[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
This is one of the songs I wrote about in the last post.
The Music of my Heritage
Over the last decade, I’ve taken a lot of grief from a lot of friends for being such a big fan of the Gaither Vocal Band. While I recognize that, at times, the lyrics from the GVB leave some theology to be desired, the harmonies and vocal talents are what I love. (Don’t get me wrong…more often than not I think the lyrics are great, too.)
In September I traveled to Ashland, Kentucky, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my parents’ church, Ashland Plaza Church of the Nazarene. My dad has been the worship leader there since the day the church opened its doors. A huge part of the anniversary celebration was some great southern gospel music, mostly featuring my dad, his sisters Stella and Linda, his brother Lawrence (yes, I have an uncle named Lawrence Taylor; no, he is not a punishing linebacker), and his brother-in-law Gene. My cousin Erin and I sang a few with them, but mostly we all just sat back and listened to their sweet harmonies and ringing chords.
During that weekend, I was reminded why I love that particular type of music so much. Just like the importance of my faith and family, my penchant for grammar, and my dedication to certain athletic teams, this stuff runs in my blood. The chorus of one of those old Vaughan songs is often in my head, and when one of them comes on my iTunes shuffle, I hum or sing along in my office.
While I don’t make it to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, for the annual family reunion and singin’ any more, I hope to find a way to pass this great music on to my boys and keep the heritage alive.
The Dyslexic Atheist: There is no doG
I came across this very interesting link yesterday from my twacquaintance @ProdigalJohn, who authors the fun site Stuff Christians Like. In a nutshell, the folks over at Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, for a cool $110, will be sure the pets of Jesus-followers are rescued in case of rapture! How about that?! Atheistic animal lovers will save your pets after Jesus comes back! I guess this answers the question about whether dogs go to heaven…
I have to say, though, I think there’s a philosophical problem here. To me, there are only two possibilities:
- These atheists aren’t atheists at all, but in fact people who really believe the rapture is going to take place, and thus who really believe this scenario could take place; or
- These people are thieves, just taking money for a service they won’t provide. After all, they’re sure there won’t even be a rapture. Right?
#5
Here is the fifth most viewed blog post from my days at blogger. It was posted the night Saddam Hussein was executed. To read the comments which followed the post (which contain an absolutely fascinating conversation), click here.
Justice?
Posted by BT
38”You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43”You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
For some strange reason, people in the world think justice was done tonight.
God, help us.
#6
Here is the sixth most viewed post from my days at Blogger, posted 29 October 2008.
Incarnation
Posted by BT
I’m sitting at Panera listening to Alli Rogers’ song “Eden.” I recommend it.
I’ve really been dwelling the last couple days on what it means to be incarnational. I was just replying to a great question from my friend Andy, who really got me to thinking about this. Does incarnation mean anything to followers of Jesus? I mean, besides the obvious? I don’t think it has meant much to me…I can say it has meant a lot, but unless it changes the way I live, it just doesn’t really matter. I wonder what it would look like if, instead of short term missions and giving money to overseas missions getting all the attention (not saying those things are bad), we shifted our focus to incarnational mission. I wonder.
My toes are cold.
#7
Today I was in the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A. I love me some sweet tea. Anyway, the decorations on the car in front of me caused me to chuckle. On the left side of the rear windshield was a small, rectangular bumper sticker. It read: “________ ________ Church: Passionate About Jesus!” (names removed to protect the innocent). Fantastic!
On the right side of the windshield was this large sign:
You can’t make this stuff up.
I thought to myself, I’m not sure how those two things go together. However, on my return trip from Portland, during my brief layover in Chicago, I took a picture of two things which go perfectly together:
Fannie Mae and the Cubs!! Two pathetic entities in hopeless slumps desperately in need of a bailout! (I know it’s not the same Fannie Mae, but humor me!)
Anyway, you’re not going to get me to say much about politics, but if you want to know how I feel about it, read my friend Andy’s recent blog.
