit. Or don't.
Sunday's sermon was on rejoicing in our sufferings. Is having your car totaled by a flash flood suffering? Maybe somewhere between suffering and inconvenience, I suppose. I don't know. But I do know that I am very glad I spent all that time last week studying that passage to preach. I needed it in that moment. And I needed it when i found out the car was beyond repair. And I needed it when it suddenly hit me that I would have to find another way back to Columbus, being as my car, a very good car, made a very lousy boat and was "totaled"- as in "totally unable to get me back home". It was a mad scramble to contact the insurance company, find a rental car, get a new cell phone, get to all my meetings, find a flight out of St Louis, conduct the necessary interviews, remove my personal items form the totaled car, find temporary storage for the items which will not travel with me back home via air, return the rental car, arrange for a ride to the airport, etc, etc. AND get home intome to prepare, not only a sermon, but an important congregational meeting to be held Sunday evening. Phew.
I can rejoice, not despite my misfortune, but I can rejoice IN my misfortune. Because I know my God will deliver. He has proven it in the past and is proving it now. This situation, when I meet it with an understanding of my own justification by faith alone, creates in me an assurance of what I know, but do not yet see. With good theology, even the worst possible scenario is not the worst possible scenario. The worst possible scenario is that I will not measure up to God's standards and thus be rejected. Justification by faith alone tells me "of course you do not measure up to God's standards, but because of Jesus, God accepts you as righteous in his sight!" The worst possible scenario would be for God to withdraw his saving love from me. The theology of the gospel tells me that God will not withdraw his saving love from me, but that suffering, when met with faith in Christ, will create in me endurance, character and the confident expectation that Christ will provide what I need for this situation and that expectation will never let me down, because far from withdrawing his love, God has flash flooded my heart with his love through the work of his Spirit in me.
When I need a tow truck, God will send me a tow truck. When I need a car, God will give me a car. This applies in various scenarios. For instance: if I need hair, God will give me hair. If he doesn't I must not need it. The last several years show me that God seems to have determined me to need less hair on my head, but more hair in my ears. And even that is ok.
So let me boast... I totaled my car by driving into three feet of water on a dark and stormy night, 500 miles away from home. And in that frustrating mess of an evening, God provided for all my needs. I am now a little more time-tested and faithful than I was before. Now I have less cars, but more hope in Christ. And when it comes right down to it, whcih would you rather be without on a dark, lonely stormy night? Now while, There's no blue book listing for "hope" but I'm thinking it was a fair trade.
20.9.05
13.9.05
Why You Don't Like Church
See, now I think many times, church involvement provides an unsatisfactory experience because we make it entirely too safe. What do you think?
John Donne's Holy Sonnet XVIII
Show me, dear Christ, thy spouse so bright and clear.
What! is it she which on the other shore
Goes richly painted? or which, robbed and tore,
Laments and mourns in Germany and here?
Sleeps she a thousand, then peeps up one year?
Is she self-truth, and errs? now new, now outwore?
Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore
On one, on seven, or on no hill appear?
Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights
First travel we to seek, and then make love?
Betray, kind husband, thy spouse to our sights,
And let mine amorous soul court thy mild dove,
Who is most true and pleasing to thee then
When she is embraced and open to most men.
Should I Stay or Should I Go- by Dave Kurt
My church is pretty dysfunctional, but I love it—I think. Over a year ago, it came out that our senior pastor had been having an affair with our programming director. Chaos ensued as we came to understand the amazing damage this man had inflicted over years of ego-driven leadership. He'd tried to build a church with himself at the center and created all sorts of blurred boundaries that we later discovered would have huge ramifications for us down the road. We trudged through the best we could, and it was incredibly painful. Lots of people left the church for one reason or another. Four months ago it came out that our new programming director had been having an affair with our worship leader. More people left the church over this. Throughout both of these situations, people were cruel—vilifying the elder board, writing scathing, hurtful e-mails and lashing out at people in horrible ways.
Through all of this, I can't remember seriously considering leaving. Sure, I haven't always agreed with how things have been done, but I haven't left, and I'm trying to figure out why. I've watched our church's attendance dwindle to a fraction of what it was, and I continue to see good friends leave. As I sat this morning journaling, the thought came to my mind that maybe I'm missing out by staying at my church. Maybe all of these people who've bolted over the past year and a half have it right, and I'm way off base. Maybe I'm the kid playing in the skanky lukewarm mud puddle, thinking, "It doesn't get any better than this," while there's a beautiful beach across the street that I'm missing out on. I don't know.
