tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54314889127626780652024-03-12T20:35:28.218-04:00BooksmooreA review of books and more by Chad A. Moore.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-78072017259638859562008-08-27T13:03:00.001-04:002008-08-27T13:11:16.272-04:00Booksmoore has moved!Booksmoore has moved to Wordpress. Go to <a href="http://www.booksmoore.com">www.booksmoore.com</a>.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-27367791017722792112008-08-13T07:00:00.000-04:002008-08-13T07:00:04.485-04:00Randy Pausch - Achieving Your Childhood Dreams<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XZx7zUfQw74mnwn9yDHD0X2OwDyaBYdEqe2TY_DZ6hrPRWXOvZlvz3edPA2Fu9nlgtAm9H4RwZWoHpfCUWUI5NEt0TjermoqdbdgEpfNY5srsY7byC5pKkLQm3VjrHHO4JbFprG7ou8/s1600-h/randy_pausch.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XZx7zUfQw74mnwn9yDHD0X2OwDyaBYdEqe2TY_DZ6hrPRWXOvZlvz3edPA2Fu9nlgtAm9H4RwZWoHpfCUWUI5NEt0TjermoqdbdgEpfNY5srsY7byC5pKkLQm3VjrHHO4JbFprG7ou8/s320/randy_pausch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232338465213092290" /></a><br />Randy Pausch is the professor from Carnegie Mellon University that last year gave his now famous Last Lecture on "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." It is very stirring particularly since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and had been given only 3-6 months of good health. As you watch it, it's unavoidable to think, how can he do this and know that he dying <span style="font-style:italic;">soon?</span> He has just recently died (July 25, 2008). <br /><br />Only recently had I heard of Pausch and thought I've got to watch this. So I did and it was worth it. In this lecture he discusses his pursuit of his childhood dreams and some of the lessons he has learned along the way. If you want to know what his were and whether he achieved them go and watch the lecture! I will give some highlights and thoughts after viewing the lecture.<br /><br />The main line is powerful: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things."</span> We all hit brick walls in the pursuit of our dreams, it is our response that matters. Brick walls are opportunities to those who have the courage to scale them, and they keep the less earnest and eager <span style="font-style:italic;">out</span>. That's the other side of the coin of achievement, if it wasn't hard it wouldn't be worth achieving. What would be the point of pursing an Olympic Gold Medal if they handed out at the door to all who merely showed up? <br /><br />The other point that really stuck with me was this one: <span style="font-weight:bold;">We often learn more from the dreams we pursue that we don't achieve than from the dreams we do achieve.</span> He discusses one of his unfulfilled dreams but that he learned unforgettable lessons from the pursuit itself. Two points here. First, <span style="font-style:italic;">"fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals"</span>: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"whatever it is that you are pursuing remember that you can't do the fancy stuff, if you can't do the fundamentals."</span> Second, <span style="font-style:italic;">"when you are doing badly, and no one lets you know anymore, then no one cares anymore."</span> Ouch. That is a terrible place to be. The take-away is to find people that really care.<br /><br />You can visit <a href="http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/">Pausch's site</a>, or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch">Wikipedia article on him</a>. The lecture can be viewed on his website or you can download a great copy of it from iTunes from Carnegie Mellon's posts to iTunes University (all free, search for "Pausch" on iTunes).Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-67244361483124439472008-08-12T23:30:00.002-04:002008-08-12T23:51:03.658-04:00Worldly Cliches and the Christian Life<span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you ever just stop and listen to the way we Christians talk to one another about life? Perhaps that is the best test of whether we are worldly or not.</span> <br /><br />I've often heard and used expressions that have as of late got me to thinking. The two that come to mind are: "you only live once" and "this is as good as it gets!" There are more and these are may have valid uses in the right contexts, for it's true we do only live once <span style="font-style:italic;">before Christ's coming.</span> And sometimes I have uttered on a beautiful sunny day when I feel all is right with the world: "ah, this is great! This is a good as it gets!" And that maybe true on this side of "the sunny banks of sweet deliverance" (as Anthony Mangun says). <br /><br />However for the born-again believer these must be turned on their head. The cliche "you only live once" is really only true for the unbeliever. The unbeliever lives once and dies <span style="font-style:italic;">forever</span>. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The believer dies once but then <span style="font-style:italic;">lives</span> forever.</span> <br /><br />The cliche "this is as good as it gets" is really wrong-headed as well. For the unbeliever this is as good as it gets, and the worst day on earth will be far better than hell. But for the believer, the best day on earth will never compare to what's coming. <span style="font-weight:bold;">No, for the believer it's always: <span style="font-style:italic;">the best is yet to come.</span> </span> And that's a word for all of us, and that's hope. That's what caged Christians facing beasts in a Roman coliseum held to and that's what every suffering saint of God can find hope in. This is not positive thinking, it's faith in God that He's building a city--a Kingdom--that's coming and will right all wrongs and conquer all evil. And even there I believe we will live in hope and see greater things forever. <br /><br />I've always liked the ending of C.S. Lewis's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Last Battle</span>, the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia, and it's fitting here:<br /><br /><blockquote>"...the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before".</blockquote><br /><br />This is not a rant and I'm not claiming these as signs of the times, no they have been constant dangers to all Christians since Christ ascended. <span style="font-style:italic;"> The question is: do I live and talk in such a way that points to a reality beyond me?</span> That reality is God and His Kingdom that is soon coming in it's fullness. <span style="font-style:italic;">Am I walking and working in such a way that displays a real belief that treasure and reward in that great reality are greater than anything in this life?</span>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-16744840878707299822008-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:002008-08-11T07:00:04.248-04:00Regan on Reading<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gS8E2_VE1gY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gS8E2_VE1gY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I found this through Tony Reinke's <a href="http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/">Miscellanies</a> blog and with him I neither endorse the Letterman show. However, this is absolutely hilarious.