It's true; I'm an addict. It's Hugh Hewitt's fault. It ain't for kids. And there's cussing (LOTS of cussing) and prostitution and murder. And bicycles! ("My bicycle masters boardwalk and quagmire with aplomb.") It's kind of like seeing video of the book of Judges taking place in South Dakota circa 1877. But, unlike the book of Judges, God gets mentioned. For example, " Might think the Lord gives 2nd chances. Not on merit, necessarily, I ain't claimin that...What harm is there in believin that not takin the chance might be a confounding of His will." I'm working my way through the second season now. One more season to go. After that I guess I wait for the movie (s). Then what? Buy the soundtrack? Buy the whole flippin boxed set for each season and watch them over and over? Move on to another series? I hear Boston Legal is pretty good.....
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Deadwood
It's true; I'm an addict. It's Hugh Hewitt's fault. It ain't for kids. And there's cussing (LOTS of cussing) and prostitution and murder. And bicycles! ("My bicycle masters boardwalk and quagmire with aplomb.") It's kind of like seeing video of the book of Judges taking place in South Dakota circa 1877. But, unlike the book of Judges, God gets mentioned. For example, " Might think the Lord gives 2nd chances. Not on merit, necessarily, I ain't claimin that...What harm is there in believin that not takin the chance might be a confounding of His will." I'm working my way through the second season now. One more season to go. After that I guess I wait for the movie (s). Then what? Buy the soundtrack? Buy the whole flippin boxed set for each season and watch them over and over? Move on to another series? I hear Boston Legal is pretty good.....
Thursday, November 09, 2006
It's a Shame
I hate to be, to be the one,
Who’s given up
And feels that all our hope is gone,
But what I thought was a miracle,
Just turned into the same old
Problem that it was.
(I) long for better days,
I’ve always been afraid….
It’s a shame, oh, it’s a shame,
That you’re throwing your whole life away,
It’s a shame, oh, it’s a shame,
I wonder if you’re ever going to change.
It’s a shame,
Ever since I can recall,
I have been so afraid,
Of losing it all.
What do you want,
Do you even know?
And is it worth the pain,
We all have to endure.
I long for better days,
I’ve always been afraid…..
You left me without leaving,
You hit me without swinging,
You took away without giving a thing,
Except for pain and sorrow,
I’m praying that tomorrow,
You will open up your eyes and see.
Words by Third Day
Who’s given up
And feels that all our hope is gone,
But what I thought was a miracle,
Just turned into the same old
Problem that it was.
(I) long for better days,
I’ve always been afraid….
It’s a shame, oh, it’s a shame,
That you’re throwing your whole life away,
It’s a shame, oh, it’s a shame,
I wonder if you’re ever going to change.
It’s a shame,
Ever since I can recall,
I have been so afraid,
Of losing it all.
What do you want,
Do you even know?
And is it worth the pain,
We all have to endure.
I long for better days,
I’ve always been afraid…..
You left me without leaving,
You hit me without swinging,
You took away without giving a thing,
Except for pain and sorrow,
I’m praying that tomorrow,
You will open up your eyes and see.
Words by Third Day
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Pulling a Burt
“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them….For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.-C.S. Lewis, “A Mind Awake”
The power of music. I’ve spent the week seized and obsessed with the soundtrack from Last of the Mohicans. I once had a roommate who would often play a single track from a CD over and over, driving my roommates and myself to madness. We still refer to such behaviour as “pulling a Burt”. So it is that I have got caught up this week. I think it’s a combination of moods; I am provoked to praise, to pray, to fight, to love and to meditate; all springing from the same well.
Similarly, it was Third Day’s song, “Cry Out to Jesus” that was instrumental ☺ in my breaking into tears, crying out to God and reassessing my life in 2005. Profoundly personal, profoundly powerful. But maybe I’m one of the few who gets so strangely obsessed. That being the case, I’ll write more later. I have to go “pull a Burt.”
The power of music. I’ve spent the week seized and obsessed with the soundtrack from Last of the Mohicans. I once had a roommate who would often play a single track from a CD over and over, driving my roommates and myself to madness. We still refer to such behaviour as “pulling a Burt”. So it is that I have got caught up this week. I think it’s a combination of moods; I am provoked to praise, to pray, to fight, to love and to meditate; all springing from the same well.
