Fatherhood

Fatherhood is like an extreme sport. There are perils to avoid, fears to overcome, challenges to meet, sacrifices to be made, and disciplines to learn, but the rewards do equal the challenges: tickle fights, playtime with lincoln logs, plenty of hugs and kisses, giggles, being a human jungle gym, and squeals of delight when I get home from work.

Music Geek: My Listening Habits

I've been a music geek for a long time, and with the addition of an iPod and iTunes in 2005, I've gone overboard. One of my favorite features in iTunes is the play count. So here is an analysis of my Top 100 Most Played Songs from the past 18 months (current iTunes count: 1714 songs).

Top 10 Most Played Songs (play count)
1. God Be Merciful To Me - Jars of Clay (41)
2. Runnin' Down a Dream - Tom Petty (38)
3. Desire - U2 (35)
4. Pride - U2
5. Get Me Ready - Lost Dogs (33)
6. Invitacion Fountain - The Violet Burning
7. Our Love Is Loud - David Crowder (32)
8. It's Love - King's X
9. Oh Lord My God - Neal Morse
10. Vertigo - U2

Top Ten Artists/Bands* (songs /total play count)
1. U2 (10/295)
2. Lost Dogs (7/168)
3. Daniel Amos (7/163)
4. The Violet Burning (5/138)
5. The Seventy Sevens (5/135)
6. The Choir (5/123)
7. Jars of Clay (4/120)
8. David Crowder (4/115)
9. Switchfoot (3/84)
10. Chris Tomlin (3/79)
*Top 10 artists/bands represent 53% of Top 100

Top Ten Albums (songs/total play count)
1. Redemption Songs - Jars of Clay (4/120)
2. MTV New Wave Hits (4/102)
3. The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees - Lost Dogs (4/100)
4. Passion: Our Love Is Loud (3/89)
5. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2 (3/84)
6. A Collision - David Crowder Band (3/83)
7. This Is The Moment - The Violet Burning (3/75)
8. Napoleon Dynamite Soundtrack (3/73)
9. Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen - The Choir (3/69)
10. Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart - The Violet Burning (2/63)
**Top 10 albums represent 32% of Top 100

By Decade (songs)
1950s (1)***
1960s (1)***
1970s (2)
1980s (27)
1990s (28)
2000s (41)
***Johnny Cash

Top Five Years (songs/total play count)
1. 2005 (11/299)
2. 1992 (7/168)
3. 2003 (6/164)
4. 1990 (6/164)
5. 2002 (6/160)

and finally here's my
Top Ten Most Played Songs of 2006 (play count)
1. Get Me Ready - Lost Dogs (33)
2. Lutheran Hymn - Greg Adkins (23)
3. That's Where Jesus Is - Lost Dogs
4. Control - Mute Math
5. Devil's Elbow - Lost Dogs (22)
6. The Lost Cabin & The Mystery Trees - Lost Dogs
7. Pray Where You Are - Greg Adkins (21)
8. Typical - Mute Math
9. Broken Like Brooklyn - Lost Dogs (20)
10. Only One Bum In Corona Del Mar - Lost Dogs

Christmas Kids

I thought Christmas Day would never come

But it's here at last, so mom and dad, the waiting's finally done

And you gotta get up, you gotta get up, you gotta get up

It's Christmas morning....

Did my sister get a baby doll? Did my brother get his bike?

Did I get that red wagon, the kind that makes you fly?

Oh, I hope there'll be peace on earth

I know there's good will toward men

On account of that Baby born in Bethlehem

(Copyright 1993 Rich Mullins)


The presents are under the tree, the cinnamon rolls are in the oven, grandma is making final preparations and my girls are not so patiently waiting for everyone else to wake up, arrive or get off the computer. The house is alive with anticipation. It's Christmas morning and I hope you this post finds you in similar circumstances. May you have a blessed and joyful day.

The Movie List

Since I saw so few of this year's films (six!), I'll start by posting the top ten movies I'm glad I missed in 2006:
1. An Inconvenient Truth
(the prequel to The Day After Tomorrow or "the day before the day after tomorrow")
2. The Da Vinci Code
(too much hype and one really bad hair cut)
3. Snakes on a Plane
(ophidiophobia)
4. Little Man
(someone actually thought this would be a good idea?)
5. All the King's Men /Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
(southerners behaving badly+bad accents + sean penn)
6. Facing the Giants
(poor writing, poor production, altar call ending - yep its a "christian film")
7. RV
(robin williams is no longer funny)
8. The Shaggy Dog / Zoom / Santa Claus III
(tim allen needs a new agent)
9. Hostel
(sadistic torture as entertainment - not for me)
10. The Ringer / Jackass 2
(johnny knoxville takes lowbrow to new depths)

honorable mention:
Deck the Halls, Basic Instinct 2, The Benchwarmers, Stick It, Poseidon


Now here's my ranking of films I did see this year:
1. Hoodwinked
(first rate animation, hilarious off-kilter humor, and a cool soundtrack!)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
(a fun popcorn flick with a cliffhanger ending)
3. End of the Spear
(a well produced film with a fresh perspective on a story that I've grown up with)
4. Curious George
(fun family fare and gorgeous "old school" animation)
5. Eight Below
(average disney feel good film)
6. Mission: Impossible III
(a better drama than the previous two, but the stunts felt old and tom cruise feels old)


Finally, based on trailers & reviews these are the top ten movies of 2006 that I haven't seen yet:
1. Letters from Iwo Jima / Flags of Our Fathers
(as a world war II junkie, i am ashamed to even admit that i haven't seen these yet)
2. United 93 / World Trade Center
(there's really no good excuse why i haven't seen these either)
3. Cars
(pixar = quality)
4. Sophie Scholl
(a film about the anti-Nazi resistance movement The White Rose)
5. Casino Royale
(i do enjoy a good Bond flick and this one has gotten mostly raves)
6. Over the Hedge
(looks like the best non pixar animated film of the year **UPDATE** we watched this on Christmas Day and really enjoyed it)
7. Wordplay
(this documentary got rave reviews and looks fun + my wife is a bit of a word geek)
8. Lady in the Water
(this film got mixed reviews, but i've liked Shyamalan's other films and my father raved about this one)
9. Marie Antoinette
(historical bio-pic with rock music soundtrack and the French lose in the end - what's not to like about that)
10. X-Men: The Last Stand / Superman Returns
(i loved the first two X-men flicks and have watched a lot of Smallville this year)

Honorable mention: The Pursuit of Happyness, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Inside Man, Thank You for Smoking, A Prairie Home Companion, Nacho Libre, Barnyard, Jesus Camp, The Last King of Scotland, Stranger Than Fiction, Fast Food Nation

Bowl Underdogs

Here are my silly bowl picks to cap off the NCAA football season and the Silly Underdog Contest.

Central Michigan 10.5 Middle Tennessee State
Oklahoma 8 Boise State
Louisville 10 Wake Forest

All is once again right in the world, now that my Volunteers will be playing on January 1 vs. Penn State. It should be a good game.

As for the championship game, I am glad that Florida made the title game over Michigan, but I believe that OSU will cruise to a perfect season.

And once football ends with the SuperBowl, I'll go into sports hibernation until August.

