Sammy turns one on Monday and last week we took him to get his first pair of walking shoes. Here he is getting his little feet measured.
14.7.05
Six Good Lines
The following are lines from songs which I've found particulary moving or artful.
1. all the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights
2. every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
3. They're looking at Nothing and Nothing turns away and yawns.
4. It is the heart that kills us in the end
Just one more old broken bone that cannot mend
As it was now and ever shall be amen
5. I know you have a heavy heart; I can feel it when we kiss
So many men much stronger than me have thrown their backs out trying to lift it
6. We know good enough is a thousand miles from grace
1. all the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights
2. every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
3. They're looking at Nothing and Nothing turns away and yawns.
4. It is the heart that kills us in the end
Just one more old broken bone that cannot mend
As it was now and ever shall be amen
5. I know you have a heavy heart; I can feel it when we kiss
So many men much stronger than me have thrown their backs out trying to lift it
6. We know good enough is a thousand miles from grace
Top 3 Worst Rock Acts Ever?
So who is it? If you had to choose the top three worst rock acts ever, who would it be? They must not be so obscure that none of us have ever heard of them. That still leaves the field wide open, as most of popular music should certainly qualify for somebody's list. Some of you will also ask "What about rap? Country? R & B?" OK. Whatever. This isn't really rocket science people. If they suck, they qualify. It's your list.
13.7.05
Church Marketing Sucks
The following paragraph is a comment posted on a blog called "Church Marketing Sucks". I read it and liked it a lot. It reminds me of the covert mottos Grace Central adopted early on in her development: " It must be grace because we don't know what heck we're doing", and "Grace Central: Screwing up church in a whole new way!" For the most part they both still hold true.
My favorite example of not acting like your marketing is the now-ubiquitious "purpose statements" and "vision statements." Thanks to some well-marketed books, many churches now have yet another committee meeting to come up with some drivel like, "First Church exists to lovingly win sinners to Christ by living his example in a Spirit-filled way." Nothing wrong with such a statement, but it rarely describes the congregation in any way shape or form: an example of marketing what we wish we were. A more honest statement would be: "At Christ's Church of the Beautiful Bay Valley Community Fellowship, we want to build the biggest building in the county, manage a multi-million dollar budget, have a parking lot bigger than the mall, and get our preacher to publish a book that will make him a household name in evangelical circles." To be honest, I would rather see some truth that would reflect most churches in America: "At First Church of the Denomination, we are a church that is trying to overcome our differences and inadequacies to somehow reach the lost in our community because we are honestly concerned about their eternal destiny, but we're not really sure how to do it and we often fail to show Christ's love... but we really do love Christ and the lost." That would be refreshing.
My favorite example of not acting like your marketing is the now-ubiquitious "purpose statements" and "vision statements." Thanks to some well-marketed books, many churches now have yet another committee meeting to come up with some drivel like, "First Church exists to lovingly win sinners to Christ by living his example in a Spirit-filled way." Nothing wrong with such a statement, but it rarely describes the congregation in any way shape or form: an example of marketing what we wish we were. A more honest statement would be: "At Christ's Church of the Beautiful Bay Valley Community Fellowship, we want to build the biggest building in the county, manage a multi-million dollar budget, have a parking lot bigger than the mall, and get our preacher to publish a book that will make him a household name in evangelical circles." To be honest, I would rather see some truth that would reflect most churches in America: "At First Church of the Denomination, we are a church that is trying to overcome our differences and inadequacies to somehow reach the lost in our community because we are honestly concerned about their eternal destiny, but we're not really sure how to do it and we often fail to show Christ's love... but we really do love Christ and the lost." That would be refreshing.
12.7.05
11.7.05
My Seven Favorite Guitar Solos
As guitar solos seem to be a dying art form as of late, I thought I'd do my part to reinvigorate interest in the craft by enumerating for my readers my six all time favorite guitar solos captured on recording. Now remember, these are my favorites. They are not necessarily the most important or creative or skillfully executed. They are merely my favorties. You'll find no Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai or Eddie Van Halen on this list. Here goes:
7. Song: Just/ Band: Radiohead/ Guitarist: Johnny Greenwood
This is a guitar solo which begins with feedback rather than ends with feedback. A creative little twist. While this solo is not too long, it is perfectly executed and compliments the song. It just rocks, that's all.
