1.) "The Great Pretender" by Freddie Mercury. From the album Queen: Greatest Hits III. My wife got me into Queen. This Freddie Mercury solo cover of the old song "The Great Pretender" is highly skippable. Queen's Greatest Hits three-Disc collection is about one disc too long, IMO. It always felt like they were really reaching for things with the songs on the third disc. This in one of them.
2.) "This Is Your Life" by Switchfoot. From the album "The Beautiful Letdown." When this album first came out, I wore it out. I don't listen to it as much these days but it holds up well, I think. This is a great "carpe diem" kinda of song.
3.) "Fill Me Again" by Dark New Day. From the album "twelve YEARsilence." I can't really give you a good reason why I have this album or song. I think I liked the song "Brother" but gave the rest of the album one spin, maybe two. It's not bad, it just doesn't hit me in the right spot. It rocks, but in a boring way.
4.) "Heartbreak Hotel" by Willie Nelson. From the album "Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be)." Willie takes Elvis' swagger and makes it a country shuffle. He really shouldn't have.
5.) "No Other Love (Feat. Estelle)" by John Legend. From the album "Evolver." John Legend has a smooth voice that's worth paying attention to. Too many baby-making songs for my taste. He's at his best on more socially-conscious songs or spiritual-leaning songs.
05 February 2010
30 January 2010
Suffering Well
Matt Chandler is one of my favorite speakers/preachers (I say that instead of "pastor" because he's not my pastor - I just get to hear him speak via the Internet). If you have not heard him, you should. Check it out here. Pick any sermon, really.
Anyway, he has brain cancer and the Associated Press did an article on him this weekend. The Tennessean has an abridged version up here.
I am impressed with him because he continually says what none of us want to really admit, that our lives are not really in our control, but God's. In my opinion, he is suffering well (which I sincerely doubt I would be able to do were I in his shoes).
UPDATE: The full, unedited article is available here.
A snippet from the article:
Matt prays that his friends and family, especially his children — Audrey, 7, Reid, 4, and the baby — do not grow resentful.
Chandler says learning he had brain cancer was "kind of like getting punched in the gut. You take the shot, you try not to vomit, then you get back to doing what you do, believing what you believe.
"We never felt, still have not felt, betrayed by the Lord or abandoned by the Lord," Chandler said.
Chandler never thought such a trial would shake his faith. But until now, that was just hope.
"This has not surprised God," Chandler says on the drive home. "He is not in a panic right now trying to figure out what to do with me or this disease. Those things have been warm blankets, man."
Chandler has, however, wrestled with the tension between belief in an all-powerful God and what he can do about his situation. He believes he has responsibilities: to use his brain, to take advantage of technology, to walk in faith and hope, to pray for healing and then "see what God wants to do."
"If he suffers well, that might be the most important sermon he's ever preached," said Mark Driscoll, pastor of Seattle's Mars Hill Church and a friend of Chandler's.
Anyway, he has brain cancer and the Associated Press did an article on him this weekend. The Tennessean has an abridged version up here.
I am impressed with him because he continually says what none of us want to really admit, that our lives are not really in our control, but God's. In my opinion, he is suffering well (which I sincerely doubt I would be able to do were I in his shoes).
UPDATE: The full, unedited article is available here.
A snippet from the article:
Matt prays that his friends and family, especially his children — Audrey, 7, Reid, 4, and the baby — do not grow resentful.
Chandler says learning he had brain cancer was "kind of like getting punched in the gut. You take the shot, you try not to vomit, then you get back to doing what you do, believing what you believe.
"We never felt, still have not felt, betrayed by the Lord or abandoned by the Lord," Chandler said.
Chandler never thought such a trial would shake his faith. But until now, that was just hope.
"This has not surprised God," Chandler says on the drive home. "He is not in a panic right now trying to figure out what to do with me or this disease. Those things have been warm blankets, man."
Chandler has, however, wrestled with the tension between belief in an all-powerful God and what he can do about his situation. He believes he has responsibilities: to use his brain, to take advantage of technology, to walk in faith and hope, to pray for healing and then "see what God wants to do."
"If he suffers well, that might be the most important sermon he's ever preached," said Mark Driscoll, pastor of Seattle's Mars Hill Church and a friend of Chandler's.
29 January 2010
Five For Friday
1.) "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" by Willie Nelson. From the album "Live From Austin, Tx." Willie definitely has his own style. He's written some great songs but, to this day, I can't listen to more than a handful of his songs in one sitting. I love hearing him play guitar behind the beat though.