Nord's Top Twenty Songs of 2006

This list is not intended to be comprehensive nor limited to songs released in 2006. It summarizes my favorite new music acquired this past year. Feel free to make your own recommendations in the comments. Honorable mention to The Violet Burning's Drop Dead cd which for some reason I have yet to pick up. Shame on me. I'm also interested in Andrew Osenga's The Morning and Robert Randolph's Colorblind.

20. Suspension – Mae
Released in 2005, CT Music included the album The Everglow in their best of 2005.

19. Boy in the Bubble – Greg Adkins
Greg Adkins was one of the biggest surprises of 2006. I've never been a huge fan of modern folk, yet Greg offers great lyrical insight into Christian sprirituality that reminds me of Terry Taylor or Mark Heard. And Greg also hails from my hometown of Knoxville.

18. Roll Away the Stone – Ashley Cleveland
A cover of of the 1970 Leon Russell song. Ashley Rocks!

17. The Coldest Heart – The Classic Crime
One of the surprises from the Tooth n Nail compilation One Dark Summer.

16. Only One Bum in Corona Del Mar – The Lost Dogs
A Terry Taylor rock opera in one act that is simultaneously laugh out loud funny and thought provoking.

15. Uncle Joe’s Bunions – Greg Adkins
This is the only original song on Greg's Bluegrass Service cd and it beautifully captures the oldtime religion prayer meetings that drive me absolutely nuts.

14. Good Monsters – Jars of Clay
The title track from this band's newest cd. I've become a big fan of this group that refuses to stay the same.

13. Paperthin Hymn – Anberlin
Another great rockin' track from One Dark Summer. I intend to check out more from this band.

12. All My Tears – Jars of Clay
Americana meets pop rock.

11. Here It Goes Again – O.K. Go
The treadmill video song. Infectious pop rock at its best. Great for working out.

10. Studying Politics – Emery
I first heard this song on Zionred's myspace page. I love the intro.

09. Lutheran Hymn – Greg Adkins
Michael Roe is one of my favorite songwriters and performers, yet Greg's version of Lutheran Hymn is better than the original. Some killer mandolin playing may have something to do with it.

08. Work – Jars of Clay
CT Music declares the new Jars cd Good Monsters their best album of 2006 and I'm inclined to agree.

07. Talk – Coldplay
This song would have probably been my favorite of 2005 had I taken the time to check out X&Y earlier than I did.

06. Ready or Not – Ashley Cleveland
Ashley sings the blues better than any female vocalist I'm aware of and Kenny Greenberg plays some great licks on Ashley's newest album.

05. Get Me Ready – The Lost Dogs
The Lost Dogs released their first new material in three years and this song just rocks. I think it features some of Terry Taylor's best vocal work ever.

04. Typical – Mute Math
I love the guitar hook to this song as well as the live video clip from Cornerstone.

03. Dead Man (Carry Me) – Jars of Clay
Quirky alt-pop that captures the struggles of living out Christian spirituality while living in a corruptable vessel.

02. That’s Where Jesus Is – The Lost Dogs
The Lost Dogs write a fantastic call to arms Christ followers to care about social justice issues. This song dovetailed nicely with Rob Bell's New Exodus series and the Starving Jesus tour.

01. Control – Mute Math
Typical may be the most popular song off of Mute Math's premiere album, but I love this one both musically and lyrically. "Take control of the atmosphere...Such a beautiful surrender" Great stuff.

Board Game Geek

Yes I'm a geek, and I've beefed up my credentials by officially joining boardgamegeek.com. Check out my profile.


Here are my top 10 games:
1. The Settlers of Catan
2. Princes of Florence
3. San Juan
4. TransEuropa
5. Blokus
6. Memoir '44
7. Whist
8. Poker
9. Wyatt Earp
10. Liar's Dice

Underdog recap

The regular season of the Silly Underdog Contest is over. Here's a recap of my victories:

1 Army 5.5 ARKANSAS STATE
2 Stanford 10.5 SAN JOSE ST
2 TEXAS 2.5 Ohio State
3 CONNECTICUT 6 Wake Forest
3 STANFORD 3 Navy
4 Boston College 7 N.C. STATE
4 UAB 10 Mississippi State
5 CONNECTICUT 3 Navy
5 UTAH 3.5 Boise State
5 FLORIDA INTL. 8 Arkansas St
6 COLORADO 5 Baylor
6 TEXAS TECH 4 Missouri
7 N.C. STATE 4 Wake Forest
8 PITTSBURGH 6.5 Rutgers
8 FLORIDA ST 4.5 Boston Col.
10 Boston Col. 3.5 WAKE FOREST
10 Georgia 6.5 KENTUCKY
11 FLORIDA ST 7.5 Wake Forest
12 TROY ST 7.5 Arkansas State
13 UTEP 10.5 Memphis
14 GA Tech 2.5 Wake Forest

Total score: 121

Geek Analysis:
I was 21 of 42 (50%) in my predictions overall.
Best points in single game: 10.5 (twice)
Least points in a single game: 2.5 (twice)
Avg. score: 5.75 pts. per game
Week 5 was my best week (3 for 3) and week 9 my worst.
With the exception of week 9, I had at least one victory every week.
Wake Forest was my best underdog with five victories.
I successfully picked against FSU, BC, Stanford and UConn twice each.
I placed #70 in the top 100 (a personal best - compare with last year's 75 pts).
"Baylor Bear" Scott passed me up in the final week (#34 overall) after trailing most of the season (thanks a lot UCLA).

Advent

Advent is upon us. Take some time to pause and reflect on the meaning behind all the holiday hustle and bustle. Celebrate peace on earth and goodwill toward man early and often!

Check out the blog Advent for Evangelicals for more information.

hat tip: aka Pastor Guy and the Grapevine

a little quiz

Where are you right now? Dallas, TX
What are you doing? I’m volunteering/consulting with Wycliffe Bible Translators – helping them establish an archives.
How long will you be there? Two weeks.
Is your family with you? No they are at home and I miss them dearly.

Done anything touristy? Scott came up from Waco and we went to Dealey Plaza to check out the grassy knoll.









What about church? I attended Irving Bible Church with my hosts. It’s the first truly modern, seeker-friendly mega-church I’ve attended. The worship band was very good and one of their elders spoke on the dangers of materialism. Very Cool!

Any good food in Dallas? A group of Wycliffe folks took me to a Pakastani restaurant and my hosts took me to the Original Market Diner on the city's westside.

Are you reading anything interesting? Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (thanks Daniel!) This one of my new favorites.

What’s new on your iPod? Mute Math’s “Typical” and “Control” along with some Coldplay from X&Y and Rush of Blood…

What are watching on tv? Besides The Amazing Race which Janell and I closely follow, I’ve been watching Jericho and Lost. Streaming webtv has transformed my lunch breaks.

How about football? Well I’m pretty pleased with UT’s season. I’m so glad that Fulmer has turned the program around.
And the stupid underdog contest? I’m having a great season (17/33 for 100.5 pts. and in the top 100).

mid-term election reaction

I voted early and I encouraged everyone I know to vote regardless of their political affiliations. I’m a big believer in both civic involvement and the will of the people. And from what I can tell, the electorate turned out in force and made their will known. The outcome did not surprise me greatly. Otherwise, I feel that the GOP wasted its opportunities over the last 6 years. Change is healthy. I just wish the Democrats didn’t have to be the beneficiaries. The people need more choices!

