I had to watch this twice. This is bold.
So, how's life?
My winter break was not quite the break that I had hoped for, but it was a break nevertheless. Everything is kicking into high gear now. My boss is having me do inventory at work and we're taking trips to Broussard once a week, meaning a much busier workload for me. LIFEgroups have started back up with a new Bible study. We're looking at the Old Testament throughout this spring, and I am teaching every week. My LIFEgroup will probably be merging with another group, so our group size will grow. Hopefully this will lead to increased effectiveness in reaching the people of the West Bank. Yesterday was my first day of class for the semester. I am taking Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and Intro to Counseling. Philosophy is going to require at least 45 pages of writing over the semester. Ethics has three tests and a paper and so does Counseling. And last but certainly not least, Amelie has a cold. This has been affecting Charlee more than it has me, but whatever affects Charlee naturally affects me. It's going to be a very full semester. I am sure there will be corners that will have to be cut. Pray for me that I would have the discipline to cut them in the things that don't matter, like television.
Now for the stuff you really care about: pictures of Amelie. This is the set of month two pictures. I've uploaded some new ones so I have sorted the set to show newest first.
Now for the stuff you really care about: pictures of Amelie. This is the set of month two pictures. I've uploaded some new ones so I have sorted the set to show newest first.
Acts 29 and the SBC
From SBC Voices:
As time goes on I feel that people within the SBC are digging in on alcohol and other culturally conservative positions (homeschooling, entertainment, etc.) without taking into consideration to what extent the Bible actually speaks on these issues. This is not a call to antinomian Christian liberty, but I do believe that the SBC is doing itself a disservice, particularly in the area of planting and new works, by trying to export the culture of the Old South to the four corners of the United States and beyond.I feel this tension in my own church. There are many big A29 fans who also go to NOBTS, where many in the establishment are concerned with holding onto "(Southern) Baptist distinctives". I don't feel like the hearts of our young ministers, myself included, are into the rhetoric of the SBC -even though I dearly love and look up to many of my professors. Give the article a read.
Amelie Month 2
We have been taking as many pictures as possible while trying to get life in order. Enjoy...We know we sure have!
Questions for the pro-choice president
It is honor to the president to expect from him straightforward answers to straightforward questions.
From John Piper:
From John Piper:
- Are you willing to explain why a baby's right not to be killed is less important than a woman's right not to be pregnant?
- Or are you willing to explain why most cities have laws forbidding cruelty to animals, but you oppose laws forbidding cruelty to human fetuses? Are they not at least living animals?
- Or are you willing to explain why government is unwilling to take away the so-called right to abortion on demand even though it harms the unborn child; yet government is increasingly willing to take away the right to smoke, precisely because it harms innocent non-smokers, killing 3,000 non-smokers a year from cancer and as many as 40,000 non-smokers a year from other diseases?
- And if you say that everything hangs on whether the fetus is a human child, are you willing to go before national television in the oval office and defend your support for the "Freedom of Choice Act" by holding in your hand a 21 week old fetus and explaining why this little one does not have the fundamental, moral, and constitutional right to life? Are you willing to say to parents in this church who lost a child at that age and held him in their hands, this being in your hands is not and was not a child with any rights of its own under God or under law?
In Celebration of MLK Day
3 Places in Scripture where God demonstrates his hatred of racism:
1. The Old Testament: Numbers 12
Does anyone else see the irony. God's response to Miriam's racism was to give her a skin disease that turned her skin the opposite color!
2. Jesus: John 3
Nicodemus comes to Jesus wondering when Jesus will take hold of his power and finally take care of the Gentiles, firmly establishing God's chose people, ethnic Israel, as supreme. Jesus tells Nicodemus that God's Kingdom does not come to those of a certain ethnic background. It is not physical birth as a part of a people that makes one a member of God's Kingdom, but
Paul, following in the footsteps of Christ, writes Romans 10-11, where he outlines the mystery of God's electing purpose in rejecting Israel, including the Gentiles, and eventually saving Israel.
1. The Old Testament: Numbers 12
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. Numbers 12:1Now for a geography lesson. Where was the kingdom of Cush located? It was located in modern-day Sudan, south of the Sahara. In other words, Moses married a black woman, and Miram and Aaron didn't like it. How does God respond? He comes down in a pillar of fire and reaffirms Moses authority. and in verses 9-10:
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Does anyone else see the irony. God's response to Miriam's racism was to give her a skin disease that turned her skin the opposite color!