2.) "Where Could I Go But To The Lord" by Elvis Presley. From the album "Elvis Ultimate Gospel." I love hearing Elvis sing gospel music (when he's being real and not just punching the clock - as he does on some songs). Unfortunately this has 1970s stamped all over it with the production. I think Elvis would've been a prime candidate for a Rick Rubin-Johnny Cash-type latter-day resurgence (had he not died on the toilet and all).
3.) "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. From the album "Wish You Were Here." I love this song. Pink Floyd had a knack for epic sad songs. A great song of lament.
4.) "Living In Sin" by Bon Jovi. From the album "New Jersey." Most people who will admit to listening to Bon Jovi in the 80s are fans of "Slippery When Wet." I think "New Jersey" is the superior album from that era though. This is power ballad by the numbers. But. It. Works. Every. Time.
5.) "A Good Year For the Roses" by George Jones (with Alan Jackson). From the album "50 Years Of Hits." Mournful country music is awesome. You know it, I know, the American people know it. Just go with it.
Wow, there were some sad songs this week. How about you?
2.) "Where Could I Go But To The Lord" by Elvis Presley. From the album "Elvis Ultimate Gospel." I love hearing Elvis sing gospel music (when he's being real and not just punching the clock - as he does on some songs). Unfortunately this has 1970s stamped all over it with the production. I think Elvis would've been a prime candidate for a Rick Rubin-Johnny Cash-type latter-day resurgence (had he not died on the toilet and all).
3.) "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. From the album "Wish You Were Here." I love this song. Pink Floyd had a knack for epic sad songs. A great song of lament.
4.) "Living In Sin" by Bon Jovi. From the album "New Jersey." Most people who will admit to listening to Bon Jovi in the 80s are fans of "Slippery When Wet." I think "New Jersey" is the superior album from that era though. This is power ballad by the numbers. But. It. Works. Every. Time.
5.) "A Good Year For the Roses" by George Jones (with Alan Jackson). From the album "50 Years Of Hits." Mournful country music is awesome. You know it, I know, the American people know it. Just go with it.
Wow, there were some sad songs this week. How about you?
21 January 2010
Five for Friday (The Return)
I haven't done a Five for Friday in a long while. Let's resume, shall we?
1.) "The Simpsons Theme (Orchestral Version)" by Hans Zimmer. From the album "The Simpsons Movie (Soundtrack)." My kids and me love this theme song. It's very jubilant and fitting. A classic theme song.
2.) "Twice As Hard" by The Black Crowes. From the album "Shake Your Money Maker." The Crowes first two albums were some of the greatest pure rock n' roll in the last 20 years. They lost their way as the drugs took hold, then got it back, then lost it again. A very good band though.
3.) "An Cat Dubh-Into The Heart" by U2. From the DVD "Vertigo Tour 2005 - Live In Chicago" (Audio Rip). I liked that U2 reached back into their catalog on that tour (I especially liked "discovering" 'Electric Co.'). This medley isn't as good but it's nice to hear the 21st century take on a few songs from the late 70s-early 80s.
4.) "Autobahn" by Anberlin. From the album "Blueprints for the Black Market." Anberlin makes some really good power pop-rock. Great hooks and lead singer Christian has a distinct voice.
5.) "Last Of The American Girls" by Green Day. From the album "21st Century Breakdown." I bought this mp3 album for $2 on Amazon.com the day it came out. It's not bad. Not great either, but not bad. Green Day now doesn't sound like Green Day then ... and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
1.) "The Simpsons Theme (Orchestral Version)" by Hans Zimmer. From the album "The Simpsons Movie (Soundtrack)." My kids and me love this theme song. It's very jubilant and fitting. A classic theme song.
2.) "Twice As Hard" by The Black Crowes. From the album "Shake Your Money Maker." The Crowes first two albums were some of the greatest pure rock n' roll in the last 20 years. They lost their way as the drugs took hold, then got it back, then lost it again. A very good band though.
3.) "An Cat Dubh-Into The Heart" by U2. From the DVD "Vertigo Tour 2005 - Live In Chicago" (Audio Rip). I liked that U2 reached back into their catalog on that tour (I especially liked "discovering" 'Electric Co.'). This medley isn't as good but it's nice to hear the 21st century take on a few songs from the late 70s-early 80s.
4.) "Autobahn" by Anberlin. From the album "Blueprints for the Black Market." Anberlin makes some really good power pop-rock. Great hooks and lead singer Christian has a distinct voice.
5.) "Last Of The American Girls" by Green Day. From the album "21st Century Breakdown." I bought this mp3 album for $2 on Amazon.com the day it came out. It's not bad. Not great either, but not bad. Green Day now doesn't sound like Green Day then ... and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
15 January 2010
Does God Hate Haiti? (A Theological Check)
Go read it. It is a great theological check.