As for myself, I didn’t vote a straight GOP ticket. I’m glad that Bob Corker won. I voted for the None of the Above Candidate in the Governor’s race as protest vote and I voted for the Constitution Party candidate in the House race (which was virtually uncontested). Of course, after further study, I don’t think I will endorse the Constitution Party. My friend voted Libertarian in Texas. I may look into them next time around. I’m not sure there is a party out there that fully represents my thinking.

I think my political philosophy is changing. In recent years, I’ve been cynical in my support of most GOP candidates. I believe that they court the evangelical Christian vote, but that the party’s values aren’t fully consistent with Christian spirituality. I’m not convinced that abortion can be curbed through legislation. I’m not sure that the defense of traditional marriage should be the number one issue for Christians. Does the GOP truly care about the growing gap between rich and poor? Is what is good for GM truly good for the country? Should corporate lobbyists have more influence in Washington than the citizenry? How about reforming the pork barrel spending? Overhauling the tax code to eliminate breaks for corporations and the wealthy? And I haven’t mentioned social security?

I hope and pray along with the change in power, we can have a change away from power plays and government as usual.

Halp us Jon Carry

and to think that the guy wanted to be their commander-in-chief...

POST #100 / David McCullough and the Qualities of Leadership

We'll it took a little over a year to reach this milestone. I have good intentions of blogging more and reaching #200 at a faster pace...

This past week I attended a lecture by the Pulitzer Prize winning historian David McCullough over at MTSU. Overall David McCullough both enlightened and entertained. He began his speech with an amusing anecdote about being asked "Besides John Adams and Harry Truman, how many other presidents have you interviewed?" He also noted that the most striking impression of his only encounter with President Truman in person was the fact that Truman was in color.

The speech was entitled "Qualities of Leadership" and drew heavily upon the author's most recent works John Adams and 1776. During the lecture, McCullough stressed the importance of having a proper sense of history - that our founding fathers had a deep appreciation for classical history and a profound sense of duty to future generations. He also chided our culture for its nostalgic pining for a time when life was more simple. The "Good ol' Days" never happened! September 11 was perhaps the worst single day in our history, but it didn't fundamentally change everything. Furthermore, life in 1776 was not a picnic. For those present in the early days of our nation, the great American experiment was not guaranteed to succeed. McCullough reminded us that the actors in history did not know how their story would end, just as we do not know what the future holds for us today. He pointed out that throughout history, unexpected events often changed the course of history (for example, George Washington's miraculous retreat from Brooklyn made possible by favorable wind conditions that prevented the British from sailing upriver). McCullough also stressed the importance of teachers in our society and encouraged us to make history a priority in the education of our children.

Partying Like It's 1989

This past Saturday Night, our adult sunday school class held an 80's party. The pictures above provide evidence of our lil' escapade.

I'm afraid the whole ideas was mine. We had costumes, we had trivia, we had the music, and we had karaoke. It was a blast. As part of my research, I conducted a poll to find out what folks remembered from the 80's (favorite films, tv shows, music, celebrities...). As a mixer, party goers had to identify people based on what they did during the decade (Who graduated from high school? Who repeated the 8th Grade? Who dated a headbanger? etc...).

Then I put together a Name that Tune with music clips ranging from 30 seconds to 2 seconds (I even through in some TV theme songs for good measure). For my final game, I created a What Year Was It? contest (inspired by the Dateline NBC featurette). The karaoke was a hit, but I don't recommend choosing Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science". ouch!


Here's a partial song list from the evening:
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
Call Me - Blondie
Celebration - Kool & the Gang
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Jump - Van Halen
Dukes of Hazzard Theme - Waylon Jennings
The Miami Vice Theme
Hungry Like a Wolf - Duran Duran
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
The Final Countdown - Europe
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns n Roses
What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
To Hell With the Devil - Stryper

the book list

There's a book list that's been making the blog rounds. Since Mark called me out publicly, I feel compelled to respond with my own list. I enjoy reading, but I don't read as much as I should or would like to.

One Book that Changed My Life

I'm not sure how to respond to this question. Certainly the Bible has played a very influential role in my life. Outside of the Bible, I'd have to say that Charles Sheldon's In His Steps and Elizabeth Elliott's Through Gates of Splendor.

One Book I've Read More than Once

This is easy - Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings

One Book to Bring to a Desert Island

Forget books, can I bring my iPod?

One Book that Made Me Laugh

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One Book that Made Me Cry

I'm not sure It made me cry but Charles Dickens' David Copperfield tugs at my heart strings.

One Book I Wish I'd Written

Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers

One Book I Wish had Never been Written

A Light in August by William Faulkner (required reading in 10th grade)

One Book I'm Currently Reading

I'm currently in the middle of a couple books: Starving Jesus by Craig Gross and JR Mahon and The Glory and the Dream by William Manchester.

One Book I've been Meaning to Read

This could be a very long list. Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis and Erwin McManus' The Barbarian Way would be two that top this list.

the Itsy Bitsy spider

Check out this Black & Yellow Argiope aka a Writing Spider that has made her home on our back deck.

The Fair

We went to the State Fair recently. The Fair is a dying cultural icon. It is rooted in an agricultural society that has become a foreign culture for us Suburbanites. Still we had a good time watching live sharks, eating overpriced funnel cake and riding the ferris wheel.
















"Hey kids, don't you want to recreate the feeling of going down with the ship!" ;-)

There's a new blog in town

Check out my father's blog, Mercy and Truth. It is based on a weekly newsletter he sends to the parents and students of the home school consortium he administers. I've posted a few of his writings on this blog (here and here), but now he will have his own presence in the blogosphere.

Archives Lost And Found

This story caught my interest because it combines Archives and World War II. The quick summary: a collection of 700 year old manuscripts was recently returned to Poland after being found among the possessions of a deceased World War II veteran in Wisconsin. This story reminds me of a paper I wrote in graduate school on the recovery of art treasures looted by the Nazis during the war. A very interesting and fun paper. The first and third Indiana Jones films were at the very least inspired by the true story.

College Football and the Underdogs

It is that time of year again when I actually care about sports - Football is about the only sport I enjoy (soccer being another). So once again I'm playing the Silly Underdog Contest put on by the local sportstalk radio station. The object is to try and pick three underdogs each week that you think will win outright. This year, instead of posting my picks in seperate posts, I'm going to post my picks as comments to this post. If you're interested in following along, I will put a link to this post in my favorite posts on the left. Your welcome to play along or just riducule my silly picks.

p.s. Go Vols!

Tale of two songs

Two songs have been resonating within me recently. One is from 1983 by one of the Jesus Movement's leading prophets Keith Green and the other was released last month by the Lost Dogs. Both correlate well with Rob Bell's New Exodus sermon series and the Starving Jesus tour.

Open Your Eyes - Keith Green

This generation of believers that you and me are a part of, we are responsible for this generation of souls, all over the world. We're responsible for them. We're responsible to pray daily for the needs of ministries around the world, and ask God "how about me not sending my money this time, how about me going?" It's so easy to write checks, it's so easy. But God can't cash out of state checks in Heaven. He needs you!

