The Rime

The Crushing Burden of Profundity

2012-01-25T22:49:00.000-05:00

Another year has gone by, and yet again, I find that this blog has gathered cobwebs. It's not like I haven't had any grist for the proverbial mill, either. I wrote my last post on April 12, 2011. Seven days later, I went on a blind date that went rather well. Seven months to the day after that, I asked her to marry me. She said yes! And now, Lord willing, on June 3 of this year, Miss Katherine Elizabeth Cannava will become my wife.

So yes, lots of grist for the mill.

I could fill long posts with what I've learned about myself, God, and the world over these past nine months. I could tell of things that have been done, good times that have been had, and ch-ch-changes that have occurred. I haven't written anything though. Time has certainly played a part in this. These past nine months have been, in a word, busy. (Two words: extremely busy.) Regardless, I think I know why I haven't written anything.

I have found myself crushed beneath the burden of profundity. It wasn't enough to think out loud, really. I wanted to think complete thoughts. I wanted to be right. I wanted to argue my position clearly and cogently. Now, I realize that anything is better than nothing. I want to explore and think and grow. I want to write again.

I do realize that this has all the sincerity of a Krusty the Klown Comeback Special. I don't care. I'm back. Again.

The Life of the World to Come

2011-04-12T23:52:00.000-04:00

Since ancient times, believers have summarized God's revelation about our present and future hope with the words of the Nicene Creed: "we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." I love that phrase - "the life of the world to come." It's a very pregnant phrase and beyond that, the pregnancy metaphor works well here. The expectant mother carries the baby inside of her; it grows inside her. She feels a close bond to her baby - she yearns for it to come. She wonders what the baby will look like. Will he have his father's eyes? Will she have that dimple that grandma had, that mommy has? (The possibilities are seemingly endless.)

Waiting. Longing. Wondering. Certainty. Anxiety. Hope.

All these things are an apt description of the expectant mother as she looks for the arrival of her baby. Likewise, we, the church-community, look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. It is coming, but we don't know when. It will be here, one day. Until that day, we are gripped with labor pains.

Six months ago today, my mother passed from this life to the next. Today, I can't help but think about the great hope and great joy of the life of the world to come. My mind is boggled by the thought of heaven. Paul tells the Ephesians that God can do more than all we ask or think. Han Solo spoke for me, when he said: "I can imagine an awful lot." Consequently, I find myself in the tension of expectation, and now more than ever, I find myself looking farther ahead than my shallow contemplation does. Come Lord Jesus! "Oh come, oh come Emmanuel."

His Royal Flyness

2011-04-02T19:11:00.000-04:00

The day that Michael Jackson died, I experienced an epochal moment in my musical pilgrimage: I experienced live electro-dance music (EDM) for the first time.

Earlier in that day, I was on Facebook when I noticed that a friend who worked at 4th Street Live! [sic] - Louisville's lame attempt at having a club district - had posted a photo of a giant boom box. It was the backdrop to a stage and that night, they were going to have a free concert. The artist was one with which I was familiar, as my indie scourings of the intertubes were fueled by a passion to find new (and unheard of!) music. Beyond that, it was the summer of '69 (plus 40), and the mild temperatures only made for a perfect scenario to roll down the windows and blast electro pop. Thus, when I discovered that MSTRKRFT were putting on a free show, I knew that I had to be there.

MSTRKRFT (the Web 2.0 spelling of mastercraft) put on a bangin' performance. Beyond having a good time with friends (shout out to the BGGs), I came to a conclusion based on both MSTRKRFT and their opening DJ (who kept asking us to throw up peace-signs to give the King a "peace out"): white men with MacBooks were the future of sexy music.

Almost two years later, my enjoyment of EDM has only grown and we've moved from throwing dance parties with iTunes playlists to dance parties where we mix the tracks with professional grade programs. I've taken the moniker of "His Royal Flyness," primarily because it was the most audaciously ludicrous name I could create. Beyond the boom of bass or the whine of synths, there's something about very freeing about dancing with modest abandon. I truly believe that that same something can be in perfect keeping with a God who gives humans wine to gladden their hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread to strengthen their hearts (Psalm 104:15) the same God who richly gives us all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:16). As a believer in Jesus, my joy in him permeates these things and gives them an even better and fuller pleasure.

I'll see you at our next dance party.

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-02T18:36:00.002-04:00

The first step to getting my blog back up and running: publishing all the comments that were awaiting moderation. From five years ago.

Live! From the Holy of Holies

2011-03-11T19:12:00.000-05:00

I am writing this brief post from inside the Apple Store, Oxmoor Mall, Louisville, Kentucky, year of our Lord, Steve Jobs, 2011. I have stood in line with a friend, who shall be nameless but not linkless, as he waited to enter the Holy of Holies (the aforementioned Apple Store) to buy the iPad 2. We got here at 3:15, I left for a meeting at 3:50, returned at 5:30, and now it is 7:00 pm and after hours in line, he is paying for his iPad. It truly is a marvelous ~~toy~~ er, tool, and I know he will put it to good use.

I was struck that many of my line-mates had bought the first iPad, just over a year ago, and now, they were back for more. By the time we were 30 minutes from the door, though, we found out that they were out of the AT&T 3G models, and dejected, they left. As my friend was here for the bare-bones model, we kept waiting, with hope and expectancy. Soon, we came to Temple Gates, and the Levite, Jason Spencer, made small talk with us. We realized that if we had brought him a latte from Quills, we might have been able to bribe him. However, the latte would have been very cold by now, so it's just as well.

I love my Apple products quite a bit, but it truly is remarkable to see this many people wait to dutifully fork over this much money for an attempt at happiness. However the Apostle of God, Steve Jobs (peace and blessings of God be upon him), has promised us that this "magic" can be ours for a starting price of $499. Allah ackbar!

It's funny how good things become God things so greatly. God tells us to subdue the earth, and we have truly made some fantastic machines. However, we've also made some amazing idols as well. Wisdom dictates that we use them in an open hand.

That said, I want an iPad 2 for my birthday.

Predicting the GRAMMYs, 2011

2011-02-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the Grammys. I distinctly remember Riverdance (with Michael Flatly) and the cast of "Bring in the Noise/Bring in the Funk" doing this crazy dance off thing. I was hooked. And then, a few years later, the love of my high school life - Rebecca St. James - one the Best Rock Gospel Album Grammy for her 1999 release, Pray. She was slightly overshadowed by Santana and Rob Thomas that year. But it's okay, because they're so smooth.

Over the years that would follow, I would watch the Grammy's award the deserving (like the O Brother Where Art Thou? Original Soundtrack or Speakerboxx/The Love Below) and the undeserving (most every other album). My math is pretty simple: 1/3 of the Grammy winners deserve their award, 1/3 of the Grammy winners would have deserved their award 20 years ago, and 1/3 of the Grammy winners will never, ever deserve their award, not even in a parallel universe (see Swift, Taylor).

That said, I can't resist and try to predict who will when the "Big 4": Album of the Year, Record of the Year (i.e., the best individual song), Song of the Year (a songwriter's reward), and Best New Artist. Only one person in history has won all four of them on the same night. (Do you know who? I bet you don't. Click here for their Wikipedia page.)

Anyway, here are the nominees for the Big 4:

Record of the Year

"Nothin' on You," B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars
"Love the Way You Lie," Eminem feat. Rhianna
"F*** You," Cee Lo Green
"Empire State of Mind," Jaz-Z feat. Alicia Keys
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
Who Will Win: "Empire State of Mind." Jay's love song to NYC is beautiful as it is soulful. It moves your heart, even as Alicia makes your heart flutter.
Who Should Win: See above. This is a great, deserving song.

Album of the Year

The Suburbs, Arcade Fire
Recovery, Eminem
The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
Teenage Dream, Katy Perry
Who Will Win: The Fame Monster. Gaga's rise to the top has been a mixture of talent and populism, but her high profile attire and antics, not to mention her catchy tunes, will net her the golden gramophone.
Who Should Win: The Suburbs. Arcade Fire's newest album is incredible, moving, and deep. It takes the best of classic/alt rock and refashions it into a commentary and diary of suburban life, the same life in which such classic rock was largely consumed. It was a shock Billboard #1, proof that quality music can sell. Nevertheless, like Radiohead's attempt with In Rainbows, this masterpiece will be snubbed.

Song of the Year

"Beg, Steal, or Borrow" (Ray LaMontagne)
"F*** You" (Cee Lo Green)
"The House that Built Me" (Miranda Lambert)
"Love the Way You Lie" (Eminem feat. Rihanna)
"Need You Now" (Lady Antebellum)
Who Will Win: "F*** You"- Between YouTube and Glee, this song is everywhere, but the buzz-worthiness of this meme disguises the fact that at its core, it's a wonderfully written song.
Who Should Win: "F*** You" - Did I mention how fun this song is?

Best New Artist

Justin Bieber
Florence and the Machine
Mumford & the Sons
Esperanza Spalding
Mumford & Sons
Who Will Win: Bieber freakin' fever, gang. This year, it belongs to Justin. It's almost ludicrous to think that he's a "new artist." He's a phenomenon.
Who Should Win: The Bieb. Justin is Grade A Pop, and besides from being a Tiger Beat staple, he's cranked out some quality tunes.

Well, that's all from me. Tune in tonight to watch banal music be honored, and hopefully, just hopefully, the tunes I selected above, too. :)

Mourn With Those Who Mourn

2011-01-22T11:38:00.000-05:00

One of the greatest things (thus far) to come from my mother's death has been the opportunities I've had to speak with people who are experiencing similar pain. In the course of a brief few weeks, I've had two dear sisters lose their fathers to sudden, untimely death.

The difference between sympathy and empathy is vast. As Christians, we are called to mourn with those who mourn, and to offer them the comfort of Christ. However, few things are as jading as being told "I know what you're going through" when the person, in fact does not. (I don't want to hear about your friend who went through this!) However, few things are more helpful then that friend who kindly, lovingly, maybe even tearfully, reminds me of who I am in Christ and what Christ has done for me.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many." (2 Corinthians 1:3-11 ESV)

The experience of Paul and his team led them to "an inch from despair" but ultimately, it led them to Christ. Yet, still - their hope persisted in Christ. In general, 2 Corinthians is an incredible resource for those who are suffering. Paul writes later:

"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:13-18 ESV)

One of the sobering, yet sanctifying things about losing someone you love is that it points you in a stark, blunted way to the reality that this world is not our final existence, that this world is transitory. There is indeed more glory coming. May God give us grace to let go of everything he takes from us, knowing that he has given us hope in Christ, yes, but also knowing that the sufferings of this present world aren't worth comparing to the joys that await us in heaven. For me and my two dear sisters, I rejoice that one of those joys will include being reunited with our parents. Come, Lord Jesus.

New Year, New Writings

2011-01-14T18:59:00.000-05:00

It has been long months since I wrote on this blog. For once, perhaps my blog absence can be excused. My most recent post (if recent can be applied to a date four months prior) was written, as it were, not with a keyboard, but with my own blood (updating a Calvin quote). I poured my heart into that piece, and in the long days, weeks, and months that have since followed, my heart has slowly healed. Luther once wisely said that this Christian life of ours is not health, but healing, and as time has passed since my mother's departure from this world of pain and entered into that eternal world of joy, I have come to embrace the open doors of opportunity ahead of me. At any rate, I can't help but think about, feel, and experience the world around me; writing these thoughts down helps me become a better thinker.

So then, I present my personal "Contract with America." I will write at least once a week, for every week, during 2011. Goals are as follows:

Continue to carefully ponder the forms of art of which I partake, focusing especially on movies (i.e., relaunching my "Spoiler-Free" series of film reviews) while attempting to review albums as well.
Re-launch my series of critical (as in, critical thinking) pieces on seminary and theological education - the ironically titled "Skool" series.
Write short stories and poetry, post them here, and get your feedback.
In the spirit and power of Dorothy Sayers, increase the "whimsey" of my writing. I want my words to float and enchant the way cotton-candy clouds play in the spring sky. Also, I want them to drop hail and lightening like the Phoenix monsoon-clouds of late summer.

That said... till next time.

The Victor's Crown (When the Game is Over Before the Last Whistle)

2010-09-18T22:10:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted for a while. Multiple reasons (not excuses) could be proffered as to why I have written so scantly, but at its core, writing is a discipline. That said, this post has been steeping for a while. My mother is dying of cancer. I have shared my heart on this with those who are closest to me, especially my brothers and sisters at Sojourn Community Church, my church family who has loved me in a way that deserves its own post. However, I feel that I need to write some things in this forum for you, whoever you are, to read.

My personal athletic career has been brief and casual, rec league stuff. I'm something of a rabid fan, though, cheering on primarily Arizona teams (plus Manchester United). As a fan of Arizona professional sports, my second-hand athletic sorrow has been most profound, culminating in the Cardinal's late-fourth quarter loss to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. I mention sports (and losing at sports) because they're an excellent example of the feeling in your gut when you know you've lost before its officially over. Maybe there's time on the clock, maybe you even have the ball, but nevertheless, the lead is insurmountable. It's over.

This is where I find myself. The punch-in-the-gut feeling I felt that night in February 2009, watching time run out on the Cardinals is but a microcosm, and a tiny one, at that, of the pain of watching time run out on my mom. It doesn't matter that there's still time on the clock. The lead is insurmountable. Cancer has ravaged her body, reducing her almost to a skeleton. She is barely able to stand with assistance; she barely wants to eat or drink the smallest portions of the most meager foods. She has almost no strength to speak.

I'm gutted and numbed right now. It's a surreal thing to see my mom slip away like this. Some of you might wonder about God in all this. Some of you might wonder why this suffering exists and why my mom is going through this at all. Some might even scoff and say "If there is a God," why then this suffering?

I'm thankful because in the story of the Bible, I find my story, my mom's story. In it, you (whoever you are) will also find your story (whether you like it or not). The story starts with God. God creates the world, the universe. He creates it good, perfect even; he creates humanity in his own image and brings them into relationship with himself. Humanity, however, rebels against good, choosing themselves as gods instead. This is called the Fall, and all that was once good and perfect is now horrifically marred, devastated. But rather than destroying these rebels, these ones who knowingly rebelled against all that was good, this God who created everything promises to recreate everything. He promises that he will provide atonement for sin. Atonement is a word that was created by Bible-translator and martyr William Tyndale to express what he called at-one-ment. To atone for something is to do what it takes to make it one again. God provided this atonement by giving himself, by giving his son Jesus to pay the price for sin. God took on the flesh of creation. He lived the life I and everyone should have lived - a perfect, holy one. He then died the death I (and you!) should have died, a death of punishment for sin. However, Redemption was not just accomplished by an act of martyrdom. Jesus was raised for our justification, that I (and you!) might be made right with God. We now live between Redemption and Glorification. God's recreation of everything will be completed when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead, ushering in a new Heaven and a new Earth.

I have hope because this is my story! This world we live in is passing away. I see that in my mom. She is in pain and dying. I have hope because I know that her story doesn't end her, in the devastated world of the Fall. It ends in eternal joy.

In the big story of the Bible, one can find many stories with which to identify. I identify a lot with the Apostle Paul. Once an adamant hater of Christianity, he was radically changed by Jesus and preached the faith he once tried to destroy. A life of extreme hardship would follow, including numerous stints in Roman prisons. After a long stint of this, he knew that his head would soon be laid on a chopping block. He wrote to his protege Timothy, exhorting him to hold on and persevere in the faith he had received. He wrote the following to him:

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

I can't help but think of my mom. She has fought through so much hardship in her life, including this ten-year battle with cancer. She has fought well, she has finished well, she has held on to Jesus. She will die soon and soon she will be with Jesus himself. The crown of righteousness (other translations: the victor's crown) will soon be on her head.

I have many tears yet to cry. But while I hurt, I hope. Hope is not a vague feeling, a "oh boy! things are a gonna get better, yes sir!" type of delusional sentiment. Hope is anchored in reality; it empowers us to trust in what's real, not just what we feel. Your prayers are appreciated. Grace and peace to you all in Jesus Christ.

"Famous for 15 Minutes, Infamous for 15 More": A Spoiler-Free (TM) Review of "Exit Through the Gift Shop" (2010, dir. by Banksy)

2010-07-26T01:37:00.000-04:00

The goal of the "Spoiler-Free" film reviews is to convey the essence of the film, rather than ruin the unfolding of plot and details.

Blame it on the War-ha-haha-ha-hol. (While we're at it, blame Pollack too.) For decades, now, the definition of art has been stretched or down-right scrapped, as multi-colored Marilyns and drip paintings have made many a person (myself included) scoff, "I could do that." (My hometown art museum - The Speed Art Museum - recently began an exhibit depicting a ten piece portfolio of Warhol's. It's safe to say I could not do that, upon further inspection. I maintain my stance on Pollack.) Warhol, more than anyone, revolutionized the concept of the artist as not just a creator of work, but the artist as a social prophet, a cultural luminary, a force of nature. As is well known, he quipped that "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." In more recent decades, though, contemporary art has moved from the gallery to the streets (and now, back to the gallery). You've probably heard of Banksy and his daring "tags" of thought provoking art in public, even dangerous places. You've most definitely seen Shepard Fairey's ubiquitous "Obey" Andre the Giant posters and his iconic blue and red portrait of Obama, ("Hope" emblazoned below). You may have not heard of Mr. Brainwash.

Seeing as much street art is technically vandalism (combined with trespass and occaisonal breaking/entering), Banksy has only enhanced his legend by closely protecting his anonymity. So, when a French ex-pat Angelino - Thierry Guetta - began to include him in a documentary, perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised that Banksy turns the cameras back on him. Exit Through the Gift Shop chronicles the chronicling of an uneasy movement of art. Banksy directs the work, keeping his own face hidden in shadow and his voice modulated. Having just seen the marvelous Inception last week, I thought I had seen my last mental mind-bender for the summer. Watching Exit has left me with a stunning number of questions to be answered.

I walked into Exit thinking I was going to watch a film depicting the exploits of one of my favorite contemporary artists. I got something totally else entirely. The once-great MGM had emblazoned on their crest, Ars Gratia Artis - "Art for Art's Sake." The art of the film has led some to question its authenticity, and Roger Ebert and Ty Burr of The Boston Globe have delved into those questions. I think it is, but would point you back to my most recent Spoiler-Free review, which was also on a documentary - The New Sudan - for some concluding thoughts on the strange world of documentaries. There I wrote: "Documentaries are artistic conveyances of an issue - they are not true "news" reporting. Some strive for objectivity more than others, yes, but in the end, you are seeing this situation through the eyes of the auteur - namely the director." The mysterious Banksy has left us a mystery. Who dunnit?

Rough Draft: My Sojourn

2010-06-30T15:40:00.001-04:00

The following is the rough draft of a reflection essay I'm writing to be published in Travelogue, the quarterly, in-house magazine of my church, Sojourn Community Church. If you have some feedback/critique for me, make sure to make it by the end of the day tomorrow, July 1, as my deadline is Friday.

My Sojourn

by Paul Butterworth

Hurt, fear, and hope are an odd triad of emotions, but as I experienced my first worship gathering at The 930, I felt all three. The hurt had come in with me – I was broken, my last church experience having ended in disaster. The fear was also my own – I had grown up in church (“over-churched” to be sure) and I was afraid of what lay ahead of me, the awkward pains of making new friends and learning new rhythms. But hope – hope was there too, and as the liturgy of the service progressed, hope began to assert itself with greater force. The songs, the Scripture reading, the sermon, all pointed to some great reassurance that I couldn’t explain.