I know that I love my church. I love that it's full of people totally different than me, full of a bunch of broken, sinful people, just like me. We're a church full of all sorts of recovering addicts, an ex-prostitute, an occasional ex-stripper, cheats, liars, thieves and adulterers. All sinners—just like me. I love that it's a group of people who are pursuing God however they can. It's a place that loves kids of all ages—my kids, junior high kids, high school kids. It's a place where kids can come with tattoos and piercings and get a big hug from Joanne when they walk in the door. It's a place where a 5-year-old can come in, and people like Shannon and Alyssa will hang with them, help connect them and show them by example what Jesus is all about. It's a place filled with people like Linda who go into the inner city of Detroit every weekend to bring the poor food when they're hungry and mittens and hats when they're cold. It's full of guys like Mark, Les and Mike who get up every Sunday morning and run the sound, video and light system. Their work is totally transparent to those around them, unless they screw up. Sometimes our music isn't great, sometimes we have people teaching who are less than polished (me), and sometimes we're just getting by.
I wonder how much easier it would be to leave and go to a church where I'm anonymous, where there are a whole bunch of people just like me, and I don't have to deal with those who annoy me. I think it would be so much easier to go to a church where people only see the part of me that I want them to see and not the junk below the surface. I think about how nice it would be to be a part of a big church, where the ugliness that is the reality of church is hidden below the surface.
I stay, and I'm not always sure that's the best way to go. Most of the time, I go to church on Sunday, see this group of misfits that I do church with, do life with, and I think to myself, "Where else would I go?" I've invested more than 10 years of myself in this place, these people, this vision, and I can't see myself doing it any other way. I've seen people changed at such a core level, who turn around and impact others, who in turn do the same. I've seen people whose lives have been horribly lost find salvation. I've seen myself go from being a self-centered, egoistical, duplicitous jerk to being just an egotistical jerk. I've gone deeper in my life with people at my church than I ever thought was possible, found healing I never thought could happen and grown deeper in my relationship with God than I knew I could go. I love this place. But then again, I'm probably missing something.
I take solace in one of my heroes, Mike Yaconelli, who was pretty familiar with going to an imperfect church:
It’s no wonder that most of us feel completely inadequate to do anything other than cook breakfast, and even then we wonder if we shouldn’t check our menu with a dietician, a nutritionist, a vitamatician and a chef.
Then we go to church, and we leave completely demoralized by the expert insights into the nuances of the original Greek and Hebrew, which are obviously out of our intellectual reach as laypersons; the clear and obvious principles of godly living that everyone should know, but of course, we don’t know; the unending litany of success stories that make anything that has happened to us pale in comparison. The worship band is so polished, the choir is so professional, the drama is so theatrical, and the multimedia presentation so state-of-the-art that we leave reaffirmed in our own incompetence. It is no wonder that you and I, the ordinary people of God, go to bed each night with a dull uneasiness, a gnawing ineptitude that is present when we drift off to sleep and there to greet us when we awaken in the morning.
We constantly hear complaints about the lethargy of the Church, the apathy of the congregation, the inactivity of the majority. Could it be that the collective passiveness of the church is the direct consequence of the expertise of the leadership? Could it be that the unwillingness to perform by the many is a natural response to the flawless performance of the few? Could it be that the authority of the expert has robbed the non-expert of any authority at all? Could it be that the unending parade of "heroes" has made it impossible to find the real heroes hiding in the ordinary and commonplace?
The power of the Church is not in its super-preachers, or its mega-structures, or its large institutions. The power of the Church is in its individual people whose sacrifices throughout everyday life have an authority no expert can match.
My church is not perfect and it's not full of heroes in the traditional church sense. It's full of misfits who've been radically affected by a risen Savior and are just trying to get by with what they've been given. It's a group of people who've been loved at the core and who can't help but share that love, telling others about it in any way they can. I love my church.I think I'll stick around for a while.
Through all of this, I can't remember seriously considering leaving. Sure, I haven't always agreed with how things have been done, but I haven't left, and I'm trying to figure out why. I've watched our church's attendance dwindle to a fraction of what it was, and I continue to see good friends leave. As I sat this morning journaling, the thought came to my mind that maybe I'm missing out by staying at my church. Maybe all of these people who've bolted over the past year and a half have it right, and I'm way off base. Maybe I'm the kid playing in the skanky lukewarm mud puddle, thinking, "It doesn't get any better than this," while there's a beautiful beach across the street that I'm missing out on. I don't know.
