ALIEN SOIL

The Single Parent Week

2012-01-06T22:29:00.002-06:00

My wife has been in Haiti all week on a mission trip helping out at an orphanage our church started a few years ago. To say that this was outside her comfort zone is like saying the Pope is Catholic. Little did I realize it was out of my comfort zone as well.

- I have a new respect for single, working parents who keep it together day in and day out with more than one kid. The flurry of work, picking kids up from school and getting homework done and baths taken and dinner eaten was crazy hectic.

- A very dear lady in our church saved us this week by arranging meals every night for a dad who can't cook and his would-be starving girls. Mary wins the award for coolness this week.

- I'm thankful I have a job where I can leave at 2:20 in the afternoon and it be cool so long as all my work gets accomplished by deadlines.

- Band practice nights were not much fun, to be honest. I should've gotten a sitter probably but didn't want to "waste" a sitter for just another band practice night.

- I realized my wife really "goes to work" after the school hours. We only have two kids, I can't imagine what things would've looked like with more.

- Stay-at-home parents don't get enough credit.

- Technology is cool. I got to talk to my wife just about every day in some form or another. Just a few short years ago, her bing gone for a week would've meant no communication for a week.

- I love and miss my wife.

Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-22T10:01:00.010-06:00

(Click on the photo to get a bigger version.)

This year, there will be no long letter and, yes, this is probably the cheap way to send Christmas greetings (we're in a recession though, right?), but I wanted to take a moment and wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a great 2012!

I hope you are well.

Help My Wife Go To Haiti

2011-11-16T11:08:00.002-06:00

Hello,

My wife, Shannon, has a great mission trip opportunity in early January and I would like to share it with you. A group of six women (including her) from our church, the Christian Church of Jasper, are planning, God willing, to work at an orphanage outside of Porte Au Prince, Haiti, in a city called Cite Soleil. We plan to work at the House of Hope Children’s Home (an orphanage our church started a few years ago) as much as possible during the week of January 2-7, 2012.

Among other things, they will be will be caring for the little girls in the orphanage which will provide relief for the house parent and staff. They will also be touring the school at Blanchard where the girls attend, to observe their environment and progress since they have been in the orphanage’s care. We believe that their work and the work of the mission trip team is greatly needed.

If you know Shannon well, you know that this mission trip is a very big step of faith. She wants to help make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people, and I am asking you to help her in a few ways. First, the mission trip team needs everyone’s prayers. Please, pray that God will keep them all safe and that God will use her to help the people of Haiti in any small way. Second, please consider supporting her financially. Trip expenses will amount to approximately $1,500. Any amount would be greatly appreciated and will certainly make an impact on the mission field. If you choose to help her, please follow the directions below.

If you choose to make a financial contribution and support Shannon, please make checks payable to: “Christian Church of Jasper” and write “January Haiti Mission - Shannon” in the memo line. You may send a contribution to Christian Church of Jasper; 1450 Energy Drive; Jasper, IN 47546. These gifts are tax deductible (you may also give at CCJ). If you are not worried about tax deductions, you may give any gifts to me or Shannon when you see us or send your gift to: 1429 Main St. Jasper, IN. 47546. Be sure to denote that this is for the Haiti Mission Trip.

Thank you for your time and your gifts. I can’t tell you enough how much your prayers and support are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Daniel Ross

Is One Kind Of Music Holy?

2011-09-17T15:24:00.001-05:00

Apart from lyrics, music is just vibrations ...

Read this post from Jamie Rowe. Good stuff.

My Letter To The Editor

2011-09-07T12:29:00.000-05:00

Our local paper (subscription required ... it's a pay site ... as it should be :-) recently ran a feature story about a lesbian couple who had a child. It was a straight-ahead feature with no real angle other than, 'hey, here's a gay couple raising a kid in small-town Indiana.' The letters to the editor that follwed were predictable, including one that finally made me write my own.

The homosexual issue is one that is going to be the racism of the next generation, if not this one. I predict that my kids will one day look at my wife and I as I look at my grandparents' views on race (kind of a head-shaking thing). Don't get me wrong, we're raising our children to know what sin is (and I definitely think homosexual activity is a sin). However, I don't know that we can overcome the tidal wave of opinion in favor of it that is being fed to us on a daily basis.

That being said, sin is the heart of the matter and we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

Here's my letter (in full — and edited version appeared in the paper today) ...

Though I appreciate good sarcasm, I disagreed with the point of Mike Mundy’s recent letter (“Reasonable people agree Bible isn’t verbatim dictation,” Aug. 24, 2011) but was not all that surprised by it. The Bible doesn’t hold the sway it once did in American society. That’s reality. The homosexual issue is here to stay, without a doubt.

However, those who disagree with the Bible’s teaching on matters such as homosexuality often go back to Leviticus and point to the prohibition on shellfish and the mixture of fabrics and wonder where the outrage is about those matters. For those that believe the Bible, I would simply point them to Acts 10 in response to the “unclean foods” issue and also encourage them to read the Bible in context and not pick and choose verses to throw around. Unfortunately, there are also many Christians that would condemn homosexual activity based on scripture and ignore the sin present in their own lives. I am and have been one such person. Just because I don’t always live out my beliefs well doesn’t negate the truth of those beliefs.

According to the Bible, homosexual activity is a sin. So is any other sexual activity outside the bonds of heterosexual marriage (including lusting after a person who is not your spouse, looking at porn, friends with benefits, premarital sex, adultery, emotional affairs, etc.). That much is very clear. If it’s not clear to some, it’s likely because they don’t like what the Bible says. Many people choose not to believe because of the demands scripture puts on their lives. I’m aware enough to realize that no amount of ‘letters to the editor’ are going to change the minds of unbelievers. I could go many ways with this discussion. However, I will offer only this.

The Bible isn’t a rulebook of do’s and don’t’s or an instructional handbook on how to get rich and live your best life now. The Bible is the story of God and how He wants us to live for our own joy (note: joy and ‘happiness’ are not always the same thing). It’s about a perfect Creator whose creation rebelled against Him and continues to rebel against Him. It’s about how all humans (that includes the writer as well as the reader of this letter) have consistently chosen to spit in the face of the greatest love of all time because we want to be our own god and master and instead run to worship created things. But, most importantly, it’s the true story of how that Creator (Jesus) loved the rebels anyway and brought them back into the fold by taking their misdeeds and their attempts to earn His favor through their good deeds (i.e. ‘sin’ and ‘self-righteousness’) on himself on a cross so that the rebels could be made blameless before the Creator. It’s called “the gospel” because it is good news.

It’s the best news for this rebel. It’s the best news for those too focused on the homosexual issue. Whether you believe that is up to you. However, its importance and the Bible’s importance have to be dealt with and cannot be easily dismissed.

Alter Bridge in Louisville

2011-08-27T17:08:00.002-05:00

Good show last night in Kentucky. I've got to see them again some day for a headlining show.

Baptism Sunday Video

2011-08-27T13:20:00.003-05:00

Baptism Sunday at CCJ (Aug. 14, 2011). "All My Tears" by At One (written by Julie Miller).

Wise Words From My Co-Worker

2011-06-30T21:08:00.002-05:00

I work at a church.

I used to work at a newspaper.

Churches are full of all kinds of messy personalities.

Newspapers (generally) attract cynics (like me).

I have to admit that, sometimes, it was easier working at the newspaper and being around a bunch of people just like me (personality-wise).

However, the church's office administrator is much like me personality-wise.

While discussing an issue separate from the church today, she gave me some great advice that's so brilliant and yet, for me, so complicated and is at the root of why the past year and a half have been a challenge for me on a personal level.

"You can't make everybody happy all the time."

Yes.

Seek God's approval of me through Jesus, not man's approval of me through my performance.

Now, if I could just put that into practice ...

Links You Should Read

2011-06-21T07:25:00.002-05:00

Elton John co-songwriter Bernie Taupin defends religion (and takes on Bill Maher and his ilk). >>

Clarence Clemons is dead. The music world is (and should be) sad. >>

This is a great song (and an underrated band) >>

Lincoln Brewster is coming to a nearby town and I'm trying to help sell some tickets. >>

6 songs for free. 4 written or co-written by me. 2 written by dead people. >>

I wish this guy was really running for Indiana governor. >>

Singing To, For & About Jesus

2011-06-13T08:32:00.002-05:00

“Some people believe in God. I believe in music.”

This was a quote spoken by a young fan and featured in the music video for the 30 Seconds To Mars song “Closer To The Edge.” As I watched the video filled with footage from the rock band’s live shows, I kept thinking, these people are participating in a very large, very intense, very cool-looking worship service and they don’t even know it.

Unfortunately, they are participating in a service to the created rather than the Creator. If you’ve ever been to a powerful live show, you know exactly the emotion I’m talking about.

You see, music is powerful. It can transport you to another place. It can get you out of your problems, if only for a few seconds. It can uplift or depress. It can make you feel invincible or vulnerable. In short, it can convey the full range of human emotion that is conveyed in few other ways.

At CCJ (the church I lead music worship for), we believe in using music to celebrate and worship God’s salvation for us through Jesus’ death on a cross, his burial in a borrowed tomb and his defeat of death through the resurrection.

The music at CCJ primarily falls under the ‘worship’ category of our three core values (worship, discipleship and outreach). The truth is, however, it really fits into all three values. We worship when we lift our voices together, as one, to praise our Creator. It helps us grow as disciples of Jesus by teaching us truths in a melodic context. We also use music to reach out to others by proclaiming the truth through songs to people outside of CCJ’s walls.

While music is an important time during our weekly gathering, it is important to remember that it is just a method for us to express praise, express thankfulness, sometimes express lament and give glory to God together. The created must never take the place of the Creator and, as the young 30 Seconds To Mars fan will one day hopefully realize, music (like everything else that’s created) makes a pretty lousy savior.

Music must remain simply a tool to worship God, draw closer to God and tell others about our God.

Free Music feat. Me: 'Live On Good Friday'

2011-05-04T11:59:00.000-05:00

NARROW PATH'S ‘LIVE ON GOOD FRIDAY’ IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Get it for free or a tip on NoiseTrade >>

This 3-song collection was recorded live at the Christian Church of Jasper on Good Friday 2011 (April 22). This release includes three of the five songs played that evening (the other two are copyrighted works and, as such, not free for us to give away).

Tracklisting & Credits:
1.) "And Still" (Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, © 2010 Ross/Neighbors)
2.) "Near The Cross" (Written by Fanny Jane Crosby, William Howard Doane, Public Domain, Arranged by Narrow Path)
3.) "The Old Rugged Cross" (Written by George Bennard, Public Domain, Arranged by Narrow Path)

Additional Credits:
- © 2011 Narrow Path
- Vocals: Daniel Ross, Chealsey Patton, Kurt Neighbors
- Rhythm Guitars: Daniel Ross, Kurt Neighbors
- Lead Guitars: Daniel Ross
- Bass: Andrew Kieffner
- Drums: Mike Weisensteiner
- Keyboard & Piano: Angie Stewart
- Lead Vocals on “Near The Cross”: Chealsey Patton
- Additional Vocals on “And Still”: Kurt Neighbors
- Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Kurt Neighbors
- Recorded live at the Christian Church of Jasper (Jasper, Indiana) on April 22, 2011.
- Special thanks to James Emmons for recording and equipment assistance.

Photos Of Isabella's Baptism

2011-04-18T11:00:00.004-05:00

I had the honor of baptizing my 8-year-old daughter, Isabella, Sunday at the Christian Church of Jasper. Thanks to Dave Weatherwax for the great photos.

Mickey Mantle and Realizations

2011-04-05T07:50:00.004-05:00

The most recent book I checked out from our extremely overpacked public library was "The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood" by Jane Leavy. It was an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of classic baseball but also anyone who can think critically about their heroes. This post is not so much about the classic baseball part as it is about thinking critically about our heroes.

I grew up in the 1980s, the height of baseball memorabilia frenzy and Mickey Mantle was a big part of that as baby boomers tried to recapture their youth and make some cash at the same time. My dad's baseball hero was Mickey Mantle. My dad taught me to switch-hit because Mantle switch-hit. I had a Mickey Mantle baseball instructional VHS tape (still have it in my basement, in fact). I "met" Mantle at a baseball card show in Memphis, TN., in September 1989 (in fact, I believe that was also the day that "Saved By The Bell" premiered on NBC. How I remember that ... who knows). I remember several things about that event but the thing I remember most was my dad making me work for weeks in our family's garden to earn the money to go to the card show and get the autograph. I remember Mantle calling out to my dad (who was wearing a "Go Big Red" Henry County High School Patriots polo shirt) thinking he was an Oklahoma Sooners fan. My dad still remembers that, too. I mean, his childhood hero talked to him specifically when he was mostly just signing crap for people.

