What are you Big 5 biographies?
Let's say no memoirs, though those can be great too. These can be of Christians or Presidents or whatever. Should be fun. Go!
The Big 5: Biographies
in Books, The Big 5 Books
Bon Iver Concert & Okkervil Album
in Music
Speaking of buying music, I just pre-ordered Okkervil River's The Stand Ins from Jagjaguwar. It's $11 for a CD and comes with posters for The Stand Ins and The Stage Names PLUS a digital download of the album on September 5th (4 days before the release date!). Very cool.
The Big 5: Books on Calvinism
in Books, The Big 5 Books, Theology
Yeah, I know that some (many?) of you aren't Calvinists. And you probably know that I am, but that's not the point. The point is we all need to read on theological topics of importance regardless of our personal positions. Often those well-written books persuade us. So...
What are your Big 5 books on Calvinism?
Actually, be a little more free with the topic if you like. List a book on Calvinism, Arminianism, both, the sovereignty of God, or even a particular topic like predestination, election, etc. Go!
Music Monday 8.11.08
in Music
I'm working hard to not overstate this: This is the greatest news in the history of the world. Okkervil River's new album (a double album when added to The Stage Names) is coming on September 9th. It's called The Stand Ins. That's been public info for a while, of course, but not with a new live video (via) of "Lost Coastlines" (MP3 available for iTunes download)...
Burial has a face and name. Good for him. If you don't know Burial, you should. He does look a bit like the dude on his last CD cover.
Thanks to Joe Thorn's email I didn't miss this Alaska in Winter video. Beautiful...
New Avett Brothers EP, The Gleam II, is out and on my iPod. It's great, as expected. Pitchfork likes it just fine.
New Conor Oberst video for "Souled Out!!" "You know by now, you won't be gettin' in to heaven"...
For some reason on vacation last week we heard a lot of country music on the radio in central Illinois. It was fun listening to catchy summertime fun stuff like Sugarland's "All I Want To Do."
Spiritualized with "You Lie You Cheat." Huh. Warning: You might hurl.
This is mildly music oriented. Watch Wilco sing the 7th Inning Stretch for the Cubbies. In the interview that follows Tweedy admits to growing up a Cardinals fan. I'm going to torch my Wilco CD's! Not really. Enjoy...
The Big 5: Daily Devotionals
in Books, The Big 5 Books
What are your Big 5 daily devotionals?
I'm not asking what books you like to read during a devotional "quiet time." I'm asking about books that are created as daily devotionals. Often they are dated or numbered for daily use. Sometimes they are not yearly but are still written for daily reading. Just make sure they are true devotionals. Got it? Go!
LEAD Conference
On October 22-24 the LEAD Conference begins in St. Louis. From the website...
We are gathering some of the best leaders to equip, encourage and employ up and coming urban leaders. Our focus will be on the theological and practical implications of ministry in an urban context. There will be three breakout tracks for leaders to participate in: Church Planting, Mercy, and Arts. ...We will learn together, grow together and change the world together.
The conference coincides with an Acts 29 Boot Camp, and the list of speakers is top notch: Bryan Chapell, Darrin Patrick, Daniel Montgomery, Eric Mason, Randy Nabors, and Matt Carter. Breakout tracks include church planting, arts, and mercy. Should be great. If things are ok at the time with my wife's "illness," I hope to go.
New at sub•text
in sub•text
A few new things over at sub•text...
Joe Thorn's excellent "Gospel Connections in Suburbia."
Interview with Al Hsu, editor at IVP, author of The Suburban Christian: Finding Spiritual Vitality in the Land of Plenty, blogger, and columnist for Christianity Todaymagazine, and future sub•text forum speaker.
I link to and quote from SoundPolitics.com as they consider how diverse suburbia really is.
Music Monday 8.4.08
in Music
I know I sing the praises of Bon Iver like every week. But it just keeps getting better! No joke. Watch this video of Bon Iver and Bowerbirds covering a Sarah Siskind track (via)...
Like the Bowerbirds and want more? I hear you. How about a Take Away Show. Here's "Dark Horse"...
This is cool, even with a degraded video quality. Gnarles Barkley does Radiohead's "Reckoner"...
What? You need something "old school?" I'll give you two. Slaughter's "Fly to the Angels"...
And Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild"...
Phriday is for Photos 8.1.08
in Photography
A couple of photos of my boy Danny at the White Sox game a week and a half ago. I changed my ISO to get these in low light, and I think they turned out nice. Plus, he's so freaking cute! All my photography.
The Big 5: Short Books
in Books, The Big 5 Books
I love short books. Really love them. I think too many times authors write "book-length" books because that's what you do. But when I find a good short-and-to-the-point book I not only get something worth reading, but also giving away. As a pastor, finding shorter books that are quick reads to give away is something I search out. So...
