Review: Self-Titled - Yonder Mountain String Band

This is worth a look. These guys feature some nice eclectic bluegrass stylings...

Self Titled - Yonder Mountain String Band

Review: We Believe - Brian and Jenn Johnson

Check it out!

We Believe - Brian and Jenn Johnson

Review: So Far So Good - Paul Thorn

Here's a review I did for one of my favorite artists, Paul Thorn! Check out this album!

So Far So Good - Paul Thorn

A Random Question

Just yesterday as I was exiting the bathroom of the company that I work for I was struck with a bit of an odd thought. There's really no good reason for this thought and no real reason I want to know the answer other than to possess said knowledge. Yet, I really do want to know. Here's the question:

Why did we start wearing underwear?

Okay, I know it's a weird question and, no, I'm not anti-underwear but, well, I'm curious. Before you (all three of you who maybe read this every now and then!) start hitting me with your takes on the whole concept and development of boxers, briefs, and brassieres, let me offer some of my ideas and thoughts on this critical topic.

1.) I'm not talking about women's undergarments here, particularly brassieres. There is an obvious reason here for the advent of these items that falls under the heading, "support".

2.) A practical view of underwear may find it's birth in stylistic changes. Fashion changes and the need for something to guard against such evil forces as painful zippers and relentless buttons may be part of the reason.

3.) The Puritans. These were not people very keen on the idea of my skin showing, let alone getting a quick peek due to a strong breeze. Therefore, maybe underwear were their idea of preserving sexual purity and moral integrity?

4.) Warmth. We're all familiar with those Scottish fellas and what they don't wear beneath the kilt, but, doesn't it get a bit chilly there in merry old Scotland? Maybe they're just trying to keep their proverbial goods warm and toasty?

5.) Sin. Okay, admittedly this sounds a little deep for such a "trite" topic but I think there is some legitimacy to it. Consider the whole story of Creation and Adam and Eve. They sinned, realized that they were naked. Covering themselves with leaves, God eventually makes them some nice lambskin fashions. Perhaps underwear were another aspect of covering ourselves, of hiding our shame. And, we've got to admit, as a people, humans are pretty ashamed, with exception of some, of our cash and prizes.

Those are just some theories. While friends may think me a bit off, I'm actually going to have to Google this mess up and see the real story.

Review: Vertical - JeriMae Yoder

Here's another review! Check it out!

Vertical - JeriMae Yoder

Beautiful Prayer

Here's a prayer that resounds with my heart that was in my reading this morning in Shorter Christian Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ,

true light of the world,

you guide all mankind to salvation.

Give us the courage, strength and grace

to build a world of justice and peace,

ready for the coming of that kingdom,

where you live and reign with the FAther and the

Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Review: Please Don't Make Us Sing This Song

I know, I know. Yet another review. But it's a pretty good album!

Please Don't Make Us Sing This Song - Various

Review: Good Monsters - Jars of Clay

Another review for your, um, enjoyment! It really is a good album, by the way!

Good Monsters - Jars of Clay

Moving Forward

I've been rereading Brian McLaren's, A New Kind of Christian, with a good friend of mine and it's reawakened some thoughts within me. Actually, it's reminded me of where I've been and where I may be going. One particular thing has struck me thus far, and we're only a dash back into the book really. Early on, Brian, in offering up a reason and understanding of the book, presents a chart drawn up for him by, Andrew Jones. The chart essentially outlines a progression from 1 - 4, with portions 2 and 3 finding themselves sqeezing through a small area. Basically, 1 is when all is well, 2 is when we begin to question, doubt, and whatever else and begin to see the fuzzy lines around. It is here that we are most critical and deconstructive in our thinking. Part 3, however, presents a place of healing, a place where we progress constructively, seeking out answers for our questions rather than simply being critical. This leads us to part 4, wherein we rest in the new world we've found.

I'm finally finding myself in part 3. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure that I thought it would ever come. But it has. A renewed fervor for ministry is building underneath me, although a different view of ministry than I might have had before. A new view of God, of the world, of the sacred and the secular all lay before me and, rather than full-on cynicism and skepticism, I now view these things as opportunities and challenges. This is a huge change and is pretty important to me.

This renewal does not imply any desire to stop thinking, however. There will still be moments of wrestling with doubt, times of pain and suffering, and certain heartbreak. Some would accuse that statement of being pessimistic but I see it only as realistic. Life is that series of ups and downs on the proverbial roller coaster and we must acknowledge it as such. But, perhaps the real key is how we respond and in whom we place our trust? May I be encouraged in reflecting back upon my past and looking forward to the exciting place that is the future while always living in the present.

A Soccer Story...

So just recently we decided to enroll our son, Tyler, in soccer. We had missed the deadline due to the fact that we were kind of tied up with that whole "having a baby thing" but found out about an opening from a young lady Erin works with. So, we signed him up. It's been an interesting ride, to say the least. I struggle to sit through practices. It's tough watching him play with cones, roll in the grass, and whatever else you can think of while everyone else is actually learning soccer but I know it'll come.

Anyway, yesterday, as we arrived at practice, he was kind of amped up and the coach hadn't shown up yet. So, as Erin, Peyton, and I perched on some large rocks underneath a tree, I told Tyler to run over to another tree and back just to get some exercise. Sometimes it's good to be the parent! So, off he goes. I look to Erin for a moment, the look in my eyes saying, "Yeah...I know what I'm doing", when I turn back to look at Tyler and the tree. He's standing there in front of the tree, now tugging down his britches! Erin starts laughing incessantly, near crying, saying, "He's going to pee! He's going to pee!"

Good times. Long live soccer practice.

One of My Heroes...

While this might seem a bit contrived or whatnot, I just felt compelled, in the small space of time that I have this morning, to share with you about one of the heroes in my life, my lovely wife, Erin. My wife simply amazes me. For whatever reason, it has just struck me more so lately. I've watched her negotiate the tricky hormonal waters of pregnancy with grace and ease, working through nearly the whole time up to birth. Rarely did she complain, whine, or moan about the crazy demands her body was making upon her. After the birth of both of our children, most recently, Peyton, I've watched her dilligently climb out of bed at all times of night in order to feed and soothe our new little one. As circumstances have deemed for our life at this time, she's had to go back to work but, each and every night, she still pulls herself from slumber to love on this little bundle of joy. She stands as the more lucrative breadwinner in our family, a fact that brings both frustration and pride to my heart, and definately has the better financial head on her shoulders. She continues on hard with her schooling, hopefully to be completed in December, while all of this presses on her. On top of it all, she puts up with a husband who has hemmed and hawed over his place in this world. I could go on and on but, essentially, I've said all of that to say that, well, I really love my wife.

I Love My Kids...

Sometimes I Fear...

Sometimes I fear...

I'm not a good parent...

God's grace will run out...

Failure...

That I've already failed...

The Church...

That I really am called to the Church...

Success...

That I don't really know what success is...

Falling so hard I won't be able to get back up...

Review: Rogue's Gallery - Various

Here's another review of what I thought was a really great album! Check it out!

Rogue's Gallery - Various

Livin' La Vida Loca!

"I like to move it, move it!"

Silence Explained...

I know that as of late this blog has not held much interest outside of a self-important posting regarding my bit of review work with INFUZE or some family pictures. I guess there have been a few exceptions but, all in all, I've seemingly diverted from some of what I've discussed most in the past, namely my spiritual journey and wrestlings in particular with the "good monster" (ht: Jars of Clay!) we call the Church. This silence has not been entirely unintentional.

Certainly, a portion of my silence has stemmed from a busy life. A new baby, a four year old son whom we've now enrolled in soccer, those aforementioned reviews, and life in general have taken up the better part of my time in terms of both writing and thinking. In fact, I've even taken some time off from the more serious reading I'm typically accustomed to, opting for, in unusual fashion for me, two Christian fiction works, and a wonderful book I'm halfway through, The Stupidest Angel. I've simply wanted to let my mind cool down.

