The Speckled Mind

Time to move on

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 18:46:28 GMT

Hello, faithful blog readers.

Well, I've had it. I've put up with the inferior blogdrive engine for long enough. I'm moving my blog to a more user friendly (read "music-major proof") server. I could share with you the delightful reasons why blogdrive is the bane of my otherwise meaningful existence, but it doesn't seem particularly helpful at this juncture.

All that needs to be said is my new blog will be of a similar title:

http://www.speckledmind.blogspot.com

Please visit me there. I get lonely without you. Oh, sorry about the long delay between blogs. I have to work at my job in January; I promise it won't happen again.

Top 10 Albums of 2005

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:20:06 GMT

It's been a year in the making. After much debate, these records make the final cut: After much debate, these records make the final cut:

#10: Nothing is Sound - Switchfoot

I keep waiting for these guys to sell out, lose their edge and become another sad scar on the landscape of the shallow teeny rock scene. This offering proved my fears to be misguided. In this release the boys stay true to their riffy excellence and don't lost any depth or cleverness in the lyrics. Thank goodness for Christian bands that are still creating good art.

Favorite Track: The Shadow Proves the Sunshine

#9: Knuckle Down - Ani Difranco

What can I say, I've always had a special place in my heart for the music of angry women. The first time I heard the title track from this album I was on my way back from Barnes & Noble in Roseville. I had to pull over to the side of the road--it is that good. Fortunately, unlike most songs that have strong initial appeal, Ani's music has yet to disappoint me. It's good time after time.

Favorite Track: Lag Time

#8: Why Should the Fire Die? - Nickel Creek

The Pop-grass pioneers first caught my attention with their incredible, "This Side," released in 2002. Fans of the band had to wait three years for more of the pickin', fiddlin' and strummin' that made that release so great. In the meantime Chris and Sean were pursuing various solo endeavors and the whole band collaborated with Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) on a project called "The Mutual Admiration Society. Stupid name, great music. This album is good but different from "This Side," exploring a mutuality in their song writing that had not been present before. You won't find better musicianship than Nickel Creek's outside of the classical realm.

Favorite Track: Doubting Thomas

#7: Picaresque - The Decemberists

Listening to The Decemberists is akin to reading a great piece of literature. You are impressed with the artistry, you feel a bit more intelligent after finishing and you are frequently reaching for your dictionary. Not only does Colin Meloy use the word "palinquin," he rhymes it with "elephant Impressive to say the least. The rhyming couplets "parapets/coronets" and "folderol/chaparral" also blew me away...and those are all from the album's first track. The Decemberists concern themselves little with talking about their own lives. The great majority of their songs present fanciful or historical stories that wrap the listener in a world of delightful make-believe. The band defies comparison--you won't hear anything else like this.

Favorite Track: 16 Military Wives

#6: Haughty Melodic - Mike Doughty

For anyone who loved Soul Coughing in its heyday, Doughty gives you 12 great new reasons to "walk around in circles." As a friend of mine who is new to Doughty commented--"I never get sick of listening to that CD." It's true. There's just something about his gravelly voice and circular chord progressions that keep you coming back time and again. I guess one of the privileges of recording on Dave Matthews' label (ATO Records) is the opportunity to duet with the Satellite king--"Tremendous Brunettes" pairs Mike and Dave--a collaboration I would love to see repeated in the future.

Favorite Track: Busting up a Starbucks

#5: The Mysterious Production of Eggs - Andrew Bird

I just stumbled on this album last week. It quickly catapulted its way into the top ten of 2005. It may have wound up higher on the list if I had gotten hold of it sooner. A succinct description of Andrew Bird? Imagine Jack Johnson, only with talent. Bird's performance proficiency is heightened by a mastery of the loop pedal. Often the only one on stage for performances, Bird makes use of his voice, guitar, vibes, whistling and some of the best violin playing you'll hear. I think he was actually a classical musician in a previous life. Thank goodness he left the dark side--we can all reap the benefits on this album.