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-75562978309866553792008-08-08T07:00:00.013-04:002008-08-08T11:52:14.734-04:00Nero Wolfe: Reclusive Detective of Massive Genius<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASdBCirNw0U8KpuRJr2VId8u0fHRaBrXT9mT0c4dW5WTmAJ2fvBmkZQtcWAZiUwUmM8kTtFvoEEDNpmUPIjneYxZCEYo7eEJW98w-g39xkRnbjoWtwYdW5SOWt59XY84qdOwv_Te9b8I/s1600-h/300px-Stout-BE-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASdBCirNw0U8KpuRJr2VId8u0fHRaBrXT9mT0c4dW5WTmAJ2fvBmkZQtcWAZiUwUmM8kTtFvoEEDNpmUPIjneYxZCEYo7eEJW98w-g39xkRnbjoWtwYdW5SOWt59XY84qdOwv_Te9b8I/s400/300px-Stout-BE-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231599102395153730" /></a><br />You've doubtless heard of Sherlock Holmes, and you may have heard of Sam Spade, but there's a good chance you've never heard of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin or of their creator Rex Stout. Nero Wolfe is a massive man - a "seventh of a ton" - with an even larger genius for crime solving. But he's also an obtuse recluse that doesn't like to leave his orchid's at home nor the food of his personal chef, Fritz. He doesn't even like to leave home for business, that's why he's got a full-time assistant, Archie Goodwin, who's the street-smart, sure-foot sleuth who does the legwork. It's a 20th Century Holmes and Watson but with more fireworks both between Goodwin and Wolfe and they and their enemies as it's set in New York City from the 30's to the 60's. There is also intense and amusing competition between Goodwin and Wolfe and the New York Police Department and the police, particularly Inspectors Crammer and Stebbins are always close at hand yet far behind the private detectives.<br /><br />I read somewhere that one reads a single Nero Wolfe story and enjoys it but reads two or three and is addicted. I agree with this opinion. I recently read my first Wolfe novel, <span style="font-style:italic;">Death of a Doxy</span> and enjoyed it thoroughly - it was good fun. It's the story of a straightforward homicide that Wolfe sorts through fairly easily. Then I read my second Wolfe novel, <span style="font-style:italic;">In The Best Families</span> and this one really drew me in. It was great fun. Wolfe is really put to the test this time by the tangled mess of a homicide and a mobster. This is a fabulous story and I'm looking forward to more.<br /><br />Wolfe and Goodwin are truly interesting characters and Stout draws them well. These are good stories, the characters are worthy and the dialogue is excellent. Wolfe himself really is fascinating. He's similar to Holmes but is more arrogant, more obstinate, more passionate when drawn out, but is even colder towards the fair sex than the occupant of 221B Baker Street. He also seems more human, he has other interests besides sleuthing, such as reading, his orchids, and his cuisine, and his stance towards the other sex is not merely cold business-like but rather seems driven by some past lost love. When it comes to his side interests his detective work seems a distraction from what he really wishes to do, but he must do it because he's so good at it and makes good money doing it (and his comfortable and sedentary lifestyle has a price). And when a mystery is brought to him he can't hardly help himself until he resolves it. And he resolves it by sitting around and simply thinking on it. When he figures it out, he only acts to prove it, he doesn't care to defend himself to others for he doesn't need their approval.<br /><br /><blockquote>"I can give you my word, but I know what it's worth and you don't." - Nero Wolfe</blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphcuW00dIaRRNdTHIEC_Lu6_pqgHn9g0lICZ-WAWx30i5ZIIF-sZrXuaI7xgRSGRu8HryU32anXrw7n46qrob5FHNEHW8RA-dJwqc3Hx8BMy-mXAAlJfMDcbTmWFxLdhyeVnk-5vq2QQ/s1600-h/NeroWolfe.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphcuW00dIaRRNdTHIEC_Lu6_pqgHn9g0lICZ-WAWx30i5ZIIF-sZrXuaI7xgRSGRu8HryU32anXrw7n46qrob5FHNEHW8RA-dJwqc3Hx8BMy-mXAAlJfMDcbTmWFxLdhyeVnk-5vq2QQ/s320/NeroWolfe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231604926444911314" /></a><br />Nero Wolfe is among the best of literary detectives - Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Ellery Queen - and if you like murder mysteries you'll find that this is very good stuff. And I'm not alone in saying so, Eugene Peterson, recognized author and translator of the Bible paraphrase <span style="font-style:italic;">The Message</span>, recommends Wolfe, among 12 other mysteries, in his <span style="font-style:italic;">Take & Read</span> book of recommended reads. Peterson says that for 30 years he has amused himself with the Wolfe stories, of which there are over 70. If you like detective fiction, you'll love Wolfe. Dig in and enjoy!Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-73554960990390130172008-08-05T13:14:00.002-04:002008-08-05T13:21:35.766-04:00Seven Subtle SiphonsI wrote this list down some time back and forgot where it came from, I think it was John Piper. I found it thoughtful and helpful. There are always dangers, even slight ones, lurking around and some of them are like siphons - overtime they drag us down, empty us, and are long-term defeaters. Like Proverbs, short lists and aphorisms, so long as they are not too cliche, are very helpful to provide course-correction. <br /><br />Here are seven:<br /><br />1. Words without actions.<br />2. Busyness without purpose.<br />3. Calendars without sabbath.<br />4. Relationships without nourishment.<br />5. Personality without accountability.<br />6. Giftedness without humility.<br />7. A biblical theology without personal integrity.<br /><br />Amen.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-81680447007230051232008-07-24T23:07:00.003-04:002008-07-24T23:36:07.708-04:00Thoughts on the Cadfael Chronicles and FaithThere is a lot to think about in reviewing <span style="font-style:italic;">The Holy Thief</span>. While my previously posted review of the book was sincere, I had many reactions to the book some of them theological and historical reflections and some merely practical. <br /><br />1. The religion of Medieval Roman Catholicism was very confused. If what is depicted in the Cadfael Chronicles is near authentic, then the Middle Ages were indeed dark. Prayer to dead saints? The Bible mostly ignored but for divination? These are not new observations but when one is placed in the daily events of that world it is mind-blowing. If for no other reason read the novel, and imagine living with that worldview day in and day out. Without a doubt, the Reformation was necessary and long over due.<br /><br />2. This is what most modern skeptics equate all religion to: devotion to superstition. If, when one is reading the skeptics or talking to one, realize that there perception of us is not that different from our reaction to the devotees in the Cadfael Chronicles.<br /><br />3. Sin is not eliminated by removing one's self from the world. No, worldliness is already in the heart. This is a very interesting point of the Cadfael Chronicles, and I think a theme deliberately placed by Peters. These holy brothers are not very holy and while separated to the spiritual, normally they are not very spiritual. In fact, they are often quite carnal in pursuing what they deem to be spiritual.<br /><br />4. The whole episode of applying <span style="font-style:italic;">sortes biblicae</span> is deeply intriguing. For one, I don't think this method is totally gone from the Church, in fact I think Christians of all sorts probably apply this type of thing in personal decision making. Honestly, I have on a few occasions been deeply comforted by randomly leafing through Scripture in a manner similar to this though I wasn't using it to make a decision. Nothing wrong with that I suppose. However, Scripture was not given to us for this purpose. Scripture is to be read in its entirety and in context, interpreted and applied carefully. We are to be guided not by superstitious divinations creatively forced to apply to our situation, but by the truths of all of Scripture.<br /><br />5. In spite of all that may be perceived as negative in the medieval mindset and showcased in this book, one foundation of that worldview seems to me to be bedrock for any Christian worldview: that God is ultimately in charge of all things, persons, and events, and is the source of all authority. I know that the doctrine of God's sovereignty can be abused and misused but it is something that we have profoundly lost, for that is something that most Christians think little on and consider controversial. <br /><br />6. Reading literature, by that I mean fiction, short stories or full-length novels, is a good practice for the Christian. It raises issues that provoke thought and it gives much more time for reflection than does television and movies. Though one should not read only fiction, one should not feel guilty for reading much of it and enjoying it. Good literature should have a solid place in the reading of the Christian.