For so long I've fought with these ideas of church and theology and right living and whatever else you can cram into that conversation that I've simply worn myself out. These are not bad topics nor has the time I've spent on them been a waste but it is honestly exhausting, particularly at this stage in my life as I seek out my future. Therefore, I've taken a few weeks to just veg. I've read some fluff, tried to relax, and have even started back to my early morning basketball gatherings. Don't worry though. You'll see some exasperated posts before long. I'm sure of it.

Just Makes Me Smile...

Review: Dismiss the Mystery - Salvador

Here's another one...

Dismiss the Mystery - Salvador

Review: Turn Around - Johnny Lang

Here's a review I did for the new album by Johnny Lang for INFUZE!

Turn Around - Johnny Lang

Priceless...

Cost of two cans of Chef Boyardee: $1.69 buy one get one free!

Cost of two bags of gourmet movie theater butter microwave popcorn: $.99

Running time of Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi: 135 minutes

My son, Tyler, and I, sitting in the dark, watching the movie, munching our snacks: Priceless...

Review: Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins

Here's a new review I did for this album up on INFUZE.

Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins

What Do I Do Now?

Scot McKnight, once again, has tapped into my thoughts in this blogpost of his. I'm continuing to wrestle with the thought of what I'm supposed to do with my life. No, this is not the Rick Warren, "purpose driven" wrestling match I'm engaged in but rather is the one that balances a sense of calling, obligation, and desire. I have a degree in Christianity, so to speak, but have become disenchanted with the walls within which that point of operation has placed itself. Do I dare venture outside the walls and seek to build new ones? Do I pursue other loves, though the tend to lack stability?

I don't know the answer right now. I'm keeping my eyes peeled and my ears open. I can pray, and I can seek, and I can hope.

Tales From the Photo Counter

Just last week my wife shared with me an experience she had at the photo counter of one of our local Walgreens/CVS stores. I thought I'd share it with you.

"So I went up to the store to print out a bunch of these pictures since we were going to be scrapooking. And I'm up there, printing all eighty of my pictures, which takes a freakin' long time, and I'm holding Peyton and a lady comments to me, "She's beautiful". I replied with thanks and checked on my pictures.

The lady continued. "Are you going to shave her head?"

At this, I did a double-take. "Uh, no, I hadn't planned on it."

"Well," the lady of Indian descent replied, "in my country it is customary to shave the head of infants so their hair grows back more full and lush."

The little girl around her feet said, "You shaved my head, didn't you, Mommy?" The mother just nodded.

Weird, huh? And for those still wondering, no. We're not doing it. Even though Peyton has a an old man wraparound right now, we're not doing it.

For Mature Audiences Only

Okay, so this isn't exactly a nasty post but some would potentially be, um, disenchanted with where I'm going here so, before you go any further, consider yourself warned. There is material here of a frank sexual nature that may be offensive to some. If this does not scare you, keep on reading.

Okay, glad you stuck around. This really isn't nasty or obscene. Rather, it's more of an observation. I spend a lot of time in grocery stores. One of my jobs is for a local bread company wherein I travel a route, one day a week, and do what are called "pull ups". Essentially, we just pull any backstock the regular distributors have left in the store and make sure the shelves look neat. It gives them a day off and puts some money in our pockets. It's easy and relatively quick. So, as I travel these grocery stores week in and week out, I am constantly running across new displays and products and whatnot. Well, not too long ago I was running my route and somewhere along the way came across the display of contraceptive devices, and condoms in particular. When, might I ask you, did the condom selection become so varied and huge? There are normal condoms, lambskin condoms, ribbed, colored, and they all come in varied sizes as well.

Now, it's entirely possible that I've missed these great number of varieties simply due to the fact that, whether I've been married or not, the purchase of condoms has mortified me. As you go to purchase the condom, you're almost having a three-way of sorts right there. Because, unless you're a person without scruples, you've got to pay for these things. And, inevitably, there is always a female cashier working that day. I don't know. It's just a weird thing to sort of broadcast to the world that you're anticipating a good chance at sex, at least good enough to invest a few bucks. Which brings us to my observation of choice.

As I perused (and it's not like I sat there for an hour, I just walked by the display!) the great array of contraceptives available to a young man like myself, I was taken with the package that contained the flavored condoms. Now, this is perhaps the most bizarre of purchases to make. This not only implies that one is anticipating the opportunity for sex, but is also looking for a good chance for sex of the oral variety. Maybe it's just me but this seems pretty damn ballsy. And as you go through the line with your package of banana, strawberry, and pina colada flavored prophylactics, you're declaring to the whole world, or at the very least the world that happens to be in your check-out line that you're going to be entertaining someone down south. Hmmm...Crazy...

One more thought and then I'm done with this filthy ramble. I'm just imagining what the response of the young man who purchases the aformentioned flavored condom might be.

Me: "So, why'd you buy the flavored condoms?"

Him: "Uh, duh! What do you think?"

Me: "Well, I know what you're thinking but don't you think that perhaps you're putting your hopes out there a bit much? At least right now?"

Him: "Hey, I care about this girl. That's why I bought the flavored ones. I'm looking out for her best interests!"

Me: "Sure you are."

Okay, enough filth. Back to our regularly scheduled program.

(In all honesty, this was just a thought that literally ran through my mind. The purchase of strawberry flavored condoms is one that seriously takes some intestinal fortitude.)

Reconnecting: Friends, Food, and Faith

Just last week I was fortunate enough to catch up with a dear friend, Celena, and her family. Somehow we'd allowed seven years to pass between our seeing each other although we'd maintained contact through the marvelous medium that is e-mail. Our history as friends tracks back so far, to elementary school, and we've shared so many good and bad times. It's really interesting to see how much our lives change, as well as our mindsets, as we've grown older. Both of us would admit, I think, that at one point in our lives we were simply young and ignorant. We made dumb decisions, held to wrong assumptions, and were really just naive. Yet now, a little older and hopefully a little wiser, we've both come to see the world through a new set of eyes. It was a great time to share with each other what has occurred in the past bit of time, to introduce our families, and to simply discuss life in general. It's really funny how that when you're young, discussing "big" topics like religion or whatnot seem to be just stupid (especially if like me you grew up in a fundie church that told you what you needed to know!) or at the very least, not worthy of your time, but now that we're older, those are the very things in our hearts. We did have a really cool conversation regarding the church and the new ideas and views I've been exposed to involving it.

I'm thankful for friends like, Celena, whom I can just pick right back up with. Tonight I'm going to try to reconnect with another friend who has been more than patient with me in waiting for him to touch base with him after Peyton's birth. Either way, it's nice to be around people who you have history with and who care.

Review: St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley

We were admittedly late getting to this one at INFUZE but thankfully that error has been corrected. Check it out!

St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley

Overheard in Our Home Sunday Afternoon.

After approximately thirty seconds of fingerpainting....

Tyler: "I don't ever want to fingerpaint again. Never again!"

There go our hopes for an art scholarship....

A Bit of Melancholy

Recently I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend just a short while after we had finished up our time in high school. The two of us had grown up together in the same fundamental church and were just beginning to spread our wings a bit. We weren't terribly close but that didn't stop us from heading out to a local Denny's one evening for some "Moon Over My Hammy" and good conversation. What sticks out most about that conversation was one point my friend made. He said:

"I don't want to go through life having experienced nothing. I want to experience it all, the ups and downs, the pain and joy. That's real life too me."

Our conversation continued and I tried to label him crazy. I understood what he was saying but, well, I'm not all about the downs and the pain. I think they suck. And while they perhaps make us better people, refined people, people who have been there and done that, I still don't particularly want to experience those things.

Well, in recent days that conversation has come back to me. I've long since long touch with this friends but those words have rang loud and clear in my ears lately. Somehow, deep down, I think that perhaps my friend has gotten his wish. As I've observed my life, as well as the lives of others, it appears as though we all experience those things, the horror of loss, the thrill of small and large defeats. Life is filled with a brutal menagerie of those very experiences. Those of us claiming to be Christ-followers can frame those things in a setting of God's will and sovereignty but that still leaves the sting to be dealt with. In good times there remains a temptation to claim the glory for yourself and in the bad is the yearning to scream at God, accusing Him of all the wrong there is, begging for release.

