Well, today has been a sad day. My wife blogged about the tragic death of Steven Curts Chapman's youngest daughter from China. SCC's son struck her accidently with their car. . . . so sad. I pray for a) a way through the guilt for SCC's son and b) that this tragedy would not derail the prophetic and missional mindset and example of this family. They've led the way on adoption recently in the Christian community.
Also, today, I found out that my cousin, Savannah passed away last night. She had an in-operable brain tumor that was discovered at Christmas. It's really sad, she's 16 years old, and kind of the 'baby' of our family. Pray that God would speak to her family through this tragedy, and that he would be Glorified through it.
What do we say on days like today? Well, it's good to be quiet and not say anything. . . .
But, we also affirm that our Hope is in God. . . . this verse is a help as we process through tragedy and loss.
Psalm 62
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Aaron
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Don't be this guy
Do you struggle socially with always trying to "one up" other people?
Do you "steal the thunder" in conversations consistently?
If so, know that I struggle with this too. . .and this video is a humorous look at how annoying we are.
Enjoy!
Aaron
(HT: Justin Taylor)
Do you "steal the thunder" in conversations consistently?
If so, know that I struggle with this too. . .and this video is a humorous look at how annoying we are.
Enjoy!
Aaron
(HT: Justin Taylor)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
American Idol Wrap-Up
So, ok. . . I'm an avid American Idol watcher. It's a show I can watch with the kids. . . . I'm a musician,. . .and a part of my job is very similar to the "try out" phase of the show as I audition people for the worship team. Hate me if you will, but I enjoy watching it. . . :)
With that, here are my thoughts on tonight's finale:
1) David Archuleta can really sing. That kid has a great voice. It's because of that, that I didn't think the producers needed to "root" for him so much in the way the show was pulled off. From the judges comments to the dramatic commercial break before he sang "Imagine", I just felt like they were setting it up for him, dramatically, to win. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I just felt like they were propping him up a bit.
2) Regarding the judges comments. . . . They gave all 3 "rounds" to David Archuleta. I thought, however, that Round 2 was decisively won by David Cook. They both sang their pick from the "winner's song" list,. . .both songs were a bit cheesy. . . but David Cook had a much, much better performance, in my opinion. I would also call Round 1 a wash, as David Cook sang "I still haven't found what I'm looking For" and David A. sang "Don't let the sun go down". I don't usually like it when folks cover U2, because I'm a huge u2 fan, but that was a great performance by Cook. . . . at least worthy of a "tie" from the judges. Round 3 was Archuleta's (after the dramatic commercial pause) as he sang his best tune, "Imagine" and nailed it.
3) It's probably better if/when Archeleta wins becuase he's the better pop singer. He'll do better with the songs they write for him on his album. This is similar to the year when Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice were in the top two. Bo Bice (at the time) was the better singer and more mature artist. . . but Carrie was the better pop artist and has turned into quite an amazing singer. Carrie won, and that's the way it should've been in a singing/pop competition. Both Davids will get an album deal, and it might actually be better for Cook to have not won, so that he has a bit more freedom as an artist in the future.
4) I'm sorry, . . . but for me. . . . it doesn't get much better than Ruben Studdard. :) That dude can sing the alphabet song and it's amazing. I love his voice, and even though he hasn't had the same success as other Idol winners. . . in my opinion, he's the best "pure" singer in the show's 7 years. He knocked that "Home" song out of the park tonight. I know, he recorded one of the worst songs in history "I'm sorry for. . . 2004" :) But, go ahead, bite the bullet and buy some Ruben Studdard music. . you won't be sorry.
Ok, that's all for now.
Aaron
With that, here are my thoughts on tonight's finale:
1) David Archuleta can really sing. That kid has a great voice. It's because of that, that I didn't think the producers needed to "root" for him so much in the way the show was pulled off. From the judges comments to the dramatic commercial break before he sang "Imagine", I just felt like they were setting it up for him, dramatically, to win. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I just felt like they were propping him up a bit.