I know that I love my church. I love that it's full of people totally different than me, full of a bunch of broken, sinful people, just like me. We're a church full of all sorts of recovering addicts, an ex-prostitute, an occasional ex-stripper, cheats, liars, thieves and adulterers. All sinners—just like me. I love that it's a group of people who are pursuing God however they can. It's a place that loves kids of all ages—my kids, junior high kids, high school kids. It's a place where kids can come with tattoos and piercings and get a big hug from Joanne when they walk in the door. It's a place where a 5-year-old can come in, and people like Shannon and Alyssa will hang with them, help connect them and show them by example what Jesus is all about. It's a place filled with people like Linda who go into the inner city of Detroit every weekend to bring the poor food when they're hungry and mittens and hats when they're cold. It's full of guys like Mark, Les and Mike who get up every Sunday morning and run the sound, video and light system. Their work is totally transparent to those around them, unless they screw up. Sometimes our music isn't great, sometimes we have people teaching who are less than polished (me), and sometimes we're just getting by.
I wonder how much easier it would be to leave and go to a church where I'm anonymous, where there are a whole bunch of people just like me, and I don't have to deal with those who annoy me. I think it would be so much easier to go to a church where people only see the part of me that I want them to see and not the junk below the surface. I think about how nice it would be to be a part of a big church, where the ugliness that is the reality of church is hidden below the surface.
I stay, and I'm not always sure that's the best way to go. Most of the time, I go to church on Sunday, see this group of misfits that I do church with, do life with, and I think to myself, "Where else would I go?" I've invested more than 10 years of myself in this place, these people, this vision, and I can't see myself doing it any other way. I've seen people changed at such a core level, who turn around and impact others, who in turn do the same. I've seen people whose lives have been horribly lost find salvation. I've seen myself go from being a self-centered, egoistical, duplicitous jerk to being just an egotistical jerk. I've gone deeper in my life with people at my church than I ever thought was possible, found healing I never thought could happen and grown deeper in my relationship with God than I knew I could go. I love this place. But then again, I'm probably missing something.
I take solace in one of my heroes, Mike Yaconelli, who was pretty familiar with going to an imperfect church:
It’s no wonder that most of us feel completely inadequate to do anything other than cook breakfast, and even then we wonder if we shouldn’t check our menu with a dietician, a nutritionist, a vitamatician and a chef.
Then we go to church, and we leave completely demoralized by the expert insights into the nuances of the original Greek and Hebrew, which are obviously out of our intellectual reach as laypersons; the clear and obvious principles of godly living that everyone should know, but of course, we don’t know; the unending litany of success stories that make anything that has happened to us pale in comparison. The worship band is so polished, the choir is so professional, the drama is so theatrical, and the multimedia presentation so state-of-the-art that we leave reaffirmed in our own incompetence. It is no wonder that you and I, the ordinary people of God, go to bed each night with a dull uneasiness, a gnawing ineptitude that is present when we drift off to sleep and there to greet us when we awaken in the morning.
We constantly hear complaints about the lethargy of the Church, the apathy of the congregation, the inactivity of the majority. Could it be that the collective passiveness of the church is the direct consequence of the expertise of the leadership? Could it be that the unwillingness to perform by the many is a natural response to the flawless performance of the few? Could it be that the authority of the expert has robbed the non-expert of any authority at all? Could it be that the unending parade of "heroes" has made it impossible to find the real heroes hiding in the ordinary and commonplace?
The power of the Church is not in its super-preachers, or its mega-structures, or its large institutions. The power of the Church is in its individual people whose sacrifices throughout everyday life have an authority no expert can match.
My church is not perfect and it's not full of heroes in the traditional church sense. It's full of misfits who've been radically affected by a risen Savior and are just trying to get by with what they've been given. It's a group of people who've been loved at the core and who can't help but share that love, telling others about it in any way they can. I love my church.I think I'll stick around for a while.
11.9.05
Another reason I love my church.
Church. You know the deal. Musty old building. Bad lighting. Churchy hymns. Sermons that drone on and on. And little old ladies that knit pretty little mittens for the pastor's children. Most of that describes my church as well. Except that when ladies knit sweaters for my children they are safety orange with skulls and cross bones on them.
RIGHT ON! Thanks Nicole. Sammy loves it.
RIGHT ON! Thanks Nicole. Sammy loves it.
10.9.05
7.9.05
Something I just read...