It's a strange place to be, this life. I'm in a place right now where I can't really find which way is up and I wish that were not so. I'm frustrated by the downs and desperately am hoping for a revival of the ups. I might do some screaming at God but am thankful that His grace is sufficient for even my frailty and foolishness.

Review: Chasing Francis

Here's a review I wrote for a book entitled, Chasing Francis, for Infuze. Check it out!

Chasing Francis Review

Pics from Peyton Place

Tummy time with big brother, Tyler!

Holding the high notes...

You've gotta love me!

A Couple of Tales from the Frontlines

I've had a couple of unique experiences, at least to me, this past week and thought I'd share them. Both of them gave me cause for thought and that's never a bad thing, although the situations themselves are not necessarily so squeaky clean.

The first experience I had was of being invited to church. Now, this is not some sort of watershed moment, as I've been invited to church before. But, in a certain way, this time was different. I think it, in some way, allowed me to see the other side of the spectrum for a moment. I mean, I grew up in church. I was always the one inviting friends to youth group or to some special shindig we were doing, oftentimes with the thinking of getting them there to get them "saved". I'm not sure but it was a surreal experience having this person suggest their church to me, commenting on the fact that they're "casual, but not disrespectful" and that the teaching is "solidly biblical". I was flattered that they would ask/suggest, but in all honesty, I'm okay right now. God is leading me where I'll go. I don't know. I know that someday I'll be back in the position of inviting people to church in some way or another, although my motivations will most likely be different from those of my younger days, but it was just kind of weird.

The other situation was a story and reaction related to me by a young girl that I work with. This young lady is as sweet as they come and is passionate about her faith. As I spoke with her, late in the day, she related to me a quick story that had just come her way.

"My friend, Mitch," she said,"He came in here and bought a Bible and some tracts and stuff like that. He took it down to the CVS to give it to some guy and got kicked out! Isn't that awesome? That's so hardcore!"

Um, no. I suggested that she find out the rest of the story and go from there. Turns out, "Mitch" had apparently spoken with this guy that worked at the store a few times here and there and "possibly" about some matters of faith. Yet, when Mitch presented this gentleman with the Bible and these tracts and whatnot, the guy showed him the door. Maybe I'm getting softer in my understanding of evangelism and all of that good stuff but to me, this is not hardcore. Rather, this is an error in judgement. "Mitch" no doubt intended this to be good, but it went very awry.

Perhaps what was most painful though was my friend's response after I shared some very reserved comments on the issue.

"Well, it's just important that Mitch was obedient to his heart. That's the important thing."

I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I think the important thing is that we love people and let the power of Christ, through love, be seen in us. That provides us the platform and the right to share the Gospel. But that's just me.

New Reviews

Here are a couple of new reviews I've knocked out for Infuze. Enjoy!

Reprieve - Ani DiFranco

Passion '06: Everything Glorious DVD

More Thoughts from "How (Not) to Speak of God"

I'm about halfway through Peter Rollins' book, How (Not) to Speak of God, and am just totally enthralled. The basic tagline from the back of the book is that this book will help us to "explore the philosophical and theological underpinnings of the emerging church movement". It's heady stuff and there are some parts that I've had to stop and re-read for a moment to ensure that I grasped the flow but, all in all, it's a really good and insightful read. I particularly appreciate how Rollins deals with the paradoxical natures of Scripture, allowing for that type of dynamic tension that many times we just throw away with the bathwater and for our better "peace of mind". Anyway, I've shared one quote from the book on the blog already but, well, I'm going to share a few more. I'm up for discussion on this stuff if anyone wants to dialogue!

On the paradoxical nature of the Scriptures, i.e. God of war - God of peace, etc... - "Evidently such conflicts were not judged to be a problem but were accepted. Indeed, such fissures help to prevent us from forming an idolatrous image of God, ensuring that none of us can legitimately claim to understand God as God really is. Consequently the text bars any attempt at colonization by individuals or groups who claim to possess an insight into its true meaning."

From the chapter, "A/theology as Icon"... - "...it is precisely God's participation with us that allows us to understand that God is beyond understanding. Returning again to the analogy of a painting, those in the emerging conversation understand that what unites Christians is not that we somehow grasp the true meaning (another way of saying 'my meaning') of the painting, as if it can be reduced to a singular message, but that we are seduced and transformed by it."

On the virtue of doubt... - "Only a genuine faith can embrace doubt, for such a faith does not act because of a self-interested reason (such as fear of hell or desire for heaven) but acts simply because it must. A real follower of Jesus would commit to him before the crucifixion, between the crucifixion and the resurrection, and after the resurrection."

There's so much more but I don't want to infringe on any copyright laws. If you're even remotely interested, go out and get the book.

Recent Reads

Taking a page off of Marko's blog, and to break the silence of this blog while I have a moment, I thought I would share with you just a few of the books I've had the time and opportunity to read in the past couple of weeks.

First up, Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger's great book, Emerging Churches. This is by far the best and most unprejudiced read on the subject I've seen. Highlighting nine key elements that seem to be common threads among those in the movement, the authors offer insights and comments from church leaders and practitioners not only from the U.S., but abroad as well. It's nice to see something fairly unbiased about the movement that covers the material so well and really leaves the conclusions up to the reader. Of particular interest for me was the chapter that dealt with the idea of the sacred and secular divide and the desire of emerging churces to work toward redeeming that. This has been on my mind quite a lot lately and the concept of our viewing the handiwork of the Creator in all that we come into contact with, of seeing every avenue of life as sacred, is a powerful one.

After that, it was time for something a little more lighthearted. Enter Christopher Moore's, Practical Demonkeeping. For my more fundie friends, no, this is not a book about calling down the power of Satan. Rather, it's a fanciful tale of a young man and the demon, Catch, that is assigned to him through a bizarre series of events. The plot is not the easiest to describe in three pithy lines but, as usual, Moore offers up his signature brand of quirky storyline, character driven happenings, and great humor. It's good stuff for a nice late summer read.

Lastly, for now, I finally had the chance to read Chuck Palahniuk's seminal work, Fight Club. It was the movie that drew me into Palahniuk's other works but for some reason I had just not read this one yet. If you've seen the film, you know what it's about. And like always, the book is just a bit better. The thing that I appreciate about Palahniuk is that he has much of the same characteristics of Moore in that he has quirky and character driven stories with generally a nice sense of humor but he also has a keen eye on society. Each and every work of his I've read is essentially a fictional treatise on the ills of society but framed in such a great way. Many of us in the Church would do well to read and heed Chuck's insights here.

All for now.

Quote of the Day

"God is not a theoretical problem to somehow resolve but rather a mystery to be particpated in."

Taken from Peter Rollins' book, How (Not) To Speak of God

Recommended Listening...

The Emergent podcast this week features Brian McLaren speaking at the Emergent Conference in 2003 prior to our going to war with Iraq. Brian offers some compelling thoughts on the issues of peace and war that are well worth your time. Check it out!

Emergent Podcast - McLaren on Peace and War

I'd be thrilled to hear your thoughts. I might add some of my own a bit later when I've a dash more time!

Awww....

Melts a father's heart....

What Were They Thinking?

This is insanely funny...and just wrong! Wackadoo church signs! I love the first one!

Church Sign Craziness!

(HT: Bob Hyatt)

Darth Vader, God, & Me

Just last week my son and I were playing and at some point in our time together my son asked me whether or not one of his action figures was a "good guy" or a "bad guy". I replied that he was in fact a "bad guy" and Tyler proceeded to agree vehemently with me. "Yeah, Daddy," he said, head nodding vigorously, "He's a bad guy! We don't want to be his friend". At the time, this didn't really register with me but as time has passed, I've thought back on this moment more and more.

