The Pleasure of Fatherhood

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DSC_00162008-06-10I was so proud of my 11 year old daughter today that I popped two buttons on my shirt.  Her school had their end of the year awards for 3rd-5th graders today.  Awards (certificates of achievement or participation) were given out for perfect attendance, participation in after-school stuff like band and chorus, physical fitness, academic achievement, etc.

This year a new award was added.  Out of the four 5th grade classes only one student is chosen for a special award by an organization called Community Connections for Youth.  It's the "2008 Asset Builder of the Year Award: For choosing to have a positive impact on the lives around you."  It went to my daughter, Sarah McCoy.

I'll be honest. Parenting an 11 year old girl isn't the easiest thing my wife and I do.  She knows how to bring the drama into the simplest things in life.  But Sarah is an exceptional girl.  She has a heart for the ones everyone else makes fun of, talks down to, or ignores.  She has a generous heart and spirit about her. And I'm so proud that as Sarah "graduates" to middle school the highest award she receives is an award that says she wasn't striving to be recognized with an award, but instead was concerned about others.

Year by year we collect all these certificates and file them away and pat our kids on the back and say "good job."  We have great kids who make us very proud.  But today, a few days before Father's Day, I am floating. Sarah, you have made your Father very proud!

Music Monday 6.9.08

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There are a few hot items on the iPod right now.  I'm listening to Quiet Village's Silent Movie.  Great for mostly lyric-less work music.  Also, a few songs are so summertime pimp.  Gotta love it.  The Frightened Rabbits are hot snot with The Midnight Organ Fight.  They sing songs that are both fun and force you to think a little too, like "Head Rolls Off"...

I can't fail to mention that Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid is outstanding.  Getting tons of play.  Check out "Grounds for Divorce" (HT: MS)...

The Big 5: Commentaries on the Gospels/Acts

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CommentariesHere's a different approach.  What are your big 5 commentaries on the four Gospels and Acts?  I want your #1 commentary for each book: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts.  That will be a total of 5 books.  If you could only have one on each book, which would it be?  What's the first one a seminary student should have on his shelf?  Go!

Molly & Chiari: One Year from Diagnosis

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DSC_00112007-08-07A year ago yesterday I put up my first post about my wife Molly and her diagnosis of Chiari I Malformation.  A year ago today it was confirmed by her neurologist as her official diagnosis.  Her brain surgery went down on July 13th, as you may remember from this epic post, "Operation Chiari Freedom," describing that day and the hospital stay.  (Read all the old chiari posts.)

Many folks have asked for an update on Molly and here it is.  She is doing very well.  She is starting to eat with utensils again and is responding to my dog whistle.  LOL.  C'mon!  That's funny.  Actually she is nearly symptom free.  Her one remaining symptom is a jolting thing she does without warning.  I have explained it before, but it's essentially like a pee shiver (how descriptive of me), or that moment when you are falling asleep and jolt yourself awake.  The difference is it's slightly more pronounced and very random.  We have no idea what it is and haven't seen a marked increase in the symptom, so we aren't too worried.  But we watch it.

Over the last year Molly has had multiple opportunities to speak with other folks who are facing Chiari surgery.  Some have emailed, some have called.  My blog is like the 16 hit on Google for "chiari surgery" and can be found other ways, and often is.  As my posts tapered off so have some of those who are emailing, but they still contact us here and there.  It's a neat ministry for her.

A year later our main feeling is a deep thankfulness to God for his goodness and mercy.  They have pursued us.  As we have more to say about Molly & Chiari, I will let you know.  Until that time we thank all of my readers and those who have been praying for Molly and our family.  It's good to be facing this summer with renewed joy and fewer doctor appointments. :)

The Big 5: Systematic Theology

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Hodge C Systematic TheologyBlog Note: Please read the rules to each thread. These lists are most helpful when we all keep our lists "tight."

What are your big 5 systematic theology books?

Please, no debate on systematic or other theological methods. And limit it to systematic theology, not just any theology book you like. Obviously multi-volume systematics can be
listed as one book.  Go!

The Big 5: Books on Church Leadership

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Leadership(1)What are your big 5 books on church/biblical leadership? 

Resist the urge to put in books on general, secular or business leadership.  I know those are very helpful, but we will have a separate list for those at some point.  If they are books written by church leaders that could be used beyond church leadership, that's fine.  And please don't list character books unless they are specific to leaders.  This list might include books on elders, training future church leaders, leadership passages in Scripture, etc.  I'll give you all a head start.  Go!

Music Monday 6.2.08

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Once again my favorite film podcast has introduced me to great music.  This time it's David Ford.  After hearing a few cuts from his album I decided to peruse many of his YouTube videos.  I was hooked.  The next day Joe Thorn called me, not knowing  and asked if I knew anymore about the music from the film podcast since he really liked it.  Listen, when Joe and I agree on music it's pretty much a guarantee that vast amounts of awesomeness are on the way.  Check out David Ford's one-take studio video for "Go To Hell"...

Ford is not only a talented singer/song-writer, he's prolific at doing covers. Often they are quite fun. How about that song from Titanic...

The Avett Brothers new EP in The Gleam series (The Gleam II) comes out in late July. One song on that EP will be "Murder in the City," a really beautiful song. Listen to this studio recording, or watch a decent concert video...

Listen to some new The Twilight Sad (right side, "track list). New Okkervil River album coming in September. The new Sigur Ros song "Gobbledigook" is free for us all.  Pitchfork has wisely interviewed Bon Iver.  Listen to some new Shearwater.  Their new album is out tomorrow. 

How about one last video, this time a cover from Christian artist Phil Wickham. Wowwy. (HT: Living Forward)

The Big 5: Books on Preaching

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DriscollList 5 books you would recommend on preaching?  Think of a seminary student or newbie...what would help him?  Think of a seasoned preacher...what would spice things up after years of the same process?   Please no books of preaching or transcribed sermons.  This should be a list of books on the art and science of preaching, on the preparation and delivery of sermons.  In this post I'm thinking of preaching as the weekly public proclamation to a local church and visitors. I'm going to let you make your suggestions first before I give my list. 

The Big 5: Books on Personal Evangelism

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HarvestLogoWhich 5 books would you recommend on the topic of personal evangelism?  Please stick to evangelism, not apologetics or missional church.  They can be books on theology and theory or practice.  I'm going to choose less obvious ones (mostly) and leave those for you all.

The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs (can't not mention this one)
Words to Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar
Promoting the Gospel by John Dickson
The Pastor-Evangelist by Roger Greenway
The Art of Manfishing by Thomas Boston

Music Memorial Day Monday 5.26.08

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Please watch Weezer's new video, "Pork and Beans."  Awesomely fun.

Really love the Band of Horses song "No One's Gonna Love You." Great to see a new video out...

Need some power instrumentals? Got it with some Pelican...

And since Elijah and I will be dressing in our Little League uniforms today for the Memorial Day parade, this is some old school baseball goodness. Enjoy John Fogerty's "Centerfield"...

Luke? or Luke?

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Skywalk343dWe were talking to our kids about the Gospels at dinner tonight.  You know, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Really great conversation.

Danny, our 5 year old, asked, "Daddy, is 'Luke' the same as 'Luke' in Star Wars?" Awesome!