Open your eyes to the world all around you, open your eyes, open your eyes.
This world is much more than the things that surround you.
You must arise and open your eyes.
Sometimes we're too busy to share, but Jesus wants us to care.

Open your arms to the naked and shivering, open your arms, open your arms.
We need a little less taking, a whole lot more giving.
We're so safe and warm, we can open our arms.
And love a little bit stronger and pray a little bit longer.

Jesus says, when we love someone in His name, we're loving Him.
Jesus says, when we touch someone in His name, we're touching Him.
And we've got to show them the light, we've got to pour out our lives.

Open your hearts to the ones who are desperate, open your hearts, open your hearts.
They may never repay you, but their souls are worth it,
The life you impart when you open your heart.
Jesus loves all men the same,
So we've got to go out in His name.

Jesus says, when we touch someone in His name, we're touching Him.
Jesus says, when we love someone in His name, we're loving Him.
Jesus says, when we feed someone in His name, we're feeding Him.
And Jesus says, when we reach someone in His name,
He feels, He says, it's all for Him.
It's all for Him

Open your eyes to the world all around you, open your eyes, open your eyes.
This world is much more than the things that surround you.
Jesus loves all men the same, so we've got to go out in His name.
Jesus says, Jesus says, Jesus says, it's Him.
Jesus says, when we love someone in His name, we're loving Him.

hat tip: Keith Green Lyrics Page
----------------------------
That's Where Jesus Is - The Lost Dogs

He’s not sittin’ up in the White House
Not subject to your big debate
Keeps His hands completely off Wall Street
Don’t own stocks, bonds or Real Estate
He ain’t up droppin’ bombs on people
Or workin’ on a college degree
He tunes out all them radio blowhards
Can’t stand the networks and religious TV

Chorus:
That’s Jesus in the homeless faces
With the junkies in their livin’ hell
That’s Jesus with the drunks and in
The lonely places
The rest homes and prison cells
That’s where Jesus is
That’s where Jesus is

He don’t hug trees or kill ‘em
Or drive a particular car
Won’t help you write a big hit song
Don’t care how good lookin’ you are
And Jesus won’t be voting
He’s not your party crashin’ dog in this fight
Not a fan rootin’ for your home team
Don’t insure that your future is bright

Chorus:
That’s Jesus in the homeless faces
With the junkies in their livin’ hell
That’s Jesus with the drunks and in
The lonely places
The rest homes and prison cells
That’s where Jesus is
Where we ought to be
Here’s where Jesus works
Inside you and me
With the folks with AIDS
And the suffering kids
That’s where Jesus hangs
That’s where Jesus is

On the corner ‘round the prostitutes
Is where He’ll probably show
He gets invited to church sometimes
And sometimes He don’t go
Don’t care nuthin’ about your status
What you can or you can’t afford
Don’t care if you’re voted best actor
Not impressed with your big award

He’s not in the five star restaurant
Eating a six course meal
He’s not over on some golf course
Discussing the oil deal

He wants our voice (That’s where Jesus is)
That’s how He talks (That’s where Jesus is)
That’s how He walks (That’s where Jesus is)
And He wants our faith (That’s where Jesus is)
But there’s never enough
He wants our hearts (That’s where Jesus is)
That’s how He Loves

Chorus:
That’s where Jesus is
That’s where Jesus is
That’s where Jesus is

40 days of nothing

The fine folks at XXXchurch.com and Mars Hill Bible Church will be kicking off a national tour in hopes of waking up churches across the country and challenging them to venture out of their sanctuaries and into their communities. The website is StarvingJesus.com and the tour is called 40 days of nothing. One of the challenges they issue is to consider fasting. I'm going to fast from sweets for forty days - no cake, no cookies, no ice cream from August 5 to September 13. Check out the website to see if the tour will stop in your 'hood, read the first chapter of the forthcoming book, and pray about how you can get involved.

iPod check

Here's what happened when I put my iPod on shuffle this morning:

Porcelain - Moby
New Mate - Figurine (Napoleon Dynamite Sndtrk)
East of Eden - Lone Justice
I Should Have Known Better - The Beatles
I Can't Take It - The Choir
My Room - Daniel Amos
America - Simon and Garfunkel
U R Trippin' - The 77's
Shiny Floor - The Choir
In A Little While - U2
Sick of It All - The Vigilantes of Love
Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
Lutheran Hymn - Greg Adkins
It's So Sad - The Lost Dogs
I Know There's An Answer/Hang On To Your Ego - Aaron Sprinkle
Youth With A Machine - Daniel Amos
Worry Too Much - Buddy Miller
Fall On Me - R.E.M.
Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Golden - Switchfoot
All You Hold On To - Michael Been (The Call)
Design - Fiction Company (Napoleon Dynamite Sndtrk)
Whole Again - Jennifer Knapp
Ricki Racer - Michael Knott
Buffalo Hills (Acoustic) - Daniel Amos

Just a flesh wound

Sunday night, while at a cookout, a picnic table bit me and left a souvenir in my shin. We've all had splinters - No big deal, right? Well this splinter was two inches long and completely embedded in my leg. Fortunately, two RNs were on hand to extract it, and my leg is healing nicely.

Everything Is Spiritual: A Review

Monday night, my friends, brother-in-law and I, attended Rob Bell’s Everything Is Spiritual tour stop here in Nashville at Rocketown. For the past two years, I’ve been listening to Rob online thanks to Mars Hill Bible Church where he is the teaching pastor. I’ve also viewed several of his Nooma videos. His teaching brings fresh perspective to many of the scriptures that I have grown up with and last night was no exception.

To most folks, it must seem odd to buy tickets to hear a pastor speak at a club. And to a certain extent they would be correct. The atmosphere resembled a rock concert more than a lecture or sermon, and the audience was primarily in their 20s and 30s. Then without any fanfare or introduction, the lights were dimmed and Bell’s tall and lanky frame bounded out onto a nearly empty stage except for a long white board. He immediately launches into his extemporaneous monologue with the first phrase found in Genesis, “In the Beginning…”

From there, he led us through the Genesis 1 creation account, highlighting the poetic forms found within it and unpacking its contextual significance to its original audience. Bell’s style is unique; equal parts professor, pastor and comedian. And his content incorporated theology, hermeneutics, literature, history, astronomy, quantum physics, string theory, numerology, linguistics, philosophy, and pop culture. His intent was not to build a case against modern science. Instead he used science to illustrate the wonder of our Creator God and the complexity of His creation. He let scientific facts speak for themselves – pointing to just how “finely tuned” the universe and our very existence is.

Bell discusses perspective and borrows the metaphor of a two-dimensional world called “flatland”. How would “flatlanders” react if a three-dimensional object suddenly collided with their two-dimensional world? Would they have a vocabulary or worldview sufficient to describe and understand this intersection between the two worlds? Would some explain the phenomenon away as natural? Would others ascribe deeper significance to the event? Would competing world-views emerge to either deny or prove the existence of a three-dimensional reality?

He then shifted gears to emphasize how we as human beings are a fusion of the dust of this earth with the very breath of God. If God is spirit and we are created in His image, then we should recognize that we are equally spiritual as well as physical beings. Bell proclaims that all aspects of our lives our spiritual, and that we in the church, then, err just a much as the atheist, when we create labels such as secular vs. sacred and compartmentalize our lives into spiritual and physical. All of our lives (Everything) are inspired by God (Spiritual).

