I have seen some interesting things while at the doctor before on x-rays, MRIs, etc. I've never seen this. Elijah (13) has something wrong with his eye. Red, irritated, not pink eye. Dye was put in his eye to check for a scratch yesterday. This photo has no filters or adjustments. Dye and a blue light to check it. Awesome.
I've learned a little about Pete Seeger through some documentaries I've watched recently. His life included a lot of controversy and a lot of song. Regardless of your view of him, his music remains and his influence was and is wide. From the NYT...
Mr. Seeger was a prime mover in the folk revival that transformed popular music in the 1950s. As a member of the Weavers, he sang hits including Lead Belly’s “Goodnight, Irene” — which reached No. 1 — and “If I Had a Hammer,” which he wrote with the group’s Lee Hays. Another of Mr. Seeger’s songs, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,” became an antiwar standard. And in 1965, the Byrds had a No. 1 hit with a folk-rock version of “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” Mr. Seeger’s setting of a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes. (via NYT)
I can't help but see him as a cultural "worship leader" of sorts, as you can see with songs like "If I Had A Hammer" and "Michael Row the Boat Ashore." He believed that there is a power in song. You can find some of those songs in albums like If I Had A Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle.
As Christians it would be good for us to consider the power and possibility of creating songs a culture can sing beyond the church. Is there value in that? Is there anyone out there doing that? How can we foster artists who make a cultural impact?
I'm fascinated by a couple of new titles for sale at WTSbooks.com. In particular, the description of What's Your Worldview...
How do you view the world?
It's a big question. And how you answer is one of the most important things about you.
Not sure what you'd say? Join James Anderson on an interactive journey of discovery aimed at helping you understand and evaluate the options when it comes to identifying your worldview. Cast in the mold of a classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” story, What's Your Worldview? will guide you toward finding intellectually satisfying answers to life's biggest questions—equipping you to think carefully about not only what you believe but why you believe it and how it impacts the rest of your life.
Endorsements by D.A. Carson, John Frame and others.
Tim Keller endorses David Wells' new book, God in the Whirlwind...
In this important book, David Wells begins the process of bringing his influential critique of late modern culture and the church down into practice. Here we have a ‘practical theology’ for conducting the church’s life based on the reality of a God of ‘Holy-love.’ This particular way of understanding and preaching the doctrine of God, Wells believes, protects the church from either being co-opted by the culture or becoming a ghettoized subculture. Decades of teaching theology is boiled down here into accessible, practical chapters. I’m glad to recommend this volume.
Here, finally, is the answer to the current debates on law, grace, burdened Christians, antinomianism, and the rest. Why are you reading all those books when you could just watch this?
John MacArthur watched some Taylor Swift on the Grammys and he does NOT approve.
HT: My son, Jack.
Taylor Swift is a fine studio singer, but I think she tries too hard live. Here's an example from the Grammys tonight. My kids have decided any head-banging like this will now be known as "Swifting." So ridiculous it's awesome...
My goodness this is funny. This is a 13 second video of a woman talking on CNN. In the last second or two John MacArthur (another guest) looks at the camera. So great.
Thanks to DJ for the GIF.
Outstanding. It's a score, so it's not a collection of songs. But I think you will love it and love working to it. Beautiful.
Getting Big Projects Done: Best Practices from Successful Writers from Unclutterer
Break things into bite-sized pieces and create daily habits
"How to Discourage Artists in the Church" by Phil Ryken - This is from 2013, but I read it again and it's so helpful. Here's one point (remember, this is the wrong thing to do)...
"Demand artists to give answers in their work, not raise questions. Mark Lewis says, "Makecertain that your piece (or artifact or performance) makes incisive theological or moral points, and doesn't stray into territory about which you are unresolved or in any way unclear. (Clear answers are of course more valuable than questions)." Do not allow for ambiguity, or for varied responses to art. Demand art to communicate in the same way to everyone."
Why I Am A Continuationist by Sam Storms & Why I Am A Cessationist by Tom Schreiner
These two pieces at The Gospel Coalition give helpful, scholarly, theological and experiential reasons for their views.
How to Handle Discouragement in Ministry
"Watch the full six-minute video to see [Darrin Patrick, Paul Tripp, & Voddie Baucham] discuss isolation, broken trust, pastors as body parts, and more."
Back in December I got this email from Matt Mitchell. His name wasn't familiar to me and I didn't remember the details of his story very well. But this is pretty cool...
I've been an on-again-off-again reader of your blog for a long time (and I follow you now on Twitter).
Today, via Google, I (re)discovered this (long forgotten) post of yours.
And I found myself commenting on it about half way down the page:
Anyone know a good book about gossip? It would be great to read a biblical, systematic, yet practical treatment of this very common sin. I sometimes find myself in similar situations to Steve in this post or have to give counsel to those who are, and I often feel at a loss to know how to evaluate the complexities of this area.
If no book exists, it seems like this would fill a big need in the church.
And then you reply to me, and I say:
What? Do my own Bible study on gossip? How "Old School!"
