Reformissionary

Lots-o-Links 5.14.08

Good to hang for a couple of hours with Darryl Dash of DashHouse last night.  He is in a city just north of me for a conference and decided to look me up, so we found some time for coffee.  Great guy.

Care to buy Scott Lamb's 6,000 book library? 

Jonathan Dodson isn't starting new ministries.

Learn how worship teams practice at Sojourn Church in Louisville, KY.  They use The Planning Center.

Scott Hodge describes The Orchard's critiquing culture.

Joe Thorn pointed me to this video: "From Russia With Hate."  Wow.  Awful.

JD Greear is describing the missions strategy of Summit Church: Part 1, Part 2.

Resurgence interviews Matt Chandler.

Important values for Christian artists as summarized by Justin Taylor.  The whole PDF.

Jeremy Pryor continues his explanation of The Story-Formed Life discipleship class...

Music Monday 4.28.08

In music news, Dr. Dog has a new album coming out in July.  I really like We All Belong, so I'm looking forward to Fate.  Hear some unreleased stuff at their MySpace.  Tegan and Sara have an iTunes live EP releasing tomorrow.  I'll be downloading it.

Matthew Smith, of Indelible Grace fame, loves him some Ryan Adams.  Here's the amazing "The Sun Also Sets"...

"Oh My God, Whatever, Etc"...

Of all the wonderful 80's music memories, how can I not mention this one...

When I was a kid "Hollywood" came to my hometown of Pontiac, Illinois and filmed a movie called Grandview, USA.  The director was Randall Kleiser (a film school friend of George Lucas and director of Grease) and it starred people like Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and John Cusack.  I know what you are saying.  "Wow!  That must be an awesome movie!"  Nope.  But I did find some clips online and thought you might like the music video dream sequence. 

Music-o-Poetry

I've been out-of-pocket for a couple of days, so here's a post with just a little bit of Music Monday, Lots-o-Links, and National Poetry Month.

MUSIC MONDAY

A new video from Hot Chip.  Pretty cool...

One Pure Thought

In case you didn't know, here's the reason wearing red jock straps over your pants is SO popular now...

LOTS-o-LINKS

Driscoll loves the ESV Study Bible. 

John Piper: Preaching as Concept Creation, Not Just Contextualization

Founders gets a facelift.

I love this clip.  If you ever need to work on your business card envy, here's how.  (WARNING: A little colorful language.  This clip is for Mommies and Daddies only.)

NPM '08

Love this stuff from Borders Open Door Poetry.

Check out The Poetry Center of Chicago.

Lots-o-Links 3.27.08

Saw Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! with the fam today.  Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  Worth watching and discussing.  Jonathan Dodson weighs in.

Joe Thorn expands on "The Table, the Pulpit, and the Square."  Joe also summarizes Dever on evangelism.

Tom Schreiner, my NT prof from my SBTS days, has been interviewed.  Among other issues, he speaks about his new New Testament Theology.  It will have a prominent place on my shelf.

Monergism interviews Tim Keller.  Keller's next book is listed on Amazon: The Prodigal God.

Scott Hodge shares a bit he is learning from Made to Stick.

After reading an interview with Michael Perry in the April issue of The Writer, I'm intrigued. 

NT Wright says "Heaven is Not Our Home."

Exagorazo is talking about missional communities: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Sigur Ros: Heima

Can't wait for Music Monday because today is the day YouTube is featuring all Sigur Ros on their front page (HT).  At the heart of 24 hours of Sigur Ros is the entire Sigur Ros film Heima available for free.  Awesome.  Here it is...

Coraline Teaser

I read Coraline to our kids last year.  Should be a creative and somewhat spooky movie...

Whiteboard Sessions: Early Bird

Ben Arment sent me a Whiteboard box this week.  It included a nice quality Reston Town Center book, Rob Bell's Everything is Spiritual DVD (best use of a whiteboard), a 2 disc TED dvd set (if you haven't yet, go check out the TED website), Lashey and Joyner's wonderful Hymns CD, and a nice note on Whiteboard stationary.  Lot's of good stuff. 