Bell’s talk lasted just under 2 hours, yet the time flew by. He kept his audience alert with his kinetic movements to and fro across the stage, entertained with his wit, and spellbound with the breadth of his knowledge. While his intellectual skills are undeniably impressive, his true giftedness is in the presentation of ideas. If you can catch the end of the tour, I highly recommend it. If not, checkout his Mars Hill sermons, the Nooma videos, and/or his book Velvet Elvis.

Festival Time

It is that time of year again when thousands of people travel hundreds of miles to sleep outdoors and brave the elements in order to hear good music. No I'm not talking about Bonnaroo, which is put on here in Middle Tennessee. I'm talking about the annual Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, Illinois. IMHO, this is the premier music festival for fans of faith influenced music. If you haven't been, you really should.

I attended the festival in 1997 and again in 2000 and have great memories of seeing Adam Again, the Vigilantes of Love, the Call, Rich Mullins, Daniel Amos, the Crossing, Over the Rhine, John Fischer, the 77's, and the Lost Dogs. Of course I'm not there this year, but you can checkout ZionRed's blog for an eyewitness account. You can also checkout Cornerstone's live media coverage.

In honor of C-stone, I'm posting this video clip from 1997 when Terry Taylor (Daniel Amos, Lost Dogs) gave Pat Robertson a tour of the festival.

Highlights

Its been a busy couple of weeks here.

Janell's cousin BJ, her husband, their three girls and their dog all came through town last week and will return tonight as they trek between Dallas and Pennsylvannia. Our girls love to slumber party with their cousins.

I turned thirty-five. My mom and sister were in town to help me celebrate, and they brought my newborn nephew, Will, with them. Janell and the girls also took me out to dinner at one of our favorite local places, Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House.

I finally got around to seeing King Kong on Friday. If ever a movie needed an editor this was the one. Take away about an hour and it might have been enjoyable. By the end, I just wanted the "damn dirty ape" to die so I could go to bed. Or maybe it need Charlton Heston....

We also watched Memoirs of a Geisha this weekend. A visually stunning film that seemed tragic despite the "happy ending".

Monday we hosted a game night. I managed to win at Blokus and TransEuropa only to lose at Settlers.

Then we spent Tuesday on the lake and playing more games. My friend John has a boat, so we packed up the kids and did a little boating and tubing. Taylor called it "zooming".

Body Piercing Saved My Life

Christianity Today has posted a book review for a new boook on "Christian Rock" called Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock by Andrew Beaujon. I love the reviewer's opening paragraph.

Show me an evangelical between the ages of 15 and 50, and I'll show you an evangelical who can tell this story (or something much like it): I used to listen to secular music, then I discarded it all and listened only to Christian music. Then I realized I didn't like much Christian music, so I slowly started listening to secular music again. Now I listen to the David Crowder Band in the mornings and Radiohead on the drive home....

Sunday Morning Worship - What's it all about?

Here are a few thoughts that I wrote in response to our Pastor's request for dialogue on what Sunday Worship should be about:

My wish for Sunday morning is for people to come away with a fresh new excitement and passion for God. I believe the Bible uses the term zeal. I think Worship should be exciting and vibrant. The atmosphere in the building should be buzzing with joy that comes from knowing God's grace and goodness. Worship songs and activities should focus on who God is and what God has done, is doing, and will do. I think Sunday mornings should engage our minds, emotions and senses. Currently our times together are primarily focused on music and the word (essential elements no doubt!). I would like to see us incorporate other things like readings, drama, art, dance, history, literature, instrumental music, liturgy, silence, confession, testimony, prayer and communion. I would like more candlelight and other sensory elements (JB's use of a cross this past winter was very effective). I believe that believers should enter worship with hearts already attuned to God (something I personally struggle with). I believe that we do not pray enough before and during our time of worship. I believe that worship should evoke response and be participatory. The typical "invitation" needs to be retooled. If we are honest and "real", the entire congregation (myself included) should be at the altar everyweek. How awesome of a testimony would that be? I believe that Sunday mornings should not be stuck in a rut (5 songs and a sermon). Sometimes, the people need the Word before they sing. Sometimes the Word can come in the form of song alone. There is no Biblical mandate for what a Service should look like. I believe we have the freedom to mix it up a little. Try new things. Experiment. Finally, I believe that believers should approach Sunday morning worship far more seriously than we currently do. We should come to church with the fear of God on our hearts and with anticipation that GOD IS PRESENT among us. Too often we just show up expecting the worship team and pastor to do all the work. We need to do more than merely sing along, stand and sit on cue, and "listen". This all sounds great as I write it, but how do we implement it? I don't pretend to live all of these ideals out in my own life, so is it fair to expect a whole church to? I hope I haven't stepped on too many toes here (cue Bono: "Am I buggin' you? I don't mean to Bug ya."). Take what you will from this. I welcome any and all responses.

Hair Metal Gone Bluegrass

Check out David Lee Roth's bluegrass performance of Van Halen's "Jump" over at YouTube.com. The musicianship is quite good, but Roth is just bizarre. Is it just me or does he look like Robin Williams?

Hat tip: Greg Adkins MsgBoard

Singing at the Bluebird

Earlier this year I posted a review of an independent songwriter from Knoxville, Greg Adkins. You can see and hear for yourself a recent performance he gave at the Bluebird Cafe here in Nashville. I didn't get to catch this particular show, but I hope to see him live someday soon.

joy and grief

Janell and I have been watching the unfolding story of mistaken identity that brought unexpected joy to one family and grief to another. As members of the extended Taylor University family, we have been touched by the events there since we first heard news of the accident. We remember the grief of losing a fellow student during our time at the school and our hearts ache. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the members of the Taylor community directly affected. You can view blogs by both the VanRyn family and the Cerak family.

Update (6/15/06): Understandably, the VanRyn family has taken down their blog. Our hearts and prayers are still with them in their time of grief.

10 Years and Counting

Janell and I celebrated our Tenth Anniversary
yesterday by returning to the bed and breakfast
we stayed at on our honeymoon -
the Beechmont Inn in Hanover, PA.


While in Hanover, I treated Janell to the best hotdog in South Central Pennsylvannia at the Famous Hot Weiner diner.

Hot dogs and fries - what could be better when celebrating those special occasions?

Nordmoes on the Mall

Dinosaur Bones!

We have been in Maryland visiting my in-laws this week. Yesterday we ventured down to the National Mall in Washington D.C. to take the kids to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. All week Addy has been torturing her older sister with two words: "Dinosaur Bones!". To our surprise, the Dinos were Taylor's favorite exhibit.

Elizabethtown the movie

We kickstarted our vacation last Thursday with the movie Elizabethtown which easily moves into my top 5 of 2005. Besides the fun story, quality acting, and great music, the movie features "Rusty's Learning to Listen Part 8" - perhaps the best fictional kid's video ever.

"Hi. Now....if I blow this house up...will you promise to behave and mind your mommy and daddy?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Let's blow it up."

Race to Mexico

This is a music video of the Lost Dogs (from Cornerstone '96), who unwittingly teamed up with that infamous filming troupe from Upstate New York, Pan-Con.

