My Come To Jesus Meeting

I first learned that Jesus was coming to Lynchburg, VA in February while attending a Dunbar Middle School theatre performance of “Rally Round the Flag, Boys”.  The Dunbar program is the best in Virginia, has received national attention and even participated in international competition.  What makes it even more special is that Albert and Lori Carter, who head up the program, are dear friends from Liberty University ‘back in the day’.  The added connection is that our nephew attends Dunbar currently and our son will next year.  It’s a school that many students hope to be able to attend by acceptance via application, but we are fortunate enough to reside in the area zoned for Dunbar, so we’re in automatically and are looking forward to those years, the next five.   Seems like our eyes veered away from Jesus here for a moment, but the school's connection was important enough to lay as a foundation.  So now… back to the announcement of the coming of Jesus. 

Ted Neeley, who portrayed Jesus, both on Broadway’s version and in the film “Jesus Christ Superstar” would be gracing the local stage to kick off his tour with The Little Big Band, which was also in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the film’s release.  Making the night even more remarkable was that Ted himself wanted the tour-kick-off-event to happen in Lynchburg at Dunbar because of his close ties and friendship with Carl Anderson, who played the role of Judas opposite Neeley and grew up in Lynchburg, VA.  The very auditorium that Ted wanted to rehearse and perform on is named in tribute to Carl, the Carl Anderson Auditorium.

Growing up in a conservative Christian family and attending a conservative Christian school, I’ve got to be honest and say I’ve never seen the movie all the way through and was a bit self-conscious to have to admit that a couple nights ago to Ted when I met him since I never really took the time or had the opportunity to explain why.  Readers should know that it is on my list of things to do first chance I get.  I’m very relieved that it can be streamed on Netflix.   As I’ve matured in years and in the faith, I have come to realize it is important to make our own assessments and decisions and not automatically allow someone else’s to become ours.  To protest anything without knowing what we are protesting personally is not the wisest approach.  A blog I’ve recently found, authored locally last year, delves into that controversy over the film and theological matters much better than I can here, so I provide this link before I move on, http://www.theruthlessmonk.com/why-ill-spend-easter-watching-jesus-christ-superstar/.  Maybe Easter is when I’ll find myself watching it as well, but in a brand new light.

Ted and his band were in town the entire week and I was able to somewhat experience their local town discoveries, their new friendships and their rehearsals albeit vicariously through Facebook posts, photos, videos from my friend Lori.  Albert was there too, but it only takes one minute to realize he’s the more reserved one.   She can make anything or anything feel great about themselves and so loved.  In fact, if Albert hadn’t been by her side and part of the 2-member southern hospitality and visitation committee, I doubt he would have seen his wife at all until days after Neeley and band left town.  I’m convinced Lori denied herself of the right to sleep to complete her costume transformation into Miss Congeniality, Miss Hospitality, Miss Love and well, all around supportive, encouraging, scolding, rock and roll band mother.  I hope she can catch up soon and that Albert can get her back for himself … well, he, as well as the school full of kids they love so much!

Any reader who knows me already knows that I have an addictive passion for vinyl and the hunt to always add to my growing collection.  I have collected records since dorm days at Liberty (then Baptist College) University began 34 years ago… I have more records than I have space to display so they bleed over into boxes and other rooms but that doesn’t stop me!  Knowing however that Ted was in town, I knew I had a couple of records with his name on them… two copies of the “Jesus Christ Superstar” movie soundtrack, circa 1973 …one of which I had only owned for about a week, having located at the local Goodwill in anticipation of the concert event.  I contacted Lori about whether Ted would be available to sign them.  In more ways than one it can quite the disappointment to carry the extra luggage of vinyl to a concert, keep them safe at my seat, and then not have the opportunity to get the desired autograph.  I reached out to Lori because I needed to know it was worth the effort.  She contacted me immediately … during one of the band’s late rehearsals … and said she could do even better if I would contact her the next evening, and then took the phone up on stage for my own private listening party.

I got the call from Lori the next night at about 9p to inform me “we are leaving the school now”.  Laura, Lily and I arrived at the revealed location for the late dinner shortly before 10p.  After formal introductions, we launched immediately into a warm, open, give and take conversation with one of the most kind, caring, generous, thoughtful men I’ve ever met.  Ted invited us to join them for dinner and we talked about music, movies, pets, family, theater, regrets, living your dreams, and heard stories about the making of the film in 1972.  Ted was delighted to sign my albums and did so in a very personal way, thoughtfully crafting what he would say and whom he should address including Lily.  As he opened the vinyl fold and paged through the photo insert, he told us stories of his first trip to Israel, the challenge of being there to portray Jesus, how he met his wife on set, how they had to grow grass for one scene, chase off sheep for another, and credited Golda Meir for their ability to get out of the country safely.   More than once he mentioned how remarkable it was to be in Israel and be there to play Jesus, like he still couldn’t fathom it.  He said while there he was able to walk the Stations of the Cross.  We did not ask Ted for a photo together since it was quite late, the restaurant was cleaning up and closing and we knew Ted and band needed rest for the show the next night plus we needed to get Lily home for some rest with school the next day.  We knew we could get the photo opportunity after the show.  Ted hugged each of us, like he had known us much longer than simply the last 75 minutes.

