This alt-rock trio is back with their newest work which is a bit of a disappointment. Something to make your head rock but lacking anything really progressive in terms of the band's maturity, Vena Sera is just so-so. Here's the INFUZE review:
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Review: The Ringing Bell - Derek Webb
Derek Webb is one of the voices in Christian music that is well worth listening to. While not always a pleasant message, it is often a prophetic one. Derek's new album continues his legacy, this time finding the artist seeking out the amps and offering up some 60's styled indie rock for our listening pleasure. This is one worth getting. Here's the INFUZE review:
Graduation #2..And Probably the Most Enjoyable
My son's a graduate. Tyler had his Pre-K graduation ceremony last night, complete as you can see with cap and gown. It was a great program and we're, well, we're a little bit proud right now. Truth be told, we weren't entirely sure that was gonna happen given that he got suspended from preschool twice!Thursday, May 17, 2007
Reflecting...
I began my oh-so-popular blogging lifestyle on another service called LiveJournal a few years ago. Just recently, I was thinking back to those posts and decided to go back and read through what I had to say. Here's my first posting back from February of 2005:
I'll take this first post as an opportunity to introduce myself and where I'm coming from as well as where I'm at for those that might come across this and do not know me personally.
My name is Andrew. I'm a father of one, a husband of one, and a "minister in training". I grew up in the church, a "fundamental, Bible-believing, King James Version only, dunk 'em baptism, hellfire and brimstone, Armageddon anticipating, rapture awaiting, there'll be others in heaven but it's the baptist's who're goin' first class" independent Baptist church. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds. It was there that I received a foundation of at least looking to the Bible for answers, as well as where I met Jesus and began my journey with him. It's also the place where I received "the call" to ministry.
Now, I don't particuarly like the term "the call" for that but it's really hard to put into words what it is. So that's going to have to do. So, from there, I graduated high school and began community college, had an affair with an older engaged woman (obviously I strayed off the path a bit), got right and dropped out of community college, enrolled in a Bible college my church recommeded, finished one semester and came home with 50 demerits from aforementioned Bible college, began dating my wife-to-be, broke up with my wife-to-be, begged my wife-to-be to take me back, got married, enrolled in another Bible college (this one of much better thinking than the previous), had a child, and became a youth pastor. And this is the point at which our story gets more interesting.
I began work in the church thinking that I knew everything I needed to learn. I quickly learned that I in fact knew, nothing. But that was a good starting point because I had a clean slate to work with. So learn I did. And learning to love was probably the best part. I fell in love with the young people in my youth group, as well as the adult volunteers who gave tirelessly of their time and resources. In addtion to loving, I learned all the unsavory aspects of church politics, business meetings, and all the other crap that goes with it. But all in all, we had what would really be deemed a "successful" ministry. But my heart was changing and desiring a path for the ministry that the church did not have. And that change was largely due to reading, thinking, and a lot of praying I'd been doing. And in all of this, a question came to the forefront of my mind: "Is this all there is?" What I mean to say is is this all there is to salvation? Is salvation some sort of divine get out of jail free card that does only that? Now, friends and foes alike, please rest assured that I knew and know deep down that there is more but I had to really start searching out what "more" is. So we left the church.
It's been seven months now. In that time we've wrestled with a lot of things. And God has been sufficient to let more questions build than answers. And the questions have come hard and strong. Questions like: "What is the church's place in today's world?" "What is salvation really about?" "What does it really mean to be saved?" "How do we really show love to this world?" "Is there truth in other religions?" "Is the Bible more than an answer book? Have we damaged it by treating it thusly?" And more. To some, especially some from that more "fundamental" side of the fence, these questions definately carry a "liberal" slant, and some might even venture to use the word, "heretical". But these are the questions I've been given. They are mine to wrestle with and endure.
I apologize for that being so long but thanks for taking the time. What's most interesting to me is that some of those same questions are the ones I'm still wrestling with three years later. But, deep down inside, I know that I've come a lot further than I was at that point. It's just very interesting to see where God has brought us from...
