Hangin' On A String

NEW BLOG

2010-05-16T21:04:00.002-06:00

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

Man Ditches Six-Figures for Annual Salary of $13,500...

2010-05-05T17:48:00.002-06:00

Yup, you read that right.

Read the remarkable story here.

On This Day

2010-04-15T07:07:00.003-06:00

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

Great Quote

2010-04-05T08:45:00.003-06:00

Here is a great quote from Pastor John Piper:

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

Like A Fine Wine...

2010-03-24T06:29:00.002-06:00

...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

Talk About A Heavy Weight Bout...

2010-03-17T14:52:00.004-06:00

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

The Concept of Story

2010-03-17T08:01:00.002-06:00

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

Dylan Chronicles Vol. 1

2010-03-12T08:09:00.002-06:00

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

Haunting Song

2010-02-25T13:25:00.004-06:00

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

Recent Reading

2010-02-12T09:01:00.002-06:00

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

Oh, The Temptation...

2009-09-21T09:53:00.000-06:00

What a GREAT video. So cute.

OH MY GOODNESS!

2009-09-01T12:22:00.002-06:00

I don't often get moved to tears while listening to performances, but this is simply stunning. It is some of the best guitar work I have ever heard done. Mark Knopfler is slowly becoming my favorite guitarist ever. Enjoy this video and LISTEN TO IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH! The best part starts at 1:50...

Top 5 Favorite Concerts - #5

2009-08-31T17:36:00.002-06:00

As promised...

My #5 favorite all-time concert! Enjoy, and check back soon for the next!

Back!

2009-08-22T13:40:00.002-06:00

Well, I was not out nearly a month with the H1N1 virus. I was only sick for about 48 hours. The medicine I was prescribed worked wonderfully. Anyways, I'm back to good health. Things have been going well. Summer is winding down. I start school this coming Thursday and am looking forward to getting back into the school routine. I'm also looking forward to getting back into blogging. I realize I still need to post my #5 favorite concert of all time...

I'm enjoying the good weather we've had recently. It is so nice to go outside and be able to BREATHE without the humidity knocking your socks off. Fall is my favorite time of the year and I hope that we get at least a decent one this year. Well, I'm off to go fishing. Hope everyone who reads this is doing well!

Jeremy

Sick with H1N1...

2009-07-31T13:39:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the recent hiatus. As some of you know, I was in Richmond, Virginia for a wedding and then leading worship at a children's camp in Illinois. Well, I was one of several people from that camp who are now being treated for the H1N1 "swine" flu. I am beginning to feel a little bit better. My fever broke yesterday early evening, but I'm still really achy and have a cough. I would appreciate your prayers, and will post shortly after I'm back to 100%. Thanks!

Video Blog Series Part 1 - Introduction

2009-07-22T06:52:00.001-06:00

New video blog series! Click below to watch part 1...

Weight Lifting?!?!

2009-07-14T12:38:00.003-06:00

Yes, that's right! I'm currently in my third week of a twelve week beginner's training routine for weight lifting. It has been a lot of fun. On days between workouts, I do a cardio workout. I've never felt better! Maybe I'll decide to post some before/after pictures as I progress?

At Work...

2009-05-15T10:47:00.004-06:00

I've decided to devote a blog post to sharing with you where I work.

This is my cubby hole. It is where I can be found most of my time on Covenant Seminary's campus. It is in the basement of the library. It kind of gets lonely down here from time to time. However, it is a good place to escape to get some work done. My friend Will King used to sit behind me. He is graduating this year. His presence will be missed.
I have surrounded myself with greatness. Aside from numerous books, I have the company of a few friends.

These are the Rolling Stones, (L to R) Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Ronnie Wood. The Hebrew caption underneath reads "Rolling Stones". Will gave this to me with a note that says, "Jeremy - Keep Rollin' Bro!"

This is Pink Floyd, (L to R) Richard Wright, Roger Waters, Sid Barret, and Nick Mason. Absent from the photo is future guitarist, David Gilmour. These friends help to inspire me in my writing.

I hope you've enjoyed the brief tour of my cubby hole. Feel free to stop by and say 'Hello!' sometime!