We as people, and it seems even more so as evangelical Christians, like things black and white. The whole "red state, blue state" dictomomy did not phase us in the least. In fact, we were just bummed that there weren't more red ones. Yet, the more I ponder and think upon the issue, life just isn't that simple. We're not that easy to define.

Case in point: Darth Vader. Now, we all know Darth Vader as the dark, menacing Sith lord of the Empire. Clearly, as a rule, Vader was not a nice guy. His subordinates cringed in his presence and many ended up pulling uselessly at their collars as Vader but the Sith choke hold on them. I mean, this was a guy that was even willing to be okay with the death of his own son! Not a nice guy.

But the story doesn't end there. In fact, it's far from over. Because, the very son who Vader sought to destroy, whom he brought to the Emperor, the nastiest of the "bad guys", saw some good in him. And, Vader the "bad guy" ends up becoming Vader the "good guy". "There is good in him," Luke Skywalker confides to his sister, Leia. And in fact he is right.

Is this not the way of all humans? Are we not all an amalgamation of good and evil? This does not imply that we are in any way, shape, or form worthy of holiness. This holiness comes only through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Yet, as we interact with one another, are we so callous to view one another as either the "good guy" or the "bad guy"? Do we look to our Muslim, Buddhist, or even atheist neighbor and view them as the "bad guy"? I'm not talking about agreeing with these people. What I am talking about is acknowledging them as people, as Christ even, and loving and caring for them as we would like to be cared for. I am talking about offering these people the very same grace with which we have been presented, a grace that accepts people where they are at and sees in them not only the evil, the depravity, but also the divine fingerprints of the Creator upon them. Then, and only then, may we truly live out the way of Jesus.

Just Another Day in Paradise...

Some pics from a quick beach trip we took last week...It's okay, be jealous of our lovely beaches!

Review: Live : Deconstructing the American Dream - The Cobalt Season

Here's a review I did of my friend's, Ryan and Holly, new album! Check it out.

Live : Deconstructing the American Dream

Exposed..in More Ways Than One

Yesterday I found myself exposed, in more ways than one. Let me explain. For several months now, about three to be exact, I've developed, albeit slowly, these weird dry patches on my skin. I honestly thought nothing of it until they began multiplying and, late last week, itching. I can deal with some red, dry spots but not the itching. So, a visit to my family doctor and the suggestion to see a dermatologist later, there I was.

The first point of exposure I'd like to share is somewhat, well, unsettling. I'm not the sort of person to put on airs. Those who know me best know me as a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy. I'm not a fashion plate to say the least. Yet, here I was, directions to the Lakewood Ranch Dermatology Offices in hand, changing my shirt and shoes in the car. "Why?" you ask. I'm not real sure. There's really nothing wrong with our work shirts and such. They're actually quite nice as compared to some. They're even button-down! Woo hoo! But, I don't know. Something within me was just a little obsessed with making a good first impression. I don't understand why but here I was, dry skin thing and all, changing into a decent polo and sandals in the car before heading over to the office. I'm not sure why but I'm just a little concerned about it.

Well, you get what you pay for. My idiotic worries about making a good first impression were shot completely to hell as I entered into the offices. It was quite a pleasant experience in the waiting room but then they called my name. A young fellow by the name of Jamie led me back to my room where we went through the requisite weight and height check and he went over my chart with me, asking me why I was there in spite of the fact that it was written on the chart. Then, he said the words that caused me alarm.

"Here's a drape for you. Go ahead and take your shirt and pants off and she'll be in shortly."

Welcome to the world of discomfort. I'm already saddled with a skin issue. Now this kid wants me to strip down to my skivvies and wait for the doctor. Plus, let's be honest. I'd have no problem with this if I was freakin' Brad Pitt. Sure I'd have the skin thing, but at least I'd be Brad Pitt with a skin thing! It really couldn't get any worse. That's what I thought, anyway.

The doctor entered shortly thereafter, as promised, and I sat, drape pulled up around me like a sheet. We exchanged pleasantries, no doubt easier for her seeing that she was fully clothed and holding a clipboard. Then she asked me to get up on the exam table. I obliged and she proceeded to dictate all of my follicular imperfections to my new friend, Jamie. Having me sit up, she asked me some questions about the issue as well as some regarding family history. Then, she asked the question that really sealed my day.

"Do you have any of these dry spots on your buttocks?", she asked. I swear I detected an evil grin in there somewhere.

"No," I replied, concern filling my face, "Everything is A-Ok back there!"

She seemed to believe me and internally, I prayed for the visit to end quickly as she prodded and probed some more. Finally, she asked me to stand so she could check the spots on my back and legs a bit closer. In hindsight, no pun intended, this was clearly a trick. Because before I knew it she's muttering something like, "I just want to check one more thing...", and is popping the elastic on my boxers in order to check out the aforementioned buttocks! I did not need this extra bit of humiliation. The visit ended soon and I sulked out, avoiding all eye contact.

Thank you, Scot McKnight...

I've spent the past several years wrestling with a number of new ideas and issues regarding my faith. As I've found myself, and I realize it's a buzzword now but, emerging out of the traditional faith of my fathers to embracing something new and potentially far more ancient and true, I've found solace in the writings and offerings from the friendship known as Emergent. It's the authors, speakers, and practitioners associated with this growing movement that have helped to expand my horizons of thought, provide me a safe place to hurt and question, and who have prompted and encouraged me to explore. In fact, in the early winter of my discontent, it was the works of men like Dan Kimball, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke, and the venerable Brian McLaren who have taught me so much. For that I am truly thankful.

That having been said, I've come to admit to myself that I've been swinging along the pendulum from one side to another. I've allowed some of my wanderings to take me to a place where I found myself affirming some points that I really didn't agree with. So, now, I'm thankful to a man like, Scot McKnight, who has helped to pull me out of my intellectual slumber.

I've followed recently McKnight's blog review of Spencer Burke's new book, A Heretic's Guide to Eternity. Apparently, the book delves into the area of discussing a growing theme among some emerging thinkers, that of universalism, or the idea that all will be saved. Now, let me say that I would love for this to be true, but I just don't think it is. As I affirm the truths of the Bible, I cannot reconcile the teachings of Christ with the ideaology of universalism. And McKnight, a friend of Burke's, calls him out on this.

My thanks to Scot are two-fold. First, thank you, Scot, for showing us that we can take a stand. Your intelligent, honest, and solid conviction over the things of the Bible as they compare to the thinking of man have encouraged me to snap out of some of the fog I've been in and to start really thinking again. In some ways, I suppose I traded one sort of dogma for another and need to learn to live in the middle ground. My second point of thanks comes in acknowledging the way you have engaged your disagreements. You were honest, fair, and humble. This is a great example to all of us who hope to one day be used in such a way. Thanks for representing the best of what Emergent has to offer!

A Conversation From Work This Week...

or

Here's a dash of a conversation I had with a friend at work today:

Rich: "So, Charlotte (his wife) is going to this leadership thing later this week..."

Me: "Yeah?"

Rich: "...and she was telling me who all was going to be there. You'll never guess who one of the speakers is."

Me: "Who?"

Rich: "Sonny Bono! She said Sonny Bono is supposed to be one of the speakers! I couldn't figure out what he was doing there!

Me: "Uh, Rich?"

Rich: "What?"

Me: "Sonny Bono's dead. He had a bad run-in with a tree. Do you think you're maybe talking about Bono?"

Rich: "Who's Bono?"

Rimshot!

Heard From My Wife Last Week...

Erin told me this story when I got home from work last Friday afternoon:

"So we had to swing by my work after we stopped to see you and then we were going to go grab a quick bite to eat. So, we were in my office and I was letting Tyler use the phone to call Joni (a friend of ours who works with Erin) while there. So I walked over to Jamie's office real quick (Erin's boss who shares an adjoining office) and was talking to her. Next thing I know, I walk back into my office and Tyler's just jammering away. He had called the plant president's line! Luckily, his receptionist/secretary had gotten the call and thought it was a practical joke being played by one of the other employees. She kept saying, "Who is this?", and Tyler, serious as ever, whispered, "I'm Batman".

