I posted about this before but recently had an opportunity to examine the list of live concerts available on the Internet Archive a bit more thoroughly. Here are some artists who caught my eye:
OnesIlike.
Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken
Red Sparowes
Pinback
Waterdeep
Matt Pond PA
The Decembrists
OnesImight.
Ancient Harmony
BreatheOwlBreathe
The Weepies
The Clarks
Jose Gonzalez
OnesWithCoolNames.
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
29.1.11
26.1.11
Beethovens 7th-Alegretto
One of my favorite pieces. This guy does it a bit faster than I prefer, but the beauty and power of the piece is inescapable. Give yourself a break and enjoy.
23.1.11
who spent what
Very interesting graphic display of which companies spent the most in advertising in 2010: Paying for Your Eyeballs.
Here are a few observations:
1. GM spent 1.5 billion of OUR dollars to sell US products? (up 20%!) I don't know if there is a clearer example of government misuse of taxpayer dollars. Of course, I'm joking. There are hundreds of better examples. (NASA?)
2. Looking at the companies on the list, I wonder if we could make a direct connection between amount of money spend on advertisements and amount of stuff a company wants to divert our attention away from? It's not so much that the companies most excited about their products want to attract our attention, it's that the companies most interested in hiding things divert our attention with ads.
3. The above two observations help to solidify my theologically given view that whether it's capitalism or socialism, the bottom line is people wasting money in order to cover evil and stupidity. Bottom Line: you loose. Unless it's you wasting the money and doing the foolishness. In that case: you loose BIG TIME.
Here are a few observations:
1. GM spent 1.5 billion of OUR dollars to sell US products? (up 20%!) I don't know if there is a clearer example of government misuse of taxpayer dollars. Of course, I'm joking. There are hundreds of better examples. (NASA?)
2. Looking at the companies on the list, I wonder if we could make a direct connection between amount of money spend on advertisements and amount of stuff a company wants to divert our attention away from? It's not so much that the companies most excited about their products want to attract our attention, it's that the companies most interested in hiding things divert our attention with ads.
3. The above two observations help to solidify my theologically given view that whether it's capitalism or socialism, the bottom line is people wasting money in order to cover evil and stupidity. Bottom Line: you loose. Unless it's you wasting the money and doing the foolishness. In that case: you loose BIG TIME.
22.1.11
trick or treaters
This comic made me laugh because I had the same idea. I suggested to wifey that we order pizza and put a slice in the bag of each kid. Other *great ideas included a cup of warm cider in each baggie.
Ha! What a funny guy I am.
Anyways, this is funny:
Ha! What a funny guy I am.
Anyways, this is funny:
21.1.11
spring's coming
It's 9degrees tomorrow, but spring's not far off.
On a side but related note: consider the suburban obsession with lawn care.
It's as if a large part of our moral concern and accompanying distribution of shame and social guilt got transferred mid-century to external appearances, i.e. lawn care. Since our neighbors were no longer known, we were only given access to each other's lives via facades. But we still had to judge each other, condemn, praise, etc., and assign moral values (read: make sense of our universes). But now we only have access to each others externals. Thus the importance of lawns.
It is only by happy chance (our movies tells us) that we discover the single elderly woman who doesn't keep her garden well isn't a witch. Who knew? Her lawn's shaggy. How were we to suspect anything different?
18.1.11
'Fasting' by Scot McKnight
Fasting?
Why would I? What does it involve? Is it biblical?
To hear talk of fasting is, for most people, like being cast into a fog in a strange land. Unfortunately, many books that discuss fasting talk about in ethereal terms: sensations, mystical experiences; the Bible, and clear explanation, appears very little.
Scot McKnight offers a corrective to that problem and a prescriptive to all the above questions, and more. McKnight's thesis is simple: "Fasting is the natural, inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life." He deals with what he calls an "instrumental" view of fasting, where fasting is a ploy attempting to get something instead of a response. McKnight thoroughly proves his thesis, from Scripture and from history; he also demonstrates how, in those cases where an instrumental view is taken, people can be harmed.
If anyone has a question about fasting, whether from a biblical passage, a historical anecdote, or a practical concern, McKnight addresses it. McKnight provides an A-Z, plain, simple, clear explanation of fasting. Those who read this book will have a solid footing—a clear, biblical understanding of fasting—from which to embark on a life that incorporates this practice.
In additional, McKnight’s style is simple and thoroughly readable. There is no jargon that he himself does not introduce and explain. He is used to writing for the common person. Easy to understand and always interesting, McKnight has provided the Church with a gift in 'Fasting.' Now pastors have something to recommend, and believers have a starting place from which to begin, when the question of fasting comes up.
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]
Why would I? What does it involve? Is it biblical?