Dom DeLuise - Nearsighted Doctor

2009-05-08T10:02:00.003-06:00

A great skit featuring Dean Martin (DM, MD? -haha) and Dom DeLuise. SO many good ad-libs in this one!
Enjoy!

Dom DeLuise - The Cannonball Run Outtakes

2009-05-07T21:05:00.002-06:00

This appears at the end of the movie The Cannonball Runwith Dom DeLuise and Burt Reynolds. Dom just can't stop laughing...and what a laugh he's got! Enjoy!

Dom DeLuise - Ballin' The Jack

2009-05-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

Hilarious!

Dom DeLuise - The French Mistake

2009-05-06T07:57:00.002-06:00

I've decided to post a few videos commemorating the career of Dom DeLuise. I'll be posting the videos over the next couple of days.

This first video is from the movie Blazing Saddles.
Have a good laugh!

Actor and Comedian Dom DeLuise Dead at 75

2009-05-05T13:31:00.003-06:00

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Dom DeLuise, who spiced up such movies as "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie" and "The Cannonball Run" with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona, has died, his son's publicist told CNN.

Publicist Jay Schwartz did not disclose the cause of death, but DeLuise, 75, had been battling cancer for more than a year.

DeLuise was surrounded by family when he died in a Santa Monica, California, hospital Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told CNN affiliate KTLA-TV.

This is very sad. I honestly dreaded this day. My memories of DeLuise performances include his hillarious role in The Twelve Chairs, History of the World Part 1, and an appearance on The Muppet Show. The world has lost a great comedian.

You can read the rest of the story from CNN here.

Remember When...

2009-05-04T16:03:00.002-06:00

...pay phones cost .25?
...pay phones were in use?
...gas cost .89/gallon?
...soda cans didn't have the "wide mouth"?
...cassette tapes were the norm?

Those were the days.

A Window Into The Human Soul

2009-04-21T12:15:00.003-06:00

A wonderful song by Dylan titled "What Can I Do For You?"
The harmonica breaks are breathtaking...

Soon as a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly,
He gets wise in his own eyes and he's made to believe a lie.
Who would deliver him from the death he's bound to die?
Well, You've done it all and there's no more anyone can pretend to do.
What can I do for You?

I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts,
I don't care how rough the road is, show me where it starts,
Whatever pleases You, tell it to my heart.
Well, I don't deserve it but I sure did make it through.
What can I do for You?

GREAT VIDEO - WHEN YOU AWAKE

2009-04-14T08:10:00.003-06:00

I found a great video of Rick Danko playing "When You Awake". Since this blog is named after this song, I thought I would post the video for your viewing/listening pleasure.

Rick Danko was the bass player and vocalist for The Band. Like all the other members of The Band, Danko also played every instrument and would frequently rotate depending on the songs being played. A truly gifted musician. He passed away on December 10, 1999. The music will live on forever...

J.W.R

NEW ALBUM!

2009-04-03T09:10:00.003-06:00

I am highly anticipating the release of Bob Dylan's new album "Together Through Life" set for April 29!

Those who know me well know that I am an avid fan of Dylan. I've listened to the single "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" and it is GREAT! Dylan's voice sounds raw and growly - which is awesome - and the music sounds very bluesy. I'm sure it will be awesome and cannot wait to buy the whole album!

Hiatus

2009-04-01T12:22:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the brief hiatus. Things got a little hectic with classes and then we were on spring break. I've got a lot that I've been wanting to write about and hopefully I will find the time to post my thoughts.

I want to begin posting on my hopes and aspirations for after my time at Covenant Seminary. At the moment, I'm considering applying for a research position (PhD) at a few different schools. While part of me would like to pursue a post-graduate degree, a large part of me cannot wait to begin teaching full time. That being said, I'm going to also look into teaching jobs at the same time. I'll keep you posted.

OH MY GOSH!

2009-03-20T08:47:00.001-06:00

This is INCREDIBLE!

A Wonderful Story

2009-03-17T14:22:00.004-06:00

A GREAT story to be read here.

