tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37108892011-04-21T14:05:41.469-05:00Matt Crash!political. social. personal. football.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comBlogger5691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1161987798724365062006-10-27T16:55:00.000-05:002006-10-27T17:31:21.256-05:00It's a Friday afternoon, the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. I'm mentally exhausted from pounding away on a paper about Marx and Braudel, with a few revisions to go. I suppose now is as good a time as any to say this...I'm closing this blog down. It's been a nice run. I've been mentioned in a book (Hugh Hewitt's Blog), I've had a lot of hits (mostly during the 2004 election) and Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1160402654422901822006-10-09T08:58:00.000-05:002006-10-09T09:04:14.443-05:00iMonk at the BHT passed along this moving piece by Ben Witherington III concerning the Amish tragedy of last week. He has much good to say about the power of forgiveness and the need to turn the other cheek. But Dr. Witherington decides to also make an argument for pacifism, and I'm afraid he goes flat. In the comments, he speaks of diplomacy being the best option.Diplomacy with whom? The Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1160372444540014782006-10-09T00:40:00.000-05:002006-10-09T00:40:44.563-05:00A double espresso, please.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1159797845761288932006-10-02T09:02:00.000-05:002006-10-02T09:04:05.783-05:00Chuck Colson and friends have a wonderful new blog called the Point. Here's one fine post about the global AIDS crisis, and why it would be unwise for American Christians to throw their support behind any UN-led relief efforts.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1159760335394926052006-10-01T22:32:00.000-05:002006-10-01T22:38:55.416-05:00Three quick hits:1. I paid $1.99 for a gallon of gas today. Unreal. I haven't done that in over two years.2. I attended a wonderful service at an ECUSA church today. Clear Scriptural teaching, orthodoxy everywhere and the Gospel was clear. I understand now why so many are reluctant to leave the mainlines; there are families who've spent years in these churches. They're reluctant to turn itMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1159562687411756342006-09-29T15:42:00.000-05:002006-09-29T15:44:47.456-05:00I never thought I would be too busy to stop caring about politics, but apparently I am. We're just over a month away from a major midterm election and I'm pretty much apathetic about the whole affair. That may well change once I turn on NPR to hear references to Speaker Pelosi, but until then...wake me when it's over.This piece by the iMonk did manage to get my dander up. I'll try to talk Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1158722086964494682006-09-19T22:09:00.000-05:002006-09-19T22:14:47.026-05:00Al Mohler on the Benedict XVI and Islam issue.I agree with everything Mohler has to say, which is in short: "The Pope's right but the Church teaching on Islam is muddled and the papacy isn't biblical in the first place."The problem with Mohler's comments is that it takes him several paragraphs to get around to defending Ratzinger. He has to first explain why the papacy isn't Biblical and then Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1158675227499237572006-09-19T09:12:00.000-05:002006-09-19T09:13:47.516-05:00I promise promise promise that regular blogging shall soon commence. A few things, though. A weird football season thus far. Lost is back in two weeks. Nick Drake is still brilliant. What is it like to enjoy the fall without being alone? All is well, all is well.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1158075299593182132006-09-12T10:33:00.000-05:002006-09-12T10:34:59.603-05:00tuesday morning. it's finally raining after months of sun sun sun. this apartment gets terribly dark even in the middle of the day, and i love that.the paper is poor but finished. it's mozart in the morning and the velvet underground at noon. what will it be tonight? tom waits.the imonk says can the ski trip and send the money to india. i believe he's right.i got married and it's all kinds Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1157552643192347252006-09-06T09:22:00.000-05:002006-09-06T09:24:03.203-05:00I'll get back to regular blogging soon. I promise.In the meantime, here's a video of the Manning Family singing David Allen Coe at a Kentucky Derby gala.Awesome.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1155328992074597092006-08-11T15:42:00.000-05:002006-08-11T15:43:12.086-05:00I'm getting married tomorrow!Good googly woogly!Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1155097434978273342006-08-08T23:18:00.000-05:002006-08-08T23:23:54.990-05:00The wedding is almost here. I'm hoping that after the honeymoon and once school resumes, blogging will be more consistent.Billie Holiday never, ever gets old. Never ever ever.My grandmother and I spent a little time together. It's always fun because we're both sarcastic and silly. Granny, unlike me, is not much of a fan of the Paul Finebaum show. Now, I'm sympathetic to her view, as I Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1153701872868082492006-07-23T19:33:00.000-05:002006-07-23T19:44:33.990-05:00Lori and I were talking the other day, and it occurred to both of us that I have not bought a cd since sometime in March. That's close to five months; a terribly long time by my standards. My last purchase was Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, for what it's worth. A great album.At any rate, the biggest thing is that I haven't even noticed. I hardly feel like I'm missing out on Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1153570132452582652006-07-22T07:08:00.000-05:002006-07-22T07:08:52.463-05:00Victor Davis Hanson on the current Israeli conflict.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1153083776081969712006-07-16T15:59:00.000-05:002006-07-16T16:02:56.093-05:00I'm selling some of my stuff to make a little cash and clear out lots of space in my apartment. Pass this on to anyone who might be interested.Leave me a message here or email me at: matthew.stokes@ua.eduRecords:Avail - 4 AM Friday 12" Seven BucksTrue North - LP on Blue - Seven BucksThe Dedication - s/t 7" clear first pressing - 5 bucksSome Girls - The Rains 7" on marble swirl. first pressing - Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1152309487403971932006-07-07T16:56:00.000-05:002006-07-07T16:58:07.416-05:00I'm still alive.I wake up at five a.m. everyday and get real dirty at work.I still like Cave In. Lori and I listen to lots of Beth Orton nowadays.I have a great tan. I read some but not enough.I want some Indian food.The Braves still rule, and I have the best friends in the world.More later.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1150402236376407182006-06-15T15:10:00.000-05:002006-06-15T15:10:36.396-05:00Justin Taylor on a new SBC resolution. {HT: BHT)Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1149819985129237712006-06-08T21:20:00.000-05:002006-06-08T21:26:55.600-05:00I ran across this post concerning liturgy and the revolt against a personalized evangelicalism. The post was spawned by some comments made by Garrison Keillor, and his move towards Anglicanism. I found this portion of Alastair's post to be particularly meaningful."Modern hymns and choruses are another case in point. Whilst I have no objection to choruses and hymns in principle, I believe that Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1149731620217443462006-06-07T20:27:00.000-05:002006-06-07T20:56:24.523-05:00A few days ago, Dr. Albert Mohler reprinted this article December. Typical of much these sotrs of articles, Dr. Mohler rehashes another piece, this time an article by Warren St. John. St. John is something of a minor celebrity around here, having written the marvelous Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer. I had the pleasure of having with Warren about a year and a half ago.The gist of St. John's piece Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1149614377618987252006-06-06T11:44:00.000-05:002006-06-06T12:19:37.703-05:00Yesterday I ran across these photos by Jacob Holdt. The pictures are from the 1970s, depicting some terrible poverty. Some of them also feature nudity, though its more National Geographic than Playboy. Keep that in mind if you're scanning the pictures at work.The pictures are interesting as they demonstrate the absolute squalor in which many minorites lived during the 1970s. I have little Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1149611721099571182006-06-06T11:28:00.000-05:002006-06-06T11:35:21.110-05:00Today is the sixty-second anniversary of D-Day. I remain in awe of those young men - some six thousand or so - who never made it off the beaches of Normandy before their lives ended. I am in debt to those men who scaled the cliffs amid a flurry of Nazi gunfire. What bravery they knew! And there were others; the paratroopers of Operation Market Garden, for instance. So many of them were may Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1149528040038477072006-06-05T12:20:00.000-05:002006-06-05T12:20:40.060-05:00Wow, summer lethargy is here with a vengeance.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1147966667874834032006-05-18T10:36:00.000-05:002006-05-18T12:22:31.690-05:00This is terrible news, but I can't say I'm not altogether surprised.On a completely unrelated note, I'm excited to hear that the Braves might be able to get Dontrelle Willis. Not bad at all, particularly with the news that Tom Glavine might be heading home next season.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1147119726991533072006-05-08T15:20:00.000-05:002006-05-08T15:22:07.000-05:00There's not much like waking up on Sunday morning to hear an irate Mike Lupica on Sports Reporters, putting the screw to Barry Bonds. What a great sportswriter. Here's the article on Bonds.Marty, you should read him. regularly.