"We don't always act as if we have access to an infinite and free source of endless creativity, because the obvious, the trite, and the cliche are safer than mystery and open-ended assertions. But Christians ought to exhibit an innate creativity if they are truly expressing the creative image of the Creator." - Karen L. Mulder, arts editor for Christianity Today
Recommended Listening: Half Handed Cloud
Here are some quotes from recent reviews. Click the link to listen to tracks on the website. Hope it makes you curious:
Who writes 25 songs that average less than a minute apiece? Who releases a CD that features piano, banjo, flute, drums, a power saw, French horn, tuba, rubber bands, birds chirping, kazoo, rubber duck, toy piano, and cello? Suffice it to say that John Ringhofer is wired a little differently than most of us. Much like Beck or Freedy Johnston, I can’t decide if he’s a talent waiting to be embraced by the mainstream or a schizophrenic madman recording his own personal insights for posterity.
Another reason you probably won’t see the Half-handed Cloud Vacation Bible School curriculum is the lyrics. They are incredibly Scriptural, ultimately pointing to God’s grace. However, these are not the family-friendly stories of the Bible; these are the “after-9 P.M.-on-broadcast-TV,” “rated M for mature audiences only” stories of the Bible.
So it's kind of like church, because there are all these Bible stories; but it's kind of like junior-high band, because too many instruments simultaneously are playing something somewhat-related; and kind of like college Astronomy, because sometimes I don't think anyone knows what the h-heck is going on. At any rate, it's an experience -- praise the Lord and pass the moonshine.
Who writes 25 songs that average less than a minute apiece? Who releases a CD that features piano, banjo, flute, drums, a power saw, French horn, tuba, rubber bands, birds chirping, kazoo, rubber duck, toy piano, and cello? Suffice it to say that John Ringhofer is wired a little differently than most of us. Much like Beck or Freedy Johnston, I can’t decide if he’s a talent waiting to be embraced by the mainstream or a schizophrenic madman recording his own personal insights for posterity.
Another reason you probably won’t see the Half-handed Cloud Vacation Bible School curriculum is the lyrics. They are incredibly Scriptural, ultimately pointing to God’s grace. However, these are not the family-friendly stories of the Bible; these are the “after-9 P.M.-on-broadcast-TV,” “rated M for mature audiences only” stories of the Bible.
So it's kind of like church, because there are all these Bible stories; but it's kind of like junior-high band, because too many instruments simultaneously are playing something somewhat-related; and kind of like college Astronomy, because sometimes I don't think anyone knows what the h-heck is going on. At any rate, it's an experience -- praise the Lord and pass the moonshine.
6.9.05
Over the Rhine Live at Little Brothers in Columbus, Ohio
Great show as usual. But I still miss Ric. Snapped this picture while we were there. Kinda ghostly, I think.
Funky Nostalgia: Top 100 of My Senior Year (wow, most of these really suck).
1. End Of The Road, Boyz II Men
2. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
3. Jump, Kris Kross
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
6. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
7. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
10. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
13. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
15. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus 16.
16. I'll Be There, Mariah Carey
17. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
19. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
21. This Used To Be My Playground, Madonna
22. Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough, Patty Smyth
23. Can't Let Go, Mariah Carey
24. Jump Around, House Of Pain
25. Diamonds and Pearls, Prince and The N.P.G.
26. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, George Michael and Elton John