I'll take this first post as an opportunity to introduce myself and where I'm coming from as well as where I'm at for those that might come across this and do not know me personally.
My name is Andrew. I'm a father of one, a husband of one, and a "minister in training". I grew up in the church, a "fundamental, Bible-believing, King James Version only, dunk 'em baptism, hellfire and brimstone, Armageddon anticipating, rapture awaiting, there'll be others in heaven but it's the baptist's who're goin' first class" independent Baptist church. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds. It was there that I received a foundation of at least looking to the Bible for answers, as well as where I met Jesus and began my journey with him. It's also the place where I received "the call" to ministry.
Now, I don't particuarly like the term "the call" for that but it's really hard to put into words what it is. So that's going to have to do. So, from there, I graduated high school and began community college, had an affair with an older engaged woman (obviously I strayed off the path a bit), got right and dropped out of community college, enrolled in a Bible college my church recommeded, finished one semester and came home with 50 demerits from aforementioned Bible college, began dating my wife-to-be, broke up with my wife-to-be, begged my wife-to-be to take me back, got married, enrolled in another Bible college (this one of much better thinking than the previous), had a child, and became a youth pastor. And this is the point at which our story gets more interesting.
I began work in the church thinking that I knew everything I needed to learn. I quickly learned that I in fact knew, nothing. But that was a good starting point because I had a clean slate to work with. So learn I did. And learning to love was probably the best part. I fell in love with the young people in my youth group, as well as the adult volunteers who gave tirelessly of their time and resources. In addtion to loving, I learned all the unsavory aspects of church politics, business meetings, and all the other crap that goes with it. But all in all, we had what would really be deemed a "successful" ministry. But my heart was changing and desiring a path for the ministry that the church did not have. And that change was largely due to reading, thinking, and a lot of praying I'd been doing. And in all of this, a question came to the forefront of my mind: "Is this all there is?" What I mean to say is is this all there is to salvation? Is salvation some sort of divine get out of jail free card that does only that? Now, friends and foes alike, please rest assured that I knew and know deep down that there is more but I had to really start searching out what "more" is. So we left the church.
It's been seven months now. In that time we've wrestled with a lot of things. And God has been sufficient to let more questions build than answers. And the questions have come hard and strong. Questions like: "What is the church's place in today's world?" "What is salvation really about?" "What does it really mean to be saved?" "How do we really show love to this world?" "Is there truth in other religions?" "Is the Bible more than an answer book? Have we damaged it by treating it thusly?" And more. To some, especially some from that more "fundamental" side of the fence, these questions definately carry a "liberal" slant, and some might even venture to use the word, "heretical". But these are the questions I've been given. They are mine to wrestle with and endure.
I apologize for that being so long but thanks for taking the time. What's most interesting to me is that some of those same questions are the ones I'm still wrestling with three years later. But, deep down inside, I know that I've come a lot further than I was at that point. It's just very interesting to see where God has brought us from...
The Reading Continues...
Here's what I've been reading as of late:
I'll admit that I totally didn't see where this Potter book was going at the beginning. Now I think I'm gonna have to go ahead and pre-buy the seventh so I can be assured of one on it's release date! I just can't get enough of Harry!
I became a Michael English fan way back in the day. He was at the height of CCM when I was in high school and was first coming to know of any sort of Christian music industry. It also didn't hurt that he also had a foot in the world of southern gospel, which was the genre I grew up listening to. A lot has changed in ten-plus years but I've never lost my appreciation for Mike and his music. His story is rough and rugged and only makes me like him that much more!
Christopher Moore is a writer that you just can't go wrong with. There are some of his works that are definately better than others but, like a good Snickers, they all will satisfy your craving. Especially for the macabre and bizarre. Good stuff.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Writer's Block
Ever since garnering the staff writer/blogger gig over at INFUZE, I've had this notion that I ought to be writing more. In fact, even before that, I've wanted to be writing more. Day after day I have ideas spinning through my noggin, many of which I don't even latch onto for lack of a pen to write it down at that fleeting moment or simply because that dreaded four-letter-word rears it's ugly head: work. Either way, I've felt like somewhat of a writing failure as of late.