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146892198300149702006-05-06T00:09:00.000-05:002006-05-06T00:09:58.310-05:00Powerful, powerful piece by Alan Jacobs.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146619127836865902006-05-02T20:17:00.000-05:002006-05-02T20:18:47.846-05:00The Feminization of the Church. This really is an urgent read.I don't share the emotions of this article all the time, but just everytime I hear a song about God wanting to be my lover. And I really do mean that in the kindest, most gracious way possible. But still...Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146155172303114282006-04-27T11:21:00.000-05:002006-04-27T11:26:12.316-05:00Jeffrey Overstreet has this to say about United 93:"I agree with Schwarzbaum. There is no "SHOULD" here. For some it will be rewarding. For others, it would only tear scabs off of wounds."Thank heavens we didn't have that pathetic attitude towards Pearl Harbor, or else we'd have lost that war. The notion that we must avoid this sort of thing is, dare I say, weak. I'll not see my children raisedMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146100713385058422006-04-26T19:34:00.000-05:002006-04-26T23:17:36.220-05:00Lately I've thought about O'Sullivan's First Law. This rule states that any organization that "all organizations that are not actually right wing will over time become left wing." John Leo talked about it here. Loosely translated, organizations that are not specifically dedicated to certain propositions usually drift towards liberalism. And by the phrase "certain propositions," I don't mean aMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146072504732458302006-04-26T12:20:00.000-05:002006-04-26T12:28:24.743-05:00A few monents of talk before diving into a manic revision of a research paper.I've made some stunning finds at used bookstores lately. I'm not talking about collector's stores. I'm talking about "friends of the library" sort of places where the books are only a dollar or two. And I've found very nice things; William F. Buckley first editions, cheap paperbacks by Dos Passos and Dostoyevsky. Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1146011436582274122006-04-25T19:26:00.000-05:002006-04-25T19:30:36.593-05:00Lately I've found a couple of articles online that debunk the notion that Martin Luther and the Wesleys used tavern songs as a basis for their hymns. Apparently it's all a myth.What a relief. I'm tired of hearing trite "worship" songs justified on the basis that heroes of the faith used similar formulas. I should memorize these arguments as a rebuttable the next time I hear a U2 ripoff Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1145904599433798162006-04-24T13:48:00.000-05:002006-04-24T13:49:59.443-05:00Perhaps it is the end of the semester, but I am suffering from a severe case of boredom. Politics is becoming increasingly dull, though I suppose I'll feel more fiesty when the elections roll around this fall. Right now I'd just like to take a walk and not worry about any of this madness.Maybe I'll post some links that I enjoy. I think I will. In a little while.All this NFL draft talk is Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1145377426215417172006-04-18T11:15:00.000-05:002006-04-18T11:23:46.226-05:00One quick post before I get to work.First, last night I dreamt that I ran into Newt Gingrich in the men's room.Second, a month or so back there was used book sale on campus. I'll tell you the books I purchased later, but in one book - a copy of William F. Buckley's Atlantic High, I believe - I found a postcard. It is bookmarked July 19, 1981. Almost twenty-five years ago. It reads:"J.,I'll Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1145290306851503882006-04-17T11:10:00.000-05:002006-04-17T11:11:46.863-05:00I'm thinking more and more about taking down most of this site, or at least making this site completely apolitical. Too many students and professors are being affected by their blogs, losing jobs and other positions. I'm not sure it's worth the risk.Maybe I'll stick to book reviews.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1145287288860980982006-04-17T10:18:00.000-05:002006-04-17T10:21:28.870-05:00A few quick notes.This past weekend was wonderful, a beautiful spring celebration at Eastertime. How thankful I am for the Cross that covers a multitude of sins. And for a family that loves me dearly.I am frantically working to finish a very long and important seminar paper. And in all honesty, I am thinking of little else this week. This collection of Bach cello suites is keeping me Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1145081367032263862006-04-15T01:09:00.000-05:002006-04-15T01:10:12.750-05:00For better or for worse...this is the music that has defined the last ten years of my life. Obviously it could be a longer list, but this is a start. Cheers.Create your own Music List @ HotFreeLayouts!Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1144887942731725022006-04-12T19:25:00.000-05:002006-04-12T19:25:42.743-05:00A reminder.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1144680799933145742006-04-10T09:52:00.000-05:002006-04-10T09:53:19.946-05:00Lord I'm tired. I was up late talking about bluegrass and theology with my fiance.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1144438800712841242006-04-07T14:38:00.000-05:002006-04-07T14:40:00.726-05:00When Don Miller and his pals like Lauren Winner endorsed a book by Barbara Ehrenreich, I wonder if they were also approving of nonsense like this.And just a reminder, this is not an attack on Miller's love for Jesus. Just Miller's politics. If he's going to put it out there, it deserves comment.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1144431424948247982006-04-07T12:36:00.000-05:002006-04-07T12:37:04.963-05:00The death of Maggie Dixon is just heartbreaking. Read this and this.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1144031941604981682006-04-02T21:38:00.000-05:002006-04-02T21:39:01.616-05:00The iMonk has a masterful piece about tongue piercing. Sort of.I wish more Christian leaders thought like this.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1143481188648937412006-03-27T11:37:00.000-06:002006-03-27T11:39:48.660-06:00When I hear Derek Webb and Don Miller talk about starting Christian peace studies, I can't help but wonder if they mean groups like the Christian Peacemaker Teams.This is a nice summary of the CPT's actions in recent weeks.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1143154942973624952006-03-23T17:01:00.000-06:002006-03-23T17:02:22.986-06:00Good news, indeed.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1143049455400196572006-03-22T11:38:00.000-06:002006-03-22T11:44:15.420-06:00I'm avoiding politics right now, mostly to help clear my mind while trying to write a paper about Confederate discontent aimed at General Braxton Bragg.I think I shall entitle the paper "To Live in Discontent."Nice, huh?Things are quiet lately. Lots of good talks with my fiance, about all sorts of matters. A clean apartment, allowing me to think just a bit better. Walks outside under train Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1142965192992202422006-03-21T12:18:00.000-06:002006-03-21T12:19:53.010-06:00Partially out of boredom and partially out of necessity, I'm really going to lay off the politics around here for the next month or so. School work is piling up, so I've not got the time to fuss of political nitpickings.Let me say this: Fugazi is still an amazing band.Maybe I'll do a top ten list later.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1142749424659187752006-03-19T00:22:00.000-06:002006-03-19T00:24:21.546-06:00Has anyone heard the new Neko Case record?Can someone recommend some good new hip-hop?And tough break for the Tide. Dick Enberg should retire.This young spots blogger will be very, very good before it's all said and done.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1142400383796486252006-03-14T23:25:00.000-06:002006-03-14T23:26:23.810-06:00Jollyblogger posts on American religion, with an interesting link to some thoughts on Brennan Manning. Worth reading, whether we agree or disagree.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1142390006057013692006-03-14T20:13:00.000-06:002006-03-14T20:33:26.076-06:00In the comments to a post at his Reformissionary site, Steve McCoy poses the following:"To be honest, I think one could simply know Christ crucified and in that knowledge sustain quite a critique of any political ideology. It sounds like you would disagree."Perhaps.I may in fact agree, if we mean that a believer could, with an understanding of the Gospel, critique human nature, understanding thatMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1142098212666180082006-03-11T11:25:00.000-06:002006-03-11T15:18:34.000-06:00In a post remembering the evangelical scholar Ronald Nash, Russell Moore says this:"The issue was lost at the point of whether God had spoken; indeed, whether he could speak. I think of this insight often when I see younger evangelicals, including some Southern Baptists, falling for the absurdly postmodern emo-liberalism of the "emerging church" wind of doctrine now sweeping through evangelical Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1141230014773285292006-03-01T10:19:00.000-06:002006-03-01T10:20:14.786-06:00Hugh Hewitt reminds me that Christopher Hitchens is still the best.I'll be in Nashville this weekend. Anyone know a good coffeeshop or lunch spot? Vegetarian-friendly, of course.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140818452960198852006-02-24T15:59:00.000-06:002006-02-24T16:01:06.026-06:00Finally got my copy of Rod Dreher's Crunchy Cons in the mail. I plan on reading it and perhaps commenting chapter by chapter in the coming week or so, as I can balance out my reading with my graduate work.A good weekend to all.