Fast-forward to the concert… great time for all who were there, including Carl’s family.  For their sake and for the sake of the theatre program, I wish the place would have been packed out.  Ted and band, an incredibly gifted bunch of musicians who had only been together for two weeks and no one could tell, opened with the “Tommy” classic “Pinball Wizard” and rocked it!  Neeley played the original Tommy so he nailed it and kicked off the night perfectly.  One of many special moments happened when the middle school’s show choir accompanied a recording of Carl singing “God’s Gift to the World”.   They later returned to join Ted and band with “Let the SunShine In” from Hair and remained up front for the closing Beatles medley … a night these young actors, singers and dreamers will never forget.  Ted and band performed nearly every song from his new CD, of which a shipment had just arrived that afternoon, so it was being sold for the first time.  Ted also played a clip of Carl Anderson performing “Superstar” on The Tonight Show many years ago.  This was so poignant as Carl had returned to the very stage on which he started.   Not every eye remained dry, I’m sure.  For those who do not know, Carl passed away in 2004 after a battle with leukemia.   After that video played, Ted performed “Gethsemane” from JC Superstar.  It was chilling to hear as Ted, now 68, still nailed those high notes, but more importantly how he performed in character, dropping to his knees and looking heavenward as the song reached its emotional end filled with surrender and energy spent.  Ted sprinkled acting and audition stories between songs and, other than when the band members were rocking the tunes so flawlessly, even with a broken string during “White Buffalo”, it felt more like Ted was sitting with you in your living room as a friend than a performer of Broadway, film and stage for the last 40 years.  Even his comments like “be patient with us”, and “I hope we get it right” could not distract from the cohesiveness the band displayed.  Ted is clearly still learning some of the new songs and hopefully as he becomes more comfortable with them, can step away from his notebook of lyrics so he can even better connect and showcase the new material, but his humility shined through.

After the show Ted held a meet and greet in the hallway outside the auditorium.  There were probably 25-30 people who waited in line with the last autographed signed 3 hours later, at 1:30am.  Ted clearly is energized by meeting people and would take personal time with each one.  Ted, of course, appreciated that we came back to the show, and were willing to wait to greet him again, seemed genuinely happy to see us, appreciating our feedback and praise for his performance and the band’s expertise.  He took time to sign our CD and poster and pose for a few photos.  Lily had fallen asleep while waiting and he wanted us to tell her he was sorry it took so long and that he missed seeing her.

As we waited … and waited … to see Jesus, we wondered what it would have been like to be waiting with the large crowds to see the real Jesus a little over 2,000 years ago.  Would we have waited, or would we have grown tired and walked away prematurely?  Maybe we would have been a skeptic, perhaps one of the religious zealots?  If we were in the line waiting to meet the Messiah, when would the wait have become too long?  Would we have been selfish, impatient, pushed to the front or just been content to wait our turn?  Would we have even slightly realized the historical impact of this moment, this man?  Actually, I feel the answer lies in how much faith we would have had that Jesus possessed exactly what we needed, and that He was willing to give it to us upon our first meeting.  How badly would we want it?  Today, are we willing to wait?  Do we sacrifice time in order to meet with Him?  Convicting questions for myself, and I expect, for you the reader.  One lady in the Bible didn’t even need to meet Him personally; she just wanted to touch His clothing, which takes pressure off about what to say once you do meet face to face.  The great thing about having met the other Jesus – Ted Neeley – is the believability and confirmation in my heart, that Jesus receives us in a similar way, with arms open.   I did meet the real Jesus in 1976 and have tried to follow Him for these 37 years since, but as a visually influenced person, this weekend was as close to an epiphany as it gets, and it has a lot to do with branding of sorts.  If Ted Neeley had played Jesus on stage and film but had turned out to be rude, arrogant, apathetic, and ungrateful, it could taint the name of Jesus to a searching soul who may doubt His claims.  Now, I know that my God and my Jesus are big enough to take care of themselves and rise above that, but the opposite is also true.   Ted Neeley showed love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, generosity … and though I didn’t have enough time or opportunity to speak with him about deeper spiritual things and find out what he thinks about the real Jesus and whether he has met Him, those attributes Neeley genuinely displays are without question, according to Paul in the scriptures, fruits of the Spirit. 

Meeting Ted this weekend, gave a face to Jesus and not in a sacrilegious way but in a relational way.   You see, Jesus really did come to Lynchburg this week, Jesus really did spend time with us, and Jesus did love on us, showing us that each has worth and should aspire towards what He has placed in our hearts as our purpose and calling … and He did this through Ted Neeley, His wonderfully made creation and gift. 

Real People in Black Robes

A book about the highest court of the land, written by the long-tenured first woman to serve, may sound a bit clinical, stodgy and reminiscent of a history textbook but is anything but.  Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court is a delightful, fun, and very informatively entertaining read in both content and style.   Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has organized a collection of captivating stories about "real people, with real emotions, real foibles, and a very real - if sometimes conflicting - commitment to doing what is right."  She may have been the first woman on the court, but she delves into many other Supreme Court firsts as well as discussing the most iconic justices, the history of how the court began, how it moved between several locations until its current home in its own building, and even how circuit riding greatly tired out early justices as they served their jurisdictions.  Did you know the nation's highest court has a court above them?  A basketball court.  "Serious and stressful though the job can be, it has always been important to the Justices that the law clerks enjoy a social and collegial environment" like letting loose at weekly basketball games.  Mainly used for the clerks, there have been a couple justices who have played the game upstairs themselves.  One justice on the court was a former NFL rookie star leading the league in rushing, another played semi-professional baseball and beyond athleticism, many have an incredible sense of humor largely unknown by the public.  O'Connor believes this comic relief is "a valuable commodity in any occupation, and it certainly is appreciated in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court of the United States."  Did you know that a former President served as Chief Justice - the only one to do so?  William Howard Taft was both the 27th President of the United Sates and the 10th Chief Justice of the United States.  So, that’s enough for the spoilers.  O'Connor's book will help you appreciate the history and the current role of the highest court as well the passion with which these men and women now serve, while at the same time making them human beings with quirks and personalities just like the reader.  O'Connor closes her work by including in entirety the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, which she also carries with her always.  It’s a great reminder of how we can agree to disagree in America, while all trying to do the right thing, and a reminder of why we do what we do and how blessed we are to be an American.