To hear talk of fasting is, for most people, like being cast into a fog in a strange land. Unfortunately, many books that discuss fasting talk about in ethereal terms: sensations, mystical experiences; the Bible, and clear explanation, appears very little.
Scot McKnight offers a corrective to that problem and a prescriptive to all the above questions, and more. McKnight's thesis is simple: "Fasting is the natural, inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life." He deals with what he calls an "instrumental" view of fasting, where fasting is a ploy attempting to get something instead of a response. McKnight thoroughly proves his thesis, from Scripture and from history; he also demonstrates how, in those cases where an instrumental view is taken, people can be harmed.
If anyone has a question about fasting, whether from a biblical passage, a historical anecdote, or a practical concern, McKnight addresses it. McKnight provides an A-Z, plain, simple, clear explanation of fasting. Those who read this book will have a solid footing—a clear, biblical understanding of fasting—from which to embark on a life that incorporates this practice.
In additional, McKnight’s style is simple and thoroughly readable. There is no jargon that he himself does not introduce and explain. He is used to writing for the common person. Easy to understand and always interesting, McKnight has provided the Church with a gift in 'Fasting.' Now pastors have something to recommend, and believers have a starting place from which to begin, when the question of fasting comes up.
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]
15.1.11
one-sentence theology
Dane Ortlund posts a series of responses to the question: What's the Message of the Bible in One Sentence?
Many very helpful responses in the bunch.
My favorite:
Doug Wilson:
Many very helpful responses in the bunch.
My favorite:
Doug Wilson:
Scripture tells us the story of how a Garden is transformed into a Garden City, but only after a dragon had turned that Garden into a howling wilderness, a haunt of owls and jackals, which lasted until an appointed warrior came to slay the dragon, giving up his life in the process, but with his blood effecting the transformation of the wilderness into the Garden City.
13.1.11
rethinking foolishness
Some great stuff from StrongOdors today.
Loved this in particular:
This may be the best summary of the basic operating religion we all come programmed with: Waste your youth on 'productivity' so you can waste your aged-ness on 'relaxation.'
(Is that what they call it when you have no relationships and no hope? Relaxation?)
Go through Hell; Get to Heaven. Game Over. SucksToBeYou.
Think on these things: Troublemaker.
Also:
try,
Don't Waste Your Retirement
Loved this in particular:
To me foolishness is missing out on your children’s childhood because you’re too busy working for retirement… busting your butt for 40 years so you can sit on it for the last few you’ve got on earth.SO YOU CAN SIT ON IT FOR THE LAST FEW
This may be the best summary of the basic operating religion we all come programmed with: Waste your youth on 'productivity' so you can waste your aged-ness on 'relaxation.'
(Is that what they call it when you have no relationships and no hope? Relaxation?)
Go through Hell; Get to Heaven. Game Over. SucksToBeYou.
Think on these things: Troublemaker.
Also:
try,
Don't Waste Your Retirement
11.1.11
peacemaking and children
Ken Sande of Peacemakers hits it on the head.
We parents need to consider this closely:
Peacemaking: A Key to Socializing Children.
We parents need to consider this closely:
Peacemaking: A Key to Socializing Children.
9.1.11
a long defeat
"A Long Defeat"
I've been troubling over this phrase and attendant concept since it was introduced to me by Wesley. Originally from JRR.
Perhaps it will provide you with helpful questions as we embark on 2011. Once we pass 30 (I'm 30), we forever leave behind the idea of 'improvement.' I am not getting smarter, fitter, handsomer, etc. I am not getting nicer, cleaner, more resolute. My morality, like my tendons, is loosing its elasticity. Would it were not so.
But,...
Can I fight a long defeat?
I'll die. I'll do bad things. I'll say horrible, foolish words to people I love with my whole heart. I'll ignore pain in others. My neighbors will get their damned divorce. My friends will ruin their family's too. Our country will come to an end. Our culture will become more self-destructive. Our illusions will unexpectedly vanish.
It's true. We will be defeated.
But then, after the defeat... what comes next?
This is why fighting the long defeat is okay. It is an acceptable form of the victory we've been promised.
What comes next makes it okay.
Here's some other thoughts about and involving "The Long Defeat."
The American Scene: "The Long Defeat."
The Inklings: "The Long Defeat."
I've been troubling over this phrase and attendant concept since it was introduced to me by Wesley. Originally from JRR.
Perhaps it will provide you with helpful questions as we embark on 2011. Once we pass 30 (I'm 30), we forever leave behind the idea of 'improvement.' I am not getting smarter, fitter, handsomer, etc. I am not getting nicer, cleaner, more resolute. My morality, like my tendons, is loosing its elasticity. Would it were not so.
But,...