Afterwards, I tracked down the tall bearded man who had led us in the readings. He introduced himself as Chad Lewis. I told Chad that I wanted to be part of the church, but I was hurting. With gentle strength in his voice, he replied, “Sojourn is a place where you can come and you can be hurting.” Hope was rising higher.

It all began to happen very quickly after that as I encountered the Gospel in Community and change occurred. I joined a Community Group and God began to give us a love for each other, a love that required a lot of forgiveness and grace as we lived life together. I began to serve on the Connect Team and serving my church made me realize that this truly was my church. I wasn’t some houseguest; I was part of a family. Hurt and fear, like every sin/emotion, lurk like monsters beneath the water, hungry to destroy. Hope, however, is still stronger, anchored in the reality that Jesus is changing everything, including my brothers and sisters and me.

Damien Jurado and Me, Circa 2004

2010-06-11T00:24:00.001-04:00

I made a last minute decision to hit up the latest hot show to play The 930 Art Center here in Louisville, KY. Although I've seen The Parade Schedule Close to 10 times (not really exaggerating), tonight they opened for an indie icon Damien Jurado. Although I hadn't really listened to much of his stuff (or so I thought), I knew it would be quality and indeed, his first show ever in Louisville was heartbreakingly beautiful. (Emphasis on the heartbreak. Jurado's songs tend to be about lost love, death, and lost love.)

After playing a solid set, he dismissed his road band and continued solo acoustic. I enjoyed every song, even though I didn't know them. At the risk of sappiness, some brought me near tears, or at least, made me want to want to cry. (That's not a typo.) He made the typical, "I've got two more," remark and proceeded to play a song I did know, a song I first heard so, so long ago. "I fell in love with a girl of nineteen // A black haired girl, I called Abilene // Young girl, where's your husband? // Sadly, she replied, I do not have one // Then it's you I'll marry, with your parent's permission."

I knew those lyrics. My mind was immediately in 2004. Before Facebook, before MySpace, we had Xanga, one of the first easy-access blogging platforms. Mine still exists, and no, I won't tell you what was my address. Some things are best left buried. (Also, Google won't help. I locked the account.) In addition to ranting about whatever we wanted to rant about (a tradition continued by bloggers today), we could connect in "blogrings" and give each other "eProps." Guttenberg's legacy is unthreatened, I assure you. Especially as a Christian, it was "encouraging" to read Spiritual blog posts (namely by the opposite sex) and be thankful that the Lord was working in their life. You would then express that work of the Spirit with the aforementioned "eProps." If you really made a friend, you might add them on your AIM.

So to cut a long story short, this one such blog buddy had this song on her profile. If you went to her page, the first verse would loop over and over again. It was wistful and beautiful, pretty much the same emotions that go into internet relationships today. Xanga would burn out and before long, the Facebook revolution was upon us. Not that much would change, though - the interface just got better.

So, hearing those lyrics tonight, memories of 2004 came flooding back. I am profoundly thankful that I'm not who I was in 2004 anymore. I'm so so thankful for Gospel change in my life. Yet, I can reflect, as Twitter and Facebook make their promises to better integrate my life and put the world at my fingertips, that there is nothing new under the sun. The same hollowness and emptiness that I sought to stave away with Xanga blogging... well, it doesn't react any better to our modern Social Media, either. I'm not who I was... nor am I who I'm going to be. I titled my Xanga "A Pilgrim's Psalter," subtitle, "A Sojourner's Song." Honestly, that's still apt. Let the Gospel journey continue.

Travelogues: Türkıye, thus far

2010-05-21T10:20:00.000-04:00

I had forgotten how hard it is to type on international keyboards. I ı looks like İ i but twıtter.çom is not a websıte. So it is.

I cannot believe that it is Friday already. Travelling was a long ordeal, to say the least, and I will say the least about it because I have better things to report than "srew Delta." But, while on the topic, screw Delta. It took me a full minute to fınd and use the quotation mark key. See, thıs is exactly what I´m talkıng about.

The trip has been fantastic thus far. We have had a chance to meet many wonderful people, had a good conversation with members from an Islamic theology department at a Turkish university, and have had many delicious dishes. Walking past structures that have stood for over a thousand years ıs pretty neat-o, too. We left Istanbul this mornıng and are spending the night in Izmir, which some of you might recognize from its biblical name of Smyrna. Tomorrow, we will visit the ruins of Ephesus. The thought of being in places that received letters from Jesus (Revelation) is fantastıc. More thoughts on God´s word when I have more time to type.

Much love to all my friends, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ. Peace!

Your Free Awesome of the Day: Send in the Clowns

2010-04-29T22:57:00.003-04:00

This is your free awesome of the day. Not so awesome: Formatting problems. :( Anyway...

The Insane Clown Posse (henceforth referred to as ICP) has made a profoundly awful music video. You must watch it, unless you're offended by clowns swearing. Sample line: "I don't wanna talk to a scientist // y'all mutherf*ckers lying // and getting me pissed."

Having watched that, stitch your spleen back together and watch SNL's lovely spoof. Thrilla Killa Klownz (you may remember their hit single, "Curb Stomp Your Enthusiasm.") "What the f*ck is a clock?"

Skool, Part 4 (Academic Theology vs. Theology for the Church)

2010-04-14T00:13:00.002-04:00

Skool is an (allegedly somewhat) on-going series in which I reflect on my experience in the Pastor's School of Sojourn Community Church here in Louisville, KY. Beyond that experience, I hope to challenge the mode of pastoral training in America, now exported throughout the world. As a former staff member of an undergraduate ministry training college (and an honors graduate of that same college), I want to write with sensitivity yet honesty, that we might be always reforming ourselves back to Scripture. Previous posts can be found here, here, here, and here.

Graduate work, in some ways, is like chaining oneself to a rack voluntarily. It's only a matter of time before you're going to be stretched... and most likely pulled out of joint. I'm not complaining, mind you. I made this choice. It feels that now, as the train hurtles toward the brick wall, that I'm just beginning to get the feel for this whole academic thing again. It's taken a while to shake off a year's worth of complacency, but, it's beginning to come back to me. The nuance between purely academic theology and theology for the church is becoming more apparent to me - stark, even.

Theology means the study of God. It's a broad umbrella category. Under this umbrella (ella) exists a host of sub-disciplines: Christology (study of Christ), anthropology (study of man), harmatology (study of sin), eschatology (study of last things), etc, etc, etc. It is not uncommon to hear evangelical Christians deride the very concept of theology. This is often done with spiritual sounding words about wanting to be "all about Jesus" but if you're reading this post, chances are you already see the (blatantly obvious) error of this logic. If we think of theology as the study of God, then we realize that everybody on the planet is already a theologian, like it or not. Christians especially are people who claim to take their theology from the Bible. So, how can we possible avoid thinking about God? Why would we want to? If we must think about God, should we not think about him in the way he wants to be thought? In light of this, the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Corinth. This community had fallen into some deep sin, but was showing signs of community repentance. As Paul reasons with them regarding the Christian life, he says: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). This "spiritual warfare" is portrayed as being normative. Thinking theologically is part of our spiritual warfare in this life.

In Pastor's School, we spent the first semester on what is known as Biblical Theology. Biblical Theology seeks to see how the "big picture," or meta-narrative of Scripture. Having understood the big picture, we can then investigate each stop along the way and see how it relates to the whole. We have spent this second semester considering what is traditionally known as Systematic Theology. As the name implies, it considers individual topics systematically. One can ask what the Bible teaches about any topic, compile relevant passages, and compare and contrast. It is clear that theology is the task of the church. In the several hundred years following Jesus ascension, as the church grew and spread, the need to summarize essential theology led to such things as the ecumenical church councils. The church took seriously its command to hold to truth, and it did.

Fast forward to today, and we find the landscape significantly altered. The questions of theology often find themselves in an overly academic, laboratory-esque setting. Taking thoughts captive is changed from something done in the Christian life to something done in a classroom. "Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words" (Lewis, Till We Have Faces) become the mode. This tendency has mushroomed exponentially since the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment collectively shook off the long held convictions of authority (specifically the Church, but also Scripture), but for some strange reason, wanted to keep Christianity as a sort of community beneficial spirituality. Philosophers like Immanuel Kant blasted the earth to ash with with their critiques and rejection of a "knowable" God. The religious establishment chose to blaze their trail through the scorched earth, birthing the great liberal quest for a "historical Jesus," attempting to find a kernal of truth in the mythical husk of Scripture. The Classic Liberal Era came to an end as World War I erased most every pretension regarding the "goodness" of humanity, but theological movements in its wake have often failed to find a path to long lost green pastures.

Where does that leave us today? The Academy as a whole (meaning all of scholastic academia, by no means limited to theology) has long left her Mother Church. How the church reacts to the academy must be done carefully. My seminary's tagline is "For the Truth, For the Church, For the World, For the Glory of God." The order is significant. By speaking of the truth first, Southern makes a clear statement that Scripture is to be held supreme in our discourse and life. The danger setting it apart like this, though, is that out of a desire to make truth concrete, we may yet throw it into the world of ambiguous truth claims that is academia. I just saw an apt quote on Mark Driscoll's Facebook regarding this, so excuse the lack of a citation. Alister McGrath, himself a brilliant and noted theologian, writes: "For the Christian, ‘truth’ is not primarily about logical propositions or statements, but about an encounter with the living God himself, and the consequent struggle to try and put into words that greater reality” This is exactly it. It's not that the Bible doesn't make logical propositions and truth claims. It's that they are spoken a living, personal, eternal God. That is the task of our theology.

The church needs men like Alister McGrath to contend at the highest levels of academia, and yes, people who are interested in such things should feel free to pursue them. One of my seminary classes this semester benefitted greatly from his research in the given field. However, my fear is that perhaps we're putting too much attention on a smaller piece of the pie. The ideas of philosophy/academic theology most certainly influence people who influence people, but while knowing the philosophy/academic theology may help us in reaching out the influencers, does it really help us reach the influenced? Doesn't most of this world fall into the latter category?
Diagnosing this problem is easy; curing it, not as much. What prescription will lead to the cure? How can we form a vibrant, practical, theology for the church. The first and most obvious clear step is to preach the Bible in all its rich, complex, life-changing reality. But what steps come after that? I'd love your thoughts.

At the Movies...

2010-03-25T11:39:00.000-04:00

If you have ever read my blog then you know that I am an unabashed lover of film. I especially love writing film reviews and encouraging everyone, especially Christians, to engage the movies they watch with a critical mind and to interact with movies as art. Art speaks and we must converse with it. I was excited to see that my brothers and sisters at Mars Hill Church Seattle are doing a similar thing. Check it out here.

Tangent: I would love to see folks redeem the dinner & a movie date. Not as a first date, mind you, but how cool would it be to catch a flick (maybe a matinee, even) and then discuss it over dinner after? Anyone, anyone? C'mon!

"Documentary Hypothesis": A Spoiler-Free (TM) Review of "The New Sudan" (2010, dir. by Coury Deeb)

2010-03-20T23:52:00.000-04:00

The cliche is that truth is stranger than fiction. Perhaps that explains the proliferation of documentary movies over recent years. Who would write a script in which a French acrobat tight-rope walks between the World Trade towers? Who would think to chronicle the story of one man's dances with grizzlies in Alaska? Who would think to take a small camera into the woods of New England, seeking a legendary witch? [Wait for it.] Crafty guerrilla films not withstanding, I can't help but postulate that a few things need to be said about the genre of the documentary.

One, it is indeed a genre of film, which is itself, a hybrid artistic medium. Documentaries are artistic conveyances of an issue - they are not true "news" reporting. Some strive for objectivity more than others, yes, but in the end, you are seeing this situation through the eyes of the auteur - namely the director. Having made the movie, the director can precede to screen it at art house theaters or film festivals, thus "raising awareness" for the topic. In other words, you now know that it exists. Contra this conceit, Coury Deeb and his small band of filmmakers, have not created a movie to wow you with its artistry or give you a new conversation point at the coffee house, (although it is gorgeous in its artistry, especially William Wallace II's direction of photography, and yes, it can and should spawn many conversations). They have made a movie that literally demands that you respond. Even more dangerous - Deeb does not give you his artistic interpretation of the situation in Southern. In stead, he gives you his passion and beckons you to enter the story in a very real and tangible way.

The New Sudan opens as children's drawings flash across the screen, accentuated by a touch of animation. They're drawings of violent war, though. Bombs drop from planes and onto houses. Soldiers shoot women and children. These are real drawings, drawn by real Sudanese children, responding to a request to sketch their memories of the war. From there, stock footage takes us to the real deal, flashing visuals from the bloody 20 plus year civil war between the ruling Islamic government in the north and the mostly Christian residents of the south. Starting there, we begin to hear from Southern Sudanese leaders themselves, including video footage of the late Dr. John Garang and his surviving widow. Garang led the Sudan People's Liberation Army during the war, and after striking peace with the north, became 1st Vice President of Sudan, responsible for the south. Having related the story thus far, Deeb now takes us to meet "normal" citizens, profiling the huge needs regarding clean water, education, health, and the church.

Without a doubt, the movie is unsettling and haunting, which, is a very good thing. I was surprised to see how little Deeb employed celeb narrator William "Ethan from Lost" Mapother, whose lines are sparse and unobtrusive. But, the more I reflected on this, the more I realized that by shunning heavy-handed narration, the subjects of the film are able to do ALOT more talking. A rhythm emerges, as each Sudanese shares about the overwhelming need for education, clean water, etc. Nadus Films is not telling you what they think about the situation, they are conveying the situation to you. "One day, we will be a third-world country," shares one Sudanese. Until then, Sudan sits at least one development rung below the lowest of the low. Without a doubt, the reality of a maternity ward at one of the country's few hospitals is the most powerful scene of the film. Accompanied by Alex O'Nan's (of Interstates) dark ambient score, the sequence is harrowing.

As this is a small, independent film, you, my dear reader, have the chance to get in on this action. There will be two showings next Wednesday at Baxter Avenue Theaters here in Louisville, but, Nadus is hoping to take the show on the road, so if anyone has contacts at a church/college/whatever, hit up Nadus's website: http://www.nadusfilms.com. Perhaps this is a good time to disclaim that Coury Deeb is a friend of mine, so perhaps you might see by positive review as a good back scratching. Trust me when I say that I don't recommend movies that don't move me in some way. The New Sudan is a bold conveyance of horror and hope. See this movie.

Rating: 91 out of 100.

Tears

2010-03-19T23:51:00.001-04:00

I flood my bed with tears,
All my fears,
Give me no rest.
My sorrow saps my strength,
For your love's sake,
Snatch me from death!

My tears in your bottle keep!
My God, I weep!
Count each toss and turn in bed,
Lift up my head!

O river, crystal bright,
Your streams make glad
Sweet 'Salem's land.
On either bank grow
Trees of life,
With fruit in kind.

Oh let me take a sip!
Or one drop drip,
Onto my tongue.
What do you say?
This stream swells up,
Inside my broken heart?

My tears in your bottle keep!

My God, I weep!

Count each toss and turn in bed,

Lift up my head!

I long to sit and rest,

In pastures best,

Close by your side,

But yea, this vale of death,

Shall prove still, yet

Your grace and might,

To think, I'll see your face,

Swap faith for eyes,

My hope, realized.

The curse will break,

And we shall reign,

A kingdom without end.

My tears in your bottle keep!

My God, I weep!

Count each toss and turn in bed,

Lift up my head!

The Gospel Is An Invitation to Community - Come to the Table

2010-03-12T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm working through Matthew for the second time this year. It's kind of an accidental thing. I spent the majority of last year in the Old Testament, along with much of my church family as our pastors led us through the book thematically, covering Creation, Sacrifice, Temple, and the Messiah. Having spent the past two months hitting the primary points of Psalms and Proverbs, they are now going to give the New Testament the same treatment. Consequently, there is a reading plan to take us through. I was already feeling a serious deficiency of Vitamin NT so I picked up in Matthew on Jan. 1 and began reading at my leisure. I'm a big fan of our Sojourn Devotional, though, especially Deacon Michael Morgan's thoughtful, Gospel-centered musings on the texts; so, I figured, "Why not?" Re-reading has a way of bringing out nuances. I was struck and strengthened by such an aspect in Matthew 8-9.

Jesus enters Capernaum, where a centurion meets him with an appeal. One of his dear servants is paralyzed and suffering. Jesus takes the initiative and offers to go to his home and extend what would presumably be a healing touch. The centurion refuses, though, and states his unworthiness. However, as a soldier, he understands what authority means. As a centurion, he is commander over a 100 men, all of whom must obey whatever he tells them. As a centurion, though, he is subject to the tribunes over him. If Jesus will but give the word, he too can exercise his authority from a distance, and the servant will be healed.

Jesus marvels at the faith exhibited by this Gentile. After he had preached the sermon on the mount, the Jewish crowds had been shocked at his authoritative words (7:28-29). Now, this centurion embraces the authority that only the Messianic Son of David could have. Jesus exclaims "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (8:10b-12). Jesus gives the word and the centurion receives what he had believed possible.

Shortly thereafter, Jesus is passing on through another town and comes upon Matthew, who is collecting taxes for Rome. Such collaboration was reprehensible to the Jews, but Jesus reaches out to this man on the fringe of society. "Follow me," he says. Matthew gets up and leaves his job (and life) behind, following Jesus. He throws a banquet for his new rabbi and he invites his friends - fellow tax collectors and assorted "sinners." (A broad category, use your imagination.) With these folks, who had previously been so far from God, Jesus sits and eats. He reclines at table with them. Reclining at table was the cultural form of banqueting around the table - lying on a couch, torso towards the table.

What a picture of salvation and heaven! Eating a meal with someone is a tender act of community. Jesus does not just come to complete a transaction - picking up the tab for our sins, if you will. He comes so that many might join him at the table in fellowship, intimacy, and community. It's not just for the righteous forbearers like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (who were not actually all that righteous - see Rom. 4:1-8, Jos. 24:2-3), it's for me, it's for you, it's for anyone who has no claim on salvation in Christ.

"There remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands - remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ... For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no loner strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints members of the household of God." (Eph. 2:11-13, 18-19)

What a joy this is! We're not just made right - we are loved and we are family. At the end of all things, we shall rest at the table with all of God's people, rejoicing and communing, for our God is good and has reconciled us to himself. Let us proclaim this message to our friends and neighbors who do not know Christ. The Gospel is about their eternal joy and eternal fellowship.

Not as the World

2010-03-10T19:38:00.000-05:00

I do not mourn has the world mourns. I have hope in Jesus Christ. Come quickly, Lord.

Details at Eleven

2010-03-08T23:26:00.000-05:00

Good news: I'm alive. The Lord has been kind in bringing healing to my body. I feel like I've been walking around at 95-100% capacity these past few days and am quite thankful. I even got my money back from the course!

The bad news: The American education system seems to be failing faster than an electric fence in Jurassic Park. I know this as I have re-entered the world of education, this time as a Garrett Fellow (sort of a grading-heavy academic assistant) to Dr. Bruce Carlton at Boyce College. Grading papers for his intro classes has been a hoot. It's a good sign, after all, when the first paper begins with a sentence which is not a sentence but in fact, is a dependent clause. I have all the more sympathy for my brothers and sisters who are attempting to do some good as teachers. Teach these kids to write!

That said, that's all the time I have for this installation of the eleven o'clock news. Now that Jay Leno has taken back over at the helm of the Titanic, I have even less reason to stay up late. If you're wanting to stay up, though, check out one of my new favorite blogs. The name says it all - click the link to visit http://www.hipsterwifehunting.com/. Do it now.