Little-g gods and the big-g God

Our gods (little g) are not little cows made of gold, but they are just as strange… sometimes they can fit in the palm of our hand and have touch screens, sometimes they are rectangular and green, sometimes they can be the very things that are supposed to be good for us in religion and family.   Elizabeth Scalia authors a regularly updated blog at www.patheos.com and has written this book Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life.  The front cover will catch your attention immediately as a church’s stained glass window is created by very recognizable app icons … point is, you may indeed identify what could be your strange god before even cracking the book open.   She writes “Idols are not like opinions or even convictions.  They don’t ask for consensus or even strong advocacy – they demand worshipers.”  This book is not written in a preach-in- your-face style, as Scalia realizes we all struggle with gods that end up taking the place of the one true God and writes from a place of personal experience.   She covers just a few of the gods we’ve made … Idols of I, the Idea, Prosperity, Technology, Coolness and Sex, Plans, Super Idols and more.   Recognizing her own frailty in this area, she admits the chapter on the idol of technology was inspired by her own awareness that she had put the “very strange god of Internet infotainment before God Almighty – and too often before my God-given family or commitments” succumbing to the distracting and destructive power of seeing her own ideas looking right back at her. Scalia’s purpose in this work is that we are able to identify our idols for what they are, and begin to remove them “from the high places we have allowed them to be enshrined – before our eyes, in our hearts, between each other, and between God and us.”  We need to understand that the roots of all sin, including idolatry are “seeded within the mind”.  If Scalia is successful with this easily read, but not necessarily easy to read book, then the reader will be left with the challenge to identify their own strange gods and launching a mission to destroy them and instead exalt God (big G). 

Understanding Israel's Place in Prophecy - the Seed Promise

Even if you know nothing about Bible prophecies for the last days or how from the start God chose a specific nation to be His special people, you've heard much political attention given to Israel.  In his book, Rabbi Jonathan Bernis would argue this is because Israel has been and will be important in practically all events that fall on history's timeline from Genesis through Revelation.  Bernis, a Jew who has come to accept the Jesus of Nazareth as the Jewish Messiah, contends that everything about Israel's part in biblical events is traced back to Genesis 3:15, the Seed Promise.   In that verse, "God decreed the seed of the woman would ultimately crush Satan's head and bring about his destruction".  That promise depended on Abraham's seed, the line through which the Redeemer would eventually appear.  Satan's mission was to stop it before it happened.   Bernis believes that Satan's number one priority is to destroy that seed, even to this day and this is the basis and rationale of all anti-Semitism.   In the book, he explains why this promise is yet to be fully fulfilled.  He believes that Calvary was a "down payment", the "first installment" since the domain of Satan has not yet been brought to completion.  The promise will ultimately be fulfilled when Jesus returns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in victory.  This two-part fulfillment is why Satan has worked so hard to destroy the Jewish people, even at times in the name of Christianity.   Bernis goes into detail, outlining specific prophecies and what is happening in Israel today that convinces him the end days are at hand as he sees these in fulfillment.  He spends the latter sections of the book encouraging the reader to reach out to their Jewish friends.  To do so, we must love them and make them jealous of the goodness of our God through our lives and personal stories.   If you understand the verse about blessings coming to those who bless Israel and curses to those who curse Israel, then it is easy to grasp how we should treat our Jewish friends with kindness and a love for them that cares about where they will spend eternity.  We will also want to pray for the nation and its people.  Bernis shares how we can do that.   Knowing that the people of Israel are not loved by God any more than you or I are but are uniquely special to Him, you'll want to learn more about their struggle, their pain, their abuse in history, and their place in prophecy.  I highly recommend this book for that reason alone.   The book was released on Jan 15, 2013 but my copy was a free advance courtesy of the publisher for review through www.netgalley.com.

A Case for the Truth (a book review)

As a fan of television shows such as Bones, Cold Case and CSI I was quickly drawn in by the title of J. Warner Wallace’s new book "Cold-Case Christianity" and was certainly not disappointed.   Years from now, I expect this book to be referred to with the likes of Josh McDowell’s “Evidence That Demands A Verdict”, Francis Shaeffer’s ”The God who is There” or C.S. Lewis’s “Mere Christianity”.

Wallace’s journey parallels Lewis’s in that he was once an avowed atheist arguing against the existence of the God they both would come to believe in and defend.  What makes Wallace’s perspective unique is his profession as detective, investigating cold cases and his experience in the courtroom.