Steyn on The Da Vinci Code

I hope this is my only post on this overblown controvery, but I like both the substance and the style with which Mark Steyn roasts Da Vinci code author Dan Brown.

It's a good rule in this line of work to respect a hit. But golly, The Da Vinci Code makes it hard. At the start of the book, Dan Brown pledges, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." It's everything else that's hokum, beginning with the title, whose false tinkle testifies to Brown's penchant for weirdly inauthentic historicity. Referring to "Leonardo da Vinci" as "da Vinci" is like listing Lawrence of Arabia in the phone book as "Of Arabia, Mr. L," or those computer-generated letters that write to the Duke of Wellington as "Dear Mr. Duke, you may already have won!"....

You can check out the rest of his essay at Macleans.ca.
(Hat tip: filmchat)

Blessed to be an American

Those bumper stickers that say "Proud to be an American" should read, "Blessed to be an American." With that blessing comes the responsibility to make this country the best it can be to its citizens and to the world community. - Ron Erskine (www.commondreams.org)

I had this thought yesterday while sitting in church. One of our members was reading one of Abraham Lincoln's Proclamations for a National Day of Prayer. His "message" was a mix of religion and patriotism with references to our "Christian Heritage". As a historian, I often get annoyed with such references - knowing that our founding fathers were a mix of pious men of faith, enlightened deists, and agnostics. And Lincoln's faith is an enigma at best. He championed our national civil religion, but his personal beliefs are so murky that most scholars would shy away from describing him as a true Christian (and especially not an evangelical Christian).

But beyond the historical debate, there is this notion (made popular by Lee Greenwood) that I should be proud to be an American. I grew up believing in this American exceptionalism - that we as a nation are better than everyone else. And this belief was reinforced in church. American Christians were somehow better than other Christians.

I am beginning to question the propriety of such beliefs. Sure America is a great place to live and we as Americans enjoy unprecedented freedoms and prosperity. But rather than take pride in that, maybe we should be humble instead, knowing that are great achievements are temporal at best. And as a Christian, I am called to be humble before my Creator. He is the one who gives and he is certainly sovereign to take it away. I think it is time for American Evangelicals to put away the rhetoric of pride in favor of that of humble thanksgiving.

Our country's greatest danger does not come from terrorism, communism, or any other ism; It is our own pride that will be our downfall. Someone recently told me that the greatest civilizations on Earth were not conquered from without - they committed social and cultural suicide from within. I think Rome is a good example of this.

That doesn't mean we can't be patriotic - fly the flag, celebrate our freedom, support our troops, participate in our political system, vote! But also remember that we have a responsibility to a higher authority and a higher allegiance.

Do you suffer from Bono Fatigue? Find the help you need in "a Place for Bono Vox Detox."
(Hat tip:Lark News)

Junk Science

I am not a scientist nor have I ever played one on TV. Al Gore is not a scientist either, but that doesn't stop him from pretending to be one in his upcoming film.

I am pretty skeptical of most of the global warming talk and the folks over at Junk Science.com provide some science to back up my skepticism. Go check out The Real Inconveniant Truth.

Bluegrass Worship

It is rare that I buy an album without trying it on for size beforehand. I made an exception with this little gem by Greg Adkins and Friends simply called The Bluegrass Service.

Greg hails from my hometown of Knoxville, TN, and is an aspiring independent artist. The album is inspired by actual bluegrass worship services at his church. The album combines old bluegrass standards like I'll Fly Away, I Saw the Light and When the Roll is Called up Yonder with newer "alt-worship" numbers by Michael Roe (Lutheran Hymn), The Lost Dogs (Pray Where You Are), and Jonathan Rundman (Forgiveness Waltz). For good measure the band includes covers of Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and Bill Mallonee, but perhaps the best number is Greg's original, Uncle Joe's Bunions - a hilarious yet profound send up of prayer meetings everywhere.

If modern worship albums are beginning to sound all the same, pick this one up and give it a whirl. You won't regret it. I know I don't.

Greg also has a blog on the emergent church movement at www.emergingminister.com

Pater familias

Check out Wikipedia for a good definition of this term for father figure made popular by George Clooney's character in O' Brother Where Art Thou.

Nord's space

I'm now on my space too. www.myspace.com/nordmoe

Texas Vacation (the rest of the story)

Day 2

Besides visiting with our friends, we explored the Texas countryside around Austin. Highlights include seeing the junkyard where portions of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre were filmed (Harold’s junkyard in Briggs, TX), experiencing the Bush twins’ favorite TexMex eatery, Chuy’s, and enjoying a Texas steak for dinner.

Day 3

On Saturday, we hung out in our room for a few hours so I could grade some papers. Then we did some more exploring as we drove up to Waco to hook up with Scott and Jenn. Once there, we hung out with Scott all afternoon and evening – watching Drop Dead Gorgeous and Rat Race, eating pizza and M&Ms, playing Settlers of Catan, listening to Scott’s iPod, and waiting for Jenn to return home from Little Rock. Oh, we also celebrated the time change by actually springing forward at 2am.

Day 4

With only 5 hours of sleep, I woke up and graded some more papers. Then it was off to church (with a quick stop at Shipley’s Donuts for some Czech. kaloches for brunch). Scott and Jenn attend Dayspring Baptist Church. The service is far more liturgical than your typical SBC, and the building was gorgeous (a mix of wood, stone and glass that allowed us to enjoy the beauty outside as well as inside). I enjoyed the emphasis that they place on the substance of what is read and sung. One hymn we sang (Here I Am) was new to me and yet ministered to me in current circumstances.

After lunch, we drove through Dallas to McKinney, TX where Janell’s cousin lives. We last saw Billie Jo and John at our wedding (nearly ten years ago), so we really enjoyed getting to know them and their three girls (I also made fast friends with their dog, Dixie). We look forward to seeing them later this year, when they will drive through Nashville on their way to Pennsylvania.

Day 5

We had to leave early this morning in order to get back to the southside of the city. While we enjoyed the skyline views and impressive highway projects, we don’t care to experience the gridlock of morning rush hour again.

Once we were through the traffic, we enjoyed a morning of Christian fellowship with our brothers and sisters at Wycliffe International. They were excellent hosts and we learned so much more about this wonderful agency that we have followed and supported since we were each kids. It is amazing to see and hear about the work God is doing both in Dallas and around the world.

After a quick lunch, we hit the road so that we could return to Austin to catch our flight. You may ask yourselves why we didn’t just fly out of Dallas. The answer is that Southwest Airlines is prevented by federal law from operating direct service from Dallas’ Love Field to states not bordering with Texas. It is an arcane law and you can visit setlovefree.com to learn more.

We made our flight just fine and I finished my grading in the airport (Phew!!!). That pretty much takes to the present where I am composing this post. Thanks for reading.

Austin, TX day one.

Tonight I'm blogging from the outskirts of Austin, Tx. We flew here this afternoon for a couple days of rest, relaxtion, and to visit old friends and new friends. Craig Miller, from Global Impact, picked us up from the airport and drove us to Round Rock on the northside. There we hooked up with his wife and kids and enjoyed some Texas BBQ ala Rudy's Country Store (imagine a Texas Roadhouse without the peanuts and or a Cracker Barrell with a gas station). And the brisket was excellent along with the cream corn, beans, and banana pudding. I don't think I'll need to eat for another 24 hours....