Anyway, I idolized Mickey Mantle. I also idolized Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco and other athletes. Turns out they were both giant jerks.

That's the hard realization I think most people must face. At some point, the heroes of your youth become real people who are extremely flawed. Athletic glory fades and they are left to face life and, often, they are a train wreck of a human being (read the book on Mantle and you'll see what I mean).

I remember vividly my grandfather giving me one of his legendary "sermons from the easy chair" where he would warn me not to "glory in man, but only in God." I dismissed his sermons because, hey, I was 12 years old and knew way more than he did, right? It's funny how age can make your parents and grandparents smarter.

In the end, I think it's a matter of balance. I still love Mantle and Jordan's performances. However, my eyes are wide open to who they are/were and who we are as humans. We are all terribly broken individuals in need of fixing. Even the mighty Mick died. The book gives a detailed account of his last days. Trust me, there's nothing glamourous about dying of liver failure and cancer and facing the realities of a broken life.

The important question to ask ourselves is "what's next?" If you know me, you know I find hope in the atonement given by Jesus for my brokenness (sin) on the cross. However, too many just cruise through life without ever pondering their fate.

Life is fleeting.

You will die.

Then what?

Get Narrow Path's 'NP EP' Now

2011-02-16T10:46:00.003-06:00

Buy on iTunes >>

Buy on Amazon MP3 >>

Get it for free at NoiseTrade >>
Please consider buying it or leaving us a tip at NoiseTrade if you like it.

Also available through various other digital retailers (check your favorite one). Sales of this EP will go toward funding the recording and manufacturing of a full-length album. CDs available only at the Christian Church of Jasper (Room 4).

Tracklisting & Credits:
1.) This Is Our God (Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, © 2009 Ross/Neighbors)
2.) We Are Called (Written by Daniel Ross, © 2008 Ross)
3.) Image Of The Invisible (Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, © 2008 Ross/Neighbors)

Additional Credits:
- Phonograph ©, 2011 Narrow Path
- Vocals: Daniel Ross, Bethany Vogts, Chealsey Patton
- Rhythm Guitars: Daniel Ross, Kurt Neighbors
- Lead Guitars: Daniel Ross
- Bass: Andrew Kieffner
- Drums: Mike Weisensteiner
- Keyboard & Misc. Percussion Sounds: Angie Stewart
- Additional Vocals on "This Is Our God": Mike Weisensteiner, Candy Neal, Phil Hostetler, Kurt Neighbors, Angie Stewart
- Additional Vocals on "Image Of The Invisible": Kurt Neighbors
- Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Kurt Neighbors
- Mastered by Daniel Ross
- Recorded at CCJ at various points between May 2010 and January 2011.

Song for A New Year: Next 100 Years

2011-01-01T09:08:00.002-06:00

"Next 100 Years," A great song that's been mostly forgotten about by their fans and the band themselves.

Happy 2011, people!

2011 (or Only Four More Years Until Back to the Future II)

2010-12-30T08:33:00.003-06:00

When I was a kid, the year 2000 was some magical, mysterious year far, far away on the calendar. Now, here we are entering the second decade of the 21st century (and still no flying cars). Since I benchmark my life by stupid things from pop culture, it's worth noting that we are only FOUR (4!!!) years away from 2015, the year 'Back To The Future, Part II' was set in. Think about that movie for a minute, what do we have only four years to accomplish? What's already done?

Regardless, a new year is really just another day as the clock of our lives keeps ticking away. However, it is a time when we can benchmark our lives and turn over a new leaf. It's a time to stop doing some things or start doing others. For me, it's always been resolutions that I manage to keep for a month or so until I fall back into the same routines and habits.

However, that being understood, I really want to do a few things in 2011. These aren't resolutions so much as things "I'd like" to see happen (in no certain order).

- I'd like to read the whole Bible this year. CCJ's Associate Minister Mark Messmore read through the Bible in 2010 and blogged about it. I probably won't blog it, but I'd really like to do it this year. I've got my reading plan and everything.

- I'd like to write at least five more really good songs this year. That may mean that I have to write 20 songs to get 5 really good ones, but I'd like to try that.

- I'm not sure how to go about it, but I'd like for those (and previous) songs to get heard by more people than just the people around here. I don't have any illusions that I'm gonna be a rock star (I don't have the looks or the young age ;-), but I would like those songs to get out in some form or fashion, if not by me (us), then by somebody else. Is that selfish ambition? I don't think it is.

- I'd like for CCJ's second band (At One) to thrive this year and, hopefully, find a replacement leader for me in the group - in fact, I'm actively praying for that to happen at the moment. I'm loving working with those guys right now and getting the band rolling, but I can see that it's gonna wear me out being the leader of two bands with two practices and all that two bands entails. We're not Mars Hill, but I love what they do with the multiple bands model.

- I'd like for my wife not to have to struggle with anxiety and depression anymore. I'd also like to be more loving and patient and love my wife like Christ loved the church.

- I'd like for my kids to be healthy and happy and not be anyone but themselves.

- I'd like to take more vacation days this year and do a few church visits on Sundays.

- I'd like for giving to get better at CCJ. Not just so that we can finish this building, but also because people grow to understand what giving is all about.

- I'd like to attend an Braves game, a Pacers game and, maybe, a Titans game in person.

- I'd like to remind myself every day that, despite who I am (a sinner), God loved me so much that He sent His son to die for me on a cross so that I could be in right relationship with Him again. I'd like to be more amazed at God's rescue of me and be more repulsed by the depths of my depravity.

- I'd like CCJ to get to 1,000 people by Jan. 1, 2012.

- I'd like to expand my vinyl collection and get a really good sounding system just for my turntable.

- I'd like my feet to be willing to move wherever God wills.

Music From CCJ's Christmas Service

2010-12-22T14:17:00.003-06:00

Yours truly is the lead singer/guitarist in these videos. Bonus points if you can identify the licks thrown in during the "Joy To The World" solo.

Part 1 of 2: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "What Child Is This?" and "O Holy Night"

Buy "O Holy Night" (Amazon link here) to benefit the House of Hope orphanage in Haiti.

Part 2 of 2: "Joy To The World."

Buy "Joy to The World" on iTunes.

Merry Christmas! From The Ross Family

2010-12-22T08:11:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas to all of you! This year has been something else. Starting a new job, having both girls in school and the pace of life increasingly rapidly has made 2010 a eventful year.

We hope your year has been great as well.

Best of 2010 (That I Bought)

2010-12-11T16:47:00.008-06:00

It's the time of year when so many musically-minded people are reading and making end-of-year best-of lists. as such, I thought I'd throw out my top five list. However, these are albums I actually bought this year. I know every other list in the world will have stuff like Kanye West's new album and Taylor Swift and whatnot. But I didn't buy those and didn't listen to them. These are my honest opinions and I'm not going to bow down to any one genre, popular or critical taste. This is my blog with my opinions. :-)

With no further ado, here are my top five of 2010.

1.) Red Letter: "Red Letter"
My top pick was a free download (initially a free download for me, I liked it so much I bought it on vinyl a few weeks ago) from a Mars Hill Church (Seattle) band Red Letter. This is worship music for those that like to sing songs to, for and about Jesus with a touch of Pink Floyd meets Radiohead meets Metallica. In other words, this isn't Chris Tomlin or MercyMe worship music (if that's your cup o' tea, I've got no problem with that, but this is my list). Truth be told, I rarely like the music Mars Hill gives away (they are very generous with music and sermons and other downloads). Generally, the music is way to depressing and indie rock. Red Letter has a bit of that but it's not that at all, in many respects. I downloaded this not expecting to like it that much (but, hey, it was free) but it ended up being my favorite of the year. I think they are officially on hiatus now, but this album is 8 songs of awesome and one that is tacked on at the end that I hardly listen to. My top track is "You Have Opened My Mouth." It's a slow-burner with a bluesy, Gilmour-esque Telecaster-sounding solo opening the song (almost two and a half minutes before singing starts). Just about perfect.

2.) Marty Stuart: "Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions)"
I've long been an admirer of Marty Stuart (I was even in his fan club when I was in high school). I think this is a guy who really understands the heart and soul of country music. This album is probably his heart and soul at its best. It's pure country (not in the George Strait sense, but in the Hank Williams/Johnny Cash sense). His duet with his wife, Connie Smith, "I Run To You" is quite possibly the best country song I've heard in years. There are a few skippable tracks ("Porter Wagoner's Grave") but there are a bunch of gems ("Little Heartbreaker"). If you appreciate honest music, you should get this.

3.) Alter Bridge: "III"
There is no better voice in hard rock music today than Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge (he also sings with Slash on his solo tours). AB's third album take a darker turn than their first two, mostly upbeat, optimistic albums. I've read that this album is heavily influenced by Kennedy's struggles with belief or unbelief in God. You can hear that struggle all throughout the album. It has a few too many mid-tempo tracks and probably could've been cut by 2-4 songs but it is also the best hard rock album I heard this year. While it's not a huge departure sonically from their first two albums, I really dig those first two so I'm not complaining. Top tracks: "Ghost Of Days Gone By," "Wonderful Life."

4.) Third Day: "Move"
I was honestly not expecting the best with Third Day's latest release. Their last few albums had been sort of bland, mid-tempo affairs with a few gems sprinkled in. This album is the band getting back to their Southern roots and that is a great thing, in my opinion. It's less polished and a little more raw (by Third Day standards of raw). It says something when their first release is my least favorite song on the album. It's got a good groove that I'm glad they found again. Top track (without a doubt): "I'll Be Your Miracle."

5.) Jamey Johnson: "The Guitar Song"
I didn't much about Jamey Johnson until I hear a New York Times Popcast and heard their review of the double album. I heard the clips, went to my local library and checked out two Jamey Johnson CDs (this one and "That Lonesome Sound"). I liked this one so much that I went to my local Wal-Mart that night and bought this one. It hits nearly all aspects of life from God to kids to hard times to you name it. I get the sense that Johnson knows all about sin and salvation and, like so many I know, teeters in between most of the time. You also feel that he knows what it's like to be lower middle class in this country and that the American Dream isn't easy to get. Top tracks: "Macon," "California Riots."

Honorable Mentions:
Johnny Cash: "American VI: Ain't No Grave"
Supposed to be Cash's final "American" album (which are all great, great albums), this one has a few clunkers that keep it out of my top five but enough good stuff to make it my number six, easily.

Lecrae: "Rehab"
The best hip-hop out there, in my opinion. This album isn't as good as "Rebel" in my book but it's got some solid tracks amid a too-long album.

Anberlin: "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place"
Solid modern rock songs. Good stuff.

Bryan Adams: Bare Bones (Live)
I'm not a Bryan Adams fan (my wife is) but this live recording of his acoustic tour (which my wife and I saw in Louisville) is great.

New Original Song: "Only Hope"

2010-12-07T09:26:00.001-06:00

Narrow Path plays "Only Hope," a brand-new, original song during the Dec. 5, 2010 services at CCJ. Posted to help you learn the song a bit better before we sing it again next week.

Lyrics inspired by Ephesians 2.

Reflections On A Decade Above The Mason-Dixon

2010-11-19T21:25:00.002-06:00

I believe today or tomorrow marks exactly 10 years that Shannon and I have lived in Indiana. We left our duplex on Cedarvalley Drive in Nashville in a U-Haul literally packed to the brim (seriously, we could get nothing more in either the white, two-door Chevy Cavalier or the mid-sized, sketchy U-Haul we had rented) on a Sunday or Monday morning (I'm really not sure which one it was now that I think about it long and hard). It was a big step of faith for both of us. For me, I was starting my career at The Herald (actually, truly, taking a pay cut from delivering pizzas at the Franklin, TN. Domino's Pizza) the Monday following Thanksgiving. For her, it was trusting me by moving her further away from her family than she had ever been (now 7 to 8 hours away instead of 3 1/2 or 4). Humanly, we literally only had each other to lean on (cue "Livin' On A Prayer"). In reality, God had something planned for us that we never saw coming.

Our plan was one year and then back to Dixie. Really, anywhere in the south as long as it was below the Mason-Dixon Line, we were cool with that. Year one brought 9/11, freezing the job market at already struggling newspapers so it was on to year two, which brought a pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage and then another pregnancy and the birth of our first child, Isabella. Not wanting to lose health insurance kept us here for the two years after 9/11. Then, we figured I might as well get my 5 years in at The Herald to be fully vested in The Herald's retirement plan. In the meantime, we decided to buy a house — still thinking we could sell it pretty quick after my fifth year. Then came our second child, Gabrielle and her difficult first few weeks. Our church really rallied around us and helped us out in ways that only family can. That made it a little more difficult to just pull the plug and leave.

