Purgatorio Fun and Humor

I wanted to give credit where credit is due. If you've ever wondered where I get most of my goofy album covers, then here you go. Purgatorio has all of my favorite old Christian album covers, along with many other oddities. It's Divine Vinyl section is great!

Marc Heinrich does a good job of showing off our Christian "subculture" in all of it's weirdness. It's a rather unique Christian website. Check out the left-hand section for all of his various categories. My favorites are his "Emerging" section and his "T-Shirt" category. Great stuff!

Anderson Cooper: Dispatches From The Edge

Anderson Cooper's book "Dispatches From The Edge" was one of the most honest and eye-opening books that I have read in a long time (see brief review here). I actually listened to the book on CD (thank God for libraries, I could never afford to buy such things). Why was it honest and eye opening? It left me utterly depressed and empty...that's why. Let me explain.

As Cooper writes about his experiences in covering some of the major stories of our time (war in Iraq, Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, etc.), he reflects on his own life and the personal tragedies that he has experienced,--namely, the death of his father when he was 10 and the horrific suicide of his older brother when he was 20. He offers no conclusions, or solutions to the pain that he has experienced, nor does he attempt to make sense of the world around him--he just reports and reports and reports. That's his job. That's what he gets paid millions for--reporting what he sees in the world. He just happened to throw in his own personal tragedies as well. Though some reviewers deplored this side of the book, I thought that it was highly appropriate and added significant depth to the book.

It was honest because Cooper doesn't claim to have real answers. He simply reports. It was eye opening because it's a good snap shot into our culture. They know what's around them and they know what's in their own life (and heart) but they know that they have no answers to life's toughest questions. The best you can do is give someone a pat on the back and say, "hang in there buddy." Or as Anderson tells them, "it will be all right." Hang in there for what? What if it's doesn't end all right?

It reminds me of how I felt when I saw the movie "Remains of the Day." Great movie. But it leaves you totally depressed. There's no happy ending, there's no resolution--just pain and regrets.

The reality is that this is life without Christ. Without Justification by Faith and God's grace in our lives, there are no real answers. Without the understanding that our world is fallen and that Christ redeemed it for His glory, we can never truly have meaningful answers to the sin, suffering, and misery that we see in the world. We can only look at it, report on it, and move on.

Modern Worship and Theology

I tend to prefer contemporary worship to traditional worship. Though I did attend a Reformed Baptist Church for over a year, I didn't necessarily like the more traditional style of worship. At John MacArthur's church in California (Grace Community Church), I did have some positive experiences with a more traditional style of worship. But it's not everyday that you go to a church like that with a world class choir. It was majestic and beautiful. I could worship like that all of the time.

I'm convinced that much of the contemporary worship is geared more towards women. As the above picture suggests, many of the lyrics are shallow, repetitive, and sound more like love songs that you would hear from a teen boy band. Maybe that's a bit too cynical, but I must admit that I've been disappointed lately with much of the new worship music.

Most of the modern songs don't reflect meaningful theology. There are a few exceptions however. One new song that seems to be catching on is "In Christ Alone." I feel like I get saved everytime I sing it. Why? Because it's meaty with good theology. Here's the link to the lyrics (lyrics here).

Jogging For Jesus

Need improvement in your jogging? Have trouble jogging for long periods of time? Then try Leslie Harris' new album, "Jogging For Jesus." Let the House of Fire catch your pants on fire as you jog for Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost!

Once the Spirit comes on you, you'll be jogging like a champ too! Tired of trying to jog in your own power and strength? Then let the House of Fire ignite your jogging life to new dimensions.

Benny Hinn--"I used to just slay folks in the Spirit...now I jog. Thank you Harris!"

Oral Roberts--"I've used the Holy Spirit for many things...building my colleges, building the city of faith, threatening people with my untimely death...but now, thank the Lord, I jog!"

Jan Crouch--"The latest wave of the Spirit is here! Jogging in the Spirit is the latest craze. Gold dust revivals and laughing revivals are old news...this is so fresh! I just jog and jog and jog!"

Mark Driscoll And Our Culture

I've been listening to Mark Driscoll lately to try and get a feel for him and his theology. He's a rather unique blend: A self professed "emerging, charismatic, reformed, Baptist" who is theologically and Biblically conservative, yet liberal in his manner of church style. I've heard many good things about him and a handful of criticisms. All in all, I typically like what he has to say.

If you have any insights into Driscoll and the Acts 29 Network of Churches then I'd love to hear about them. What I typically try to determine is this: Is this a movement of the flesh or of the Spirit?

I will be possibly (hopefully) attending the Desiring God National Conference in September. Driscoll is one of the speakers there. I am looking forward to hearing from guys like John Piper and David Wells. We'll have to wait and see if it works out. The lineup of speakers are great and the subject matter is highly relevant for our time. Please pray that I'll be able to attend!

Charles Spurgeon Honeymoon Suite

A few years back, my wife and I got to go to the Spurgeon Suite (at the Honeymoon Mansion) in New Albany, Indiana. It ended up being the nicest Bed and Breakfast that my wife and I have ever got to stay at.

It's hard to believe that there is a honeymoon suite named after Charles Spurgeon. There's a huge jacuzzi (see picture above) in a big room--complete with mirrored ceilings and walls. There are six marble columns that surround the jacuzzi. There are two rooms in the suite--a big bedroom and the jacuzzi room.

Spurgeon rocks! And so does his honeymoon suite. It's perfect for a romantic get away with your spouse. There's also a collection of Spurgeon writings in the jacuzzi room. The closest thing to heaven that you will ever get! I highly recommend it. I noticed, however, that the current owners have it on Ebay (see here). Hopefully, if someone new buys it, they will keep the name Charles Spurgeon.