What are your Big 5 short books/quick reads? (Please list exact # of pages)
I almost called this the books under 100 pages, but that's too narrow. For example, Mahaney's Living the Cross Centered Life is about 150 pages. But it also has small dimensions, so it would read like a wider & taller book at 100 pages or so. Pick books that feel like quick reads, that you might give to someone who isn't a reader. Get it? Go!
Lots-o-Links & Molly Update 7.29.08
Quick update on Molly & Chiari. Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs. So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September. Dunno what's going to happen just yet. I'll let you know.
Some days are better than others right now. The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet. Glad about that. Thanks for praying for her.
Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations. Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...
Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.
Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity
Other links...
Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life. I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future. Good thoughts from Joe.
Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff. Excerpts and more.
New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.
David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.
Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight
Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church
William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom
Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE! Get it now, only a few days left.
Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.
JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down
Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...
Lots-o-Links & Molly Update 7.29.08
Quick update on Molly & Chiari. Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs. So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September. Dunno what's going to happen just yet. I'll let you know.
Some days are better than others right now. The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet. Glad about that. Thanks for praying for her.
Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations. Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...
Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.
Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity
Other links...
Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life. I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future. Good thoughts from Joe.
Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff. Excerpts and more.
New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.
David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.
Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight
Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church
William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom
Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE! Get it now, only a few days left.
Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.
JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down
Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...
Music Monday 7.28.08
in Music
Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live. This is awesome...
Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...
Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!
Music Monday 7.28.08
in Music
Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live. This is awesome...
Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...
Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!
Phriday is for Photos 7.25.08
in Photography
The first is Danny at Dairy Mart in Huntley, IL after Elijah's All-Star game last night. The second is my legs at the Woodstock pool a few weeks ago. I forgot to take off my leg-sweaters. Both photos taken with my trusty Sprint Centro. All my photography is on Flickr.
Phriday is for Photos 7.25.08
in Photography
The first is Danny at Dairy Mart in Huntley, IL after Elijah's All-Star game last night. The second is my legs at the Woodstock pool a few weeks ago. I forgot to take off my leg-sweaters. Both photos taken with my trusty Sprint Centro. All my photography is on Flickr.
15 Years of Grace
in Family
Anyone who really knows me knows I don't deserve to be married to my wife, Molly. It's was foreshadowed in the pre-wedding photo on the right. Click for larger view.
Molly is a woman of integrity, sacrifice, love, laughter, intensity, grace, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope, humility and long-suffering (especially long-suffering). She is a Mom who deeply loves our kids and would (and does) do anything to give them what they need. Here's the understatement of the year: She is a wife who accepts me as I am, despite what I do or don't do, despite the sanctification that I resist. AND she is freaking hot, I mean the Queen of Hotness hot, I mean more attractive now than ever hot (especially with her summer tan, hubba hubba).
After 15 years of marriage I am still astonished that God put such a wonderful woman in my life. But He did, and my life is so much better because of His goodness and grace. I love you Sweetheart. You are my best friend.
15 Years of Grace
in Family
Anyone who really knows me knows I don't deserve to be married to my wife, Molly. It's was foreshadowed in the pre-wedding photo on the right. Click for larger view.
Molly is a woman of integrity, sacrifice, love, laughter, intensity, grace, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope, humility and long-suffering (especially long-suffering). She is a Mom who deeply loves our kids and would (and does) do anything to give them what they need. Here's the understatement of the year: She is a wife who accepts me as I am, despite what I do or don't do, despite the sanctification that I resist. AND she is freaking hot, I mean the Queen of Hotness hot, I mean more attractive now than ever hot (especially with her summer tan, hubba hubba).
After 15 years of marriage I am still astonished that God put such a wonderful woman in my life. But He did, and my life is so much better because of His goodness and grace. I love you Sweetheart. You are my best friend.
The Big 5: Books You Haven't Read
in Books, The Big 5 Books
Who doesn't love a little humiliation?
What are the Big 5 books you are ashamed to say you haven't read?
Admit what you haven't read, books that are supposed to be awesome or "required reading." You should feel some shame in admitting it. It should confound your closest friends. Sure, we know you haven't read a few classical novels that many people have read. But who cares? Give us the scoop on the MOST embarrassing books you have neglected. Who knows? Maybe it will light a fire under your butt to get'r done.
The Big 5: Books You Haven't Read
in Books, The Big 5 Books
Who doesn't love a little humiliation?
What are the Big 5 books you are ashamed to say you haven't read?
Admit what you haven't read, books that are supposed to be awesome or "required reading." You should feel some shame in admitting it. It should confound your closest friends. Sure, we know you haven't read a few classical novels that many people have read. But who cares? Give us the scoop on the MOST embarrassing books you have neglected. Who knows? Maybe it will light a fire under your butt to get'r done.