The early bird registration for the cheapest rate, $99, ends on the 29th of February.  Sign up for the Whiteboard Sessions.

Lots-o-Links 2.13.08

I have two orders pending (Amazon and Westminster) for Tim Keller's The Reason for God.  I have a book and audio copy coming for me, and several copies to give away. Amazon's is on the way!

The WGA writer's strike is over.  I've been following the strike online and through some podcasts, and was hoping the writer's would get a fair shake.  It appears they are content, and now we can get back to watching some well-written new TV and movies.

Al Hsu has enjoyed Juno and reflects on the movie's suburban flair.

I recently rented The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a documentary of one man's effort to beat the high score of Donkey Kong from a guy who you want to see lose it.  It's a very entertaining movie that I highly recommend.  Rent it and then tell me what you think.  Here's the trailer...

I met Jonathan Dodson, an Acts 29 church planter, at the Chicago boot camp.  Good guy.  Check out two recent articles he has online on Community and Missional Discipleship.

Pitchers and catchers reporting today for the Cubs.  Very good news.  I've briefly visited HoHoKam Stadium, where the Cubs have spring training, in Phoenix a few winters ago when on a golf trip with my dad and uncles.  My rabid-sports-nut-7-year-old, Elijah, reported as a pitcher last Sunday here in Woodstock.  They have a handful of pitcher's and catcher's training sessions at our local rec center.  He's shorter than most kids his age, but has an arm on him.  AND he is accurate.  I often have to encourage him to throw harder because he's afraid the kid across from him will not catch it and get hurt, or something.  And since I'm helping to coach his team this year, I'm considering trading him to another team for a case of Schlitz!

Some of you know I have an autistic son.  My wife enjoyed this video recently, so I thought it was worth sharing...

It's GROUNDHOG DAY!

Our family woke up before 6am this morning for the celebration of Groundhog Day.  It may not seem like a good reason to wake up early on a Saturday (and at 5:45 this morning it didn't feel like a good reason either), but we were all excited to enjoy the morning festivities together. 

The movie Groundhog Day, which was filmed in my city (Woodstock, IL), sparked Woodstock's own week of Groundhog Days.  Lots of stuff to do.  It all peaked today at 7:07am when hundreds of people gathered to see Woodstock Willie, "the prognosticator of prognosticators," reveal the news about our fate. 

Will it be a longer winter or an early spring?  For the answer we turn to a large rat who bases his infallible answer on, of all things, whether or not he sees his shadow.  Rather than telling you his answer I felt it was only right for you to experience the event for yourself.  Thanks to the McCoy "shakycam" (as well as a few photos) you can hear it straight from the rat's (Bill Murray's term, not mine) lips.  Here's how it went down.  If you want to hear what the other rat said (the slightly more historic one), go here.

Woodstock, IL & Groundhog Day

For all you lovers of the movie Groundhog Day (and the rest of you who should be), here's a video with Quinn Keefe from the Woodstock (IL) Chamber of Commerce.  Quinn leads you on a tour of my city, Woodstock, IL, as it was experienced in Groundhog Day.  We watch the DVD often in my house.  It's a great family movie that also makes you think...BING!

Anyone care to add a favorite quote or moment from the movie?

Lots-o-Links 1.31.08

Doug Wilson on how friendship evangelism is really about your money and material possessions...

Friendship evangelism rests upon generosity, sacrifice, kindness, openness, hospitality, goodness, and open-handedness. That is to be the texture of your life, and non-believers are welcome to come along with you. In short, is your evangelism giving or taking? Are you a benefactor or a salesman?

Alex Chediak is working through a pre-publication copy of Tim Keller's new book, The Reason for God.  (Amazon)

Steve Ogne on mobilizing leaders (from GCA conference).

Whiteboard Sessions website is up.

Mike Cosper is Worship and Arts Pastor at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY.  In 2006 Mike gave Acts 29 talks on "Missional Strategies for the Arts."  Both messages are here.

