My Grandpa

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Dsc_0091_1I just found out my Grandpa (Dad's dad) died this morning.  He was with us at my Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving, looking old but pressing on.  A few weeks ago his doctor said he is declining and wouldn't make it until next Christmas.  Yesterday the doctor said he may not make it through the weekend.  He barely made it to the next morning. 

E.J. McCoy was a man of the town (Pontiac, IL), a friend to many, loving and generous, quick to locate the sweets, active and fun.  I remember once he was telling a really dumb joke on the golf course (it was the 17th hole) and he was crying over how funny it was to him.  He could barely finish the joke.  I remember sleeping on the pull-out couch in his condo in Venice, Florida.  He took us to the beach to fish with live shrimp and we watched him try to get the hook out of the mouth of a stingray he caught.  I remember how Grandpa was stubborn and how he would win every argument, even after he lost.  I remember how his eyes would light up when he would see our kids.  And I remember how when we went to visit him over the Holidays his health was so poor that he could barely open his eyes to see our kids. 

I could say so much more, but it's enough to say that I loved and will miss my Grandpa.

Mohler Recovering at Home

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Dr.Mohler was discharged this morning from Louisville's Baptist Hospital East. After a two week hospitalization that included extensive abdominal surgery and a four day stay in the Intensive Care Unit due to pulmonary emboli in the lungs, he and the family are overjoyed to be back home. Dr. Mohler looks forward to resuming his presidential and ministerial duties, but his activities will be limited for some time as he continues his recuperation at home. The Mohlers are deeply grateful for the many prayers offered and expressions of concern shown over the past couple of weeks.

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Music Monday 1.8.07

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I think every one of these is via Kevin Cawley.  The first is Beck on SNL with "Clap Hands."  The second is Andy Mckee with some sick guitar playing.  The third is Danielson in all of his wacky weirdness.  Enjoy.

Mohler Update

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Russ Moore updates...

I was at the hospital this afternoon with President Mohler. Hisfirst question was, "What is going on in the world?" I briefly entertained the possibility of smuggling his dog Baxter into the hospital to see him, but I doubt the resulting hospital restraining order against me would be worth it.

RAM is looking stronger than he did yesterday. The doctors report that the situation is under control and they are pleased with his progress. He is thankful to all of you for your prayers. I know many churches and families have had special prayer meetings in recent days for him. He and all of us here are deeply appreciative for that.

Please continue to pray. God has been gracious. RAM is ready to be back in his study, behind his microphone, and in the pulpit. Pray that his recovery is quick and that he is home soon.

Update: 1.8.06

Dr. Mohler was moved out of intensive care and into a private room at Baptist Hospital East this afternoon and continues to improve following complications from abdominal surgery that was performed Dec. 28.

 

Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern Seminary, said Mohler is in good spirits following a difficult weekend.

 

"I am extremely encouraged after having just left his room," Moore said Monday afternoon. "He is eating, he is in good spirits and it looks as though the situation is completely under control at this point. He looks strong, is in remarkably good spirits and is even cracking jokes.

 

"Dr. Mohler is very appreciative of the prayers of God's people and the outpouring of support from the churches and from the community."

 

Mohler was placed in intensive care Friday after developing blood clots in both lungs. After nearly a week of intense abdominal pain, he was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 27 and underwent surgery the following day.

 

While physicians reported that the procedure went well and that Mohler's abdominal issues were remedied, the development of blood clots led doctors to move Mohler to the hospital's intensive care unit.

 

Moore asked that the seminary community and local churches continue to pray for Mohler and his family during the recovery. It is not yet known when Mohler will be released from the hospital, however Moore said the improvement in Mohler's condition along with his high spirits were readily evident.

 

"He has a stack of books and articles in his bed along with a massive number of highlighters," Moore said, "so the Albert Mohler I know is back."

Dr. Mohler's Health

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I mentioned before that Dr. Al Mohler needed prayer during surgery.  He was recovering but is experiencing problems.  Please pray...

Dr. Mohler's health has sustained a setback. Over the past 36 hours Dr. Mohler has suffered from unrelenting pain. This unusual degree of pain signaled concern for the attending physicians and prompted additional tests this afternoon. In the past hour these tests have revealed that Dr. Mohler is suffering from pulmonary emboli in both lungs. His condition is quite serious and he has been moved to the intensive care unit of Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, KY for immediate treatment. Please make this a matter of urgent prayer. Thank you once again for your concern and support during these days.

