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Blog ArchivesPartial Birth Abortion Is Murder
And I am so glad the Supreme Court upheld it’s ban.
I am tired and emotional, and not quite sure what to say, but feel that I must say something. Elena was on the floor, playing, generally being adorable, Nancy was in the chair behind me, catching up with Facebook, and I was reading John Piper’s response to the Supreme Court ruling which is excellent. I must warn you, however, not to read the description of a partial birth abortion from a nurse’s perspective unless you have a very strong stomach. I read it, and thought of delivering my daughter, which I got to help with (mostly I stood by and watched Nancy and the midwife work, but I was still blessed)… I read this, thought of that time, and wept… a lot. I picked Elena up and gave her a hug and prayed and swore to protect her at all costs. I felt, for some reason, that she is in danger. I know she is. We are in a war. A spiritual war over our souls. We have an enemy that is trying to kill us. But I digress.
I’ve always thought, intellectually that abortion was wrong, and honestly, can still be sympathetic for the subtle gray areas of early term abortion in cases of rape. However, philosophically and logically, it is impossible to pinpoint a beginning point to human life at any other time than conception, and I believe that ending a human life, except in war, is murder. (I also happen to believe that war is a horrible reality of our human existence.)
I’m not sure I can say much more right now, and I’m not sure I’ve made sense, so bring on the flaming, but to you “pro-choice” folks out there, I echo John Piper’s words, and recommend you read the .pdf he links to.
This use of catch phrases is surely tired. “Right to choose.” “Equal rights for women.” The grandchildren of the sixties are waking up to the vagueness and danger of those phrases. Right to choose what? Anything? All laws that protect children limit the rights of moms (and dads) to choose. You can’t choose to starve them. You can’t choose to lock them in closets for three weeks. You can’t choose to abandon them. You can’t choose to strangle them five minutes after they are born.
And “equal rights for women”—equal with whom? Equal with the irresponsible dad. Dad has sex and bears no responsibility for the baby. Mom should be equally able to have sex and bear no responsibility for the baby. Young people are looking at this and saying: Something is wrong with this picture. Maybe our lives are as broken as they are because our parents have twisted their hearts and minds so deeply to justify equality in irresponsibility.
I wrote this three years ago, and it means more to me now than it did then.
this is my anthem
this is my prayer
for thirty-nine million friends
who will never feel the air
and this is my song
this is my battle cry
that one for every three of us
had to die
Is it true what they say?
Was there no other way?
This is my dirge
this is my moan
for the millions and millions
who never saw home
And This is my call
This is my dare
four thousand among us
won’t see today
It’s not all about you
or what you have to do
there’s another one to think of
who matters too
just give them a chance
I want my MTV
MTV’s Web site is sweet. They just released a fast, clean, HTML+CSS site, a wonderful change from their Flash based behemoth, which really was a technical wonder, but really hard to use. I am totally digging the new version. Mad props to my favorite designer/dev, Dan Cedarholm, for leading the team into the new millennium. Read Dan’s writeup here, and read MTV Labs’ writeup here.
Now, if only they could get their TV content to be just as sweet…
Purevolume, then Virb, now MTV… hey, MySpace, you paying attention? Anyone? Anyone? Didn’t think so…
Lone Strangers T-Shirts?
Would you buy a Lone Strangers T-Shirt?
How much would you pay for one? ($15?)
What color would you prefer?
This would be a limited edition, first run, titled “Armageddon” (or something like that).
The Lone Strangers Rock VEISHEA
Last night’s show was amazing. Thank you to everyone who stopped out. We got some pretty good press from a few of the judges. They gave fairly positive reviews to all the bands, which was nice, but ours were glowing. And for the record, we have been playing together forever, and have been playing these songs together for a long time ;)
From Brandi Powers, the Ames clear channel station (105.1 Channel Q) DJ that deals with all the local music:
Clearly, the most professional and tightest act of the competition. They screamed performers. Very gifted musically, as well as vocally, both singers showed diversity with their voices and blended well together. The exemplified song diversity. They had amazingly smooth song transitions, you can tell they practiced the set A LOT. The set progression was perfect. Each song built on the next, surprising you that it could get better.The drummer was fun to watch, they packed The M-Shop, and the song structure…wow. The happy pop rock was something we hadn’t yet heard, and it was a real treat. Their CD, while good, does not do them justice. They were nearly flawless. Oh, and Pat, you aren’t pretentious. You’re good.