Okay, I'll do it. And then maybe I'll write the book and go on the Christian-lecture-circuit. =D
What's funny, is that even though I didn't remember this back-and-forth, eventually I actually did the study and write the book! :-) (My earliest memory of the idea of studying this topic was August of 2008, more than two years after this exchange.)
The reason I decided to write you was not only to relay the funny story, but also to thank you for the blog, for your graciousness, and for inciting me in the first place to take up this study!
Blessings,
-Matt Mitchell
How cool is that? Matt is more than kind in saying that I incited him toward writing a book, but it's a neat story nonetheless.
Not only is that cool, Resisting Gossip is available this week only for 50% off. A great deal. Need more incentive? Forward is by Ed Welch...
"Isn't it amazing that most of us have never read a clear, pastoral and practical book on what Scripture says about gossip? Well, here it is. Matt will guide you through this topic in such a way that you will be convicted–I certainly was. But he will do more than that. He will give you ideas about how you can spread good news about others in such a way that the church will be more united and God will be honored.”
Thankful that Matt recalled this great backstory and shared it with us. Now go grab Resisting Gossip!
You only need to know one One Direction fan for this to be awesome. (Yes, it's fake. That's why it's so funny.)
So glad to hear that Paul Miller has a new book out, A Loving Life (WTS | Amazon | Kindle). Not only can you buy a copy, but WTS has it half price ($6.50) and $5 a book if you buy three or more. I'm buying three.
The sale ends soon, so don't miss it. I won't.
Please, check out the new album by Damien Jurado: Brothers & Sisters of the Eternal Son. One of my favorite singer-songwriters working today. And he keeps getting better.
I sent out to this tweet a few weeks ago...
If you could only read 3-5 books of theology for the rest of your life, what would they be? Must be worth reading deep and rereading.
— Steve McCoy (@stevekmccoy) December 20, 2013I got great responses. A number of folks asked me to compile a list of all the responses. Here they are as one long list in the order they were received. I added a "*" for every extra mention. If you don't like something on the list, don't blame me. It's not my list. :) I will start, though, with my list which I didn't give on Twitter. Thanks to all who responded.
ALSO, I tried to offer links to WTS, Amazon, & Kindle. Buying by clicking the links though Amazon and WTS cost you nothing extra, but it helps me a lot as I need to buy my books as a pastor through these two companies. Appreciate it, if you are buying anyway, if you would consider using my links. Always a blessing.
My list...
Twitter responses...
Related articles
N.D. Wilson, author of non-fiction like Death By Living ($3.99 for Kindle) and young adult fiction like the 100 Cupboards series (Kindle) and Ashtown Burials series (Kindle), has a great piece up at Christianity Today. In "The Dark-Tinted, Truth-Filled Reading List We Owe Our Kids" Wilson explains why kids need dark stories. This article is geared for parents making fiction decisions for kids, but it's just as helpful for anyone thinking about how to tell the truth through stories. Here are a couple of lines from an article rich with quotes...
"God's artistic choices should govern our own."
"Shelter your children. Yes. Absolutely. But use a picnic shelter, not a lightless bomb bunker, and not virtual reality goggles looping bubblegum clouds."
"Faithful artists should provide sabbaths, not escapes."
"To tell the truth about what it means to be heroic, we must spin a fiction full of danger."
I've left most of the best stuff for you to discover. Please go read the whole piece at CT.
I encourage you to pick up a Kindle for yourself. Since I got mine I've gotten to the place where I'm using it most days. My recommendation is the Kindle Paperwhite or the Paperwhite 3G (which I have), but they are all great. You can even get one for $69 now.
It's Poetry At Work Day. Check out my latest article where I discuss why we need poetry. And then go find poetry in your workplace. Check out the graphic below for information and inspiration for the rest of your day...
In Jerry Bridges' beloved little book, The Pursuit of Holiness (Kindle), he describes in his chapter on the place of personal discipline three questions to ask as you read, study, or meditate on the Scriptures and then explains why being specific is so important.
The most important part of this process is the specific application of the Scripture to specific life situations. We are prone to vagueness at this point because commitment to specific actions makes us uncomfortable. But we must avoid general commitments to obedience and instead aim for specific obedience in specific instances. We deceive our souls when we grown in knowledge of the truth without specifically responding to it (James 1:22).
The Pursuit of Holiness (1978) by Jerry Bridges, pg 104. Bold is mine.
The Gloaming: The Gloaming | These guys were not on my radar until today. It's a supergroup of sorts with three Irishmen and two Americans. It has a singer, two fiddles, a piano and a guitar. PLEASE try this one and give it a few songs.
Damien Jurado: Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son | Really digging this one. Still another week before release. Too long.
Warpaint: Warpaint | Listened to a few songs this morning and really liked what I heard. Will be listening more.
Find other new albums streaming free at First Listen, Pitchfork Advance.
Inside Llewyn Davis Soundtrack ($5.99) -- Playing this one a lot right now. After seeing the movie on Saturday, it will get more play. Would love your take on the movie if you've seen it. You will enjoy this album whether you've seen the movie or not.
Check out last week's list of cheap albums as many are still on sale.