Four

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Jason

Four years ago, Jackson Cash Bybee entered the world, full of spit and vigor and a head full of dark hair. Although the dark hair didn’t last, the spit and vigor took. It’s amazing what all you tend to forget, even in a short amount of time, but we had quite an ordeal when Sunny was pregnant with Jackson. In spite of multiple health scares during those nine months (for both Mom and baby), we believed this child was an indication of God’s graciousness. For that reason, we chose the name Jackson, meaning “God has been gracious.” Our little Jack has been the grace note for our family, a joyous and rambunctious declaration of completion. Without Jackson, we would not be complete. To that end, we also chose the name “Cash” for our son. Obviously, as most of you know, I have this inherited affinity for Johnny Cash. (Just this week, Joshua told me Johnny Cash had become his favorite musical artist. Cue the Circle of Life music.) I’d floated the possibility of “Cash” as a non-traditional first name in the early stages of the baby-name-choosing sweepstakes, but it just didn’t take. But we did some research and discovered that the name “Cash” means “peace” or “peacemaker” in some cultures. Sunny was the one to come up with the “Jackson Cash” combo. An homage to the iconic Bybee family bard rife with theological import? I was down with that. Still am. To this day, I think our son has one of the coolest names I’ve ever heard. Jackson Cash Bybee. Just has a ring to it.

Over the years, Jackson has emerged as a pioneer personality in our household. Despite having an older brother and sister to emulate, Jackson goes his own way. Even in his worst moments of pitching fits and disobedience, Jackson shows a determined individualism that makes me proud. He’s also been our fearless child – climbing on top of the refrigerator, jumping off sofas and counter tops, feeding and petting our neighbors horses when the “big” kids run and hide. Yet, for all his hard play, the kid still has a soft side, especially around Mommy. The bond Sunny and Jackson share is unique; I think Jack will grow up to be the kind of young man who’ll do anything to please his Mom. And that’s just fine with Dad.

Psalm 127.3 says, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord.” I believe this to be true. Jackson, you are my heritage from the Lord. I am so incredibly proud of you. I am so thankful God gave you to me so I could be your Daddy. You carry the fire, young man, and that lets me know you’ll be just fine. From the day we found out you were coming, our only prayer was that God would make you into a strong man who loves Him. My prayer for you today is the same prayer it’s always been: “So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires.” (1 Kgs. 2.2-3).

I love you, little Jack. Happy Birthday.

Daddy & Jackson, June 2011

 

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For the Love of the Game

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Jason

Look at this swing. Textbook.

Posted in Baseball, Kids | 2 Comments

2011 MLB Preview: AL West

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Jason

I was preparing to write my AL West preview when the tornadoes moved through this area on April 27. Afterward, a variety of factors kept me from writing the review: no power, disaster relief, lack of motivation. Now that it’s June, it’s probably pointless, but it’s bothering me that I never made this post. So here goes:

1st place: Texas Rangers

When the season started, the Rangers came out of the gate like gangbusters. After their 10-2 start, some pundits were calling them the best team in the game. Time has proven that to be a bit of an overstatement, but this club is still solid enough to win the division easily. Losing out on Cliff Lee kept the Rangers from being one of the league’s elite teams, but Alexi Ogando has been a revelation transitioning from the bullpen into the starting rotation. CJ Wilson, Matt Harrison, and Colby Lewis have also been solid. But the team’s true strength is a deep, pliable lineup littered with veteran bats: Kinsler, Hamilton, Young, Beltre, Napoli, Cruz. There just aren’t many easy outs to be found here. In a ho hum division, Texas should cruise to a second straight division crown.

2nd place: Oakland Athletics

I consistently overrate Billy Beane’s clubs, but I just love the moves he makes. I love the addition of David DeJesus, Hideki Matsui, Connor Jackson and Josh Willingham, low cost veteran bats brought in to help reinvigorate a sleepy offense. I love the influx of veteran relievers, specifically Balfour and Fuentes. In fact, these two have helped stabilize the end game during Andrew Bailey’s recovery these first two months. I love the fact that this team can catch the ball well. And the A’s true strength comes from an emerging crop of young starters (Anderson, Cahill, Gonzalez) who could carry the A’s to wild card contention. That is, if the A’s can scratch out enough runs to contend.

3rd place: Los Angeles Angels

There’s plenty to like about a club that can boast a rotation fronted by Jared Weaver and Dan Haren. But some of the Angels’ moves are simply perplexing. Assuming the Vernon Wells contract was just a joke, as his 2011 production attests. Now Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu are starting to show their age as well. Additionally, Kendrys Morales is out for the season, further impairing an already weak offense. The bullpen should be OK, but far from dominant. Until wunderkind prospect Mike Trout gets the call, there won’t be much excitement in Anaheim.