Can I fight a long defeat?
I'll die. I'll do bad things. I'll say horrible, foolish words to people I love with my whole heart. I'll ignore pain in others. My neighbors will get their damned divorce. My friends will ruin their family's too. Our country will come to an end. Our culture will become more self-destructive. Our illusions will unexpectedly vanish.
It's true. We will be defeated.
But then, after the defeat... what comes next?
This is why fighting the long defeat is okay. It is an acceptable form of the victory we've been promised.
What comes next makes it okay.
Here's some other thoughts about and involving "The Long Defeat."
The American Scene: "The Long Defeat."
The Inklings: "The Long Defeat."
7.1.11
Boredom and Church...not a bad thing?
The always provocative D. Fitch posted this a few weeks back. I have read it a few times, ruminating on its validity and how to jive it with other versions of church I've been taught to value. Something draws me to this.
What say ye?
"One of the Best Things Our Sunday Morning Gathering Can do is Bore 'The Hell' Out of You."
What say ye?
"One of the Best Things Our Sunday Morning Gathering Can do is Bore 'The Hell' Out of You."
6.1.11
The Most Impressive People
This quote has been haunting my thoughts as I prepare to embark on numerous challenging and exciting projects in this new year.
It begins: "The most impressive people I know are all procrastinators." You know you want to learn more. Here.
It begins: "The most impressive people I know are all procrastinators." You know you want to learn more. Here.
3.1.11
Stay at Home Dad?
Not too many of them that I've known. At least, that were happy in that condition.
This article ('Taking Stock of My Life as a StayAtHome Dad') presents some interesting challenges to our ideas of masculinity and gender roles in the home. I was struck by how servant-like this dad was while at the same time failing in more classic male occupations, like bacon-bringing. Perhaps the best sort of compromise would be for husbands to stop asking their wives to be breadwinners and homemakers and instead to be both breadwinners and homemakers themselves. That is, to work for the family's financial security and also to demonstrate for the family Jesus-like servant leadership.
We all love the Proverbs 31 woman, but what about a Proverbs 31 MAN? How about us guys 'manning' up and being more like this virtuous woman?
Because the reality is that, man or woman, the more virtuous we become, the more Jesus-like we become. And all mythical notions of 'me-time' and 'checking-out' as necessary components to a life well-lived would be exposed as hooey.
So, husband or wife, father or mother, let the Spirit of the Lord guide you into a life of getting more and more of His Life by giving more and more of yours to those around you.
Not too many of them that I've known. At least, that were happy in that condition.
This article ('Taking Stock of My Life as a StayAtHome Dad') presents some interesting challenges to our ideas of masculinity and gender roles in the home. I was struck by how servant-like this dad was while at the same time failing in more classic male occupations, like bacon-bringing. Perhaps the best sort of compromise would be for husbands to stop asking their wives to be breadwinners and homemakers and instead to be both breadwinners and homemakers themselves. That is, to work for the family's financial security and also to demonstrate for the family Jesus-like servant leadership.
We all love the Proverbs 31 woman, but what about a Proverbs 31 MAN? How about us guys 'manning' up and being more like this virtuous woman?
Because the reality is that, man or woman, the more virtuous we become, the more Jesus-like we become. And all mythical notions of 'me-time' and 'checking-out' as necessary components to a life well-lived would be exposed as hooey.
So, husband or wife, father or mother, let the Spirit of the Lord guide you into a life of getting more and more of His Life by giving more and more of yours to those around you.
1.1.11
'Practice Resurrection'
I've begun spending more time sifting through online resources (aka, in most cases, blogs). You can enjoy the best of what I've read on my GoogleReader Shared Items Feed.
But some of the best of the best I will repost here with comment. This allows me to more easily access them for my own use, but also offers any too-hurried reader a second chance to consider these things.
Wendell Berry is a challenging ethicist. I don't know if he would call himself that, but he has been this for me. He has grabbed me by the nap of the neck and held my face down, inches from 'the good', forcing me to see, to admit, to confess--to stop making excuses about unappreciated complexity bemiring me from attending to good. It's not that complex. Doing good is pretty straightforward in most cases. Anyhow--off topic.
Here's a great poem by Berry: "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front."
But some of the best of the best I will repost here with comment. This allows me to more easily access them for my own use, but also offers any too-hurried reader a second chance to consider these things.
Wendell Berry is a challenging ethicist. I don't know if he would call himself that, but he has been this for me. He has grabbed me by the nap of the neck and held my face down, inches from 'the good', forcing me to see, to admit, to confess--to stop making excuses about unappreciated complexity bemiring me from attending to good. It's not that complex. Doing good is pretty straightforward in most cases. Anyhow--off topic.
Here's a great poem by Berry: "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front."
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