Then, at the beginning of this year, I left The Herald and went full-time as Pastor of Music and Communications at CCJ, realizing that God had put us here for a reason (I hope that doesn't sound egotistical, i truly believe that's why we're here). Along the way, we've experienced much in these last 10 years, both good and bad. For every high, there's been a low but for every low there's been a high. Below are a few reflections on our decade here in Hoosierland (I still don't know exactly WHAT a Hoosier is — I just know I've got two daughters that are now native Hoosiers).

— You really can feed two people for a week on $8 (walking to Holiday Foods in Huntingburg because we couldn't spare the gas to drive all the way to Wal-Mart in Jasper).
— Sitting in that duplex in Huntingburg on Saturdays praying together that God would send us back to Nashville because we were so poor and lonely that we couldn't go anywhere and didn't have anyone to do anything with anyway.
— My second job with the now long-defunct Dubois County Dragons baseball team and getting pulled over on the way home almost every night for having a license plate light out (cops trying to nab drunk drivers). Those two summers are tough to forget.
— The grace of God getting us through on less than $25,000 a year (and the generosity of some people every now and then at just the right time).
— The helplessness of that miscarriage.
— The pure, indescribable exhilaration of seeing my daughter Isabella in that first second of her life outside of the womb.
— Ditto Gabrielle (with some fear thrown in since she was several weeks early and was tiny and not very responsive).
— Giving up the ghost on my hair and shaving it all off for the first time (and my wife's reaction).
— All that I learned at The Herald about design and what a good photo is and isn't and why I shouldn't crop Dave Pierini's photos, ever again.
— How fortunate I was to land at the best small newspaper in the country. I mean that. It was very hard to leave and I still miss it (even though I was never going to make a lot of money in journalism and would probably always had to have had two jobs to support the family — that's really just the nature of the beast these days).
— Learning how to be a worship leader even though all I ever wanted to do was play the guitar. ;-)
— The support of my wife, even though I know this place will never be home to her, no matter how long we stay. I know it's been hard many times, but I appreciate her.
— Why do they not put milk in a bag up here?
— Snow, snow, snow! I've never seen 2 feet of snow before I moved here.
— My neighbors watching me mow the first time I mowed at our house (seriously). Grass nazis!
— Smallville has been on the air nearly the whole time we've lived here.
— The feeling that I was a part of something special and divine at CCJ.
— The warehouse version of CCJ. I think it will be very hard to top the experience of those 3-4 years. I know you can never go back again but I miss that fellowship we had back then as a church of 200 and everybody was on mission together (it seemed). It's important not to live in the past though. Greater things are still to come.
— That first twentyfour7 small group and the closeness we had.
— All the milestones at CCJ (first Sunday at the new building, Easter with 1,200 people, 99 Days, etc.)
— I still have culture shock in many ways. I still don't like that people here don't and won't sing but I trust that God is teaching me something in leading the people here. Music isn't a priority here to a good 99% of the population, I have to accept that and work with what God has given me.
— Learning how to fully trust that God will supply all my needs and being thankful for His faithfulness to me even when I'm unfaithful to Him.

So many memories in the last decade, it's hard to write them all. We'll be here until God moves us.

Downloads For Haitian Orphanage

2010-11-16T15:22:00.001-06:00

Buy on iTunes >>

Buy on Amazon MP3 >>

This Christmas season, Narrow Path (my band) has rerecorded and remixed two Christmas songs that were previously featured our 2008 Christmas album “Far As The Curse Is Found.”

All proceeds from these two songs will go straight to the House of Hope orphanage in Cité Soleil, Haiti (the orphanage was started by my church). We get 70 cents from every 99 cent download to give to the orphanage. Pass this along so we can raise as much as possible.

A Virtual Tour Of My Church's Building Expansion

2010-11-05T14:52:00.000-05:00

This YouTube video is a virtual walk-through of CCJ's building expansion. Our tour guide, "C.C. James" walks us through both Phase One and Two. Watch it, listen carefully and see what is to come and what can be.

You can watch this video embedded above (if you are seeing this on The CCJ Blog), at CCJ's YouTube Channel or on the CCJ Media page.

If you have a high-speed connection, be sure to watch it in all it's 720p majesty on YouTube. Thanks to CCJ Associate Minister Mark Messmore for putting together the video.

Who Says You Can't Go Home

2010-10-30T20:24:00.002-05:00

I knew it existed but I'd never heard this version of Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home" with Keith Urban instead of Jennifer Nettles. From what I remember, the record companies felt it was better with a female vocal so Keith Urban's part got dropped.

Interesting to hear it. I (heart) YouTube for stuff like this. I'm a nerd, I know.

Five For Friday (The Return)

2010-10-22T16:58:00.002-05:00

Probably not a permanent return, but you get what you pay for around here ...

Doing this one from my MacBook (which has far fewer songs on it than my home computer). Put your iTunes on shuffle and tell me your five.

1.) "Work" by Jars of Clay. From the album "Good Monsters." I went through a quasi-heavy Jars of Clay phase a few years ago. This is probably their best album, IMO. Dan Haseltine is a good lyricist. They have a new album out but I haven't gotten it yet. They've kind of moved from that "I buy every new album from this band" category to "I'll wait and see if the library has it."

2.) "Remain" by Starfield. From the album "I Will Go." I got this album because Amazon had it on sale for $5 and it was an impulse buy. Some of their stuff is beyond the Nashville worship music mold but much of this album is firmly in that camp. That being said, this one has a good melody and dynamics in all the right places (plus a few minor chords).

3.) "Cold Desert" by Kings of Leon. From the album "Only By The Night." I read an article about these guys today and a lot of people were complaining that too many people were on the Kings of Leon bandwagon now and that they were "too popular." I've never understood this mindset (of course, my favorite band is a completely commercial pop-rock band). Similar to Jars of Clay, Kings of Leon have not yet moved into the category of "I will buy every new album by this band." I've listened to early KoL and this album is miles better than their early stuff. This song, in particular is pretty mournful ... I dig it (despite the line about "Jesus don't love me").

4.) "I Am" by Bon Jovi. From the album "Have A Nice Day." Speak of the devil (see #3). This is an underrated album in Bon Jovi circles, I think. While this particular song isn't the best on the album, to say that it is one of the weakest tracks is saying something about the quality of this album.

5.) "Watch Your Words" by Alter Bridge. From the album "One Day Remains." How this band isn't the biggest hard rock band in the world is beyond me. Their singer, Myles Kennedy, has one of the best rock voices in a long, long time. This sin't their strongest track, but, then again, this album was their debut.

David Crowder Band's "SMS [Shine]"

2010-10-22T16:35:00.002-05:00

This David Crowder Band video is, quite possibly, the best music video I've seen in a long time.

Watch it. You won't be sorry.

Proud To Live In A Place Like This

2010-10-20T07:37:00.002-05:00

This video is making the rounds in my hometown (and, apparently, elsewhere since it has 18,000 + views). It features a boy from Jasper, who happens to have Down Syndrome, scoring a touchdown in a high school football game recently. Big credit goes to the coach of the opposing team, Mt. Vernon, for their part in the touchdown.

I was genuinely moved by the video. I don't know the family and I don't really know anyone involved. I do, somewhat, know this community (having lived here a month short of a decade now). I know that despite the many problems that face our area, there is still something to be said that something like this can still happen in our world.

I'm a cynic, I'll admit. It's not something I'm really proud of but it's my default mode most of the time, unfortunately. I'm a big believer in the total depravity of man (the big T in the Calvinism TULIP). I just don't get all that moved by sappy, heart-string-tugging stories. This story is different though. I don't really know why. Maybe, it's because the music (particularly Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" - a decent song by my favorite band) is placed in just the right spot to stir my emotions. Maybe it's the theme from "Rocky" at the beginning. Maybe it's the proper use of movement in the photos through what I assume is iMovie software.

Or maybe, I was just moved. Maybe I am proud to live in a place where this can happen and every life is valued.

Sorry, Chris Tomlin, We Saw It First ;-)

2010-10-19T14:27:00.007-05:00

My band, Narrow Path (from the Christian Church of Jasper), has made a few recordings. We've used stock images as album art, so, I'm not knocking the idea. However, it's always funny to me when I see something I've used in the past show up in something big, like, say, Chris Tomlin's latest release.

A few years ago, I made a soundboard recording of our annual Christmas service available and I used the graphic I had used to promote the event as the album cover for the handful of CDs I made to give away to church members. This is it:

Below is the album artwork for Chris Tomlin's upcoming release:

I have a friend whose former band's (Failingravity) artwork was more or less duplicated by the band Seventh Day Slumber so I know this isn't new and I know it's not a copyright thing. I just think it's funny.

The Three Most Important People In My Life

2010-10-07T15:31:00.001-05:00

Albums You Should Buy

2010-10-06T09:10:00.002-05:00

If you like that slow-burn, Americana-type sound, you should buy Robert Plant's new album called "Band Of Joy."

If you like hip-hop, you should buy Lecrae's new album "Rehab."

That is all.

Tour Photography

2010-09-14T07:16:00.002-05:00

Fstoppers Original: David Bergman Photographs Bon Jovi from FStoppers on Vimeo.

My time at The Herald has made me love great photography. I am not a good photographer but I wish I was. This is a very cool video looking at Bon Jovi's tour photographer David Bergman.

2010-08-27T19:10:00.003-05:00

Is it just me or is everything getting more depressing these days?

Makes me long for Revelation 19.

Bon Jovi: Live in Louisville (Hullabalou Festival)

2010-07-30T22:02:00.006-05:00

(Facebook Readers: Go here to read this and properly see all of the videos)

I went to see the band (again - second show in 4 months) in Louisville last Friday night at the first-ever Hullabalou Festival at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. After waffling on buying tickets for the longest time, I decided to go since it was only 80 minutes or so from my home (and I usually see them in Nashville - 3.5 hours away). One of my worries was that, since this was a festival, the band would play a strictly 'hits' show and I wouldn't get anything rare or anything I hadn't heard three times before live.

I've seen them three times before, all in Nashville (Sept. 1995, April 2008 and April 2010). The 1995 was epic (at least in my memories). I was disappointed by the 2008 show a little bit (lower bowl about half-way back in the arena) and, somewhat, by the 2010 show (where my upper-deck section sat down for about half of the show).

All that being said, last Friday night in Louisville was the best show I've seen since 1995 even though I heard nothing but hits and they opened with bleeding "Lost Highway" (not a terrible song, but one I could definitely live without hearing live - but especially not as an opener).

I made an effort about 10 days before the show to not listen to any Bon Jovi music and I made sure not to read any set lists.

Doing that brought me more surprises in that I didn't have the set list memorized and I enjoyed the actual MUSIC more after "fasting" for a week or so. Even though the set, on paper, looks "boring," to many hardcore Bon Jovi fans, it was great fun. The crowd ate it up and the band, from my point of view next to the sound tent, seemed to be having a lot of fun. Richie's playing was spot on and Jon sounded great, even though they both had sweat literally pouring off of them (it was very, very hot out there). Only Tico seemed to be suffering (he had a pained expression on his face quite a bit) but I can see why.

This show re-affirmed my love for the band and what they are capable of live. My wife, who does not like Bon Jovi in the least, even had a great time and sang along quite a bit (something she didn't do when I dragged her along in 2008). THAT is saying something about Jon's and the band's ability to put on a killer live show (even at 50 years old).

Below are some YouTube videos (from my camera). We had great seats - more or less in the middle (though we were behind a post on the Churchill Downs racetrack) and right next to the sound tent so we had the best sound of anyone.

Intro & Lost Highway (Partial)

Born To Be My Baby (Partial)

Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (Partial)

I'll Be There For You (Partial)

Wanted Dead Or Alive (with Dierks Bentley) (Partial)

JULY 23, 2010 SET LIST (HULLABALOU MUSIC FESTIVAL, CHURCHILL DOWNS, LOUISVILLE, KY.:
Lost Highway
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
It's My Life
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
We Got It Going On
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Bad Medicine (with "Oh, Pretty Woman" & "Shout" medley)
Lay Your Hands On Me (Richie Sambora on Lead Vox)
(You Want To) Make a Memory
I'll Be There For You
Runaway
Have a Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith

ENCORE:
Wanted Dead or Alive (w/Dierks Bentley)
Livin' on a Prayer

Overlooked Bands: Extreme

2010-07-22T18:41:00.002-05:00

If all you know is "More Than Words," you are missing out. Above is the video for "Run" from their last album "Saudades de Rock," which came out in 2008. I've always liked these guys. Too bad they got lumped into the hair metal thing (which they weren't at all).