Favorite Track: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left

#4: Plans - Death Cab For Cutie

Pardon me while I ooze. I am admittedly "that fan" of Death Cab. You know, that fan who owns all of the bands recordings, including Ben Gibbard�s various side projects (The Postal Service and All-Time Quarterback!), goes to their concerts and dreams about them at night. What can I say�when Ben stops writing great music, I'll stop buying. "Plans" is the major label debut for the boys after they developed a reputation as the darlings of the indie-rock scene in Seattle (and elsewhere). Death Cab is the standard by which all other indie bands should be measured. In some ways this album is the band's best and in others it still lives in the shadow of 2003's "Transatlanticism." Regardless, if you haven't started down the trail with Death Cab, this album provides an excellent opportunity to jump on the band's-wagon.

Favorite Track: Crooked Teeth

#3: A Collision - David Crowder* Band

I've already said plenty about my love for DCB. The short version: They are writing the best music that mainstream Christianity has to offer. Crowder has found a way to hold good theology and good art in a delicate balance that nearly everyone recognizes and appreciates. He's a DJ, he's a worship leader, he's the funniest stage personality out there (and I do mean out there) and he's still humble. There is no good reason to leave this album on the shelf. Buy it now.

Favorite Track: A Beautiful Collision

#2: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes

Conor Oberst has always been more of a lyricist than a songwriter, but this album marks a turning point in his development. If you aren't willing to part with your cash simply on my recommendation, you can have a free listen to one of his shows (at the 9:30 Club in D.C.) courtesy of the good folks at NPR. WARNING: If left-leaning politics causes you to feel disoriented this album will make you tip over. Look on the bright side though--it may be the best thing for you. Few artists are writing with the kind of passion that Oberst has, and it is nowhere better displayed than this album.

Favorite Track: Land Locked Blues

#1: Illinois - Sufjan Stevens

Don't let the strange clipart-esque cover fool you. This guy has Don't let the strange clipart-esque cover fool you. This guy has serious talent. "Strange" is an appropriate word though; Sufjan's goal is to write an album for each of the fifty states. So far he has covered Michigan and Illinois. No word yet on which state will be the beneficiary of his next effort, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for Minnesota, eh? Sufjan's voice is like water--it just washes over you and you begin to wonder how you ever got by without it. I recommend "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," in particular.

If this song doesn't give you the chills, you aren't listening closely enough.

Favorite Track: John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

There it is, friends. I'd love to hear your addendums/subtractions. Lord knows I'm not the only one around these parts with strong opinions about music. Best of luck to everyone in the search for great music in 2006.

On not playing well

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 15:33:39 GMT

Hey friends. Just a short post to let ya'll down from the pins on needles upon which you have been precariously sitting since my Friday post. Three things are certain:

1. The Ziegler's (Nathan and Kristin) are the masters of monopoly, finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively, out of 36 people.

2. The Wachters (Chris and Jill) are ruthless, having destroyed me in the 1st and 2nd rounds, respectively.

3. The North Carolina/Pacific Avenue/Pennsylvania properties (the green ones), repeatedly failed me...disrespectfully.

What can I say, the odds didn't pan out for me. I finished 26th of 36 people and went home with my tail between my legs at 1:00 in the a.m. So for those of you who put money in me in the Vegas betting pools, I'm sorry. Better luck to all of us next year.

Monopoly!!

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 22:08:59 GMT

Well, friends, tonight is the night. For the fifth time in my life I will squeeze into the Ziegler home with 35 other wild-eyed board gamers and play Monopoly . T'will be a house crammed full of merriment, I reckon' (yes, I did just use the word "t'will"...and not like the sport coat material). Anyhoo...

For the uninitiated, the Ziegler Monopoly tournament works as follows:

1. 6 players at each board
2. Randomly placement for rounds one and two, then placement is determined by overal $$ and rank for round 3)
3. $5 entry fee per person, meriting varying levels of Target gift cards for the best finishers.
4. Nathan's sister Kristin destroys everyone. She doesn't win every year, but she's always at that "top 6" table for round three. Those Ziegler's are pretty competetive. It must run in the genes (like diarrhea...runs in the jeans). Puns are so much more difficult on a blog.

Below are some examples of the cards I hope not to draw this evening:

Who knew the long arm of the Los Angeles Police Department stretches even into the realm of Parker Brothers games. Do you feel safe?

I have finished in the money every year, but I've got a bad feeling about tonight. If this blog was really cool, I could have up to the second score updates. That would be sweet. It would be like ESPTim.com. Anyway, ya'll will just have to wait until Monday to find out the results. Wait on pins and needles.

Misc. etc.

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 21:51:13 GMT

Nothing particularly profound today. Just some more funny stuff from the good folks at compfused.com who also brought you this funny essay.