No Line On The Horizon - U2

2009-03-16T08:54:00.002-06:00

Yesterday Lindsay bought me U2's newest album, "No Line on the Horizon". We took the afternoon together to lay on the bed, listen to the album, and read through the liner notes and lyrics. It was an awesome way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This album is awesome. Bono is such a great lyricist and the band is just so incredibly talented. I've given it two really good listens to - once for the lyrics and once for the music. I haven't yet determined which tracks are my favorites. I'll post again in a week and let you know. Until then, here are a few lines from the track "White As Snow" -

Once I knew there was a love divine
Then came a time I thought it knew me not
Who can forgive forgiveness where forgiveness is not
Only the lamb as white as snow

Beautiful!

Concert Update - John Prine

2009-03-05T08:33:00.003-06:00

Last Friday evening I had the privilege and pleasure of seeing John Prine. Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter who has a lengthy discography and won Artist of the Year in 2005. He is hailed as one of the great singer-songwriters in American music history and is known for his humor and great story telling, particularly through song.

The evening began with some BBQ at Bandana's, which was awesome. We then went down to the TouHill Performing Arts Center located on the University of Missouri Saint Louis campus. The opening act was a very talented girl named Carrie Rodriguez. She had a beautiful, yet edgy voice and was unique in that she played the tenor guitar (4 strings) as well as the fiddle. I had never seen an artist who sang and played fiddle at the same time with the fiddle being the main instrument. It was pretty awesome. She got a nice ovation at the end of her 30 minutes set. After a fairly long intermission, the energy began to escalate as the crowd of about 2500 anxiously awaited the legend.

Finally, Prine and his two backup musicians (upright base and guitar/mandolin/harmonica) entered stage left to a very warm standing ovation. They then launched into a wonderful set of songs that lasted nearly two hours. I was really happy that Prine played my favorite song of his, Long Monday. It isn't one of his more popular tunes and it is pretty much 50/50 chance of him playing it live. After about nine songs, his accompanying musicians exited the stage and John played about 4 or 5 songs by himself. He was rejoined by his band mates to close out the evening with a couple more songs. There was of course an encore, during which Carrie Rodriguez was brought out to join the band. They closed with the wonderful piece Paradise which sounded awesome with the three part harmony and fiddle.

This was one of my all time favorite concerts. One left this concert feeling as though they had seen a close friend performing some good music. The atmosphere was so intimate and pleasant. I highly recommend seeing John Prine whether you know his music or not. You will not be disappointed.

What Is Big, Green, and Happy?

2009-03-03T17:26:00.002-06:00

Oh my goodness. I have found my new favorite song.

John Prine Tonight!!!

2009-02-27T11:49:00.003-06:00

I am VERY excited about seeing music legend John Prine tonight. I'll give a concert update sometime next week. If you haven't heard John Prine, go get some of his music! Now!

Bizkit The Sleepwalking Dog

2009-02-27T08:25:00.001-06:00

Here is some humor for the week. This is incredible.

NYC Official: Ban Japanese 'Rape' Video Game

2009-02-24T10:34:00.002-06:00

Associated Press - Anti-violence advocates in New York City are taking a stand against a video game in which players stalk and rape a mother and her two daughters.

Amazon and eBay have already banned the sale of the game, called RapeLay. But City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said Monday that the game is available from other online sellers.

One of them, called jbdoujinshop.ecrater.com, says in an e-mail it has taken the game off its site as of Monday.

Quinn and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault called on all U.S. video game distributors to refrain from selling Rapelay.

RapeLay is made by a company called Illusion, based in Yokohama, Japan.

The company has not immediately responded to an e-mail seeking comment.

WTH!?!?!?!

FBI Rescues Children From Prostitution

2009-02-23T13:37:00.003-06:00

WASHINGTON — The FBI has rescued more than 45 suspected teenage prostitutes, some as young as 13, in a nationwide sweep to remove kids from the illegal sex trade and punish their accused pimps.

Over a three-night initiative called Operation Cross Country, federal agents working with local law enforcement also arrested more than 50 alleged pimps, according to preliminary bureau data.

The teenage prostitutes found in the investigation ranged in age from 13 to 17.