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My New Article

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Ministry can be frustrating and exhausting.  Whatever your work, I'm sure you've experienced much the same thing.  Our recent vacation did little to alleviate my frustrations and I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out why.  As usual what I needed more than time off was a fresh grasp of the Gospel.

For more on this head over to The High Calling you can read my new article, "Hello, My Name Is Van."

Favorite Preachers of 2006

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As I was listening to a sermon by one of my favorite living preachers tonight, I thought I should give a short list of my favorite preachers of 2006.  As a preacher I get great reward from hearing the preaching of others.  Not only because it helps me learn what good preachers do and say, but because I get the Gospel over and over again. 

These five preachers have been my Gospel teachers over the past year more than anyone else.  I subscribe to their sermons and/or podcasts.  They are in no particular order (except for the first one).

Keller_1 Tim Keller

The sermons of Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, have haunted me for a couple of years now, but never so much as in 2006.  He has a number of free sermons on the web that I link to on my Tim Keller Resources page.  I also have a paid subscription to the weekly preaching at Redeemer, which includes mostly Keller sermons but others as well at Redeemer. 

Keller's sermons are intellectual, a little more sedated than I normally like, and very reasonable.  What is best about Keller's preaching is his simple explanation of the Gospel and truth.  My Gospel vernacular is forever changed because of his sermons.

Bottom line: there is no other sermon resource that has so deeply challenged and changed me.  Get on board.

Rick Rick McKinley

Rick McKinley is the pastor of Imago Dei in Portland.  On the surface Rick awakens my inner surfer.  Is that an accent?  Whatever it is, it works.  McKinley is great on Kingdom and Gospel issues.  He also speaks both practically and pastorally about simple and difficult issues alike.  I rarely hear him preach without feeling compelled to get up and love my neighbor. 

You can grab his podcast or find his stuff at Sermon Cloud or Imago Dei.

Chandler Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is pastor of The Village Church near Dallas.  He is a passionate guy with a solid handle on Scripture, quick wit, and compelling application.  His sermon, "Gravity," is easily the most important message I heard in 2006 (video here).  Matt is my wife's second favorite preacher next to me (I have to say that, don't I?). 

Check out the sermon database for Chandler's sermons or find his podcast at iTunes.

Driscoll_3 Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, a little known pastor in Seattle (Mars Hill Church), has been a life-changer for me.  Mark preached to my wife and me at least once a week in the first half of 2006.  We would put on one of his sermons while doing "sabbath" on Mondays in my home. 

Driscoll keeps you listening though his humor (which is sometimes over the top), but his content and theology are what feeds.  What he often does best is kick your butt with the truth and open your eyes to the grace of Christ.  We have been so thankful for what we have learned through Mark.

Find his sermons at the MHC site, get his podcast, watch his sermons.

Bell Rob Bell

Rob Bell is pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids.  Bell is a great communicator and may be better known for his Nooma videos. 

I'm sure a few people will gasp at my listing of Bell in my favorite preachers of 2006.  Doesn't he have theological issues?  Doesn't he waver on hell and love McLaren (which for some is essentially the same as wavering on hell)? 

I don't agree with everything I've heard in Rob Bell's sermons (same goes for any preacher).  But I've listened enough to know this guy loves Jesus, strives for Scripturally accurate sermons, and aches to see lives changed by the Gospel.  So even if Bell hiccups on occasion, I can't help but be challenged and compelled to faithfulness through his preaching.

Find his sermons and podcast feed at the MHC site.

Music Monday 1.1.07

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Time for my top CD's of 2006.  I was going to do the top 10, but I'm taking it up a notch.  Too many good ones to limit it to 10. 

Disclaimer: My funds are limited and I can't buy or listen to every CD worth listening to.  These are my top CD's of 2006.  There are probably some that would make my list or at least put up a fight: Grizzly Bear, Asobi Seksu, Midlake, Jeremy Enigk, The Mountain goats, and more.  But I can't live on what I don't know, so on with the list...

Wolf 21. Wolfmother: Wolfmother

Break out the air guitar and nail down a few power chords.  Wolfmother is the real deal.  It hints at old Ozzy, but without Satan.  I noticed that "Woman" is stadium music in the new Madden 07 for PS2.  My kids have also noticed it on commercials.  It's powerful, blood-pumping stuff.

Download: "White Unicorn," "Woman"

Alan 20. Alan Jackson: Like Red On a Rose

The best popular level country album I've heard in a long time.  And it encourages slowing down, making out, and all that good stuff. 

