In Case You're Tired of Me...

You can buy another pastor here.

Together for the Gospel

All six of the Four Oaks pastoral team will be heading to Louisville, Kentucky for the Together for the Gospel pastors conference this week. Paul Gilbert, Scott Stake, and I were all able to go to this conference back in '06, and it was excellent.

Pray for us: that we are able to rest and enjoy the three days of fellowship with each other; that we are fed from God's Word; that we are encouraged and strengthened through the speakers; and that God blesses our church through the ministries and efforts of these men who have put this conference together.

I'll be blogging about the various speakers/topics as the week rolls along.

Yoda Was a Presbyterian

Don't believe me? Check it out.

For the Discerning Ear...

Some of you have remarked that my 'discerning ear' posts are far too narrow in style and taste. Indeed, most of the stuff I listen to is of the indie/alternative flavor, but. . .

Maybe this list is a bit more diverse and outside my box:

Last night I watched PBS' Pioneers of Television: Sitcoms, and was reminded of some the great bluegrass music that was showcased by the Dillards on The Andy Griffith Show. (I especially dig the guy with the pipe and the upright bass.)

One of my favorite guitarists is Leo Kottke. Even though this is a terrible recording, his Arms of Mary is wonderful (I love watching him play and listening, even with the horrible tinny shrill sound).

One of my favorite songs is Vincent by Don McLean (of "American Pie" fame). Doesn't get much better than his performance here with legend Chet Atkins. Whenever I hear this song, I go back to 1970something and Dad is strumming and singing in the hallway as the Braun kids nod off to sleep.

And, while we are talking about great guitarists, check out Mark Knopfler's Golden Heart.

I tried to get Josh and Katie to have Pierce Pettis sing 'Song of Songs' at their wedding. But no luck. This is a powerful and beautiful song.

**Recent News: Pastor Josh contends that it was he who wanted Pierce to sing 'Song of Songs' at his wedding and that it was, in fact, me who insisted against it. I, all the while, maintain that it was my desire to have the song whilst he chickened out. This has become a point of no small disagreement betwixt us and shall continue to be so until he gains a heart of repentance. Until such a time, I shall continue to put up with his griping. You should know, that he has threatened to open up his own blog in order to refute any spurious points which I might post in my blog that have anything to do with him, or Detlef Schrempf. I welcome such a blog...you really aren't anybody until someone starts a blog against you. Nonetheless, please pray for your pastors and the unity of the pastoral team.**

Soldier Adopts Iraqi Child

You must read this wonderful story, one of the few, coming out of the conflict in Iraq. It is a great picture of God's grace in adoption- and a most unlikely adoption, the adoption of the least of these (you and me).

HT: Between Two Worlds

Poor Posting on this blog ...

is due to:

a. my incredibly hectic schedule (because I am such an important person)

b. a really bad case of writer's block where the only ideas that come to me are about which late night snack to indulge in (I'm a big fan of cereal in the dark watches of the night)

c. laziness: sheer unadulterated, pathetic, and disgusting slothfulness

d. several keys on my keyboard are not functioning, thu im eding my a ility to ty e out all the glo iou idea , in ight, old oclamation , iveting tale , witty fa le , and ofound a a le. (See what I mean?)

e. one word: pixelaphobia

For the Discerning Ear...

For more ambient chill grooves, check out Saxon Shore.

Band of Horses have a new album out. I love these guys, some really unique stuff. ('Is there a Ghost' and 'Detlef Schrempf' - whatever that means; probably a Dutch curseword or something - are particularly good, in my humble estimation.)

The Shout Out Louds take me back to 80's alternative (the guy sounds like Robert Smith). It is pretty hard to not jump up and dance on "Tonight I Have to Leave It". Yes, I just said that.

Stars were recently in Tallahassee, I heard they were great. Sadly, as I grow old I must get to bed long before these bands hit the stage. Not nearly the scenester I once was, and aren't ya'll glad.

Understanding the End in terms of the Beginning

I just finished Cormac McCarthy's excellent (though very violent, and not recommended for the faint of heart) book , No Country for Old Men. I believe the Coen bros. will be releasing their film adaptation of the book sometime this fall (again, I'm sure it will be violent and most likely full of profanity). Here is a great sampling from the narrative of Sheriff Ed Tom Bell,

Here a year of two back me and Loretta wen to a conference in Corpus Christi and I got set next to this woman, she was the wife of somebody or other. And she kept talking about the right wing this and the right wing that. I aint even sure what she meant by it. The people I know are mostly just common people. Common as dirt, as the sayin goes. I told her that and she looked at me funny. She thought I was sayin somethin bad about em, but of course that's a high compliment in my part of the world. She kept on, kept on. Finally told me, said: I dont like the way this country is headed. I want my granddaughter to be able to have an abortion. And I said well mam I dont think you got any worries about the way the country is headed. The way I see it goin I dont have much doubt but what she'll be able to have an abortion. I'm goin to say that not only will she be able to have an abortion, she'll be able to have you put to sleep. Which pretty much ended the conversation.

This Vaporous Life

I just realized, it takes me a while to do the math, that Dr. Kennedy was 28 when he began preaching and teaching at Coral Ridge.

I was 28 when I came on here at Four Oaks. What a joy and blessing it would be to lead this fellowship for 48 years! (I know that for some of you this might seem frightening.)

I'm sure that in that last week for Dr. Kennedy, he could look back over those 48 years with incredible thanks and praise. And, I'm sure, they seemed to fly by like so many quick fleeting breaths. One day you are 28, the next you are settling into your bed for your last evening on this earth.

Don't waste your life.