Revised Standard Virus

2010-02-26T00:27:00.002-05:00

As I type this post, I'm 95 percent certain that no, the codeine infused prescription cough syrup is not affecting my judgment. The other five percent of certainty has a strong hunch that I will find Aqua Teen Hunger Force more hilarious than ever. But regardless, I sit at home on day one of my three day home imprisonment. Yesterday evening, I was diagnosed with RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, a disease whose spelling I now know quite well. As far as contagious viruses go, RSV is an interesting one. It's worlds better than the flu, that's for sure, but nevertheless, my cocktail of drugs is proof positive that it's five o'clock somewhere.

While on normal days, I dream of lazy days lounging around the house, watching independent films and sports, today I do so knowing that it comes at a price. As I began my preparation to go back to school, I was excited to what seemed to be a unique and innovative opportunity to knock out another three credit hours. "Adoption in Christian Though & Mission" was going to combine the "Adopting for Life" Conference with an addition 10 hours of lectures, six books, and a paper. I was excited about the chance to learn, but RSV has destroyed that chance. The conference is tomorrow. The first lecture was this evening. I can attend neither with an infection virus. The circumstances force me to drop the course. All I can do is pray that I get some money back.

In all honesty, I don't mind being set back another three hours. I am saddened (but not sorrowful) over the loss of this chance to learn, but worse things have happened. I am reminded yet again how little control I have over my life. I ought to hold my plans in an open hand, knowing that the Lord's will trumps my own. Nevertheless, I find myself waiting so often. I read a Paul Tripp quote once about how it's not about what we're waiting for (in my case, marriage and the chance to be a pastor) but what we become as we wait. While listening to Sandra McCracken's song "Saturn's Fields" I was comforted by the mysterious thought of a joyful future, no matter how long the wait is. Give it a listen below. "I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Ps. 27:13-14)

Saturn's Fields - Sandra McCra...

Remember When Music Videos Were Awesome?

2010-02-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

I sure do. Glad to see that one of my favorite bands, currently (Vampire Weekend), does too. Their new album, Contra, is stellar, and one of my two favorite so far this year. One of the best tracks on it is "Giving Up the Gun," and it makes for a pretty music video. And yes, that is Joe Jonas and Jake Gyllenhaal. (Thanks to pitchfork.com)

A Time to Dance

2010-02-13T02:08:00.000-05:00

There's something so familiar about it - comforting, even. It's the song you know, the song you've loved for many years. Something about it grips you, even as the smile grips your face. It's not just you, either. You look around the room and a collective unconsciousness seems to be pulling others in too. Friend after friend is moving quickly, getting back to the floor as fast as they can. After all, this is your song. This is our song. Maybe it's the creak of the door as the epic "Thriller" begins to play. Maybe it's the raucous count-off from Andre 3000 as "Hey Ya!" sets the house ablaze, just waiting to shout what's cooler than cool. These songs are anchors, hooks. They hold the set together and they bring 'em back in when they scatter.

I play them because I love them, by the way. I don't play songs that I don't love. More fascinating to me, though, are the chains that thread the anchors. Unearthing that new track with a good beat, hearing that old standard in a new way, I love throwing these into the mix. Even more than spinning them, I love being on the floor when they come on. I love finding the beat. I love interpreting the lyrics in my moves. I love the thrill of not knowing what I'm doing. It forces me to try new moves.

I'm talking, of course, about dancing. You know, dancing - that thing when you move a combination of head, shoulders, arm, hands, hips, legs, and feet in rhythm to music. Against all odds, I've come to love it. I came to Christ as a young boy, and naturally, I entered the church tradition of my parents, that being the Southern Baptist Convention. Needless to say, I didn't dance much at all growing up. I might even gone as far as to share why I thought that dancing was bad because it would incite sexual arousal, or something like that. The Lord has been very kind to me in teaching me that legalism has absolutely zero benefit in controlling sin (see Colossians 2), but don't hear me in saying "I used to be uptight and now I dance." Here me saying that God has called me (and you) into a life of joy and celebration as fruits of his victorious Gospel. If you aren't celebrating, you're in sin.

I'm very thankful for the testimony of three books of the Bible in understanding this, particularly. Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes all exhort the believer to live and love life wisely, even in a fallen world. Yes, this world is fallen. Yes, Hebrews 11 reminds us that we are aliens moving toward our permanent home. But yes, we are humans living on earth. What is to mark our days, though? Here's a summary of Scripture teaching from these three books:

Psalms, Proverbs, & Song of Solomon: Psalm 104:15 offers a classic proof of God's desire that his people experience joy and happiness even in the midst of a fallen world. God's creative design produces "wine to gladden the heart of man." Proverbs throughout points out so many things that come from the Lord, ranging from good wives to business success. Song of Solomon is an entire book devoted to sex, which designed by God, is to be enjoyed for great pleasure within the union of marriage. Clearly, God cares about the joy of his children, but Ecclesiastes puts the issue in broader context so we'll delve slightly deeper there.

Ecclesiastes: If read quickly, Ecclesiastes is downright depressing, an apparently nihilistic look on life. In reality, though, the anonymous "Preacher" who narrates the book (probably Solomon) urges balanced living with an eye to eternity, which God has placed in man's hearts. In the famous list of "times" in chapter three, "a time to mourn" is countered with "a time to dance." Further, "I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun" (8:15). "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going (9:7-10)."

This is obviously a cursory proof of the issue, but I think that it's clear that celebration is a must in Christian life. I would like to go on record here and say that you don't have to dance to celebrate. But, I'd encourage you to give it a try. I was absolutely horrible the first times I tried. Now, I'm kinda alright.
But, Scripture says there's a time to dance. That's a good reason. But one thing I love is that dancing is a great way to celebrate in community. You learn to embrace the diversity of your brothers and sisters; they dance their way and you dance yours. You learn from them in that community. I love seeing a brother do something cool on the dance floor. I can then immediately follow suit and join in the fun. A second thing is that it can be a good way to practice humility. There's a cheesy song lyric about dancing that says "I will become even more undignified than this." Acting silly in the right context is helpful in keeping us from taking ourselves to seriously, or as the Bible would put, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. There is a tails to this coin, though, as pride in one's skill can creep in. This is true of all areas of life, so don't let that fear dissuade you.

Some people might fear that dancing might unleash a wave of sexual immorality, or at least, lust. This is something to be guarded against - some small steps include being cautious of song lyrics and creating a culture in which sexual touch/mimicry on the dance floor is rejected as unwholesome and unhelpful (Eph. 5). However, I can take delight in dancing with my sisters in a way that glorifies God, and they likewise me/with brothers. The use of "brother" and "sister" is not meant to be a hokey Southern Baptist thing either. If we are truly family, then we should act as family, with appropriate warmth and intimacy. (Compare this to the way that Islam dictates men and women should interact, for example.)

There's so much more that could be said here, but I've rambled on for long enough. Do you have thoughts? What are some of your fears or concerns on this topic? What are your favorite songs to dance to? Feel free to chime in.

Skool, Part 3 (Or, "Back to School, Back to School")

2010-01-21T13:35:00.000-05:00

Skool is an (allegedly) on-going series in which I reflect on my experience in the Pastor's School of Sojourn Community Church here in Louisville, KY. Beyond that experience, I hope to challenge the mode of pastoral training in America, now exported throughout the world. As a former staff member of an undergraduate ministry training college (and an honors graduate of that same college), I want to write with sensitivity yet honesty, asking first, "Is our system biblical?" and second, "Is our children learning?" (;-), W 43). Previous posts can be found here, here, and here.

This morning marked the start of the second semester of the first year of Sojourn's Pastor's School. I don't know if I've ever been so excited to be somewhere at 6 am. (Usually for me, excited and 6 am aren't in the same sentence.) Last semester's three modules of study featured eldership/leadership, preaching, and biblical counseling, with biblical theology reading being assigned throughout the semester. We returning students had homework due today, a manuscript for a 5-15 minute sermon explaining the Gospel. Pastor Nathan Ivey will teach us first, as our first module is Missions, Mercy, and Evangelism, the area in which he provides pastoral leadership within our body. I expect to get my guts kicked in over the next five weeks. I have a very convenient way of hiding behind my busy schedule, making excuses regarding getting to know my neighbors and preaching the gospel to them. Nathan took that head-on today. I can only expect more of the same over the coming weeks.

My training for leadership in the Church (something in the pastoring/planting/missions spectrum) will look a little different this Spring, not because of something new, but rather, something old. As planned, I am returning from my grad work Sabbath and have re-enrolled at Southern Seminary, my once and future (Lord willing) alma matter, a school of no little importance. I am also taking a further academic step by becoming Dr. Carlton's Garrett Fellow, grading for/assisting him in the Missions program at Boyce College.

Am I a hypocrite, then? Am I abandoning the concept of church-based ministry training? Am I biting the hand that's fed me for many years and now, yet again, will put me through school? No. I certainly hope not. For starters, I've come to learn that blind loyalty is not loyalty at all. It's a passive form of selfishness, seeking to serve oneself with a conflict-free relationship when good relationships call for open, honest, conversation that will often look like conflict. Also, personal attacks and slander are sins that I desire to keep far from me. The leadership of the school, including those who laid me off, are my brothers in Christ and I harbor no bitterness towards them. That said, I have several thoughts on why I am returning to Southern Seminary and what I hope to gain from my experience there.

First and foremost, I hope to gain a degree. I do believe that it is regrettable that the Master of Divinity has become a sort of prerequisite to pastoral ministry and work, especially since 1 Tim. 3:1-7 sets up a much more strenuous and exacting standard than any seminary could ever set. But, there we are. This is the system that is firmly ensconced. The system must change if the church is to rapidly and powerfully expand. Systems, however, are only successfully and sustainably changed from the inside. Period. The best revolutionaries are the ones who studied at the universities of their colonial occupiers and learned to see the defects in the system. How much more so can Christians of differing viewpoints learn from each other?
Secondly, I hope to gain helpful auxiliary knowledge. There is no better place than the church to learn the preaching of the Word, to learn the inter-personal preaching of the Word that is Biblical Counseling, to learn evangelism, to learn worship, to learn leadership, etc. Helpful things like biblical languages, Church history, and some of the finer points of academic theology, though, are more easily learned in the academy. Seminary can help supplement, and it is a fine supplement. The problem comes when people try to live off supplements. Vitamins are not food!
Thirdly, I hope to enhance my experience of the church Catholic. Christ's church consists of more than just mine, fortunately! Many of (and some of the best) professors at Southern are elders in their churches, for instance, and many sweet people are students there. I do hope to make (some) new friends, but I am ultra-wary regarding this as I'm not in college anymore. Life is lived in the real world, and my relationships within the covenant membership of my church and with my co-workers and neighbors must continue to receive the priority.

With those goals, in mind, I have a few goals for myself, interpersonally.

First, don't be a jerk. This cannot be overstated. While I don't think I'd go about intentionally insulting people, stealing lunch money, or stuffing nerds in lockers like your classic jerk might, I must be careful in how I speak in conversations especially regarding church life. A friend of mine used to live in the dorms at Boyce. It was related to me that he was having a debate with a hall mate over some issue, and the hall mate snapped at him: "Get off your Sojourn high horse." While unequivocally condemning such an ungodly response, I must be careful to not espouse me and my viewpoints as being authoritative.
Second, don't over commit. There's a thousand things to do at SBTS. As Billy Madison would say, "I'm here to learn," and that means disciplining myself to avoid distracting student groups.
Third, do utilize the resources available. Libraries, free gyms, beautiful scenery, all these things can be helpful and beneficial.
Fourth, don't overemphasize my seminary status. My name is Paul Butterworth and I've been saved by Jesus Christ. That is my identity. My status does not come in any thing, and thus, I have no need to boast in being a seminary student. I'm not ashamed of it, mind you. It just doesn't need to be on the tip of my tongue. I'm in grad school. Tens of thousands of Americans are in my same place, be it in law, medicine, business, education, et. al. Being in seminary does not make me special.

So, there it is. My schooling will continue in two fronts now. The primary field of learning remains Sojourn Pastor's School. As I was telling Pastor Mike the other day, I feel like I'm going back to school as a Sojourner going to seminary, not a seminarian going to Sojourn. It's the difference that having a church family can make, and the difference from understanding God's plan for the world will be accomplished through the church.

More to come. Seriously. It won't be two plus months this time. :)

The 99 and the 1 (Problems)

2010-01-17T23:44:00.000-05:00

One of my closest friends, Matt Gaylon, took the now former Sara Kandt to be his wife yesterday. Although, I've known Matt since we were in college together, we first really started hanging out in the summer of 2007. We were two members of a group of guys that began to bond closer than our previous acquaintanceship and the Epoch Crew was born. It was in the course of one such Crew hangout that Matt quipped that a friend was having problems with his girlfriend. Another friend (Jason Myhre, I think) proceeded to quote the poet, Jay-Z, proclaimed that "If you're having girl problems, I feel bad for you son." "Man, I would love to have girl problems," Matt quipped. Several months later, his pursuit of Sara would begin.

Since then, Jason and I often come back to the issue of the 100th problem (and my planned tweet, should I ever acquire one). That has led me to ponder, though, what are my 99 problems? Both things that afflict me and things that afflict others around me. Here's what I have:

My Flesh
The World
The Devil
The lust of the flesh
The lust of the eyes
The boastful pride of life
Jealousy
Covetousness
Envy
Fear of man
Osama ben Laden
State-sponsored terror
State-sponsored genocide (including abortion)
Oppressive states that prohibit religious freedom
The New York Yankees
The Dallas Cowboys
The Liverpool Football Club
The Chelsea Football Club
The Los Angeles Lakers
The San Antonio Spurs
Mo' money
Playa's
Haters
Playa-haters
NBC dumping my favorite late night comic (#teamCoCo)
The fact that The Office jumped the shark sometime after season 4
The Star Wars prequels barely lived up to half of their potential
The problem of evil
The proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
The Bowl Championship Series
Cancer (specifically, that my mom's had it three times)
Asthma (it afflicts both my parents)
Gluten Intolerance (afflicts one brother and my father)
H1N1
Bird Flu
The proliferation of pornography
The ready-availability of drugs and cheap booze in my neighborhood
That I struggle to reach out to my neighbors
I never got to see Bleach, Five Iron Frenzy, or Noise Ratchet in concert
The Grammy's seldom recognize deserving artists
The Recording Industry in America focuses more on money than music
So many of my dear friends and relatives don't know Christ
That I struggle to speak the Gospel to my friends and relatives who don't know Christ
I haven't left the country since 2006
Work can be a grind
The majority of Americans drink bad coffee
The tangled maze of Southern Baptist bureaucracy
The vicious political infighting of the Southern Baptist Convention
Clinging to the traditions of men over the clear teaching of Scripture regarding issues like alcohol.
Blaming it on the al-ah-ah-ah-al-co-hol
Inconsistency
My inconsistency
Revenge
Bitterness
Passivity
Laziness
Grammar-Check on Microsoft Word
Frustration
Anger
Busy work
Reading secondary sources when primary sources are available
That the MDiv degree is 90 hours long
The increased professionalisation of Christian ministry
Rampant egalitarianism in the home and church
Tarring and feathering one's opponents on a given issue
Elevating secondary issues to primary issues
The Baptist Identity movement
Racism
Classism
Sexism
Narcissism
Soccer not being embraced by a wider spectrum of the America public
Square 1
Winter's cold
Occasionally breaking out in hives due to unknown allergies
Communication difficulties
Dissension
Factions
Natural disasters
Legislating from the bench
Big government
That there are only 24 hours in a day
That I can't really function off of < 5 hours sleep
Poverty
Violence
Spam
High Fructose Corn Syrup
GMOs
PACs
Partisan Congressional Bickering
The Republican Party
The Democratic Party
Catholic school girls who order Frappuccinos en masse
The mothers of Catholic school girls who order half-caf sugar-free vanilla nonfat 1 & 1/2 Splenda lattes en masse.
My iPod has been missing for several months
Yoko Ono
Congress has a vendetta against Djarum
Dissatisfaction and discontentment
My heart seeks satisfaction from idols, instead of the living God

There it is, in no particular order. Some are deadly serious. Some are comical or farcical. Such is my life.

"Baggage Claim": A Spoiler-Free (TM) Review of "Up in the Air" (2009, dir. by Jason Reitman)

2010-01-10T13:41:00.000-05:00

A year ago (almost to a day) I was laid off from my primary job, beginning a crazy, hard, and at times, heartbreaking series of months. Losing a job cuts to the core of a person, in part, because so often, we believe the lie that we are what we do. Thus, losing a job means losing a large part of our identity. Ryan Bingham's identity is being constantly in motion; essentially living on an American Airlines jet/in a Hilton Hotel, traversing the distance between the two in a Hertz rental. He does the dirty work of HR, firing people on behalf of cowardly bosses. Jason Reitman, Academy Award nominated director of Juno, directs George Clooney in a beautiful, artisan crafted motion picture that achieves that to which every Oscar nominated film aspires and presumptuously assumes - a quiet profundity.

Ryan Bingham adores the road and hates home. He is the proficient model of efficient travel. While sipping a drink at yet another Hilton bar, he meets Alex Goran, the model of feminist self-actualized libertine sexuality. "Think of me as yourself with a vagina," she deadpans after some gratuitous (is there any other kind?) rear nudity. The friendly skies now all the friendlier, Bingham has nothing to fear but SDF itself. (Yep! He disses Louisville's airport!) Enter Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick, apparently also in Twilight), the new girl in the office - 23 years old & fresh from Cornell - whose plans to revolutionize the industry mean the end of the world as Ryan knows it.

It's telling that this film, ostensibly about a lone wolf/lone ranger/lone star/lone eagle hatchet man, is amplified by a strong cast of backing actors, all of whom are especially terrific in character roles. Jason Bateman (hero of Arrested Development, goat of Juno) is the opportunistic director of Bingham's company, J.K. Simmons (too many good parts to list, let's start with J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man) and Zach Galifianakis (my favorite subversive comic) are corporate drones removed from the hive, and Sam Elliott (Tombstone) dons his best Sully Sullenberg mustache. I was especially glad to see Danny McBride (Rico, from Hot Rod, my favorite comedy of the 00s) as Ryan's future brother-in-law.

I said above that Reitman has made an artisan film. From the vintage-feeling opening credits to the careful camera work, it's clear that this film is telling an important message that deserves to be heard. As the story explores the baggage of relationships, loneliness, lust, wealth, and power, it offers some thought provoking reflections on the subjects at hand. Ryan packs his life into his carry-on roller suitcase, a Gold-member of everything except his own life. I would strongly encourage people to see this film, especially to watch it and discuss it in community. It's the best film I've seen from last year, (better than The Hurt Locker and Up!, great films both), easily. The only question is one, will you make the connection, and two, what will you pick up from the baggage claim?

91 out of 100.

Coming Soon to A Theater Near Me (Hopefully)

2010-01-04T22:37:00.001-05:00

Oscar season is upon us, which is good news for people who like good movies. It's also bad news for people who like good movies but often confuse pretentious with profound. That said, the Academy has been on a tear of quality with Slumdog Millionaire (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), and The Departed (2006). The links are to reviews I wrote on this blog. I have no shame in self-aggrandizement. None.