Download: "The Fireflys Song," "Nobody Said It Would Be Easy"

Crane 19. Decemberists: The Crane Wife

The last Decemberists CD was pretty good, not great.  This is a great CD with a few unexpected sounds and melodies.  Really enjoyable.

Download: "The Island," "Sons & Daughters"

Neko 18. Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

This one was slow to grow on me, but it's become a regular listen now.  Neko can sing, and this alt/country is worth every penny.

Download: "Maybe Sparrow," "Star Witness"

Avett_1 17. The Avett Brothers: Four Theives Gone

After hearing a cut from this CD on NPR I spent a few days searching for this CD.  After picking it up I had to get their other stuff.  This is alt/bluegrass/emo/screamo/country at its best.  And yes, I know that's a strange thing to say.

Download: "Left on Laura, Left on Lisa," "Famous Flower of Manhattan"

Josh 16. Josh Ritter: The Animal Years

I really debated putting this higher on my list.  Stephen King puts it first.  It's great acoustic, Dylanesque stuff.  Ritter is a master songwriter.  His earlier stuff is good too. 

Download: "Thin-Blue Flame," "Girl in the War"

Mat 15. Mat Kearney: Nothing Left to Lose

In 2004 Kearney released Bullet, which was a small release and just fantastic.  This CD is the big release of some of Bullet and some new stuff on a new label.  It blows Bullet away.

Download: "Crashing Down," "Where Do We Go From Here"

Postwar 14. M. Ward: Post-War

This is the first M. Ward CD that doesn't encourage me to skip over a song or two as I listen.  His style is a bit strange; it took me some time to enjoy it.  But the genius of the music pushed me onward, and I'm thankful.

Download: "Poison Cup," "Post-War"

Beirut 13. Beirut: Gulag Orkestar

Wow, this CD is something.  It's so different for me, and so enjoyable.  I remember listening to it on a road trip with Joe Thorn to the Southern Baptist Convention in North Carolina.  We both just loved it.  I think you would too.

Download: "Brandenburg," "Postcards From Italy"

Jenny 12. Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins: Rabbit Fur Coat

I didn't think I'd like this CD.  I wasn't impressed with the reviews so I just forgot about it.  Something recently led me to buy it, and I'm glad I did.  You know, there are some songs in the world that pop into your head at unexpected times and annoy you.  Most of the 80's comes into mind.  Then there are songs and melodies that haunt you.  For some reason Lewis' voice is always around.

Download: "Rise Up With Fists!!!," "The Changing Sky"

Espers 11. Espers: II

I read a few obscure reviews before this CD came out and figured it would be good to try.  This album still blows me away.  It's stunning.  It leaves you dazed and dazzled at the music and the harmonies.  It's a melancholy 70's folk masterpiece.

Download: "Cruel Storm," "Dead Queen"

Ys 10. Joanna Newsome: Ys

Running through a forest of fairy tales and melodies plucked on a harp.  Beautiful, wistful, powerful.  Newsome's syrupy voice fits the genre, and her poetry is even better. 

Download: "Emily," "Cosmia"

Blackangels 9. The Black Angels: Passover

I heard the dude at KEXP say that this is his album of the year.  That was enough for me to give it a try.  The Black Angels are a bit of a rock flashback, conjuring up 70's war-related stuff.  But it's every bit today as well.  When I need to crank it up a bit, I go here.

Download: "The First Vietnamese War," "The Prodigal Sun"

Aregina 8. Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope

This is a recent purchase, but it has been the CD of choice for our family ever since.  This is Fiona Apple without the deep voice.  Spektor's voice is a jewel, and she uses it brilliantly.  She is strong, but playful.  And when she's playful, she is at her best.

Download: "Fidelity," "Samson"

Catpower 7. Cat Power: The Greatest

Chan Marshall's CD has been in my blood for months.  This was an early front-runner for #1.  This music is full and meaty because of great songwriting. 

Download: "Lived in Bars," "Willie"

Waits 6. Tom Waits: Orphans

This is a difficult CD set for me to explain.  It's three CD's: Brawler, Bawlers, and Bastards.  The set is full of rarities and new stuff.  Waits' voice is gravel and acid at times, other times he sounds broken and hurting.  I was really afraid Orphans would lose iPod rotation quickly.  Man was I wrong.