Early in the book Wallace writes “even before examining the Gospels with the rigor we are going to apply…I recognized that they were consistent with what I would expect to see, given my experience as a detective.”  Wallace uses his investigative and courtroom experiences as examples and analogies in his arguments in defense of the authenticity of the Bible.  He counters opposing claims to biblical errors by citing historical (non-Christian) writers of the day, archeological finds and addresses the courtroom parallel of chain of custody and circumstantial evidence as convincing perspective.

About the claim from skeptics that the Gospels were written after the life of Christ as part of a conspiracy,  Wallace says the best way to counter this is to retrace the chain of custody to look for a mishandling of the evidence from point of ‘crime scene’ to first appearance in the ‘courtroom’.  After much meticulous detail, he could find none. 

Wallace contends that just as a defendant should be considered innocent until proven guilty, skeptics get it wrong when they claim that the burden for the proof of the Christian worldview belongs to Christians, adding that naturalism is the default position that need not be proved.   Wallace believes that if a declaration is being made which cannot be supported by evidence, it is only an attempt to destroy or distract, which if those same tactics used to try to disqualify the Gospels were used on other writings they would also disqualify non-biblical historical texts. 

After a fascinating read, Wallace’s passion which led him to write the book is clear.  His hope is that his skeptical friends would lay aside presuppositions long enough to consider the possibility of a substantive circumstantial case supporting the reliability of the gospel writers.  He also hopes that Christians will be more ready and able to make “a case for the truth.”  ...and that, I am.

Yep, that's me ... with the opportunity to speak at the local Weight Watchers and share my journey of losing 50 pounds.

Why I will not eat at Chick-Fil-A today!

You don’t like them?  You obviously don’t know me very well.  I’ve posted about my visits in the past… and not a week goes by that I don’t go there at least once, maybe twice … even while on weight watchers.

That’s right! You’re trying to lose weight so you can’t?  Wrong again.  I’ve made my weekly visits (or more) while losing over 40 pounds.  Sometimes I’m forced to select the grilled option or omit the waffle fries though, and always get a calorie-free drink, but I still enjoy the chicken.

You don’t like chicken?   What? Are you paying attention or just skimming through until you see the key word gay?  I love chicken.  It’s my leaner protein meat of choice, and the reason I give myself the right to get the breaded over the grilled is … is there really a need to answer that?  It just tastes so great that grilled is like cardboard in comparison!

I know, you just don’t like their business practices or the company themselves?  You would be completely in error my friends.  I am fascinated by the success of a business with a limited menu, a shorter work week, and so much consistency in management and customer service that I know I will always be greeted with a smile and a genuine “my pleasure”.  I’ve attended several John Maxwell led Chick-Fil-A leadercast seminars just to try to learn how to be a better manager myself.

Obviously then, in light of all of the recent hype and publicity, you must be gay!  Really?  I am happily heterosexual, married to one woman for one lifetime, celebrating 27 ½ years together as of next Thursday, August 9.

Ah, should have realized, there are no restaurants near you then!  Actually, there are three.

Friends, while I am a Christian, and believe, along with Dan Cathy that God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman, and value freedom of speech, I know that we are each on our own journey with God.  I have more friends today who are self-proclaimed homosexuals than ever before in my life.  When God started bringing these friends into my life years ago, it rocked my theological world a bit.  I found myself in discussions with some of them trying to change them.  I ultimately realized I personally had enough things needing changing in my own life that I needed to just love them and accept them and let any changing I felt God required up to God Himself.  It wasn’t my job.  I only needed to focus on myself.  These friends are very kind to me and accept me for who I am – heterosexual white male Christian and all hopefully because they see my heart first.   

Because almost all of my gay friends say they are followers of Jesus, I refer to the writings of Paul in Romans 15 which reminds me:

⁵ May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. ⁶ Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ⁷ Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

While Jesus Himself never spoke about homosexuality, plenty of times He spoke of love and even proclaimed the greatest commandments of all to involve love…love for God Himself, and love for our neighbors equal to how we love ourselves.

So while it is important to thank a business whose CEO has convictions he is not ashamed of, and important that in America we have freedom to do or to not do business with any business we choose for whatever reason we choose, it is also not a war of us versus them, especially when some of them are some of us.  Love over-rides our differences because Christ died for all ….   I respect those who took part in the appreciation day because I’m sure their intent was good at heart.  I have many friends in that group as well … in number, probably more.  I just hope we can look at our motivations and how we treat people differently than knee jerk reactions from both sides have done.

While I may not always agree with statements or positions of the CEO of my own employer, he should still have the freedom to speak and to act.  I’m sure I frequent companies whose ideals I may disagree with … maybe they aren’t brave enough to admit their philosophical convictions for fear of losing customers.   So, I will be thanking Dan Cathy in writing with a copy of this blog instead of with my dollars today.  My sandwich can wait -- it is not as important as declaring how much I value all of my friendships.  These relationships are the vehicles that God uses to allow us to speak into the lives of each other and how He can change the things that need changed – which ironically may or may not be what we actually think needs changed in our friend.  That’s why He is God and we are not.

One other point I hope that my gay friends will acknowledge...  Of the hundreds (at least) of times that I have walked into a Chick-Fil-A, or passed through their drive-through, I have never been asked about my sexual orientation, never refused service, never received a smile only if I was with my wife and kids, never asked if I was a Christian … but always treated kindly and respectfully, and my money and presence was valued exactly the same as the customer both in front of and behind me because yes… there is always a line … much longer today I’m sure, just one other reason I won’t be eating there.  They’ll be fine.  And so will my friends…

2011: For the Record

As this year is ticking quickly to a close, I felt it was time for me to put in my 2-cents about the music of 2011. I’ve seen many other best of lists, and wanted to throw my voice into the ring as well.