27. Masterpiece, Atlantic Starr
28. If You Asked Me To, Celine Dion
29. Giving Him Something He Can Feel, En Vogue
30. Live and Learn, Joe Public
31. Come and Talk To Me, Jodeci
32. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
33. Humpin' Around, Bobby Brown
34. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins
35. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, Teven Campbell
36. Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, TLC
37. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, Boyz II Men
38. Move This, Technotronic
39. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
40. Tennessee, Arrested Development
41. The Best Things In Life Are Free, Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
42. Make It Happen, Mariah Carey
43. The One, Elton John
44. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss, P.M. Dawn
45. Stay, Shakespear's Sister
46. 2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer
47. Please Don't Go, K.W.S.
48. Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes), Mint Condition
49. Wishing On A Star, Cover Girls
50. She's Playing Hard To Get, Hi-Five
51. I'd Die Without You, P.M. Dawn
52. Good For Me, Amy Grant
53. All I Want, Toad The Wet Sprocket
54. When A Man Loves A Woman, Michael Bolton
55. I Can't Dance, Genesis
56. Hazard, Richard Marx
57. Mysterious Ways, U2
58. Too Funky, George Michael
59. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
60. One, U2
61. Keep On Walkin', CeCe Peniston
62. Hold On My Heart, Genesis
63. The Way I Feel About You, Karyn White
64. Beauty and The Beast, Calms Dion and Peabo Bryson
65. Warm It Up, Kris Kross
66. In The Closet, Michael Jackson
67. People Everyday, Arrested Development
68. No Son Of Nine, Genesis
69. Wildside, Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch
70. Do I Have To Say The Words?, Bryan Adams
71. Friday I'm In Love, Cure
72. Everything About You, Ugly Kid Joe
73. Blowing Kisses In The Wind, Paula Abdul
74. Thought I'd Died and Gone To Heaven, Bryan Adams
75. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
76. Addams Groove, Hammer
77. Missing You Now, Michael Bolton
78. Back To The Hotel, N2Deep
79. Everything Changes, Kathy Troccoli
80. Have You Ever Needed Somone So Bad, Def Leppard
81. Take This Heart, Richard Marx
82. When I Look Into Your Eyes, Firehouse
83. I Wanna Love You, Jade
84. Uhh Ahh, Boyz II Men
85. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
86. Justified and Ancient, The KLF
87. Slow Motion, Color Me Badd
88. What About Your Friends, TLC
89. Thinkin' Back, Color Me Badd
90. Would I Lie To You?, Charles and Eddie
91. That's What Love Is For, Amy Grant
92. Keep Coming Back, Richard Marx
93. Free Your Mind, En Vogue
94. Keep It Comin', Keith Sweat
95. Just Take My Heart, Mr. Big
96. I Will Remember You, Amy Grant
97. We Got A Love Thang, CeCe Peniston
98. Let's Get Rocked, Def Leppard
99. They Want EFX, Das EFX
100. I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt
2. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
3. Jump, Kris Kross
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
6. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
7. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
10. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
13. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
15. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus 16.
16. I'll Be There, Mariah Carey
17. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
19. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
21. This Used To Be My Playground, Madonna
22. Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough, Patty Smyth
23. Can't Let Go, Mariah Carey
24. Jump Around, House Of Pain
25. Diamonds and Pearls, Prince and The N.P.G.
26. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, George Michael and Elton John
27. Masterpiece, Atlantic Starr
28. If You Asked Me To, Celine Dion
29. Giving Him Something He Can Feel, En Vogue
30. Live and Learn, Joe Public
31. Come and Talk To Me, Jodeci
32. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
33. Humpin' Around, Bobby Brown
34. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins
35. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, Teven Campbell
36. Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, TLC
37. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, Boyz II Men
38. Move This, Technotronic
39. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
40. Tennessee, Arrested Development
41. The Best Things In Life Are Free, Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
42. Make It Happen, Mariah Carey
43. The One, Elton John
44. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss, P.M. Dawn
45. Stay, Shakespear's Sister
46. 2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer
47. Please Don't Go, K.W.S.
48. Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes), Mint Condition
49. Wishing On A Star, Cover Girls
50. She's Playing Hard To Get, Hi-Five
51. I'd Die Without You, P.M. Dawn
52. Good For Me, Amy Grant
53. All I Want, Toad The Wet Sprocket
54. When A Man Loves A Woman, Michael Bolton
55. I Can't Dance, Genesis
56. Hazard, Richard Marx
57. Mysterious Ways, U2
58. Too Funky, George Michael
59. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
60. One, U2
61. Keep On Walkin', CeCe Peniston
62. Hold On My Heart, Genesis
63. The Way I Feel About You, Karyn White
64. Beauty and The Beast, Calms Dion and Peabo Bryson
65. Warm It Up, Kris Kross
66. In The Closet, Michael Jackson
67. People Everyday, Arrested Development
68. No Son Of Nine, Genesis
69. Wildside, Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch
70. Do I Have To Say The Words?, Bryan Adams
71. Friday I'm In Love, Cure
72. Everything About You, Ugly Kid Joe
73. Blowing Kisses In The Wind, Paula Abdul
74. Thought I'd Died and Gone To Heaven, Bryan Adams
75. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
76. Addams Groove, Hammer
77. Missing You Now, Michael Bolton
78. Back To The Hotel, N2Deep
79. Everything Changes, Kathy Troccoli
80. Have You Ever Needed Somone So Bad, Def Leppard
81. Take This Heart, Richard Marx
82. When I Look Into Your Eyes, Firehouse
83. I Wanna Love You, Jade
84. Uhh Ahh, Boyz II Men
85. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
86. Justified and Ancient, The KLF
87. Slow Motion, Color Me Badd
88. What About Your Friends, TLC
89. Thinkin' Back, Color Me Badd
90. Would I Lie To You?, Charles and Eddie
91. That's What Love Is For, Amy Grant
92. Keep Coming Back, Richard Marx
93. Free Your Mind, En Vogue
94. Keep It Comin', Keith Sweat
95. Just Take My Heart, Mr. Big
96. I Will Remember You, Amy Grant
97. We Got A Love Thang, CeCe Peniston
98. Let's Get Rocked, Def Leppard
99. They Want EFX, Das EFX
100. I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt
2.9.05
How the chaos in New Orleans makes sense of your world.