Amongst The Waves

2010-07-16T09:32:00.002-05:00

Pearl Jam Oceans from Pearl Jam on Vimeo.

Check out this video for a really good Pearl Jam song. "Amongst The Waves." Makes me want to go back to the beach.

These Days (15 Years Later)

2010-06-29T10:40:00.003-05:00

The Screen Door has a nice reflection on the release of my favorite Bon Jovi album, "These Days." It was released fifteen years ago on Sunday.

Anthony Kuzminski (writer of The Screen Door blog) says this:

The lead-up to Bon Jovi’s sixth studio album, These Days, felt like an eternity. It wasn’t but there was a prolonged sense of waiting for it. Back in the 1990’s the Internet was in its infancy and news didn’t travel as quickly as it does today. Therefore, we relied on information from these things called “magazines” and “television”. I was an avid Kerrang reader and Metal Edge, both of which proved to be among the few music magazines still providing in-depth coverage to the music I loved.

I remember buying my cassette copy at DJ's Music in Paris, TN (next to the old Uncle Lee's building). I, too, got up early that morning and drove to DJ's to get my copy. I was working the second shift at the Mohon International factory (making school science desks) as a summer job before college started. I hated that job more than I've ever hated anything in my life. "These Days" helped me get through my last summer at home before I left for school (never to live at home again). I have such strong memories attached to that piece of music. Friends, that I would never see regularly again, obsessed over it. We talked about our favorite tracks, how we couldn't wait for the show to come to Nashville, etc. Whether or not that plays a part in this being my favorite album by my favorite band, I don't know ... possibly. All I know is that I still listen to it fairly often.

Muse with The Edge Doing 'Streets'

2010-06-28T15:55:00.002-05:00

Muse (w/ The Edge) "Where The Streets Have No Name" (YouTube)

Outstanding!

The End Of The Best Friend?

2010-06-17T07:50:00.001-05:00

We are a nation of pansies.

Need proof? Check this out.

An Open Letter To Miley Cyrus

2010-06-12T20:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Miss Cyrus,

You don't know me from Adam nor do I expect you to. My 7-year-old daughter, Isabella, loves your show Hannah Montana (even though we don't get the Disney Channel, she sees it on one of the three Web sites we let her visit and on ABC on Saturday mornings as well as a few of the DVDs of the show available for rent at the local library). I'm sure you are a very talented girl (you are but 17, right?). The show is harmless, even if my daughter doesn't fully grasp boys and some of the show's early teenage themes, so we let her watch it every now and then.

That being said, I'm writing you this open letter to urge you to reconsider your current career trajectory. It was once said that those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it. From an outsider's perspective, it seems you are taking the same path so many others before you have taken (I'm looking at you, Britney Spears). Child star wants to be free of her bubble-gum, child star, squeaky-clean image so she shows some midriff, wears booty shorts and go-go boots (and defend them as just being cute), etc.

Look, I know you want to continue your career as long as possible and you want to be taken seriously as an artist and that's fantastic. However, my job as a parent is not going to allow me to let my daughter watch any of your music videos (which I have not seen but have heard enough about to feel a bit like a dirty old man without even actually seeing them). The upcoming special you apparently have on ABC will not be watched in at least this household. That won't bother you, I know but I felt the need to write this because, if my daughter even saw the promo, she would be chomping at the bit to see it (and we would be the meanest parents in the world because she isn't watching it. ;-)

You, at one time, openly confessed to being a Christian. I can't judge you on that because I don't follow your interviews or keep up on your life. God knows your heart. Your fruit (at least publicly), however, is questionable. I understand that life in the harsh light of the feeding frenzy that is celebrity can't be easy and I'm sure I would publicly stumble as well. I'm just urging you to, please, reconsider the road you are on. The hyper-sexualization of little girls in this country is insane and you have legions of little girls as your fans. I know their parents are supposed to be their role models, but, unfortunately, you are the primary influence to millions of them.

You can be successful without selling yourself out.

Sincerely,

Isabella's dad

Me On The Big Screen At Bon Jovi Show

2010-06-09T09:58:00.002-05:00

Yeah, I did it. I'm a tiny bit embarrassed but it's also really, really awesome. Starts at about 3:27 through the chorus. I'm in the lower-right-hand corner.

To explain: I tired to win tickets to the Bon Jovi Nashville show I was going to (I was trying to get better seats). They had this "make your own 'Livin' On A Prayer' video" contest going on so I entered. I didn't see it on the screen in Nashville so I assumed it had gone into the ether. Lo and behold, it shows up on the screens when Bon Jovi played the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey in front of 65,000 people.

Like I said, it's cheesy and embarrassing (that I'm making the faces and whatnot, not that I like the band — I like who I like) but it's also pretty cool. :-)

The View From Above

2010-06-06T16:36:00.003-05:00

This is the view from what will be my office sometime next year, if the Lord is willing. Dubois County: I don't always understand the people, but the land is beautiful.

A Reflection On Ten Years At CCJ

2010-05-24T09:38:00.002-05:00

Our church, the Christian Church of Jasper, turned 10 this past weekend. Shannon and I have been attending there for 9 of the 10 years of its existence. We moved to Indiana in November 2000 and started visiting churches shortly thereafter. We first visited CCJ in January 2001 at the Jasper 8 Theaters. There were probably 20 people, at most, in a theater that seated 300 or so. It was, to say the least, a weird, and not completely comfortable, experience. As we rode away in our little Chevrolet Cavalier two-door car, Shannon stated that she wanted to keep going there. I don't remember my exact response but it was something along the lines of "not so much." To be honest, all of the churches we had attended were more or less "dead" spiritually, in my opinion and CCJ was not that different than the others in terms of how it felt to me, spiritually. So, we attended another church for a few months and came to a philosophical impasse with the denomination (of the church we had been visiting) in our minds.

So, after I saw an ad in The Herald, that listed CCJ as non-denominational, we decided to give it another shot. We began attending regularly in the summer of 2001 and we heard that the church was buying a building (which was a huge plus for me). We had to get out a map to find this Cathy Lane place and we attended the first service in August 2001 at "the warehouse."

It wasn't long before I approached Darrel Land, the minister at CCJ, and told him I played guitar and could help out with music if he wanted (we were basically singing along with live worship CDs — THAT was weird). I just wanted to play guitar and that's what I did for a while. When a few people left, I admitted that I had sung in high school and agreed to step up to the microphone. One thing led to another and, before I knew it, I was the unofficial worship leader at a church. Things then progressed and, here I sit today, as the Pastor of Music & Communications at CCJ.

Things haven't always been perfect and I have been frustrated numerous times (as I'm sure people have been frustrated with me). But, I have little doubt that God's plan was for me to be here doing this. To be honest, I still feel like a stranger in a strange land. My culture and heritage is a more responsive culture and heritage. People sang, people responded to music. Here, people don't. It's just the way it is. I've had to learn how to adapt and understand this culture and it's still a learning process.

However, I love the people here ... even when I think it's nuts that we still live here. I have so many memories of this place. It's the only church my kids have ever known. The people, especially in the early days when we struggled just to get by, were more than gracious to us, they were our family. Our early small group was just plain awesome. We grew so much and had such close relationships. You can never go back, but it was fantastic in so many ways. Those days felt more like what I imagine the early church was like than anything I have ever experienced. But, time moves forward as it is usually does and things change.

I told Shannon the other day that it feels like we've gone to a half-dozen different churches by just being along for the ride in this one. We've grown from 20 to 80 to 150 to 250 to 420 to 535 to 650 to 850 (with the mega-church-sized Easters of the past two years — 1,200-plus this year). And the funny thing is, when we first started going, I liked it because it was small.

There are too many memories to write down, but here are a few (not everyone will understand these):
Plastic electronic drums, church on a float, oil stains, meetings about ladders and computers and copiers and everything else under the sun, Jason's 'I'm for Pantera' story, Candy's shank story, 18:20, koinonia, the Splash corner, Close Encounters with 12 people, firsts in the new building, lasts in the old building, Jim becoming a Christian (something I never thought would happen), church discipline on a few, broken strings, feedback ('sonofa ...'), Friend Day, praying and God sending Kurt, "That's Chevy Van right there," Paula, Holly, Ron, Jeff, Angie, Tina, Tammy, Mike, Paul, Bethany, Tammie, Kurt, Bethany, Chris, Phil, Andrew, Drew, Chelseay and the others who played music with me and put up with me, 99 Days, outside gigs, parade floats, "Spirit in the Sky," writing songs, Lincoln Amphitheatre with about 2 people watching, One in Christ when I said "where are my CCJ people at" and hearing the cheer, so many good discussions I can't even count and much, much more.

God determines the times and places in which we live and I truly believe he sent us here to be a part of CCJ. We will be here until He moves us and if that ever happens, I will look back with joy on the years we were at CCJ.

"Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done."

Please, Help Nashville & Tennessee

2010-05-19T14:38:00.005-05:00

As you may have heard, Nashville and other parts of Tennessee were wrecked by heavy rains and then flooding earlier this month. This received some national attention but it happened at the same time as a failed truck bomb in Times Square in New York City and a massive oil spill in the Gulf. I'm not here to throw stones at the coverage (though I do have a gripe about it). What I am writing about today is their need for help.

The church my wife and I used to attend when we lived in Nashville, Lighthouse Baptist Church (now called Lighthouse Christian Fellowship), had a portable building housing their mission work float down Interstate 24. According to their web site, the church, school, and preschool sustained approximately $500,000 in damage. As Lighthouse does not have flood insurance, they will receive only $2,500 to recompense the hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss suffered.

This breaks my heart. Lighthouse has great people who loved us well when we were a part of the church body. I'm not good at making well-versed pleas for money to be given, so I will just ask you to pray for Nashville and the other areas. Pray for Lighthouse and any other brothers and sisters in Christ who were affected. If the Holy Spirit moves you to give, you can give to Lighthouse here.

Another movement gaining great steam on Facebook is Nashville Flood Relief T-Shirts. For $20, plus shipping, you can get a great-looking shirt and help. The following groups will receive 100% of the profit: Cross Point Church, Grace Church Nashville,
United Way of Williamson County & MusiCares. Each of these are working already to put money directly back into the community.

Again, please pray for Tennessee. I know there are a million disasters a day all over the world and there are a million causes to give to and who are asking for your help and your money. So, PLEASE, pray and ask if God wants you to joyfully give something, anything to help relieve the people of Tennessee.

The top photo and the photo below is from this site. It is of a lady who attends Lighthouse. The caption reads: Lighthouse Christian School teacher Heather Harrell reacts after finding her grandmother's Bible in her classroom that was destroyed by the flood in Antioch, Tennessee on Monday, May 3, 2010. (AP Photo/The Tennessean, Shelley Mays).

The following photo, you can see the church and school in the background.

Two For Friday

2010-05-07T16:03:00.001-05:00

"A Way Out Of No Way" and "We Are Called" played by Narrow Path at a CCJ Service (April 25, 2010).

AWOONW: Written by me and Kurt Neighbors, 2010.

WAC: Written by me, 2008.

Bon Jovi: Nashville 2010

2010-04-24T12:10:00.004-05:00

Wednesday night, I went with my brother and an old friend of mine (Jeremy and his wife and son) to my third Bon Jovi concert in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena (even though my ticket said Sommet Center - I guess it changed names in between buying my tickets and the show date). I saw the band in 1995 on the These Days tour at Starwood Amphitheater and on the Lost Highway tour at the Sommet Center. Here are a few thoughts and pictures from Section 309 (way up top).

