From Urban Daily

Posted on August 31, 2006 by Jason

I’m so thankful for Larry James’ Urban Daily. Although my blog vascillates from topic to topic, Larry is a daily prophetic voice championing the cause of the poor. Read his article from yesterday. It’s worth your time.

Posted in Poverty, Social Issues | 5 Comments

Annoying Ads

Posted on August 30, 2006 by Jason

A few weeks ago, I posted about the Taylor Hicks commercial that I couldn’t stand. Apparently, the executives at Ford frequent my blog and mercifully decided to stop inflicting the public with his insipid “Possibilities” ad. But, never fear, there’s no shortage of ridiculous commercials littering the air waves these days. Here are the ones that make me cringe:

– The Over the Limit: Under Arrest anti-drunk-driving ads. Don’t get me wrong: I’m all in favor of discouraging drunken driving and I dare not minimize the toll of such reckless behavior on society. But why are they telling us this? Wouldn’t it be more effective to NOT advertise that you’re cracking down on drunk drivers? All you’re doing is giving the drunk drivers a heads up.

– These Dr. Z ads. They’re all over the place. I just don’t get ’em. What’s the deal? I don’t even remember what vehicle he pitches. I just know it’s extremely annoying no matter how many JD Power awards he shows me.

– Any YellaWood ad. This dude talks like he has a mouthful of cotton.

– The Verizon chocolate phone commercial. The phone’s not even brown. I don’t get it. The pitch is: Part MP3 player. Part phone. Totally sweet. I know everybody likes chocolate, but not when you dip a phone in it.

– I normally like the CitiBank Identity Theft commercials, but the Darrel P. incarnation is awful. You know the one…the dude in the wifebeater talks in the high-pitched voice of a teenage girl before breaking into a grating rendition of Toni Braxton’s Unbreak My Heart that makes fingernails on a chalkboard sound like Mozart.

– The Mattress King. I know this is a local ad, but really….lose the scepter, man. You look like a clown. If I ever need to purchase another mattress, I won’t be stopping by “The Kingdom” no matter how cheap your Posturepedic is.
_______________

On a positive note, the commercial that makes me smile every time is the Hardee’s Milk. Shakes. ad. You know the one…with the guys dancing with the cows…yeah, that one. Makes me laugh every time.

What about you? Favorite — or least favorite — commercials?

Posted in Humor | 22 Comments

SEC Predictions

Posted on August 29, 2006 by Jason


After looking over this year’s SEC schedule, I’ve made my picks. I still think we have the best conference in the nation. I have us with at least 7 bowl eligible teams, maybe 8. Let me know what you think. (Conference records in parentheses.)

SEC West
1. Auburn, 12-0 (8-0)
2. LSU, 11-1 (7-1)
3. Arkansas, 8-4 (5-3)
4. Alabama, 7-5 (3-5)
5. Ole Miss, 7-5 (3-5)
6. Mississippi State, 3-9 (1-7)

I think Auburn could contend for the national title. They get LSU at home on Sept. 16th. Should be quite a doozy.

I like LSU to win the rest of their games. If they can somehow get past Auburn, they could be in the running for a BCS bowl.

Arkansas is my surprise team in the conference this season. A victory over Alabama at home on Sept. 23rd should vault them to 3rd in the West.

I know Bama had a renaissance season last year, but they have a brutal road schedule: at Florida, at Tennessee, at LSU. I also see them losing to Auburn and Arkansas.

Ole Miss: Orgeron will keep moving them in the right direction, but they’ll finish no better than 7-5, and that’s probably generous.

Mississippi State. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The Bulldogs should be awfully strong by season’s end. Thank goodness for Kentucky.

SEC East
1. Georgia, 11-1 (7-1)
2. Florida, 9-3 (5-3)
3. Tennessee, 9-3 (5-3)
4. South Carolina, 6-6 (3-5)
5. Vanderbilt, 4-8 (1-7)
6. Kentucky, 3-9 (0-8)

Georgia gets both Tennessee and Florida at home this season. Toughest road game: at Auburn on Nov. 11th. Should be a preview of the SEC Championship Game.

Florida is getting plenty of love in the preseason pubs, but you have to be able to run the ball in the SEC. I know their D-Line is awesome, but until you establish the run, you’ll never win in our league, Urban.

Last season was a long one on Rocky Top. No matter how the QB’s fare this season, this club should be able to run the ball and play solid D. I’m picking my boys to lose home games to Florida and LSU and lose on the road at Georgia. But I’m picking us to right the ship early against Cal this weekend.

Spurrier invigorated the Cocks last season, but the clock just struck midnight. The only way I see them breaking .500 is to beat Arkansas at home on Nov. 4. Otherwise, 6-6 and a lot of visor throwing.

Kentucky and Vandy: who really cares? For the record, I’m picking Vandy to beat the Wildcats.