So Paul, how have the flicks been this year? Well, this year has mostly seen me watch a lot of popcorn fare, like Watchmen, and Star Trek. Several films I saw this summer, though, are well worthy of accolade in their own right. Pixar's Up and indie-Iraq war thriller The Hurt Locker were deeply moving films, while Inglourious Basterds beautiful and thought-provoking in Tarentino's own way. Yes, that's another of my own reviews.

So, I thought I'd share with you what I'm planning to see over the next few weeks. Two weeks ago, I celebrated the opening of Oscar season with Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox. When I say it was fantastic, I'm not being cute. When I think about it vs. Up vs. Ponyo (which I still haven't seen but everything that Japanese auteur Hiyao Miyazaki touches is solid gold) for Best Animated Feature (or is that Outstanding Achievement in Feature Animation? Okay that's not a review I wrote. Seriously, click the link and take a good long laugh courtesy of Christian Lander. Back to the sentence...), wow that's quite the throw-down. I want to watch these films because they look beautiful, thought-provoking, bitter-sweet, or just plain sweet.

Invictus seems to have all the factors: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, & Matt Damon. Throw in rugby, Nelson Mandela, and an inspiring sports story that's based in real life? It's almost too much.

Crazy Heart features a star ensemble cast in what looks like a charmingly made film about the rise and fall of stardom, and the wounds life leaves.

I haven't decided if I'm going to watch this or not. I know that it's going to be ultra-intense, but, I think it depicts a reality that is more real than many of us know first-hand. Precious tells the story of hope and fear in the midst horrific abuse.

Although I love the Fern Gully/Dances with Smurfs jokes, I hear that Avatar is truly mind blowingly beautiful. I'd pay $8 to see beauty any day.

That's just a few examples. What movies are you excited about?

Christmas Eve 2009: Don't Fear, Fear God

2009-12-25T02:01:00.000-05:00

By Mountain Standard Tim, it is 11:32 pm. Christmas Eve is ticking to a close and soon I shall be visited by the first of 3 spirits, all of which will be played by Jim Carrey and/or Muppets. :)

I've found myself a bit pensive today. My sin has been before me today, and with Christmas being a season about the Gospel, I've had some extra ammunition to fight thoughts of doubt and guilt. As I read Luke 1, this evening, Zechariah's prophecy about the ministry of the Messiah was powerfully comforting.

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Tender mercy. Forgiveness of sin. Light to those who sit in darkness. Peace. All this is found in the Gospel, that is, the Good News that Jesus was born, lived, crucified, and resurrected in the place of sinners like me, that I might be reconciled to God. It's a tradition of mine to bust out Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christmas Sermons during Advent each year, and I've been greatly comforted by his words. Bonhoeffer lived through some excruciatingly tough days, seeking to follow Christ (and lead the Confessing - i.e. anti-Nazi - German church) during the rule of the Third Reich. He was eventually martyred for his leadership and refusal to submit to Hitler. In preaching on Rev. 14:6-13, he brought out the following, which is a great comfort as well:

This is a great comfort for all who believe: The gospel remains. It is an eternal gospel, our gospel, which we hear, read and preach, Sunday by Sunday, the gospel that once changed our lives, when we understood it for the first time. ... The gospel remains through all eternity. We need not fear or trouble ourselves with the thought that it might, as it seems today, be abandoned. What are ten years or even more of our experience and observations? The gospel is eternal and remains despite everything. It remains the one and only true proclamation of God and his lordship over the world.

... That is the first command of the gospel. "Fear God" and you will have nothing else to fear. Don't fear what the next day may bring. Don't fear other people. Don't fear violence and power, even when it comes to you personally and can rob you of your life. Don't fear the high and mighty in the world. Don't fear yourself. Don't fear your sins. All these fears will die. From all these fears you will be set free. For you they are no longer there. But fear God and him alone. ... Fear God seriously and "give him glory." He would be acknowledged as the creator, as our creator, he would be acknowledged as the reconciler, who has made peace between God and man; he would be acknowledged as redeemer, who at the end sets us free from all our sins and all our burdens. Honor him and his holy gospel, "because the hour of his judgment has come." And this judgment is the gospel itself. The eternal gospel is the judge of all peoples.

For those of you who know Christ this is a great hope in which to rejoice. The first Christmas was a huge moment in the history of God's plan to save us. Rejoice, take hope, remember. For those of you who don't know Christ, who don't acknowledge him as Lord and God of all, know that the baby born in Bethlehem was born to rule, born to save. Don't reject his salvation, for every person on earth will fall into one of two groups: those who are saved by Christ or those who oppose him and justly face the consequences. Know his tender mercies. Feel the warmth of his sunrise. Step out of the darkness.

Merry Christmas.

We Are Not Ignorant of His Schemes

2009-12-01T14:23:00.001-05:00

Over the past week and a half, a lot of godly men and women have suffered much:

Johnny Hunt, Pastor of Woodstock Baptist Church and President of the Southern Baptist Convention, diagnosed with prostrate cancer. [Hunt is a leading supporter of the "Great Commission Resurgence" (GCR), a push to streamline SBC structure to better mobilize for missions.]
November 24 - Maria Moore, wife of Dr. Russell Moore (Highview Baptist/SBTS) hospitalized, requiring blood transfusions. Dr. Moore, in addition to being a powerful Gospel preacher, has also come behind the GCR movement, and recently preached at the Acts 29 (A29) Louisville Bootcamp.
November 26 (Thanksgiving Day) - Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church, suffers a seizure. Chandler is a powerful preacher and mobilizer for Gospel mission, a leading voice in the Acts 29 Network, recently preaching at the Acts 29 Louisville Bootcamp. Chandler is also Southern Baptist.
November 27 - Frank Page, South Carolina pastor and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention (in addition to being a supporter of the GCR and member of the task force developing strategy) suffers the sudden death of his daughter Melissa, age 32.
November 28 - Thomas Young, lead pastor/church planter of The Sanctuary Fellowship (a Texas A29 Church), dies suddenly and tragically, leaving behind a wife and several children.

Some might conjecture that such a series of events is accidental or coincidental. However, the Bible speaks of suffering and pain as coming from three sources: the Flesh, the World, and the Devil. The Flesh refers to our human sin nature. The World (as Pastor Robert Cheong would say) is corporate flesh. It's what happens when a bunch of sinful humans live in sinful community - sin manifests itself in cultures and their systems of expression. What about the Devil though? Who or what is he and what role does he play.

The Bible speaks very calmly and certainly about the existence of a real and personal Devil. Formerly an archangel, at some point in eternity past, he chose to revel against God's authority, leading an angelic revolt. The notion of a created thing overcoming its creator is laughable, though, and the Devil and his angels lost and were cast from heaven. Satan shows up throughout the Bible as a hateful being, bent on destroying God's good work. His onslaught is described as being systematic and planned. In brief, here's how the Bible speaks of him

Satan seeks to tempt the righteous to do unrighteous things (Job 1-2, Matthew 4:1-11). This is usually done in collusion with the sin nature innate to all humans (James 1:14).
Some temptations to sin include physical and painful attacks on the person. Job suffered such, as did the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 12:7). In his personal ministry, Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38).

1 Peter 5:6-11 speaks directly to this:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 5:6-11)

A roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Paul elaborates on similar in 2 Corintians 2:11. In context, Paul is speaking to the church at Corinth, urging them to bring a repentant man back into fellowship, he urges them to do so "so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." Satan wants to destroy the church corporate, in addition to individual souls.

What does this mean for these 5 men & their families? All of these are intimately connected to a expansive push of Gospel mission. Satan has a vested interest in seeing that the mission does not go forward. Captive souls, dead in sin, are his prey. "In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Cor. 4:4-5). Satan is yet a created being, and when Father God calls people to salvation, he is powerless to stop them (John 10:22-29, Romans 8:38-39). However, God has decreed the lost souls hear the Gospel by we humans preaching to them (Romans 10), and when we join Jesus in proclaiming his Gospel, we join Jesus in entering into a ground war against Satan.

What does this mean for me? One might ask, I've been chewing on these thoughts over the past few days.

Pray that the Gospel would go out to every people and people group on Earth. The Gospel is a message for all people and all people must hear. We had a prayer meeting at church this morning, praying for the Gospel to go out among the nations and it really hit home to me how we must pray this forward.
Pray for the leaders around you who are Gospel pace-setters. Start with your pastors, but be mindful of missionaries, leading pastors in this nation, etc. My church, Sojourn, has 13 elders (pastors) so I pray for several each day, with each assigned to a specific day. However you do it, though, just do it!
Think globally and act locally. The Gospel is for the ends of the earth and it starts next door. Get to know your neighbors! (This is a week-sport for me.) Get to know your co-workers. Love your family. Speak the Gospel to them.
Think globally and act globally. The Global Mission requires a ton of people. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few and that we are to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into the Harvest. In addition to praying, might you be the answer to the prayer?
Don't be afraid. This world is one of trials, yes, but read the Book. In end, God's victory (already accomplished through Jesus) will result in a final rest for God's people. As Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. Take heart: I have overcome the world."
Pray some more. See #1-#5.

Feel free to chime in below with any thoughts or questions. Grace and peace!

Africa & The Prosperity Gospel

2009-11-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

I saw this video the other week and it left me with a lot of thoughts, and a lot of anger. Give it a watch, and give the subject some prayer, why don't 'cha? Real blogging to come, well, eventually, I promise.

The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

Discipline, the Dog, and Me

2009-11-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

Do to a series of unfortunate events, me and the army of dudes who live in our house have inherited the duty of dog-sitting a non-house broken Jack Russell terrier. It is as much fun as it sounds. It could also be called a Jack Russell terror, and it could (and often is) called things that aren't ultra-appropriate in print, but one phrase in particular does in fact mean "female dog." Although watching Isabella run laps around the dining room table is amusing, watching her crap on the carpet after you took her outside is decidedly less amusing. Nevertheless, I am amazed at the depths of hate and rage that I find in my heart whenever the dog does the many evil things it does.

Today, after an amazing morning at Pastor's School, I decided to "show my righteousness" and take the dog on a walk in Shelby Park. A lot of things struck me as I was walking, particularly about the way I tend to relate to God. Isabella is a mass of contradictions. One minute, she's pulling hard, straining ahead against the leash. The next she's skittish, cowering, afraid even of shadows. When at street crossings, she'll choke herself against the leash if it means she gets closer to the traffic that would kill her, were I not willing hold her back. Upon returning to the house, I let her run free in the rooms we've cordoned off for her, but no sooner had I turned my back, then I found her on the dining room table, trying to get food when her bowl was full. As soon as she saw me in the dining room, she immediately scampered off the dining room table. As we've watched her, I've been one of the main disciplinarians, holding her nose to her urine or feces while soundly smacking her hindquarters with an open hand. As I reached towards Isabella to discipline her yet again, I was surprised to see her roll onto her back, attempting to hide from the coming thump. She snapped at my fingers, but nevertheless, she was disciplined and carried back to her pen.

During the walk (and after the dining room scene) I couldn't help but think I'm the same way. Straining against God's sovereign directions and plans, fleeing opportunities out of cowardice and fear, spinning to avoid his discipline. What a thought, though, that God's actions towards me are always love, are always gracious, are always for his glory and my good! In Psalm 73, Asaph writes of how he had been like a beast toward God, brutish and ignorant, even though God is a good and deals justly. This week has been a time of comfort for me as I've had chances to reflect on God's goodness and sovereign control of my life. Praise God for his constant mercy and care for us, his creatures!

Breaking News: Butterworth Retires from Fantasy Sports

2009-11-10T00:09:00.001-05:00

Louisville, KY - Former fantasy sports stand-out Paul Butterworth announced his retirement today, bringing an end to a nearly half-decade career spanning three sports.

A life-long sports fan, Butterworth was recruited by college-friend John Gibson to join a baseball league in the Spring of 2005. Dubbing his new franchise the "Albatrosses," the franchise sank like lead to the bottom of the table, finishing sixth out seven teams. "At that point in my life, Coleridge's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' was a big influence on me, and it remains one of my favorite poems," Butterworth would later state. "Although the poem was influential in my blogging, its inspiration did not carry over into interpreting baseball stats." In spite of total failure, Butterworth would give an additional two seasons to a game he had absolutely zero chance of winning. Although the 2006 Fantasy Baseball Season would see Paul craft his greatest fantasy team name ever, "The Brokebackers" would come in 10th out of 11. "Originally, I wanted to dub them 'The Brokeback Mountaineers' but I didn't have enough characters to give to the title," Butterworth would later tell political/baseball commentator George Will. In 2007, the "Apostolos Alphas" managed to sink even lower (9th out of 9) and Paul finally walked away from the stats of the Great American Pastime.

While fantasy baseball was a complete fail, Butterworth would taste the sweet wine of victory in fantasy football. In the 2006-2007 season played against dorm-mates on his hall, "The Mohicans" (a double homage to Paul's beloved Washington Redskins and a DVD copy of a Daniel Day-Lewis film laying on his desk) would rip apart the league with a 12-3 regular season record, propelled off the back of the surging New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees, Duece McAllister, and Marques Colston all started for Paul that season, with Marques serving as sort of 4th wide receiver, since Yahoo! Sports had him listed as a WR/TE, thus increasing his roster versatility. The dream season ended in a nightmare, however, as the Saints benched their starters in the final 2 games of the NFL season, which were the fantasy playoffs. Deprived of their stars, The Mohicans crashed out of trophy contention, finishing 4th of 12.

Several forgettable seasons followed, but at long last, 2008-2009 would see "USDA Organic Pigskin" grind out a smash-mouth style season, taking 3rd out of 10, securing a bronze trophy for the case. By this point, though, Paul's attention was beginning to waver, and his once characteristic heart seemed drained of blood. He decided to join old friend/commissioner Jeff Pearson's Boyce League, but a dreadful 0-4 start for "Inglorious Butters," coupled with a lack of familiarity with the top scorers of today's Fantasy NFL led him to turn set the roster and leave it be. Several weeks later, he discovered that he had won two games by simply doing nothing. This was the last straw and Butterworth was finally done. Interestingly, sources close to Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder have stated that the Coach Jim Zorn first landed in hot water with Snyder by suggesting that the controversial owner do the same. "You've always said this was your Fantasy Team!" Zorn is alleged to have yelled while being drug out by FedEx Field security.

Despite his checkered legacy, Butterworth has left the door open for a return at a later date. "I've got into soccer in a big way, recently. I'm told ESPN has a sweet fantasy game..."

Skool, Part 2 (Or, "I Was an Accidental Bail-Out Proponent!")

2009-10-13T12:26:00.000-04:00

Skool is an ongoing series, chronicling my journey through Sojourn Community Church's Pastor's School, with further reflection on seminary education and the predominant form of ministry training in America today. I hope that these biblically grounded musings will prompt you to reflect on the role of seminary in ministry training.

As the economic train soared off its tracks and into a deep canyon last Fall, then Secretary of the Treasury came up with a big, bombastic plan to get the choo-choo going again. This plan to inject Federal cash into the economy, particularly by propping up failing bastions of business, was quickly dubbed "The Bailout." Initially in favor of the plan, my enthusiasm for it began to quickly wane. It wasn't until I sat down at Quills Coffee for a "relaxing" game of Monopoly, however, that I came to a shocking realization that I had been in favor of the bailout my entire life. Growing up, I called it "Free Parking."

In case you've never played Monopoly with the "Free Parking" house rule, here's how it works. In the middle of the board, a crisp orange $500 bill is played to seed the pot. As play advances, and players are tagged for fees, fines, and taxes, this money, previously due to the bank, is paid to the middle instead. Over time, this can accrue into quite the sum, and Free Parking, that space that's so hard to hit, changes from safe zone to gold mine. I've played so many games in which a player on the verge of collapse suddenly has the resources to build those hotels on Marvin Gardens, Ventnor, and Atlantic with enough cash left over so as to survive a walk on the Boardwalk. By simple, dumb, luck of the die, a player can survive whatever previous situation they've gotten themselves into.

This isn't an economics point, though: This is a spiritual one. It is remarkably easy to decry a system intellectually while yet supporting it practically. How many of us have been angered by the steady flow of jobs outsourced to foreign countries but have outsourced the training of ministers outside the direct supervision of the local church? Here's some propositions for you:

1. The Bible conceives of one community of believers, that being the church.
I could proceed to bombard you with proof texts, but I think that that's overkill. The power and primacy of the church is self-evident in the New Testament, so much so that Paul points back even to the creation of the family (husband and wife) and says that this, the most prime of all human relationships, is a model of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:22-33). For the record, I'm coming at this issue, (the training of pastors), with the primacy of the church assumed. Also assumed on my part is that the church exists in a universal or "catholic" sense, but membership in the catholic church assumes membership in the local church.

2. The Bible proclaims that it itself, (the Word of God), has been given specifically, to the church. All of its commands and teachings are given to her and for her.

Academics have contributed much to the study of Scripture but the cart-horse relationship works best when the cart knows which of the two has the requisite power for transportation. Academics are needed, but they are in needed in service to the church, not as supplement to the church, nor as superior to the church. Thus, Scripture has much to say about how to train pastors and what pastors must be in regards to character, etc. These were written for the sake of the church.

Having established that the church is the Gospel community and that she has been armed with the Word of God, why on earth would we want to outsource the bulk of training outside her fellowship? ("Greek and Hebrew" someone will say. We'll come back to this one at a later date.) In addition to being irresponsible, it is also less effective. Case in point: preaching.

Teaching and preaching is a crucial task of the elder. Not every elder must be able to deliver a sermon in the pulpit, but every elder must be able to teach the Word of God (1 Tim. 3:2). Paul charged Timothy to pass on what he learned to faithful men, thus creating an organic program of expansion and multiplication (2 Tim. 2:2). Specifically, he was to "entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The snarky old phrase: "Those who can't do, teach" deserves to be stood on its head. Those who do, must teach.

I bring up preaching because that is our current area of study in Pastor's School. We're working through Bryan Chapell's Christ-Centered Preaching and talking through the weekly sermon with Daniel. We're required to critique each message, and hopefully, chances to preach will come soon. I come into this class having the benefit of having learned much about preaching by one, watching my father for 18 years, two, preaching myself, both to my father's congregation (my old church in Arizona), and three, having taken preaching classes in college. Let's focus on three. I had an incredible preaching professor and he taught me so much about the "big picture" of the Bible. But the weirdness and oddity of preaching to a classroom of student peers is next to impossible to overcome. Discussing "application" in the classroom is eerily abstract in and of itself. It's like a zoo. Zoos are great, but wouldn't you rather go on safari?

I do not desire this series to be simple deconstruction. Anyone with a brain can deconstruct just about anything. Rather, let's think about what we can build in its place. What are your thoughts? How should aspiring young preachers go about learning their craft? I think a good first step is asking one of your preaching elders to walk you through the process they take in studying/querying the text. What do you think?

The Discipline of Writing

2009-10-13T10:29:00.000-04:00

It's been nearly a month since my last post. It's a good example of how writing can be either a discipline or a sweeping force. My previous post was a review of Derek Webb's Black Eye Tour. I wrote it on the night of, sitting at my computer typing as fast as my thoughts and fingers could synchronize. I was inspired, I was moved, I had to write.

My struggle to put the metaphorical pen to paper for the Skool series, though, is a good example of the need for discipline in writing. I believe it was Sir Francis Bacon who said that "writing makes an exact man." (I am too lazy to do a basic Google search to confirm this, but I think John Piper tweeted this quote a month back.) I desire for the Skool series to be part travelogue, part argument. Experiential, yes, but I want what I feel to be guided by what is real, that is, by Scriptural teaching. Thus, part of the reason my Skool postings have been sparse has been because I've been reflecting on the issue. Part of the reason my Skool postings have been sparse has been because my reflections have been undisciplined.