- After having played several gigs as a band, I more appreciate the role and job of Jon Bon Jovi. Here is a front man who knows what his audience wants and delivers it more or less night after night for 30 years. That is impressive, I don't care what you think about their music. Keep a crowd "into it" for more than 2 hours is a VERY VERY VERY hard job and he pulls it off.
- The average age of these shows are now in their late 30s and early 40s (there were a few younger types, but not nearly as many as the older folks).
- "Love's The Only Rule" is the best song off of their new album "The Circle." Unfortunately, that's one everyone wanted to sit down on. I guess if I want to stand from now on, I need to sit in floor seats. I hate being asked to sit down during a song I like but, because I'm a nice guy, I sat down.
- That being said, it's amazing to me how much the concert-going experience has changed in the last 15 years. I don't know if it's our short-attention-span culture or the lack of real appreciation for a full song anymore, but it's definitely a more "you have to entertain me with EXACTLY what I want RIGHT NOW kind of experience. Holding an audience's attention is a task that very few can pull off these days.
- There were definitely two different crowds at this show, one really loves the band and the other came to drink and go to the bathroom all night.
- Richie Sambora's playing seemed to be on fire at the show. I watched them on several TV shows when the album first came out and he was flubbing up constantly it seemed. His solo on "Lay Your Hands On Me" was awesome.
-They opened with one of my favorite songs of theirs, 1988's "Blood On Blood." Awesome. I was very happy!
- "Livin' On a Prayer" is good every single time. The crowd almost always responds to it.
- Another one of my favorites "Wanted Dead Or Alive" was played with what seemed to be little enthusiasm but the guitar solo saved it. Sambora nailed it again.
- I was struck by how much of a two-man show this was (even though Tico Torres, the drummer, really holds it all together). There were four guys on the back line with Sambora and Bon Jovi being up front. It's very much a Jagger-Richards scenario these days.
- "I'll Be There For You" is a great piece of song-writing.
- "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" took on a more inspirational tone in its acoustic format Wednesday. It's really an uplifting song to me.
- It's amazing to me how "Bad Medicine" can still get a crowd to go bananas.
- I bought a t-shirt for $40. Somebody should really smack me. ;-)
- I complain about ticket prices and I know they are making a lot of dough on this tour but their production cost something like $2 million. It showed. Outstanding production and video work. I just hate that big fans like me and my friend have to sit up top with people who could seem to care less much of the time. That's life (and our income bracket), I guess. Not always fair.

Thoughts During A 13-Hour Day

2010-04-17T08:33:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, April 16, 2010, at 6:15 a.m., I left our house in Jasper, Indiana for a 5-hour drive to Jackson, Tennessee, to attend the funeral of my second cousin, Larry Joseph Ross. We called Larry "Uncle Larry Joe" because he was like a brother to my father in almost every way a brother can be a brother short of living with him day in and day out. Typically, I don't make a drive that far for a funeral of a relative because of timing or whatever but I had the opportunity to make it so I made it. But because of my dad's close relationship to Larry Joe and how hard this hit him, I made the trip. Here are some thoughts from that whirlwind trip.

- A 13-hour day of 90% driving is a long day, especially in a suit and dress shoes.
- My youngest daughter, Gabrielle, turns 5 today (April 17). She asked for ONE thing for her birthday - a Toy Story Cowgirl Jesse talking doll. Of course, we waited too long and when we went to get it, it was nowhere to be found in town. So, I stopped at 4 Wal-Mart stores and one Toys R Us along the way and back. I finally found it in Benton, KY. I know I looked like a fool after thrusting my arms in the air (while being the only guy in this Benton, KY. Wal-Mart wearing both a nice black suit and an Atlanta Braves baseball cap) but I didn't care. I found it. I sure hope Gabrielle likes it. :-)
- Note to churches re: church signs. Please, stop with the cornball sayings.
- Speaking of churches, I saw a few Primitive Baptist churches along the way. Dubois County has no such thing, I'm pretty sure. ;-)
- I saw a literal representation of Proverbs 7 at the Biker Leather (club, bar, store, I don't know exactly what it is) outside Bradford, TN. A girl dressed like a Proverbs 7 woman outside waving a sign and waving her arms for cars to pull in. I guess it's a bonus that the first thing I thought of was Proverbs 7.
- Nearby, a chain link fence corners off a little area with a huge sign proclaiming "Welcome to the South." Inside the chain link pen-like thing is a bunch of dog "houses." Looked like Michael Vick's house, really.
- Despite the previous two things (because there are idiots everywhere, not just the South), I felt a strong sense of connection as I drove through West Tennessee. I'm not a big believer in pseudo-spriritual mumbo-jumbo when it comes to that kind of stuff but that's the only word I can use to describe the feeling. No matter where God puts me in my life on earth, that area will always be "home." It was such a strong feeling yesterday that it kind of took me back. I wasn't sure what to do with that feeling. Milan, Medina, Jackson, Tennessee have a special place in my heart. So many memories of trips to my grandparents house in Jackson rushed back. It was kind of overwhelming for a minute.
- People in Western Kentucky and West Tennessee are WAY more polite (for the most part) than people here. Sorry to all my friends here above the Mason-Dixon, but that's the truth. I found myself instantly reverting to "yes, ma'am" when talking to an elderly lady at the McDonald's in Milan, TN. The greeters at all the Wal-Mart stores I stopped at actually did their job and greeted me (and smiled and acted like they meant it). The lone exception being the Wal-Mart worker in Jackson who did not want to help me in any way. Even driving, people let me in and waved back when I waved at them to thank them. It's the simple things, folks.
- Southern accents are awesome.
- Audiobooks are great for me when taking long trips. I am a music man but I tend to get drowsy very easily when driving long distances and music doesn't do the trick for me. I checked out "Under the Banner of Heaven," a book about Mormon history and violence associated with it, from my local library before I left. It's 10 CDs and I made it through 7 of them. Hopefully I can finish the other 3 on my Nashville trip this week. It's a pretty fascinating book.
- The funeral itself was more like a worship service than anything I've ever been to (with the possible exception of Dr. Dawkins's funeral a few years ago). I really didn't feel like crying so I played tough guy even with my mom and dad right beside me crying - that's a tough spot. I'm not trying to be hard, I just didn't want to cry yesterday. Ben Mandrell, preacher at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, is a very good preacher. I think he's my age.
- I've gotten so used to our style of music at CCJ that what passes for "contemporary" at other churches surprises me. I'd have a hard time adjusting if God ever moved us from here. I think I am spoiled now with our rock n' roll worship music. :-)
- I got to hold my newest niece, Evelyn Clare Morgan, for the first time. She's a cutie. :-)
- It's always good to come back home.

Good Friday Videos From Our Church

2010-04-06T15:10:00.005-05:00

Good Friday: The Crucifixion (Mark Messmore, Christian Church of Jasper) from Daniel Ross on Vimeo.

Christian Church of Jasper Associate Minister Mark Messmore presents "Good Friday: The Crucifixion" on April 2, 2010 at CCJ. This sermon is part of the sermon series "The Final Week."

Our version of Johnny Cash's "Redemption."

Our version of Stuart Townend's "How Deep The Father's Love For Us."

Visit www.ccjasper.com for more on the Christian Church of Jasper.

Five for Friday (Happy Birthday, Mr. Cash)

2010-02-26T07:08:00.006-06:00

In honor of what wuld've been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday today, today's Five for Friday will be all Johnny Cash.

1.) "You Are My Sunshine" from the album "American: Unearthed Volume III (Redemption Songs)." This song is on the box set of out-takes from the American Recordings sessions. The song is just above two minutes long and, since it's on an album of out-takes, you get some banter left in between Cash and the others in the room (I hear Marty Stuart's voice in there). They ask him if he wants to add the other verse and Cash replies, "if I feel like my song is sung, I don't care if it's short." This song is often sung as a happy kind of tune but it's really pretty sad — perfect for Cash, in other words.

2.) "Tiger Whitehead" from the album "Personal File (Disc 1)." This is an album of Cash with just an acoustic guitar from the '70s (from what I remember hearing about this album). He apparently recorded these songs in his personal studio. This is a story song, the kind Cash was so good at singing. I think, in his heart, Cash was a storyteller wrapped up in a music man. This album is kinda the American Recordings series before Rick Rubin even thought of recording Cash.

3.) "The Streets Of Laredo" from the album "Johnny Cash Sings The Ballads Of The True West." I was first introduced to this song when he rerecorded it for his "American IV: The Man Comes Around" album. This version has Cash in a more full voice. "Booming" would be the right word. The American version is much more stark, of course, and this version has some of the trappings of most '60s and '70s country music with the background singers and whatnot. It's still awesome though.

4.) "Tennessee Flat-Top Box" from the album "The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983." The sound of early Cash recordings is unmistakable. There's the echo on his voice and the slap-back of Luther Perkins's electric guitar that was so popular. Again, another story song. Back then, they would pan one rhythm guitar left and one lead guitar right. It's a pretty cool effect that I wish people would still do every now and then.

5.) "Field Of Diamonds" from the album "American III: Solitary Man." This one features Sheryl Crow and (I think) June Carter Cash as background vocalists. Not the best track from this series but still very listen-able.

Oh heck, I'll go on ...

6.) "Belshazah" from the album "God." This is from the box set "Love, God, Murder." There are three discs, one devoted to songs about love, one to songs about God and one with murder songs. "You're weighed in the balance and found wanting." If there was ever a man to sing Old Testament songs, Cash is it.

7.) "Wayfaring Stranger" from the album "American III: Solitary Man." I've heard this one done a lot of different ways and nearly all of them are good. Rick Rubin has been derided by some (not many though) for his work with Cash but I think he found a way to let Cash sing some great songs and showcase his unique ability to tell a story through a song — rugged edges and all.

8.) "I'll Fly Away" from the album "American: Unearthed Volume IV (My Mother's Hymn Book)." Cash always said he wanted to do an album of gospel songs he learned from his mother, just him and his guitar. I'm so glad he finally got the chance and that short-sighted record executives didn't win out in the end.

9.) "Meet Me In Heaven" from the album "American II: Unchained." I love the 12-string guitar on this. I bought Cash's original American Recordings album as a 16- or 17-year-old in high school and was hooked. I didn't get this album until years later but it's now one of my favorites. Say what you want about Rick Rubin, but I think he's a genius what he did with Cash in his final decade. He's still full-voiced on this album. By the way, I love the lyrics to this: "Can't be sure of how's it's going to be/When we walk into the light across the bar/But I'll know you and you'll know me/Out there beyond the stars."

Ok, that's it. I'll quit now. I'll admit that I have quite the Johnny Cash obsession so I'll try to reign it in today. :-) By the way, you should go pick up his last "American" album "American VI: Ain't No Grave." It's not Cash in his best form (he was dying for crying out loud) but it is a great piece of work that will make you think about your own mortality (and, yes, you and me are both mortal so it's OK to think about it every now and then).

Happy birthday (in heaven), Mr. Cash.

Some Days ... Yeah

2010-02-20T20:53:00.001-06:00

From Garfield Minus Garfield.

Five for Friday

2010-02-20T20:44:00.002-06:00

Yeah, it's Saturday, I know.

1.) "My Best Was Never Good Enough" by Bruce Springsteen. From the album "The Ghost of Tom Joad." I really like Springsteen as a singer/songwriter-type more than a rocker. But that's just me. If you're like me, you should have this album.

2.) "Jack And Diane" by John Mellencamp. From the album "Words & Music: Greatest Hits." See above.

3.) "Habit" by Pearl Jam. From the official live bootleg "2000/06/20 Arena - Verona, Italy (Disc 1)." This song is from the under-appreciate album "No Code." These official bootlegs can be hit or miss but it's SO cool that a band offers them to fans.

4.) "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" by 4Him. From the album "Hymns: A Place Of Worship (Classic Hymns)." I don't listen to 4Him and I'm not sure how this ended up on my iTunes. But it came up and here it is. This is a nice hymn, by the way.

5.) "Looks That Kill" by Motley Crue. From the album "4 Rock Legends." When you're in the exact right mood, this skanky rawk music hits the spot. When you're not, it sounds like a buzzsaw in your head.

Five for Friday (Pandora Edition)

2010-02-12T14:19:00.002-06:00

Fired up my Pandora Station "Album Rock" for this week's Five for Friday.

1.) "Go Let It Out" (Live) by Oasis. From the album "Familiar To Millions (Live)." Oasis had a string of about three albums where they wrote the most infectious hooks to some really, really good mid-tempo songs. Like almost everyone else, they kinda faded away from mainstream popularity. I still enjoy the occasional Oasis tune though.

2.) "Hey Jude (Love Version)" by The Beatles. This album is from the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show. If you aren't the kind of person who gets all bent out of shape about re-worked Beatles tunes, this is actually a pretty interesting album. I checked it out at our local library and gave it a whirl. Pretty cool stuff.

3.) "Fix You" by Coldplay. From the album "X & Y." I've always been a Coldplay-curious guy. Every now and then I'll hear something from them that I think is really good and I'll go to check out more and find it, I don't know, 'meh.' This one is one of those slow burners with a pretty cool part about three minutes in.

4.) "Island In The Sun" by Weezer. From the album "Weezer (The Green Album)." See my above description of Coldplay and apply here. It's a different kind of song from Coldplay but I feel the same way about both bands. This song is significantly less cool than the Coldplay one though.

