I've made the switch to wordpress. You can find the new blog here:
http://www.thesebackpages.wordpress.com
This site will continue to operate for a while, but I encourage you to bookmark the new one and check in there from now on. Thanks!
JWR
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
On This Day
Twenty-one years ago, April 15, 1989, Liverpool fans gathered to watch their beloved Reds play Nottingham Forest in an F.A. Cup Semi-final match at Hillsborough Stadium, home to Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Seven minutes into the match, a frenzy at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium caused the footballers to stop play. In a rush to get into the stadium to see their Reds, Liverpool fans were hurdled through far too few gates creating a bottleneck effect which, unfortunately, left those inside to feel the brunt of the rush. A fence, which separated the gallery from the pitch (mainly to keep the footballers safe from a fan rushing onto the pitch), prevented those fans already inside to escape the mad rush that ensued. The result was a human crush that ended up taking the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.
Today we remember the tragedy at Hillsborough. Much controversy surrounds the incident. For starters, many blame the police control (or lack thereof) while others blame the stadium design. And then there is the controversial tabloid publication of The Sun. On the Wednesday following the disaster, the tabloid published reports that Liverpool fans pick-pocketed and urinated upon the dead and those trying to help save lives. These allegations contradicted the reports that Liverpool fans were desperately helping the police and ambulance crews to usher away those injured and revive those who were ceased.
Regardless of the controversies, 96 people lost their lives. Today we remember them and their families. The phrase associated with the club since its inception never rings more true than on a day like today:
You'll Never Walk Alone
JWR
Monday, April 5, 2010
Great Quote
Here is a great quote from Pastor John Piper:
JWR
People that make a difference in the world are not people who have mastered a lot of things. They are people who have been mastered by a very few things that are very, very great. If you want your life to count, you don't have to have a high I.Q. and you don't have to have a high E.Q.; You don't have to be smart, you don't have to have good looks, you don't have to be from a good family or from a good school. You just have to know a few basic, simple, glorious, majestic, obvious, unchanging, eternal things and be gripped by them, and be willing to lay down your life for them...
May 20, 2000
JWR
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Like A Fine Wine...
...Dylan just keeps getting better over time. His band is absolutely amazing. Classic song here from 3/21/10 in Japan - Not Dark Yet.
JWR
JWR
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Talk About A Heavy Weight Bout...
Probert reclaims the heavyweight belt from Domi. These guys are beasts. They had a lot of good fights over the years. Very entertaining...
Enjoy!
JWR
Enjoy!
JWR
The Concept of Story
Recently I read an article by Stanley Hauerwas on an alternative pattern for rationality in ethics. In this article, Hauerwas points out the importance of narrative for today's post-modern culture. Narrative can also be described as "story." As I was reading this article, I reflected on the importance that story plays in each of our lives today. I am part of a house group with the church that Lindsay and I attend. For the past several months we have been taking time to share our life stories with the group. While this is a painful exercise, it is also a great opportunity to know somebody on a much deeper level. It provides a context for going through life together.
Every story has a narrative structure to it. Now, I know not all people are "structure" people, but when it comes to narrative, we all appreciate structure. That doesn't mean that, at times, the structure does not make one feel uncomfortable. I remember reading Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and being somewhat frustrated with the breaks between chapters in which he described the land during the time of the great dust bowl. That particular structure annoyed me to a certain degree, but it was structure none the less.
At the heart of a narrative's structure is the plot - which can perhaps best be described as the point of the story. As the plot unfolds, the reader (or hearer in some contexts) is introduced to characters and, as the plot unfolds, the characters are developed.
Hauerwas' main point in relating the concept of narrative to ethics is that the discipline of ethics is not simply about making ethical decisions when a problem situation arises, but about what sort of people we should be. It deals with character. How one views particular moral quandaries and how he or she will choose to act when facing them will depend on his or her character. Character affects the reasons why we act. Our character is shaped by the kinds of stories we are holding to make sense out of life. Furthermore, because the concept of narrative/story has the ability to draw people in, stories help us relate to the rest of the world.
The concept of story is particularly helpful when I think about God's grand narrative of redemption. Whether one knows it or not, we are all characters in a larger-than-life story that continues to be written by God. Like any story, there exists the variety of elements in a story (plot, characters, conflict, tension, resolution, etc.). I think the best news of all is that the story continues to be written.
When it comes to relating to one another and deepening our relationships with each other, I find it helpful to know that each person has a story. We have individual stories that include moments of happiness and joy, but also those of frustration, pain, and sorrow. And there is the grand meta-narrative that we are all a part of. I am hopeful that the story that God is writing will indeed be brought to completion. The ending, though unseen and unknown, will be glorious. I don't necessarily get that, but it is the hope to which I am clinging to today.