Similarly, it was Third Day’s song, “Cry Out to Jesus” that was instrumental ☺ in my breaking into tears, crying out to God and reassessing my life in 2005. Profoundly personal, profoundly powerful. But maybe I’m one of the few who gets so strangely obsessed. That being the case, I’ll write more later. I have to go “pull a Burt.”
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Whole World's On Fire
The soundtrack is one of my favorites. Finally saw the movie; Cora's got all the great lines: " The whole world's on fire, isn't it?""And it's not as I imagined it would be; thinking of it..... It is more deeply stirring to my blood than any imagining could
possibly have been."
Last of the Mohicans
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Reformation Sunday-October 31
"Unless I am held back by force, or Caesar (Charles V) takes back his invitation, I will enter Worms under the banner of Christ against the gates of Hell."
--Martin Luther (of course)
http://www.history.pcusa.org/exhibits/reform/index.html
--Martin Luther (of course)
http://www.history.pcusa.org/exhibits/reform/index.html
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Jelly Donut
Just got back from The Jelly Donut with Hailey*. It's a morning tradition on the days she sleeps over. Of course we could do a traditional, healthy, hearty breakfast of hot cereal, or eggs, or even pancakes. But there's something great about donuts. It's a celebration of America, isn't it? So it is that we celebrate this unique and long-standing American tradition!
We cruise into the parking lot and look to see who's there? The Jehovah's Witness lady wasn't there this morning; perhaps she's finally earned her way into Heaven (?). A bunch of the elderly crowd are there. But no "Recycle Bike Guy" or "Titty Man." Order the usual maple bar, glazed donut, and try a cheese danish. Should of stuck with the usual crumb. Next time. Hailey gets the usual small chocolate milk. I get their coffee as I'm desperate this morning as I ran out at home. Grab a table, eat and talk. In the car and off to school.
*self-chosen code name
We cruise into the parking lot and look to see who's there? The Jehovah's Witness lady wasn't there this morning; perhaps she's finally earned her way into Heaven (?). A bunch of the elderly crowd are there. But no "Recycle Bike Guy" or "Titty Man." Order the usual maple bar, glazed donut, and try a cheese danish. Should of stuck with the usual crumb. Next time. Hailey gets the usual small chocolate milk. I get their coffee as I'm desperate this morning as I ran out at home. Grab a table, eat and talk. In the car and off to school.
*self-chosen code name
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Driftwood 2- Passion, Preaching and Customer Service
“Man, they’re right over there. Read the labels and pick one. You’ll figure it out yourself.” You’ve cruised down to your local TJ’s because you’re having a big party and you want the perfect red wine for your guests. What you wanted was service and helpful advice. What you got was neither.
Alright, so you weren’t expecting a sommelier, but someone who was experienced and knowledgeable about wines would have been great. I have similar expectations when I go to church. I’m not expecting one of the apostles to do the teaching, nor even a Jonathan Edwards. But I do want someone who has given careful thought and consideration to the text.
I don’t think the sermon this week should sound exactly like the sermon last week; or last year. Nor do I want pleasant platitudes or someone’s view of current events. What I want to know is if you’ve wrestled with the text. Have you wandered through the wilderness and seen the burning bush? Or at least gone off to a quiet place and thought, prayed, sought and stayed until you had an insight.
One of my past pastors used to equate his teaching to bringing the congregation a meal. His thinking on the matter was that it should be prepared up and served up as exquisitely as possible. That’s my expectation when I go to church. The Psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, “and “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Tasting and teaching are qualities I hope for from a wine steward, and expect from the pulpit.
Alright, so you weren’t expecting a sommelier, but someone who was experienced and knowledgeable about wines would have been great. I have similar expectations when I go to church. I’m not expecting one of the apostles to do the teaching, nor even a Jonathan Edwards. But I do want someone who has given careful thought and consideration to the text.
I don’t think the sermon this week should sound exactly like the sermon last week; or last year. Nor do I want pleasant platitudes or someone’s view of current events. What I want to know is if you’ve wrestled with the text. Have you wandered through the wilderness and seen the burning bush? Or at least gone off to a quiet place and thought, prayed, sought and stayed until you had an insight.
One of my past pastors used to equate his teaching to bringing the congregation a meal. His thinking on the matter was that it should be prepared up and served up as exquisitely as possible. That’s my expectation when I go to church. The Psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, “and “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Tasting and teaching are qualities I hope for from a wine steward, and expect from the pulpit.
No Scar
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has nor wound nor scar?
by Amy Carmichael
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has nor wound nor scar?
by Amy Carmichael
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)