As I am trying to create a more "positive" atmoshpere at my blog (i.e., do less complaining about things I have little intention of doing anything about), I will refrain from asking how this sign is a parable of how the Church is perceived. I will not beg the question of whether or not we have become self-referential and self-serving to the point of being ridiculous and unhelpful to anyone outside the walls. Positvity is so good for the soul.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I'm not really a metrosexual. I don't know if I should be disappointed or not. I'll let Jess decide on that one.

For those about to waste time: Part II

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:45:45 GMT

OH, this is good. For everyone who loved the old school apple IIe games, I have found heaven for you. That's right, Dig Dug and Oregon Trail have been unearthed. I almost wept thinking about my childhood. Then I did weep after poking around the games for a while...I remember them being much easier. I don't have any skills. That is all.

Teasing on T-Day with the T-Word

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:21:56 GMT

It's coming.

And someone is going to say it--they do every year.

It's that uncle, that father, that a bit too smart for his/her own good nephew or niece. Maybe even grandpa.

Someone is going to say it--maybe it's even you. I can see it in your shifty little eyes.

Perhaps when laying out on the couch after the big meal. The game is on. The Lions are losing. They always do. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Matt Millen wringing his hands while his team suffers the agony of defeat. Except, of course, that year they beat the Packers for their first win of the season. Good times.

Nevertheless. After eating too much, talking too much and drinking too much, someone is going to be tired. That someone is going to drop the word: tryptophan.

And you know how they're going to say it. It will be that smug sort of, "look how clever I am" kind of comment. That, "I'm in touch with the inner workings of the scientific community, and you didn't listen in junior high biology" type of comment.

Oh yes. That's how it will go down.

Prepare yourselves, witless masses! This is serious business! How will you respond? Will you allow that person to have the upper hand on interesting amino acid facts for the tenth consecutive year? Is that what you really want? Will you, once again, come to this battle of wits armed with nothing more than cranberry sauce and a cheap bottle of wine? Is that the best you can do?

Or will you be ready this time?

Will you be prepared to retort, "I think your level of tiredness has more to do with the bottle of cheap wine you just consumed than the turkey." Will you remind them that tryptophan is only the first in a three step process leading to sleep, with vitamin B and serotonin playing their parts in turn? Will you glibly respond that tryptophan only affects an empty stomach and then wittily comment on the peculiar disappearance of that person's belt buckle? What will you do to have the upper hand this year, faithful minions? This battle is too important to lose.

Living in Love?

Fri, 11 Nov 2005 20:39:50 GMT

I am sadder than I have been in a long time. Yesterday at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN a meeting took place--one that attractted the attention of both the media and opposition groups. The ""Minnesota Pastor's Summit," as it was called, was an interdenominational effort to (in their words), "Equip Churches to Engage Culture."

That's a friendly way to put it.

To all accounts it was actually a conference about how to hate homosexuals under the guise of concern for congregants and maintenance of "traditional family values." Breakout sessions included such topics as "The Truth of the Homosexual Lifestyle." As if there were such a thing. To refer to "the homosexual lifestyle" is reductionistic, on par with generalizations about "the Christian lifestyle" in a discussion about Pat Robertson. Anybody want to align with his lifestyle?

I was just starting to recover from my frustration this morning. I swallowed anger that had been brewing for the previous 24 hours and drove to work. Right as I pulled into the parking lot, MPR aired a story about how the conference went. I sat motionless as the voices of Christians came on the air and tarnished Jesus' name for all of Minnesota to hear. Read the article. You have time, and you need to do it now. It is a transcription of almost everything from the audio program, save one. At the end of the story they played a sound clip of one of the pastor's announcing there had been a bomb threat, and the building should be evacuated. Preceding the announcement, however, was his smug voice yelling (to the sound of applause), "We are in the enemy's lair! We are in the enemy's lair!" He just said it over and over...

But who is the enemy?

The churched in our number would likely assume he meant Satan, indicating his feeling that the bomb threat was a direct spiritual assault because "the right thing" was occuring. But what about everyone else? I'd wager the majority of those who listen to NPR are not churched. What did they hear in the confident reverend's statement?

I am, of course, giving that minister the benefit of the doubt. I'm assuming he wasn't pointing to homosexuals as the enemy. Or was he? I'm sure he would be quick to deny that he hated gays. He was just protecting our families. Doing his part. Standing up for family values. Being Biblical. The usual rhetoric.