5.) "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana. From the album "In Utero." The first time I heard this song was on the video (which was completely blasphemous, IMO). I'll just go ahead and say this: Had Kurt Cobain not stuck a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger, they would be nowhere near the iconic band they are regarded as today. They would've been regarded a bit higher than Alice in Chains or Soundgarden. It would've been interesting to see if they could've evolved into something like Pearl Jam evolved.

Five for Friday

2010-02-05T16:19:00.002-06:00

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.

Suffering Well

2010-01-30T10:11:00.004-06:00

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.

Five For Friday

2010-01-29T12:04:00.002-06:00

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?

Five for Friday (The Return)

2010-01-21T21:55:00.002-06:00

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.

And Now, For Something Light

2010-01-15T09:15:00.000-06:00

Kimmel pummels Leno on his own show.

Does God Hate Haiti? (A Theological Check)

2010-01-15T07:54:00.002-06:00

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.

Pray for Haiti

2010-01-13T08:19:00.001-06:00

Take a minute or ten to pray for Haiti today. Pray that God's glory would be revealed through this awful situation.

'How Much Do You Have To Hate A Person ...'

2010-01-08T15:56:00.003-06:00

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:

"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.

He's Here!

2009-12-23T20:27:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T19:46:00.001-06:00

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.

Old Comments Gone

2009-12-19T17:50:00.002-06:00

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.

On Tiger Woods, Steve McNair, Kobe, etc., etc., etc.

2009-12-02T13:51:00.002-06:00

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?

TITANS!!!

2009-11-29T21:11:00.000-06:00

Woo. Hoo.

!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T08:18:00.002-06:00

I'm thankful for this video today.

Facebook users, go here to see the video.

A Time To Uproot

2009-11-10T10:31:00.007-06:00

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.

The Onion on "The Ball"

2009-10-28T10:58:00.001-05:00

If you're reading this in Facebook, go here to hear it. The Onion nails it.

Different Strokes

2009-10-28T10:34:00.003-05:00

(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).

Decisions

2009-10-08T17:57:00.002-05:00

... 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.

My Thoughts On Roman Polanski

2009-10-01T19:29:00.002-05:00

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.

11 Years

2009-09-19T14:55:00.002-05:00

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. ;-)

Metallica in Cincinnati

2009-09-16T14:21:00.004-05:00

This photo is from metontour.com

I went to my third Metallica show (1996, 2004 and 2009) in my third different city (Nashville, St. Louis and Cincinnati) last night. They are all epic in their own way. The crowd was super loud at this one but the arena was smaller (excellent!) o it made for a more intense show.

Here was the set list:
Ecstasy of Gold (Intro Music)
That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Fuel
One
Broken, Beat And Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
The Unforgiven
All Nightmare Long
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Fight Fire With Fire
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
Stone Cold Crazy
Whiplash
Seek and Destroy

See my photos at my Facebook page.

Part Of Growing Up

2009-09-12T21:16:00.002-05:00

... is realizing your childhood heroes were (and are) jerks.

Adrian Wojnarowski, of Yahoo! Sports, nails it with this piece on Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame induction speech.

“M.J. was introduced as the greatest player ever and he’s still standing there trying to settle scores,” one Hall of Famer said privately later.

I watched about half of his speech on YouTube before I just couldn't take anymore. As a kid, I loved Jordan more than any professional athlete. Unfortunately, as I grew older and learned of his gambling habit, his frequent cheating on his wife and his generally large ego, I started to understand that putting your "faith" in a guy who plays basketball better than it's ever been played is a recipe for a letdown.

The only sports hero I've ever had who (as far as I know) hasn't turned out to be a huge jerk is Dale Murphy. Almost all of the rest are egomaniacs, womanizers, steroid users, drunks or something just as bad as the previous. In other words, they are all human and a large example of why you should never put your ultimate hope in any man (just the God-man, Jesus).

Five for Friday (Rant Edition)

2009-09-11T21:30:00.003-05:00

No Five this week, just five rants.

1.) This whole controversy about Kurt Cobain's likeness being used in Guitar Hero 5 (apparently, you can unlock his avatar to sing Bon Jovi songs and other "uncool" songs by "uncool" artists. Courtney Love has been called out for allowing this "travesty" and she essentially heaps some blame on Dave Grohl so Grohl and Krist Noveselic ask Activision to stop this obvious injustice. Sense the sarcasm yet? Cobain wrote a handful of good songs but because he stuck a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger, he's some sort of generational deity whose memory can't dare be sullied by him having to sing songs by Bon freakin' Jovi. I know I'm not cool for liking Bon Jovi but I'm a grown man and I don't really give a crap what a bunch of sanctimonious blowhards think. Cobain's rights to be revered went out the window when he pulled that trigger and left behind his little girl and a (crazy) wife. I like Dave Grohl and his work with the Foo Fighters but give me a flippin' break.

2.) Michael Jackson's tribute show isn't happening as originally planned in Austria. Anyone surprised by this? The Jackson family has talent but they have zero sense, IMO. Seriously, I don't think they are that smart. Anybody ever just listen to Jacko talk in an interview. I don't think his mental capacity was ever that high.

3.) This one is not a negative rant but a praise rant. I love Amazon's MP3 Store for this one reason. So often, on the day of an album's release, Amazon will sell it for $1.99 to $3.99. I bought The Black Crowes' new one last week that way when I wasn't sure if I would get it or not. Amazon had it for $4 and I thought, 'why not?' Turns out, it was worth the $4. I should've done this with the U2 album when it came out instead of buying the deluxe edition for $18 (which was about $10 more than it was worth).

4.) Why don't more bands understand that selling live recordings of each gig is a good move? Maybe I'm wrong but it would seem that the days of thinking that live recordings dilute a band's catalog are long gone and bands would want to really bolster their fan base. Look at Pearl Jam. They don't sell huge numbers anymore but their fan base is extremely solid (they are almost guaranteed to sell 700,000 copies of any album they release) because they treat their fans well and do things like the official bootleg series. Plus, if you're the band, it's extra income from a show after the show is over.

5.) This last one isn't a rant but a request. If you are the praying sort, please pray for me as I've been in a rut for the last few months. I feel like there is something ahead but I don't have the first clue what that is. It could just be the early 30s rut others have told me they have gone through. I'm feeling very Ecclesiastes these days. Maybe I'm just tired ... who knows.

Five for Friday

2009-09-04T20:29:00.002-05:00

1.) "Last Kiss" by Seven Mary Three. From the album "Day & Nightdriving." You probably only remember them via "Cumbersome," but these guys have been churning out solid rock 'n' roll for years since. This is avery good song and you owe it to yourself to check it out.

2.) "Jesus Freak" by dc talk. From the album "Jesus Freak (Single)." Ah yes, classic. When I first heard this song in 1995, it blew my mind.

3.) "I Will Not Go Quietly" by Steven Curtis Chapman. From the album "The Apostle: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture." This is a very good soundtrack of old gospel hymns redone by country and gospel artists. This is one of my least favorites. It's a good movie too.

4.) "Masters of War" by Pearl Jam. From the album "2003/10/22 Benaroya Hall (Disc 2)." This is a great laid-back, semi-acoustic album from PJ. I think this is a Dylan cover (feel free to correct me). This came out right around the start of the Iraq war and you can feel the tension in the song's delivery.

5.) "Home (Acoustic)" by Daughtry. From the album "Daughtry." I don't know who wrote this but it's solid pop/rock songwriting. I've always liked Daughtry (even though I know that's not always cool with a bunch of people).

Five for Friday

2009-08-29T06:41:00.002-05:00

1.) "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" by Alabama. From the album "Alabama: Greatest Hits, Vol. 3." This always brings back memories of riding around in the truck with my dad as we ran errands and did whatnot around Paris, TN. Good memories.

2.) "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson. From the album "Honeysuckle Rose." Willie's got his own style, that's for sure. I dig this one.

3.) "Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)" by Robert Johnson. From the album "The Complete Recordings." Any song that starts out with "Mmmmm mmmmm I's up this mornin'/ah, blues walkin' like a man" will get my attention every time. I've said it before, if I have a terminal disease, put on Robert Johnson and let me go (with the proper sedatives, of course) :-)

4.) "Blitzkrieg Bop" by Rob Zombie. From the album "We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To Ramones." A typical Rob Zombie song that happens to be a Ramones cover. I saw Zombie once and ... well, it was an experience. This song actually isn't too bad.

5.) "Going Where the Lonely Go" by Merle Haggard. From the album "40 #1 Hits." I often think of Haggard as an ornery outlaw-type but he also did lots of songs like this that had string sections and sound like Nashville sounded in the 60s and 70s.

Ripping My Voice Out

2009-08-25T12:35:00.001-05:00

Live @ Lincoln Amphitheatre. 08.22.2009. I was about done by this point. :-)

Interview With Jared Wilson

2009-08-24T13:12:00.003-05:00

http://vimeo.com/6211398

Check it out.

I did a post about Jared's book, "Your Jesus Is Too Safe" a few weeks back.

Big Gig on Saturday

2009-08-21T07:39:00.003-05:00

Our band from church, Narrow Path, will be playing at the Lincoln Amphitheatre tomorrow as part of the "End of Summer Blowout" sponsored by St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Santa Claus, IN. (hometown of Bears QB Jay Cutler).

They are hoping for 1,600 teenagers/attendees so (hopefully) it will be a cool gig and an awesome chance to share Jesus with them.

It will also be a very long day for the band so please pray for us if you are the praying sort.

The "Gospel" That Is No Gospel At All

2009-08-15T12:42:00.001-05:00

How do you feel about this? I feel anger. Lots of anger.

Five For Friday

2009-08-15T07:03:00.002-05:00

1.) "Things Aren't Funny Anymore" by Merle Haggard. From the album "40 #1 Hits." I like The Hag's more ornery songs than the crying in your beer types but it's still good, sad country music.

2.) "Lookin' Through The Windows" by The Jackson 5." From the album "The Ultimate Collection." This sounds like a '70s TV theme song.

3.) "Lady" by Kenny Rogers. From the album "42 Ultimate Hits." Must be hits collection day here. I know this is straight-up cheese but I am digging it. I think Lionel Richie wrote this song (or originally did it).

4.) "Signs" by Creed. From the album "Weathered." I guess this is the point where you make fun of me. DON'T JUDGE ME! Chances are, you have this album too. This song isn't very good, though. So plodding.

5.) "Call My Name (Live)" by Third Day. From the album "Live Revelations." Third Day shines live, I think. They take songs that are average on albums and elevate them live.

R.I.P. Les Paul

2009-08-13T13:43:00.001-05:00

Les Paul has died. Whether you know it or not, he changed the way we all hear music.

Story.

"Your Jesus Is Too Safe"

2009-08-12T07:55:00.002-05:00

NOTE: This was originally posted at my church's blog but thought I'd put a bootleg post up here too. Also, I really appreciated his mention in the book of our old college professor, Dr. MB Jackson. Dr. Jackson was an awesome man. Now, on with the copied post.

What do you say about who Jesus REALLY is? There is no more important question you will ever answer in your life. Your answer to this shapes EVERYTHING else in your life.

If you've hung around The CCJ Blog for very long, you've probably read a quote or two from Jared Wilson (his blog, The Gospel-Driven Church, is a must read, in my opinion). Full disclosure: Jared is a friend of mine and was a college classmate of mine at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. Despite him graduating from a state university, he is a super-smart guy who I have learned much from over the past decade.

Jared recently had his book, "Your Jesus Is Too Safe" published and released by Kregel Publications. Today, I'm taking part in the official blog tour for the book.

For a short review, I will just say you should read this book (buy it here). It is EXTREMELY readable when it could've been very dry and academic (as many books about Jesus can be). Jared's use of humor and slight sarcasm at key moments really helps keep you going (I very much appreciate his reference of movies like "The Karate Kid" and "Wayne's World 2" to illustrate very important points about Christ). For instance, he writes in the chapter titled "Jesus the King" that the way of this world is similar to the ethics of the Cobra Kai - "mercy is for the weak," but that the Kingdom of God is the upside down version of that. It's not all pop-culture references and humor, however. For instance, I re-read the "Jesus The King" chapter a few times to try to soak it all in, it's that deep (deep is good, you know). The book reads like a good pastor or friend walking along with you and giving you a more clear view of who Jesus, the cornerstone of our faith, really is.

I know I may be biased because I know Jared, but, seriously, this book is very good and well worth your $10.97.