And from Andy Cusack an Entertainment Editor for the Des Moines Register:
These guys were the most professional, tightest act. I would swear they had been together forever when seeing them. Their blend of catchy, smart, well-played pop rock was a treat. The songwriting had good hooks, and it displayed a restraint that exemplified good taste. It made me want to pull out my old Cheap Trick and Squeeze records and listen to them all day. If you hear some recordings of this band, I think it does no justice whatsoever to its live show. Granted, this is the only time I have seen them, but based on this one short set, I don’t really understand why these guys don’t enjoy at least the amount of local celebrity that the Nadas do. Room for improvement: 1) You looked like you were having a great time on stage — get into it just a bit more. Play like it’s the last show you’ll ever play in your life. 2) ?
Thanks guys. See you tonight! 11pm, Central Campus.
The Violet Burning: More
When they played last Wednesday at the Bali Satay House, they rocked harder than most bands I’ve seen there recently. This song came along, beginning with a hypnotic rhythm and beautiful guitar riffing. I thought it was an instrumental, interlude type piece, and then it explodes in a simple, but beautiful prayer:
I never wanted more than the beauty of your kiss.
Somehow I get lost in the sound of this singing.
But, you’re beautiful tonight, in your ultraviolet light.
Kiss me softly and sing to me. I’d give anything…I never wanted more.
Show me how to do it,
help me find a way.
I’ve got nothing left to live for.
No one else is staying,
but you,
always you.
There is only you.
This song has inspired me to think about leading worship at The Rock, and my personal songwriting in general in a different light.
Sorry to be so sappy. I was moved to tears that night though. You had to be there. And even if you were, you might have missed it. The song made me realize, somehow, that even if I lost everything that I “have” in this world, my gorgeous wife, my beautiful daughter, my faithful friends, my wonderful family, that i would still be left with the one thing that mattered.
Not everyone can say that.
Seven Ways Christians Can Fall Victim to the Devil and Demons
In my studies for my message this week I came across seven ways the New Testament says believers can fall victim to the devil and to demons.
- Remaining angry with someone. (Ephesians 4:27)
- Not forgiving someone. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)
- Being prideful. (Thinking more highly of yourself than you should.) (1 Timothy 3:6,
- Being put in a public ministry when you have a bad reputation with outsiders. (1 Timothy 3:7)
- Not resisting the devil’s lies and temptations. (Ephesians 6:11, James 4:7)
- Not being sober-minded and watchful. (1 Peter 5:8)
- Married couples: depriving each other of physical intimacy. (1 Corinthians 7:5)
What about non-believers? The sad truth is that, without God, they are without hope. They don’t have a chance, and in fact, are already slaves to the devil. They may not know this, they may not think this, sometimes, they might not even act like it, but Ephesians 2 is very clear that this is the case.
The Violet Burning Tear It Up In Ames
Last night I had the distinct privilege of watching The Violet Burning play at a very small venue in Ames.
From their Web site:
“All my life I have been looking for light I cannot find within me.”
This is not only a lyric from Drop-Dead, the latest record from The Violet Burning, it is a theme that has connected with thousands of loyal fans who call this groundbreaking artist one of the great and influential rock groups of this era. With ten years of touring the United States and Europe , the Long Beach , CA. based band have established themselves as a great band that can deliver a moving experience live, as well as in the studio. Drop-Dead continues this path; a connection with the listener by putting ones heart on display.
Indeed it was a moving experience live. Wish you would have been there. Check out the rest of my photos.
Why The Squirrels In The David Crowder Band Video?
Thanks Chris for the back story on the squirrels in the David Crowder Band Video.
Technorati Tags: David Crowder Band, Squirrels
I Am A Powerpop Punk Rocker
This is a profound realization for a man who spends a majority of his time playing “contemporary” “Chrisitian” “praise and worship” “music”.
I took a blogthing quiz “What Kind Of Rocker Are You” and it told me I’m an Emo Rocker. The heck I am!!
Metallica, Face to Face, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine. It all comes together. Loud, Fast, Hard, Manly. This is music. This is the sound of my heart, soul, and mind. There are so many emotions that can be eschewed from ones soul this way. Lyrics should be straightforward, thick, and deep. Guitars should be crunchy, visceral, gritty. Say what you mean to say, do it loudly, and don’t stand on pretense or ceremony.
I’m not entirely sure why I’m posting this other than that I’m watching a Face To Face DVD (”The Only Goodbye”, Live from House of Blues Hollywood) and thinking to myself: this is music. Trevor Keith is such a man. I need a bigger amp and a louder guitar.
Flame away.
David Crowder Band’s First Video: Foreverandever, Etc
The David Crowder Band made their first official music video! It is to “Foreverandever, Etc” from A Collision. It’s got a sweet Dragonball Z, anime vibe to it. Check it out.
Technorati Tags: David Crowder Band, Music Video, Anime, Foreverandever Etc
To The Christians - Who Do You Hang Out With?