The contentious issue is a constitutional ammendment to define marriage as "the union of one man and one woman." How anyone feels about this ammendment or the politics of the situation is of little concern to me.

My thought is, if we're going to define something, let's define the word, "Christian."

"Christ-like." That's a good definition. Let's start there. Now, friends, tell me this: If Jesus showed up in bodily form at the summit yesterday, which group would have been at the business end of his preaching? Would he have stood outside and berated the crowd of 200 protestors who supported the GLBT lifestyle? Would he have cursed them for their sexual immorality? For destroying the traditional definition of the family?

Or would he have walked through the doors of Grace Church (which I recall had its own trouble with sexual immorality in the past...) and call those inside a bunch of "whitewashed tombs?" Would he have reminded them of his own instructions about love?

As I read the gospels, I see Jesus embodying love to the "sinners and outcasts." Regardless of which of those categories you think homosexuals fall, you have to agree Jesus was more likely to give a piece of his mind to the religious--the pharisees, teachers of the law, etc. In other words, me. I'm the worst. I'm looking up the moral ladder at the homosexuals because of my arrogance and hypocrisy. They're better than me.

"But don't we have to take a stand, Tim?" At what point do we stand up and decry the evils in our society? Let's go with Paul. He instructs us to judge those INSIDE the Church.. If we're going to have a summit to talk about the degredation of marriage, let's discuss the problems found within our walls. The common statistic is 50% of all marriages end in divorce; and alarmingly, Christians show a significantly higher rate of divorce than atheists/agnostics. Now, there's a problem we should discuss at a summit.

I have a hunch the issue of homosexuality as related to religion will define my generation of gospel ministers. What will we say? Perhaps more importantly, how will we say it? When will we say it? It is my firm conviction the kind of rhetoric currently emerging from the Church about homosexuality will not be ultimately helpful for the forward progression of the gospel.

"Jesus Junk" and "Holy Hardware"

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 17:50:39 GMT

Exhibit A:

Is this really disconcerting to anyone else? I actually thought this was a joke until I checked out this website--please check it out if you can't read all the text. Remember you don't really love Jesus unless your ipod can be fashioned in the form of a cross. As I have the 20 Gig variety, I'm starting to feel concerned about my salvation...

Exhibit B:

Remember, if your breath is not fresh, Jesus is not happy. Only by using these mints, or some other specially formulated spiritualized toothpaste will you find communion with God.

Exhibit C:

If you weren't shocked before, hopefully this one will get you. Please notice what has occurred here. WE HAVE TAKEN JESUS OFF THE CROSS AND REPLACED HIM WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG. Does that strike anyone else as a problem? Maybe this is a subtle jab at the Bush administration's definition of "torture," but I doubt it.

Teaching Dilemmas

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 19:48:51 GMT

Alright, all of you education types. Just remember, no matter how difficult teaching is, it could be worse. You could have had this essay turned in by one of your students. Then you would have been left with a terrible dilemma: do I give young Jeremy Lavine from period 3 an A because I laughed myself stupid, or do I give him an F for turning in a ridiculous paper that was mostly made up out of his brain. I, of course, would give him an A+, evidencing once and for all that I don't belong in the public schools.

Coffee and Conversion

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 21:41:34 GMT

Have you ever had that perfect cup of coffee? You know, the one where you put just the right amount of sugar, just the right amount of cream. It's a little bit sweet, but not too sweet. It still has that distinct bite in the back of your mouth that every French Roast should have. It's...incredible. The greatness of each sip is only surpassed by the sip which follows it. For the half hour that it lasts, life is perfect.

Of course, then you remember that you're at work and you should have been working for the last half an hour. What a bitter pill that is.

Lately I've been reading a book called "Finding Faith Tody: How Does it Happen?" by John Finney. It's a remarkable little study about how adults come to faith. The whole book is research-based and taken from a large sample of adult converts--written in 1992.

A number of things have blown me away--i.e. the number of preconceived notions I had that have been called into question by Finney's study. Probably the most pronounced of these is 2/3 of the people surveyed described their conversion as a process rather than a single pronounced occasion (like an altar call). Even more interesting--of those 2/3, the average time for coming to faith was FOUR YEARS! This means, on average, people had sustained positive contact with Christianity in one form or another (a church, a friend, media, etc.) for four years before deciding to follow Christ.