There you go boys & girls. That’s the way I see ’em. Tell me why I’m wrong.

FYI, for a full list of conference predictions by the “experts”, check out this page.

Posted in Football | 18 Comments

Blogger Bowl Results

Posted on August 29, 2006 by Jason

Last night I had my draft. Here’s a blow-by-blow of the H-Town Hawgmollies draft board. Let me know how you think I’ll fare:

QB – Peyton Manning. My first round choice with the #6 pick. If one of the top RB’s fell to me, I’d have scooped them up. But I chose Peyton over Lamont Jordan, Ronnie Brown and Edggerin James. Time will tell if this was a wise move.

RB – Carnell Williams. I was surprised to see a back of this caliber left on the board by the time I chose again in the second round. Some owners decided to go RB / WR in the wrap around, leaving Williams on the board. I gladly scooped up Mr. Cadillac.

RB – Domanick Davis. My 3rd round choice. The Texans like him enough to draft Mario Williams over Reggie Bush. ‘Nuff said.

WR – Chris Chambers. 4th pick. I needed a receiver. He’s a stud.

RB – Tatum Bell. Some would say this was a reach, and there were a few other decent RBs on the board but none has the potential upside of Bell. I could run for 1,000 behind the Denver line. This will be the pick that brings home the championship.

WR – In the sixth & seventh rounds, I focused on WRs, taking Donald Driver and Mushin Muhammad. Nothing too exciting there, but I should get solid numbers from those guys. For Mauhammad’s sake, I hope Brian Griese starts in Chicago.

TE – Jason Witten. Another Vol. I wasn’t going to reach for a TE and I was pleasantly surprised that Witten was still on the board in the middle rounds.

W / T – My flex receiver is Drew Bennett. The Titans stink, but they’ll be down in virtually every game they play (meaning they’ll need to throw) and Bennett’s their best threat.

Defense – Chicago. I have the best QB and the best defense in the league. I like the way this looks.

K – John Kasay. Carolina should score plenty of points.

Bench – I was able to grab Jamal Lewis in the 11th round. Wow, how the mighty have fallen. I know he’s a thug, but somebody’s gotta get the carries in Baltimore. It was only 2 years ago he ran for 2,000. The rest of my bench is completely pedestrian: Braylon Edwards, Aaron Brooks, Ashley Lelie, Samkon Gado, and Mercedes Lewis (whom I’ve never heard of).

How’d I do? Do I have a shot?

Posted in Blogging, Football | 7 Comments

Blogger Bowl

Posted on August 28, 2006 by Jason

I’m 19 minutes away from my fantasy football draft in the inaugural Blogger Bowl. I have the 6th pick out of 10 teams. Guess that means I won’t be able to snag one of the top RBs. But I might grab my boy Peyton. I don’t know.

Tomorrow’s post: all things football. I’ll unveil my roster and make my picks for the upcoming SEC season. I’m ready for some pigskin, baby!

Posted in Blogging, Football | 8 Comments

A Book Tag

Posted on August 26, 2006 by Jason

I usually hate these things, but this one was kinda cool. I love to read, so this was easy. Feel free to chime in if you’ve read any of my picks.

1. One book that changed your life:
Up until a month or so ago, I’d have answered What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. But now I’d probably say Lee Camp’s Mere Discipleship. I could also list my Children’s Bible I read just before my baptism. Too many life-changing books to pick just one.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
The Last Days According to Jesus by R.C. Sproul. Sproul’s approach to eschatology — particularly the Olivet Discourse — has been extremely helpful. It took multiple reads to digest.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract by Bill James. A baseball nerd’s Bible. I could read this one forever.

4. One book that made you laugh:
About A Boy by Nick Hornby. I’m not a big fiction fan, but Hornby’s stuff always makes me laugh.

5. One book that made you cry:
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I struggled to think of a book that made me cry. I remember reading this one in elementary school and I’ll admit, I shed a tear.

6. One book you wish had been written:
An Explanation of 1 Corinthians 12-14 by the Apostle Paul. Either that or, Instrumental Music: The Final Word.

7. One book you wish had never been written:
The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. I’m ashamed to admit I actually gave copies of this to friends. Guys, please forgive me.

8. One book you’re currently reading:
The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder. I may have to put it back on the shelf, though…grad reading is calling.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia (for Lucy!)

10. Tag five others:
How about Lane, Scott, T.H., Mike and Ed?

I wonder what this list would look like if I used only Bible “books” as answers. Here’s a quick cut at it.