That's my boy!

A Change in the Weather...

Have you ever been in one of those seasons in your life when you could sense that your life was about to change? It's almost palpable, the feeling. The air you breathe tastes different, the colors around you seem to have changed. It's a difficult phenomenon to explain but is true nonetheless. I'm in that sort of state.

The reason I share this is two-fold. The first is blatantly obvious. I've finally finished my undergraduate degree and am seeking out where I might go from here. And, as a subsequent portion of that, I'm also knocking loudly on the door to thirty, being only fifteen short days away from moving my life into yet another phase. But the real thing that has drawn my attention and made me think is the people I've randomly run into this past week or so. First, it was an old employer. We hadn't seen each other in a good couple of years. Then, it was a woman who, while I was growing up, was very much like a second mother to me. Then, an old volleyball friend I hadn't seen in a long, long time. Another was a girl that I used to go to high school with and who dated one of my good friends. The list goes on.

I'm not sure why this voyage back into the past has me anticipating change. It could just be part and parcel of the season I'm in right now, of questioning and seeking direction in many phases of life. Or, just maybe, I'm right and my life is about to change. Only time will tell. We'll just wait and see.

Joshua Radin Review

Here's the link to my review on Joshua Radin's album, We Were Here.

We Were Here - Joshua Radin

False Alarm...

Okay, whew...It's been a whirlwind day or two here in the humid Southeast! Had a little scare last night but, (Can I get an amen?!) I was fortunate enough to get a call around eleven this morning telling me that my worries were all in vain. I had more than enough credits and am done!

Just thought I'd share. Now that all that stuff is over, I'm hoping to share some weighter topics here in the next couple of days. Got some stuff on my mind regarding some theology, some church stuff, and just because I'm still living it, some parenting stuff as well!

Oh, the Humanity!

Some of you might be old enough, or young enough, depending, to remember the classic episode of Saturday morning drama, Saved by the Bell, in which the group was nearing their high school graduation from Bayside. But, what's that? Zach's in trouble! Our dear hero, Zach Morris, is a few credits shy and will not be able to walk! Of course, the show reconciles itself through Zach diving into a wonderful ballet production and gaining his credits in order to walk. Wow. Just like real life.

Y'know, I say that a bit tongue-in-cheek but it seems that sometimes, life will be forced to become just a hair closer to fiction that we'd like. Last night as I drove the one and a half hour commute to what I thought was to be the last class of my undergraduate career, I sat with my classmates and we shared the relief that now rested upon us now that this long awaited time had come. Until we were handed a bundle of papers. One of those stapled together manifestos included an "unofficial" collection of our credits. As I read over mine, according to this calculation of Satan that I am 2 credits shy of the 126 required for graduation. Damn. This is not good. Not good at all.

So, I have a phone call, email, prayer, and whatever other communication feature that's come to mind in with the school and the Good Lord upstairs. Needless to say, I'm a wee bit bummed until I hear that it's all gonna be all right.

Great Music...and Free too!

If you love some great music, here are a few links to a live acoustic concert that gravel-voiced blues singer, Paul Thorn, did some time ago out in Reno, Nevada. I came across Thorn's music about a year ago and have just loved everything I've heard from him. It's well worth the listen plus it's a free download!

Paul Thorn Set 1

Paul Thorn Set 2

(HT: www.1moeradio.com & www.paulthorn.com)

Some Recent Reviews...

Here are a few reviews I've written as of late for Infuze. Give 'em a read and let me know what you think. I need the constructive criticism. I'd like to make some money at this one day!

Sigor Ros

Los Lonely Boys

David Crowder Band

Freaked Tribute Album

I realize that these aren't exactly Jack Kerouac and "On the Road" but, hey, it's a start!

The Feminine Side of God

Recent months, especially with the explosion of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, have brought with them a renewed discussion of the feminine and especially how this plays out in terms of our faith. Of course, Brown takes the discussion a bit further than history or the facts allow for but it's a work of fiction. Yet, there is something to the realization that God, as being the Creator and Sustainer of all things, would also have within Himself the feminine as well.

This thought occurred to me (and let me say, it's certainly nothing profound or that nobody else has ever thought of either) the other night while we sat in church. Erin was holding our baby girl while the pastor preached upon one of the ten commandments. He referenced a passage in Matthew with which I am very familiar wherein Christ commands his followers to not worry about what tomorrow brings, about where their resources will come from, because He is the provider. As this passage rolled back through my mind, I thought of the beautiful image of Erin nursing Peyton. Peyton has no way of ever fulfilling her needs at this point. She can't saunter into the kitchen, pop open the milk jug, and go to town. Rather, she is dependent upon her Mom for everything. And the very cool thing of it is, her Mom has within her everything that Peyton needs for nourishment and strength. Her milk possesses the best of what is available for her to grow to a new level of maturity.

This is the truth that we have in God as well. We go "looking for love in all the wrong places", fretting over what may come tomorrow, about how we'll pay this bill, see this relationship healed, when God Himself offers us the nourishment and protection and security we need in every moment. May I today lean upon this nourishing breast of my Savior and lay aside the worries and cares of the day, acknowledging that I am cared for and loved by Him.

RELIEF...

I just finished typing my final paper for my last class! Whew... What relief!

Regrets? I've had a few...

Lately as I have (and I realize that these past few posts have seemed a bit more overdramatic and whatever lately but just consider me in 'journal mode' right now and hang with it!) found myself thinking ahead to the future, I can't help looking into the past. I've done a lot of things and yet, I haven't. I've married, had children, made some friends, lost some friends, accomplished a few things and left others undone or unpursued. One of those things left undone has been traveling. I've always wanted to travel, at least to some extent. Want to know why? Here are a few examples:

In addition to the stunning grandeur and beauty of these places, there is also the key component, their people. I want to meet people in these places and get to know them. I want to understand and come to know what they think and where they're at in life. I want to hear their ideas and dreams and frustrations and concerns. Why? I'm not really sure. But, I do.

Me and T.V.

It's been years since I've watched anything consistently. Oh, sure, right after high school as shows like "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Dawson's Creek" entered into syndication I found myself strangely paying a bit more attention to the goings on with the likes of Brandon, Dylan, and those crazy kids in Capeside. But, other than that, my television watching has been fairly hit and miss. Part of it has had to do with what I'd consider the total decline of quality programming on T.V. and the overt rise of reality programming. It seems all we can find now on the little box is shows detailing "real life" this, and "real life" that. It's obviously not a new trend but is something that's been on my mind this morning so, well, I'm sharing.

All that said, however, I may have found a chink in the armor that is television. They've been offering up schlock to us ever since the fine, fine shows "Seinfeld" and the Chris Elliott vehicle, "Get a Life", took their curtain call but now it seems the voices of the people have been heard. We have demanded T.V. worth watching and (again, this is not new! In fact, I'm way late on the bandwagon here!) those pesky execs have finally dug up something that I'll invest an hour of my time in to be entertained. "What are these exciting shows?" you ask. Well, I'll tell you.

The first show is a nifty little story about a man dealing with the world of karma. Having lived a hard life taking from a whole bunch of people and having them fall on hard times due to his actions, he has turned over a new leaf and is on a mission to make amends for the wrongs he's done. Entitled, "My Name is Earl", the NBC program has some very cool elements working for it. First, it's quirky enough to be different from the nine million other sitcoms optioned elsewhere. Second, it actually has a good message and a good concept. This, if you've roamed the airwaves at all, is at a premium right now.

The second show, ironically, follows "Earl" in NBC's coveted Thursday night lineup and features quickly rising star, Steven Carell. The show is "The Office", based upon a UK series that's been converted for our particular American tastes. What is so compelling about this show? I'm not really sure other than the fact that I think we can all identify with the characters therein. We've all worked with an overbearing boss who tries to be our friend and be the "woo hoo" guy in the organization. We've all had the creepy, weird guy who was second in command and really wanted to just work that power. We've all dealt with some sense of interoffice mediocrity and have wondered in futility if this is just as good as it gets. It's comedy at it's best.