Mark Batterson - Four Dimensions of Courage.

Timmy Brister interviews Mark Dever on Richard Sibbs.

I've been looking forward to Son of Rambow for over a year now.  It's finally coming out in May.  Here's the trailer...

Music Monday 1.21.08

If you haven't seen Juno, you should.  Start with the trailer.  Easily one of the best of 2007 for me.  Every actor in every role impressed me, especially Ellen Page who first showed up on my radar in Hard Candy.  My wife loved Juno too.  It's an hysterical and quirky movie that I will own on DVD when the time comes.  The Juno Soundtrack is just as quirky and makes this movie go from great to outstanding.  You know it from the opening credits.  This soundtrack was a must-own for me.  Delightful.

Andrew Bird has a new EP: Soldier on EP.  Seriously, is it even possible this EP won't be great?  Didn't think so.

I've really enjoyed Dr. Dog's latest album, We All Belong.  Here's "Alaska"...

Dr Dog Alaska

Add to My Profile | More Videos

I'm finally taking the plunge into Panda Bear (MySpace).  I haven't enjoyed Animal Collective, so this has taken some time.  But I like it so far.  Here's "Bros"...

"Bros" live...

"Comfy in Nautica"...

Cloverfield: My Take

Folks are asking for my take on the movie, so here we go.  It will be brief and hopefully spoiler-free.  If you are worried about spoilers, as I have been for months, just go see it and experience it before reading more. 

I went early last night not knowing how many folks would be there.  I went alone because my best friend, Joe Thorn, didn't care to watch it with me.  I found a way to stay strong and go anyway.  By the time they opened the theater and let us in, the theater filled up to about half.  When the previews began it was almost completely full.  I might have been the oldest guy there.  Seriously.  I didn't see anyone who looked older than me or even my age. 

The Star Trek teaser was fun.  It's the originial Enterprise under construction with a brief Leonard Nemoy voice-over.  Looking forward to this one at the end of the year.

After watching Cloverfield I have to admit that the teasers and trailers gave me a very good taste for what the movie experience would be like.  It's all hand-held personal video documenting a few good friends experiencing the attack of some sort of monster on Manhattan.  They are working to escape, save friends, and so on.  There are moments of both terror and humor, but they also did a good job of keeping the atmosphere real.

I thought the filming and the CGI work was outstanding.   I'm no expert, but I bought it and was able to stay focused on story.  They also did a fine job of teasing you with a progressive revelation of what the monster looked like.  I was afraid they wouldn't show enough or satisfy my desire to see what it looked like.  But I was also afraid they would focus so much on seeing the monster that it would hurt the movie.  I thought it was pretty well balanced. 

The also do a very good job of not saying too much about the monster.  They work hard to avoid giving monster origins and such.  Leaving us in the dark on that stuff was a good move. 

I could say a lot more, but since I've already crossed the line of brevity I'll just add one last word.  Two days before seeing Cloverfield I checked Rotten Tomatoes and found it was getting mixed reviews.  That was disappointing since I already own the T-shirt.  But after seeing the movie I was very, very satisfied.  I've also noticed the reviews are getting much better.  I give it a big thumbs-up and encourage you to see it!  Seriously.  Go now.

Cloverfield in About an Hour

I'm going to a midnight showing of Cloverfield tonight.  I'm wearing my Slusho! shirt and ready to leave in 10 minutes.  Let me set the mood...

Lots-o-Links 12.20.07

New Keller audio from City Life Boston: "A Broken Spirit" & "Encounter With God".

Blue Like Jazz the movie.

Time Magazine: Rob Bell is "The Hipper-Than-Thou Pastor."

A Missouri Baptist Acts 29'r talks "View and Brew."  He (Kevin Larson) has also been interviewed by Tom Ascol.

Angela Booth's top writing blogs of 2007.

Scott Hodge talks about "Fuel," leadership training at The Orchard.

Joe Thorn has found the secret to a better prayer life, and it's probably not what you think.