I had mixed, powerful emotions after reading this. First, I am profoundly encouraged that some friends may yet decide Jesus is worthwhile. Second, I was acutely aware of my own impatience when discussing Christ with others. Where are the results?!? Truth be told, they may be a long way off in the future. I may never see them.

It is both humbling and frustrating to know that my place is more often a link in the chain.

For those about to waste time...I solute you

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 22:30:38 GMT

This website is for everyone who is mourning the passing of the baseball season. It is also for those of you need to waste a little time. It is also for those of you who enjoy watching a penguin get hit with a club by a Yeti. My best is 321 yards. I'm impressed if anyone can top it.

Out of Paralysis

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 16:06:25 GMT

I just read this blog about how to blog and how not to blog. This is my official confession about breaking some (read many) of the rules that he listed. I repent. I will do better next time. Probably my favorite statement was this:

"11. say exactly what you want to say no matter what it looks like on the screen. then say something else. then keep going. and when youre done, re-read it, and edit it and hit publish and forget about it."

So that's it...I'm done with it. Done waiting for some sort of supernatural inspiration before I write. Done worrying about the things I write here. Done worrying about how I say those things. Done.

On a completely unrelated note, I hate the White Sox. I hate that they're the best team in baseball, I hate that they won the world series. I hate that they beat the Astros in four games. I hate that no name players stepped up and made big plays. But most of all, I hate A.J. Pierzynski. Who doesn't, right? Just look at that guy.

When, Carl Pohlad? When will you go out and get the Twins a bat? When? Firing your hitting coach was a good move... But what can a hitting coach do without real hitters to coach? Well, Carl, you've got until April 4. The clock is ticking. Don't suck.

Where's Freud when you need him?

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 21:43:53 GMT

When did you come to faith in Christ? I'm starting to believe the answer to that question has a profound impact on the way faith plays out for the rest of life....give me a minute to unpack it.

All of these thoughts were unearthed by a conversation that I had with Jason Anderson on Saturday night. The whole purpose of our time together was to share our faith stories with one another--a really refreshing practice that I recommend to everyone. It became apparent after the first five minutes of Jason's story that he and I had come from two completely opposite paths to arrive at Christ. Whereas my background involved a simple decision of faith at a young age, his was more of a desperate crying out for Christ to save him while in college.

I was blessed so much by hearing him describe what Christ had saved him from. Then, one of his statements hit me really hard. He said, "The closest thing I can describe to that [feeling of entering a relationship with God] is when I fell in love with my wife." It struck me that my love for God wasn't and had never been anything like what Jason had just described.

I let it slide for the moment, not saying anything about it. Jason continued his story, at one point talking about prayer. Again, as he spoke, it struck me how much easier prayer seemed to be for him than it was for me. I am a bad pray-er. Let's just face it. As we talked, I related to him the intellectual struggles I have had with prayer over the years (see blog about this below). Then he told me--"Tim I don't think it's as much about what prayer accomplishes. It's about developing a relationship with God."

Those are words I had heard a thousand times before, but this was the first time they hit home. Jason's relationship with God was like falling in love with his wife. Therefore, "developing a relationship" with God was as pertinent to him as developing a closer relationship with his wife. So what is my problem? I wonder if my struggle with spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, etc.) is because I view my love for God in a far different light than Jason does.

Here's my hypothesis. Because I came to faith at a very young age, my only paradigm for "love" was a love for parents. A very real love--no question. It is, however, very different than the love I have for Jessica. Whereas romantic love involves much more emotional response, a love for parents functions more in the realm of safety, security, confidence of presence, etc. Am I crazy here, or does this have real implications?

Now, I don't mean to imply that one is higher order love and the other is a lower order. I think they're both Biblical, but I don't think either view is self-sufficient. Anyone else found these paradigms playing out similarly (or differently) in their lives?

Sorry to do therapy on my blog, but I wanted to get this all out on paper...or cyberspace.

It's Getting Crowdered in Here

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 17:26:14 GMT

Oh, the mystery and mastery of David Crowder. I can't begin to explain all of the reasons that I love his music. Not that you would want to read all of them anyway. I will, however, list a few reasons why all of you should get to know and love the force of nature known by his fans simply as "Crowder:"

1. His proclivity to subtitle everything, like his new album: "A Collision, or (3+4=7)." No idea what that means, but it's pretty cool.