So, if you're like me and have been living under a rock for longer than you'd care to admit, drag yourself out of the hole, grab a shower and a shave, and check out these shows. If anything, you'll smile for a few episodes!

At A Crossroads

Just last night I completed what is the next to last class session I'll have to attend in order to finish (finally!) my bachelor's degree. I will have jammed four years of college into twelve more or less and have logged more than my share of miles on a variety of cars in commute. I'll leave the college with a degree in "Leadership and Ministry", as I've shared before. An interesting parting gift for one who has been absent from the institutional church for almost two years now.

In addition to this step/movement in my life, we have the addition of a new life into our situation. Our little girl is such a beautiful and wonderful part of who we are now. It's as though we've never existed without her. Even tonight, I had the opportunity to simply hold her in my arms for an hour or so, looking at her soft, innocent features as she slept. She truly is angelic. Yet, she relies upon us for everything. For some time, this will not change. And this brings a bit of pressure upon me.

Adding to all of these fairly huge life issues is the information and conversation I keep pumping into my mind and listening to. I've been catching up on some of the podcasts I've missed over the past couple of weeks, especially those from Emergent Village and have just been left challenged. I don't want to ignore, leave, or totally disregard the church. Yet, as I ponder my future, and, dare I say, my family's future, I have to weigh the cost of diving into that lifestyle in any way, shape, or form. It has already left it's scars upon our souls and I have to make the decision of whether or not to chance that possibility again. If I do choose to move in that direction, what surety do I have of finding a place that I would hope to fit this time? Am I destined to have to battle uphill for the rest of my days? Will these thoughts and challenges that I've gleaned from Emergent place me somewhere wherein I'm condemned to forever battle?

Last but not least is the continuing desire to write that comes accompanied with a deep fear of sharing what is on my heart. As every person knows who has ever attempted anything remotely creative, our creations are dear to us, almost like children. As we offer those in sharing to others, we risk being hurt by critics and skeptics. Plus, in a very overtly pragmatic sense, as we offer up something, especially in the vein of the written word, we need to have crafted something that ultimately, someone will buy and recommend. I'm leaving college with a degree in ministry stuff, not creative writing, journalism, or even communications. What do I have to offer?

So, with these thoughts swirling around my head today, into my life comes this quote that adds to the challenge. It was in the liner notes to a CD a friend lent me and just made me stop and think. The quote is attributed to President Teddy Roosevelt and reads:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to gain mighty triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither gain much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory or defeat."

Hmm...Something to chew on.

Getting Back to "Normal"...

Just thought I'd thow a bit of a personal update in here since I haven't really posted much recently. Life has obviously been a little crazy with our new edition but we've been doing our best. Peyton is beautiful and great but she's not so big on the sleeping through the night thing just yet so it's gotten a wee bit tiresome here and there. But, we will overcome. Most say the first six weeks are the hardest and we're as of tomorrow, halfway through.

In addition to learning to deal with this new person in our life, we're also having to keep our son, Tyler, aka "Batman", occupied as well. We're doing all we can to keep him from getting jealous or from feeling left out of the whole thing. But, let's just say, he's one seriously active kid and he wears Daddy out pretty dang fast.

On other fronts, I'm two weeks out from completing school. Actually, as of tomorrow, I'm one week from being done. Done. Now the fun begins because in all honesty, I'm not sure that I really want to do anything quite related to what my major is in. It's going to be tough to find someplace that I'm a fit for with a "Leadership and Ministry" degree unless it's a church. And, just read past posts to see where I currently stand on that issue.

Honestly, I want to keep going and going with my writing. Part of the problem is finding the time to sit down and really work at it. Even now, as I type this, I'm typing in the dark with only the light from the monitor to light my way. I need some quiet and some discipline to get the ball rolling and with two kids in the house, a lovely wife, and a day job that pays poorly, it's a disheartening proposition. I have had the opportunity to do a little bit of writing for the online publication, Infuze Magazine. I've been added to their list of product reviewers and have been working on primarily music reviews for them. It's a nice step but it still doesn't pay. Maybe one day.

Well, it's not much but it's a bit of an update. I'm going to be writing more as time goes along. I've some questions and queries I'm going to need to get out of my head here soon or it's going to blow. Plus I'm going to be posting some reviews here and there just to practice my "craft" if my three readers don't object!

A Lesson We All Need to Learn

"We should not look at backgrounds, our religious background, the only thing we should look at is who needs help and give him this help." - Shawee Amenadeed

Here's a great story about this young man from Lebanon, quoted above, who has started his own foundation called, "Volunteers With No Constraints". It's well worth your time. May we all learn the truth and beauty of the lesson this teenager is living out!

A Study in Compassion

Some Unforeseen (or forgotten) Aspects of Marriage and Parenthood

I'd forgotten how interesting the life of being (a) married, and (b) pregnant/with newborn, really was. I mean, once your significant is deemed pregnant, really the whole world is upended. Your priorities change. Where money might once have been pooled for a family vacation or some other such extravagence, now it goes toward the purchase of diapers and frilly pink (or blue, depending upon your prospective situation) clothing for this little individual who will soon grace your life with his or her presence.

But this is a simple change. The greater issues come along the social areas of life. The conversations between pregnant women and their partners now takes on a whole new vocabulary, especially for the first time parent. Colorful words like "mucus plug" and "afterbirth" are now deemed palatable for the dinner table. Women's conversastions with fellow girlfriends take on a whole new dimension as the unfortunate eavesdropper hears tell of a plethora of physical changes taking place that said eavesdropper could have lived the rest of his life without knowing about. Eventually, the very thing that incited the pregnancy, the almighty lovemaking, finds itself put to the wayside by the very thing that it was created for.

Yet, this is nothing compared to the point when the child is actually born. A whole new structure overtakes the life of the individuals who now bear the titles "Mommy" and "Daddy". Friends no longer inquire as to your wellbeing or as to your weekend plans. Instead, the questions fall along the lines of, "How's the baby?" People flood the home to see "the baby". But, this is not all. It gets even more strange. Sleep is no longer possible. The cries of this little person whom you had a part in creating no takes their pound of flesh out in trade, seeking to occupy all moments previously designated for sleeping and rest for their pleasure and enjoyment. But something strange has also occurred within the one known as "Mommy", too. At random times during the day or night, you stumble into a room only to find "Mommy", once known as "honey" or whatever relational nicety you choose, with a breast bare to the room with this little person attached. The bare breast is now normal. Nipples abound and discussion of various lactation issues help to pass the time between the Mother and her friends. And that stuff that got you there in the first place, that lovemaking that took a plunge during the latter trimester, is now forbidden by physicians! Oh cruel world!

Good post to check out...

My friend, Ryan, made a great post regarding the current Israeli "conflict" that is taking place. Those who have responded to it have offered up some good points for discussion as well. I encourage you to check it out.

Sorrowful Hypocrisy

Parental Reflections

Okay, hold onto your britches. For those of us who have already experienced the joys of birth and parenthood, this will not be profound. For those who haven't, you probably still know this intuitively but you will not truly know it until you experience it for yourself. Are you ready? Here goes:

Having a child changes your life.

I know what you're thinking, "Duh." And you're right. It is one of those things that sort of goes without saying. But there is something that exceeds the obvious about it as well. Its one thing to acknowledge that there is a new person in the house, that there is another mouth to feed and a new financial "burden" to bear. That is the natural man that deals with those things. And they're very real things. I've laid awake a few nights counting nickels and dimes in my head trying to make sense of the financial and material aspects of our then impending new child. Having dealt with one already that cost us a pretty penny, it'd daunting.