For someone who fancies their self a writer, not writing is, well, a big kick in the pants. Its not that I don't want to. It's that I can't. Times to write are so few and far between that I can't establish a solid rhythm or cadence to the process. All the writing books I've read and respected people I've talked to say the same thing, "Write often." This makes perfect sense if you're doing that sort of Romantic Age loner thing but how do you pull it off with two kids, a wife, and an uninspiring 9-to-5er? My only points available to write seem to come after all the kids are in bed and asleep (a very important point) and that's usually 9-9:30. Now, at one time, this would have been fine. I was a night owl, able to stay up till all hours of the night, wake up at seven wiping the sleep from my eyes, and head out to greet another day none the worse for wear. Those days are long gone.
I don't know. I need a sledgehammer to break through the wall...
For someone who fancies their self a writer, not writing is, well, a big kick in the pants. Its not that I don't want to. It's that I can't. Times to write are so few and far between that I can't establish a solid rhythm or cadence to the process. All the writing books I've read and respected people I've talked to say the same thing, "Write often." This makes perfect sense if you're doing that sort of Romantic Age loner thing but how do you pull it off with two kids, a wife, and an uninspiring 9-to-5er? My only points available to write seem to come after all the kids are in bed and asleep (a very important point) and that's usually 9-9:30. Now, at one time, this would have been fine. I was a night owl, able to stay up till all hours of the night, wake up at seven wiping the sleep from my eyes, and head out to greet another day none the worse for wear. Those days are long gone.
I don't know. I need a sledgehammer to break through the wall...
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Finally...
It's only taken, um, well, let's see...I graduated in '94...Hmmm....Wonder how long the Masters work is gonna take?
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Review: Compadres - Marty Stuart
One of the most diverse and accomplished yet humble artists working within music today, Stuart has established a legacy that has stretched far and wide, crossing genres and uniting him with all sorts of artists. This album is a collection of collaborations that span the career of this nice guy from Philadelphia, Mississippi. Here's the INFUZE review:
Review: The Wheel Man - Watermelon Slim and the Watchers
Solid, rootsy blues soaked in Slim's oaken voice accompanied by some smoking musicians. Slim is old school and keeps the blues blue. Here's the INFUZE review:
Review: Miles Away - Gina Villalobos
With a voice that evokes thoughts of Lucinda Williams and Melissa Etheridge, Villalobos writes heartfelt lyrics over a country-tinged rock soundscape. Here's the INFUZE review:
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Hello, My Name is Andrew...
...and I like American Idol. I tried not to watch this season. I really did. But, like some stinkin' tractor beam it pulled me right in. Part of it has to do with the fact that, come bedtime for my little girl, there's really no place to seek solace outside of our living room till she's fully asleep and snoring soundly. Yet, I could try to resist and yet, it's like a drug. The music just calls to me.
Well, now that I've got that off of my chest I just wanted to applaud American Idol for their show last evening, Idol Gives Back. I didn't watch all of it partially because I just wasn't in the mood and, well, it just creeps me out a bit to watch Celene Dion perform and because my wife had control of the remote and was doing her best ADD impression of switching between two or three channels as I sought to return to the world of Hogwart's in the sixth installment of Harry Potter. But, I did see enough to consider the show a well-intended and appropriate one. Sure, charity is big time in Hollywood right now with celebs like Madonna and Angelina Jolie adopting kids like they're new handbags but, the bottom line is that these are truly issues that need to be addressed. I'm with Bono in thinking and hoping that our generation may be the one that eradicates poverty and suffering like that being seen in modern day Africa. And American Idol took a nice step in bringing aid and visibility to that cause last night.
It's daunting to see such issues before us as we sit in our comfy chairs and couches, drinking from our cool beverages, enjoying aid conditioned luxury with our full bellies while a mere distance away, literally millions of people are struggling with AIDS/HIV, malaria, impure water, and starvation, many of these attributable to poverty. Many times I wonder how to make a tangible difference when the problem seems so large. But, that old adage holds true here: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step. We're going to help out in any way we can. I encourage you to do the same.