<br /><br />7. Reading of all kinds is sheer joy and good for the mind!Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-52387788009774611122008-07-24T21:38:00.005-04:002008-07-24T23:06:52.483-04:00Review: The Holy Thief - The 19th Chronicle of Brother Cadfael<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSVTDngoQQH1KgBifvi-F6TYxcmLK1W1gIlFhCxSyXse6R_1eFIiAue2X5wFQH_BqCwMIC-zvSDukmbCW49KUGVxQGy_2Lqv_1MqZXsuZyibyuutQurooMZAymiD6Cg_EEds29-Ld3fA/s1600-h/Ebay+Pictures+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSVTDngoQQH1KgBifvi-F6TYxcmLK1W1gIlFhCxSyXse6R_1eFIiAue2X5wFQH_BqCwMIC-zvSDukmbCW49KUGVxQGy_2Lqv_1MqZXsuZyibyuutQurooMZAymiD6Cg_EEds29-Ld3fA/s400/Ebay+Pictures+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226768772635057314" /></a><br />Cadfael is a sleuthing monk, a Holmes of the Bendectine Order, but more than a brother also a herbalist, man of medicine, and a former soldier and Crusader. This was my first reading trip through 12th century Shrewsbury Abbey and it was great fun. <br /><br />In this chronicle, Cadfael tackles a theft and a murder alongside his friend Hugh Beringar, the reeve of the shire. The theft of the celebrated relic of Shrewsbury leads to a fascinating thread through the tapestry of local politics, authorities , and medieval Catholicism-very devout but deeply confused. This is a world of powerful and rigid authorities both sacred and secular, of saints and relics, of place and position-a world far from the modern or "post-modern". I'm no historian of the Middle Ages but this seems like a worthy immersion into the medieval mindset. <br /><br />Most interesting is the tangled process of determining the will of a dead saint concerning the saint's own relic. The culmination of the process is application of <span style="font-style:italic;">sortes biblicae</span>, the use of the Bible for divination. This is performed by the seeker taking a copy of the Gospels in hand and letting it open randomly and placing a finger somewhere on the open pages. The portion by the placed finger is read aloud and then applied to the decision at hand. This is truly foreign territory but one must remember that this was an age when most truly believed every event to be the evidence of the will of God.<br /><br />Furthermore, it's just a good tale! Imagine murder and mayhem among monks! Sin among those totally dedicated and separated to holiness. The many different characters-the monks, peasants, sheriffs, lords, and troubadors-and the interplay between them are well drawn. If you need exhilarating racing action this is not for you, but if you enjoy a good story woven together then pick it up and spend a few afternoons in its pages, it won't disappoint.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-80157851480609749022008-06-18T14:41:00.002-04:002008-06-18T15:13:20.292-04:00Summer Reading Recommendations by Notable Readers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcIUihdV4C5VYoTbyXqSoK5tnp744esHd3TLv2xivPOARCODskh2UCkWb1DtFpfWb9kGs73dQHKiIuF1EBsCcZZJRlfp3OAKwAm8GCwb7_d51pW8BeOPk7cP3eqA4qAP2FPJQ6HZHeRM/s1600-h/books.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcIUihdV4C5VYoTbyXqSoK5tnp744esHd3TLv2xivPOARCODskh2UCkWb1DtFpfWb9kGs73dQHKiIuF1EBsCcZZJRlfp3OAKwAm8GCwb7_d51pW8BeOPk7cP3eqA4qAP2FPJQ6HZHeRM/s400/books.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213294746067927634" /></a><br /><br />The lists of recommended summer reading have been rolling out lately and some of my favorite bloggers and authors have done so. It's always useful to see what other people are reading and particularly what they consider to have been <span style="font-style:italic;">good</span> reading!<br /><br />Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has published three blog entries giving an annotated list of recommendations:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1163">Ten for the History Books -- Summer Reading Part 1</a><br /><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1164">Ten for the History Books -- Summer Reading Part 2</a><br /><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1166">Books for Guys -- Maybe for Dad, Maybe for Son, Maybe for You</a><br /><br />Al Mohler also put out a thoughtful look at the threat to libraries posed by the Internet and the digital revolution: <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1161">The Citadel and the Open Space - Will the Library Survive in the Internet Age?</a><br /><br />C.J. Mahaney, leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries and friend of Al Mohler's, responded with his own, lighter, reading list:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Books-for-the-Beach.aspx">Books for the Beach</a><br /><br />And lastly, Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, and author of the recent <span style="font-style:italic;">The Reason for God</span>, a very good read itself, has given this list:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.redeemer.com/news_and_events/ad_detail.html?ad_id=65">Summer Reading List</a><br /><br />Enjoy! I hope you find the time...Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-86861444070284308092008-04-24T22:01:00.005-04:002008-04-24T22:15:38.995-04:00Man’s Relationship with God: Personal and Impersonal Perspectives<span xmlns=''><p>For a class on Christian Philosophy in my M.Div program at Southern Seminary, James Sire's <em>The Universe Next Door</em> was assigned reading. I greatly enjoyed reading it and in fact I recommend it. In this post, however I merely want to mention a point I found helpful. In the discussion on theistic existentialism, Sire points out some of the positive contributions it made to theology and Christian thought. Existentialism of the Christian variety was largely a reaction to the dead orthodoxy of European state churches. Soren Kierkegaard and later neo-orthodox theologians such as Karl Barth were reacting to the cultural captivity and stagnancy of the churches of their day. If we are not careful it is possible to become dead, captive to culture, or both, and there are more ways to do this than one can imagine. <br /> </p><p>For instance, it is easy to depersonalize the Christian faith into a mere system of dogma rather than a living faith based on a real interaction between a real God and a humanity longing for relationship. This is not to set theology in opposition with personal piety, they are both absolutely necessary. Sire includes the chart below to help one view basic concepts of the Christian faith from both the perspective of the personal and the impersonal (Sire, 131). <br /></p><p>One can see the appeal of both perspectives, particularly the personal. The Scriptures include both perspectives as well, and I think place the emphasis on the personal. There's nothing new here but much to remember.