It is amazing to think that this abomination occurs around the world, much less in the United States! I recently had a conversation with a 12 year old who couldn't believe that children are forced into prostitution. It was news to him and he was shocked and disgusted by it. Wouldn't it be great if we could raise a generation of young men and women who were determined to be involved in putting a stop to this absurdity?

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on Grownups and Numbers

2009-02-20T09:32:00.004-06:00

"When you tell [the grownups] that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you,

'What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?'

Instead, they demand:

'How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?'

Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.

If you were to say to the grown-ups:

'I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,'

they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them:

'I saw a house that cost 100,000 francs'

Then they would exclaim: 'Oh, what a pretty house that is!'"

Healing Through Writing...

2009-02-18T20:34:00.006-06:00

I recently read this quote in an article by novelist Wally Lamb:

Michelangelo, the 16th-century artistic genius, once said this about his work: "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."...you and I are damaged angels-in-waiting who have the potential to sculpt our best selves with the aid of paper and pen.

Apart from being a novelist (and a good one at that - my wife's favorite!), Wally Lamb teaches writing to a group of female inmates at a high-security prison. He asserts that writing our past history and confronting emotional issues can help the healing process immensely. There is power in writing our own stories.

I've never really thought it necessary to write my memoirs at age 25 until reading this article. You can read the article in its entirety here.

Stimulus Bill A Sorry Spectacle

2009-02-17T15:17:00.003-06:00

NEW YORK (CNN) -- "What a joke. Your Congress has voted to spend almost $790 billion of your money on a stimulus package that not a single member of either chamber has read.

The 1,073-page document wasn't posted on the government's Web site until after 10 p.m. the day before the vote to pass it was taken. I don't care if you're Evelyn Wood, you can't read almost 1,100 pages of the lawyer talk that makes up all legislation in eight or 10 hours.

The criminal part of this boondoggle is divided into two parts. The first is the Democrats promised to post the bill a full 48 hours before the vote was taken to allow members of the public to see what they were getting for their money. Both parties voted unanimously to do this ... and they lied."

Wow. This really saddens me. When will the American people wake up? I believe we should all be calling our elected officials and giving them a piece of our minds. That's what I'm going to do anyways. Is this really going to work? You can read the the rest of Jack Cafferty's commentary here.

Taken

2009-02-17T08:48:00.004-06:00

I saw Taken this past Friday evening. Well worth the outrageous cost of a movie these days...

A Life-Changing Event

2009-02-14T18:53:00.005-06:00

I thought that I would share a life changing event that I still remember very clearly to this day. It requires a little bit of background information.

When I was younger (12-16), my older brother Jonathan and I got hooked on hardcore and punk music. It wasn't as popular or accessible as it is today, which is probably what got us so hooked. We listened to bands that people had never heard before and the music itself was pretty "underground". We very much enjoyed being "different". We didn't listen to the music that everyone else listened to. Of course, with the music that we listened to came a pretty unique style. We had our ears pierced and gauged (you could stick your finger through the hole in my ear!) and our hair was long and in dreads, or short, bleached and spiked, or incredibly crazy. I had this hair cut that was pretty much a "reverse mullet" that was inspired by the Misfits. My bangs were about 5 inches long and the rest of my head was buzzed! Many people would say we looked like "freaks". And I guess we did.

Being "punk" meant that it wasn't cool to listen to popular music. I never listened to the radio. I never bought the CD's that everyone else had (okay, except for Brittany Spear's first album...I can't believe I just admitted that!). The crazy thing is, you could say that my siblings and I were raised to appreciate classical music.

And appreciate it we did. I played piano for four years while my brother played the cello and our sister played the viola. My favorite mornings were the ones that I would wake up to my mother playing J.S. Bach's cantatas and concertos. Looking back, I attribute my listening to hours of classical music as giving me the ear for music that I have.

And that is why my parents just couldn't understand why my brother and I enjoyed hardcore and punk. We just wanted to be different. We wanted to listen to things that nobody else was listening to.