Anyone who knows me personally from time spent working together during my broadcasting career, or who serves side-by-side with me on the church worship team, or only knows me casually through Facebook posts, will know that I love music… but beyond that, I love to discover new music and introduce others to it. It’s like a second language for me. I monitor new releases every single Tuesday and utilize www.spinner.com and Spotify to listen before I buy in my search of treasured projects. I love to be part of the smaller market share, on the cutting edge … U2 was my favorite college band while that’s all they were, four young college-age kids from Dublin with a couple of records out that had some great spiritual lyrics. I’m actually often saddened and ready to move on if and when my discovered artist wins the favor of the populace … not because I enjoy them less, but because I fear they will no longer be true to themselves enough to remain special and original and will instead make music that they’re told will sell to the masses. U2 has been the one exception. While the band has evolved and gone through musical seasons of style, this year they hold claim as the biggest touring success of 2011, and yes, I still follow them whole-heartedly as my favorite artist of all time.

Another artist whom I discovered two years ago when she was 19 and chasing pavements, added millions of fans this year with her release of 21. Adele’s 21 has become the biggest selling album of the last seven years and has enjoyed 43 straight weeks in the top five of the Billboard 200, setting a record for most weeks in the top five in the chart's 55-year history. Adele has a charm that’s undeniable; she offers no pretenses, other then displaying some occasional insecurity in her vulnerability to sing about her failed relationships at such a young age. That, I believe is why people love her so much. While this ability to relate gains the staying power of her fans, their original interest is in her voice, which alone is the instrument and in need of nothing else to make her music memorable. There was really nothing else like it on the radio in 2011. To make that case, "Someone Like You" is the first piano-and-vocal-only ballad to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Adele has nearly single-handedly turned around the music industry after 2010 saw album sales fall 13%, while sales averaged an 8% drop every year in the 2000s. In 2011, the industry experienced a 1% increase in album sales and more than a 3% increase in overall music sales. Michael Buble's holiday album sold almost two million records in the last several weeks to become the second biggest album of 2011 while Lady Gaga is expected to end up with the third highest seller. Gaga has only sold half of Adele’s sales even with the suspected inflation of sales during her album’s first week when Amazon sold digital copies for 99-cents.

So how does this have anything to do with my personal best of list? It lends clarification to why I have the top-selling record of the year, a popular artist and project, as my top record of the year as well. Otherwise, my selected Top 20 for 2011 list shares only 5 other records that generated enough sales to chart in Billboard’s Top 200 … and only 1 of those was in the top 100 (sales rank appears in parenthesis).

I won’t speak of each one individually, but having always felt that Charlie Peacock was underappreciated as a musical genius, I am very pleased that he garnered success with The Civil Wars. While Barton Hollow may not have charted high in sales, Jill Williams and John Paul White have gained tremendous attention and are ending up on many end-of-year best of lists. I find it ironic and disappointing that Charlie was not able to enjoy this success as producer within the Christian music industry. Congratulations to Charlie for his new success. Hopefully, he will experience even more.

My first 7 albums were extremely difficult to rank as all are amazing projects and deserve your ear. I would love to hear your thoughts, your disagreements, and your feedback on which of your favorite projects should have appeared on my list.

I can’t wait to discover even more great music in 2012!! Anyone care to join me?

1 Adele/21 (1)

2 The Civil Wars/Barton Hollow (153)

3 Gungor/Ghosts Upon The Earth

4 Fleet Foxes/Helplessness Blues (123)

5 Tedeschi Trucks Band/Revelator

6 The Black Keys/El Camino

7 Over The Rhine/The Long Surrender

8 Iron & Wine/Kiss Each Other Clean

9 Florence + The Machine/Ceremonials

10 Robbie Robertson/How To Become Clairvoyant

11 Coldplay/Mylo Xyloto (35)

12 Bon Iver/Bon Iver (100)

13 Death Cab For Cutie/Codes And Keys (143)

14 My Morning Jacket/Circuital

15 Steve Earle/I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive

16 Eisley/The Valley

17 Jamie Grace/One Song At A Time

18 Ben Harper/Give Till It's Gone

19 Bruce Cockburn/Small Source Of Comfort

20 Amos Lee/Mission Bell

(Honorable mention: Peter Bjorn and John/Gimme Some; Edwin McCain/Mercy Bound; Tom Waits/Bad As Me; Needtobreathe/The Reckoning; Ben Harper/Give Till It’s Gone; Owl City/All Things Bright and Beautiful; Cake/Showroom of Compassion; Eddie Vedder//Ukulele Songs; Gregg Allman/Low Country Blues; Sam Phillips/Long Play project)

References:

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/retail/21-by-the-numbers-billboard-breaks-down-1005645152.story

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/100397/happy-old-year-record-sales-increase-in-2011

Culturally relevant thinking points

"Culture Shift" is a collection of essay-type chapters taken in part from the author's blog and adapted for this book, filled with talking points, or perhaps what are more accurately described as thinking points. In his first book, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, covers topics ranging from abortion to natural disasters to the role of the Supreme Court to dishonesty to popular entertainment to political shifts to racism ... and a few things in-between.