2. Whereas many Christian artsits are writing music that likens itself to pixie sticks (good at first taste, but not ultimately satisfying), Crowder's music leaves you feeling like you've had a good steak dinner (unless you are Coral, in which case it leaves you feeling like you've had a "good tofu" dinner...if there were such a thing :)

3. That gotee. It actually has the status of being an entity unto itself. If you like it, you can grow your own.

4. Really funny text in the CD jacket like this: "There were a number of agreeable noise emitting devices used in the assembly of this recording that felt too tedious and pretentious to list. Chances are great that one of the persons mentioned on the previous pages is responsible for what you hearwith the following conjectural exceptions..." Honestly, who but Crowder...

5. The fact that so much sound can come from a body that would blow away in a stiff wind.

There are others, but I'll stop here. Add your own! Love your Crowder! Buy the CD!

What ever happened to the easy answers?

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 22:22:54 GMT

One of the things that has been on my mind a lot lately is how the simple answers on which I used to fall don't quite seem...adequate any longer. My feeble attempts to counsel a friend through marital difficulties probably bubbled this to the surface. Since this is not the best place to share about that situation, I'll give another that has proven to be quite a puzzle.

As I've been studying the first 15 or so books of the Bible in sem classes, the question of what to think about polygamy has been a source of confusion for me. The pat answer? "It is wrong." Sure, plenty of Biblical evidence can be cited to support that. Genesis--one man, one woman, one lifetime. Abraham's marriage to Hagar doesn't work out well for relations between Jews and Muslims. Etc, etc, etc....

But what do you do with David? The author of Samuel makes a pretty forceful moral judgment about his adultery with Bathsheba, no doubt. But what about his marriage to Abigail? The story seems to imply that he is saving her from a fool (Nabal in hebrew means "fool"). Solomon, while he is condemned for marrying foreign women is not chastised implicitly for having multiple marriages--just for following their gods.

While the considerations about David and Solomon may be "arguments from silence," what about the Deuteronomical law? It commands a man to marry and provide an heir for his brother's wife in the event of his death (Levirite marriage). The "true truth" gets a little blurry there...

One of our profs was sharing a story about some missionaries to Africa who had converted a whole village to belief in Christ. A huge miracle. Things were going really well. However, the chief had five wives--the missionaries were quick to point out that this was in opposition to following Christ. So, wanting to be authentic in his new faith, the chief kept his favorite wife and put the other four out of his house. They were forced to become prostitutes because any self-respecting man in that culture wouldn't marry someone who wasn't a virgin...

So what do you think--not necessarily about polygamy specifically, though I'd love to hear input on that--but about the whole issue of a sliding truth and morality scale?

Some thoughts on musical worship...

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 17:43:41 GMT

I've found a lot of reaction to this article on some of the blogs that I frequent. It's about the whole state of worship music--where it's come from, where it's gone, but mostly what's wrong with it. Sigh...

It seems odd that I have pretty much avoided the topic of worship music on my blog. Maybe it's because I fear that there is something terribly wrong with the way I do things at Hope (I'm not fishing for compliments here, so please don't read it that way), maybe it's because I can see validity in the arguments on all sides of worship wars, maybe it's because my opinions are constantly changing.

Among the most frequently voiced complaints is the presence of the word "I" in worship music. Many say that evangelical worship tunes do a better job of glorifying the manner of our worship than the object of our worship. Said simply--most of these choruses worship worship rather than worshiping God.

The hymns vs. choruses debate has also continue to rage. It's as if they are two heavy weight boxers--the first old, but crafty, the second young and agile. Which will win? Why are they fighting in the first place? My mom related to me a conversation that she had recently with an older couple. They said the dominance of choruses to the neglect of hymns has made them feel like musical refugees in a once familiar landscape.

This is certainly a can of worms, but I suppose it's best to ask the questions and let the chips fall as they may. Perhaps the biggest reason I have avoided asking these questions is that I will find many people questioning the validity of corporate musical worship as a scripturally sanctioned practice. I have wondered about this in the dark corners of my mind but pushed it aside. There are obviously large implications for my future.

I implore anyone with the time and volition to weigh in on these issues.

They blinded me...WITH SCIENCE!!

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:11:02 GMT

Now you'll have that song stuck in your head all day. My work here is done.