2) Regarding the judges comments. . . . They gave all 3 "rounds" to David Archuleta. I thought, however, that Round 2 was decisively won by David Cook. They both sang their pick from the "winner's song" list,. . .both songs were a bit cheesy. . . but David Cook had a much, much better performance, in my opinion. I would also call Round 1 a wash, as David Cook sang "I still haven't found what I'm looking For" and David A. sang "Don't let the sun go down". I don't usually like it when folks cover U2, because I'm a huge u2 fan, but that was a great performance by Cook. . . . at least worthy of a "tie" from the judges. Round 3 was Archuleta's (after the dramatic commercial pause) as he sang his best tune, "Imagine" and nailed it.
3) It's probably better if/when Archeleta wins becuase he's the better pop singer. He'll do better with the songs they write for him on his album. This is similar to the year when Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice were in the top two. Bo Bice (at the time) was the better singer and more mature artist. . . but Carrie was the better pop artist and has turned into quite an amazing singer. Carrie won, and that's the way it should've been in a singing/pop competition. Both Davids will get an album deal, and it might actually be better for Cook to have not won, so that he has a bit more freedom as an artist in the future.
4) I'm sorry, . . . but for me. . . . it doesn't get much better than Ruben Studdard. :) That dude can sing the alphabet song and it's amazing. I love his voice, and even though he hasn't had the same success as other Idol winners. . . in my opinion, he's the best "pure" singer in the show's 7 years. He knocked that "Home" song out of the park tonight. I know, he recorded one of the worst songs in history "I'm sorry for. . . 2004" :) But, go ahead, bite the bullet and buy some Ruben Studdard music. . you won't be sorry.
Ok, that's all for now.
Aaron
wow. . . . . . . .
I just read on the news that Carmen Electra is marketing a new line of portable stripper poles.
This is a relief, because every time I need a stripper pole at two different locations, I always show up late. It will also be great, because now I won't need to use power tools to rip out my current, metal stripper pole from our house, when I need to travel with it.
. . .other perks inclue. . . .
a) if other drivers tick you off. . . you now have a pole in your back seat to release some road rage
b) when you forget your stripper pole at home, you can quickly purchase one and be ready for your next location
c) getting bored with "travel scrabble"?
wow. . . . . . .
;)
This is a relief, because every time I need a stripper pole at two different locations, I always show up late. It will also be great, because now I won't need to use power tools to rip out my current, metal stripper pole from our house, when I need to travel with it.
. . .other perks inclue. . . .
a) if other drivers tick you off. . . you now have a pole in your back seat to release some road rage
b) when you forget your stripper pole at home, you can quickly purchase one and be ready for your next location
c) getting bored with "travel scrabble"?
wow. . . . . . .
;)
Monday, May 19, 2008
From the mouth of Babes...
In what is sure to be a regular feature on this blog. . . I will share some timeless wisdom from my kids. By the way, I have 3 kids,the oldest being 7.
After we read the bible tonight, Sam prays. . . . . "Thanks for knocking Paul off of his horse" :)
Sometimes God has to knock you off your horse.
Aaron
After we read the bible tonight, Sam prays. . . . . "Thanks for knocking Paul off of his horse" :)
Sometimes God has to knock you off your horse.
Aaron
Friday, May 16, 2008
Human tetris
So, this has kept my kids and I occupied for hours. . . . enjoy the hilarity of Human Tetris
album recommendation for parents
Hi all,
I thought I would make an album recommendation for all of us who have small children.
"Station Wagon" from Sara Groves is truly an amazing work of art. In the Old Testament, it was said that when David played his harp, he helped to soothe the soul of King Saul. (a truly remarkable thing, since Saul wanted to kill David. . . . ). As someone who has been accused of having this same gift (i don't know about that) it's hard for me to bestow this characteristic on someone else. It's just a hard one to nail down, and although appreciative of the compliment, I'm not sure folks always think that through when they say it.
But I digress. . . . . .
This album has helped to not only soothe my soul but the souls of my wife and children. Sara Groves has put out a slew of good albums ("all right here" getting first place in my book), but this album beats them all. It wasn't released in a major way (on her website), wasn't recorded at a big time studio in Nashville (in kansas city), and was not received with alot of fanfare. But, it's great for a few reasons:
1) There is a famous story from U2 where Bono asked The Edge to "put El Salvador through your amp" as they were recording "Bullet the Blue Sky" on "The Joshua Tree" album. (if you've heard that song, . . you know he did). Well, Sara Groves, more than once on this album, puts "the minivan" through her piano. She captures with texture and text the experience of having small kids, running them around, loving them, listening to them,. . and retaining energy and lucidity through it all. Far from viewing kids as a job to do, or a nuisance before you "get your life back", Groves celebrates this season of life. That's a refreshing change in pop culture.