So, without further a-do, it's time to write Skool, pt. 2. See you in an hour.

Concert Review & Commentary: The Black Eye Tour, Derek Webb w/ Sandra McCracken, The 930 Listening Room, Louisville, 9/17/09

2009-09-18T02:10:00.002-04:00

Derek Webb. The founding member of Caedmon's Call launched solo with She Must and Shall Go Free, an album about the Gospel and the Church. I See Things Upside Down and Mockingbird began to make people squeemish, though, as Derek's Gospel exposition led to Gospel application, tackling topics ranging from evangelical hypocrisy to poverty to politics. There was only one more boundary to cross, and with The Ringing Bell, Derek committed the unpardonable sin and started playing rock and roll.

Well, actually, most of D. Webb's reformed constituency dig rock, so no harm no foul. One must admit, it was a Dylanesque step: turning up the heat while turning up the volume. They say that a conflict of interest disclosed is no conflict, so here's my disclosure: I've enjoyed every twist and turn of Derek's career, often taking cathartic joy from his blunt confrontation of truth. I dug his rock sound in part because 1), I like rock music and 2) I like Derek Webb. I was expecting to hear more of the same for a while, but there are no wheels in music so we might as well embrace reinvention. A few months ago, the interwebs began to blow up about a new Derek Webb controversy. I didn't really give a sh*t that he said sh*t, honestly, but I was surprised to hear him crooning over trip-hop dance pop beats and loopes. Enter Stockholm Syndrome.

I thought the title was brilliant, for if evangelical Christianity is truly afflicted by the neurosis. Stockholm Syndrome, as you know, is a condition in which a captive begans to identify with their captor. The cultural captivity of the church is something that seems to happen on a generational basis, only for the most part, evangelical Christianity is captive to a culture that is dying, traditional, moralistic, Judeo-Christian America. More liberal strains of Christianity (especially the ones that begin to drop the "Christ" out of the Christianity) are double captive, one could argue, as they embrace the postmodern ethos, so blatantly determined to build a pluralistic, pagan culture. The great tragedy of reformed evangelical Christianity, though, is that many commentators understand the biblical world well, and usually understand philosophical concepts well, all while doing a bad job of interacting with the way the culture expresses itself in art, fashion, trends, etc. These segments lambasted Webb, with my friend Denny Burk writing a hot button blog post, that by-and-large missed the gist of Webb's zeitgeist. (Specifically, the track in question was "What Matter's More," which calls evangelical fervor/furor over gay marriage onto the carpet.) One particular comment (from a reader) was cringe-inducing for me: "I have loved DW’s music … up until now. He used to be prophetic. In this song, he’s simply pandering to his audience. You’re not prophetic, if your audience likes what you’re saying. And his listeners are the tattooed hipsters who sip Guinness and hide their Liberty University diplomas behind their U2 LPs."

To me, the great appeal of Derek's music is that it is prophetic: Edgy, unsettling words set to honey-sweet music. Having seen Derek perform back "in the old days" and having seen the launch of his previous tour at this same venue, I knew I could expect one thing from the headliner. Rather than wearing sackloth or a camel skin belt, Derek would be wearing a plain white t-shirt. To my delighted surprise, the plain & tee remained, but the color had switched from blank to dark. Derek dressed in the style he had often come previously, in the spirit and power of Cash. Derek took the stage as a man in black. With Stockholm producer/Caedmon's alum Josh Moore laying down loops and beats, and phenomenal drummer bringing the noise, Derek proceeded to play all of Syndrome straight through, stopping in the middle to just push pause and pick up the ole' axe for a buy-request accoustic set.

Although the difference in musical styles was severe, it was good to see the same old Derek playing the old ballads without a hint of irony. Despite allegations that prophets cannot have approving audiences, it brought back memories of times when I cheered him on previously, or watched my more-reformed-than-me friends cheer his taking down of the Arminian establishment. He closed the by-request sub-set with "Reputation" a song written to his wife and opening act, Sandra McCracken, who was phenomenal. (Don't tell anyone but I like her more than Derek and I like Derek a whole whole lot.) This segued well into another song about Sandra, only this one electric: "I Love/Hate You," which resumed the Syndrome set. His dance club-synth pop made the 930 feel cooler than it ever has before, including sexy, UPC-like lighting that flashed in rythym to the beat. I really wish that the chairs had been swapped for hard wood because Derek's bass lines made me want to dance, but oh well. As it was the first night of the show, small mess-ups occurred at times but that only added to the authenticity in my book.

I guess the moral of the story is that prophecy in the lower-case "p" sense does need to come from us sinners with much humility but the Scripture warns us to not despise them. Logically, this includes tattooed, Guinness-sipping prophets like Derek Webb. The show was strong in its own right, but when the content of Derek's ethical musings and rebukings are weighed in the balance, they are not found wanting. It was a great evening, and if you happen to be in a town in proximity to the Black Eye tour, I highly recommend that you take the punch.

(All) that said, here's Derek's set.

Stockholm Syndrome, pt. 1

Opening Credit
Black Eye
Cobra Con
Freddie, Please
The Spirit Vs. The Kick Drum
What Matters More
The State
The Proverbial Gun

Acoustic, By Request, Interlude

Lover
I Want a Broken Heart
Savior on Capitol Hill
Wedding Dress
Reputation

Stockholm Syndrome, pt. 2

I Love/Hate You
Becoming A Slave
Jena & Jimmy
Heaven
What You Give Up To Get It
American Flag Umbrella

Skool, Part 1.5

2009-09-10T14:41:00.000-04:00

This second Skool-ing has been a long time coming, and this is merely a part issue, designed to set up the difficulty of the task ahead. I want these posts to be something of a hybrid, critiquing the seminary system even while affirming its uses and value. I also want to write from my personal experiences in both institutions, (church and seminary), specifically relaying the joys I've experienced in my church, Sojourn. Appropriately for the topic, as a participant in a church-based pastoral training program, I can write with an insider's eye. I also do not want to neglect what should be foundational above all: the teaching of Scripture on the issue, and it will take me a bit of time to collate that info, so these early posts will most likely be experiential. That said, you may now commence waiting for Skool Part 1.75. ;)

"Torture vs. Torture Porn": A Spoiler-Free (TM) Review of "Inglourious Basterds" (2009, dir. by Quentin Tarentino)

2009-08-24T23:45:00.001-04:00

"If you had a chance right now, to go back in time and stop Hitler, wouldn't you do it? I mean, I personally wouldn't stop him because I think he was awesome, but wouldn't you do it? - Cartman, South Park ("Make Love Not Warcraft," season 10)

I'm afraid that I'm somewhat ill equipped to tackle the topic of Quentin Tarantino as I've not seen Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill. I've pondered my way through two other of his seminal works, though: Reservoir Dogs and True Romance. I liked True Romance considerably more, which is telling because Tarantino did not direct the film - he wrote it. Tony Scott, who's directed everything from Top Gun to Man on Fire, sat in the canvas chair for that one. Notably, he drastically changed the ending, telling Tarantino that the film did not earn the right to have a depressing, anti-Hollywood ending as planned. Those lines from the True Romance audio commentary have lingered with me and colored my viewing of Tarantino as an artist.

But look! Nazis! Man don't you hate Nazis? I know I do! Murder & mutilate them! Capture them and torture them! Bludgeon them to death! Scalp them! This was the premise of Inglourious Basterds as presented to me by the trailer, two hours of savaging Nazis. "Behind enemy lines, there are no crimes," the trailer screamed. While there is blood shed a' plenty, Saving Private Ryan has 400% more carnage than this film, albeit, with 400% less scalpings. The film depicts torture, yes, but despite the presence of Hostel director Eli Roth as Sgt. Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz (who spends his time introducing baseball to Europe), the movie is not torture-porn. Torture-porn is that ironic genre that claims to criticize the excess and indulgence of society, even while indulging dark human hearts in every perversion imaginable, see, Hostel, for instance. Actually, no, don't see it.

We learn from the trailer that the premise of the film revolves around All-American Brad Pitt (as Tennessee born-and-bred Jewish American, Lt. Aldo "the Apache" Raine) leading a squad of Jewish American grunts behind enemy lines to conduct a guerrilla war of terror. But this is a Tarantino film, mind you, and the story isn't entirely linear. While we meet arch-villain SS Col. Hans Linda (Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, in an Oscar-worthy turn. Seriously, Ebert thinks so too) in the first chapter, the ebb and flow of the Basterd's campaign takes place over five denoted chapters. Only Quentin Tarantino would even think of making a WWII movie in which a film-within-the-film receives so much attention. Only Tarantino would make this work, as he does. I'd tell you why and how it does, but didn't I promise this is a "Spoiler-Free" review? Inglourious Basterds is a fantastic movie, lushly shot and strongly acted. Beyond it's visual beauty, it is well edited and has an appropriately quirky soundtrack. I give this film an 87 out of 100, but can't depart without offering some social commentary to boot.

I left the theater wondering how many of the people who smiled and cheered (a few times audibly) the torture of prisoners at the hands of the Basterds would approve of the Bush administration's openness to torture, like water boarding, etc. I remember the way my stomach flinched when I watched Saving Private Ryan for the first time, especially when the GIs gun down to surrendering Germans at Normandy. (Let's not fool ourselves in thinking that our efforts in WWII, however necessary, were done with clean hands and a pure heart. J.R.R. Tolkien said WWII turned "elves into orcs" and that the Allied strategy was akin to using the One Ring against Sauron.) Just war theory/practice is the subject for another day but the historical reflection of Basterds gives us a view on the present. Do ends justify means? What if stopping Hitler could only be accomplished by slaughtering men and women who were not actively part of his evil? What about the image of God? What about prohibitions against murder? Is "collateral damage" okay according to Scripture? Cartman asks a good question. Go see the movie, and reflect on your answer.

A Change is Gonna Come?

2009-08-23T17:43:00.000-04:00

I have a love-hate relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. It's 95% love, but over the past few days, several things have returned to my attention that remind me how far we have yet to go in revamping this Gospel vehicle. (Cash for clunkers?) The following have jogged my thoughts:

The ever-level Timmy Brister is a baller pastor out of Cape Coral, FL. He does a great job in carefully documenting his research. He turns his careful eye to the official news entity of the Convention, Baptist Press. Their hostile & biased attacks on Mark Driscoll and the Acts 29 Network are well documented and deconstructed on his blog. As a member of an Acts 29/SBC church, these attacks grieve/infuriate me.
The insanely smart Al Mohler recently gave an address on why the SBC must change. For your convenience, the audio is embedded here, but, suffice to say, he draws a good comparison between GM's plight (former success now turned to obsolescence) and that of the SBC.

While these provide good food for thought, the following link is heartbreaking. Tom Ascol is a hero of mine. He is the "first among equals" of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, where the aforementioned Brister is also an elder. I've been reading his blog for years, and as a young (cough, Reformed) Southern Baptist (I refuse to abbreviate it to "SB"), I look up to him greatly. His take on Mohler's talk is solid as usual (Ascol is a driving force behind the Great Commission Resurgence). In the comment section, though, there is an exchange between one of the "usual Southern Baptist blog comment section suspects" and Ascol. I've read comments from this man for years. He finally comes out with it:

I dont understand how you and Timmy Brister and Dr. Mohler and others of your persuasion can join with those who believe in polls and surveys and in making our Churches more attractive to the lost crowd in order to reach the lost crowd? I'm puzzled, because it looks to me like yall are joining with people that yall are very much in disagreement with...in terms of theology...people like Johnny Hunt and Ronnie Floyd and Ed Stetzer. I'm just gonna flat out ask you, Tom, are yall joining with them, because this is the way to take over the SBC? to gain control of the SBC for five point Calvinism? Are yall joining with people like Johnny Hunt and other non-Five point Calvinists, and the "Church must be culturally relevant" crowd, because this is a means to an end? I'm genuinely curious. I'm not trying to offend you, nor anyone else. I'm just thinking out loud, and trying to understand what is going on in SBC land? when Tom Ascol and Johnny Hunt and Ed Stetzer and Dr. Mohler all seem to be coming together for the GCR? I really never thought that I would hear Dr. Mohler make a speech like he did about the SBC needing to change, with the reasons that he gave.

Ascol correctly states in reply that the thing that brings such diverse people of different convictions in many areas together is the Gospel. I am Southern Baptist by birth, but have stayed in it by choice, a choice informed by what the Gospel demands regarding mission.

The thing though, is that a sovereign God does not need an institution of men such as the SBC. Jesus Christ will save his people with or without our help. If the SBC fails, the Gospel will do just fine. But, I so desperately want for this convention to stick around. Will change come? I hope so, but I'm thankful above all this that my hope in Jesus is confident and sure. His Kingdom will know no end.

Skool, Part 1

2009-08-13T10:28:00.004-04:00

This morning was the first week of teaching for Sojourn Pastor's School. After 15 minutes of fellowship, usually consisting of fighting brothers in Christ for coffee, we dive into teaching and discussion, all towards the goal of raising up men to know the Word, pastor their homes, and pastor the church of God. It's incredibleness is only slightly tempered by being held at 6:00 am. Taking part in this is a dream come true for me, because as I've come to better know the Gospel, I've come to better know the community of the Gospel, the local church. Better knowing the church as changed the way I view ministry, Gospel partnership, and Gospel mission. Consequently, I've been forced to reconsider how I view ministry training, namely seminary training.

I was on Twitter a bit ago and read the following from a seminary prof: "faculty workshop this morning, as we pray for God's power to train preachers." While Christians should pray in all their endeavors (I survive my hectic shifts at work by prayer alone, on many days), is seminary where preachers are to be trained? I hope to take a few blog posts and share a bit of my own story in relation to ministry and seminary. As an alum of the undergraduate school of a seminary, (boasting in the flesh: the most decorated graduate in the history of that college) as a former staff member of the school, I have learned much about both the ups and downs of seminary training, and believe me, the downs are down. Beyond my experience, though, the Scriptures should be searched, for they are our source of wisdom.

So hang with me gang. Class is in session. Let's learn together.

The Show Thus Far

2009-08-13T10:20:00.002-04:00

My blogging has become an epic fail. My good friend Laura rebuked me to that effect. Thanks Laura. You're absolutely right. I posted once in April, once in June, once in July. Three posts over four months. Lame. Well, it's time for change I can believe in. Starting... now.

Songs of Summer

2009-07-28T08:25:00.003-04:00

My friend, Josh Thomas, asked me to send him a list of ten songs (earworms, if you will). I chose ten songs that have in some way or another, defined parts of my summer. I encourage you to hit them up on Lala/iTunes/eMusic/etc. In no particular order:

1. Major Lazer, "Keep It Going Louder" (from Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do)
2. MGMT, "Electric Feel" (from Oracular Spectacular)
3. St. Vincent, "Actor Out of Work" (from Work)
4. Derek Webb, "Black Eye" (from Stockholm Syndrome)
5. Grizzly Bear, "Two Weeks" (from Vecatimist
6. The Low Anthem, "Charlie Darwin" (from Oh My God, Charlie Darwin)
7. Feist, "How My Heart Behaves" (from The Reminder)
8. The Innocence Mission, "Africa" (from Awake My Soul & Help Me to Sing)
9. Sojourn, "Alas & Did My Savior Bleed" (from Over the Grave)
10. Sandra McCracken, "Saturn's Fields" (from Red Balloon)

My Friend, the Oriole

2009-06-02T10:50:00.002-04:00

This year, I'm taking a stab at gardening, hoping that I might have inherited my Granddaddy's green thumb along with his name. (I'm Paul Davis Butterworth. He was Davis Head.) It's an experiment, really. I'm hoping to learn some lessons on agriculture from my tomatoes and peppers in hopes that it will lead to a really rockin' pumpkin patch.

I have a friend who has joined me in my gardening. Every time I water the plants, an oriole flies down to the freshly soaked ground and starts pecking for worms. At first, I was worried that the oriole might do some harm to my plants or might take away too many worms.

I was struck recently by the faith that this oriole has. He's not afraid to follow in my footsteps and search for his provision. How much more so should I, not be afraid to call out to my Father God, knowing that he loves me and will provide for me. His provision is not an afterthought, either. It's intentional and providential. My friend, the oriole, is teaching me to pray.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ... Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt. 6:7-13, 25-26, 31-33)

The City Is Alive

2009-04-19T02:12:00.002-04:00

I've spent another silent month on Blogger. So much has changed in my life over that time, so many thoughts have been thought, so many SNL clips have been watched on Hulu. Blogging was meant for these things. Sigh. I'll try to catch up on all of the above, but not tonight.

Anyway, 700,000 people packed the Louisville Waterfront for Thunder Over Louisville, today, thus beginning the Kentucky Derby Festival. Due to work and other mitigating circumstances, I decided to pass on North America's largest fireworks show in favor of watching the UFC 97 pay-per-view at a friends house. My dear brother Nathan Ivey gave me a ride and the conversation there and back again gave me some incredible points to ponder. Traffic was pretty heavy, still, when we returned to the neighborhood where my car was parked, so I volunteered to go ahead and walk the remaining two blocks rather than make Nathan go through the trouble needed to finish the chauffeuring.

Walking down Baxter Avenue, home to Louisville's leading Irish Pubs (save the Rover), I was overwhelmed with a sensation I had not felt since in Thailand in 2006. I could feel the electricity of the city, feel it's vibrancy. The sidewalks and bars swarmed with people, the streets buzzed with taxis and motorcycles. In that moment, I thought about the confluence of desire and expectation that was represented here: joy, excitement, lust, drunkenness, excess. I was reminded how much my city has to offer, and how badly my city needs the Gospel. It was a great finish to a great evening. Awesome.

Why Should Our Hearts Not Dance?

2009-03-15T22:38:00.002-04:00

It's been a good day, a marked difference from last Sunday. This Sunday, I took explicit care to make the afternoon restful. Sunday is not the Sabbath, but God calls his people to Sabbath rest, which was part of the focus of Daniel's sermon today.

The day is winding to a close. For the first time in months, I don't have to work at Starbucks at 7:00 am tomorrow morning. I think I'm going to tackle the last 100 pages of Dorothy Sayers' delightful Unnatural Death, but even as I move to relax for the evening, a quote from one of my more recent reads is bouncing around our head. I've written it hear recently (I believe) but it is worthy of a repeat.

In Till We Have Faces Psyche and Orual are on opposite sides of the duel between belief and unbelief. In the face of Orual's bitter rejection of the Divine, Psyche, seeing with the eyes of faith, asks instead, "Why should our hearts not dance?"

I don't see any reason why they should not.

Football Day

2009-03-11T14:14:00.002-04:00

One of my goals for this blog is to write a bit about soccer, a sport I have come to love deeply since my summer in Thailand, 2006. I even blogged about it in a little scetion called "The World Cup Check." As we get closer and closer to World Cup 2010 South Africa, I will guide you, loyal reader, through the challenges facing our "Stars and Stripes" as they seek qualification through the CONCACAAF "Hexagonal" tournament & flex their muscles against the best of the world in the FIFA Confederations Cup. USA Soccer is off to a great start for the year, (2-0 spanking of Mexico!), and on April 1, they will face Trinidad & Tobago in Nashville. Road trip, anyone? That Mexico victory has propelled us to #17 on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Not bad.