Check out the ONE campaign site for more details: www.one.org
Well, now that I've got that off of my chest I just wanted to applaud American Idol for their show last evening, Idol Gives Back. I didn't watch all of it partially because I just wasn't in the mood and, well, it just creeps me out a bit to watch Celene Dion perform and because my wife had control of the remote and was doing her best ADD impression of switching between two or three channels as I sought to return to the world of Hogwart's in the sixth installment of Harry Potter. But, I did see enough to consider the show a well-intended and appropriate one. Sure, charity is big time in Hollywood right now with celebs like Madonna and Angelina Jolie adopting kids like they're new handbags but, the bottom line is that these are truly issues that need to be addressed. I'm with Bono in thinking and hoping that our generation may be the one that eradicates poverty and suffering like that being seen in modern day Africa. And American Idol took a nice step in bringing aid and visibility to that cause last night.
It's daunting to see such issues before us as we sit in our comfy chairs and couches, drinking from our cool beverages, enjoying aid conditioned luxury with our full bellies while a mere distance away, literally millions of people are struggling with AIDS/HIV, malaria, impure water, and starvation, many of these attributable to poverty. Many times I wonder how to make a tangible difference when the problem seems so large. But, that old adage holds true here: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step. We're going to help out in any way we can. I encourage you to do the same.
Check out the ONE campaign site for more details: www.one.org
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Recent Reading and Viewing
For whatever reason, I've been in a very good place to devour fiction. As I've already mentioned, I've been pouring over the Harry Potter books and this time is no different. The fifth in the series was the best yet, drawing out more interesting characters and plot devices. I'll admit, in some ways, having the movies around only helps to enhance these books as people like Professor Snape seem fully realized in the person of Alan Rickman. Either way, it was an excellent read. I picked up #6 just the other day and am going to start any day now.
Chuck Palahniuk writes with such a wry cynicism and biting sense of humor. He continues to amaze me with his unique look at life and his first-person style of writing leaves little to be desired. Survivor is a great look at celebrity and life and proves to be a great read.
Stranger Than Fiction is one of the better movies that I've seen in a long time. Will Ferrell plays the straight man well in this one, making you genuinely care for him and Emma Thompson is wonderful. Maggie Gyllenhaal is also terrific as Ferrell's love interest and continues to earn some solid credibility with her acting choices. I really enjoyed this film for it's portrayal of the writing life, of showcasing the writer's almost visual imagination as they view a scene in what comes across as an entirely different vision than most. I also appreciated the struggle with the character and the author. It sounds a bit crazy but, when writing, those characters seem far more real than they really are at times. Either way, this is a keeper!Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sexual Healing
Recently, for whatever reason, the word "sexual therapist" has caught my eye whenever I see it. Most often, it's on a book I'm receiving into our store's inventory or on the back cover as I'm doing my best to strip the label off so I can send it back. But, the title has grabbed me as of late and left me with a question: How does one become a sexual therapist?
Well, let's consider the connotation here first. The initial understanding, at least in my sleep-deprived head, is that one who fits this description is one who, now stay with me, provides sexual therapy. This is a person who majored in sex, so to speak. How do you do that? How do you become the guy or girl who is the sex major? Was there a class for this? What university do you go to to get this degree? Do you see my frustration here? My confusion?
Now, I'm all for the institution of sexual therapy. Clearly, there are numbers of folks in this world who find themselves struggling with various disorders and situations that call for the instruction of someone who's a little more knowledgeable. But again, more knowledgeable? Okay, one image for you and I'll close this little crazy diatribe: Dr. Ruth. Dr. Ruth is one of our foremost sexual therapists. I just don't get it....
Well, let's consider the connotation here first. The initial understanding, at least in my sleep-deprived head, is that one who fits this description is one who, now stay with me, provides sexual therapy. This is a person who majored in sex, so to speak. How do you do that? How do you become the guy or girl who is the sex major? Was there a class for this? What university do you go to to get this degree? Do you see my frustration here? My confusion?
