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Showing posts from June 21, 2009
I'm angry today. Have you seen these Scientology commercials? "You're not your fears, you're not your failures..." Or something like, "Everyone feels that void they can't explain...and it can only be filled by one thing: the truth." Do you know why I'm angry? Two reasons: 1. They're effective; and 2. They use "evangelical-speak." Watch one; you'll see that it's hard to disagree with any of the sentiments in them. Of course, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) so that's infuriating. This all says to me that we evangelicals need to stop evangelizing in the manner where feelings are the primary measurement of spiritual need. Or spiritual anything. Because if the language of feelings can be so easily co-opted as we see here, we might convince someone [Crap, it's on again!] of his need, but we won't persuade anyone in terms of the objective Kingdom reality wrought by God in Jesus Christ. I suppose it
One of my favorite musicians is a man who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves for being a top-notch songwriter. Many of his songs are upbeat with lots of instruments, and I suppose he’s a goofy guy. But I heard one of his songs yesterday (though not for the first time) and I knew I had to blog about it. Let me state it this way: Have you noticed how many songs there are about broken families? It seems like there are a lot of them. Or maybe I gravitate toward them. In either case, a man I appreciate whom I have met, Jason Mraz, wrote a song called, “Love For A Child” on his 2008 release. Divorce is the theme, but he does it subtly in parts, so that you’re not driven away. He writes poignantly, When the house was left in shambles Who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass? Was it mom who put my dad out on his ass, or the other way around? Well, I’m far too old to care about that now. [Me talking] The thing is, though, we never are too old to care. It’s even possible that
Top 5 Underrated Albums According To Me 5. Affirmation, Savage Garden—Though the title track is something of a throwaway (and I don’t agree with it) the rest deserves due credit for being very good, even compelling. You’ll first feel guilty liking it so much, but get over it; music critics are stupid, usually. 4. Dizzy Up The Girl , Goo Goo Dolls—The critics will kindly can it on this one, too; the guys should be very proud of this. I don’t even like rock, and I love this record. 3. My Own Prison , Creed—I know for certain the rock critics hate this. I also think that Scott Stapp manipulated scores of Christians into buying it. But a great album is a great album. “What’s This Life For?” is a great song, even if he uses the Lord’s Name in vain, and it’s the central question of life we should all ask. 2. Destiny , Jim Brickman—Jim’s other releases may even be more famous, but this record is so amazing! “Bittersweet” should be in a movie if it hasn’t been yet, and hearing Pam Tillis cap
Time for a list again, so: The Five Things I Believe That Might Be Impolite To Say In Public (until now) 5. I believe man-made global warming is a complete lie, told to make us afraid and destroy what's left of capitalism. 4. Because Mark Sanford had extramarital relations, I will not vote for him for president, or any other thing. 3. I believe it's quite possible to be a minority and a racist. (Looking in your direction, Judge Sotomayor.) 2. I don't know the final destiny of any person, including myself, but I do know you have no chance of escaping Hell without Jesus. 1. Imo's Pizza and White Castle hamburgers may be St. Louis traditions, but they are vile crimes against humanity's palate.
Tonight's Cards-Mets game was a classic for the baseball purist. 3-0 for the Cardinals, the well-pitched affair featured a complete game shutout for Cardinals pitcher Joel Pinero. He only surrendered two hits the entire game. What made this even more amazing was that the game was interrupted by rain for 51 minutes. Typically the starting pitchers do not return after such a lengthy delay, but both did, and were quite effective. If not for a late 2 run bases-loaded single by Albert Pujols, Mets starter Livan Hernandez would have allowed only one unearned run. You may recall Hernandez as the hero of Game 1 of the 1997 World Series. At this point, let me suggest that the casual fan, who eagerly desires offense in a game, scarcely understands the beauty of a well-pitched game. I have no disdain for hitters, but I have a special place in my heart for pitchers. And surely the noblest of all these warriors is the starting pitcher. We are far removed from starting pitchers who finished 25
Top 5 Reasons To Spend Your Summer Reading Books (if you can) 5. Books are safer than Las Vegas. 4. Books are always your friend. 3. Most forms of books do not require batteries. 2. Dude, chicks dig dudes that read books! 1. You wanna know stuff, right, dummy?