2. Jesus: John 3
Nicodemus comes to Jesus wondering when Jesus will take hold of his power and finally take care of the Gentiles, firmly establishing God's chose people, ethnic Israel, as supreme. Jesus tells Nicodemus that God's Kingdom does not come to those of a certain ethnic background. It is not physical birth as a part of a people that makes one a member of God's Kingdom, but
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is n born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (v. 3)Nicodemus discovers that God's Spirit goes where He wishes and is not bound to one ethnic people only, for
God so loved i the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (v. 16-17)3. Paul: Romans 10-11
Paul, following in the footsteps of Christ, writes Romans 10-11, where he outlines the mystery of God's electing purpose in rejecting Israel, including the Gentiles, and eventually saving Israel.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Rom. 10:12-13
The Weaver
My life is but a weaving between the Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft time he weaveth sorrow, but I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not til the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful, in the weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft time he weaveth sorrow, but I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not til the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful, in the weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
Coldplay and Joe Satriani
Maybe you've heard the news that Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay, alleging that they stole from "If I Could Fly" to produce their hit "Viva La Vida". Check out the following video to hear them side by side.
Do they sound similar? Absolutely. They sound a lot alike. But here's the problem with alleging musical plagiarism: music is not like text! Here's an example. Two authors, one in New York and one in Los Angles, both come out with a book about a man who leaves on a cruise from New Orleans, falls off the side of the boat after meeting a woman, washes up on an island, and spends many years there. The many finally returns home to find that the woman who he met on the ship was his now his neighbor. They take this as not coincidental and fall in love and live happily ever after. Let's say that this is the plot for both author's stories, and none of their wording is the same. Any suit over plagiarism would fail. We define plagiarism as stealing an authors wording. While it is almost impossible to for two authors to spontaneously use the same wording in the exact same order, it is not nearly as difficult in the musical realm. Most of the time sonic similarities are in the ear of the beholder much more than they are in the notes on the paper.
If you look at the last 100 years of music, you will see time and time again that melodies, progressions, changes, and timings are similar and arise spontaneously from a holistic set. No one piece of music sits upon its own, but it is interconnected with other pieces. If you look back you will see artists reusing similar sounds and song themes over and over. Sampling really brought this into play. Copyright law has really messed this up for anyone who wants to create music. Check out the video below for another spontaneous occurrence of this progression arising.
Do they sound similar? Absolutely. They sound a lot alike. But here's the problem with alleging musical plagiarism: music is not like text! Here's an example. Two authors, one in New York and one in Los Angles, both come out with a book about a man who leaves on a cruise from New Orleans, falls off the side of the boat after meeting a woman, washes up on an island, and spends many years there. The many finally returns home to find that the woman who he met on the ship was his now his neighbor. They take this as not coincidental and fall in love and live happily ever after. Let's say that this is the plot for both author's stories, and none of their wording is the same. Any suit over plagiarism would fail. We define plagiarism as stealing an authors wording. While it is almost impossible to for two authors to spontaneously use the same wording in the exact same order, it is not nearly as difficult in the musical realm. Most of the time sonic similarities are in the ear of the beholder much more than they are in the notes on the paper.
If you look at the last 100 years of music, you will see time and time again that melodies, progressions, changes, and timings are similar and arise spontaneously from a holistic set. No one piece of music sits upon its own, but it is interconnected with other pieces. If you look back you will see artists reusing similar sounds and song themes over and over. Sampling really brought this into play. Copyright law has really messed this up for anyone who wants to create music. Check out the video below for another spontaneous occurrence of this progression arising.
My top 10 movies of 2008:
I can't put movies on the list that I didn't see. There were some good ones out there that I may not have seen.
Here's my list:
10. Get Smart -Finally a comedy/action movie where the hero is not impotent. I hate when the hero accidentally defeats the villain.
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -It would be higher on the list if there wasn't so much sleeping around. I was pretty sick of it by the end.
8. Tropic Thunder -What do you mean you people?
7. Bolt -I am amazed that a non-Pixar Disney CG film can be this good.
6. Hancock -Finally a new take on the superhero movie.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian -Did they butcher the book and turn Peter into a whiny baby? Yes. Is it still awesome? Yes.