Despite my utter lack of interest in the sciences during college (I took "Biogeography of the Global Garden" at the U of M just to escape a real biology class) I was fascinated by an article in Sunday's Pioneer Press. It was a tease for the Top 125 Questions that scientists wish they could answer. It's great to hear the academic community admit that they don't know EVERYTHING. Be sure to click on "So Much More to Know" at the bottom of the page, or just click here for 100 of the questions without as much commentary. They're nice for those of us with desperately short attention spans.

Some of the questions that fascinate me most are those that deal with the possibility of life on other planets. I have long wondered what it would mean for our faith if there was evidence of sentient human life (past or present) on other planets. That's a whole new spin on the question, "what about those people in _______ who have never heard of Jesus." What do ya'll think about this issue? Or, what questions interested you? A lot to think about on that list...

Priorities?

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 14:36:55 GMT

I got a letter from Jim Dobson a couple of days ago. No, it wasn't personal--just to me--it was an email sent out to all of his "friends." Don't know how I got on that list... Anyway, in the letter, Dobson was decrying the continuing "judicial tyrrany" present in our land's highest court. In this specific situation, it was about the two decisions handed down this week concerning ten commandments monuments displays in Kentucky and Texas. Though most of the academic community considered the decisions to be a split--a compromise between both sides--Dobson is convinced this is another example of our religious liberties being compromised.

OK, regardless of how you feel about public ten commandments displays, doesn't this seem like a terribly misplaced set of priorities? The first thing I thought after reading his letter was...what about the rest of the world's problems? Aren't they of a far more serious nature? Take Darfur for example. Rape, murder, displacement, GENOCIDE. The statistics are beyond heart-breaking. What if all the money that is being spent on this "campaign" were put toward relieving the suffering of those in Darfur?

It seems to me that this has both vertical and horizontal implications. Maybe I'm misreading the gospel, shouldn't we should spend our time, efforts and finances toward helping others? I'm just not convinced that courtroom artwork is that important. Second, think of the message it would send if a guy like Dobson made a public statement that Focus was shifting its focus to bring relief to those in Darfur. Can you imagine the reaction in the secular media? They would see a loud Evangelical organization showing evidence of their faith in a way that is others focused rather than inward focused.

In light of these things, it seemed strange that he signed his letter this way: "Thank you for your willingness to stand boldly for righteousness." Indeed...

A matter of life or death?

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 14:32:44 GMT

I've been reading a lot of Brian McLaren lately, and much of what follows comes from him or thoughts I've had while reading him. Two things I know for sure about McLaren's writing--it is turning some of my neat, orderly theological paradigms into a milkshake. Second, whether I will end up changing my point of view on some issues or not, I am better for having read him. "A New Kind of Christian" in particular is a book I think everyone should read--and write your thoughts in the margins as you go (sorry, Dad, I know writing in any book is somewhat heretical to you :)

When Cor preached a few weeks ago, he quoted from another book I had read. The excerpt was from an expert in leadership studies (I think it was Barna) who found that there were no perceivable differences in lifestyle between Christians and non-Christians in those areas where the Church could have the biggest impact. My Old Testament prof confirmed the same thing from another study: Christians look at pornography as often, lie as often, steal as often, etc. My own "field study" has shown me that most of those outside the church see this and wonder, "Why do those who follow Christ show no evidence of abiding by his teachings?

The easy answer (the one I'm quick to give) is, "The Church is full of sinners, just like the rest of the world--the difference is that we know we're sinners." Or, if you prefer the conventional wisdom of the bumper sticker: "Not perfect, just forgiven."

These explanations are growing cold for me. I think the problem may be at a deeper level. "Four spiritual laws" tracts and the like focus so much on escaping hell. "There's me...I'm on the wrong side of the chasm. The cross gets me on the right side. Whew...that was a close one." I think too often it stops there. It's almost as if we are presenting conversion as the end point. Perhaps the lack of difference between Christians and non-Christians comes from this. It's as if there are hundreds of thousands of people standing around going, "Wow. That was great. Now what?" I think the church does an admirable job of trying to answer that question...but the results speak for themselves.

McLaren's fond of using the word "journey." It seems this is a better way to look at it. That way, conversion is only a starting point, and each person is ON THEIR WAY to something. Does this really just boil down to journey vs. fire insurance, or am I oversimplifying?