2) Sara collaborated with Don and Lori Chaffer (of "Waterdeep fame", for you 90's Christian music freaks. Don's guitar tone is amazing and mysterious (how did he do that) as he helps to set the texture for the album as producer and lead guitarist. Lori's harmonies are great as well,. . .the whole album just sounds like we're inside someone's ( a mom's) head.
3) There are a few lullabies as is true with most "family" albums. These are good though :) , and again, they help my kids fall asleep, and cause me to take a much needed deep breath.
So, if you're a parent, do yourself a favor and check out "Station Wagon" by Sara Groves. How can you turn down an album with the blunt truthfulness (if you're a parent, you understand) of a song titled "He looks like Charles Bronson when he cries" . :)
Check it out here
God bless,
Aaron
I thought I would make an album recommendation for all of us who have small children.
"Station Wagon" from Sara Groves is truly an amazing work of art. In the Old Testament, it was said that when David played his harp, he helped to soothe the soul of King Saul. (a truly remarkable thing, since Saul wanted to kill David. . . . ). As someone who has been accused of having this same gift (i don't know about that) it's hard for me to bestow this characteristic on someone else. It's just a hard one to nail down, and although appreciative of the compliment, I'm not sure folks always think that through when they say it.
But I digress. . . . . .
This album has helped to not only soothe my soul but the souls of my wife and children. Sara Groves has put out a slew of good albums ("all right here" getting first place in my book), but this album beats them all. It wasn't released in a major way (on her website), wasn't recorded at a big time studio in Nashville (in kansas city), and was not received with alot of fanfare. But, it's great for a few reasons:
1) There is a famous story from U2 where Bono asked The Edge to "put El Salvador through your amp" as they were recording "Bullet the Blue Sky" on "The Joshua Tree" album. (if you've heard that song, . . you know he did). Well, Sara Groves, more than once on this album, puts "the minivan" through her piano. She captures with texture and text the experience of having small kids, running them around, loving them, listening to them,. . and retaining energy and lucidity through it all. Far from viewing kids as a job to do, or a nuisance before you "get your life back", Groves celebrates this season of life. That's a refreshing change in pop culture.
2) Sara collaborated with Don and Lori Chaffer (of "Waterdeep fame", for you 90's Christian music freaks. Don's guitar tone is amazing and mysterious (how did he do that) as he helps to set the texture for the album as producer and lead guitarist. Lori's harmonies are great as well,. . .the whole album just sounds like we're inside someone's ( a mom's) head.
3) There are a few lullabies as is true with most "family" albums. These are good though :) , and again, they help my kids fall asleep, and cause me to take a much needed deep breath.
So, if you're a parent, do yourself a favor and check out "Station Wagon" by Sara Groves. How can you turn down an album with the blunt truthfulness (if you're a parent, you understand) of a song titled "He looks like Charles Bronson when he cries" . :)
Check it out here
God bless,
Aaron
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Recommendation
So, In the last few months I've been listening alot to Matt Chandler, . . he's the lead pastor of "The Village Church" in Dallas, TX. He's committed to sound doctrine, very engaging, and authentic. So, I would recommend that you check him out. . . . Especially the sermon titled "What is foot washing".
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Passion intro
Hi everyone.
So, the passion organization, . . .it of Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder is starting their world tour this weekend in Kiev, Ukraine. Here is a little vision video that they opened their Atlanta meeting with. Good times. . . bittersweet symphony + Daniel Carson banging out power chords + scripture = good intro
So, the passion organization, . . .it of Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder is starting their world tour this weekend in Kiev, Ukraine. Here is a little vision video that they opened their Atlanta meeting with. Good times. . . bittersweet symphony + Daniel Carson banging out power chords + scripture = good intro
Monday, May 12, 2008
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