It is always wise to remember that we are not God and we DO NOT KNOW HIS THOUGHTS (I Corinthians 2:11). Pat Robertson should be wise and keep his lips and teeth together (as should anyone else who claims that this is God's judgement on anything or anyone). We are ALL deserving of judgement. But thank God that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
It is always wise to remember that we are not God and we DO NOT KNOW HIS THOUGHTS (I Corinthians 2:11). Pat Robertson should be wise and keep his lips and teeth together (as should anyone else who claims that this is God's judgement on anything or anyone). We are ALL deserving of judgement. But thank God that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
13 January 2010
Pray for Haiti
Take a minute or ten to pray for Haiti today. Pray that God's glory would be revealed through this awful situation.
08 January 2010
'How Much Do You Have To Hate A Person ...'
I agree with Brit Hume (on this at least). Tiger Woods should convert to Christianity.
Some people, however, are upset that Hume would dare suggest such a thing. This article is a good retort to that line of thinking.
A snippet:
Some people, however, are upset that Hume would dare suggest such a thing. This article is a good retort to that line of thinking.
A snippet:
"The truly narrow-minded, prejudiced Christian looks at a Buddhist like Tiger Woods and stays quiet about Jesus. Their silence says this: Jesus isn’t for you.
On the other hand, the evangelistic Christian recognizes the radically inclusive call to salvation. It is because of the exclusive nature of Christianity that the offer of the gospel is so radically inclusive. Christ calls all people everywhere to repentance. Forgiveness in Jesus Christ is available for all… even Buddhists like Tiger Woods.
23 December 2009
Merry Christmas!
Hello Friends and Family,
Another year — and decade — has come and (almost) gone. Much has happened in the Ross home this year. I’ll spare you the long details and just give you the highlights.
Kids:
Isabella (6) started first grade this year and is doing very well in school. She picks up on things pretty quickly when she can pay attention long enough to ... wait, what? ;-)
She is a very active girl. She also played her first year of t-ball and made a lot of progress in that. She really enjoyed being with the other kids and being active. Oh yes, she also got glasses this year — it was bound to happen sooner or later, it looks like sooner won that one.
Gabrielle (4) started pre-school this year and is coming along, albeit kind of slowly. Every child is different so we are figuring out how to work with her differently than we did Isabella. She has grown so much this year and has really developed in so many areas. She wants to do everything her big sister does and, as you can imagine, this doesn’t always end well. Gabrielle loves shoulder rides from her dad and says he is a “jungle gym.” (I’ll take it while it lasts).
Adults:
Shannon is navigating the challenges of being a mom well. She does a job day in and day out that you couldn’t pay me enough to do. She remains the most beautiful woman in the world and I am lucky to have her.
This year marks our ninth year in Indiana and it will be my last as an employee of the best small town paper in America, in my opinion (The Dubois County Herald).
Starting January 1, I will become the full-time Pastor of Music and Communications at the Christian Church of Jasper (where I have been part-time for a few years and worked as a volunteer for many years before that). I am very excited about this change but sad to leave a job I love at The Herald. At this position, I will be able to focus completely on spreading the good news of God’s love for us through Jesus via multiple sources of communication and media as well as leading the people of CCJ in worship of God through music. Our church’s band, Narrow Path is recording another CD this year - though i couldn’t tell you when it will be done.
I hope you all are well this Christmas season and I hope that you take time today and every day to focus on how awesome it is that God added to His divinity humanity and humbly came to bring us back to Him. That is awesome news.
Merry Christmas,
Daniel, Shannon, Isabella and Gabrielle Ross
Jasper, Ind.
19 December 2009
Old Comments Gone
Haloscan, the commenting system I used for years here at AS has decided to go to an annual pay system (even though I already paid them a few years back). Therefore, all of the old comments are gone and I am now using Blogger's commenting system.
I hate it but ... what are you gonna do. I exported the comments. Maybe one day Blogger will figure out a way to import old comments but I'm not holding my breath.
I hate it but ... what are you gonna do. I exported the comments. Maybe one day Blogger will figure out a way to import old comments but I'm not holding my breath.
02 December 2009
On Tiger Woods, Steve McNair, Kobe, etc., etc., etc.
So Tiger Woods allegedly cheated on his wife with some reality show woman. Are you really surprised?
So Steve McNair cheated on his wife with a whole bunch of women, including the one who killed him. Are you surprised?