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140490241708571392006-02-20T20:12:00.000-06:002006-02-20T22:20:47.776-06:00At his Reformissionary site, Steve McCoy points to this morning's piece by Dr. Al Mohler concerning a pro-choice outburst by Christian author Anne Lamott. You can read Mohler's piece here. Also read Amy Welborn's take on the subject. It was Wellborn that first drew my attention to this issue. I should mention that Amy Welborn is a fine whose blog is a must for all things Catholic. I suspect Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140454965813541722006-02-20T11:02:00.000-06:002006-02-20T11:02:45.813-06:00New post below. Check it out.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140111073902413152006-02-16T11:19:00.000-06:002006-02-16T11:31:13.916-06:00Jeffrey Overstreet points to this really great post about the problems with Contemporary Christian Music.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140110053101958972006-02-16T11:13:00.000-06:002006-02-16T11:14:13.113-06:00Lest you forget, this is the funniest thing ever.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140049897153249772006-02-15T18:08:00.000-06:002006-02-20T11:01:18.976-06:00Glenn Lucke points me to these points concerning the Chuck Colson praise and worship dust up. First, Zach at Finding Rhythm offers this post questioning Colson's authority. Rhett Smith responds.Let me address a few of Zach's points. First, Colson's past transgressions should have no bearing on his criticism of modern worship practices. None. Not a single, solitary bit. It is, at this point,Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140048297925594872006-02-15T18:01:00.000-06:002006-02-15T19:04:41.780-06:00I have a lot of mixed emotions about Pastor John Piper, though none of them are negative. With these comments about his cancer, however, Piper reminds us of some very deep and profound truths. They are as follows: 1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God. 2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift. 3. You will waste Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1140047802558146342006-02-15T17:52:00.000-06:002006-02-15T17:57:42.306-06:00Here's a few pictures. The first is the setup of the place where I proposed to my darling fiance. The second is of the two of us, post-proposal. Check out the rock on her finger. Too beautiful. Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139810544571533932006-02-12T23:53:00.000-06:002006-02-13T00:02:24.586-06:00Sounds like Chuck Colson has had it with much of what passes for "worship" in church these days. (HT: Glenn at CGO)So have some other people. See here, here and here.This is the most poignant part of Colson's rant:"This view was confirmed by a Christian homemaker during a TV special on evangelicalism. She is so busy, she explained, with her kids, Bible study, cooking, and all, that she does Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139534735687349172006-02-09T19:25:00.000-06:002006-02-09T19:25:35.706-06:00Hitch on the cartoon riots.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139504991182975692006-02-09T11:07:00.000-06:002006-02-09T11:09:51.196-06:00I had been looking forward to reading Jared Diamond's Collapse, but after reading this review, I'm not so sure.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139495270297223132006-02-09T08:26:00.000-06:002006-02-09T08:27:50.306-06:00There's a lot to be said about the Muslim protests in Denmark and elsewhere, but this is a good place to start. Read the first three of four paragraphs of this post at First Things.Troubling, to say the least.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139332759820731452006-02-07T10:54:00.000-06:002006-02-07T11:19:19.853-06:00So about this marriage deal. Well, let me say that Lori is just a terrific girl. Absolutely stunning, I must say. A beautiful woman and an amazing cook. She loves Jesus and she loves me. I am in good hands.In talking with a friend the other night, the comment was made that the friend did not appreciate movies with a redemptive story. Note that I am not talking about movies about salvation, Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1139074202331896032006-02-04T11:27:00.000-06:002006-02-04T11:30:02.343-06:00Well Lance and Sheryl may not be getting married (HT: Steve McCoy), but I am.