Jared recently answered a few questions for me as a part of this tour to be published here on The CCJ Blog. Read on:

1.) What prompted you to write "Your Jesus Is Too Safe?"
The book really came out of a synthesis of different things in my life. Ten years or so ago a coworker in a bookstore handed me a copy of a book by N.T. Wright called The Original Jesus that really pushed my thinking about Jesus and the four Gospels. I really felt like I was seeing them for the first time. And that kind of began my intellectual journey in the historical Jesus stuff. And then about 5 or 6 years ago I began sort of a Gospel renaissance in my life, sort of a combination of embracing a more Reformed theology, getting under the mentorship of some really gospel-centered writers and pastors, and then a personal crisis the brokenness of which I cannot even put into words as of yet. But all of that left me with the stripped down all-importance of the gospel in my life and the preciousness of Christ.

So the book is sort of the outworking of my interest in the historical Jesus and my passion for gospel-centeredness in my life and in the evangelical church at large.

2.) What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding about Jesus in the American church?
I think the biggest misunderstanding we may have is how we think of the kingdom of God. Most scholars and pastors can't but admit "the kingdom" is pretty much the thrust of Jesus' message. But very few have ever preached on the kingdom. So large swaths of the church think the kingdom is heaven, or the church itself, or some other such thing.

I remember reading about this way back when, and I tried to track down the source so I could cite it in the book to no avail, but I recall reading (in something by George Eldon Ladd, I think it was) that a survey of pastors at the time revealed the vast majority agreeing the kingdom was Jesus' message and the vast majority admitting they'd never preached on the subject. That is really weird.

3.) Our area is rooted in German Catholic heritage and along with that comes a deep-rooted belief that good works are the path to heaven. Please explain to readers of the blog your view on faith and works and salvation.
Well, my view is the historic, orthodox Christian view, with a sharp Protestant edge of course, that, as Paul says, "by the works of the law will no man be justified" and "it is by grace we are saved, not a result of our works, so that none of us can boast."
That's all theological.

Practically speaking, I'm a big fan of salvation by grace because a) I'm an idiot and would hate to think salvation depended on how high, big, far, long, or good I can be, and b) I'd have no idea how good is good enough. It's a recipe for despair, which Martin Luther discovered in the depths of depression and frustration.The Bible basically says perfection is required, and if that's the case, I think we're all in trouble.

And in swoops the gospel. The only man who was ever perfect offered himself as the perfect sacrifice so that we might be reckoned perfect by his work, not ours. It's a great message and it's unique to Christianity. No other religion has grace as part of their game. I think those who really get it just can't help but find it so awesome.

4.) What, in your view, are some of the most dangerous (wrong), yet commonly held, beliefs about Jesus?
From the 30,000 ft. view, I think our biggest problem -- yours and mine and everybody else's -- is that we by default assume Jesus likes and dislikes all the same things and people we do. And sometimes we are in alignment. But not by default. It's the "Jesus in our image" thing. So jock dudes love the Jesus of Revelation, kicking butt and taking names. And chai latte drinking dudes love the tender Jesus. And all are parts of Jesus' personality and character, just like any of us can be angry sometimes and tender others. But to fixate not on Jesus but on one aspect of Jesus to the exclusion of all others isn't fixing our eyes on Jesus, but on a caricature of him.

5.) How does one come up with a reference to "Wayne's World 2" and "The Karate Kid" while writing a book about Jesus?
I could bluster here about cultural relevance but the real answer is just that I'm a doofus. A doofus who grew up in the 80's.

Bonus Question: Any final thoughts on the book that you'd like our readers to know?
I really want people to know that the title sort of belies that the book is more pro-Jesus than it is "anti" anything in the church or culture or anything. Some of that is in there, but it is not an incessantly critical book. It is a pastoral and inspirational and theological reflection on the Gospels-revealed awesomeness of Jesus.

Five For Friday

2009-08-07T13:54:00.006-05:00

In case you don't know, it works like this:
(Idea stolen from Ick Music)
I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track. Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.

1.) "Chinese Democracy" by Guns N' Roses. From the album "Chinese Democracy." The opening riff always reminds me of "Rock You Like A Hurricane." It's very, um, sharp sounding. Heavily processed. No better way for Axl to separate this incarnation of GNR from the classic lineup. It sounds like he wrote this and began recording it in, maybe the late 90s when processing was huge in rock music. I still say, though that the album, as a whole, is very good and worthy of listening.

2.) "Corduroy" by Pearl Jam. From the album "2000/05/30 Wembley Arena - London, England (Disc 1)." A great Pearl Jam song. No idea what it is about but I love it. Very cool groove at the end of the song. This is from the first set of "official bootlegs" the band put out during their "Binaural" tour (I saw them in Nashville on that tour). No band is cooler to their fans than Pearl Jam. I defy you to show me one.

3.) "Me and the Devil Blues" by Robert Johnson. From the box set "The Complete Recordings." "I said hello Satan/I believe it's time to go." This guy launched a thousand myths. Did he sell his soul to the devil to play the guitar like no other? The song really appears to be about a woman, like most of his songs. I've always said that if I'm dying of something, I want to listen to acoustic delta blues like this until I go.

4.) "King's Highway" by Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. From the album "Trouble Is." I was in awe of this guy for a few years during college. It's still enjoyable but I think I've grown a bit musically. That's not a reflection on KWS, just on me. I still wish I could play like this guy though.

5.) "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. From the album "Electric Ladyland." Drugs had NOTHING to do with this one, I'm sure. Hendrix died stupidly, but was pure awesomeness.

Shameless Promotion

2009-07-31T12:48:00.002-05:00

No Five for Friday this week. Instead, you get a shameless plug, if you are nearby, to come see our band, Narrow Path, at Jasper's Strassenfest on Saturday at 1 p.m. It's free, fun and whatnot ...

Reading/Listening

2009-07-27T19:57:00.002-05:00

I discovered the joys of Audiobooks.

Just finished listening to:

-- "Confederates in the Attic" (I've read it a few times) by Tony Horwitz. If you are at all interested in the North-South culture of this country, you will thank me for recommending this book.

-- "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. This was offered free (legal & legitimate) on some web site recently and I nabbed it. Talk about convicting. I was listening to it while mowing the other day and I felt that I must be wasting my time doing this when there is so much else to be done for eternity's sake.

Reading:

-- Just started "The Sovereignty of God" by AW Pink. Don't know if I can handle this one (I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed) but I told a man at church I would give it a try.

-- Pondering buying Mark Driscoll's "Religion Saves And Nine Other Misconceptions." Anybody read it? Should I get it?

Five For Friday (On Saturday, 'Cause I Had A Gig)

2009-07-25T12:57:00.004-05:00

1.) "Linda Let Me Be The One" by Bruce Springsteen. From the box set "Tracks." I have a mild fascination with Springsteen. At times, I think he's brilliant and then, other times, I don't like his stuff at all. This a rare track (a co-worker loaned me this box set of rarities). It's in the latter set of songs I just described.

2.) "Mr. Sambo" by Richie Sambora. From the album "The Guitars That Rule The World." Bought this in college and was all stoked about it. Haven't heard it in ages. The whole CD isn't actually that bad if you like guitar instrumentals. If you don't, this is everything you hate about them.

3.) "... And The Gods Made Love" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Fromm the album "Electric Ladyland." Weird stuff. I suspect drugs were involved.

4.) "Hard To Tell" by Old Crow Medicine Show. From the album "OCMS." New band that plays old-timey stuff. I dig it.

5.) "The Running Kind (with Tom Petty)" by Johnny Cash. From the box set "Unearthed." From the "American" sessions (probably for the "Unearthed" album). Cash's voice is prime here. At the start of his comeback but before he got too sick. His voice mixes well with Petty's.

POLITICS: Breaking Commandments

2009-07-23T13:41:00.005-05:00

There's been buzz every since Obama stated gaining momentum in the presidential race that he wasn't really an American citizen. It has picked up steam lately with the video of a very angry woman at a press conference for a Congressman (look it up, I don't feel like finding it for you). TONS of people ("Birthers") believe that he isn't eligible to be president. If you're one of them, just let me say ...

SERIOUSLY? STOP IT.

If you claim to be a Christian and you insist on spreading what has been proven to be a lie as much as anything can be proven (of course, people see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe), you are breaking one of the commandments by bearing false witness against your neighbor.

Look, I'll be honest with you, I didn't vote for Obama and I don't agree with many to most of his policies (I am a generally conservative guy with many libertarian leanings). But just because my vote went for the person who lost doesn't mean I have the right to make stuff up and spread it around as if it were true. Don't be a sore loser. Don't spread nonsense and lies. We learned this in kindergarten and in Sunday School growing up.

Seriously, knock it off.

Vacation = Reading

2009-07-17T16:35:00.002-05:00

I've been on vacation this whole week in Georgia at my wife's family's house. This year we've done more but I still managed to read two books. The first was my old college classmate's book (Jared Wilson's "Your Jesus Is Too Safe.") I will be a part of the book's official blog tour over at The CCJ Blog in August so I will save a full review until then. I will just say that it is one of the best reads Ive had in a long time. The second book was Tony Morgan's "Killing Cockroaches." This was given to me by church staff. It was a very easy read (if I understand it, it is a compilation of blog posts.) It was entertaining but there's definitely a difference in the way he and I see things. In the spirit of the book, I will leave it at that.

What have you been reading?

Five for Friday

2009-07-10T20:35:00.003-05:00

1.) "It Was Jesus" by Johnny Cash. From the album "God" from the box set "Love, God, Murder." I put this one on the pre- and post-service playlist on the church iPod many months back and it has grown to the point that I think the majority of the congregation knows it (whether they know it or not). Classic Cash from back in the day. "Who was it everybody?"

2.) "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi. From the album "Crush." My friend Daniel Copeland described this song as 'The Backstreet Boys doing rock' back when it first came out in 1999 or 2000 (don't know why I remember that). It's a very catchy song but, honestly, if I never heard it again, I'd be kinda OK with that.

3.) "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" by Nelson. From the album "After The Rain." I've admitted it here before that Nelson is the reason I discovered I wanted to play guitar (because, like it or not, they WERE very cool in 1990 or so). Strip away who's singing it and all the cliches that go along with the era and judge it purely on the song writing and it's a pretty solid song.

4.) "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" by Travis Tritt. From the album "The Very Best of Travis Tritt." This FfF isn't gaining me any cool points is it? The one-not guitar solo was awesome when I was about 15 because, hey, I could play it.

5.) "Please Forgive Me" by Bryan Adams. From the album "Anthology." Again, no cool points this week but I will admit that I love this song. When my wife and I and our friend saw him solo/acoutsic he did this as a country ballad and it was not too bad, really.

I guess this rounds out a FfF of solid pop/rock song writing that some will sneer at but ... there's always next week.

RIP Steve McNair

2009-07-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

Former Titans QB, Steve McNair found shot to death.

Crazy. On all fronts.

Five For Friday (Happy Fourth!)

2009-07-04T10:07:00.003-05:00

1.) Jimi Hendrix: "Freedom"

2.) Shooter Jennings: "4th of July"

3.) Bon Jovi: "Bells of Freedom (Alternate Lyrics)"

4.) U2: "4th of July"

5.) P.O.D.: "Freedom Fighter"

Five For Friday (RIP MJ)

2009-06-26T13:29:00.003-05:00

If you are a music fan of any capacity, you understand the influence on pop culture and musical greatness of Michael Jackson. There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said or that wouldn't seem over the top or ... whatever. He was my generation's Elvis, pure and simple. Completely awesome and completely tragic all at once.

Music critic Rob Harvilla is quoted over at Idolator: “This is devastating in an unexpected and overwhelmingly surreal way. I’m also tremendously/overly conscious that at this exact moment thousands of writers/bloggers/pundits are simultaneously scrambling to wrap their heads around it and ‘cover’ it, to both publicly acknowledge this terrible fact for posterity and also add a bit of personal spin, What Michael Jackson Meant to Me. The next 24 hours media-wise are gonna be incredible. This is the (expletive) all-time black diamond of obits: How do you reconcile the unimpeachable genius of his artistic prime with the train-wreck horror of his public descent, especially given the fact that the former ended and the latter began at least two decades ago? Is there any doubt this tragedy will occasion Absolutely the Worst Jokes of All Time? Did you stop for 30 seconds and mull over exactly how to address this news on your Twitter?”

Exactly.

In the end Michael Jackson was just another man who had incredible talent only to (essentially) flush it down the toilet of self-absorption and self-worship. This is not uncommon for artists or, really for you and me if we're honest with ourselves. All I ever think about when I hear someone famous has died is 'It is appointed for man once to die and then comes the judgment.'