One evening, I was doing my homework in our family room. My father was in the living room watching TV as he so often did. All of a sudden it occurred to me that he wasn't watching sports or the AMC channel that he usually watched. Instead, I heard an incredible sound. It was a band. Actually, it was The Band. I had to check it out. I knew from the moment that I heard that music that this was one of the best bands I had ever heard. I remember walking into the living room and asking my father what it was that he was watching. A&E was showing The Last Waltz which was the final performance of The Band. My father proceeded to tell me about a group of musicians who would forever change my life and how I listened to, played and appreciated music.

The Band is the best group of musicians that I have ever heard. I find it hard to put into words just how much of an impact that they have had on my appreciation for music. Over the next year, I came out of my punk phase and began to emerse myself in their music. Along the way I discovered musicians that I had heard about, but never actually heard. Musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Clapton, and of course, Bob Dylan. These musicians were heavily influenced by five men who made music come alive.

I'm not sure why that memory has remained etched in my mind after about 10 years. Since discovering The Band, I've developed a profound love for classic rock. I owe it to The Band. In my opinion, there is nothing better.

Except for Bach's cantatas and concertos.

Some Excellent Fuel!

2009-02-12T06:32:00.004-06:00

Somewhat recently I've discovered that Saint Louis carries the best coffee - Dunkin' Donuts. I'm familiar with DD, as there are thousands of walk-in locations up and down the East Coast. Unfortunately there are none here in STL. But a local grocery store does carry the DD coffee. If you haven't tried DD coffee, you should. It beats that other place's stuff by a long shot. It is a bit expensive, which is why we can't purchase it every week, but that is okay by me. It makes having it that much more special. Do yourself a favor and grab some DD coffee next time you see it!

Getting It Right...But Oh, So Wrong...

2009-02-10T09:28:00.004-06:00

Recently my wife and I attended the national prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. It was neat to see and hear President Obama speak. However, for a few reasons, I didn't particularly enjoy his speech. At one point, the President said this:

There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.

I wholeheartedly agree with this quote, even though many would argue what exactly is meant by the phrase "innocent human being". If by innocent, he means "has done no wrong", then we would have to further examine what is meant by the word "wrong". This of course is another subject for discussion altogether.

What has me so upset at this statement is the fact that it was made by someone who supports legislation for ending the life of both the unborn and born child. Not only does the President support legislation for partial birth abortion, but he supports legislation for refusing to give treatment to babies who are victims of failed abortions. This absurd and sickening practice is called "infanticide".

I do not see how someone who is fighting for an individual's right to extinguish the life of an unborn and born child can make the above statement with any sort of credibility as someone who believes what they are saying. The President's policy towards the lives of our unborn and born children is sickening.

Major Delay! Sorry!

2009-01-31T12:25:00.002-06:00

Hello all. Sorry for such a delay in posting. Really, no excuse for it other than the fact that my PC crashed and is now dead. I just purchased a new macbook yesterday! It is totally awesome. SO - back to blogging in a short time. I've got to update you on El Monstero, which was AWESOME.

I'm currently taking care of a sick wife. Please pray that Lindsay will recover quickly as we fly to Washington D.C. this week for the National Prayer Breakfast. We'll also get to spend next weekend with my family in Richmond, Virginia. We are very excited. That is all for now.

Jeremy

Concert Update

2008-12-18T18:55:00.003-06:00

Going to see El Monstero (Pink Floyd tribute concert!) this Sunday night!!! Also potentially going to see Dave Matthew's Band in April '09...we'll see.

Jeremy

Concert Update - ZZ Top

2008-12-16T20:34:00.006-06:00

So I thought it would be cool to begin chronicling my concert goings, which I consider a hobby of mine (though an expensive one at that!). I've seen some pretty awesome ones in my lifetime. Maybe one day I'll do a top 5 - I've always wanted to do that.

On September 30 I went to see the legends of blues rock, ZZ Top! I had heard that the Top put on an amazing show - and that definitely proved to be true! After the opening act (Georgia's "Blackberry Smoke", who were actually very good) performed, the stage was set and then the lights went off. Of course, the place went nuts. All of a sudden one could see neon lights outlining two guitars as the microphone stands began to glow neon blue and green. The lights went up as Gibbons and Hill walked in simultaneous steps toward the front of the stage while launching into "Got Me Under Pressure". It was one of the best opening songs I have ever seen live!