The kids are spending the weekend with a variety of friends (thanks to J&T, the Carrs, and Catherine). We are enjoying the peace and quiet of the hotel room along with the blissful prospect of sleeping in past 6am. Its been a while since Janell and I have spent time in a nice hotel. Every once in awhile it is good to be pampered.
:-)

The McPassion

For those of you with a highspeed connection and an appreciation for satire, check out the McPassion.

The greatest story ever told
and a fast food giant unite
to deliver the tie-in of tie-ins.

But hurry, The McPassion is being served for a limited time only...

Also check out Christianity Today's interview with the film's director.

Oscar Picks

Here are my picks for Oscar night. These don't reflect personal taste because... well most of the films nominated this year just don't excite me like Lord of the Rings did a couple of years ago. I just hope I can do well in the various pools I've entered.

Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain
Best Director: Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Giamatti for Cinderella Man
Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Williams for Brokeback Mountain
Best Original Screenplay: Crash - Paul Haggis
Best Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain - Larry McMurtry
Cinematography: The New World
Editing: Crash
Art Direction: Memoirs of a Geisha
Costume Design: Memoirs of a Geisha
Original Score: Brokeback Mountain
Original Song: "In the Deep" - Crash
Best Makeup: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Best Sound: Walk the Line
Best Sound Editing: King Kong
Best Visual Effects: King Kong
Best Animated Feature Film: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Best Foreign Language Film: Tsotsi (South Africa)
Best Documentary Feature: Marche de l'empereur, La
Best Documentary Short: God Sleeps in Rwanda
Best Live Action Short: Our Time Is Up
Best Animated Short: 9

Islam and the West

Here are some more thoughts on Islam and its relations with Western culture courtesy of my father.

“I have not come to send peace, but a sword.” -Matt. 10:34

Much has been reported this last week of the outrage of the Muslim world over the work of a European cartoonist. It is a tragic story of hatred and violence in which many innocent people have paid an awful price. These are perilous times in which a great drama is being played out on the world stage and no one knows for certain where these events will take us. We are not immune from the events of the world. Fifteen African churches burned this week because of a Danish cartoon. That is why the Psalmist reminds us to ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem.’ As Jerusalem goes, so go we.

What I find interesting is that in this whole Muslim World vs. the West controversy is that each side seems to be challenging the other at their weakest point. Surely the intolerance of the Muslim world as expressed in placards reading “Butcher those who mock Islam” is a total embarrassment to moderate Muslims everywhere or confirmation that Islam is a dangerous threat to world peace. No one would concern themselves with the Muslim religion if it were not for this propensity for violence on the part of those that claim to hold the fundamentals of the faith most dearly, these who dare to openly proclaim, “Europe, your 9/11 is coming.”

The weakness of the West is embodied in Europe’s cold and empty cathedrals, its lack of any interest in matters of faith, and its callous secularism that is quickly morphing into intolerance towards all religion. It truly cannot understand how anyone would take matters of faith seriously. It piously defends the right of expression and the freedom of the press. And yet these rights and freedoms are but hollow instruments of a hollow people who believe in nothing and have nothing to say. Mockery is the only thing which excites them to creativity and action.

What we are witnessing is a grand tilt of religion in its most extreme and absolutist form going up against old and intractable atheism. But this is not a militant atheism that believes in a higher Utopia such as Marxism. This is your old, tired, garden-variety version of secularism that aims at nothing and hits it square. It is the same secularism that would wrap its comfortable arms around our families declaring that the “good life” is all that matters. Under its spell, comfort and affluence, peace and prosperity, personal fulfillment become the chief end of man. Justice becomes the hobby of the more intellectually acute (‘equal rights for the disenfranchised’) or ecology a religion for those demanding purpose (‘save the whales’), but truth is discarded as just so much historical flotsam of a more primitive and combative age.

The enemy of our families lies not only in some religious extremists who would bring everyone in submission to its bondage but also in the siren call of ‘life at the mall’: a never ending circle of vacuous entertainment, materialism, consumption, and lives of comfort and ease that never question the why and where of anything. Christ came not to bring peace but a sword. And that sword is the sword of truth that cuts our lives in so many ways. It causes us to bleed in many different forms of self-sacrifice, dedication, self-denial, moral purity, care for our brother, mission, and belief in ideas that are real and have consequence. Truth is our only real defense against those who our world has given the neutral and sanitary label of ‘terrorists.’ Secularism will crumble and cower before their onslaught. May you lift God’s Truth high every day and instill in young minds the part they must play in this great world drama.

Mercy and Truth,
Mr. Moe

(February 23, 2006)

Top 10 Greatest Quips from Ronald Reagan

Posted Jan 20, 2006 courtesy of Human Events Online


10. "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
—Remarks at a business conference, Los Angeles, March 2, 1977

9. "You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans."
—The Observer, March 29, 1981

8. “Thomas Jefferson once said, "We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying."
—Circa 1988

7. "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting."
—Said often during his presidency, 1981-1989

6. "How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."
—Remarks in Arlington, Virginia, September 25, 1987

5. "The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
—Remarks to the White House Conference on Small Business, August 15, 1986

4. “I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.”
—Said often during his presidency, 1981-1989

3. "All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
—Farewell Address to the Nation, The White House, January 11, 1989

2. "I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born."
—The New York Times, September 22, 1980

1. "There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit."
— First Inaugural Address, January 21, 1981

Ann Coulter on the cartoon controversy

Here's a great article from Ann Coulter.com that exposes all the political correctness surrounding Islam. As one talk show host put it, the islamists want to convert the whole world and their not afraid to use force to do it. It is time our leaders recognized this as a fact.

CALVIN AND HOBBES — AND MUHAMMAD
by Ann Coulter
February 8, 2006

As my regular readers know, I've long been skeptical of the "Religion of Peace" moniker for Muslims — for at least 3,000 reasons right off the top of my head. I think the evidence is going my way this week.

The culture editor of a newspaper in Denmark suspected writers and cartoonists were engaging in self-censorship when it came to the Religion of Peace. It was subtle things, like a Danish comedian's statement, paraphrased by The New York Times, "that he had no problem urinating on the Bible but that he would not dare do the same to the Quran."

So, after verifying that his life insurance premiums were paid up, the editor expressly requested cartoons of Muhammad from every cartoonist with a Danish cartoon syndicate. Out of 40 cartoonists, only 10 accepted the invitation, most of them submitting utterly neutral drawings with no political content whatsoever.

But three cartoons made political points.

One showed Muhammad turning away suicide bombers from the gates of heaven, saying "Stop, stop — we ran out of virgins!" — which I believe was a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence. Another was a cartoon of Muhammad with horns, which I believe was a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence. The third showed Muhammad with a turban in the shape of a bomb, which I believe was an expression of post-industrial ennui in a secular — oops, no, wait: It was more of a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence.

In order to express their displeasure with the idea that Muslims are violent, thousands of Muslims around the world engaged in rioting, arson, mob savagery, flag-burning, murder and mayhem, among other peaceful acts of nonviolence.

Muslims are the only people who make feminists seem laid-back.