But there's something more to the whole deal. When you see this little person, hold this little person, that you were allowed to have a part in creating, in bringing to this world, it changes you. Something tangibly within you changes and you see the world through new eyes. The cares and worries of the world, those aforementioned financial and material issues, they fall to the wayside. You find yourself viewing everything differently, politics, pop culture, even people you pass on the roadside. The reason is this: Life is the important thing. Things, social status, even simple things like being on time for an appointment fade away in light of this understanding. This is not to say that we should throw our clocks away and just show up whenever or reject the "World Series of Pop Culture" and politics outright, but that we should view them in their proper contexts.

I guess where I'm going with this whole rambling thought is this. Some of us really want to see the world changed. When you have a child, you exchange your eyes for a new set of lenses that simply allow you to pursue that change with a new understanding. You know understand that this world is not about systems and conquest and money and getting more done and so forth but it is about people. Just as Christ taught, the Kingdom is not about conquest but about love. When we learn to love others as we love ourselves, and dare I say our children, we enact the very change we pursue.

Plus, it's just really cool.

My Last Week in Pictures...at least part of it...

All bundled up with no place to go...

A few funny moments but for a movie that dogs on scandals like Enron, it seems to justify some scandals of it's own.

Hey, we're watching movies at home with a new baby! They've gotta be family friendly!

We do this a lot....A least Erin and Peyton do.

Not too bad a movie, actually.

I know, too cute.

Tired but proud...

So we're wicked tired, worn out, but way proud. Mom comes home tomorrow and we'll try and post more soon...

To be continued...

The Fourth of July

Shooter Jennings sings in the chorus of his song, The Fourth of July:

"You were pretty as can be, sitting in the front seat

Looking at me, telling me you love me, and you're happy to be,

With me on the 4th of July

We sang Stranglehold to the stereo

Couldn't take no more of that rock n roll

So we put on a little George Jones and just sang along"

Well, my little girl was ready for some fireworks and George Jones! Yep, that's right, at 4:25 P.M. on our nation's birthday, our beautiful little girl, Peyton Brooke, decided to come into the world! Mommy and baby are doing great and Dad, well, Dad's just tired right now but pretty dadgum proud! I'll write more when I can but I'm just busting out with pride!

Holy Funny, Batman!

Recently my son has become enamored with the old-school, Adam West and Burt Ward, Batman. I'm a fan of the campy series and had picked up a DVD of the "feature film" somewhere along the way and popped it in one day for him in hopes that he'd take it over another "Barney" or "Bob the Builder" movie. And, he did. So now, he's Batman and yours truly gets the true distinction of being the sidekick, Robin.

Well, the other day at preschool, Tyler came in from his time on the playground with a nice scrape/goose egg on his noggin. So, his teachers naturally asked him what happened. My son looked at his teachers ever so calmly and said, "I fell out of the Batcave!"

When prodded for the story again, he looked at them incredulously, like, what's so hard here folks?, and again replied, "I'm Batman! I fell out of the Batcave!"

The teachers about busted a gut and looked at Tyler, saying, "We can't put that on the accident report!"

To the Batcave!

Review: Lamb by Christopher Moore

It's just been in the past few weeks that I've become acquainted with the work of Christopher Moore. In all honesty, I'd never even heard of the guy until Marko remarked that he'd been reading Moore's newest work and that it was great. So, after a little Googling to see if it was the sort of stuff I might be interested in, I started keeping my eyes open. I found the one Marko was talking about in the bookstore but, well, it's new and new books are, um, expensive. At least the hardcover one's are. And I'm not exactly made of the money, you know? So, my head hanging low, I trudged off only to a few days later peruse my local Goodwill bookstore. That's right, our town is so happening we have a whole Goodwill store devoted solely to books! Woo hoo! Anyway, I thought to look for some Christopher Moore and lo and behold, I found Lamb and Fluke there for like six bucks total. Sweet.

Well, let me first give you the full title of the book. It's: Lamb - The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. That alone ought to tell you something. My more conservative friends are thinking to themselves, "Yeah, it ought to tell you that it's a waste of time". Well, phooey on you. I really enjoyed this book. I'll admit, it is definately not for everybody. If you're easily offended or take issue with what some might call "colorful language", well, stay away. However, if you're up for a good laugh, and some stuff that at the very least makes you think, then check this out.

In the style of Douglas Adams, Lamb essentially sets out to fill in the gaps that the Gospel accounts leave open, namely the thirty or so years that go relatively unspoken of regarding Jesus' life and upbringing. Moore takes Jesus, or Josh as he is referred to here (which is accurate considering the Hebrew, Yeshua, is essentially our, Joshua) and his best friend, Levi who is called Biff, from about the age of five or six up through the crucifixion. Biff has been resurrected for the purpose of writing an additional Gospel due to some sort of anniversary of the birth of Christ. Well, Biff sets out to do just that. In the meantime, he sneaks a peak at the Gideon Bible in the hotel in which he and the angel supervising his work take up residence.

Biff takes issue with much of the Gospel accounts, considering them both insufficient and, well, a bit candy coated. Plus, they hardly mention him! So, Biff sets out to set the record straight. The story covers everything from the development of Josh's healing ministry to his learning how to multiply food. It has Josh and Biff travel to distant lands where the duo learn ancient secrets of wisdom, and kung fu, from the likes of the Three Wise Men. Through it all, despite what some might assume, Moore deftly deals with the purity of the Christ figure. While Moore's Josh is certainly not really our Jesus, nor does Moore fully intend him to be, Joshua is consistently the moral mover and shaker of the book. Biff, however, is not and is definately the ultimate comic relief within the whole work.

Christopher Moore has, self-admittedly, set out to craft an entertaining story that draws from the greatest story ever told. It is not intended to be fact nor is that stated anywhere unlike a certain Mr. Brown's work. And Moore has succeeded. Lamb is damn funny, and makes you think. It truly can be a driving force in helping one to ask some important questions about faith. Or, it can just be a good summer read. Either way, it's worth checking out.

I Haven't Forgotten You, My Lovely Blog...

I haven't forgotten about this thing. I've just been swamped and/or tired. So, I can't blog right now. I just can't. But, perhaps tonight will provide the time and impetus necessary. For my reference:

Angelina Jolie
Sibling class
InfuzeMag
Church
Christopher Moore

Thanks for indulging me this rambling. Something more coherent to follow soon!

If at First You Don't Succeed....

So, this past weekend, my wife suggested that we try going to a Saturday night church service. Now, I've been warming up to the idea of getting back into church and tried to be open as we headed off. It's a church whose Sunday services we've attended before. Anyway, we went.

I tried. I really, really did. But for whatever reason, upon opening the door to get out of the car in the parking lot, my defenses went back up. I questioned the happy faces that greeted us at the door. One gentleman, as he shook my hand, exclaimed, "Hey! Good to see you!" Now, I know that this behavior, in and of itself, is not bad. It's good to smile at people, to greet them and such, but for whatever reason, cynicism, skepticism, and the like, I questioned it.

During the song service, I sang along but it felt forced. I looked around at people, hands raised in the air, clapping and dancing, and thought to myself in the words of the old Righteous Brothers song, "You've lost that loving feeling". And I have. I guess part of me is envious of those people. I would like to be a part of something that I truly could get behind, that I could truly put my trust in. But the institutional church is not that entity for me. Some will argue that I must simply forgive past hurts and get over it. To a degree, they're right. However, don't judge me as harshly unless you've walked a mile in these shoes. Others will say that I must be part of something if I'm going to help change it. They're right too, to a degree.

I don't know. It's yet another quandry I find myself in. I look to the Scriptures. I look to the church. In all honesty, they don't look the same near enough for me. I'm not sure what role I'm to play in that just yet but I'm seeking it out. I want to be part of the solution, part of the new revolution, part of the generation that throws off the old and puts on the new, walking in truth and light. I've just got to figure it out.

Ponderings...