The coolest part in the evening was when Billy Gibbons told of how they drove into St. Louis the day before on their day off. The previous evening they spent the night visiting a couple of blues bars in downtown St. Louis! SO COOL! Could you imagine being at a bar when the Top walked in? Its not like they're incognito or anything.

Gibbons went on to say that St. Louis has always rocked the blues and that they were very inspired from the night before. That being the case, they would play some of their older stuff as well as some covers (and they did - Muddy Waters, Hendrix, and even an Elvis tune!). It was a very special night as we got to see them play a few more songs than they usually would. This definitely made up for the fact that they did not play my favorite ZZ Top song - "I'm Bad, Nationwide". But they did play just about everything else, including: "Jesus Just Left Chicago", "Cheap Sunglasses", "Just Got Paid", "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man", "Legs", "La Grange", and "Tush".

Would I put ZZ Top in my top five concerts? I would have to say "yes". They brought the rock and the energy was top notch.

I just bought my tickets to see John Prine in February. I'm very much looking forward to seeing yet another music legend. If I see anything before then, I'll definitely post about it. Until next time,

Jeremy

Just Trying To Get By

2008-12-15T14:26:00.002-06:00

I've been a bit stressed lately. The semester has come down to the last two days. I've got one more paper that I am in the middle of finishing. I haven't quite decided on a title, but at this point I'm going with: "How Does Paul Read Seed(s)?: A Study on Galatians 3." I'm not sure I like that, but we'll see...

Some of you may know that the seed promise of Genesis 3:15 has been my focus of research for over a year now. I've produced about 40 pages of material tracing the "seed" theme, particularly in light of paralleling genealogies, through the Old (and now, part of the New) Testaments. It is so exciting to be working on a paper that contributes to a subject that I have thoroughly enjoyed studying for a while now. I'm so fascinated by the Apostle Paul's use of the Scripture(s) in Galatians 3, specifically 3:16 and 3:29. I believe he was giving a correct reading of Genesis...exactly WHERE in Genesis is the question...but I'm not going to reveal my answer just yet :). Perhaps I'll post a link to the paper when I'm done for those interested in reading it. And of course, if you ever would like electronic or hard copies of the work I've done, don't hesitate to ask.

I'm sure I'll be able to breath easier in about 36 hours. Until then, my brain is at work. I hope you're enjoying this Christmas season. I'll write more later.

Jeremy

The Eve of the Big Game

2008-11-22T19:50:00.000-06:00

At the moment I’m in my hotel room in Columbus, Ohio. It is the eve of the “Big Game” – Ohio State vs. Michigan. Though this post is coming after the fact, I simply do not have internet access at the moment.

The atmosphere here is pretty amazing. Though this is a bit different from years previous, it still carries the weight of one of college sport’s finest traditions. It’s a bit different from years previous only because this is one of the worst Michigan football teams in the history of the program. However, as Coach Tressel just said, “This is the greatest game there is”. There is no doubt that Michigan will show up to play spoiler.

I’m not sure I can put to words just how excited I am. My dad gets season tickets each year. Since I was able to drive (2000), I’ve gone to at least one game a year. But its been since I was 12 (1995) since I’ve been to the “Big Game”. We’re getting up early tomorrow morning. Lot’s of tradition to take part in before the game. I’ll be sure and post tomorrow evening. Until then, goodnight from Columbus. Go Bucks!

Exit Light...Enter Night...