The curse of knowledge is only one great reason to read Made to Stick.

Lots-o-Links 12.2.07

Ben Arment announces the White Board Sessions.  Love the idea.

Vote your top albums of the year at NPR's All Song Considered.  My top 30 (or so) are on the way soon.

With The Golden Compass releasing soon, the Christian demon-recognition email-forwarding machine is fully active.  Everyone seems freaked at the murder of God in the Philip Pullman's books.  My question is, Is Philip Pullman killing the Christian God, or is Philip Pullman killing a false view of God?  I think it's the latter, and is probably a god we would want to kill too.  Jeffrey Overstreet at CT writes head along those lines with "Fear Not the Compass."  Oh, and check out Carl Trueman's post on the matter.

Ain't No Party Like a Holy Ghost Party - Shavey and Resurgence interviews Sam Storms.

What Leaders Can Learn from Rob Bell: I'm convinced that Bell is one of the most engaging and important communicators of our time.  Regardless of what you think about his message or his theology, I think he knows how to engage with listeners better than most.  You can still pull 5 clips from his Everything is Spiritual tour on iTunes, or on the Everything is Spiritual site, or...

New Mission to Suburbia Links
-Cutting Edge Summer 2007 on Suburbia - Vinyard Church Planting (HT: Kevin Cawley in all his awesomeness)
-Suburban Spirituality by David Goetz
-Patio Man and the Sprawl People by David Brooks
-Bobos in Paradise by David Brooks
-God of the Latte: Faith in the Suburbs by Lauren Winner (on Hsu's The Suburban Christian and Goetz's Death by Suburb)
-Seeking God in the Suburbs (printable) - interview of Hsu and Goetz
-Religion in the 'Burbs by Agnieszka Tennant

afds

Cloverfield

Only two months left until Cloverfield.

Lots-o-Links 11.15.07

Me and a certain pastor friend are going to see this tomorrow.  I'm pumped! 

-Bob Hyatt is good reading, as usual.  80-20 and the Organic Church Part 1 and Part 2
-Harry Potter as "Shared Text"
-Seth Godin's "Unleashing Your Ideavirus" (Part 1 and Part 2) was an excellent and thought-provoking read.  It's not very new (2000), but it was good.  More Godin here.
-I really dig this creative photography of kids.
-Must reading for those mashing the Thanksgiving potatoes.

Links and Stuff

A handful of things that you need to know, hear, see, or read...

- Tonight I will probably put up a single post that I will update throughout Molly's surgery and hospital stay.  I will try to keep updates at the top of the page with time stamps on the page so you can read what has happened as they happened.  The hospital says it has wifi throughout, so being online and live-blogging the next few days shouldn't be much of a problem.

- Please start immediately downloading Stereogum's tribute to Radiohead's OK Comupter.  It's free and includes some great bands like Dave Bazan's Black Cloud, Cold War Kids, and Twilight Sad.  It's not Radiohead, but it's still fun.  By the way, they aren't going to leave these free mp3's up forever so grab them asap.  Couldn't wait for Music Monday on this one.

- JJ Abrams.  1-18-08.  Nuff said.

- Drew Goodmanson on The Gospel Awakening (file through his posts on triperspectivalism too).

- John Piper on Why We Should Have Courage to Speak About Christ.

- Gary Rohrmayer on Sharpening Your Evangelistic Skills.

- I don't know if I've mentioned it before, bu there is now a version of 2 Ways to Live for kids. 

- Darrin Patrick's The Journey Church has done a service by providing this Keller-oriented Religion and the Gospel.

Smatterday

A smattering of shtuff...

Update on sabbatical last week.  I was greatly encouraged by Jonathan Edwards' Personal Narrative.  I also listened (again) Tim Keller's "Being the Church in Our Culture" and "Doing Justice" from the Reform & Resurge conference last year.  Every time I hear Keller I stop at some point and freak out by how good it is.