In his introduction Mohler states, "We must first understand our culture and its challenges because we are to be faithful followers of Christ and faithful witnesses to the gospel. We are called to faithfulness, and faithfulness requires that we be ready to think as Christians when confronted with the crucial issues of the day. This is all rooted in our love of God." A better understanding of the culture in which we live makes us more relevant with our message and the methods of communication we employ as believers. It's best to take these topics one at a time and think through their implications upon people of faith.

A highlight of the book is the chapter where Mohlers offers five theses for understanding the relationship between Christian morality and public law! They are:

1) A liberal democracy must allow all participants in the debate to speak and argue from whatever worldviews or convictions they possess.
2) Citizens participating in public debate over law and public policy should declare the convictional basis for their arguments.
3) A liberal democracy must accept limits on secular discourse even as it recognizes limits on religious discourse.
4) A liberal democracy must acknowledge the commingling (mixing together) of religious and secular arguments, religious and secular motivations, and religious and secular outcomes.
5) A liberal democracy must acknowledge and respect the rights of all citizens, including its self-consciously religious citizens.

Another highlight is the chapter on the age of dishonesty, discussing the cultural acceptability of lying by renaming it as misspeak or exaggeration. How the culture has shifted!

Be informed, become more relevant and stretch your thinking with this very important work.

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.

A Destiny Unto Death; Martyr By Grace

The title says it all, "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy." What other character in history do you know that was all of these? You'll be hard-pressed I'm sure, if you can think even of one.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" is a thorough and detailed glimpse into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's childhood, relationships, theology and ultimate destiny as an executed martyr of The Third Reich.

"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" is extremely well documented with letters and writings by himself and others. Many of these letters are while he was in prison between himself and his fiancée Maria von Wedemeyer. Unfortunately the two would never be together again outside of prison and never see their dreams fulfilled for a life together.

Through author Eric Metaxas's biography, we learn how Bonhoeffer felt spiritually justified in his participation as a double-agent and key contributor in the strategies to kill Hitler. It was Hitler himself, who just weeks before his own suicide, ordered the execution of Bonhoeffer.

This biography allows readers a complete look into Bonhoeffer's life from the days before his birth all the way through complete words delivered in sermon at his memorial service.

Ultimately we come away with a view of this man, who died at only 39 years of age, as one who knew God's calling on his life and allowed himself to be used knowing the potential risk and ultimate cost.

The doctor present at his death said this: Through the half-open door in one room of the huts I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.

"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" was recently named "Book of the Year" by the ECPA, won the 2011 John C. Pollock Award for Biography awarded by Beeson Divinity School and a 2011 Christopher Award in the Non-fiction category. It is certainly not a read to be accomplished in a few sittings, but is so full of historical documentation and writings that it is certainly a worthy read and guaranteed that you will learn something new about Bonhoeffer, Hitler or both ... likely the latter.

Mother and son ... both back home.

This book’s biggest impact, other than the actual story, is the format that alternates chronologically-written brief chapters by Christopher Yuan and his mother Angela Yuan. Really, it tells two stories of God’s redemption as the book begins with Christopher revealing his homosexuality to his family which brought his mother Angela to such desperation she decided upon suicide. The writings reveal the “divine” happenings along the way God used to reconcile the family to each other and to Himself, as well as the mother’s heartbreaks as her son’s path led to criminal activity with drugs and imprisonment. So gripping is the mother’s tough love, that she was willing to accept anything it would take to bring her son back to her and to her God … and she prayed daily for it to happen. In the end, jail may have saved Christopher’s life. Angela prayed: “I’ll stand in the gap for Christopher. I’ll stand until the victory is won, until Christopher’s heart changes. I’ll stand in the gap every day, and there I will fervently pray.” Ultimately, her heart changed too and she learned to love her son for who he was, even without evidence of any change that she hoped for.

Homosexuality used to be just a word to me, a term that I knew dogmatically what I believed… but slowly God started bringing people into my life that put many faces on the word. Some of those friends may be reading this. This is not the forum to debate – even discuss - what I interpret God to say about homosexuality and what He has shown me through these friends, any more than it is the place to talk about things in my life those friends may differ on. I do want to share here the conclusion that Yuan arrived at. In the chapter “Holy Sexuality”, Yuan writes: “As I continued to read the Bible, I realized that my identity shouldn’t be defined by my sexuality. Paul said in Acts 17:28, ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ Christ should be everything – my all in all. My sexual orientation didn’t have to be the core of who I was…My identity was not “gay” or “homosexual,” or even “heterosexual,” for that matter. But my identity as a child of the living God must be in Jesus Christ alone.”

Today, HIV continues to weaken Yuan’s body and immune system and he may begin taking medication soon. He teaches at Moody Bible College and is part of the President’s Task Force on Homosexuality.

I highly encourage you to read this book … you’ll be amazed as you experience God’s mercy, grace and redemption in two of His greatly loved children.

Why New Atheism is Fizzling Out...

If you pick up Alister McGrath's book "Why God Won't Go Away" in hopes of getting a discourse on the merits and rationale behind Christianity, you won't. Instead, his work is more of a "situational report" (to borrow a term from another reviewer) on the state of New Athiesm. McGrath writes says "It's not my intention to argue the case for the Christian faith in this short volume, yet I can hardly fail to point out that the common Christian understanding of human nature over the last two thousand years is that we possess, and are meant to possess, a homing instinct for God."