Today really is football day, as my beloved Manchester United takes on Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League tie. When it comes to soccer, though, few names turn heads (especially female heads) like David Beckham. He is one of my soccer idols and seeing him play is a memory I will always cherish. There's been no little controversy around him lately so by all means, let's hear from the man himself.

Ouch

2009-02-11T15:02:00.002-05:00

Ensued

2009-02-02T22:07:00.002-05:00

This past week has brought so much. I watched last Tuesday night as rain fell softly on top of fresh snow drenching tree branches and drenching power lines. The rain froze to ice that night, ripping the branches down into the already overloaded lines. It was the worst black out since, well, six months ago, when the remnants of Hurricane Ike battered my city with wind, ripping tree branches down into power lines. Many neighborhoods in Louisville feature beautiful houses alongside beautiful trees. Six hundred thousand were left in the dark and cold.

I was blessed in that my apartment didn't lose power, save a quick brown out. The biggest impact to my life came in the transformation of my last week of work for Boyce. Rather than spend those last few days finishing up tasks around the office, I got to watch the new leadership structure rise to the occasion and help the student body in what is surely the greatest disaster Louisville has faced since the tornados of the 1970s. I am glad leave things in their hands and have been reassured that things will be just fine without me. Different, sure, but that's okay.

Nevertheless, all this transition has definitely left me with much to reflect on. Sadly, I've found myself "listening to myself" rather than "talking to myself," to use Lloyd-Jones analogy. In other words, there is what I feel and there is what is real. Reality is defined by Christ and his testimony in Scripture. Christ tells me that he is my shepherd, that he will provide for me, that the righteous are not forsaken and that their children do not have to beg bread. This is not to say that God does not ordain hardship, even protracted hardship. This is to say that in all things, all things really do work together for good. As we were going through Romans together at Sojourn, one of our pastors, Rob Plummer, preached a ballin' sermon on Romans 8:28-30. He pointed out how Paul speaks of these justified Christians as being (already) sanctified and glorified. In other words, from God's eternal perspective, these things which seem so frustratingly out of reach are as good as done and as certain as gravity.

Indeed, much has ensued in these past days. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will move into Shelby Park and will continue the beginning of this new chapter in my life. Even as this city has suffered in the cold, I have found my heart suffering in the cold, refusing the warmth, shelter, and power of God's Word. Yesterday, as Pastor Chad preached to us the story of Joseph, I was warmed by the thought that faith is a fight. I was warmed further by the typological truth he outlined: Just as Joseph was sent to Egypt to save Israel, so Christ was sent that we might be saved. And just as Joseph's brothers bowed the knee to him, so the world will bow the knee to Christ.

Community

2009-01-22T23:17:00.002-05:00

Tonight was my "pre-moving." Ben Gantt and Laura Robert's Community Group helped me box up books, DVDs, etc both at home and in my office, and then we moved the boxes and some light furniture over to my new abode in Shelby Park. Moving books is usually a pain but being surrounded by dear brothers and sisters made it great, honestly. There wasn't too much work to do (I'm dropping the heavy lifting on my Community Group this Tuesday, because I love them like that) and afterwards, we ate chili and just hung for a few hours. It was, quite simply, great. Christian Community is sweeter than honey.

I spend most of today in seclusion, preparing my place for tonight, yes, but trying to pray as I went. I definitely feel as if my prayers were lacking, but nevertheless, I was encouraged. As I sorted through desk drawers filled with old papers, old photos, and the like, I was reminded of how far God has brought me, and through what circumstances. I was reminded that the Lord is good, that he has been abundantly kind to me thus far, and he will continue to do until his kingdom comes.

We're reading through the Old Testament together at Sojourn. I really mesh with Jacob's honest prayer he prays just days before meeting with Esau. He knew that he was not worthy of the grace bestowed on him, but he knew that God had bestowed it on him. If it was given by grace, would it not continue by grace? It was. And it did. Likewise I know that the Lord is good to me. He is my father. I need not fear when I ask him for daily bread.

Thabiti Anyabwile on Gospel Rap

2009-01-21T10:43:00.002-05:00

So, Thabiti was definitely at my Starbucks on Monday. Pretty cool.

As I've thought about the city and urban ministry more, I've started to reflect on what a transformed "hip hop" culture might look like. These reflections are embryonic, at best, but I really enjoyed what Thabiti has to say. Just push play.

"Where Were You in Two-thousand Two?" My Farewell to Boyce College

2009-01-20T13:14:00.003-05:00

Where were you in 2002? On May 3, 2002, Spider-Man released in theatres and I was at the earliest possible showing in the city: 10:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time, Dothan, Alabama.

Alabama, you say? And what the heck does this have to do with Boyce? Spidey-senses tingling!

Fair questions both. My joyous watching of Sam Raimi's film came at the end of a trip of discovery. Just a week and a half earlier, my family had flown into Atlanta, Ga, and driven the five-ish hours north to Louisville to check out this young, up-and-coming Bible college my father had read about. I had read the catalog and such and was captivated by the thought of forgoing math to study the New Testament. (I would be greatly let-down when math was inserted into the catalog, later.) Boyce would be the only school I visited, and my first trek to River City would begin a long relationship with what was originally known as the James P. Boyce College of the Bible.

Boyce's name changed (for the better) and so did I. A perusing of the archives of this blog (or worse, a visit to www.xanga.com/WarriorPoetJedi) will provide a bit of prospective on how radical the change has been. I would, over time, learn to out grow some of my old predispositions and embrace hard truths. I became involved, becoming a Resident Leader in my fourth semester, (a post I would hold until graduation). I became popular (if only the old gang back in AZ could have seen me then). I became attached.

Graduation introduced me into a new world and though I struggled some, I was excited for the change and eager to move on with life, finish Seminary in three years (what was I thinking?), and move on to the next challenge. All of that changed with a single offer, though. Would I become Resident Director of Boyce College?

I assumed a post that I was shocked to hold. As a Resident Leader, I had revered my supervisor (then called Resident Supervisor), Aaron "Flip" Filippone. Fortunately, I loved him too much to try and be him. I led as I felt best and under the leadership of another hero, Dr. Chip Collins, I was able to make changes. I had the privilige and blessing of leading men and women whom I had once served alongside, and this past semester was the best yet.

Nevertheless, I knew that I would leave this job one day, but last Wednesday, I learned that day was far sooner than supposed. The Seminary is in a budget crisis and 35 staff members are being laid off. Sadly, the Resident Director position is one of those being deleted, and with it, my time at Boyce has come to an end. I was blessed to study here for four years (and humbled to be honored as I was) and was blessed as well to serve here for these past three semesters. I leave Boyce, at long last, on January 30, but many dear memories will come with me. By God's grace, my name remains etched and stitched in the Patio Room.

What more can I say? I would be lying if I assumed that any good that has come to me since 2002 (or for that mattter, since 1985) has been because of my doing or my own hands. No! It has been God's grace from start to finished, engineered by him according to the counsel of his will. I leave Boyce but I know that my life continues.

I am excited for the next chapter. God has provided a place for me to live in Shelby Park, near The 930, which is my church's building. I look forward to participating more in our missional work in that neighborhood as well as to giving my attention to other things that have neglected for a while, namely my Community Group I lead and my master's work at Southern.

I could rant on for a while, but let me end with a simple, "God bless." May God bless everyone at Boyce College, especially the student body. It has been my honor and privilige to have known you for these many years and may God keep you safe until we meet again.

Going, Going...

2009-01-15T00:52:00.003-05:00

Seven years. Seven years is a long time. No matter what the circumstance, it's hard to fathom separation after that span of time. Part of me had thought that the time was coming soon, the other part of me thought there was yet fruitful work left. Regardless, God's will is good. It's not just abstractly good, either. His work in this present situation is good, good for me, even. His plans are better for me than I could plan. What a thought! Every time I read that Ephesians passage about how God can do more than we can ask or imagine, I think of Han Solo, incredulous, insisting that he "can imagine an awful lot." Regardless, in the face of the unknown, I find this God who is indeed known to me, who has made himself known to me, I find him telling me that his plans for me are for good and not for evil, that his will will be done and that his kingdom will yet be consummated soon. I look forward to that day and know that while it is still today, there is much work to be done.

Attack of the Random Thoughts: '09 Innaugeral Edition

2009-01-11T07:48:00.004-05:00

I hate the feeling when you wake up restless and unable to get back to sleep. Oh well. I guess this gives me a chance to thought process.

I'm excited to be a groomsman today. Maybe it's a dorky desire but I don't care. I've known Jonathan "Biggz" Owens a long time, the same for Lindsey Wilson. That the Lord has brought them together is a testament to his great grace and his sovereignty over the story lines of our lives. We had the bachelor party on Friday night (Mongolian + bowling), rehearsal/dinner last night, and now, "the bells are going to chime." (Side note: you can know Biggz too! Please watch the aptly titled YouTube video, "Biggz Kicked In the Face," below.) It's been a blessing to celebrate so thoroughly with them, but my confession is that my Christological reflection has been weak. In other words, I know that marriage is of the clearest pictures of how Jesus relates to his church, who is his bride. I haven't been chewing on that though. I haven't been drawing joy from this, one of the most joyful of truths.

I'll put it another way. I've been re-reading C.S. Lewis's last and greatest novel, Till We Have Faces. The novel is a re-working of the Greek myth of Cupid & Psyche, set in ancient England. The thrust of the story resonates deeply with me - the fight to believe and know the gods. From ol' Jack's and my perspective, this is really about the fight of any human being to believe in Christ. I won't spoil the story for you, but in midst of a charged exchange, a believer in the gods entreats another with the words, "Why should our hearts not dance?"

Look, this world is a world of sin. I was reminded in Chicago, where despite the beautiful buildings and rich culture, corruption is king. Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell a Senate seat. A Senate seat! I'm reminded in Louisville, be it driving in Germantown or making an infrequent trip to Mall St. Matthews. In both of those contexts, I see people walking around, almost in a daze. They are trapped in cycles of poverty and/or greed, worshiping idols who cannot help. Even so, I feel my heart straying away from the only reason I have to rejoice: Jesus Christ. In spite of all this, because of all this, we must must must must must rejoice in Christ all the more. As Poe said, "Ours is a world of sweets and sours."

So, I guess I'll close with some Sandra. This about says it perfectly for me. Oh, this world is beautiful and tragic, oh my sin constantly shocks me, oh how I fight to keep clutching my idols, and oh how none of this will be fully rectified until kingdom come. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

Rock of Ages,
When in want or rest,
My desperate need
For such a Savior I confess
Pull these idols out
From my heart embrace
Rock of Ages, I need your grace.

Down & Up

2009-01-08T00:20:00.003-05:00

I'm learning how to preach the gospel to myself, but it is hard. It is hard enough on a normal day. It's even harder when I sin. Unfortunately for me, this is the "in season" and "out of season" of my self-preaching. I need to hear it everyday. I need to hear it now.

Some of my pastors have phrased it as going "Down the slope of repentance and up the slope of faith." Going down the slope of repentance involves first, seeing and owning my sin, then, seeing the sin beneath my sin, and finally, exposing the idols/false lovers of my heart. Proceeding up the slope of faith involves four assertions: Jesus lived for me, Jesus died for me, God sees me in Jesus, Jesus lives in me.

I'm really good at wallowing in guilt but really bad at claiming my sin. This is exactly what Satan wants, because worldly sorrow leads to death. Jesus Christ lived and died for me, and as Luther said, Jesus only saves real sinners, not pretend ones. Unless I'm honest about my sin, I cannot be saved. The thing about my sin, though, is that it's not the truest thing about me. Jesus is the truest thing about me. God sees me in Jesus. I struggle with seeing me in Jesus, but that's where I am.

In his sermon the other week, Pastor Rob Plummer talked about how we need to keep rehearsing biblical things, like calling each other "brother" or "sister," until they sink in and we say them out heartfelt conviction. Going up and down these slopes is in the same vein. I will never get beyond the Gospel. That's a good thing.

Chicago (All Things Go)

2009-01-03T08:30:00.002-05:00

It's 7:30 am local time. I am amongst an "Epoch of Eight" brothers who have trekked to Chicago for a long weekend. We've threaded New Year's Day into the coming weekend, and thanks to the hotel discount one of our party enjoys as part of his pay package, namely the one and only Michael Scott Daniel, we are enjoying the posh accommodations of the Hampton Inn Majestic in the Chicago Theater District. We left about midday on the 1st and arrived at the brightly lit Metropolis skyline later that night.

Aided by the internet and the expertise of Jason Myhre (who previously interned here, unsure as to whether it was unpaid or not), we have gotten off the beaten path. Deep-dish at Giordano's, Chicago dogs at Gold Coast Hot Dogs, Thai at Siam Noodle and Rice, Coffee at Intelligentsia, nothing has disappointed. Yesterday was a cultural day, as we split our attention was split between two art museums (Michael and I opted for the Art Institute of Chicago, seeing some of my favorite paintings in the world, chief of which is Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks.") and spent the evening at the local jazz haunt, Green Mill. Today, as both money and energy is a bit thin from yesterday, will feature more rest but of course, further exploration is a must.

We've remarked throughout the trip about how much of a blessing from God this has been. We've had the chance to rest, to laugh, to encourage, to listen, to pray. Such things only come to us by the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a kind savior he is!

Homeward Bound

2008-12-29T19:20:00.002-05:00

A week in Arizona has come to an end. In all my travels, I have still yet to see something so brilliant as a mediocre sunset over the Phoenix sky.

It has been a trip of reflection and reunion. I have struggled in my heart with what it means to go "down the slope of repentance and up the slope of faith." I have played a crapload of Settlers of Catan (with the Cities and Knights expansion.) And now, a Southwest Airlines jet is about to carry me back to what is now home, Louisville, Kentucky. "Every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be..."

The Christmas Story: Revelation 12

2008-12-25T01:52:00.002-05:00

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Now ware arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Stan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown them, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

AZ

2008-12-24T01:21:00.003-05:00

I've returned to the state that formed so much of my identity for so long, the great state of Arizona. It was only just recently that I became a legal resident of the Commonwealth, but the ties to here have been severed for some time now. My parents live here, my paternal relatives live here, many friends from high school are still here. Regardless, I've swapped sagebrush for bluegrass and I'm not turning back. I wish I could articulate my feelings about change, growth, and as my friend Michael Morgan put it, "experimenting with adulthood."

Tomorrow (by Arizona time) is Christmas Eve and provided it doesn't snow more, I will attend my parent's church Christmas Eve service, a service I've gone to for years and years and years. I will be reminded about how much things of change and how much some things haven't, but moreover, I want to be reminded of Jesus Christ and his Gospel.

'Nuff Said

2008-12-16T14:30:00.002-05:00

Wolverine movie! With Gambit! And the Civil War! Big explosions! Loud noises!

I don't know what we're yelling about!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

2008-12-16T00:04:00.002-05:00

The Irish trifecta that is O'Shea's/Flanigan's/Brendan's was so generous as to donate 100% of their proceeds to Nadus Films, a non profit that a few brother/sister Sojourners spearhead. They're finishing up a top-flight documentary called The New Sudan, but beyond raising awareness of the needs, they're helping to meet them. You can find out more here.

Burger for lunch, fish and chips for dinner, change in Sudan. How awesome is our God?

Gaffigan

2008-12-13T01:02:00.002-05:00

I saw my favorite stand up comedian tonight, that being Jim Gaffigan. He was amazing and I can't even begin to describe how genius his comedy is. I didn't stop laughing the entire evening - the only question was the intensity of the laughter.

He ended the night with his signature bit, regarding "Hot Pockets." I leave you with the skit, this version from his "Beyond the Pale" tour. Watch it friends, and laugh.

It Won't Be Like This In Heaven

2008-12-11T20:04:00.003-05:00

I've been getting sick a lot lately. Constant sinus infections and a bout with bronchitis, mostly, but for the second time since Thanksgiving, I'm fighting off (almost debilitating) stomach cramps. I went to the doctor yesterday and I have a course of treatment laid out. Still, it's frustrating not being able to do the work that is rapidly pile up around the office or invest into my beloved community of friends. I've been taking Tylenol in hopes of staving off the pain while the prescription does its work.

The first time this came on, I was on the tail end of that initial bout and was able to gather to worship with my Sojourn brothers and sisters. As I was walking towards the doors of the 930, I met a dear brother, Matt Harner. I told him the quick version of the story, and his first words of response hit me like a wave of comfort and hope.

"It won't be like this in heaven."

My perspective falls so short so often. The pain's been worse this time around but Matt's words have again reminded me of my ultimate hope, and the Christ who puts all of this into perspective.

"Lifeline": A review of "Slumdog Millionaire," (2008, dir. by Danny Boyle, co-dir. by Loveleen Tandan)

2008-12-04T22:01:00.004-05:00

"Who wants to be a millionaire?" I was a (poor) kid living in not-too-small-town South Carolina when I first heard that question asked. Like the rest of America, my family and I enthusiastically watched night after night as ordinary Joes like ourselves sat down in the hot seat, answering questions we could answer, winning money we would never have. I don't remember being envious, though. I remember the excitement of the next question, hanging on every pause, holding my breath when Regis asked "Is that your final answer?"

Jamal Malik is in the hot seat in Mumbai (nee Bombay). An orphan from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal , now sits one question away from 20 million rupees. The show runs out of time for the night, but rather than being spirited off to a studio hotel room, Jamal is thrown to the police for "interrogation." How could a former "slumdog" who now serves chai to telemarketers at those infamous Indian phone banks - how can he know the answers? "What is the God Rama usually pictured holding in his hand?" "Who invented the revolver?" "What American statesman's face is on the front of the American 100 bill?" Truth is, Jamal has been in the hot seat his whole life, and he knows the answers because of the horrors he's lived. He slowly tells his story to the police, and we quickly get sucked into the heights and depths of his life.

I could say more of course. I could tell you about his brother Salim or about the girl Jamal has loved from his youth, but why say more? This movie amazed me in a way I have difficulty describing. Maybe it's the dazzling camera work that Danny Boyle (Millions, Trainspotting) and his co-director for the India shots, Loveleen Tandan (Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair), cook up so effortlessly, sweeping us from the bottom of a sewage dump to the tippy-top of the Taj Mahal. Maybe it's the way that Boyle and Tandan show us the real Mumbai, a city where glory and gore live side by side, (as pointed out by Roger Ebert.) The Indian dance soundtrack (accented by the Sri Lankan border-crosser M.I.A.) is also worth noting/purchasing from iTunes.

As the film raced for its conclusion, I found myself asking the question, "Is the movie going to have a Bollywood or a Hollywood ending?" By Hollywood, I specifically refer to the nouveau Hollywood ending, that one where nothing works out. It's a question that you will have to answer for yourself as you watch. Slumdog Millionaire is a lifeline. Watch this film.

My ranking: 93 out of 100.

For further praise: NBR names "Slumdog" film of the year.

Wrap Up Music: 12/1/08

2008-12-02T00:34:00.002-05:00

It's past my bedtime, and I thought I'd burn the last bit of oil by sharing my wrap up music for the first day of the last month of 2008 AD. This song has an odd genesis, with its lyrics originally being pinned by Isaac Watts and known as "Hymn 39," but when it entered the rural hymnal that is the Sacred Harp, it became known by it's tune, "Africa." (No clue why "Africa." There is nothing about Africa in the song.) I first heard it when my brethren in Sojourn Music sang it to our church a few weeks ago. Learning that that version was The Innocence Mission's interpretation, I immediately plopped my $.99 on Steve Job's barrel head and made my best purchase that week.

Now shall my inward joys arise,
And burst into a song;
Almighty love inspires my heart,
And pleasure tunes my tongue.