6. Song: Umass/ Band: Pixies/ Guitarist: Joey Santiago
This solo sounds like a freightrain full of scrap metal crashing through a garbage truck factory.
5. Song: Voodoo Chile/ Artist: Jimi Hendrix
The Picasso of electric guitar's finest moment?
4. Song: When I Go/ Band: Over The Rhine/ Guitarist: Paul Moak
The solo comes in about 5:20 into this live recording of OTR's "When I Go". Moak is not even really in teh band. he's merely a hired hand, but this solo is one of the greatest I've ever heard. It is visceral and muscular and I love that you can hear the buzz of the amp and the screech of the strings. It ends in a sputtering of feedback. Nearly Perfect in every way.
3. Song: Groaning the Blues/ Artist: Eric Clapton
This solo is on the last track of Clapton's from the cradle. Clapton has always been a minimalist with respect to guitar work and this solo is no exception. He mostly just plays one string. One sustained bending note that can bring you to tears. You must check it out. It makes me want to give him a hug.
2. Song: Sympathy for the Devil/ Band: The Rolling Stones/ Guitarist: Keith Richards
This is what rock and roll is suppose to sound like. Wow.
1. Song: Love is Blindness/ Band: U2/ Guitarist: The Edge
Some guitars gently weep. On this track, the Edge's guitar swallows a bottle full of perscription pills and slides down into the bath tub in despair. This is what a breaking heart sounds like. I challenge you to find another sound as expressive as this one in the entire vocabulary of modern electric guitar work.
If you've got a comment or a favorite or two of your own, be sure to comment here. I'd love to hear what you think.
7. Song: Just/ Band: Radiohead/ Guitarist: Johnny Greenwood
This is a guitar solo which begins with feedback rather than ends with feedback. A creative little twist. While this solo is not too long, it is perfectly executed and compliments the song. It just rocks, that's all.
6. Song: Umass/ Band: Pixies/ Guitarist: Joey Santiago
This solo sounds like a freightrain full of scrap metal crashing through a garbage truck factory.
5. Song: Voodoo Chile/ Artist: Jimi Hendrix
The Picasso of electric guitar's finest moment?
4. Song: When I Go/ Band: Over The Rhine/ Guitarist: Paul Moak
The solo comes in about 5:20 into this live recording of OTR's "When I Go". Moak is not even really in teh band. he's merely a hired hand, but this solo is one of the greatest I've ever heard. It is visceral and muscular and I love that you can hear the buzz of the amp and the screech of the strings. It ends in a sputtering of feedback. Nearly Perfect in every way.
3. Song: Groaning the Blues/ Artist: Eric Clapton
This solo is on the last track of Clapton's from the cradle. Clapton has always been a minimalist with respect to guitar work and this solo is no exception. He mostly just plays one string. One sustained bending note that can bring you to tears. You must check it out. It makes me want to give him a hug.
2. Song: Sympathy for the Devil/ Band: The Rolling Stones/ Guitarist: Keith Richards
This is what rock and roll is suppose to sound like. Wow.
1. Song: Love is Blindness/ Band: U2/ Guitarist: The Edge
Some guitars gently weep. On this track, the Edge's guitar swallows a bottle full of perscription pills and slides down into the bath tub in despair. This is what a breaking heart sounds like. I challenge you to find another sound as expressive as this one in the entire vocabulary of modern electric guitar work.
If you've got a comment or a favorite or two of your own, be sure to comment here. I'd love to hear what you think.
Something I read today...
The initiative of the saint is not towards self-realization, but towards knowing Jesus Christ. The spiritual saint never believes circumstances to be haphazard, or thinks of his life as secular and sacred; he sees everything he is dumped down in as the means of securing the knowledge of Jesus Christ. There is a reckless abandonment about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we shall realize Jesus Christ in every domain of life, and He will bring us back to the same point again and again until we do. Self-realization leads to the enthronement of work; whereas the saint enthrones Jesus Christ in his work. Whether it be eating or drinking or washing disciples feet, whatever it is, we have to take the initiative of realizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our actual life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial work. "Jesus knowing . . . that He was come from God, and went to God . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet."
The aim of the spiritual saint is "that I may know Him." Do I know Him where I am to-day? If not, I am failing Him. I am here not to realize myself, but to know Jesus. In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in.