Now, I'm all for the institution of sexual therapy. Clearly, there are numbers of folks in this world who find themselves struggling with various disorders and situations that call for the instruction of someone who's a little more knowledgeable. But again, more knowledgeable? Okay, one image for you and I'll close this little crazy diatribe: Dr. Ruth. Dr. Ruth is one of our foremost sexual therapists. I just don't get it....
Interview: The Almost
Here's another interview that I was able to do recently for INFUZE, this time with Aaron Gillespie of The Almost. We talked about the genesis of the project, Gillespie's relationship with his UnderOath bandmates, and more...
Check it out:
Interview: The Almost
Check it out:
Interview: The Almost
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Living in the Tension
My newfound pursuit of writing and trying to, I don't know, actually make money doing this sort of stuff has led me already to rubbing elbows with some really interesting people. My little gig at INFUZE has not only allowed me a forum to develop what I hope are my talents, it's also given me the opportunity to dream, to create, and to simply be challenged by what those around me are doing. Some of the people I share webspace with there are published fiction writers, pastors, comic book creators and illustrators, music producers, and more. Being in this sort of company simply makes me stand in awe because, clearly, my work is not quite there.
One of the guys there who's been super friendly, helpful, accomdating, and I could go on forever, is my friend, Matt Conner. Matt is a church planter and freelancer who is a much more gifted writer than I am. Just the other day Matt tapped into some of my heart through a blogpost that he wrote regarding our need for certainty and the reality of mystery in our lives. I thought this was really good. Check it out:
The Role of Certainty
One of the guys there who's been super friendly, helpful, accomdating, and I could go on forever, is my friend, Matt Conner. Matt is a church planter and freelancer who is a much more gifted writer than I am. Just the other day Matt tapped into some of my heart through a blogpost that he wrote regarding our need for certainty and the reality of mystery in our lives. I thought this was really good. Check it out:
The Role of Certainty
Review: Southern Weather - The Almost
To be honest, I'd never heard of The Almost before this came across my desk. I'd heard of Aaron Gillespie, the young man who essentially makes up The Almost's day job with metalcore band UnderOath but had never caught wind of this offering. I'm glad I did. Far more accessible that UnderOath's work, the album is a great listen. Here's the INFUZE review:
Review: Trailercana - Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadors
This is an album that I happened upon due to one of the media contacts I've developed. I had a feeling when I stuck this in the CD player that I'd probably enjoy this but it ended up being a great album. It's quirky, homey, funny, and yes, poignant. For something a little different, this is worth your time! Here's the INFUZE review I did:
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Infuze 3.0
This is something that I'm pretty excited about and am asking that you take the time to go ahead and visit. I've been writing for the better part of nine months for a website called Infuze. If you're one of the three frequent readers here (thanks Mom!) then you know this because this is where all of those silly reviews that I post link to. Anyway, Infuze has provided me with not only a forum to write but with an eclectic class of people to rub virtual elbows with and to learn from. And now it's got even better!
Infuze 3.0 is our new launch which is going to enable for more content, more features, and more opportunities. From increasing reviews and interviews and news, to offering up new staff blogs as well, it's a whole new experience. Our new tagline, courtesy of my pal Mr. Matt Conner is: Criticize by Creating. This is the heart of Infuze and I hope you'll take the time to stop on by.
Oh, did I mention I'm now a staff writer and blogger for them? Check it out at:
www.infuzemag.com
Infuze 3.0 is our new launch which is going to enable for more content, more features, and more opportunities. From increasing reviews and interviews and news, to offering up new staff blogs as well, it's a whole new experience. Our new tagline, courtesy of my pal Mr. Matt Conner is: Criticize by Creating. This is the heart of Infuze and I hope you'll take the time to stop on by.
Oh, did I mention I'm now a staff writer and blogger for them? Check it out at:
www.infuzemag.com
The Original Gap
Tyler lost his first tooth not too long ago playing on the playground! Here's the gap! He's actually lost the one beside it since but, well, being the attentive parents that we are, we don't seem to have a picture of that yet!
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