“Watch out! Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ. (As recorded by John Mark, Peter’s companion)
Who do you spend your time with?
Why is it, when we talk about ways of “meeting ‘the lost’” do we always conceive of awkward, unnatural, forced interactions that require “faith” (more like, a complete lack of social tact, or extreme guts…) in order to engage in?
Who do you sit next to in class?
What is your next door neighbor’s name and what do they do for a living?
What is the name of the person next to you in your place of work and what do they do for fun? When was the last time you went with them when they did that?
Why don’t you know the answers to these questions?
Have we created such a culture of “community” and “fellowship” that we have no more time for relationships with people who aren’t in our immediate circle of fellow believers?
What would it take for you to have time to spend with your classmates, neighbors, and coworkers, on their turf? What activities do you need to cease involvement with?
Do it.
Christian Bloggers Network
Mark Kelly, the News and Editorial Director for Saddleback Church (Rick Warren’s Church) is trying to start up a network of Christian bloggers. A lot of people were asked to complete a survey about how Christians are using their blogs for “ministry purposes” etc, it yielded some interesting (thought maybe not scientific) results. After the jump is a list of Web sites of folks who participated, if you are interested.
A Parent’s Love as an Image of God’s Love
This post is exceptionally long, and you probably won’t read it all. But it’s from my heart, and I hope you’ll take time to consider reading it.
Tonight as I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner (something I do only once in a blue moon) and keeping an eye on Elena while Nancy was getting ready to head out to some meetings, I had a profound realization. I love my daughter. I love her almost as much as I love my wife.
She was playing in her playpen and had tipped over sideways in a wonderfully contorted position that only an aspiring gymnast could accomplish. She is not yet strong enough to right herself, and she was laying uncomfortably over several toys and struggling to get up. This is a position she finds herself in quite frequently. Sometimes she manages to make her way onto her stomach (not much more comfortable). Always she ends up whining for help. I smile at this whine (so far, she’s only 8 months old). Never yet has it been annoying to me. This is when I realized I love her.
I walk over and tenderly sit her back upright she goes back to playing without much acknowledging my assistance. A minute later, we repeat the process. These sort of things go on throughout the day. She must be hand-fed. She poops and pees all over herself and we must change her diapers. Soon she’ll be disobeying and we will have to discipline her, which I’m really not looking forward to.
All of this however reminds me how much I love her. These little inconveniences do not annoy me, or make me frustrated at her. Then again, I don’t have to put up with it nearly as much as Nancy does, so maybe I don’t have enough credibility yet to make this next assertion.
This must be fairly close to exactly the way God feels about us, only with him it is to the nth degree. He loves us perfectly and always will. We are like children in his eyes and his love for us is much the same (deeper still) as (than) a parent’s love for their child. Unconditional. Unbreakable. Unfailing. Relentless. Perfect.
This analogy goes very deep, very wide, very high, doesn’t break down very easily. I believe the order of things was created this way. Just as a husband’s relationship with his wife gives us a picture of Jesus’ relationship to the Church, so a parent’s relationship to a child gives us a picture of God’s love for his children. This analogy, as immense as it may be, however, has several strange twists. The first one:
Not all of us are God’s children.
Joshua Blankenship on Christian Art, Parody, and Creativity
When a church (or Christian organization, or Christian designer) takes existing art and media, makes poor parodies of it (that they probably made in a few days because refuse to plan well), and then distributes it under the guise of creativity it completely devalues the work and skills of the artists and craftsmen responsible for the inspiration. Worse, it just makes followers of Christ look BAD, which in turn makes Christ look bad, uncreative, and irrelevant. And then we wonder why there aren’t more artists in the church.
Ted Nugent On The New Crowder Album
This is amazing.
Thunderous applause.
Technorati Tags: David Crowder Band, Ted Nugent, Rock and Roll
Virb is the New Improved MySpace
MySpace users should all cancel their account* and switch to Virb, which is everything MySpace should be, and better. I have 90 invites to get in and poke around if anyone is interested.
* I fully realize that this probably won’t happen anytime soon.
Remedy Is Coming!
The David Crowder*Band is in the studio again, and again, they have Webcams and blogs set up to capture the process!! How exciting!
Elena Blog, Entry Two
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John Piper’s Father Passed Away Tuesday Morning
John Piper’s father passed away early Tuesday morning and he wrote a very heartfelt journal entry about it. It made me weep while sitting in a public space. Mildly embarrassing, but oh well. I wanted to share it. I believe I will say many of the same things about my father one day.
Yes, The Rock Is On For Tonight.
If that changes, I’ll post here and notify the Facebook group.