<br /><br /><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:213px'/><col style='width:213px'/><col style='width:213px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: solid black 0.5pt; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'> </td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: solid black 0.5pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><strong>Depersonalized</strong></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: solid black 0.5pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><strong>Personalized</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><em>Sin</em></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Breaking a rule</p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Betraying a relationship</p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><em>Repentance</em></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Admitting guilt</p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Sorrowing over personal betrayal</p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><em>Forgiveness</em></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Canceling a penalty</p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Renewing fellowship</p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><em>Faith</em></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Believing a set of propositions</p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Committing oneself to a person</p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: solid black 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p><em>Christian life</em></p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Obeying rules</p></td><td style='padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 0.5pt; border-right: solid black 0.5pt'><p>Pleasing the Lord, a Person</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></span>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-85380815140898289292008-04-10T21:33:00.003-04:002008-04-10T22:13:36.092-04:00How to Counsel and Help NobodyBelow you will see a absolutely hilarious skit by Bob Newhart. What scares me is how much this reminds me of myself. I am not a gifted counselor. I don't know how many times I've thought this way. "You don't feel happy about life?" "Well just stop it!" "Get over it!" "Give up and let God!" There are some situations that need such simple advice, but we would be foolish to think that many are this simple. Anyways, enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BYLMTvxOaeE&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BYLMTvxOaeE&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-3968986618047627212008-03-27T17:11:00.002-04:002008-03-27T17:14:49.303-04:00Ben Stein Interview with R.C. SproulBen Stein of Ferris Bueller fame appears on R.C. Sproul's <span style="font-style:italic;">Renewing Your Mind</span> program to discuss Intelligent Design, Darwinism, and his upcoming documentary, <span style="font-style:italic;">Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed</span>. <br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2008/03/rc-sproul-interviews-ben-stein.html">Follow this link.</a>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-11280764576750085842008-02-07T11:01:00.000-05:002008-02-07T11:21:18.040-05:00Tim Hawkins - Hilarious!!Check out these hilarious videos of Tim Hawkins comedy and parodies.<br /><br /><br />Cletus, Take the Reel:<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zfs3BJZxKkc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zfs3BJZxKkc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Corporations Taking Over Churches:<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S-hJloQqUe4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S-hJloQqUe4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Prairie Home Sausage:<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FVEfZSKTdn8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FVEfZSKTdn8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Kids Rock:<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5R8gSgedh4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5R8gSgedh4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />On Products:<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8MdVx6UYpHg&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8MdVx6UYpHg&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />You can get plenty more at Google Video and YouTube.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-31367277301198290332008-02-07T10:51:00.000-05:002008-02-07T11:00:50.592-05:00The United States Armed Forces Preparing for HillaryIn a shocking move, the US Armed Forces have began to prepare for the likely event of Hillary Clinton taking the helm. In preparation for the possibility of her leadership as commander-in-chief several new weapon systems are being developed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwDhASZmCThRofFbQ01sH6Y3NR-Vr6zbQRIo9sYVmOqKlQR23aqltCMdkPjLNFI16YanN4gRPMWzH_-gD0oWjArPFxB8mmYV7eTNTnW-3JpLDZIHKMJ1_5pc3tzjJj0xb82SsyxY9Uno/s1600-h/image001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwDhASZmCThRofFbQ01sH6Y3NR-Vr6zbQRIo9sYVmOqKlQR23aqltCMdkPjLNFI16YanN4gRPMWzH_-gD0oWjArPFxB8mmYV7eTNTnW-3JpLDZIHKMJ1_5pc3tzjJj0xb82SsyxY9Uno/s320/image001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164267225790566850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApmjrXg6K5P0SbtWgstgRhSWArSkDwYjyi4ax1H1lA5qZac1farRoc-3AZDmOyglxYD-vljQMtm_rsQ_eM2MphJMdisy19faNM2b3aWMFaFEBEORZCGwdWRoYBYora_c_OmOmiNphuLI/s1600-h/image002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApmjrXg6K5P0SbtWgstgRhSWArSkDwYjyi4ax1H1lA5qZac1farRoc-3AZDmOyglxYD-vljQMtm_rsQ_eM2MphJMdisy19faNM2b3aWMFaFEBEORZCGwdWRoYBYora_c_OmOmiNphuLI/s320/image002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268127733699026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhOLEDjJ8U9lOy8IhNpPfrZSsCpDgBdXShla5og3JXshnH_WpyuUEoSuyV4Y9AqKafrGNKIqMJoaWjYKB8uLq7hr15CGVB_wsG4IsyUxlPO7FhI4vDPMgocgyzIGOyYYmd5Ofg1piTRQ/s1600-h/image003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhOLEDjJ8U9lOy8IhNpPfrZSsCpDgBdXShla5og3JXshnH_WpyuUEoSuyV4Y9AqKafrGNKIqMJoaWjYKB8uLq7hr15CGVB_wsG4IsyUxlPO7FhI4vDPMgocgyzIGOyYYmd5Ofg1piTRQ/s320/image003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268226517946850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs41DSBHej_9vB1p7gksiCM-XD4NptkdFtKlywaFxnjAMvP2oOqBObjwwPFZ0dSLZmqKpbpC7CefzV19tsa5Ce9Cqf1gMpMI5_F6HxzYj7a2MqJrp-KpCGGOKseWnHS7RPBgSTL6txlco/s1600-h/image004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs41DSBHej_9vB1p7gksiCM-XD4NptkdFtKlywaFxnjAMvP2oOqBObjwwPFZ0dSLZmqKpbpC7CefzV19tsa5Ce9Cqf1gMpMI5_F6HxzYj7a2MqJrp-KpCGGOKseWnHS7RPBgSTL6txlco/s320/image004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268321007227378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSoU2Ft-C8IdM9mE7ItfObhyphenhyphenvW4dmcYq3B95iWh3cSe7bCOvoy6abMetr500xsLbEE-PuJsOwb5buWOJ7rXUA7gw3gStEdOu70AEiqvvQof6ZKf_jPpgaWVceTn4XVcS5W2i1uhvcDvk/s1600-h/image005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSoU2Ft-C8IdM9mE7ItfObhyphenhyphenvW4dmcYq3B95iWh3cSe7bCOvoy6abMetr500xsLbEE-PuJsOwb5buWOJ7rXUA7gw3gStEdOu70AEiqvvQof6ZKf_jPpgaWVceTn4XVcS5W2i1uhvcDvk/s320/image005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268428381409794" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_y3yNPij9S9A/R6sq3S5wUhI/AAAAAAAAAO4/UHpo7xQ2ewg/s1600-h/image006.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_y3yNPij9S9A/R6sq3S5wUhI/AAAAAAAAAO4/UHpo7xQ2ewg/s320/image006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268527165657618" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_y3yNPij9S9A/R6sq_C5wUiI/AAAAAAAAAPA/hrZBPy982IQ/s1600-h/image007.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_y3yNPij9S9A/R6sq_C5wUiI/AAAAAAAAAPA/hrZBPy982IQ/s320/image007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164268660309643810" /></a>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-85243682697077277082008-02-07T10:50:00.001-05:002008-02-07T10:50:57.707-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWPbDmvMwSDW7JqCVDS9InMaQHjlayoZpSK3VfqndvyZdzsHbNO63E9lrz95jpVcotYXTKmBJgUOgLNHzJlmNABDQ7DFBeGywwUYK2Dazf7q9xGyuLGaFPg8irxWhJ419Unq9QGFyzro/s1600-h/esv.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWPbDmvMwSDW7JqCVDS9InMaQHjlayoZpSK3VfqndvyZdzsHbNO63E9lrz95jpVcotYXTKmBJgUOgLNHzJlmNABDQ7DFBeGywwUYK2Dazf7q9xGyuLGaFPg8irxWhJ419Unq9QGFyzro/s320/esv.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164266315257500082" /></a>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-81140015404403618752007-10-30T10:50:00.000-04:002007-10-30T13:56:42.891-04:00Weekly Upwords and Onwords - October 30th Edition<span style="font-weight:bold;">Carl Trueman and the Wages of Spin</span><br /><br />Trueman provocatively challenges us to get over our culture's coolness and cult of youth in <a href="http://www.reformation21.org/Upcoming_Issues/To_Baldly_Go/359/">To Baldly Go</a>, of course, where no man has gone before. I think he's dead-on, and the take away for youth ministers is that we are far too concerned with trendiness, coolness, and youthfulness rather than Jesus, the Gospel, and maturity. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mohler reviews Dockery's</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">Renewing Minds</span><br /><br />I haven't read it, but it looks good. Mohler recommends <span style="font-style:italic;">Renewing Minds: Serving Church and Society through Christian Higher Education</span> stating that it comes from one who has "earned the credibility to set forth his vision." Dr. David S. Dockery is president of Union University. A University president having more than a plan to increase the endowments? Imagine that!Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-51141368674238537612007-10-26T08:19:00.000-04:002007-10-26T08:42:26.194-04:00Walking the Line with Russell D. MooreI have already mentioned the series of teaching on Proverbs by Dean Moore from Southern Seminary. However, I wanted to include a transcription of portions of Session 3 on "You May Already Be A Sluggard: Work and the Wisdom of Christ." Perhaps this will draw some of you to interest and listening and learning from these sessions.<br /><br />Here is the blockquote, which begins some around minute 30-31 of the mp3 of Session 3:<br /><br /><blockquote>"…that’s the case with every single one of us. All of us. What we are to do, is to so gain dominion over the curse in our own lives, that we are actually in the face of our employers, surprising our employers with our excellence. That’s what ought to be happening. There ought to be a sense of awe, especially in the face of unbelieving employers, to say, “how in the world can that guy stack tires like that without having to be watched all the time?” “How in the world can that woman fill prescriptions with that kind of excellence without having to be watched and supervised all of the time?” Because you are showing and signaling that you have dominion. Not a pharaoh-like dominion, but showing that you have stewardship over what has been given to you. That is blessed in Scripture. You are having the kind of foresight: “look to the ant,” Proverbs says, because she stores up for the winter. You are seeing strategically and long-term. You may say, “well, its easy for me to see strategically and long-term when I’m the boss, when I’m the one who has ultimate accountability of what takes place.” <br /><br />Yeah, but what you are called to is to have that kind of long-term foresight no matter where you are in the structure of the church, the company, or wherever you are, because you are imaging God, you are walking in the way of wisdom. <br /><br />The Scripture also says that says that there is an open-handedness. Work is not simply about carrying out tasks. Its not simply about planning for the future, its not simply about living. But look in chapter 27-28: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it; do not say to your neighbor, ‘go and come again tomorrow and I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” It says here that there is a fruit of our labor that is an open-handedness, a giving of what we have…<br /><br />The plumb-line is the way of wisdom; the measuring rod is the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is very, very easy to see spirituality as something that is disconnected from work. If you tell somebody you’re going to do something, you had better do it…with excellence. You had better do it before they want it done , better do it better than they want it done. Not because you’re trying to impress that person, we’re not eye-pleasers, Paul says, but because you are doing it as unto Christ. <br /><br />If you are in a situation where you are overwhelmed about something at your job you need to be as concerned about that, about getting dominion over that, as you would be about a sin that is present in your life, what you would consider a sin. Rather, gouge out your eye, cut off your hand than fail, than be overwhelmed. Scripture is telling us that spirituality has everything to do with our callings.<br /><br />So that we are working, carrying out the tasks we’ve been given, pointing to that ultimate adventure, that ultimate working in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus, in which we are co-heirs and co-laborers with Him. You’re not in a retreat, you’re in an internship for the Eschaton. And the book of Proverbs is saying to us through the Holy Spirit will you image Jesus through work?" <br /></blockquote><br /><br />Download and listen to the whole series at <a href="http://www.henryinstitute.org/bibleteaching.php?QI=1">The Henry Institute</a>. By the way, if you're wondering where the title <span style="font-style:italic;">Walking the Line</span> comes from, think of these lyrics and you may figure it out: <span style="font-style:italic;">"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time."</span>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-5201896243479218342007-10-24T22:54:00.000-04:002007-10-25T09:14:43.449-04:00Weekly Upwords and Onwords - 10/24/07<span style="font-weight:bold;">SCC Nearing 10 Million Albums Sold!!</span><br />I've been talking a lot about Steven Curtis Chapman lately, and as you may know he's nearing 10 million albums sold. I believe that he will soon cross that number with his latest release, <span style="font-style:italic;">This Moment</span>, which I will be reviewing soon. Several of SCC's albums are Certified Gold and some are even Certified Platinum. I was wondering what that meant and checked it out on Wikipedia. I quickly discovered that there were even higher certifications such as Diamond Certified. Do you know that? And just how well does SCC stack up to mainstream, secular artists and groups? This Wikipedia article will let you know: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_certification">RIAA Certification</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">John Piper & Desiring God</span><br />Back to books. I don't if you've ever heard of John Piper before, but I want to recommend his writing to you. He is the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, longtime author and national speaker, and founder of Desiring God Ministries. He has made a great stir through the years speaking on his understanding of the Christian life which provocatively calls "Christian Hedonism." If you wonder just how those two words could possibly go together then you must read Piper! Fortunately, many of his books have been made available as free downloads on his website: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/">Piper Online Books</a>. You can also see Desiring God's book recommendations at: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/25/1616_What_are_some_books_that_DG_recommends/">DG Book Recommendations</a>.<br /><br />See his website at <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/">www.desiringgod.org</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Russell D. Moore on Proverbs</span><br />Dr. Russell D. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also teaches Sunday School at the local church where he is a member. He recently went through portions of Proverbs outlining the Wisdom of God and many of its practical applications. The series is titled <a href="http://www.henryinstitute.org/bibleteaching.php?QI=1">Walking the Line</a>, I HIGHLY recommend them. Download them and listen with Bible, pen, and paper in hand. He also runs the <a href="http://www.henryinstitute.org/">Carl F.H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement</a>.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-43996307674143485232007-10-20T23:06:00.001-04:002007-10-22T15:54:38.257-04:00Artist Review: The Dove Man, Steven Curtis Chapman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hEw18BFw1DT2Bo4NZ8ACMTyjbTBrp8M91XviiEQw-GEl8tgPetEcZYBFXm0APU8M4YQWu1Iis9nJZpLvCjTYNT0Cz71vc_XozJU4cHHN2oSG0t-qB__aBgQ1twtVRQ8Zs9ompIDn3HQ/s1600-h/sccradiolaunchheader.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hEw18BFw1DT2Bo4NZ8ACMTyjbTBrp8M91XviiEQw-GEl8tgPetEcZYBFXm0APU8M4YQWu1Iis9nJZpLvCjTYNT0Cz71vc_XozJU4cHHN2oSG0t-qB__aBgQ1twtVRQ8Zs9ompIDn3HQ/s320/sccradiolaunchheader.