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1138900081047379062006-02-02T11:07:00.000-06:002006-02-02T11:08:01.056-06:00Terribly important post by David Wayne. (HT: iMonk at BHT)Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1138769798725865112006-01-31T22:50:00.000-06:002006-01-31T23:13:33.963-06:00Ligon Duncan and Al Mohler have some marvelous words on reading.I have always loved books, and while I have a tendency to buy far more than I can read, I still love, and I mean love, to get lost in the bookstore, the library and my own collections. Reading has become a very serious joy for me. It is a joy I hope to pass on to my children and their progeny. It is a joy that I pray never Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1138728750130703362006-01-31T11:05:00.000-06:002006-01-31T11:38:02.400-06:00The Oscar nominations have been released. Let me say a few things.To begin, I have not seen any of the movies. I plan to see Capote sometime next month when it shows at a small art theatre here in Tuscaloosa. The others I have not seen, though I would like to see all of them. Having said that, in an information age such as ours, I believe there is enough available by way of criticisms and Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1138337615866970532006-01-26T22:51:00.000-06:002006-01-26T22:53:35.880-06:00It's getting cold again in Alabama. Not frigid upper-Midwest cold, but pretty doggone chilly. I shall enjoy it, but I believe I'm like every Southern boy. We spend the cold months after Christmas just waiting for spring.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1138154983552860742006-01-24T19:46:00.000-06:002006-01-24T20:14:28.370-06:00Here's some confessional blogging. I shall make a list.- I always find the period from the Super Bowl to the NCAA men's basketball tournament is really boring. Maybe this year I can find a way to remedy the boredom. I do have a seminar paper to write. That should do the trick. Either way, I miss football already and it's high time that baseball gets started. - Sometimes I find myself Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137634058246799572006-01-18T19:26:00.000-06:002006-01-18T19:27:38.260-06:00Interesting post about the prominence of Catholic thought, particularly as it relates to politics and social thought.Why is this? Is it something inherent to Catholicism, or are Protestants slowly overcoming their anti-intellectual roots? Will they eventually join the fray?Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137601806928917572006-01-18T10:29:00.000-06:002006-01-18T10:50:22.153-06:00Sigh.And this, too.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137436820883047282006-01-16T12:39:00.000-06:002006-01-16T12:40:20.896-06:00This is disturbing on so many different levels. Half these people would have difficulty affirming orthodoxy or at the least denouncing the health and wealth Gospel.Just sad.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137363527886243572006-01-15T16:17:00.000-06:002006-01-15T16:18:47.886-06:00More on the Denmark cartoon story. This Muslim thought is just absurd. Mocking someone else's religion may make you a jerk. In fact, it almost certainly does. Yet it does not and should not make you a criminal. If you think this does not matter, don't be surprised when the same thing happens here.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137363341184707862006-01-15T16:15:00.000-06:002006-01-15T16:19:48.230-06:00Joe Thorn has a nice post about George Barna's work.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137363201816588462006-01-15T15:34:00.000-06:002006-01-28T10:01:27.626-06:00After the West Virginia mining tragedy, Michael Spencer wrote a three part series on The Gospel for Appalachia. (Click here for part one, part two and part three) This is a very compelling read about the state of one of the nation's poorest regions, and Michael makes some strong suggestions about what Christians can do to help revive this region of the nation.Michael makes a lot of commentary Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137269294552751682006-01-14T14:06:00.000-06:002006-01-14T14:08:14.563-06:00If you're not worried about the influx of Muslim culture in the West (aside from the often delicious cuisine), then you should be.Free speech? What free speech?Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137253583883682442006-01-14T09:32:00.000-06:002006-01-31T08:07:36.856-06:00Powerful writing by Roger Kimball. A highlight:"Whatever the wisdom of the position in the abstract (and I have my doubts about it), the resurgence of international terrorism, fueled by hate and devoted to death, renders it otiose. Last summer’s bombings in London were, as these things go, relatively low in casualties. But they were high in indiscriminateness. The people on those buses and Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137201078267143482006-01-13T19:02:00.000-06:002006-01-13T19:11:18.283-06:00In case anyone has forgotten, there are still severe humanitarian issues around the world. I fear that believers in America get caught up in the very grave concerns of abortion and other domestic issues, forgetting that serious atrocities are taking place around the world. With this in mind, here are some helpful links to some important human rights causes.Freedom HouseSave Darfurhelp end Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137184354277927702006-01-13T14:32:00.000-06:002006-01-13T14:32:34.286-06:00This is why I drink strong coffee.