2008-11-19T08:20:00.002-06:00

This past Monday evening I saw Metallica front row! I got offered the solo ticket Sunday evening and decided I would go and check it out. I’m glad I did. The show was pretty amazing. While I’m not so much into metal anymore these days, it was hard not to pump my fist with the rest of the metal-heads to all the Metallica hits and then some. The energy in the building created this feeling that was absolutely incredible. I’ve only had that feeling one other time, and that is when I saw Elton John. While I’m not so quick to put them in the same realm as the legendary piano rocker, Metallica certainly are the masters of what they do. They rocked. Hard. Now I’ll attempt to regain some of my hearing as I prepare for Ohio State vs. M*ch*gan this weekend…

A New Definition of Greatness

2008-10-29T08:26:00.002-06:00

Recently I’ve been reading/listening to many sermons by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of his more famous sermons, titled “The Drum Major Instinct”, is one that I have found particularly challenging. King preaches on Mark 10:35-44, and towards the end of the sermon begins to focus on what it means to be great,

…and so Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.

While I agree wholeheartedly with King, I find this challenging because often times I don’t have a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love. This is where I most definitely need God’s grace and God’s help.

Its very easy to want to convey this point to the youth group that I work with, and many times I do. But at the same time, my example speaks louder than my words do. If I don’t have a servant’s heart and if I’m not trusting in the LORD to work this into my life, then I’m not going to provide a good example to backup exhortations of service.

A Lesson on Prayer from Isaiah 38

2008-10-22T08:21:00.004-06:00

I’ve been thinking about prayer a lot lately. I’m not a very prayerful person. I think this is due to the fact that I never grew up in a family where we prayed very often. The only time I saw my father pray was before a meal, and even then it wasn’t for very long (and I’m actually thankful for that! Long prayers while a nice meal is in front of your nose can be difficult to deal with…).

I know that the Scriptures have a lot to say about prayer. And while the gospels and Paul’s epistles might be a good place to turn in order to learn the importance of prayer and how to pray, I’m always reminded that the why should we pray? question is often answered in the prophetical books. The simple answer:God hears and answers the prayers of his people. One of the most amazing portions of Scripture that speaks to the fact that God indeed hears and answers the prayers of his people is found in Isaiah, chapter 38. There we read about a king named Hezekiah, a descendant of David, who reigned over the southern part of the kingdom, Judah. Hezekiah is described as a good king, though certainly flawed. He sought to bring reform to the nation of Judah, destroying idols and false worship centers that had been established throughout the country. We remember that the nation was no longer a united kingdom, as it had been under the reigns of kings David and Solomon, but it was a divided kingdom. The northern part of the kingdom, Israel, had fallen at the hand of the Assyrians and were now threatening to do the same to the southern kingdom, Judah. But instead of paying tribute to the king of Assyria, Hezekiah rebelled against him. However, Hezekiah made the mistake of entering into an agreement with Egypt, rather than trusting in the LORD to deliver Judah. Because Hezekiah failed to demonstrate faithfulness and trust to the LORD as the nation’s representative, the LORD became unhappy with Hezekiah and Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. This leads up to what we read in Isaiah 38:1,

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.

What happens next is simply amazing. Its amazing because Hezekiah does something that is so contradictory to what you and I would do if this word came to us. I’m willing to bet that our limited understanding of God’s sovereignty and decrees would lead us to obey – we would put our house into order and prepare to die. After all, this is the word of the LORD. He said it, therefore we can expect it to happen, right? Well, Hezekiah does something amazing. He turns to the LORD in prayer! We continue reading,

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Hezekiah repents. He pleads to the LORD to remember how he has been a faithful king. What happens next is perhaps the most amazing thing in all of Scripture,

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

What!?!? Read that again. God HEARD Hezekiah’s prayer and ADDED FIFTEEN YEARS TO HIS LIFE! Even AFTER the LORD said Hezekiah would not recover and would die! I mean, talk about wrecking my limited view of God’s sovereignty. Had Hezekiah not prayed to the LORD for mercy, pleading with him to remember his faithfulness and crying real tears of repentance, Hezekiah would have certainly succumbed to death. But instead, he feels the need to pray to the LORD – asking him to change his mind. And God does. God changes his mind based on Hezekiah’s prayer. It is simply amazing.

This is why we pray. Prayer changes things. God hears the prayers of his people and acts accordingly. Sure, God is indeed sovereign and has foreordained everything that will come to pass. I firmly believe that and I do not deny it. But events in life are often contingent within the scope of God’s sovereignty. Prayer is indeed important.