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123847774201533890" /></a><br />Thomas Aquinas had a substitute title for his favorite author, Aristotle, it was simply <span style="font-style:italic;">the Philosopher</span>. When Aquinas spoke of the Philosopher he meant Aristotle. I am a music lover and listen widely, particularly of Christian contemporary and modern worship music, but Steven Curtis Chapman (SCC) is the only artist with a dedicated playlist in my mp3 library. SCC is for me, simply, <span style="font-style:italic;">the Artist</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9AdhO4rfoU-SccOc3BNmawV2e6wPE_A_W6TMhcZ38GBARNcpz8ZL9b3XrJvLulUVjco97zkSGwT1PjOiEJ8tPOqMpdvEAmf7mbG8RurXEUhcx6_H0Ecn5YwU10htLzCDuYCAiJLJGOk/s1600-h/cdstevencurtischapman_firsthand.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9AdhO4rfoU-SccOc3BNmawV2e6wPE_A_W6TMhcZ38GBARNcpz8ZL9b3XrJvLulUVjco97zkSGwT1PjOiEJ8tPOqMpdvEAmf7mbG8RurXEUhcx6_H0Ecn5YwU10htLzCDuYCAiJLJGOk/s200/cdstevencurtischapman_firsthand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123849797131130322" /></a>It has been 20 years since SCC debuted in the world of CCM with his first album, <span style="font-style:italic;">First Hand.</span> In that 20 years, he has released 12 theme albums, 3 Christmas albums, 4 compilations, 1 live recording, and 1 new and upcoming album for a shocking total of 21. Add to that the many songs he has written or worked on for films (<span style="font-style:italic;">The Prince of Egypt</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Chronicles of Narnia</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">The End of the Spear</span>, even <span style="font-style:italic;">We Were Soldiers</span>...) and other projects, and the volume of output is simply amazing. He wrote much of this work himself displaying an impressive ability for combining deeply-felt, thoughtful lyrics with captivating melodies and cutting-edge pop, rock, and country sounds. The sales of his albums top 9 million and 45 of his songs have reached number one on the CCM charts. <br /><br />In short, SCC has proved to be one of the most productive, consistent, and steady artists in the world of CCM. Of course, the CCM movement has stopped to thank him for this many times, rewarding him over the years with a record-breaking 51 Dove awards. In addition to that he has been awarded with 5 Grammys.<br /><br />SCC's music first appealed to me as road-burning music. Certainly, not Sunday morning music but songs for jamming down the highway. I had rarely listened to anything but southern and black gospel music, having been taught that anything with a rock beat was wrong. I can remember when that notion was forever destroyed for me: I was riding along with a friend and his father to some event and they popped in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Great Adventure</span>, and that was it. By the time I had my own vehicle, it was windows rolled down jamming with <span style="font-style:italic;">The Great Adventure</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">No Better Place</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">My Turn Now</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Walk</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Treasure of You</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Facts are Facts</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Let Us Pray</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Land of Opportunity</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Only Natural</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Rubber Meets The Road</span>, and others blaring from my poor boy's factory car speakers. And it just kept getting better with the later great jam songs <span style="font-style:italic;">Dive</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Change</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">See the Glory</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Jesus is Life</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Fingerprints of God</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Declaration of Dependence</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Live Out Loud</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Bring It On</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Only Getting Starting</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Whatever</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">I Do Believe</span>.<br /><br />What drew me the most to SCC's music however was the depth of meaning in the lyrics of his some of his slower songs. The first to grab my attention was <span style="font-style:italic;">Heart's Cry</span>, with these words:<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This is my heart's cry<br />I want to know the one who saved me and gave me life<br />This is my heart's cry to be so close to Him that all my life becomes<br />A testimony of my Savior's grace and love<br />This is my heart's cry<br /></span><br /></blockquote><br />Many of his songs have such a richness of meaning pointing to an obvious deep commitment to the Lord and much meditation on what worship and devotion to Christ is all about. For instance, ponder the words of this song, <span style="font-style:italic;">Much of You</span>:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />I want to make much of You, Jesus<br />I want to make much of Your love<br />I want to live today to give You the praise<br />That You alone are so worthy of<br />I want to make much of Your mercy<br />I want to make much of Your cross<br />I give You my life<br />Take it and let it be used<br />To make much of You</span></blockquote><br />I would say that there is a depth of understanding of worship in that song rarely found in Christian music today. Other great SCC songs of this type include <span style="font-style:italic;">Hiding Place</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">My Redeemer is Faithful and True</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">His Eyes</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Wait</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">His Strength is Perfect</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Way Beyond the Blue</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Waiting for Lightning</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">When You Are A Soldier</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Miracle of Mercy</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Be Still and Know</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">God is God</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Savior</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Moment Made for Worshipping</span>. The words of this last song, I can't resist including here:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">This is a moment made for worshipping<br />'Cause this is a moment I'm alive<br />This is a moment I was made to sing<br />A song of living sacrifice<br />For every moment that I live and breathe<br />This is a moment made for worshipping</span></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPQPNbpo5IgtB6PdcUZj91o-WgnnMyd9ZRVU3q_Po6rWvY2xGUR1A-8HpkMmpCb9HLdPCKmMUtiEwlRjbqelWCs2DjWeFmf1hwxBv_N0H9PRXOgI3WeP37S6sX38THC9HpI4cY-K5qQo/s1600-h/scc_greatesthits.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPQPNbpo5IgtB6PdcUZj91o-WgnnMyd9ZRVU3q_Po6rWvY2xGUR1A-8HpkMmpCb9HLdPCKmMUtiEwlRjbqelWCs2DjWeFmf1hwxBv_N0H9PRXOgI3WeP37S6sX38THC9HpI4cY-K5qQo/s200/scc_greatesthits.