4th place: Seattle Mariners

I know they’ve been the hottest team in baseball lately, but this team has little chance to contend. They boast perhaps the best up-the-middle defense in the majors with Franklin Guitterez, Jack Wilson, Brendan Ryan and Miguel Olivo. Throw in Ichiro in right and this team is saturated with Gold Glove caliber defenders. Another two-headed monster sits atop this club’s rotation: King Felix, whom we’ve come to expect greatness from; and rookie, Michael Pineda, who has been drawing comparisons to his elder teammate. But — like most teams in this division — the M’s are completely lacking in offensive punch. What does it say about a club when your Opening Day #3 hitter is Milton Bradley? That tells you everything you need to know about this team’s chances.

All-Division Team

C Kurt Suzuki

1B Justin Smoak

2B Ian Kinsler

SS Elvis Andrus

3B Adrian Beltre

OF Josh Hamilton

OF Ichiro Suzuki

OF Torii Hunter

DH Michael Young

SP Felix Hernandez

SP Jered Weaver

SP Dan Haren

SP Brett Anderson

SP Dallas Braden

Closer Neftali Perez

Manager Mike Scioscia

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The Theology of Bird Poop

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Jason

Tonight I was out on the back deck watering our plants and Jackson, our 3 year old, joined me. Jackson wanted to drive around his little “Cozy Coupe” car while I worked. I had my back turned to him while I was watering our wisteria; I hear Jackson get in his car and then I hear him yell (at full volume), “EEEWWWWWWW!!!!!”

I turned around but he had his back to me. “What’s the matter, buddy?”

Again, this time with his hands out to his sides flapping about wildly: “EEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!”

I walk over to find my son — eyes bugged out, jaw dropped, back arched — staring directly at the steering wheel of his Cozy Coupe. That’s when I saw it: a massive glob of bird poop on the steering wheel. I looked back at my son and the look on his face said it all. He had no idea exactly WHAT this was, but he innately knew that it was foul (or should I say, “fowl”) and it had no place in or on his Cozy Coupe.

Even when we can’t “name” that which ought not be, something innate is triggered within us. We cry “EEEWWWWWW!!!!” and flail our arms and snarl our noses, even in the midst of some pain that need not be named. This, it seems, is part of what it means to be human.

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MyPod: June Edition

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Jason

We’re at the midway point of the year, so it’s time for a quick review of the year in music thus far. The past two years have been chock full of great releases by some of my favorite artists: U2, Arcade Fire, The Avett Bros, The National, M Ward, Vampire Weekend, Mumford & Sons…to name only a few. Understandably, 2011 has suffered by comparison; while a few releases have captured my attention, I’m still looking for that one “great” album for 2011. (A heavy contender drops next week when Dawes releases “Nothing is Wrong”. If you’re unfamiliar with the awesomeness of Dawes’ soaring harmonies and SoCal vibeage, check out the video below of their signature tune, “When My Time Comes”.)

Back to 2011, a few albums and songs have been in heavy rotation lately. Here they are, with brief commentary:

  • Eddie Vedder, Ukelele Songs – I don’t know who came up with this idea: Pearl Jam frontman Vedder playing a handful of originals and one or two covers accompanied by nothing more than a ukelele. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it is. But it works. You’d think after a couple of songs, the uke would get a little old; and who knows, maybe it will. (This album was just released this week.) But several listens in, this record is really growing on me. Coupled with Vedder’s always impressive vocal range, the ukelele lilts, sways, even jams on occasion, making this the perfect late-summer album.
  • Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues – I’ve written a bit about the new Fleet Foxes album, but it’s the one release from the first six months of 2011 that has the chance to claim the top spot in my annual album review. If you’re a fan of lush, harmony-driven indie rock, then you’re probably already into Fleet Foxes. If you’re not, you should be. This is a great record.
  • The Strokes, Angles – Since their first album came out over 10 years ago, I’ve been a fan of The Strokes. They came along at a time when the rock scene was desperate for fresh meaning and relevance and The Strokes were (unfairly) tabbed as rock & roll saviors for the new millennium. What young band could hold up under such lofty expectations? We’re probably better served to take these guys for what they are – a sporadic, dysfunctional rock band. Leave the salvation to some other band. This is finally the follow-up record they should’ve made on the heels of Room on Fire. Blending Julian Casablancas’ signature vocal style and Nick Valensi’s classic rock guitar riffs with a retro synth-pop backdrop gives this LP a throwback sound. Which is fitting, since the album was two years in the making. There’s still plenty of the bravado and self-loathing (sometimes in the same lyric) that we’ve come to expect from The Strokes. But there are moments (like “Under Cover of Darkness”, for instance) that remind you why you liked these guys in the first place. A solid album.
  • Radiohead, The King of Limbs – I’m not ashamed to admit that most of the time, I don’t get Radiohead. I know that makes me some form of a “lesser” rock aficionado or something, but it’s true. This stuff is just way too obtuse for me. I’ve tried. I really have. After LOVING In Rainbows, I was really excited about this album. But it seems like they mailed it in on this one. I’m just sayin’.
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Ronald F. Thiemann on the Christian story