We've all been seeing the same images and hearing the same stories this week as the media coverage of the chaos in New Orleans continues. As I attempt to process all the horrible details, I've asked myself, "How in the world can I make sense of this chaos?" After some reflection I began to see that I'd been asking the question the wrong way. I had it backwards. This mess in New Orleans makes sense of my world.
Sunday at Grace Central we'll pray for the victims of Katrina and find out how the chaos in New Orleans makes sense of our world. If you're in Columbus I hope you'll attend.
Follow the link for the time, location (click 'gatherings') & a map (click 'map').
Sunday at Grace Central we'll pray for the victims of Katrina and find out how the chaos in New Orleans makes sense of our world. If you're in Columbus I hope you'll attend.
Follow the link for the time, location (click 'gatherings') & a map (click 'map').
Church celebrates fifty years of peace through irrelevance
Pastors think this kind of stuff is hilarious. (Thanks for your patience).
A Sea Lion in a Baby Pool
Here is one of the very few fun stories to come out of the hurricane tragedy:
a 13-year-old sea lion that was washed out of the Marine Life Oceanarium, four miles away in Gulfport.
The sea lion was rescued by a couple during the height of the storm as it washed by their home in a huge tidal wave. Two days later, the two were keeping the sea lion, named Pocahontas, hydrated in a child's wading pool and fed it fish scavenged from the freezers of the empty homes around them.
a 13-year-old sea lion that was washed out of the Marine Life Oceanarium, four miles away in Gulfport.
The sea lion was rescued by a couple during the height of the storm as it washed by their home in a huge tidal wave. Two days later, the two were keeping the sea lion, named Pocahontas, hydrated in a child's wading pool and fed it fish scavenged from the freezers of the empty homes around them.
On the disintegration of civilization:
Something I read today...
"But the Hollywood notion of an overnight collapse is just as much of a fantasy; it makes for great screenplays but has nothing to do with the realities of how civilizations fall. The disintegration of a complex society takes decades, not days. Since fossil fuel production will decline gradually, not simply come to a screeching halt, the likely course of things is gradual descent rather than freefall. Civilizations go under in a rolling collapse punctuated by localized disasters, taking anything from one to four centuries to complete the process. It's not a steady decline, either; between sudden crises come intervals of relative stability, even moderate improvement; different regions decline at different paces; existing social, economic and political structures are replaced, not with complete chaos, but with transitional structures that may develop pretty fair institutional strength themselves."
"But the Hollywood notion of an overnight collapse is just as much of a fantasy; it makes for great screenplays but has nothing to do with the realities of how civilizations fall. The disintegration of a complex society takes decades, not days. Since fossil fuel production will decline gradually, not simply come to a screeching halt, the likely course of things is gradual descent rather than freefall. Civilizations go under in a rolling collapse punctuated by localized disasters, taking anything from one to four centuries to complete the process. It's not a steady decline, either; between sudden crises come intervals of relative stability, even moderate improvement; different regions decline at different paces; existing social, economic and political structures are replaced, not with complete chaos, but with transitional structures that may develop pretty fair institutional strength themselves."
1.9.05
31.8.05
Fantasy Football
Ok, sports fans, here's my line up for the 2005 season. Tell me what you think...
QB
Michael Vick
Matt Hasselbeck
Kurt Warner
RB
Deuce McAllister
Rudi Johnson
Reuben Droughns
Ricky Williams
WR
Javon Walker
Darrell Jackson
Jerry Porter
TE
Jeremy Shockey
K
Matt Stover
Def
Buffalo
WR/RB
J.J. Arrington
QB
Michael Vick
Matt Hasselbeck
Kurt Warner
RB
Deuce McAllister
Rudi Johnson
Reuben Droughns
Ricky Williams
WR
Javon Walker
Darrell Jackson
Jerry Porter
TE
Jeremy Shockey
K
Matt Stover
Def
Buffalo
WR/RB
J.J. Arrington
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)