4. Cloverfield -J.J. does it like nobody else.
3. Ironman -Robert Downy Jr. Who would have thought? Amazing.
2. Wall-E -Visually stunning and heartwarming. It was hard to give this movie the number two spot.
1. The Dark Knight -When I heard Ledger would play the Joker, I thought to myself, "No...No way!" That was the performance of a lifetime.
Honorable Mention:
Kung Fu Panda -They say the Oscars are all politics, and the only reason this movie didn't make the list is that it is a Dreamworks animated film.
Pride and Glory -Does it look like a 12 year old tried to make a Scorsese flick? Yes. Am I a sucker for this kind of movie? Yes.
Dishonorable Mention:
The Wrestler -Mickey Rourke has proven that he has the chops. Great actor. Great story. Unfortunately Marissa Tomei makes the movie unwatchable, not because she has no talent, but because I literally had to turn my eyes away from the screen at every other scene. Ridiculous.
Max Payne -I'm a big Mark Wahlberg fan, but that could not save this movie from being just plain awful.
The Happening -I've liked every one of Shyamalan's movies so far. Every one. This was subpar.
Here's my list:
10. Get Smart -Finally a comedy/action movie where the hero is not impotent. I hate when the hero accidentally defeats the villain.
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -It would be higher on the list if there wasn't so much sleeping around. I was pretty sick of it by the end.
8. Tropic Thunder -What do you mean you people?
7. Bolt -I am amazed that a non-Pixar Disney CG film can be this good.
6. Hancock -Finally a new take on the superhero movie.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian -Did they butcher the book and turn Peter into a whiny baby? Yes. Is it still awesome? Yes.
4. Cloverfield -J.J. does it like nobody else.
3. Ironman -Robert Downy Jr. Who would have thought? Amazing.
2. Wall-E -Visually stunning and heartwarming. It was hard to give this movie the number two spot.
1. The Dark Knight -When I heard Ledger would play the Joker, I thought to myself, "No...No way!" That was the performance of a lifetime.
Honorable Mention:
Kung Fu Panda -They say the Oscars are all politics, and the only reason this movie didn't make the list is that it is a Dreamworks animated film.
Pride and Glory -Does it look like a 12 year old tried to make a Scorsese flick? Yes. Am I a sucker for this kind of movie? Yes.
Dishonorable Mention:
The Wrestler -Mickey Rourke has proven that he has the chops. Great actor. Great story. Unfortunately Marissa Tomei makes the movie unwatchable, not because she has no talent, but because I literally had to turn my eyes away from the screen at every other scene. Ridiculous.
Max Payne -I'm a big Mark Wahlberg fan, but that could not save this movie from being just plain awful.
The Happening -I've liked every one of Shyamalan's movies so far. Every one. This was subpar.
DG Pastor's Conference Giveaway
Two tickets to the Desiring God 2009 Pastor's Conference are being given away by Lisa McKay at The Preacher's Wife. Check it out!
Finally home...
We're finally home. I'm back at work, and we're trying to fall into a routine. Amelie is doing quite well, although she was having a tummy ache last night. For those of you who started reading the Cross Driven Blog, because you heard about what was going on with Amelie, before she was born this was my general purpose blog. Feel free to keep reading! There will be updates from my personal life, which will include regular updates on Charlee, Amelie, and myself. There will be pictures and videos. This is also my little soapbox as well. I post on music, culture, theology, technology, and politics. I invite you to join the conversation. Now what you came for...the baby girl.
Click the pictures to go to my photo stream. There you will see some more.
Also, a new video...
Click the pictures to go to my photo stream. There you will see some more.
Also, a new video...
Thank you Matt Chandler. May I have another?
The faithful farmer gets up at 5 AM and pulls the weeds, all the while begging God to send the rain.
Finally bought Shai Linne's "The Atonement"
Best line so far:
"It's like Switchfoot said, 'We were meant to live.' But in the garden Adam was our representative"I love that I own a rap album that samples John Piper.
Divorce Court and the sexism of John Meche
I was watching Divorce Court on Fox today. The judge told a woman who did not have custody of her children that she would have to start paying child support for them. I know this makes me sexist in today's society, but she should not have to pay a dime, whether she has custody or not. When those two people were married, the husband had a responsibility to provide for his wife and children. If he chooses to leave her, he cannot leave his responsibility to provide for his family behind, and his wife cannot gain a responsibility to provide financially for the children. That was never her job in the first place. This is an ungodly and backwards policy. You cannot get rid of your responsibility to provide for a wife and children by walking out the door on them.
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