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Jason

Christianity basically claims that the truth about God and the world is to be found in the story of the execution of a political prisoner at the hands of the Romans. This itinerant preacher who now becomes the crucified victim of the state is, nonetheless, declared by Christians to reveal the loving being of God. Moreover, Christians further assert that this crucified man now lives through the resurrecting power of God — that the one who died by crucifixion now lives as exalted Lord of the universe. In its more radical christological traditions, Christianity claims that in the death of Jesus Christ, God engaged in a remarkable exchange, that in Jesus’ death God became a curse for us in order that we might become righteous like God. Even more astounding is that Christians go on to claim that through this extraordinary act of exchange God takes on our fate, the destiny of death, and transforms it into life everlasting in God’s own presence.

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Luther on the Cross

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Jason

He deserves to be called a theologian…who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God, seen through suffering and the cross. The “back” and visible things of God are placed in opposition to the invisible, namely, his human nature, weakness, and foolishness….Now it is not sufficient for anyone, and it does him no good to recognize God in his glory and majesty, unless he recognizes him in the humility and shame of the cross….For this reason true theology and recognition of God are in the crucified Christ….He who does not know Christ does not know God hidden in suffering….God can be found only in suffering and the cross.

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Moltmann on the Cross

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Jason

From Jurgen Moltmann’s “The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God”:

The cross is at the center of the Trinity….No Trinity is conceivable without the Lamb, without the sacrifice of love, without the crucified Son.

And from “The Crucified God: The Cross of Christ as the Foundation and Criticism of Christian Theology”:

If one conceives of the Trinity as an event of love in the suffering and the death of Jesus — and that is something which faith must do — then the Trinity is no self-contained group in heaven, but an eschatalogical process open for [all] on earth, which stems from the cross of Christ.

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The Bybee Family, May 2011

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jason

20110531-103947.jpg

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What I’m Lovin’: May 2011

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jason

It’s been a while since I’ve posted one of these. Just a few of the things I’m really into right now.

  • MyFitnessPal – A few weeks ago, Sunny downloaded this app for her phone. A friend of hers told her about this calorie counter called “MyFitnessPal”. Basically, you enter in your food selections for each day and tabulate your caloric intake. Pretty simple. But the app also keeps score of your cardio and strength training as well, thereby tracking your weight loss. At first, I scoffed at the idea of having to type in each meal and keep up with everything. (I know; I’m lazy.) But I gave it a try and now, 6 weeks later, I’m hooked. I’ve never counted calories; I’ve really never even watched what I’ve eaten. So I have 30 years of bad eating habits to undo. But I’m now more aware of what I’m eating; I’m exercising more than I have in years; and, best of all, I’ve dropped 20 lbs. If you’re looking for some motivation to lose a little weight and get in better shape, give MyFitnessPal a shot. I know I’m starting to sound like an infomercial, but I really don’t think you’ll regret it.
  • The Daily – Yet another app, but it’s become an essential source of news for me. I had a free one-month trial a few months ago and I instantly fell in love with it. I’ve tried several tablet-based news apps, and The Daily is hands down my favorite. Great pics, quality journalism, seamless video content…The Daily has it all. It’s a bit pricey ($39.99 for a one year subscription), but I don’t mind paying it for daily content like this. Check it out.

  • "Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes

    Fleet Foxes’ Helplessness Blues – So far, 2011 has been a bit “meh” in terms of music releases. You had Iron&Wine back in February and that’s about it. Until a few weeks ago when Fleet Foxes finally released their much anticipated second full-length album Helplessness Blues. Fleet Foxes is a thinking man’s band, poetry set to mood rock. The core sound remains intact: lush, soaring vocals over a bed of pastoral rhythm guitar and string melodies. But don’t let the sound fool you — this is a more mature, tumultuous, plaintively reflective record, birthed by a similarly meandering and trying recording process. The disillusionment is palpable on the title track: “And I don’t, I don’t know who to believe / I’ll get back to you someday soon you will see.” This line from album opener “Montezuma” could’ve been ripped directly from the pages of Ecclesiastes: “In dearth or in excess / both the slave and the empress / will return to the dirt I guess, naked as when they came.” Some bands handle success quite well; others are reluctant to come to terms with their newfound fame. You get the impression Fleet Foxes are resolutely in the latter. Yet, the result is a complex throwback to the vintage sounds of Van Morrison and Simon & Garfunkel. One of my favorites of 2011 so far.

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