God on his thirsty Zion hill
Some mercy drops has thrown,
And solemn oaths have bound his love
To shower salvation down.

Why do we then indulge our fears,
Suspicions, and complaints?
Is he a God, and shall his grace
Grow weary of his saints?

Man. Is he a God? What a question to ask and immediately answer. Pleasure tunes my tongue? Now that's Christian Hedonism. This song rocks me and socks me with Watt's confidence in Christ. "Abraham believed God." In the face of everything in this world, in the face of all the lies that the satanic trinity (world, flesh, devil) fumes, what power is there in simply trusting in our loving Father? "Why do we then indulge our fears, suspicions and complaints? Is he a God, and shall his grace grow weary of his saints?" The Scripture tells us he has loved us with an everlasting love. What wondrous love is this, oh my soul!

I. Am. Not. A. Trekkie. That said...

2008-12-02T00:26:00.003-05:00

I (gulp) rented season one of Star Trek: The Original Series a week ago tomorrow from Wild & Woolly Video. They have this killer deal in which a TV season counts for one rental, thus allowing me to rent the 8 disc season for seven days for $4 USD. I have enjoyed watching it, but it proved to be poor marathon fodder. I just couldn't shotgun melodrama - it was way too tense. I decided to squeeze the last drops of juice out tonight and watched the first Trek two-parter, "The Menagerie." It's a brilliant episode, and offers some good blog bytes for another day. I greatly enjoyed the little tidbit (shared in a flashback sequence) that the first ship's surgeon on the Enterprise was one Dr. Phillip Boyce. No relation.

Cokasoc

2008-11-28T00:18:00.002-05:00

While confirming to Blogger a few minutes ago that no, I am not a picture of a scantily clad woman spamming people's walls about Viagra, I had to do the whole "type this word" thing. The word?

Cokasoc.

I found myself smiling. Randomness can be so much fun!

Geekout

2008-11-18T17:01:00.002-05:00

Trek it out.

Is anyone not excited to see J.J. Abrams to direct Spock and Kirk? Is anyone not pumped about Eric Bana as some Romulan baddie? Is anyone not moved by the return of Leonard Nimoy? Is anyone not seriously disturbed by the scenes in the trailers of young Kirk "exploring strange new worlds" with Uhura? (Ewww. Ick. Gagghh. Does everything have to be sexual?)

Regardless, I'm actually intrigued about this new Star Trek film. Come May 8, I will most definitely be requesting permission to come aboard.

The King is Dead...

2008-11-16T15:51:00.003-05:00

Last night, Randy "the Natural" Couture returned to the Octagon to defend his heavyweight belt versus the up-and-coming rock slab of human named Brock Lesnar. With similar skill sets (wrestling background, speed, tenacity) the advantage was to Lesnar from the onset, as he is fast and powerful, requiring custom 4XL gloves to cover the hams he calls "fists." Good blows were traded back and forth, but Lesnar could not be overcome and Randy fell at 3:07 in the second round, with Lesnar the winner by TKO. The king is dead. Brock Lesnar is undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. What now, then? Has a reign of terror begun?

Yes and no. Frank Mir and Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira are set to fight on December 27 at UFC 92 and the winner of that fight will most certainly be next in line for a title shot. While both are jiu-jitsu specialists (remember the footbar Frank caught Brock in, way back in February?), I don't think that Brock is quite as one-dimensional as some make him out to be. I really do think he has staying power, especially if he's as serious about hard work as he told Joe Rogan post fight last night. Discounting the wild card that is Randy Couture (Will he stay in the Octagon at age 45?) and pending Fedor Emelianenko's willingness to fight for a real belt (Affliction = lame), I foresee only two serious threats to the new top dog. Both Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo have size and skill.

Gonzaga was especially impressive in his dismantling of Josh Hendricks last night. One thing that interests me about the Brazilian-born black-belt is that he does not talk through an interpreter any more but answers questions in English. Granted, his English is slow and somewhat broken but I think that his willingness to do his own interviews speaks to both his heart (fighter heart, not spiritual heart) and his overall commitment to his game. You may remember Gabe from his title shot against Randy 15 months ago (Randy's last outing in the ring until last night). Gonzaga got his butt kicked to pieces, although he did manage to break Randy's arm with a kick himself, but the fighter I saw last night has come a long way since that humiliation. Might he be the one to end Brock's reign? Time will tell, but in case he does, remember you heard it here first.

Remember!

2008-11-15T00:22:00.006-05:00

I forget so so quickly. Case in point, Deuteronomy 8.

The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way the the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciples his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied,then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware, lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if your forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Remember!!! Everything in this life, both good and ill, comes to us from the hand of our loving God! I forget so often. Either comfort lulls me to forget or trials spark the timbers of unbelief in my heart. I was reading a devotion by Dietrich Bonhoeffer today (taken from Ethik) in which he talked about how Jesus referring to himself as "the life" changes the conversation entirely. No longer do we discourse abstractly about pain and suffering. Rather now, we have a relationship with life. "Jesus sets his own self in the sharpest contrast to all thoughts, concepts, and ways that claim to make up the essence of life." I think is exactly what the Spirit is saying through Moses in Deuteronomy 8.

The Israelites had known the bitter tears of slavery and were about to experience the lush joys of Canaan. Regardless of circumstance, the call to them is the same call of Christ to us: "Know me! Know me! I am the way, the truth, and the life." Our life is not a series of events or a list of things: It's Christ!

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked... But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1,5-6)

Wrap Up Music: 11/9/08

2008-11-10T02:12:00.002-05:00

As I head to bed at the end of another amazing Sunday, in lieu of a longer post (hopefully tomorrow) I thought I'd mention that Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken are singing me to sleep. Specifically, "When the Summer's Gone" and the entirety of their Ampersand EP is a beautiful display of what love looks like in a mature yet honest Christian relationship. Seasons of our life come and go, but God is faithful throughout. Hit this up on iTunes. It's the best $.99 you'll spend all week!

When the summer's gone
When the harvest comes and the leaves are red
We'll remember then
Making love in the sun and the sand
You are the one to whom my heart belongs
Will our love be strong when the summer's gone?

When the summer's gone
As we fight our way through the winter snow
And we will mark the days
Till our july friend returns again, where have you been?
You are the one to whom my heart belongs
Will our love be strong when the summer's gone

(chorus)

We could drive down to the water
If we ever lose our way
Summer sky, goes on forever
Will our love be strong..
When the summer's gone...

When the summer's gone
And the poetry has all been read
will our midnight sun
Burn though the year till the august fears have disappeared
You are the one to whom my heart belongs
Will our love be strong when the summer's gone

(chorus)

You are the one, to whom my heart belongs
Will our love be strong (when the summer's gone?)
Will our love be strong (when the summer's gone?)
Will our love be strong when the summer's gone?

Quick Hits: Scott Thomas & A29 on the new Keller

2008-10-30T20:08:00.003-04:00

Check this out.

"The issue that our contemporary churches face is a strong gravitational pull toward religion and morality and away from the mission of the lost, irreligious people that we are called to proclaim the gospel. Sermons are typically full of Christianese and religious platitudes. Have you ever heard someone try to explain the sport of Cricket to an American? It all sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher, "Whaa, whaa wicket, whaa." Our sermons have the same lack of comprehension to the irreligious attendees in our church when we preach only to the conservative, buttoned down, moralistic people that make our churches a safe, peaceful place."

Does that sting? (I am a recovering conservative button-down moralist and this is spot on. I am blessed week in and week out by a certain A29 church.) It's called the Gospel friends. It's all we need. Period.

Promised a Bridegroom

2008-10-20T23:49:00.002-04:00

I know that very few people read this and fewer still would need a link to John Letoto's blog. That said, I was incredibly touched by his latest post. It's not just because I was present for much of the story, but it's more that John and I have talked, worked, and struggled through many of these things together. He is one of my dearest brothers in the world and I hope you take the time to reflect on this.

Not So Infinite Playlist: The Music of Hall Ball IX

2008-10-06T20:17:00.005-04:00

Martin Luther once said that after the Word of God, music was the greatest gift ever given to humanity. The years have seen my musical tastes refine a bit, but nevertheless, I still look back on many genres, sounds, and songs with a touch of nostalgia. Presented with the opportunity to craft a musical accompaniment to Boyce College's premier club sporting event, I took some golden earrings, threw them in the fire, and out came this playlist.

1. Interstates, "Uniforms Forever," (Run Run)
2. Andy Hunter, "Go," (Exodus)
3. Andy Hunter, "The Wonders of You," (Exodus)
4. Andy Hunter, "Radiate," (Exodus)
5. Flight of the Conchords, "Inner City Pressure," (Flight of the Conchords)
6. Json, "Let No Man - Colossians," (13 Letters)
7. Dillon Chase, "Take 'Em Back - Philemon," (13 Letters)
8. Lecrae, "Break It Down - 1 Corinthians," (13 Letters)
9. Sho Baraka, "This Is My Heart - 2 Corinthians," (13 Letters)
10. Trip Lee feat. Lecrae, "Get Loose," (13 Letters)
11. Bleach, "We Are Tomorrow," (Again, For the First Time)
12. Sigur Rós, "Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur," (Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust)
13. Bleach, "December," Astronomy
14. Through A Glass, "How to Impeach a King," (Tragedy Vs. Comedy)
15. P.O.D., "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)," (The Fundamental Elements of Southtown)
16. Eddie Vedder & The Million Dollar Bashers, "All Along the Watchtower," (I'm Not There)
17. Coldplay, "Lost!", (Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends)
18. Switchfoot, "New Way to Be Human," (New Way to Be Human)
19. Relient K, "Devestation and Reform," (Five Score and Seven Years Ago)
20. U2, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," (The Joshua Tree)
21. Five Iron Frenzy, "Handbook for the Sellout," (Our Newest Album Ever)
22. Further Seems Forever, "The Moon Is Down," (The Moon Is Down)
23. Copeland, "Pin Your Wings," (In Motion)
24. Relient K, "In Love With the 80s (Pink Tux to the Prom)," (Two Lefts Don't Make a Right (But Three Do))
25. Europe, "The Final Countdown," (The Final Countdown)
26. Flight of the Conchords, "Au Revoir," (Flight of the Conchords)

The trick to making a playlist or set-list be it for the radio or your dorm room is to pick music that works together. This sounds obvious but it can be a bit difficult when one wants to thread various genres together. This playlist starts with electronica/techno, goes into hip-hop, continues into alt. rock, next to hard rock, into an alt. rock, rock, emo rock mix (with a dash of ska), finally ending in total cheese: faux 80s rock, 80s rock, and comedic rock. In constructing the set, I took time to listen to the end and beginning of each song, just to make sure that it would flow naturally from one to the other.

Quickly, then, here is some commentary on the tracks. Interstates is a locally based group that augments their techo-underpinnings with live guitars and drums, played in sync with an overhead projector showing homemade films. In fact, you should come see them live this week when they open for Wovenhand at The 930. The next three tracks on the list come from a slightly more known source. "Go," "The Wonders of You," and "Radiate" are the first three tracks of European sensation Andy Hunter's Exodus album. Andy Hunter spins his wax as worship leader, not just as a performer. The next five tracks are crafted by rappers from the 116 Clique. This specific album, 13 Letters, takes Paul's 13 letters and sets their message in the language of urban America, welding top-flight theology with top-flight rhymes.

It's here that the music goes on a wild ride. Ranging from the light hearted social commentary of the Conchords to Eddie Vedder's high energy cover of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," the tracks take us throughout the world of rock. I could not pass up the chance to end the party with the geographically eponymous Europe and "The Final Countdown," which is a guilty favorite of mine, thanks in part to Arrested Development. I hope that you all have a chance to take a listen, especially if you have need for an uber-cardio workout mix. Regardless how good iTunes gets, friends, a "Genius" function can never replace the human ear for music.

Musing from Readings: A.O. Scott on "Family" Films

2008-01-11T23:28:00.000-05:00

In my mind, A.O. Scott is second only to Roger Ebert when it comes to thoughtful, intelligent, and artistic film reviews. The primary critic for The New York Times, I have learned to trust his ability to engage the artistic value of a film. While on a break at Starbucks this evening, I happened across this article he wrote regarding the sort of films to which children should be taken. Granted, if I were a father, I might not approve of showing all the films he mentions to children, but I must admit that I like what he's getting at. You'll find that I return to this topic over and over again, that art is not merely meant to entertain, but rather, it is meant to teach and train the heart.

That said, click it or ticket.

Ceasing Transmission

2008-01-02T00:24:00.000-05:00

The time has come to pull the plug. I am not closing this blog, but I am cutting the cable that links it to Facebook.

At the risk of being overly dramatic, I would like this to serve as an invitation to a deeper conversation. Facebook is far and away one of the websites I traffic the most. It's good clean fun, etc, and I enjoy networking with my hundreds of friends. When I started importing my blog posts as notes on Facebook, it exposed my blog to hundreds and hundreds of people who would have probably never clicked on the hyperlink on my main page. However, I have come to the conclusion that a raging party like Facebook is not quite the appropriate place for some of the conversations that I would like my blog to spark. I'm always up for a conversation with just about anyone about anything over a cup of coffee, however. Think of my blog, as a digital version of the same.

Thus, I hope that you will bookmark my blog and join the conversation.

Musings from Readings: Bonhoeffer on New Years Resoloutions

2008-01-02T00:12:00.000-05:00

I ran across this in a devotional book based on the writings of my hero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is quite timely for a New Year, I believe. I hope that it encourages you as it did me.

"'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' This saying, which is found in a broad variety of lands, does not arise from the brash worldly wisdom of an incorrigible. It instead reveals deep Christian insight. At the beginning of a new year, many people have nothing better to do than to make a list of bad deeds and resolve from now on - how many such 'from-now-ons' have there already been! - to begin with better intentions, but they are still stuck in the middle of their paganism. They believe that a good intention already means a new beginning; they believe that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. But that is an evil illusion: only God can make a new beginning with people whenever God pleases, but not people with God. Therefore, people cannot make a new beginning at all; they can only pray for one. Where people are on their own and live by their own devices, there is only the old, the past. Only where God is can there be a new beginning. We cannot command God to grant it: we can only pray to God for it. And we can pray only when we realize that we cannot do anything, that we have reached our limit, that someone else must make that new beginning."

Fighting

2007-12-24T18:40:00.000-05:00

I find myself fighting for faith on Christmas Eve. There's something about heading back to the ole' homestead that brings all of my fears to the surface, namely fear of myself and of my sin, both past and current. Martin Luther has been a source of much encouragement to me today, so here's a Christmas Eve morsel on which to chew. Lord willing, I will post something more original tomorrow.

"Here we have a most pleasing vision not only of communion but of a blessed struggle and victory and salvation and redemption. Christ is God and man in one person. He has neither sinned nor died, and is not condemned, and he cannot sin, die, or be condemned; his righteousness, life, and salvation are unconquerable, eternal, omnipotent. By the wedding ring of faith he shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are his bride's. As a matter of fact, he makes them his own and acts as if he himself had sinned; he suffered, died, and descended into hell that he might overcome them all. Now since it was such a one who did all this, and death and hell could not swallow him up, these were necessarily swallowed up by him in a mighty duel; for his righteousness is greater than the sins of all men, his life stronger than death, his salvation more invincible than hell. Thus the believing soul by means of the pledge of its faith is free in Christ, its bridegroom, free from all sins, secure against death and hell, and is endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of Christ its bridegroom." - On Christian Liberty

Boycotting the Boycott: Part Two

2007-12-15T00:58:00.000-05:00

I have yet to see The Golden Compass because I have yet to finish the book (which is quite charming and intriguing through the first 100 pages), but I was astounded by this little statistic I ran across.

Pluggedinonline.com, the media engagement wing of James Dobson's Focus on the Family polled its readers regarding this question - "What have you decided your family's approach will be to The Golden Compass?" I was astonished and appalled by how the votes broke down:

We'll avoid it because of its messages - 71%
We'll avoid it because we're not interested - 14%
We'll see it and discuss its messages - 8%
We'll see it; it's just another fantasy movie - 8%

All I can say is wow. The Christian community can't even rise to engage a children's book? It's at times like these that I am oh so glad that the advance of the Gospel cannot be derailed by our failures, oh so glad.

Francis Ford

2007-12-13T15:12:00.000-05:00

I could barely believe my eyes a mere three hours ago, but there it was: a banner add proclaiming that Francis Ford Coppola is releasing a new movie. It's called Youth Without Youth, and I could describe it to you, but seeing is believing so check it out.

John Donne, "A Hymn to God the Father"

2007-12-09T14:45:00.000-05:00

I
Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still: though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For, I have more.

II
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin? and, made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year, or two: but wallowed in, a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

III
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thy self, that at my death thy son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, thou hast done,
I fear no more.

Quick Takes: No Country for Old Men

2007-12-08T22:52:00.000-05:00

No Country for Old Men is something special. It's hard to describe a film that waxes philosophical in between gruesome gun violence, amidst the sound of silence. (Only when Llewelyn Moss is awakened by a mariachi band south of the border does melody interrupt the squeaks of floor boards and blasts of shot.) Javier Bardem is chilling as a heartless and proficient killer named Anton Chigurh, and Tommy Lee Jones has never looked more tired as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. I went into the theater half-expecting some Tarentino-esque showdowns but left with something so much more - an invitation to reflect and ponder about life and how we live it, about darkness and how it must be lit. No Country for Old Men is easily the best film I've seen this year, and I would encourage all my readers to see it.

Sunday (That's My Funday)

2007-12-03T00:41:00.000-05:00

The Lord has been drawing my soul near to him recently in corporate worship. I love gathering together with my brothers and sisters at Sojourn, but its a joy that is born from so much more than just good music with good people. The preaching of the word is doing its part in bringing about gospel transformation in my own heart, and in the words of Wesley, the music encourages my soul to "sing lustily." Some days I enter with a heart of joy to worship my savior; some days I enter with my heart weighed down by my sin. Either way, after having encountered God through the preaching and singing of his word, it is a joy to come to the table and receive the body and blood of Christ.

That said, I totally agree with the Bangles.

Boycotting the Boycott: Why I Plan on Watching The Golden Compass

2007-11-29T17:33:00.000-05:00

I must admit, I love movies. Case in point, when I began working full-time this semester, I had to trim my four master's level classes down to one, and the one I chose to keep was Christianity and Film. It was a fantastic class that opened my mind to new cinematic horizons. We studied the technical specifications of movies like shots and angles, we took a brief foray through the history of film, and then we spent the bulk of the semester focusing on that wild and varied thing that is the Jesus film genre. The course's "big picture," however, was how to engage films. How should a Christian encounter the medium? What should our response and reaction be? How should we contribute? How should we reflect and react?

The primary textbook was the second edition of Robert K. Johnson's, Reel Spirituality. He outlined five approaches to films that Christians have taken over the years and I regret to say that I have seen one of them alot these days, thanks to the omniscient newsfeed on Facebook. The approach that I speak of is called "Avoidance," and it is characterized by a "boycott mentality." Case in point is "Do NOT Support "The Golden Compass" a Facebook"Arts & Entertainment - Movies" group. As of 11:22 p.m., Thursday, 11/29/07, 81,374 people had joined. The group's administer wrote the following:

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children, will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God." The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the the movie and that the children will want the books for Christmas. The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig,and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn people to avoid this movie.