Melinda Penner on Luther's A Simple Way to Pray
Email yourself in the future
GOOD Magazine (Bright Orange, video)
Spider-Man 3 is coming
Comic Relief 2007
A great way to keep me from eating your egg salad

Reformissionary Roundup

Time for a roundup of random stuff.

1. I've started a Bible study series at our church based on Kris Lundgaard's book, The Enemy Within (@ Monergism).  Lundgaard's book is based on two of John Owen's works on sin.  I read it a few years ago and rereading it for this series.  Very helpful book.  Justin Taylor points to some of Lundgaard's audio messages on The Enemy Within.

2. Watched the movie Click with my wife yesterday.  It was moderately funny.  Best part of the movie is what Adam Sandler does to David Hasselhoff (there's a bad word here, so don't watch if you can't handle it).

3. Speaking of video, the Smiling Addiction video is great.  It's an original piece (including original music) by Crossroads Community Church in GA.  I think Joe Thorn first pointed me to this.

4. It looks like Paradox, a music venue at Mars Hill Seattle but not run by Mars Hill, is no more.  This article doesn't really give Mars Hill's perspective in a good light, but the news was worth mentioning.

5. Have you taken a trip on Line Rider yet?  Throw on a scarf and go!

6. Alan Hirsch is blogging.

7. Tim Keller wants to help you know how to "Work."  Great sermon.  Keller provides Dorothy Sayers' definition of the biblical doctrine of work: "Work is the gracious expression of creative energy in the service of others."  Other TK Resources.

Crash-lash

Roger Ebert has a curious article on "The Fury of the Crash-lash."  It seems that calling "Crash" a better movie, which Ebert does, is considered more than a little homophobic.  He gives a helpful response.

The nature of the attacks on "Crash" by the supporters of "Brokeback Mountain" seem to proceed from the other position: "Brokeback" is better not only because of its artistry but because of its subject matter, and those who disagree hate homosexuals. Its supporters could vote for it in good conscience, vote for it and feel they had made a progressive move, vote for it and not feel that there was any stain on their liberal credentials for shunning what "Crash" had to offer.

Tenacious Kids

You don't want to miss this life-changing video of my kids singing Tenacious D's "Tribute."  Go watch Tenacious Kids.

The Da Vinci Challenge

Sony isn't stupid.  As the worldwide bestseller and much discussed, debated and disliked (among Christians especially) The Da Vinci Code heads to theaters on May 19th, Sony has put together a truly brilliant marketing scheme.  They have started a website called The Da Vinci Challenge for Christians.  On the site Christian experts will deal with issues raised by The Da Vinci Code between now and the release date.  Currently there are articles by Darrell Bock, George Barna and Richard Mouw, and links for discussion take you to the Hollywood Jesus website.

From The Da Vinci Challenge...

The primary focus of The Da Vinci Challenge is to help Christians prepare for the inevitable question that will arise with the release of the film, “What do you think of The Da Vinci Code?”

These are the facts - currently, there over 40 million hardback copies of The Da Vinci Code in print. There have been thousands of column inches already written about The Da Vinci Code, and there will surely be more. It is now possible to take tours across Europe to visit historic sites referenced in the novel. On May 19, 2006, the highly-anticipated film version of the book, starring Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, will open in theaters. There are literally millions and millions of devoted fans of The Da Vinci Code spanning the globe.

But there are also numerous people worldwide who question the theories espoused in The Da Vinci Code. Books refuting the claims of the best-selling novel have collectively sold millions of copies. Churches have held sermons and seminars to address the controversy and dispute assertions that many believe run counter to the foundations of their faith. These, too, are the facts.

The Da Vinci Challenge offers a thoughtful and faithful response to the questions raised by The Da Vinci Code. In the weeks leading up to the release of the film, prominent scholars and experts from across the spectrum of Christianity have volunteered to tackle specific issues raised by The Da Vinci Code – cultural, historical, theological and practical. By tapping into the collective wisdom of these respected Christian men and women, The Da Vinci Challenge hopes to present a forum where people can wrestle with the complex topics raised by the book and the film.