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123849981814724066" /></a><br />Between all the jam songs and the slow, deep songs are many great songs, some them ballads and some of them just easy listening. Songs such as <span style="font-style:italic;">The Mountain</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Free</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Burn the Ships</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Remember the Chains</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Walk With The Wise</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">In This Little Room</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">More to this Life</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Love You with My Life</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">For the Sake of the Call</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Magnificent Obsession</span>. <br /><br />SCC hasn't always written CCM music exclusively. One of his classic songs, <span style="font-style:italic;">I Will Be Here</span> has become a wedding standard. His album, <span style="font-style:italic;">All About Love</span>, was dedicated almost entirely to love and romance songs, being an album devoted to the love he and his wife share. <br /><br />Easy to overlook, but worth checking out are his joint project songs. Of note is <span style="font-style:italic;">By His Wounds</span> with Third Day, and <span style="font-style:italic;">I See Love</span> with MercyMe.<br /><br />When it comes to style I'm not exactly sure where SCC falls. He has proven capable of driving rock songs, energetic blues-influenced numbers, acoustic based worship songs (precursors of the praise & worship movement), orchestral sounds prefacing or behind songs, and all sorts of blended genres from alternative to country. The key stylistic influences are certainly country and rock, but it is obvious that SCC appreciates and enjoys a wide variety of styles. The oft-repeated criticism of CCM is that it is merely Christianized pop music copied a few years after the real thing and marketed for a clean, Christian audience. I believe SCC resists such criticism easily, whatever can be said of other CCM artists, cheap imitation would not survive 20 years. And through the years his sound has evolved considerably and when a new release comes out often it is with a new sound, and whatever the new sound is it is clean, tight, and well-executed.<br /><br />How does SCC do all of this? I'm not sure-God is the One who provides such gifts. SCC's got the voice, the musical ability, and certainly the passion, but the key, I believe, is his song-writing and his devotion to the God he sings about. His song writing demonstrates a grasp of the deep, wholistic nature of biblical worship and he crafts the lyrics so that it is communicated in words and images very relevant to the contemporary generation. His devotion is shown most completely in the some of the lyrics of the songs, some quoted above. Other little things demonstrate his devotion as well, like his habit of providing related Scriptures for every song in the liner notes of each album.<br /><br />I also appreciate SCC for his consistency. As far as I know, he never attempted to crossover to mainstream rock and pop music which so many try to do. What he started out doing-making great music for Jesus-is what he is still doing today.<br /><br />I appreciate and enjoy the music of SCC not in order to exalt SCC or indulge in some form of Christian rock idol worship, but rather because SCC has helped me through his music to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in my personal thought life, worship, and prayer. <br /><br />Thus, I commend to you the work of Steven Curtis Chapman.<br /><br />For a full discography, see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Curtis_Chapman_discography">here</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30UEDWA8yNIkcQMjBDq_j_ClL-fy7ZEZKbzPDkozTrfNsLwnkeVFydxqQ91UjyQXrLeIlXcKpM6JKPjmuKMx7WAA1tmu2oXET5nUTCJ_snJgMH5Kb7o5MMTTlcSDi7BuDt5G4gP5EVRs/s1600-h/scc_liveinthismoment.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30UEDWA8yNIkcQMjBDq_j_ClL-fy7ZEZKbzPDkozTrfNsLwnkeVFydxqQ91UjyQXrLeIlXcKpM6JKPjmuKMx7WAA1tmu2oXET5nUTCJ_snJgMH5Kb7o5MMTTlcSDi7BuDt5G4gP5EVRs/s320/scc_liveinthismoment.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123850260987598322" /></a><br /><br />Also, make sure to watch for his upcoming release <span style="font-style:italic;">Live in this Moment.</span> He is also on tour this fall and in the Spring 2008, so check out the SCC <a href="http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/">website</a>, and if he's coming close to home go!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD_NhebEIStvrjOHcf28QojXCxf7iS1awY191k8XOmlx1TD8KTVOFr9w7sk3d3liujPck5r-40oV_4Mj7LAWp1U5Vm9K1fbdwJxxoTzUziIcWDvDt4reMy0okewK_RGvO9crU96ft2pg/s1600-h/scccommunityheader.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD_NhebEIStvrjOHcf28QojXCxf7iS1awY191k8XOmlx1TD8KTVOFr9w7sk3d3liujPck5r-40oV_4Mj7LAWp1U5Vm9K1fbdwJxxoTzUziIcWDvDt4reMy0okewK_RGvO9crU96ft2pg/s320/scccommunityheader.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123850862283019794" /></a>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-49084942548702030872007-10-17T13:09:00.001-04:002007-10-21T13:53:37.605-04:00Weekly Upwords and OnwordsI'm a great fan of <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com">The Simple Dollar</a> blog and have learned quite a bit from it. I recommend its <span style="font-style:italic;">best of...</span> stash of blogs. Recently, Trent (the man behind it all) published a very useful summary of 25 weeks of reviewing a book on personal development and productivity. He did this by reading one book on the subject every week! So, please check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/15/building-a-personal-productivity-and-development-library-whats-essential-what-isnt/">The Simple Dollar - Building A Personal Productivity and Development Library</a><br /><br />I also greatly enjoy the blogging of <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com">Al Mohler</a>, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. You may have seen him on TV as he has made many guest appearances representing the evangelical Christian perspective on a wide swath of issues. He is known to be a voluminous reader. It is fabled that he has personal library between 30,000 and 50,000 volumes, and legend has it that you can pick any volume and ask questions concerning it which he quickly and ably answer. So he is well-qualified to write about reading, so check out his <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1005">recommendations on reading</a>, his <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1022">thoughts </a>on the importance of books for the Christian faith, and some current books he <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2007-07-18">recommends</a>.Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5431488912762678065.post-60565746716657099272007-10-11T20:14:00.000-04:002007-10-17T12:59:23.983-04:00Book Review: Patriot Battles by Michael Stephenson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21IqcnmOsEl4jvtGM4li8h_j7b3Zd4PL5sy8h5j46_6K0-71vbKLOaN_v4cyHtwI7A6aE2VGKlcg87m1DLI4mw8jChp9Z34NDiD1z0D3u0hRpG0trcnLVHquC4ECFar1gomB5uaasUbc/s1600-h/Patriot+Battles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21IqcnmOsEl4jvtGM4li8h_j7b3Zd4PL5sy8h5j46_6K0-71vbKLOaN_v4cyHtwI7A6aE2VGKlcg87m1DLI4mw8jChp9Z34NDiD1z0D3u0hRpG0trcnLVHquC4ECFar1gomB5uaasUbc/s200/Patriot+Battles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120281020252294770" /></a><br /><br />War may be Hell, nevertheless men love to read and write about war. Michael Stephenson is certainly equal to the task of writing about war professionally and passionately. It is obvious that he loves the writing, and if you enjoy military history, you'll love the reading.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Purpose of the Book</span><br /><br />The subtitle of <span style="font-style:italic;">Patriot Battles</span> is <span style="font-style:italic;">How the War of Independence Was Fought</span>. The subtitle holds two keys to the book. The first is the purpose of the book: to answer the how question for all parties concerned in the war. The second is a key thesis of Stephenson's work: the war fought between the American colonies and their British brothers from 1775-1783 was actually quite conservative all things considered. That is, that it is better called the War of <span style="font-style:italic;">Independence </span>than the <span style="font-style:italic;">Revolutionary </span>War. It was essentially a change in management, from British to American, rather than a radical revolution in authority, society, and tradition. What he means is not that there were no radical ideas or results, indeed there were. Rather, the War was not accompanied by the mass upheaval, wide bloodshed, and chaotic shifts seen in later revolutions such as in France a few decades later or those throughout the 20th century.