I’ve never been a successful drummer, but I know that we all need that extreme, personality in every pretentious group. Please have a glass of water handy for the spit-takes that are sure to come in the videos below:
From the article: “Progress is something to be grateful for, to be sure. But let’s advance with a modicum of humility, understanding that all our progress will one day be viewed in hindsight as well.”
You’ve probably never heard this, but this past year was unprecedented…
Anyway, instead of the pleasantries and pontificating, let’s get on to what was interesting this past year.
Music
My two favorite albums this year were Wild, Free by Acceptance and What’s New, Tomboy? by Damien Jurado. Both albums show significant departure of style from previous works. I miss the power pop of Acceptance, and some of Jurado’s other albums had more singles that I loved. Nevertheless, I found myself listening to these over and over. There are a number of stand out tracks on each album. For Acceptance, “Cold Air” is an obvious single, but “Wildfires” is where its at for my money.
On the Jurado album, “Arthur Aware” is my favorite offering:
We’ve gone campin’!
I’m spending the week with my in-laws at my wife’s family’s cabin in northern MN. Every year in mid-July we get away to celebrate (my wife and son have birthdays, as well as our upcoming anniversary), play in the lake, and catch up with loved ones. We’re looking forward to some time away, praying for those we’re leaving behind, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
I’ve scheduled a few articles to publish while we’re gone, and will try to update as we have opportunity, so it won’t be completely quiet around here.
See you when we get back!
Trail/Driveway to my In-Laws’ House
I’m leaving on jet plane train with my family, my parents, and my sister’s family for a short week in the Windy City. One of our cousins will be getting married, we’ll do some tourism/sight-seeing, and hopefully have a very refreshing, relaxing time. If you’re looking for me, this is where I’ll be.
If you’re in Chicago, give a shout! I’d love to meet up.
UPDATE
We made it back! Here’s a great run down of our time in Chi-town.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was arrested and sentenced to execution by hanging for refusing to recant his Christian beliefs and apostatizing from Islam. After considerable international pressure (finally) began denouncing and condemning Iran’s actions, now the charges are being changed. “Iran said on Saturday that Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was sentenced to death for rape, not for the crime of abandoning Islam.”
“His crime is not, as some claim, converting others to Christianity,” Gholomali Rezvani, the Gilan province deputy governor, told Farsn news agency. “He is guilty of security-related crimes.” (source)
Of course, the only problem is the record of Pastor Youcef’s trial that doesn’t hint at any sexual crimes and explicitly mentions only the religious “crimes.” A December 2010 court ruling issued and signed by Supreme Court judges Morteza Fazel and Azizoallah Razaghi mentions the religious charges against Nadarkhani and nothing more.
“Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani, son of Byrom, 32 years old, married, born in Rasht in the state of Gilan, is convicted of turning his back on Islam, the greatest religion the prophesy of Mohammad at the age of 19,” the document states.
You can read the full release here.
Please continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I recently updated this site’s “about the author” page, and I found a lot of great insight and help from Michael Hyatt. From the structure to finding out what a colophon is, I learned a lot. If you’re thinking of redoing your “about” or “bio” page, Hyatt has some very intentional, clearly thought through suggestions for you to consider.
With the overwhelming influx of information available, discerning readers must become selective in what they give their time to read. Just in case you missed ’em, here are some links I found valuable, and hope you will also.
NYT: The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries
Being the husband of an amazing teacher, this issue strikes close to home. Why does the entertainment business (pro sports, musicians, Hollywood) command multi-billion dollar industries, but our most formative is nearly broke? I think R.C. Sproul once argued that educators’ compensation reveals a culture’s priorities.
Ligonier: What about “Church is boring?”
When we come into the presence of the Almighty, we come as embodied souls, and there is nothing boring about meeting with the Ancient of Days.
Michael Gerson critiques Ron Paul’s Libertarianism Continue reading
With the overwhelming influx of information available, discerning readers must become selective in what they give their time to read. Just in case you missed ’em, here are some links I found valuable, and hope you will also.
Resources for Holy WeekThe Week Before Christ DiedLigonier Ministries collates a large repository of resources for considering Christ’s active and passive obedience up to the cross. Audio, articles, a few videos, and resources from other well known pastors as well.
Sowell: Is Bullying for Real?
One of the clearer thinkers in America today examines what is happening in our schools, what we should think, and what may be done about it. For those of you who are teachers or witnesses to bullying (in person or cyber), how does Sowell’s conclusions sit with you? Is there accuracy? Continue reading
Unfortunately, due to some of the changes of the blog, we’re going to have to close the doors and shut down.
Continue reading
Brian J. Lund 