Music Monday 12.31.07

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MusicHave you been keeping up with all the top albums of 2007 lists?  Continue to watch Metacritic's collection.

There's a Radiohead New Year's webcast tonight.

I'm eager to find Blitzen Trapper, as I have heard so many good things about them.  Their MySpace stuff is really good.  Here's "Wild Mountain Nation"...

Lucinda Black Bear (MySpace) is another band on my radar.  Here's "You Got it Blue"...

...and the wonderful "Kites"...

I've been introducing myself to Burial (MySpace) the last couple of weeks.  These aren't videos, but still a chance to hear a few songs...

Lots-o-Links 12.28.07

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Trevin Wax has done some excellent work on N.T. Wright.  Here's an interview with Wright, and a list of links to Trevin's 18 part review of John Piper's critique of Wright.

There's a new book coming out called Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be).  It seems from the sample chapter I read and blurbs on the back of the book that this book is going into the pile of folks who miss the point and encourage others to do the same.  I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like I'm not.  Look for yourself.

Satan fears small churches more than megachurches.

Looking forward to some new Schreiner: New Testament Theology.

M'Cheyne Bible reading plan with resources.  Don't forget the ESV online Bible reading plans with Scripture, including M'Cheyne.  The Crossway folks have also provided a way to read the Bible/devotions/reading plan on your mobile phone.  Great resource.

Music Monday 12.24.07

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I'm going to be out-of-pocket for a couple of days, as will many of my readers.  Still, I think a quick Music Monday would be in order. 

Stereogum lists a month-by-month list of expected albums in 2008.

Download some free Cold War Kids.

MP3: Sufjan wants to sing for you, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
MP3: "Into the Mystic" by the Once folks.  "I wanna rock your gypsy soul..."

Oceans Never Listen, a music blog, lists their top 50 of 2007.

More Sufjan, the wonderful Avalanche song "The Mistress Witch from McClure"

A bizarre video of a great song from Low...

A final Christmas blast...

Sarah McLachlan's beautiful Christmas album, Wintersong, has been getting the most play in my home.  Here's the title track...

Phriday is for Photos 12.21.07

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My belated Friday photos...

Farm and Fog 2

Haircut

The first is a foggy farm near Woodstock.  The second is Danny getting his hair chopped.  I had to take the scissors from the stylist and throw them across the room in order to get her out of the way for the photo.  I put myself in the mirror because I like seeing myself.  See the rest of my photography.

By the way, Joe Thorn and I have both upgraded our cell phones recently  Both have ok cameras on them.  So we are regularly taking and exchanging photos along our way and emailing them to each other on our phones.  It makes for a fun, creative practice.  We are also putting some of the better ones on our flickr sites.

Lots-o-Links 12.20.07

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Music Monday 12.17.07

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I'm here for you friends.  Last week I brought you the Green Day, er, Foxboro Hot Tubs download.  This week it's even better.  How about some free Okkervil River (or click here).  It's their Golden Opportunities Mixtape of covers.  And it's good.

My top 20 songs of 2007 are...

20. "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn, and John (Writer's Block)
19. "Atlas" by Battles (Mirrored)
18. "The Hill" by Markéta Irglová (Once Soundtrack)
17. "Pretty Voice" by Cloud Cult (The Meaning of 8)
16. "Reckoner" by Radiohead (In Rainbows)
15. "Twenty Four Hours in a Lake of Ice" by Alaska in Winter (Dance Party in the Balkans)
14. "Paranoia in Bb Major" by The Avett Brothers (Emotionalism)
13. "Broken Arm" by Winterpills (The Light Divides)
12. "Nantes" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
11. "A Girl in Port" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
10. "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes (Icky Thump)
9. "Sinister in a State of Hope" by Loney, Dear (Loney, Noir)
8. "Boy with a Coin" by Iron & Wine (The Shepherd's Dog)
7. "Say it to Me Now" by Glen Hansard (Once Soundtrack)
6. "Like O, Like H" by Tegan & Sara (The Con)
5. "North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem (Sound of Silver)
4. "A Sunday Smile" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
3. "Unless it Kicks" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
2. "Fake Empire" by The National (Boxer)

1. "Intervention" by Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)

or another...