1. Galatians
2. Lots, but I’ve probably read Romans more than any other.
3. John
4. Psalms
5. Psalms
6. III Corinthians?
7. Revelation
8. Joshua
9. n/a

Posted in Blogging, Books | 6 Comments

Already & Not Yet

Posted on August 25, 2006 by Jason

In January 2005, I started this blog as an outlet for my periodic devotional writings. While I still post the occasional devo piece, my blog has also evolved into a repository for my thoughts on a variety of things: family, politics, faith, ethics, baseball, music, movies, prayer requests…these things are the fabric of my life and, as such, comprise the content of this little blog.

When I started this endeavor some 20 months ago, I was faced with a question that has befuddled many a novice blogger: What should I call this thing? I kicked around a lot of ideas, most of which were insanely cheesy, like Bybee’s Banter or Jason’s Journal or my personal favorite Jabs by JAB. (Like I said, cheesy.) None of those titles really cranked my tractor, though. After toying around with several names, I settled on Already & Not Yet, a phrase full of significance for me.

Theologians use this term to describe our eschatalogical state of being. Basically it’s the idea that as believers, we are part of God’s Kingdom already. In Luke 17, Jesus says to the Pharisees:

The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you. — Luke 17:20-21, The Message

Jesus spoke of His Kingdom as a present reality in the first century. Disciples of Christ participate in this Kingdom, His present reign. Through faith, Christ’s disciples are invited to participate in a Kingdom where peace reigns — where swords are beaten into plowshares (Isa. 2) — and the natural order of enmity is redeemed and reconciled (Isa. 11). This Kingdom life is the product of faith. And, in a very real way, followers of Christ participate in that Kingdom NOW, a Kingdom where the first are last, the least are the greatest, service is selfless and love endures.

But Christ’s Kingdom has yet to be fully consummated. Evil is pervasive. The present order of the sword has yet to be redeemed. Wolf and lamb, calf and lion are yet to experience reconciliation. Thus, we live “between the times”, to borrow another phrase from the scholars. We live between what Christ has already done and what He’s yet to do. Our charge is to be the in-breaking of the Kingdom in the here and now. In short, we are called to be Kingdom come.

Already & not yet also describes our present soteriological status. Through faith, we experience the full pardon of our sin already; we stand justified before God because of our association with the blood of Christ. And yet, we still await the judgment when the final pronouncement shall be made and we will experience forgiveness and mercy in an ultimate, eternal way. So, from a certain point of view, salvation is both already and not yet.

I chose this concept as a title for my blog for both its theological implications and its resonance with me as a marker of my developing identity as a disciple. Here’s what I wrote about this in January:

My blog’s title, Already & Not Yet, succinctly expresses not only a theological truth but a developing worldview for me. Life is lived “already and not yet”. It’s about who we find ourselves to be in this moment coupled with the recognition that we’ve not fully arrived. It expresses something about how we are to value life lived today with a nod toward the hopeful anticipation of something more on the horizon. It’s acknowledging that I’m a member of a Kingdom that is both a present reality and a future development. It calls me to live faithfully as a member of this inbreaking Kingdom NOW with an understanding that the beauty of this life is fully realized in a Kingdom yet to come. It is this beautiful tension that most fully expresses the most fundamental truths of the abundant life we find in Christ. On my good days and, perhaps most especially, on my bad days, I most desperately need to be reminded that I am both “already” and “not yet”. This is a truth I hold most dear.

These words serve as a reminder that I’m not a finished product. Indeed, I need to be reminded of who I already am — as a disciple, as a husband, as a father, as a minister. And I should also keep in mind that I’m not yet who He intends me to be. I’m still arriving. I pray I always will be.

Today I praise God for what He’s already done for me and in me.

And I praise Him for what He’s yet to do.

May Your Kingdom dwell in me, O Jesus, my Lord…

Posted in Devotional, Theology | 3 Comments

Baby Fever

Posted on August 24, 2006 by Jason

I have so many friends who have had or are expecting babies this year. It’s pretty awesome, actually. Of course, here at church, a few of our best friends have helped the church grow the old-fashioned way. Sunny’s blogged about baby Will and baby Jordan…they’re both so precious. But lately, people have been asking Sunny, “So, do you have baby fever yet?” What they’re asking is whether or not this recent spate of babies is causing my wife to want another. To her credit, she always replies, “No, I have two toddlers that occupy most of my time,” or something to that effect.

You know what I say?

Who cares about her? What about me? I think I have baby fever. I’d have 2 or 3 more babies if it was up to me! There’s nothing like a precious newborn. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE our two children and if that’s all the Lord sees fit to bless us with, so be it. But I love being a father and I want a big family. I’ve even said I wouldn’t mind having twins again someday (although I probably need to give that some serious thought!).

Baby fever. Anybody know of a cure?

Posted in Humor, Kids, Sunny | 14 Comments

An About Face

Posted on August 23, 2006 by Jason

Lately I’ve been talking and writing a lot about my developing nonviolent worldview. I think I’ve changed my mind. After Jason Isringhausen — the closer for my beloved St. Louis Cardinals — blew his 9th save of the season last night by giving up a game-winning home run to Carlos Beltran, I’m ready for blood. I can’t take it anymore.