So, this doesn’t fix my problem of not being a very prayerful person. It doesn’t teach me how to pray necessarily, but it does teach me why we pray. God hears the prayers of his people. What an encouraging lesson for you and I to learn today. May we be a people who pray to our LORD and our God, confident that he hears us.

Not Dark Yet

2008-10-13T08:14:00.004-06:00

If you haven't heard Bob Dylan's "Not Dark Yet", please...stop reading this. Watch the video here.

The song is one of the many jewels found in Dylan's 1997 release Time Out of Mind. I'm hesitant to offer an interpretation of this particular song because I think it can have many different meanings. Dylan is hard to interpret to begin with. In my opinion (which doesn't count for a whole lot), this is one of the few glimpses we have into the soul of the greatest song writer to ever live (I dare you to dispute that claim!).

Its hard to deny that this song is about aging. In our culture, and perhaps around the globe, there is the understanding that "wisdom comes with age". I think this song is the realization that this saying isn't particularly true for Dylan, if the song is indeed about him. When I listen to this song, I can literally hear the fatigue in Dylan's voice. I hear a man who is tired. Tired of traveling, tired of writing, and perhaps tired of living.

Two lines in the song stand out to me in particular.

Behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain.

Here we catch a glimpse of Dylan the theologian. Contemplating this line reminded me of a quote by Al Wolters in his book, Creation Regained,

“The effects of sin touch all of creation – no created thing is in principle untouched by the corrosive effects of the fall.”

Dylan is right on the mark. There is indeed much beauty to find in life, however because of the fall, brokenness and pain are found around every turn as well. And many times, pain doesn't heal, especially with time. Earlier in the song, Dylan claims,

I've still got the scars that the sun didn't heal.

If we fully rely on time to heal our pains, we'll be disappointed. While I do believe that time can help to heal pain, it isn't the solution. We'll never experience true healing on this earth until Jesus' second coming - when the King will make everything new (Revelation 21:1-5).

The second line in the song that stands out to me in particular is found in the third verse:

Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear.

Don't we all carry burdens? If you're anything like me, you've got past issues/problems (perhaps from childhood) that still haunt you. Of course these can be heavy, especially when coupled with present day burdens. Lately I've been thinking a lot about "ministry" and what it means to enter into people's pain and brokenness. In effect, when we do this we take on other people's burdens and it can often feel as though it is too much to bear.

I have a deep appreciation for Dylan's honesty and vulnerability in this song. He has such a gift for writing songs that people can relate to. I hope you can enjoy this song as much as I have.

The Struggle For Self-Respect

2008-10-06T09:15:00.002-06:00

I'm reading an excellent book at the moment. It is called, "Raising Cain", and I highly recommend it to anyone who works with boys, whether it be as a parent, teacher, youth leader, mentor, etc. I read this last night:

Most boys, despite feelings of anger and pain, are quieter students of emotional suffering. They long for love, acceptance, and approval from their parents and peers. They struggle for self-respect.

While I was reflecting on this quote, I couldn't help but to think of my own past experience of growing up a boy. I don't believe that I was a "quiet student of emotional suffering", but that doesn't mean that I didn't suffer. I think I tended to be a little more loud, and tended to act out as a result of my emotional suffering. My issue was not so much that I kept things in (though I certainly did that), but that I often acted out in anger and had a wild, uncontrollable temper.

With regards to a boy's longing for love, acceptance, and approval - I couldn't agree more. To this day I still long for approval from my father, and from others as well. I guess you could say that I'm a people pleaser. This longing for love and approval has definitely shown itself in my marriage.

The sad truth of the matter is that this quote is not only true, but I've come to see that parents, especially dads, often fail to show the love and approval that their sons so desperately need. Every young man longs to hear somebody, really anybody, tell them that they are proud of them. Until educators, mentors, youth leaders, etc. get this, I fear that we will continue to see generations of young men who will turn to anybody or anything for the approval they so desperately are searching for.

New Layout

2008-09-30T15:58:00.002-06:00

So, things look a little different. The blog is still a work in progress - I'm not sure its anywhere near where I want it to be. New postings to follow. Lot's to post about. Until then, take care.