Download (a few selections from each CD): "Low Down," "Rains on Me," "You Can Never Hold Back Spring," "Never Let Go," "Books of Moses," "Two Sisters," "Home I'll Never Be"

Sleeping_1 5. Sleeping At Last: Keep No Score

When Sigur Ros gets converted and sings in English, they may sound a little like Sleeping At Last.  This is Coldplayish, melody-driven, and fantastic.  This is the one CD I own where the lyrics are more important than the music.

Download: "Careful Hands," "Hold Still"

Band 4. Band of Horses: Everything All the Time

Yeah, this is on most lists.  And it should be.  "The Funeral" will be on most lists of best songs, and it should be.  What a debut CD.  I think "Monsters" is the best song by a mile, and that is saying a lot.  If you don't have this one, get it.

Download: "The Funeral," "Monsters"

Page 3. Page France: Hello, Dear Wind

I so wanted to make this #1.  This album is incredible.  This is what Christ-haunted music is supposed to sound like.  This is what redemptive music sounds like.  The theology is storied and not outlined.  The Cross bleeds through the music.

Download: "Chariot," "Feather"

Nuclear 2. Joseph Arthur: Nuclear Daydream

I think Arthur's stuff is masterful.  It's creative and thoughtful.  Good beats, winsome melodies. 

Download: "Black Lexus," "Don't Tell Your Eyes"

Shearwater 1. Shearwater: Palo Santo

This CD is unbelievable.  I listen to it over and over and it just keeps impressing me.  It's the CD I go to for time in my study and sermon work.  It's haunting, at times so gentle, and at times in your face.  It's amazing. 

Download: "Nobody," "Hail, Mary"

A few honorable mentions: Anathallo, Danielson, Jose Gonzalez, Phoenix, Serena-Maneesh, Silversun Pickups, TV on the Radio.

ESV Reverse Interlinear

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Esv_1A few weeks back I received the new ESV English-Greek Reverse Interlinear New Testament (whew!).  I've used it a few times now and like it a lot.  If you know Greek well then this product may not be very helpful.  I will probably not use it much myself since I have one of those intense Bible programs on my laptop.  But for those who don't have a great grasp on the Greek, this can be a fantastic Bible study tool.  I'm especially thinking of small group leaders and Bible study teachers in my church.

Basically this tool is the ESV Bible with the Greek words below.  Each Greek word is transliterated, parsed and numbered from Strong's.  There are helpful guides at the beginning of the book on how to use the book that explain these things further. 

As a pastor who preaches from the ESV and encourages my church members to use it for their own reading and study, I want to express my thanks to the nice people over at Crossway who are continuing to deliver great ESV tools and Bible editions.

Joe Thorn on Christmas

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Merry_christmas_1Joe Thorn has an excellent article up on Relevant Magazine's website: "Stories and an American Christmas."  A blurb...

I hear from quite a few people that all of this amounts to us pretending to like each other for a few days of the year. That the smiles, acts of kindness and all the holiday cheer is a superficial facade that is dishonest. But I disagree. I think it is less of a lie and more of the recognition that this is the way it is supposed to be. It is a yearning to be and experience what is right—what is best. It is a recognition of the imago dei, and seeing that, even in literature, is exciting. It resonates with fallen humanity.

Understanding this helps me to better connect with the culture redemptively. I do not feel the need to fight with the world about the true meaning of Christmas. Instead, I can find common ground from which we can talk, really talk, about Jesus...

Music Monday 12.18.06

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With winter here I figured I would share 5 of my favorite CD's for sipping hot cocoa in front of a crackling fireplace...

Alan Jackson: Like Red On A Rose -If all country music were more like this, fewer people would be ashamed to say they like it.

Amos Lee: Amos Lee - Silky-smooth, and oh so gentle. 

Dirty Three: Cinder - Instrumental jazz trio, beautiful and simple.

Over the Rhine: Drunkard's Prayer - Thoughtful and emotion grabbing.

Ray LaMontagne: Trouble - Heartfelt and mellow folk/acoustic.

EXTRA! EXTRA!...

Matthew Smith (of Indelible Grace) is streaming his new CD, All I Owe, for free.  Great way to check out Matthew's great worship stuff.  Also keep up with his blog and myspace.

Here's a list of some music blogs (via Kevin Cawley).  Cawley also pointed to NPR's Listener's Pick CD's of the year and KEXP's top 10 or 11 best debut CD's.  I'll probably be giving my best of the year in a couple of weeks.