Last night, after class, when I usually just chat with my classmates for a moment in the parking lot before dashing off in hopes of getting home at a relatively decent time, I instead stood in the parking lot talking for an hour plus with my good friend, Dan. We don't agree on some issues and that's fine. We agree to disagree but are both at least open to dialogue on the issues. In all honesty, last night I saw a new side to my friend. There were some interpersonal things that just oozed out and some intellectual concepts as well. I guess, well, I don't know. It was just one of those conversations that left you thinking. I think that's a great conversation.

Some items we discussed included the dogmatism held by many conservative, Protestant evangelicals. Now, to some degree, I'd put myself in that group. Yet, like my friend, Dan, there is a point to which I'll be willing to admit, although sometimes begrudgingly, that I'm, and this was his phrase of the evening, "not sure that I know what I know". The essential genesis of this idea was the almost blatant refusal to accept, agree with, or discuss some of the more liberal theologians of the twentieth century and before. These men, in their own right, were brilliant people who truly were in a search for truth. They were bound to their times in some sense, in the sense that they were birthed from a culture that held to a certain way of thinking that perhaps we do not now. But did they ask the important and compelling questions? Did they with honesty, humility, and genuineness seek to answer those questions? And can we not learn from them, both positively and negatively, and at least admit that some of our dogmatism is more of a cultural construct than something that we fully "know that we know"?

I don't know...I've got to think about it for a bit...

Some, um, interesting links...

I've just run across these links the past couple of days and thought I'd share. The first gets a hat-tip to Marko:

Interesting Japanese ice cream flavors...

Just keep clicking next and see what yummy gastronomic inventions those wacky Japanese have thrown together. I guarantee you won't look at your Ben & Jerry's the same way again!

The other link I picked up from a message board somewhere along the way and honestly don't remember who I got it from so please forgive me. But, either way, for those of us suffering from American Idol withdrawal, I offer to you some decent song clips from he who should have been dubbed "idol", Chris Daughtry. And, ironically, they're clips of some worship songs! Pretty cool, I thought...

Chris Daughtry clips

Okay, I guess that's all for now. Soon I'm going to be posting reviews of a couple of books I've graciously received for free pending reviews. They include Jason Boyett's new, Pocket Guide to the Bible, a serious but also tongue-in-cheek intro to the Scriptures, and Scot McKnight's, Praying with the Church! Keep your eyes open!

Keeping myself accountable...

Okay, this past January I set some goals. They were not resolutions but were honest and heartfelt goals that I thought would be worthy of my time this year. I thought that since we have just passed the midway mark through the year it would be a fine occasion to look to those goals and see where we stand. Thanks for humoring me.

Goal #1: Read all the unread books I have in my library. I'm going to track my reading this year just for the heck of it and I really need to work my way through a bunch of books I already own!
Okay, I'm so so here. I have read some of the books in my library but at the same time have, well, amplified said library with occasional trips to the bookstore as well. But, some is better than none. There's some improvement here at the least!

Goal #2: Finish up my bachelor's degree, finally.
August 1st will be my last day of class and I will be free, free, free. Thank God Almighty, I'll be free!

Goal #3: Take a vacation. I haven't really had one in nearly seven years, since our honeymoon. It's time for a legitimate getaway.
While we didn't really take a getaway to anyplace special, just a week or so ago Erin and I took a whole week off together in order to just breathe and regroup before our new edition decides to make her pretty face seen. It was wonderful and relaxing and we're looking forward to more times of peace like this!

Goal #4: Go on a spiritual retreat, preferably to a monastery.
We'll have to see about this one. It's going to depend upon how things are with Peyton when she's born and such!

Goal #5: Write. And then write some more. I can't aspire to be a writer, or whatever, if I don't in fact actually discipline myself to do just that. My initial goal is to build to writing for at least a half hour a day and go from there.
Okay, the half an hour a day thing isn't happening just yet but I have started writing some. I've had one article published on the RELEVANT site and am working on a few other things to submit to them and to INFUZE just for the heck of it. I really want to keep working at it and refining my craft if I could.

Goal #6: Be intentional about developing community with others and loving and serving them as Christ.
Hmm...Not sure how to evaluate this one. I have begun meeting regularly with a couple friends in order to just come together and discuss life and faith together. I've also made some conscious efforts to be more loving and missional as I encounter others. I've got a long way to go though...

Goal #7: Turn the television off more.
We're doing pretty good on this one. While Erin still likes firing it up quite a bit despite my encouragement that she pick up one of those antiquated items known as books, we've kept it quiet a little better than we were. I've just been fueled lately with a voracious appetite for reading and have been trying to devour books. Not sure why but I'm enjoying what I'm reading thus far. Currently, I'm reading The Soul of Sex, by Thomas Moore; Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne; and Stranger Than Fiction, by Chuck Palahniuk.

Goal #8: Experience silence and solitude more.
This is one I still struggle with but I'm doing better. Solitude is difficult to come by, especially with a family but I try. Silence comes and goes but I'm doing better. Still some work to be done.

Goal #9: To take action against injustices in practical ways. To align myself with organizations and needs that I can take part it in order to help and serve others.
I've still got some work to do in this area but the drive to do this is growing and growing. I feel a burden within that keeps pushing me to engage and start utilizing what I've learned rather than to allow it just in my head.

Goal #10: Love more, especially in terms of my family. To make more tangible effort to show them that I love them deeply and truly.
Hopefully, I'm doing this. Time will be the ultimate response to this one.

Well, there we are. Again, thanks for going along with me here so I can see where I'm at. I obviously have some room for improvement but am confident that we'll get it worked out!

Lighthearted Fun...Join the Force....

http://maverick.com/familyforce5/med/video/familyforce_kountry-gentleman_300.asx" type="application/x-mplayer2" AutoSize="true" DisplaySize="0">
Family Force 5 - "Kountry Gentleman"
familyforce5.com

Worthwhile reading...

I just read this blogpost by Dan Kimball, pastor of Vintage Faith Church. Kimball's heart here and the expressions shared by those in his congregation mirror much of what my previous post was trying to get at. I'm really at a point where I'm done critiquing church. Now I want to be a part of the movement that both reimagines and reinvigorates it. Check out the post:

I Dream of a Church...

Turning the Tide...

Just recently, I've got to admit that my heart has been shifting a bit. For the past two years I've been sort of stuck in a rut in terms of my relationship with the Church. Actually, I've never really had a problem with the Church as I view it in terms as being the "Body of Christ", or the "Bride of Christ", as I perceive the Bible to teach that it is. Rather, my issue has been with the organization and institution that has borrowed the name "church" and has led to not a little pain and suffering. I've felt the sting of the pain and suffering firsthand, from the inside, and that's part of the reason that I joined the exodus away. The secondary reason, and perhaps, in the long run, the more critical reason, is that I began to see through a new set of eyes, eyes that I now feel are vindicated the more I search the Scriptures of the Bible for truth and light. I see a Christ who calls us to love and forgive rather than gather stones and work on our pitching arms. I see a Christ who commands us to train to take a punch rather than to throw one. I see a Jesus who, rather than sharing a biblical budgeting plan complete with 401K incentives and a Christmas turkey, instead challenges us to leave all, sell all, and give to the poor and the marginal. This is what I've learned in the past two years.

We are called to live a life that is separate from that of the world. Yet the church looks more like the world than we're willing to admit. We build big buildings, put on fancy shows, adopt musical styles, tailor our services in being "seeker sensitive". In some respects, these are not bad things. The problem is, for so many within the church, that's where it stops. We're given messages that challenge us to love our families, be wise with our finances, and bring someone to church. Woo freakin' hoo! Dr. Phil could have given me that advice. What makes us different? What makes us something apart from the world?

That's the question that I'm warming to now. I'm warming to the idea, bizarre as it might sound, of diving back into the church subculture with the heart to work at living right within it and helping to transform it. There are people hungry for the true gospel, a gospel that calls us out and sends us to love, forgive, heal, and care. There is a greater call, a more beautiful call, that Christ has upon my life, upon our lives. I want to learn to love others, to see the Jesus in them. I have to start now.