- Oswald Chambers
The aim of the spiritual saint is "that I may know Him." Do I know Him where I am to-day? If not, I am failing Him. I am here not to realize myself, but to know Jesus. In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in.
- Oswald Chambers
9.7.05
7.7.05
5.7.05
Dancing like hippies.
Zack and Jill, my good friinds and fellow presbyterians with a funkiness all thier own, were recently engaged. Hurrah.
In this photo Jill is spraying Zack with bug repellant. But I think it looks like they are dancing hippies. Jill's really groovin to the beat, while Zack is spinning in circles with that far away look in his eyes.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now!
In this photo Jill is spraying Zack with bug repellant. But I think it looks like they are dancing hippies. Jill's really groovin to the beat, while Zack is spinning in circles with that far away look in his eyes.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now!
3.7.05
Click Here For A New Blog
I thought you may be interested in checking out a new blog I am co-authoring with a very good friend of mine. It should be fun, educational and slightly provacative. He's an agnostic and I'm a Christian. We'll be discussing our beliefs and welcoming your participation. I first met Matt in the summer of 1986 on our little league basball team. I forget the name of the team. He'll remember though. He always remembers that sort of thing. That fall, the first semester of our seventh grade year, our lockers were next to each other right out side of Mr. Trump's classroom. That was nineteen years ago. In between then and now lot's of other stuff happened which you're probably better off not knowing about. Anyway... check out the blog.
2.7.05
Read this Interview with Linford
If you've never listened to Over the Rhine or have listened but know little of the philosophy underlying their art, you'll want to read this brief interview. It is very good stuff. Beauty is important.
1.7.05
The Crazy Ones
I love this commercial. Maybe the greatest commercial ever. I need to watch it a few times a day just to recalibrate. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it makes you want to be crazy.
29.6.05
Grandpa kills attacking leopard with bare hands!
This is the best story I've read in a long time. Check it out.
A Shout Out to Karl's Jr.
Welcome to the big wide world, little buddy. We're all so glad you're here and we can't wait to meet you. Tell your Mommy we said "Good job!" and your Daddy we said "Congratulations!"
KC and Jesse, we're happy to hear that all went well. All three of you were in my prayers. God is good.
KC and Jesse, we're happy to hear that all went well. All three of you were in my prayers. God is good.
28.6.05
Dog Shoppping
Our old faithful friend Wyatt appears to have a tumor. I'll not say where as to spare his dignity. Wyatt is an eight year old German Shepherd Dog and the vet says the end may be near for the old boy. He's been an extremely loyal and family friendly companion to all of us for about a decade. Wyatt has never so much as growled at me or any member of the family. he has patiently tolerated all types of abuse and mishandlement form the host of young ones that have scurried through our house. Now he may be on his way out. It's all very sad. I have for Wyatt only the highest words of praise. The highest praise he ever wants to hear: Good dog.
In the interest of security we've begun a new dog search and have decided to purchase a bull mastiff pup at some point in the future. Bullmastiffs are huge and scary (130-160 pounds!). They don't shed much at all and are extremely calm and lazy. Great with kids. They can eat bad guys in one big gulp. Yep. That's the animal for us. Here's a picture.
Now if you were a bad guy, would you stop at this fellas house or move on to the next?
In the interest of security we've begun a new dog search and have decided to purchase a bull mastiff pup at some point in the future. Bullmastiffs are huge and scary (130-160 pounds!). They don't shed much at all and are extremely calm and lazy. Great with kids. They can eat bad guys in one big gulp. Yep. That's the animal for us. Here's a picture.
Now if you were a bad guy, would you stop at this fellas house or move on to the next?
24.6.05
Survey
 | You scored as Reformed Evangelical. You are a Reformed Evangelical. You take the Bible very seriously because it is God's Word. You most likely hold to TULIP and are sceptical about the possibilities of universal atonement or resistible grace. The most important thing the Church can do is make sure people hear how they can go to heaven when they die.
What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com |
23.6.05
Jack's Critique of Coldplay
My five year old son offered this astute and unsolicited critical evaluation of Colplay today:
"The instruments are just rock and roll, but the singing is a little bit rock and roll and a little bit beautiful".
Spot on if I do say so myself.
"The instruments are just rock and roll, but the singing is a little bit rock and roll and a little bit beautiful".
Spot on if I do say so myself.
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