While Sony Pictures Entertainment has provided the means for this discussion to take place, neither the studio, the filmmakers nor Dan Brown have any editorial control over the content of this site. None of the Christian experts have been paid for their commentary or insights. This is an open forum where discussion, debate and disagreement are welcome. The Da Vinci Challenge wholeheartedly invites you to join the conversation.

Financing the Brokeback Campaign

Fascinating explanation by Michael Collender of St. Anne's Pub on how Brokeback Mountain was financed by those who watched Pride & Prejudice.  Listen here.

Rhythm and Tune

My wife and I went to hear two of our church members play live music last night at the Last Chance Saloon in Grayslake, IL.  Our song leader on Sunday mornings opened with some covers and originals, and then another church member and his band (AliveInside) played mostly original stuff.  It was really a good time, good music, and I was able to take some pictures of the band.

On the topic of music, I picked up the newest one of the newest Nooma videos from Rob Bell, Rhythm, a few days ago.  I decided to watch it last night.  He talked about how we all are playing a song, the question is whether or not we are in tune.  Powerful stuff.  And very provocative.  If you have seen it, I'd love to hear what you think about it.

UPDATE: You can also view the entire "Rain" Nooma video online.  If you haven't seen Nooma, check it out.

The Thorn and the Spear

Joe Thorn has written on Mohler and the Movies.  It's an engaging piece that discusses Mohler's TV takes on Brokeback as well as his writing on End of the Spear and gay actor Chad Allen.

Brokeback Mountain Review

I told myself the only way I would watch Brokeback Mountain at the theater is if Joe Thorn went with me.  Then I questioned what that would communicate and decided it would be better to pretend the movie didn't exist long enough to make it to the DVD release date.

But after reading this review I'm now actually very interested in watching it.  A blurb...

Brokeback Mountain is the story of two young cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, who meet in a 1960s summer job tending sheep on the mountain. They fall in love, then upon returning to the world, go their separate ways, marry and start families. A few years later, they resume their intensely sexual affair – visually, this is a rather chaste film – but with terrible consequences for themselves and the wives and children they deceive. The film climaxes violently and tragically, and it's this that has the critics lauding it as a cinematic cri du coeur for tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality.

But Brokeback is not nearly that tidy. True, the men begin their doomed affair in a time and place where homosexuality was viciously suppressed, and so they suffer from social constrictions that make it difficult to master their own fates. But it is also true that both men are overgrown boys who waste their lives searching for something they've lost, and which might be irrecoverable. They are boys who refuse to become men, or to be more precise, do not, for various reasons, have the wherewithal to understand how to become men in their bleak situation.

It is impossible to watch this movie and think that all would be well with Jack and Ennis if only we'd legalize gay marriage. It is also impossible to watch this movie and not grieve for them in their suffering, even while raging over the suffering that these poor country kids who grew up unloved cause for their families. As the film grapples with Ennis' pain, confusion and cruelty, different levels of meaning unspool – social, moral, spiritual and erotic. In the end, Brokeback Mountain is not about the need to normalize homosexuality, or "about" anything other than the tragic human condition.

(HT: Matt Crash!)

Narnia: My Take

So I watched Narnia yesterday with my lovely wife, my four kids, and my 9:15am popcorn.  A lot of folks are blogging the heck out of this movie and I'm not going to try to do anything fancy or long.  But I thought it would be helpful to share some thoughts, both good and bad.  If you are going to watch the movie, I encourage you NOT to read on.  Experience it for yourself first.

**Spoilers Coming**

Over the last three weeks I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to the kids.  We enjoyed it very much.  And if you have never experienced a movie after reading the book, it's definitely a different experience.  I think it makes enjoying the movie (for an adult) much more difficult.  Plus, as we read I tried to imagine how the movie would handle certain things, and that led to some satisfying elements, but also some disappointments.

1. Characters: Both Lucy and Tumnus were played very well.  Brilliant.  Edmund was good, Susan w