Metacritic is now starting to put up some "Best Albums of 2007" lists.  It's a great resource for seeing what various folks think are the best of the best. 

These guys are leading worship at the Whiteboard Sessions.  I dig it.

Pitchfork finally gives some love for #13 on my best albums list, Via Audio.

Pitchfork's "Top 50 Music Videos of 2007" and "20 Worst Album Covers of 2007."

Reviews of Books/Music

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Things I Use

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Productivity & Analog Tools - Everyday Carry

UPDATED January 2017

Pencils

Music

Computer

Apple & Kindle & Tech

Bibles & Devotional

Photography

Poetry

  • Field Notes | I am using a subscription-only version of their reporter's notebook for poetry writing
  • Notes | I write some on-the-go in my Notes app

Apps & Tools

  • Apple Music | Family subscription
  • Squarespace | personal blog & church website
  • Tweetbot | for Twitter
  • Pocket | articles and posts archive
  • iTunes | for music & iPod sync
  • Amazon Prime | mostly for shipping, also for music
  • Vimeo & YouTube | family & church videos
  • Feedly | Use infrequently to see some blogs
  • Trello | Quickly becoming the greatest app ever in my eyes
  • Google Docs | So much done here

Glocalnet Turbo Training

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Glocalnet (Bob Roberts' ministry) is putting on a conference in February.  If I were anywhere near the area I would make the effort to be there, not only because I think Roberts is an important missional leader, but because the other main speaker is Matt Chandler.  Here's some info, but find all of it at Glocalnet. 

What is it?

Glocalnet, in partnership with Glocal Ventures, Inc. and Vision360 DFW, trains Church Planters, Senior Pastors, Mission Pastors, and Business Leaders how to instill a Kingdom mindset in those whom they lead. Turbo Training combine the best of Glocalnet’s Church Planter Training and Glocal Ventures’ Global Engagement training in a two-day intensive.

Who is it for?

Turbos are specifically designed to train Church Planters first and foremost. However, Pastors of existing churches and business leaders have discovered the benefits of the Turbos.

What are the benefits?

Church Planters: Starting your church with a missional DNA that focuses your people not just on their neighborhoods and cities, but their state, their nation, and other nations around the world. (Acts 1:8)

Pastors: Tired of urging your people to get out of their seats and do something, only to have them stare at you like a deer in headlights? Turbos will equip and excite you to move your people forward into their “glocal” community!

Business Leaders:  God called you to use your business to make a Kingdom impact.  We live in a flat world today. With technology and communications making huge strides, there is no reason why you should not be engaging societies around the world with your vocation. We’ll teach you how!

McCoy Family Christmas Photo

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It's been some year for my family.  We lost three loved ones, including my mom.  My wife had brain surgery.  I've had significant back and neck problems requiring physical therapy. 

We've also had great fun with soccer and baseball and a trip to Disney World.  So we thought it would end the year with a bang and take a Christmas photo that represents how much we like being together and how much fun family can be.  Enjoy your family this Christmas season.

No Funding for SBC/Acts 29 Church Plants in Missouri

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Ugh.  What the crap is going on among Missouri Baptist leaders?  The Executive Board of the MBC has voted to block funding for Acts 29 church plants, according to Scott Lamb.  Brilliant.  Anyone who would block funding for a church plant that looked like Darrin Patrick's gospel-centered and biblically-faithful Journey Church in St. Louis isn't biblically-faithful.  It's really that simple. 

By the way, at the Acts 29 Boot Camp for church planters in Chicago next month there are three Southern Baptist speakers: Darrin Patrick, Ed Stetzer, and Mark Dever.