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137179314395750172006-01-13T13:08:00.000-06:002006-01-13T13:08:34.396-06:00FYI, Junebug is the best movie I've seen in a long, long time.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137179287066434842006-01-13T13:07:00.000-06:002006-01-13T13:08:07.076-06:00When ol' Pat gets it right, he gets it right. (HT: Michael at the BHT)Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1137171714696415492006-01-13T11:00:00.000-06:002006-01-13T11:01:54.706-06:00I really couldn't have summed up this Mark Steyn piece any better myself. Note the comments about progressive evangelicals. Progressive often but not always being a fancy word for liberal.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1136922816988018562006-01-10T13:45:00.000-06:002006-01-10T13:53:37.000-06:00The other day I mentioned to Lori that, all in all, the sovereignty of God is something that I can grasp without too much difficulty. Remember that scene in Christmas Vacation were Chevy Chase says to Beverly D'Angelo, "how could things possibly be worse?"Yeah, I should have known better.Today was rather nice. I love cold weather, but this mild spell is pleasant enough. I had run a few errandsMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1136353975217200342006-01-03T23:46:00.000-06:002006-01-03T23:52:55.226-06:00Goodness. This Orange Bowl is some intense football. So here's some randomness.My girlfriend and I did some intense trail-running today. I am some kind of tired. My roommate and his girlfriend were on television yesterday, standing in their seats at the Cotton Bowl while waiting for the Crimson Tide to pull out an incredible victory.College football is the greatest game in the world. The Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1136044970076238232005-12-31T09:58:00.000-06:002005-12-31T10:02:50.090-06:00The iMonk points to more thoughts on Brokeback Mountain.Speaking of movies, I saw King Kong last night. I have some minor quibbles with the character development in the film, but overrall, the movie was simply spectacular. It reminded me of seeing Star Wars as a kid, Jurassic Park in junior high and then Lord of the Rings in high school. What a visually stunning film. I have yet to see the Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1136014493258807432005-12-31T01:34:00.000-06:002005-12-31T01:34:53.260-06:00Jeffrey Overstreet, a very fair Christian critic, pulls no punches with Brokeback Mountain.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1136013714160931262005-12-31T01:12:00.000-06:002005-12-31T01:28:53.556-06:00In two separate film-related conversations over the holidays, I was asked if I can ever enjoy a movie that is historically inaccurate. I said no, I could not. Not if a movie is attempting to present itself as factual. It's bad film-making and I can't excuse it under any circumstances. I got positive responses in both cases, but it is not always so.Truth in art is like a neighborhood. If youMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135964575975928682005-12-30T11:40:00.000-06:002005-12-30T11:42:55.986-06:00If Rod Dreher liked Brokeback Mountain, I have a hard believing that the movie is a propaganda piece. Perhaps the difficult thing for Christians in a case like this is to politely and thoughtfully engage the world. Difficult work, but necessary.I still wonder if Al Mohler has seen or will see the movie. I think I'll try to, but knowing Tuscaloosa, NetFlix might be a better solution.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135962278444552422005-12-30T10:48:00.000-06:002005-12-30T11:04:38.456-06:00Allow me a few words about Sufjan Stevens and why I find him to be so important. His most recent album, Illinoise, is NPR's favorite album. Paste Magazine cited the record as it's number one. Pitckfork Media, the biggest hipster site on the internet, again hands out top honor to Illinoise. Rolling Stone has the album placed in its top ten.Sufjan Stevens is an apologetic Christian. No Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135876360420796272005-12-29T11:09:00.000-06:002005-12-29T11:12:40.433-06:00I've been meaning to write something about my favorite album of the year, Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise. The album is tops at several important media outlets: NPR, Pitchfork Media and Paste Magazine. It made Rolling Stone's Top 10. After decades of artistic garbage being marketed under the label of "Christian music," I am immensely grateful that an artistic so prolific, so talented, so bold has Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135787263477224672005-12-28T10:21:00.000-06:002005-12-28T10:27:43.493-06:00Ever the pessimist, I have given up on the idea that this blog will ever become a popular spot on the internet. If I were to ever rise about one hundred readers per day, that would be an accomplishment. Ah, well. It's a difficult thing because my writing does not fall into a neat category. It's not just theology. It's not just politics or culture or sports. It just is. I