Not to be trite about it but Michael Jackson faced the same thing yesterday that all of us will one day face. The End. I pray he trusted Jesus before yesterday because Michael Jackson's fame no longer matters to him, I guarantee that.

Anyway, here's my Five for Friday with, naturally, only MJ songs (instead of a shuffle, I'll rank them by my favorites).

1.) "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" from the album "Thriller." I can't do anything but smile when I hear this song (especially the 'Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa, Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa')

2.) "Man in the Mirror" from the album "Bad." It's almost a cliche but it's so earnest and delivered with so much conviction that I still love it.

3.) "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" from the album "Off The Wall." Great dance song and similar for me to 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' in producing a smile almost every time I hear it.

4.) "Billie Jean" from the album "Thriller." What a hook-y bass line and some fantastic, funky and clean guitar work. Outstanding melody with the right amount of tension and moodiness. Almost a perfect pop song.

5.) "Thriller" from the album "Thriller." this has to be included for the simple reason that me and the girls spent all of last Halloween giving out candy while this song was on a loop and spending our spare time dancing in the living room to it. It also brings back fun memories of childhood for me.

Playing the Victim (Yes, Again)

2009-06-22T07:59:00.002-05:00

Sounds like columnist Leonard Pitts has been reading my blog.

;-)

Where I part company with John is on his contention that Letterman's joke belongs in a compendium that includes Jeremiah Wright complaining about ''them Jews'' and Tim Hardaway saying, ''I hate gay people.'' If conservatives were ever gassed or beaten because of what they are, I must have missed it.

But some conservatives admit to no such distinction. They see themselves not as adherents to a political ideology, but as a besieged minority, which speaks volumes about the deterioration of that ideology since the days of Ronald Reagan. I mean, I often disagreed with the 40th president, but at least I understood him, at least he articulated an intellectually coherent vision: small government, fiscal restraint, foreign-policy pragmatism.

By contrast modern conservatism is defined by an Alice-through-the-looking-glass incoherence: small government except when it is growing larger than ever, fiscal restraint except when we are spending like Michael Jackson in a Disney gift shop, foreign-policy pragmatism except when we are trying to transform the Middle East.

Indeed, sometimes it feels as if it is no longer defined by principles at all, nor by energy and ideas, but rather, by a limitless ability to feel put upon and slighted. To be a conservative these days is, or so they would have you believe, like being black in Birmingham in 1952. It is to be the victim of media, culture and law, which hate you just for being.

BTW, Leonard Pitts' columns also run in The Herald.

Five For Friday

2009-06-20T08:19:00.005-05:00

In case you don't know, it works like this:
(Idea stolen from Ick Music)
I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.

1.) "It's Only Love" by Bryan Adams (with Tina Turner). From the album "So Far, So Good." Meh. My wife loves Bryan Adams but I don't think this one is one of her favorites. Classic 80s production. Very shiny and slick. The lead guitar is really all over the place in this song.

2.) "The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Part 1" by Johnny Cash. From the album "Johnny Cash Sings The Ballads Of The True West." Cash was one of the few country artists to do concept albums back in the day. This one is him basically talking through a story while a quiet country shuffle lays down the background. Very Sons of the Pioneers-like. You never know what's gonna come up on a shuffle.

3.) "Saturn" by Skillet. From the album "Skillet." This is from Skillet's debut album (back before they had any kind of production budget and were just a straight-ahead rock band without any of the techno rock-leanings they would later display). I could take it or leave it.

4.) "Breathe" by Newsboys. From the album "Take Me To Your Leader." Must be the day to get songs from my wife's albums (this one is hers, I'm sure). A "swirling" song is the best way I can describe this.

5.) "In The Likeness Of You" by Petra. From the album "Unseen Power." YES! This album was my first entry into Christian rock back in the day. I was into Guns N' Roses and somebody (naturally) suggested I try Petra ... boy were they wrong. This album still brings back memories though. That being said, this song is (charitably) not very good.

POLITICS: Palin/Letterman II

2009-06-16T08:22:00.001-05:00

Looks the whole Sarah Palin/David Letterman dust-up may be over. Hopefully.

POLITICS: Sarah Palin (Playing the Victim)

2009-06-13T06:57:00.004-05:00

If you read my Facebook status on this subject, some of this will be a repeat. I wish I could be more eloquent and be better about getting my thoughts together but this is my blog so ...

Sarah Palin has recently lambasted David Letterman for making a crude, sexually-charged joke about her daughter, Willow (she's 14). Letterman said he was joking about Bristol, Palin's older daughter (the one who was pregnant during last year's campaign). This brings up a few disturbing trends to me (for the record, I am a conservative-leaning guy with many libertarian tendencies politically. I mainly seek to align my politics with my faith in Jesus - which means that most of the time, I am turned off by politicians.) What follows may be random at times.

-- It is completely obvious to me that Letterman was making a joke about the older daughter (the one Palin/McCain trotted out at the convention with her baby-daddy, Levi) and Letterman's joke writers just didn't check out the fact that the younger daughter was actually the one at the Yankees game he was joking about. Letterman said he didn't mean anything about the younger daughter. He apologized for the joke and invited Palin on his show. In my view, Palin is now being unreasonable (after first properly defending her family) and trying to score some "us vs. the elites" points. Palin's basically calling Letterman a dirty old pervert on national TV (see the 'Today' show interview with Matt Lauer). It's all just stupid IMO and she's obviously keeping it up to score political points. A mature person would let it go after someone apologizes to them.

-- (Side Tangent): "The Media:" Let's get rid of the notion that anyone, anywhere is objective. The media strives to be as objective as possible (in theory) but every single human being on the planet has a world view that he/she sees things through. If the media is liberal, it's because a majority (not all) of the people working in the media have that particular world view. Like I said, any world view will color how you report things. I'm sure there are elements of "the media" that actively seek to destroy people like Palin and promote people like Obama. However, there are just as many, if not more, reporters out there who are just trying to do their jobs and put food on the table no matter who's in office. Did many get caught up in the hype of Obama? Most certainly. And they should be called out for it. Let's be honest though for a moment. Fox News isn't any more 'Fair and Balanced' than the New York Times or CNN or MSNBC. People have a large tendency to want to have their views reinforced. That's why Rush Limbaugh is so popular. I remember many days feeling beaten up because I was one of not many conservatives at my workplace and I would listen to Rush just so I could hear someone who agrees with me (though I find myself not listening too much these days). Fox News is popular not because they are 'balanced,' but because they are a conservative news channel and people want their world view reinforced.

-- Sooner or later, conservatives have got to stop playing the victim and get ahead on their ideas, not on being hated by the "liberal elite media."

-- I didn't think or say that the joke was funny. It was, however, simply a joke (and not a call for statutory rape, as Palin says). Letterman apologized for it and invited her on his show. But, she'd rather continue her campaign in "the media" to blast him. It makes her look small and petty, IMO.

-- I applaud her for sticking up for her kids. Now, though, I think she is using her kids in a quest to keep her name out there ... Alaska is a long way from the mainland and press coverage isn't so easy to get up there.

-- I respect people that call it like they see it. Palin is a politician, though, and is using her image as a straight-shooter to get attention. There has to be a reason I wince whenever I see her interviewed on TV. It's not because I am uncomfortable with straight-shooters but it's because I think she's playing to an audience and propagating the "elites vs. regular Joes" mentality and using that to score political points. I listened to the VP debate on the radio coming back from my grandfather's funeral in October '08. Palin was a joke (so was Biden, really). She didn't answer many questions directly and spent much of her time spouting things (cough'maverick'cough) that weren't all that directly related to the question she was asked. Had she been a man, she would've been torn apart the next day, IMO. Palin gets a lot of credit for being "like us" and "the media" takes a lot of heat for stereotyping her as not that bright. My view is still that I know who I am and I know my intellectual capacity and I know I want someone much smarter than me to be running the country, not someone I want to hang out with on the weekend.

-- Playing the victim is something conservatives used to decry. Now, it's our calling-card. Present your ideas, don't apologize for them and be straight up about what you believe. Don't get upset when "the media" doesn't like it. Ideas, ideas, ideas. Seriously.

-- I did not vote for Obama and will not (assuming he still holds the same positions in 2012). However, the conservative movement is turning shrill and petty. If Palin is the future of the GOP, I want out (assuming she continues down this road).

-- The way so-called conservatives are acting during the Obama presidency was better the first time I saw it, when it was called Bill Clinton's presidency. (I'm not giving liberals a pass on anything, I'm just speaking about this topic right now). I like Palin as a personality and I think she would make a good mayor or representative even (probably a good TV personality, in all honesty). I just don't think she'd be a good president.

Five For Friday (Getting To Be A Habit)

2009-06-13T06:37:00.002-05:00

Fiver on Saturday ... yet again

1.) "Smile" by The Jayhawks. Got this from a compilation put together by a blogger (the long-since abandoned What Would Jesus Blog? blog). A very nice song I should listen to more often (that's what the Five for Friday is good for for me). The lush string section really takes this song to a new level with a nice nice minor key chorus that is sad and uplifting at the same time.

2.) "Flowers On The Wall (with The Statler Brothers)" by Johnny Cash. From the album "At Madison Square Garden." This isn't really Cash but just The Statler Brothers taking a solo turn at one of Cash's shows. I LOVE this song. It has to be one of my earliest musical memories (probably because of the 'Captain Kangaroo' reference).

3.) "Sorrow" by Pink Floyd. From the album "Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (Disc 1)." This sounds like what you would think a Pink Floyd song sounds like. Very reverb-y and ethereal. I can handle Floyd in medium-sized doses. Moderation is key.

4.) "Five Candles (You Were There)" by Jars of Clay. From the album "Much Afraid." Jars is a great album band (meaning they are a great band to sit down and listen to with headphones on, relaxing and thinking about what you are listening to. This was their sophomore album and easily, in my book, the weakest of their career. This was played endlessly on WAY-FM back when I delivered pizzas in college.

5.) "Say Say Say" by Michael Jackson. From the album "King of Pop (UK Version)." This is a duet with Paul McCartney. Blah. Michael Jackson is a freaky individual but he could write/sing a great pop song. This isn't one of them.

Five for Friday (1991)

2009-06-06T11:12:00.004-05:00

1991 was the year between junior high and high school for me. I don't know why I've thought of that today, but I have. So, in honor of that year, all of today's five will be from 1991 (according to my iTunes sorting)

1.) "I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome" by Marty Stuart. From the album "Tempted." I didn't get in to the country thing until probably a year or two later but I always like Marty Stuart.

2.) "Double Talkin' Jive" by Guns N' Roses. From the album "Use Your Illusion I." My mom took this tape away from me, I'm pretty sure. :-)

3.) "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" by Bryan Adams. From the album "Waking Up The Neighbors." Ah, yes. Bryan Adams and 1991 go together like peanut butter and jelly.

4.) "Why Go" by Pearl Jam. From the album "Ten." Beginning of teenage angst, very appropriate. Still a good song/album.

5.) "Diamonds And Pearls" by Prince. From the album "Diamonds And Pearls." KQ-105 in Paris played this one a bunch, I'm pretty sure.

Five For Friday (School's Out!)

2009-05-29T13:15:00.003-05:00

1.) "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. From the album "Greatest Hits I." Introduced to Queen through "Wayne's World" (who my age, WASN'T?) and still feel the urge to head bang when the song gets ramped up. Excellent.

2.) "The Square Dance" by Eminem. From the album "The Eminem Show." Eminem is small doses is fun sometimes (a guilty pleasure, b/c it's kinda vile). This song is kinda serious at times (Iraq, etc.) but then gets back to talking about what Eminem loves to talk about, himself.

3.) "Helpless" by Metallica. From the album "Garage Inc." Man, this is fast. This is one of the several songs on Metallica's covers album that I am ambivalent about. I don't always skip it, but do much of the time.

4.) "The Fightin' Side of Me" by Merle Haggard. From the album "40 #1 Hits." When they're runnin' down our country, man, they're walking on the fightin' side of me. Haggard can write a 'love it or leave it' song better than anyone. (BTW, I've gone from glam rock to rap to full-on metal to old school country today ... what could possibly be next).

5.) "Good Monsters" by Jars of Clay. From the album "Good Monsters." This is the best Jars album, IMO. this has a great, soaring, minor-key chorus (that's not easy to do, FYI). Lyrically, it's a challenge to believers to do something: If good won't show it's ugly face/Evil won't you take your place/Nothing ever changes/Nothing ever changes.../By itself.