There's a lot of ways to approach a topic like this. The author of the piece already has responded in several different ways. One, he plays to emotion "a movie targeted at children." However, almost every movie is targeted at children, including ones that contain violent and disturbing content, like say Spider-Man 3. Two, the author paints the film in the dark shades of a "them vs. us" conspiracy. It is "designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the move and... want the books." This is what most people would call marketing, merchandising, etc. Is materialism sinful? Yes, but did Christians protest when The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe spawned all sorts of SWAG? Third, the author paints the movie as an overall force of evil to be shunned and the word must spread to that affect.

In my estimation, the author has swung at three balls and struck out. I think the overarching problem is that the Christian community walks into a movie and judges it by morality, but two, wants to be absorbed in it as entertainment. Many rightly point out the motion picture is a powerful artistic medium, and they are correct in doing so. In his lectures on the topic, Dr. Halla noted that something in the mixture of sight, sound, light, photo, music, writing, and acting can create a deeply moving experience. But he made another point that most of us don't want to admit, because it will change the way we watch something as "innocuous" as a Disney princess classic: "There is no such thing as a movie that purely entertains. That is a myth."

So what should one do about The Golden Compass. I admit that my primary knowledge of the series and its thrust has come from the excellent From Homer to Harry Potter: A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy. The authors (who are both well read) agree that Pullman's work is quite dark and deliberately, almost absurdly, anti-God. But should a Christian first react on moral grounds? Honestly, the most damning thing to me in advance of reading them is that I've been repeatedly told they're poorly written. I'll have to wait and see on that one. But should we avoid it because of its underlying theme? No. I could go on for paragraphs from this point, but this post is already overlong so I'm just going to cut to the chase.

Avoiding a film and encouraging others to do the same does not make it go away. All movies are speaking and we must dialogue with them as we can. When we go to movies, we should go prepared to consider and respond. More so then that, we should experience movies the way we are meant to experience life - in community, and then in community, we should discuss them, consider them, and perhaps even learn from them, just like we should with traditional art. Discernment is a must, but it is high time for Christians to stop basing their entire assessment of a film on spiritual or moral content.

Like Paul showed on Mars Hill, there is often more to this world's culture than meets the eye, but it's ultimate need is not loud protests against immorality, which cannot save, (as Paul could have preached against the broken sexuality of Greek culture and even succeeded in reforming them into a bunch of "righteous" people on their way to hey) but loving proclamation of the only thing which can: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Life Support

2007-11-28T20:55:00.000-05:00

So help me, I am going to bring this blog back to life, it will be back and better than ever. "Don't die on me Buster!"

But yes, I could type for 10 hours and that would be insufficient in telling the tale of how my life has changed since I wrote "Faith and Father Abraham." I have a new job and essentially, a new life. Christ has changed my heart greatly and I'm learning to know and love him more.

Welcome back to all my readers, welcome new ones. This is the brand new experience, version 2.0 that will now be known as, The Rime.

Facebookers, be sure to view my blog in all its not glory.

Faith and Father Abraham (Romans 4)

2007-07-05T03:20:00.000-04:00

I've been struggling ever since I graduated from Boyce, particularly in wondering both "What's next?" and "What's now?" Romans 4 was water to my thirsty soul today, and I hope that it is for you as well.

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." Is this bless then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring - not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old) or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Under Construction

2007-07-05T03:09:00.000-04:00

I half-seriously hope to get some serious blogging going again on this site and return to the days when I wrote "hard-hitting" commentaries on life, or simply bared my soul as I reported from the front.

That said, pardon the dust of site construction.

Refreshing

2007-05-26T01:41:00.001-04:00

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." "You have refreshed the hearts of the saints." These are words from Scripture that I all too often take for granted. Oh my goodness do I take them for granted. These post-graduation days as a member of the corps of alumni of Boyce College have been spiritually tumultuous at times to spiritually tepid. In the midst of the struggle, two brothers have blasted in from my past, two men who are living legends to me, James McCray and Jim Winn.

My first memory of James McCray is a little too awkward for this blog, but after a few months at Boyce, I got to know the half-Korean guy from Slocumb, AL who lived across my hall. I learned that he was just as crazy as I thought he was, if not more, but there was method to his madness. Having served four years aboard a nuclear sub prior to Boyce, James was free from the confines of work, and we truly began to bond when James served me by helping me with a class project that involved several hours of prayer walking and survey work. We led a prayer group together, hit the streets witnessing together, and I learned about the work God was doing among the Dogrib tribe in the Northwest Territories of Cananda. Although the work was incredibly tough, James was called by God to go there, and go he did. After having sacrificed a summer and a winter break to short term work there, James signed up for a two-year church planting internship there through the North American Mission Board. While there, the strangest thing happened: He found a godly Christian women and married here. Now they're returning to Louisville for further study at Southern, sent as missions from the NWT to Louisville. James encouraged me this week to be completely honest with God, reminding me that God is not surprised by my sin nor does he love me any less when I do stumble.

Jim Winn was student council president when I entered Boyce, so I looked up to him quite a bit, but all the more so when learned that we both loved the Washington Redskins. Even though he was 27, he reached out to who was then a 17 year old kid (or at least I was for my first few weeks of school). He took me to the Washington Redskins fan club and even more so, helped me find ways to minister and serve at Boyce. Tonight I was honored to him again, but honored even more to meet his future wife Tessa. It was a blessing to no end to hear them talk about how their relationship began and to be edified by them as they gave wonderfully sound spiritual advice about the topic of relationships in general. My words are failing me as I attempt to write about all this evening meant to me (or what the nights with James has meant, or what last Saturday with Toto meant), but all I can say is that which Paul says of Philemon:

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, becuase I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." Philemon 4-7

8

2007-05-03T19:10:00.000-04:00

All classes are now done. Finals loom (somewhat) large in front of me and I am psyching myself up for one final push. So many feelings, emotions, and decisions are coming into play.

I passed the torch on Boyce Missions Link today, and honestly, I was overjoyed to do so. Boyce Missions Link was perhaps one of the greatest opportunities I had, and I made so little of it. Oh well. John and Seth were pleasant surprise additions to the officers, and Rachel must be one of the coolest people that I hardly know. As for Michael... 'nuff said.

Eight days to graduation, five to completion of classwork.

Weakness

2007-04-30T02:55:00.000-04:00

I was stunned by the outcome of the Outstanding Graduate and Servant Towel Award portions of the banquet. I had expected to be stunned by the beauty of my brothers and sisters and I had expected to stun people with my karaoke "skills" but that I did not expect.

Chip said that I had spent a lot of time in the hospital this semester. As I was driving around earlier this evening, I found myself in the St. Matthews area, near Breckinridge Lane (and Baptist East), and I could not help but think about that turbulent week, that week that a new phase of testing began for a brother, and many other brothers and the sisters jumped into the fire with him to keep him company. I think of that and I wonder at how they did that all in love for God and for their neighbor and how I was just a part of that. My meditations required the quick shedding of a tear or two, for I remembered just a bit of that pain I felt and how much more pain I saw. My trip today took me to Frankfort Starbucks, and during that week, I was there often, because they were brewing Gold Coast Blend, my favorite. (This was before I became a regular customer.) Just being near that Starbucks brought me back to the Wednesday of that week, a day on which I picked up some coffee on my way to church/the hospital. I walked toward where the cream/sugar area was and didn't notice that they had moved it. There was a table there in its place and at that table sat Lauren Farmer, who I barely knew at the time. I couldn't help but convey my weariness to her, because the week was pushing me out onto a ledge of ministry I had never been, even though this was not the first time a friend lay in a hospital gurney. If I had not had God's grace that week, I would not have been able to bear up under the emotional pain.

Looking back on that week of turbulence, I type this as one who just came off a week of joy, one of the best of my life. All I can think of is the verse in 2 Corinthians (4 I think, I'm too tired to find it), a verse in which the Apostle says "We have these treasures in jars of clay that the surpassing greatness might be from God, and not ourselves." I feel like a jar of clay right now, once again. Oh brothers and sisters, the surpassing greatness is from God and God alone. There is nothing else.

During that week of testing, I found myself stunned by the power of Christ. May he continue to do so.

Press On

2007-04-12T00:06:00.000-04:00

"Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth."
Hosea 6:1-3

Lord willing, I will graduate Boyce in 29 days, and I am learning spiritual things now that I wish I had learned when I first got here. I can only imagine how different things might have been, how much better, how much more meaningful. I look back on the hours and days that I have wasted, and know that I can only look at them under the shadow of the Cross, for may it be anathema to me to consider my sin apart from it.

During my first semester at Boyce, I was given a small "Prayer of Jabez sized" book called The Cross Centered Life, written by C.J. Mahaney. Today, I finally read it, and oh how I wish I had read it when I first received it. It might have made things so much better.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to post spiritual confessions, detailing what God is teaching me. More or less, these will culminate when, Lord willing, I speak to my brothers and sisters at Boyce at the Dorm Meeting of 4/23/07. To suffice what I have learned from C.J.'s book, I have come to the realization that I yet struggle with legalism and condemnation, and that my struggling spiritual life has not been helped by either. I hope that these coming days will be spent to his glory and that somehow, I might encourage brothers, sisters, and friends to trust Christ more. He has done great things and may he receive glory for them.

I Do Confess

2007-04-10T01:01:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been rich. Good Friday gave me a fresh perspective on Christ's sacrifice, as the dazzling white dress Stacey Franklin wore and the vows she and Jon shared made Ephesians chapter five jump out to me. The wedding reception was a special time as well, as conversations with dear friends made the sweetness of the wedding cake seem bland.

Resurrection Sunday (commonly called Easter) was glorious as well. Despite getting off to a rough start (thanks to alarm clock malfunctions), the morning of worship at Springdale was phenomenal. Pastor David preached from Acts 17 and 1 Cor. 15, emphasizing the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus, and oh what delight and force was in his words. What glory is there in the resurrection! The afternoon was equally wonderful, as I was blessed with the opportunity to spend time at the home of Mike and Amy Hilliard, and fellowship with them and other friends.

I spent today with my dear friend and future roommate, Josh Pigg. As we drove around Louisville doing errands, we listened primarily to Red Mountain Church's album Depth of Mercy, and we kept coming back to their rendition of Derek Webb's song "Wedding Dress." The song reminded me over and over again that on my own, as a natural man, I am nothing short of and in no way different from a whore. Oh how I seek the things of this world and not the Kingdom of Christ! Oh how I put emphasis where it should not be, how I let my sin tangle me up.

I know the depth of my sin, but it is amazing to see things come full circle to Good Friday. Just as Jon overflows with love for Stacey, so Jesus overflows with love for me, and though I have fled from him time and time again, yet does he pursue me. It is nothing short of amazing, that I, though an adulterous whore, have been shown the love of God. In this reality, the meaning of Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday, and every new day I live are bound together, for I have been saved, am being saved, and will be saved.

Like I said, these past few days have been rich

My Part

2007-03-21T01:13:00.000-04:00

As a friend and I were working on our Greek homework the other night, I mentioned that there are a lot of unreached people groups left in the world, and he asked me how many there were and if it really was a big need. So, I showed him the poster I have that details the population of people groups that are not yet reached (i.e., are less than 2% Christian), and the numbers total over 3,000,000,000. I felt a twinge in my heart I as realized that there are so many of them and yet I do so little.

I was talking to a recent acquaintance today, and she mentioned how she uses her artistic gifts to decorate her and her husband's bedroom in the fashion/colors of various nations and how she uses the decor/paint scheme/etc to remind her to pray for the work in those countries. I felt a twinge in my heart as I realized that I have had a chance to serve in far reaches of the globe yet feel, pray, and weep so little for the nations.

May God forgive me and incline my heart to repent.

Springdale (Home)

2007-03-04T18:25:00.000-05:00

This morning I was recognized as a member of Springdale Community Church. Technically, I'm still in the membership process as I need to complete a 5-week class and be interviewed, but they wanted to present me and others today.

These past two months of church here in the Ville have been phenomenal. It's been like a draught of cold water on a summer day, or a great night of sleep after being physically exhausted. God has humbled me, encouraged, fed me, and emptied me, which I hope will continue to happen on a weekly basis.

There have been many times when leaving for "greener" pastures seemed like the easiest option, but the Lord has shown me just how necessary committment is to a relationship, namely this one. God knocked me off my Bible-college high horse onto my rear, and showed me that although Springdale is worlds from perfect (is any church?), there is so much potential to glorify Him with these people, and that these are people love Him so much more than I do.

Although at times I miss the pastoral leadership/preaching of my father back in Arizona and I dearly love the people in that congregation, I can finally say with authority and certainty that I am home. I am home.

Isn't that what church is all about? The family of God, assembling together in exile, redeeming the time until we return to the land of our citizenship, until we see the head that sits on our neck, till we marry that great and perfect bridegroom, till the day of our Lord.

Home.

Missionary Dating

2007-02-27T00:31:00.000-05:00

I've missed not having missions classes this semester, but my lack of classroom time has not kept me from the realms of missiological strategy. With my graduation from Boyce drawing nigh, I have decided that the time has come to put what I have learned into action, and strike out into the mission fields of the world. I will be a Strategy Coordinator based in Venice, Italy, but my responsibility will not be to an ethno-linguistic people group. Rather, I will coordinate the work of Godly, single men and women in the task of sharing the gospel through incarnational, one-on-one evangelism and discipleship. I call this concept, "Missionary Dating."

Their are several ways that you, the reader can help. First and foremost, we need prayer. Pray that God would cause single people in Venice to give us their cell phone numbers, and that the team will be successful in establishing relationships with the right "people of peace." Secondly, we need people to give. Although your Cooperative Program dollars will pay for our basic living exspenses, we need individuals committed to Christ's kingdom building work to give above and beyond the tithe so that the men and women on my team can take their dates to the finest restaurants in the finest cars wearing the finest clothing. This is Italy, so the quality of our ministry must not be lax. Third, prayerfully consider whether or not God would have you join the team of those who are willing to suffer for Jesus by incarnating the Gospel among beautiful people.

As you can see, this plan is foolproof and steeped in Scripture. If you are interested in joining the team, please leave your contact information below, and join us for our first informational meeting at the Boyce Missions Link Fellowship, hosted by Boyce Missions Link on Wednesday, March 7, in Boyce Chapel at 10:00 a.m.

The President of Boyce Missions Link (and soon to be Strategy Coordinator for Missionary Dating in Venice, Italy),
Paul Butterworth

Lententide

2007-02-20T22:18:00.000-05:00

I've never fasted for Lent before, but lately I've felt a growing restlesness in my flesh that badly needs to be crucified. I've decided to do away with a few luxaries, and I hope that as my body cries out for these things, my spirit might cry out to God for discipline from him and delight in him.

I think it is a mistake to scornfully discard traditions like Lent while undiscrimately creating new 40 day journeys. That is not to discard the new curricula, but simply to encourage continuity of faith. While sadly, Lent has been corrupted over the ages (Mardi Gras being the cheif example, and legalism another), I think any period of corporate fasting is only good, especially one leading up Resurrection Sunday.

This poem was written by George Herbert and serves as a beautiful call to worship through fasting. Read it to the end, as it makes more sense as it goes along.

"Lent"

Welcome dear feast of Lent: who loves not thee,
He loves not Temperance, or Authority,
But is compos'd of passion.
The Scriptures bid us fast; the Church says, now:
Give to thy Mother, what thou wouldst allow
To ev'ry corporation

The humble soul compos'd of love and fear
Begins at home, and lays the burden there,
When doctrines disagree.
He says, in things which use hath justly got,
I am a scandal to the Church, and not
The Church is so to me.

True Christians should be glad of an occasion
To use their temperance, seeking no evasion,
When good is seasonable;
Unless Authority, which should increase
The obligation in us, make it less,
And Power itself disable

Besides the cleanness of sweet abstinence,
Quick thoughts and motions at a small expense,
A face not fearing light:
Whereas in fulness there are sluttish fumes,
Sour exhalations, and dishonest rheums,
Revenging the delight.

Then those same pendant profits, which the spring
And Easter intimate, enlarge the thing,
And goodness of the deed.
Neither ought other men's abuse of Lent
Spoil the good use; lest by that argument
We forfeit all our Creed.

It's ture, we cannot reach Christ's fortith day;
Yet to go part of that religious way
Is better than to rest:
We cannot reach our Saviour's purith;
Yet we are bid, Be holy ev'n as he.
In both let's do our best.

Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone,
Is much more sure to meet with him, than one
That travelleth by-ways:
Perhaps my God, though he be far before,
May turn and take me by the hand, and more:
May strengthen my decays.

Yet Lord instruct us to improve our fast
By starving sin and taking such repast,
As may our faults control:
That ev'ry man may revel at his door,
Not in his parlour; banqueting the ppor,
And among those his soul.

Two Weeks

2007-02-19T00:40:00.000-05:00

Sunday was the fourteenth day of two crazy weeks. It started two weeks ago today, when just before dorm meeting began, I was informed that one of my guys one in the hospital. The two weeks have included it all, including car trouble (yet to be resolved completely), proof that the Lord's purpose prevails over all the many plans in my heart, a high-stress paper, and a difficult R.L. situation. The reaccuring theme, though, has been God's sovereignty, especially his goodness and faithfulness. I'm not sure if all this is going to continue on into a third crazy week or not, but regardless, He stays the same, and in this can I hope with confidence.

Surprise

2007-01-28T19:34:00.000-05:00

The eighth lap is upon me. Seven full time semesters, each containing an ample 15 hours of credit, and three interterm classes, have led me to this point, a point of no return:

Graduation drawth nigh.

Tomorrow morning I'll head to Professor Payne's Preaching II class, practically on autopilot. I've done this before, but the fact that this is the last time I will get to do this is a heavy thought. Part of me fears that the coming end could tempt me to check out from my duties as a student and student leader, but I hope that instead, as I face my own Boyce mortality, I will savor every last second that God gives me at the school I love abundantly.

Nevertheless, this semester still caught me by surprise.

Musings from Readings: The Shape of Sin and Salvation

2007-01-16T16:26:00.000-05:00

I've started G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy, and in the second chapter, he has the following to say:

"As we have taken the circle as the symbol of reason and madness, we may very well take the cross as the symbol at once of mystery and of health. Buddhism is centripetal (center-seeking), but Christianity is centrifugal (tending away from the centralization): it breaks out. For the circle is perfect and infinite in its nature; but it is fixed forever in its size; it can never be larger or smaller. But the cross, though it has at its heart a collision and a contradiction, can extend its four arms for ever without altering its shape. Because it has a paradox in its center it can grow without changing. The circle returns upon itself and is bound. The cross opens its arms to the four winds; it is a signpost for free travelers."

For a while now, I've heard the adage that each person's sin is infinite. (From now on, I will speak personally.) If my sin is infinite, how does that stack up to a God who is also proclaimed infinite by Scripture? I think Chesteron is on to something with his assessment of a circle as being infinite, yet limited in size, while the cross is infinite and unbound. What a thought! My sin continues its infinite race, amassing lap after lap of sin, but its circular path can never get wider, while this infinite transgression is swallowed up in the un-bound infinite cross of Christ. Praise the Lord oh my soul!

"When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin."

Depth and Height.

2007-01-16T14:08:00.001-05:00

On days like today, all I can do is just look in horror at the depth of my sin and do my best to look in hope at the height of the cross.

Pilgrimage

2007-01-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

In under an hour, my brother, my father, and myself will begin the very long drive to Louisville from Overgaard, AZ. I'm hoping that over the course of the 20 hours on the road, I might seek to know Christ better. May God keep me safe on the journey, but more so, may I journey closer to him.