So Kobe Bryant cheated, so Michael Jordan cheated, so A-Rod cheated, so Chipper Jones cheated back in the day, et cetera. Are you surprised?
I'm not anymore. In my younger days, I put way to high a value on a man's ability to swing a bat, shoot, pass or throw a ball and I was crushed when I would hear reports that so-and-so cheated on his wife, took steroids or was otherwise involved in something unsavory to a public all too willing to crucify them for their sins. The advent of the Internet age (where everyone is connected to everyone else ... and quickly at that) has given rise to sites like Deadspin (which I read) and TMZ (which I don't read - though I have seen the TV show a handful of times). These sites give us the dirt we crave (you know you do, because you're human) and bring our gods down to our level. I hear guys make comments about Tiger Woods like 'he's married to a Swedish bikini model and he still cheated on her, I can't believe that.' Here's the simple truth of it ...
Tiger Woods is a sinner.
So are you.
So am I.
"There is none good, no not one."
His wife's 'hotness' has nothing to do with the fact that he cheated on her (allegedly). There is a saying that (loosely paraphrased) goes something like this 'show me the hottest woman in the world and I'll show you a man who's tired of being with her.' Crude? Maybe a little but it's true. It's true because men (and women) are depraved, fallen creatures who constantly choose evil over good. I know, because I'm one of them and so are you. On this, we're all on the same level. No one has to be brought down because we're already down in the mud.
Is there hope for our state of being?
In short, yes.
Jesus Christ died for you.
And me.
And Tiger Woods, Kobe, MJ, A-Rod, etc.
Etc.
You must wrestle with this at some point in your life and deal with the love that is in our face. Jesus made demands and statements that can't be ignored.
Have you dealt with it?
So Steve McNair cheated on his wife with a whole bunch of women, including the one who killed him. Are you surprised?
So Kobe Bryant cheated, so Michael Jordan cheated, so A-Rod cheated, so Chipper Jones cheated back in the day, et cetera. Are you surprised?
I'm not anymore. In my younger days, I put way to high a value on a man's ability to swing a bat, shoot, pass or throw a ball and I was crushed when I would hear reports that so-and-so cheated on his wife, took steroids or was otherwise involved in something unsavory to a public all too willing to crucify them for their sins. The advent of the Internet age (where everyone is connected to everyone else ... and quickly at that) has given rise to sites like Deadspin (which I read) and TMZ (which I don't read - though I have seen the TV show a handful of times). These sites give us the dirt we crave (you know you do, because you're human) and bring our gods down to our level. I hear guys make comments about Tiger Woods like 'he's married to a Swedish bikini model and he still cheated on her, I can't believe that.' Here's the simple truth of it ...
Tiger Woods is a sinner.
So are you.
So am I.
"There is none good, no not one."
His wife's 'hotness' has nothing to do with the fact that he cheated on her (allegedly). There is a saying that (loosely paraphrased) goes something like this 'show me the hottest woman in the world and I'll show you a man who's tired of being with her.' Crude? Maybe a little but it's true. It's true because men (and women) are depraved, fallen creatures who constantly choose evil over good. I know, because I'm one of them and so are you. On this, we're all on the same level. No one has to be brought down because we're already down in the mud.
Is there hope for our state of being?
In short, yes.
Jesus Christ died for you.
And me.
And Tiger Woods, Kobe, MJ, A-Rod, etc.
Etc.
You must wrestle with this at some point in your life and deal with the love that is in our face. Jesus made demands and statements that can't be ignored.
Have you dealt with it?
29 November 2009
25 November 2009
10 November 2009
A Time To Uproot
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot ...
— Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
I have been hinting around the blog for awhile now that I had some big decisions to make. While nothing was certain, I knew the day was coming soon that I would have to choose between my two jobs. One job (my full-time gig) was as an editor and designer at The Herald (I often say with all sincerity that it is the best small-town paper in America). My other part-time job was as music worship leader/media guy/web guy/token-believer-in-the-total-depravity-of-man guy at the Christian Church of Jasper. While I loved both, I knew the day was fast approaching in which my loyalties would have to be more clearly defined. That day has come.
I will be leaving The Herald at the end of the year to become the full-time Pastor of Music and Communications at CCJ. I really do feel this is a call from God (though I know some of you will not understand this, the point is, I do). My chief purpose in life is to glorify God through spreading the Gospel (good news) of His awesome love for us through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the God-Man). I really think I can do this most effectively if all of my time and energy during my work is focused on this.
I need your prayers as I make the transition to not only a new career, but also a calling.
— Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
I have been hinting around the blog for awhile now that I had some big decisions to make. While nothing was certain, I knew the day was coming soon that I would have to choose between my two jobs. One job (my full-time gig) was as an editor and designer at The Herald (I often say with all sincerity that it is the best small-town paper in America). My other part-time job was as music worship leader/media guy/web guy/token-believer-in-the-total-depravity-of-man guy at the Christian Church of Jasper. While I loved both, I knew the day was fast approaching in which my loyalties would have to be more clearly defined. That day has come.I will be leaving The Herald at the end of the year to become the full-time Pastor of Music and Communications at CCJ. I really do feel this is a call from God (though I know some of you will not understand this, the point is, I do). My chief purpose in life is to glorify God through spreading the Gospel (good news) of His awesome love for us through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the God-Man). I really think I can do this most effectively if all of my time and energy during my work is focused on this.
I need your prayers as I make the transition to not only a new career, but also a calling.
28 October 2009
Different Strokes
(Begin thinking out loud with this post, feel free to ignore) ...
Some people are moved by certain things and some people are not.
This was telling this past weekend to me as I attended the Southeast Christian Church Leadership Conference in Louisville, Ky. All in all, it was a good experience and I had a good time but I heard comments from several people (not just the people I was with) that this or that was powerful and moving and it had me wondering why I didn't feel the same way. Is there something wrong with me? I admit that I am a pretty cynical guy much of the time. Was that the reason? Don't get me wrong, I was moved by some things, just not the same things that (it seemed) most everyone else was moved by. I loved Kyle Idleman's talk on Saturday. It was a proverbial hammer that hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head. I wanted to stand up and pump my fist in the air. However, much of the room didn't have that same reaction (well, except for the 4 African-American folks a few rows in front of me - I wish they lived here.) :-) However, people seemed to love it when they made this deal out of handing things down to the next generation and did a switch over to a bunch of kids during a song. I admit, it was "neat," but I was not "moved" like so many others seemed to be. Is my heart hard or am i just not moved by that sort of thing?
This is not really about the conference, more about celebrating the fact that God made us each unique and that not everyone is moved by the same things or at the same place in their walks. No one should be condemned for not being farther along (note to self here) unless, of course, they are just being lazy in their walk and satisfied with milk. No condemnation, necessarily, but helpful instruction might be warranted. Some people love all the MercyMe and Casting Crowns songs, some (i.e. me) don't. Can't that be OK?
(End thinking out loud. Go about your business, nothing to see here).
Some people are moved by certain things and some people are not.
This was telling this past weekend to me as I attended the Southeast Christian Church Leadership Conference in Louisville, Ky. All in all, it was a good experience and I had a good time but I heard comments from several people (not just the people I was with) that this or that was powerful and moving and it had me wondering why I didn't feel the same way. Is there something wrong with me? I admit that I am a pretty cynical guy much of the time. Was that the reason? Don't get me wrong, I was moved by some things, just not the same things that (it seemed) most everyone else was moved by. I loved Kyle Idleman's talk on Saturday. It was a proverbial hammer that hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head. I wanted to stand up and pump my fist in the air. However, much of the room didn't have that same reaction (well, except for the 4 African-American folks a few rows in front of me - I wish they lived here.) :-) However, people seemed to love it when they made this deal out of handing things down to the next generation and did a switch over to a bunch of kids during a song. I admit, it was "neat," but I was not "moved" like so many others seemed to be. Is my heart hard or am i just not moved by that sort of thing?
This is not really about the conference, more about celebrating the fact that God made us each unique and that not everyone is moved by the same things or at the same place in their walks. No one should be condemned for not being farther along (note to self here) unless, of course, they are just being lazy in their walk and satisfied with milk. No condemnation, necessarily, but helpful instruction might be warranted. Some people love all the MercyMe and Casting Crowns songs, some (i.e. me) don't. Can't that be OK?
(End thinking out loud. Go about your business, nothing to see here).
08 October 2009
Decisions
... are hard to make sometimes, aren't they?
Sometimes God doesn't give us a sign to go one way or the other.
I just pray and trust that He will be glorified in whatever I choose to do.
Sometimes God doesn't give us a sign to go one way or the other.
I just pray and trust that He will be glorified in whatever I choose to do.
01 October 2009
My Thoughts On Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski should rot in jail for the rest of his life. >>
He raped a 13-year-old. Seriously, what is wrong with people?
That is all.
He raped a 13-year-old. Seriously, what is wrong with people?
That is all.
19 September 2009
11 Years
My bride and I have been married for 11 years today. We look a bit different. She's still beautiful and I'm still wondering how she ended up with him. ;-)
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