The bulk of the work is spent dissecting the writings of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, atheist best-sellers who are commonly referred to as the Four Horsemen. McGrath sorts through the arguments of these men and identifies the weaknesses in their beliefs and positions, often finding their foundation unstable and often based on myths or facts taken out of context.

New Athiesm began to take prominence in position after 9/11, when a small group of people fanatically schemed such a horrible attack on our country, all in the name of their religion. The conclusion is drawn therefore that religion is violent, dangerous and deluded, yet there is no consideration given to violent men of history who made no claims of religion or belief in a God.

Another irony is that God often gets blamed for all the bad things in the world and "who would want to believe in a God like that"? Well...if an atheist believes that God does not exist, then he or she has no other way to explain away evil acts other than the depravity of man. You can't blame a god you don't even believe in.

Another point to consider is that New Atheism may not be as prominent as we are led to believe by media attention and spin. Events are attended by few, atheist blogs now regularly feature "agonized reflections on the failure of the movement to gain intellectual ground", and more books are being published asserting the reasons for Christian belief.

Sometimes the mission of these new atheists backfire. McGrath closes the book with a story about a young man who decided to learn more about God and ultimately give his life to Him after reading Dawkins' "The God Delusion". He says he found it unfair and one-sided so much so that he wanted to know what the other side of the story was... he says, "Without Dawkins, I would never have given God a second thought." This work is a worthy and easy read because as a believer it's always good to know what those who disagree with you are thinking. If you are not a believer, maybe you'll end up like the young man just mentioned when you dig a little deeper. After all, McGrath, the author, is himself a former atheist.

Maybe AC/DC was wrong and it's not the highway destination to brag about...

Francis Chan's new book released Tuesday, Erasing Hell, is not an easy read. Well, it is easy to complete as I did so in 2 days. It is not easy to enjoy or embrace.

The book is in answer to recent writings which suggest the doctrine of hell should be reconsidered since it is difficult to reconcile a God of unconditional and everlasting love, with a God of wrath and eternal damnation. Much of Chan's work is in direct response to Rob Bell's March-released work Love Wins. Many have labeled Bell a Universalist because of numerous of his comments, and the questions raised in his book. He challenges the reader to consider that love ultimately wins and that all will come to God eventually, even possibly after death. Hell is more about the injustices of the here and now than a future place of torment for unbelievers.

I have read both works and Chan's is much more thoroughly researched, even using writings from Judaism that represent Jewish thought and beliefs which were common during the time of Christ. Biblical references are considered in full context and relevance yielding stronger conclusions than Bell was able to accomplish convincingly.

A couple of my take-aways...

1) No one can know the answer to the questions posed with 100% certainty but conclusions can certainly be drawn that are uncomfortable. Yes, there is a hell and though it was created for the devil and his angels, people we know and even love will end up there. So, what are we doing about in response?

2) It is OK for us not to like it, for us to want not to believe in such a terrible place. However, we must understand that we aren't going to think like God because we aren't God, but rather a being created by God. The prophet Isaiah writes in chapter 55 (vv. 8-9) that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not like our own. We may not 'want' to believe that hell is the consequence for failure to accept God's Son and His sacrifice, His gift of love and grace, but 'can' we believe it ... just because He is God?

Chan challenges the reader to stop apologizing for God. After all, does a work of art ever get the opportunity to apologize for the artist? Chan writes, "Like the nervous kid who tries to keep his friends from seeing his drunken father. I have tried to hide God at times. Who do I think I am? The truth is, God is perfect and right in all that He does. I am a fool for thinking otherwise. He does not need or want me to "cover" for Him. There's nothing to be covered. Everything about Him and all He does is perfect. Yet sometimes from our human perspective, its tough to see exactly how..."

Chan summarily concludes that "God, as the Creator, is free to do whatever He sees best, He is compelled by none other than Himself."

Before you turn away thinking 'I wouldn't have done it that way' or 'Why would I want to believe in that kind of God?', consider a few final words from Chan. "Would you have thought to rescue sinful people from their sins by sending your Son to take on human flesh? Would you have thought to enter creation through the womb of a young Jewish woman and be born in a feeding trough? Would you have thought to allow your created beings to torture your Son, lacerate His flesh with whips, and then drive nails through His hands and feet?"

Doubt it that I would have. I'm glad I'm not God, and you should be just as relieved.

If you could be any... animal?

If you could be any animal, which would you be? Remember that game? Maybe there's more to it.

Ever feel like you're prey, being stalked for the great kill by circumstances of life?

Stefan Swanepoel, born in the Serengeti (Kenya, Africa), has written a compelling life/business fable called "Surviving your Serengeti". While this was an easy read, application of the skills discussed will help one to navigate the Serengeti of life. Swanepoel takes visitors to his homeland on a journey, observing seven significant animals. He says that 'while the challenges faced by those that live and die on the Serengeti plains are certainly in a different realm than ours, the seven survival skills that the animals use to overcome their harsh conditions can help us rise above our own adversities and live a better life.' Readers learn about the endurance of the wildebeest, strategies of the lion, the enterprising crocodile, the gracious giraffe, the efficiency of the cheetah, the risk-taking of the mongoose, and the communication skills of the elephant. Fable aside, what we learn about these animals helps us see the beauty in God's creation and design. We learn very interesting facts about each.