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Part One: The Nuts and Bolts of War</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Patriot Battles</span> is divided simply into two parts. The first, "The Nuts and Bolts of War," covers in 11 chapters the details of battle and war during the War of Independence. Stephenson succeeds at putting the reader in the place of the soldiers and leaders on both sides of the conflict. He provides a bluntly honest portrayal of their motives, weapons, equipment, and plight with a flair for iconoclasm. In fact, he enjoys this myth-busting, letting the reader know, for instance, that the Americans were rarely found in uniform "blue-and-buff," instead they were just happy to have cloths, coats, and shoes. The famed American rifleman, as deadly a shooter as he was, wasn't quite the favored warrior of imagination either, instead most commanders, Washington included, preferred the musket man. <br /><br />Washington would have preferred to do otherwise than forced to in almost every way. Washington considered himself a Gentleman after the English-European tradition and deeply desired to fight in a European manner with national uniforms, bold battle plans, traditional tactics, and an aristocratic officer's class. But he didn't have any of those things and instead did very well with what he had. He also learned to play the Fox, something else he didn't really like-he would have preferred bold, open warfare-but he became very good at it. By the end of the war Washington neared his ideals, but by then, well, it was over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Part Two: The Great Battles</span><br /><br />The second half of the book, "The Great Battles," covers in brief the 18 key battles of the War of Independence. The order of battle, the battle's terrain, and the key movements for each are laid out in useful description. Interestingly enough, most of these battles were won by the British, whose Lobsterbacks and Hessians tended to take the field on most days though often at high price. The fact of the War is that the American patriots simply would not quit. Washington's subordinate and then later American commander during the War in the South, Nathanael Greene said, "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again" (79). In the southern campaigns, for instance, the British fought ten major engagements. Stephenson says, "They 'won' seven of them and lost the war" (314).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Small Criticism</span><br /><br />The only criticism I have is the somewhat consistent comparison to America's current war in Iraq with the War of Independence. Stephenson believes that we have reversed roles in the ensuing centuries. George Bush has more likeness to George the III rather than George Washington. Stephenson may be right, and that what would perhaps make the thesis for a fine work of its own. However, I would prefer to keep the history books history as much as possible. This will limit the longevity of the work and its reception by many. Most are not picking the book up to hear an opinion about George W. Bush or the War in Iraq.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Strengths of the Work</span><br /><br />There are several things which commend Stephenson's book. First, his writing is image-filled and connects with the contemporary reader. He has a solid, impacting style that communicates well. For instance, take the following passage on the rush of battle, the chance for glory, and the consequent exhaustion:<br /><br /><blockquote><br />“Because there were only a very limited number of social roles open to them…heroism in battle provided at least an opportunity for recognition if not for glory.” The individual soldier in combat can be driven forward not only by training, the fear of retribution, and the pressures of his peers but also by a profound sense of the possibility of the heroic: what might be called “internal glory.” It is that moment—an adrenaline flash—when a man picks himself off the ground and rushes a strongly held enemy position. It is the moment when an extraordinary feat of courage overcomes terrible fear. But that stupendous, transforming, adrenaline rush comes with a price, a debilitating drain of energy that follows close on its heels. The nervous system is burned out, like an electrical surge frazzling a computer’s motherboard. The psychological and physical crash that follows battle to some extent explains the inability of generals to follow up victory with vigorous pursuit. The truth was that their men were spent." (89)</blockquote><br /><br />Second, Stephenson includes a great many facts of the war which explain many contemporary questions concerning the style of 18th century warfare. For instance, why did men stand in long lines just a football field away from each other and just fire away? That seems stupid and inconceivable to us today. The truth is, that as extremely horrific the experience was, the actual battle casualties were quite low because the weapons used were simply that ineffective. Men could stand in lines and shoot at each for hours and yet the rate of casualties be quite low. These tactics would of course cause horrific casualties when in subsequent decades the weapons were improved-as seen in the Napoleonic and Civil Wars.<br /><br />Third, Stephenson provides many anecdotes which help to humanize the leaders and soldiers in the war and remove the dust of glory provided by two centuries. Many of these are about George Washington. Though many of these may seem to idolize Washington, most of them are simple records of what really happened, and it could be that Washington was, well, great. His bravery and courage were well-noted during the war, as this passage shows:<br /><br /><blockquote>“During the assault, the British kept up an incessant firing of cannon and musketry from their whole line. His Excellency General Washington, Generals Lincoln and Knox, with their aids, having dismounted, were standing in an exposed situation waiting the result. Colonel Cobb, one of Washington’s aids, solicitous for his safety, said to His Excellency, “Sir, you are too much exposed here. Had you not better step a little back?”<br />“Colonel Cobb,” replied His Excellency, “if you are afraid you have liberty to step back.””<br /><br />- Recorded by Dr. James Thacher at the battle of Yorktown (72).</blockquote><br /><br />As well as this one, which has as it's backdrop the near revolt of the American officer corps at the end of the war:<br /><br /><blockquote>“On 10 March 1783 two anonymous declarations of grievances—the Newburgh Addresses—were circulated among the officers of Newburgh, New York. In a striking way the addresses echo the language of patriot revolt against Britain itself, except America was now the oppressor: ‘A country that tramples upon your rights, disdains your cries and insults your distresses.’ In order to head off the insurgents, Washington preempted a meeting they had called and, with a brilliant coup de theatre—reaching for his glasses, he said, ‘Gentlemen you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.’—he won them over. The office corps returned to what it had always been during the war: loyal to the nation beyond all reasonable expectation and more steadfast in republican ideals than most of the people it served.” (78)</blockquote><br /><br /><br />In the end, I commend to you <span style="font-style:italic;">Patriot Battles.</span>Chad A. Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04475795200319606630noreply@blogger.com2