JWR
Every story has a narrative structure to it. Now, I know not all people are "structure" people, but when it comes to narrative, we all appreciate structure. That doesn't mean that, at times, the structure does not make one feel uncomfortable. I remember reading Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and being somewhat frustrated with the breaks between chapters in which he described the land during the time of the great dust bowl. That particular structure annoyed me to a certain degree, but it was structure none the less.
At the heart of a narrative's structure is the plot - which can perhaps best be described as the point of the story. As the plot unfolds, the reader (or hearer in some contexts) is introduced to characters and, as the plot unfolds, the characters are developed.
Hauerwas' main point in relating the concept of narrative to ethics is that the discipline of ethics is not simply about making ethical decisions when a problem situation arises, but about what sort of people we should be. It deals with character. How one views particular moral quandaries and how he or she will choose to act when facing them will depend on his or her character. Character affects the reasons why we act. Our character is shaped by the kinds of stories we are holding to make sense out of life. Furthermore, because the concept of narrative/story has the ability to draw people in, stories help us relate to the rest of the world.
The concept of story is particularly helpful when I think about God's grand narrative of redemption. Whether one knows it or not, we are all characters in a larger-than-life story that continues to be written by God. Like any story, there exists the variety of elements in a story (plot, characters, conflict, tension, resolution, etc.). I think the best news of all is that the story continues to be written.
When it comes to relating to one another and deepening our relationships with each other, I find it helpful to know that each person has a story. We have individual stories that include moments of happiness and joy, but also those of frustration, pain, and sorrow. And there is the grand meta-narrative that we are all a part of. I am hopeful that the story that God is writing will indeed be brought to completion. The ending, though unseen and unknown, will be glorious. I don't necessarily get that, but it is the hope to which I am clinging to today.
JWR
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dylan Chronicles Vol. 1
I just finished reading Bob Dylan's Chronicles, Vol. 1. It is a wonderful, quick read and I highly recommend it. Dylan is a fantastic writer. He is so good with words. I think the biggest take away for me in reading this book is realizing just how brilliant this man is. He is probably the most well-read individual I have ever read. His memory is amazing and he constantly invites you into the story. There were times when I felt that I was in the room with him. His attention to detail is superb.
My favorite chapter was titled Oh Mercy and it chronicles his recording of that album in 1989 in New Orleans with Daniel Lanois as producer. It is so cool to listen to that album now that I have read his first hand account of the process.
I highly recommend Chronicles, Vol. 1! Now, back to American Lion....
JWR
My favorite chapter was titled Oh Mercy and it chronicles his recording of that album in 1989 in New Orleans with Daniel Lanois as producer. It is so cool to listen to that album now that I have read his first hand account of the process.
I highly recommend Chronicles, Vol. 1! Now, back to American Lion....
JWR
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Haunting Song
I've always been a Johnny Cash fan. This song is said to be the last that he recorded. I doubt its true, as I have heard that speculation with several other songs. Either way, this is pretty chilling. The album is out. I'm getting it. This video has some great pictures to accompany the song. Enjoy
JWR
JWR
Friday, February 12, 2010
Recent Reading
Sorry for the hiatus.
Around October of last year, I decided to make it a life goal to read two biographies per year. I would like for at least one of these to be on a United States President, however its not a must. Last summer I began and finished "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck (not a biography, I know!). It was brilliant. I've only recently begun reading novels and, though I haven't read many, John Steinbeck is an early favorite. After Steinbeck, I picked up "Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan" by Howard Sounes. I finished it just before the end of the year. It was pretty good. I'm a big Bob Dylan fan and this gave me some good insight into his life and his album work. It certainly serves as a good supplement for listening to his songs.
I'm currently reading "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House" by Jon Meacham. The jury is still out on that one.
Hope all is well with everyone.
JWR
Around October of last year, I decided to make it a life goal to read two biographies per year. I would like for at least one of these to be on a United States President, however its not a must. Last summer I began and finished "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck (not a biography, I know!). It was brilliant. I've only recently begun reading novels and, though I haven't read many, John Steinbeck is an early favorite. After Steinbeck, I picked up "Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan" by Howard Sounes. I finished it just before the end of the year. It was pretty good. I'm a big Bob Dylan fan and this gave me some good insight into his life and his album work. It certainly serves as a good supplement for listening to his songs.
I'm currently reading "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House" by Jon Meacham. The jury is still out on that one.
Hope all is well with everyone.
JWR
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