After studying the seven animals and their unique survival skills, the question is posed "which animal are you?" What is your unique survival skill? It's the "one you would default to if you were one of the animals living here on the savannahs of the Serengeti."

Me? I'm an elephant. I love to make sure that all are moving in sync through great communication.

Having trouble knowing which animal you are? There is a quick quiz at www.WhatAnimalAmI.com.

Average Joe or G.I. Joe?

Ever feel like just a John Doe, or Jane Doe? Like just an average Joe?

The good news is that God chooses and uses the average Joe and converts them into a G.I. Joe when they least suspect it. The catch? They must be found ready and willing... not necessarily able. Much like reading through Hebrews 11 which reveals how many men (and women) were key parts of God's story simply because of their availability, their place in time, and their faith; Meeder uses exampls from the Bible as well as real-life current stories of family and friends to show how God can use us. His encouragement is that we not allow ourselves to be frustrated by the normal and the mundane, but instead to realize it is part of who we are in God's calling. We should be looking for those we can mentor, whether it be our children or a co-worker, a friend, and even has advice for those perhaps too young still to feel they can be a mentor...

"And don't think you have to somehow be a perfect man of God! No, just be an honest, grateful, growing man of God -- still in process. On the other hand, if you are younger, full of promise, and lacking gray hair, then listen up: find a mentor.... walking shoulder to shoulder with men of age and faith brings balance to imbalance, peace from chaos, and wisdom out of foolishness." Meeder is vulnerable and honest in his writings from the heart, sharing much he has learned in the journey and what God has shared with him. His work will be a blessing to your life.

Who's missing more? Reader or Author?

Truth be known, I had a hard time looking at the cover of this book each time I picked it up to read. Whether it was personal guilt from knowing that I had two arms and two legs, or disappointment with God that He would allow this seemingly cruel condition, or both, I struggled. By the end of the book, I realized that I was lacking more than Vujicic who had made peace with his imperfection. No, it wasn't easy at first, as Vujicic shares the struggle his parents had at his birth to accept him as their child, as well as the time he thought about jumping off the kitchen counter at age 10 in a suicide attempt. Still, as Vujicic grew in his relationship with God and learned to make the most of what he could not control, he grew in his acceptance of who he was and now includes humor in his writings and his public speaking... like asking a lady to give him a hand, having a friend place him in the carry-on compartment of an airplane to welcome fellow fliers or riding the luggage carousel at the airport just for fun. Vujicic embraces positive thinking throughout his story and encourages the reader to be intentionally ridiculous in the risks taken.

He writes:

But each of us has the capacity to add our own flourishes, to pursue our purpose, our passion, and our pleasures with reckless abandon and ridiculous enthusiasm... I've recounted my adventures as an airplane carry-on and an airport carousel rider, as a scuba diver and a stunt-man, as a fisherman, a drummer, and an orchestra conductor. My question to you now is: If imperfect me can have that much ridiculous fun, if I can push the limits and enjoy life so fully, what about you? ... dare to be ridiculous, and you will be ridiculously happy.

One of his favorite quotes comes from Marilyn Monroe and sums up his thoughts. "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

His stories, his life and his challenges will help you stop feeling sorry for yourself no matter what your story or condition is and will inspire you to do ridiculously more with your life. So, go for it!

Videos of Vujicic's first movie role in "The Butterfly Circus" and interviews/speeches can be easily found on YouTube.

Lite-Brite and Salty!

Despite the play on words (and spelling) that's the kind of world we should be leaving behind as Christians, especially as next Christians... one that has been lit up and salted.

I've always thought that if we could boil God's occupational responsibilities down to two requirements, they would be to 1) Redeem His creation and 2) Restore His creation. Seems He is always doing one or the other ... even if not always obvious at times.

In "The Next Christians", author Gabe Lyons makes note of the passage in Luke 4 where Jesus is quoting ancient texts that proclaim His annointing to proclaim good news to the poor, fredom for the prisoners, to set the oppressed free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Lyons says "In other words, Jesus is saying, 'Enough of what is; I see things in terms of how they ought to be, and I'm here to do something about it'. Conclusion? So are the next Christians.

Next Christians are provoked to do something about changing their world, and not always with a religious slogan or identity posted somewhere. Next Christians serve for the common good, they join together in community to make a difference instead of isolating themselves. They don't work at jobs, they serve in vocations which they see as "occupational placement" for God's "greater mission." They are embarrassed by false representations of the Gospel and communicate "something authentic and true through their lives that gives pause to those who encounter them." They "create culture that promotes beauty" giving others a glimpse of the beauty of God.

Basically, true Christianity means we choose to be part of the world we are in and become part of the solution to make the world what it ought to be through being the salt and light that Jesus spoke of.

Lyons is great at giving many examples of people who have made very specific, sacrificial decisions to be part of this surge that is under way, but is careful to point out that first things must be first. Jesus Himself said to "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added." Lyons feels we must first and foremost relearn the Gospel story, "recovering the theme of restoration that runs throughout the whole of Scripture." The Gospel is: beautiful, redemptive, faithful, demanding, reconciling, all-powerful, restorative, atoning, grace-abounding, soul-quenching, spiritually fulfilling good news of God's love.

We must first be restored before we can help to restore our friends, neighbors or community.

This book will stir you, convict you, encourage you, challenge and inspire you. I dare you to read it. Just be careful though, because if you do, you may get a little too salty and make others around you a bit thirsty!