feel rather Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135179101005340242005-12-21T09:29:00.000-06:002005-12-21T09:31:41.016-06:00David Klinghoffer has a really great piece this morning in NRO concerning the furor over Intelligent Design. It's not so much a defense of ID as it is a nice demonstration of the virulent atheism that pervades much of the anti-ID ranks. It's a point to which I often return. People can blather all they like about the freedom to believe both God and Darwin. I suppose one can do just as much, Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1135114265049437342005-12-20T15:22:00.000-06:002005-12-20T15:31:05.086-06:00Quick hits on a Tuesday afternoon.Al Mohler's take on Brokeback Mountain is just plain boring. Blah blah blah gay agenda Hollywood liberals...yawn. Is the good professor capable of reviewing this film without assuming that it's all a grand conspiracy to indoctrinate America? Has he even seen this film? Just a reminder for those of you who don't read this blog often, I'm not exactly on GLAAD'sMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1134970332434461772005-12-18T23:29:00.000-06:002005-12-18T23:32:12.446-06:00Goodness I'm tired.This is a good read. So is this.Well praise the Lord. (Seriously) The semester is over. I'm exhausted. Christmas is here. I'll post more tomorrow. Good night.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1134265547023680832005-12-10T19:39:00.000-06:002005-12-10T19:45:47.036-06:00Some of the more high-profile churches in America are cancelling Christmas services. I don't know what to say about this that hasn't already been said. There's seriously close to 2000 blog posts on the topic already on the internet.Try this post for starters. I'll grant a pass on this to those churches that have large Christmas Eve services, as part of a liturgical tradition or otherwise. AndMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133939624021441042005-12-07T01:04:00.000-06:002005-12-07T01:13:44.033-06:00Having just completed a delightful missive on the Jacksonian nature of the early Republican Party, let me take a brief study break. At around noon next Wednesday - that's December 14 - I'll be finished with my first semester of graduate school. If you listen close, you might be able to hear me shout Hallelujah. Once the holiday (wait, I mean Christmas) break is here, I plan on doing a few Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133737582991931432005-12-04T16:58:00.000-06:002005-12-04T17:53:04.436-06:00Lifestyle magazines speak often about the phenomen of holiday weight, wherein we are saddled with an extra ten pounds as a result of holiday events; Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, office parties, red and green M&Ms and the general sloth that accompanies extra time off work and school. I've noticed the problem is not quite so severe now that I am a vegetarian, but I have a new issue.Let us Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133309625457636932005-11-29T18:12:00.000-06:002005-11-29T18:13:45.470-06:00Our friend the iMonk has mentioned his affinity for the Chieftains. I must say that the Bells of Dublin may just be my favorite album of the season. I think the appeal of the record, aside from its Irish charm, is the communal nature of it. Yes, I know the record was recorded in a studio, and not at a Christmas party. Yet there is an obvious sense of authenticity in the many voices joining Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133282825102573552005-11-29T10:46:00.000-06:002005-11-29T10:47:05.113-06:00Amy Wellborn on abortion:A UK Times article about babies born alive after abortion attempts. The "problem" would be solved if practitioners would just inject potassium chloride in the babies' hearts, but they're reluctant to do that.Just remember, pro-choicers. Repeat after me. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133277465354659312005-11-29T09:09:00.000-06:002005-11-29T09:17:45.366-06:00A few weeks ago, Lori and I joined some friends in seeing Nickel Creek perform at the Alabama Theatre. The Alabama is a historic theatre in downtown Birmingham. It's a beautiful place; refurbished in the late 1990s and the sound is just fantastic. I noticed something while there, and it's had me thinking for a while. I was using the restroom. There was writing on the wall. Now this is Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710889.post-1133226628891587052005-11-28T19:01:00.000-06:002005-11-28T19:10:28.903-06:00Let me offer something of a follow up to my post on Derek Webb. I think I was somewhat unfair in my discussion, so met me say a few things.Let me first say that I feel, in retrospect, that my post was made in haste. It should have been fleshed out further with more links and quotes than I provided. I have noticed in Derek's interviews a theme of social justice. I certainly share his heart onMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002878713115429354noreply@blogger.com