Is it too late for Bruce Sutter to come out of retirement? Todd Worrell? Lee Smith? Anybody?

Posted in Baseball, St. Louis Cardinals | 7 Comments

MyPod: Top 10 Albums

Posted on August 22, 2006 by Jason

After mulling it over for a day or two, I’m ready to unveil my Top 10 Albums list. Several of these have already been referenced in the comments section…others will come out of left field. Let me know what you think. Here they are, in descending order.

10. White Ladder by David Gray
A great pop album from a great singer-songwriter. Ladder stands as Gray’s breakthrough album thanks to great tracks like This Year’s Love, Babylon, Say Hello Wave Goodbye and Please Forgive Me. There’s a reason this is the biggest selling album ever in Ireland.

9. A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash
This album was just released this summer, but it’s already cracked my All-Time Top 10. Recorded just months before his death, Cash has never sounded so vulnerable. His voice, once rife with his trademark rich baritone, now warbles and wavers somewhat erratically. But the Man in Black growls with a palpable pathos on A Hundred Highways, the fifth installment of the American Recordings Series. Once again, Rick Rubin has brought out the best in Cash. God’s Gonna Cut You Down is a prophetic anthem that Cash brings to life with an energy uncommon for most septuagenarians. If You Could Read My Mind is a sweetly lilting ode to love gone by. I Came to Believe, though originally recorded prior to the American V Sessions, is one of two Cash originals sprinkled among the covers. This album gets better with each listen. Get a copy…you’ll be glad you did.

8. The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Written and recorded in the months following September 11th, The Rising was hailed as the Boss’s strongest record in years. The title track is classic Springsteen: this is rock music you can believe in. There are plenty of other quality songs on this great album, but none are greater than My City of Ruins. “Come on, rise up…“

7. Mockingbird by Derek Webb
A great album with a powerful message. Webb is passionate about social justice and the Kingdom of God. Surprise, surprise, this record resonates deeply with me. Best of all, Webb feels so strongly about the message of this album, he’s releasing it for free to the public on September 1st. I already own a copy, but I strongly encourage anyone to grab a copy in a few days and give Mockingbird a spin. Check out www.freederekwebb.com for more information.

6. Arriving by Chris Tomlin
This album would rank this high for How Great is Our God alone. The fact that the other 10 songs are great is gravy. Before I was turned on to Tomlin, my boy Corey always referred to him as the modern-day David. I couldn’t agree more. With Indescribable, CT gives articulation to the greatness and grandeur of our God. His words and artistry have renewed my passion for worship. For that, I’ll always be grateful.

5. A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
You either love ’em or hate ’em, I guess. I’m a big fan. I was initially more stoked about the release of last year’s X&Y, but Rush stands as the band’s seminal work to date. I used to wear this one out on my drives to Lipscomb for grad school in the fall of 2002. Great rock music. I could listen to The Scientist all day long.

3 & 4. All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2
I know, it’s not cool to have two albums by the same band on your Top 10 list, but I don’t care. These two albums are that good. U2’s earlier work has been more critically lauded (and rightfully so — Joshua Tree nearly made this list, too), but these last two offerings are incredibly strong. All That You Can’t Leave Behind marked the band’s return to their classic sound. Rolling Stone hailed the album as the band’s third masterpiece. Walk On ranks as one of my top 10 songs. Dismantle is a bit more reflective but an equally strong offering. Thanks to a cross promotion with Apple, Bono and the boys are always dangerously close to overexposure. But is there any doubt that U2 is the greatest rock band in the world today?

2. A Collision by The David Crowder Band
I’ve waxed eloquent about this album for nearly a year now. You can check out my comments here.
But I’ve never had a longer crush on an album. I continue to return to this one several times a week. Here Is Our King, Come and Listen, I Saw the Light, Foreverandever, Etc., You Are My Joy, Wholly Yours…there’s not a weak song to be found. I love the concept: different genres with a common worshipful theme. A brilliant recording.

1. Michael McDermott by Michael McDermott
I owe this one to Scott. I doubt most of you have even heard of McDermott, but this singer-songwriter’s self-titled album is my all-time favorite. This is a true work of artistry: McDermott wrote each song and recorded each note you hear (with the exception of some strings). Musically, this album is great, but it’s McDermott’s lyricism that makes this one great. Dierdre Dances is the most mournful song I’ve ever heard. The narrative of Say Hey Charlie Boy will rip your heart out. My Own Little World is an ode to introvertism. Wounded stands as an anthem for all who bear scars of pain gone by but not gone away. Finding a copy of this one will be difficult, but if you’re able to track one down, snag it and enjoy. You won’t be sorry.

Posted in Cash, Music | 4 Comments