Here are a few of my favorite things right now.
* It’s tough for a news story to trump the official start of spring training. When pitchers and catchers report to camp, the smell of leather and freshly cut grass returns to my nostrils. No matter the temperature, I know spring will be here soon. But this week, even the inevitable return of baseball runs a distant second to the news coming out of Giants’ camp. According to a report published in USA Today today, Barry Bonds has declared his intent to retire after the upcoming season. Here’s hoping Bonds is a man of his word. He ranks 48 homers behind Hank Aaron on the all-time home run list. Make no mistake: Bonds is the greatest baseball player any of us has ever seen. But I’m personally hoping he won’t garner the most hallowed place in baseball’s record book. Good riddance, Barry. We hardly knew you.
* Derek Webb’s Mockingbird is a great album. If I could describe it to you in one word…scathing is probably the best choice. This is music with a message, a much needed clarion call for followers of Christ to step up to the plate and live with faith. This album is chock full of keepers, but the song I keep coming back to is A King and a Kingdom. It’s not for the faint of heart, but this album articulates what many of us have been thinking and feeling for quite some time. If you don’t have a copy, pick one up ASAP.
* Old friends. I mentioned this last week, but Winterfest is always a great opportunity for me to visit with some old friends. Friday night, Sunny and I had the chance to see our good friends, Matt and Cecile, although our time was interrupted by my part-time security guard job. I had the chance to hang out with Lane, which was also great. Lane is one of my oldest and best friends. (You remember our first Winterfest? Wooden sling-shots & Adam Dailey?) And I enjoyed seeing Johnny, J. Mac & Elisabeth, among others, even if only for a second. What a blessing.
* One text has continued to supply me with hope and strength over the past few days. Romans 11:36, For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Praise Him.
already & not yet 
I love to listen to Derek Webb. I have not bought Mockingbird yet, but I have his other cds. Have you ever listened to The House Show cd? It is incredible. He gets a chance to explain some of his songs (ie. Wedding Dress, I Repent, Nobody Loves Me..) Very good. If you haven’t listened to it, you should check it out. In the meantime, I want to get my hands on Mockingbird!And Winterfest was incredible. I am so glad I got to go with my dear Mayfairians. A convicting weekend for sure!
You stole a dime man. Get out of our room! Ah, Winterfest memories.I remember going a year before I went with you when I went with good ole Miles Ryerson. That was when Winterfest was still in Pigeon Forge at the Grand Hotel and convention Center
Barry who? It’s funny how Sammy and Barry are taking a step back now that the steroid talk is here to stay. McGuire got out before it all came crashing down, and still couldn’t avoid the avalanche of speculation that would follow. Just think, one day there will be a Sports Century highlighting this entire era of baseball. It’s like when I found out Santa didn’t really exist. Funny, neither did the baseball players I thought I knew!
Check out his myspace page. He has a great video on there.By the way, our services were canceled Sunday, so I am preaching Daniel this week. I think I got it somewhat put together. But I don’t believe ANYONE completely has a grasp on that passage.
Scott,Let me know when you post your sermon notes.
Jason,BTW…DW’s Mockingbird (in particular King and a Kingdom, Rich Young Ruler, & In God We Trust) is poignant indeed. One might even say politically polemic!It seems that many are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with kingdom talk, especially when it speaks against what is known and comfortable to those living in America.It’s strange. Some willingly embrace America-bashing when it comes from the rightwing’s America is going to hell in a hand basket for a lack of morality (i.e. sexuality), but when someone comes along and challenges our nationality in the form of a borderless kingdom that embraces the poor with the rich, we get a little more uncomfortable.In reality, both sides are calling for social reform. The Right calls for a sexually based reform that condemns homosexuality, abortion and teen pregnancy, whereas the Left calls for a reformation built upon social injustices that focus on poverty, disease, and environmental issues. (and yes, I do realize how oversimplified the above statement sounds!) One side is more concerned with the social behavior of Americans, while the other is more concerned with social circumstances. Perhaps both fail in ignoring the concerns of the other knowing that behavior creates certain circumstances, and circumstances often compound one’s ability to embrace better models of behavior.
Miles Ryerson. (insert Obi-Wan Kenobi voice here) “Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time…” Is it just me, or did he always remind you of Linus?TH, you bring up a valid point. The left and the right often have more in common than they realize. The question I wrestle with is how to reconcile both sides. The call to follow Christ is certainly about more than sexual matters, as Webb suggests. But how am I to choose between behavior and circumstances, when both matter dearly to me? With our current political system, it’s either / or…red state or blue state. I’ll always vote for the candidate that best aligns with my faith. But things aren’t quite as clear-cut as I was led to believe in my earlier years.
Why don’t you fire up a Brasco on this?
I just lobbed out a baseball-related Brasco. I guess I could actually post something of substance for us to discuss, instead of baseball, right?
I would prefer substance but, hey, I’m game for anything.How’s this one–I disagree with the assessment that the left and right are closer than they realize. I see a deep divide between the two. We could talk about that for weeks.
Let’s do it.