The little darlings brandish placards with typical Religion of Peace slogans, such as: "Behead Those Who Insult Islam," "Europe, you will pay, extermination is on the way" and "Butcher those who mock Islam." They warn Europe of their own impending 9/11 with signs that say: "Europe: Your 9/11 will come" — which is ironic, because they almost had me convinced the Jews were behind the 9/11 attack.

The rioting Muslims claim they are upset because Islam prohibits any depictions of Muhammad — though the text is ambiguous on beheadings, suicide bombings and flying planes into skyscrapers.

The belief that Islam forbids portrayals of Muhammad is recently acquired. Back when Muslims created things, rather than blowing them up, they made paintings, frescoes, miniatures and prints of Muhammad.

But apparently the Quran is like the Constitution: It's a "living document," capable of sprouting all-new provisions at will. Muslims ought to start claiming the Quran also prohibits indoor plumbing, to explain their lack of it.

Other interpretations of the Quran forbid images of humans or animals, which makes even a child's coloring book blasphemous. That's why the Taliban blew up those priceless Buddhist statues, bless their innocent, peace-loving little hearts.

Largely unnoticed in this spectacle is the blinding fact that one nation is missing from the long list of Muslim countries (by which I mean France and England) with hundreds of crazy Muslims experiencing bipolar rage over some cartoons: Iraq. Hey — maybe this democracy thing does work! The barbaric behavior of Europe's Muslims suggests that the European welfare state may not be attracting your top-notch Muslims.

Making the rash assumption for purposes of discussion that Islam is a religion and not a car-burning cult, even a real religion can't go bossing around other people like this.

Catholics aren't short on rules, but they couldn't care less if non-Catholics use birth control. Conservative Jews have no interest in forbidding other people from mixing meat and dairy. Protestants don't make a peep about other people eating food off one another's plates. (Just stay away from our plates — that's disgusting.)

But Muslims think they can issue decrees about what images can appear in newspaper cartoons. Who do they think they are, liberals?

COPYRIGHT 2006 ANN COULTER

Random musings

Its been awhile since I last posted here are some random musings on what is current with us:

TV Report
We've been watching an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House which stars Gillian Anderson (of X-Files fame). Janell and I are self admitted nerds and Masterpiece Theater is one of the only television programs we watch with any regularity these days.

Social Life
Speaking of the X-Files, Janell and I dressed up as Scully and Mulder for our church's Valentine's banquet last Saturday. The theme was famous couples. Among the other "famous couples" in attendance were Han Solo and Princess Leia, Sonny and Cher, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson, Gomez and Morticia Addams, and Robin Hood and Maid Marion. Lots of fun and laughs.

Game Report
We've been hosting a regular game night at our place every other Friday night. Here is a list of some of the games we've played: The Princes of Florence, Razzia!, TransEuropa, Ingenious, Blokus, Piratenbillard and of course Settlers of Cataan.

Links of the week
Thanks to Jeff for these links:
Anonymous Muslim Man Complaint Box
Brokeback to the Future

While your at it check out Jeff's Feb 8 post on everyone's favorite left-wing wacko Cindy Sheehan

Random tunage from my iPod

Here's what's randomly played on my iPod this morning (out of 1000 tunes)

Pregnant Pause - Daniel Amos
There She Goes - Sixpence None the Richer
Sanctuary - Daniel Amos
BPD - Over the Rhine
Create In Me A Clean Heart - Keith Green
Cold Cold Night - the 77's
The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes and the Pride of Life - Smalltown Poets
River of Grace - Rick Altizer
Horrendous Disc (UK mix) - Daniel Amos
Shaded Pain - Lifesavers Underground
Holy, Holy, Holy - Ashley Cleveland
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Winter Waltz - Monk
You Satisfy - Lost Dogs
How Many - Rick Altizer

back pain blues

I'm at home with a sore back today. It seems that working with boxes at the warehouse over the last three weeks has finally caught up with me. Fortunately, we just got DSL at home, so I can enjoy the web while laying here with a heating pad on my back.

Pat is at it again....

Well everyone's favorite evangelical crackpot is at it again. This time he is claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was God's judgement upon him for clearing out the Gaza settlements. Cringe!

I consider myself to a be a pro-Israel, conservative but I draw the line when it comes to ascribing events in the natural world to God Almighty (especially when it comes to Israel). I don't know the mind of God. Does God approve or disapprove of peace between Israel and the Palestinians? I don't believe there is a simple answer to that question. Can the modern state of Israel rightfully claim the moniker and blessings of "the chosen people" of the Old Testament? How did Christ's ministry, death and resurrection change God's relationship with the political state of Israel? Should the state of Israel be given a free pass on issues of human and civil rights in that name of being God's chosen people? Does God really mete out judgement on those nations that support the peace process by sending hurricanes and earthquakes (some interpret our recent hurricane troubles to our support of the Israeli peace plan)?

I for one am skeptical of such claims. Is it possible - yes (God is sovereign and can do what He pleases no matter how strange it may seem to me). Does God intervene in the lives of his people and in the events on this earth - I would again say yes (to say otherwise would make me a Deist). But I believe that we need to be careful in interpreting the "hand of God" into historical and current events. We don't have the whole picture. We cannot know the whole mind of God. What we do have is the Word of God as revealed in the Bible that provides glimpses into the mind of God and shows some of the ways in which He has interacted with his creation. In our attempts to divine "purpose" behind historical, current, and tragic events, we must exercise both humility and faith. Our humility acknowledges that God can not be put in a box ("My ways are higher than your ways" Isaiah 55:8-9), and our faith acknowledges that God's sovereign will is being worked out by both visible and invisible means.

Pat Robertson seems to lack humility when he opens his rather large mouth to make his proclamations. On what authority does Mr. Robertson base his opinions? Has God given Pat Robertson special revelation? Let us also remember that Pat also claimed that the events of 9/11 were God's judgement against America and that God is also going to rain judgement down on Orlando, FL because Disney has a gay day.

So I once again say to Pat, "Shut Your Pie-hole!!!"

Is Walmart Good for America?

Last night, I caught most of the PBS/Frontline documentary Is Walmart Good for America. It was a fascinating look at the mega-retailer, free trade, our trade imbalance with China, and our modern consumption-based economy.

Frontline doesn't hide its bias very well, but it is still a thought provoking program. I don't believe there is a simple answer to the question. Walmart may indeed bully its suppliers and exacerbate our trade imbalance. Is this a reflection of Walmart's lack of ethics or the result of a changing market forces in a new global economy? Probably both. So how should I as the average joe consumer supposed to respond? Boycott Walmart? If I did that, I'd probably have to boycott every other major "big box" retailer in the area. That limits my options and means higher prices for the goods I need. Is that good for America? Bob Dylan penned the song "The Times They are a Changin'" and I think we are indeed in one of those great transition times (at least economically).

I would have liked to have seen some probing into the role unions have played in the exodus of manufacturing jobs from the US. Chinese workers may be underpaid, but US workers in the last 30 years have been over paid (one worker featured in the program was being paid over 50k a year to operate a machine - why get an education if you can do that?). Too what degree have unions gotten too greedy in demanding their "fair share" of the pie thus pushing corporations to outsource to cheaper labor markets? You probably won't hear too many in the mainstream media ask that question? Walmart is a much easier target.