New Ear Candy!

Kanye West might be full of himself, but after you hear his new release Late Registration, you might see how he could be. Read review.

Death Cab For Cutie Plans is a really good record. If you haven't heard these guys, get past the name, and give it a gander.

If you get a chance to check out the Robbie Seay Band you will be glad that you did. Robbie Seay is a brother to Brian Seay, one of the Pastors at ikon where I lead music for a tweaked group of college students, and Shaun Groves road manager.

Katrina Hits Southland Hard

Hurricane Katrina was one of the largest hurricanes in US history. She is now a tropical storm and coming my way.

At least 90 deaths reported; 750,000+ without power. Flooding and tornados are now going to be the issues as it moves northeast.

Click here to see some hurricane history.



AP/The Tampa Tribune

Some Follow Up....The Religious Checklist

So many people have had interest in the Religious Checklist post over the past week.

I have received several more emails than comments. Mark was right about the coolness of the blogosphere, being able to talk about these kinds of things without getting all harsh and abrasive...not to say that I haven't received any abrasive emails:)

The basic thought is very simple and somewhat self explanatory. If the Checklist signifies a list of rules that make us feel better about ourselves compared to those who don't really follow a list, we should overhaul the way we live a bit. Nothing can be substituted for a true relationship with our Creator, including a checklist. There have been some great points made through comments and emails.

Here are just a few comments and or emails...

"Maybe I am a little naive about "Bible Belt" beliefs, but why does everyone get weird about the whole drinking thing in the south? Most of the best fellowships that I have ever had in my 34 years of life have been had over a brew at a local pub with friends that feel like church is just a dead, dry, religious social club that people feel safe in because we don't let sinners in. Shouldn't the church be the very place they (we) are WELCOME? And besides going back to what you said, it isn't a sin to drink just as is isn't a sin not to drink. How absurd we can be. Beating our own body up instead of encouraging and loving each other. The world will beat us up enough. Chad, sorry for the rant, but I am just so over OUR games."
Emailed to *Blogstar at 8/22/05

"What so many people fail to understand is that doing any of these things or not doing any of these things doesn't make them more or less of a sinner. We are all guilty, and as God's elect, washed by the blood of the Lamb."
Posted by Anonymous to *Blogstar at 8/25/2005 09:27:21 PM

"i hope this doesn't sound rude, but i'm kinda sick of people knockin' "not drinking and not smoking and not cussing." though there are those totally superficial ones out there who just stick to the don't's in order to appear more holy, there ARE those who really want to genuinely LIVE the thing and this is what they feel God has led them to."
Posted by Lindsay to *Blogstar 8/18/05

We can all learn from living life together, and even continue to love others that aren't just like ourselves. If we can't love each other, how can we love the world we live in? I am grateful to everyone that has put some thoughts out there for us all to think on.

Godspeed.

Among Thorns Live CD Release UPDATE

The last release in the life of modern worship band Among Thorns is scheduled to release OCT 18, 2005. I'm not sure what the distribution is looking like at this point, but it will be available at www.amongthorns.com.

Also be on the look out for Among Thorns' new site soon to be up around the beginning of SEPT.

More to come.

Mysteries and Resolve

Have you ever asked questions and received no answers? Been puzzled or frustrated at something that you just can't make sense out of? Lay awake at night with your mind racing with thought after thought?

Almost everything in society is fact oriented. We as humans tend to get a form of temporary satisfaction from the facts and information we receive, wouldn't you say? I mean who likes to be left hanging on the edge of something unresolved? I mostly HATE it! I WANT RESOLVE!

There was a time not so long ago that I enjoyed life's mysteries. When I was a little boy I would basically embrace things that I didn't fully comprehend. The world has tried to poison me (and YOU) to believe that we will find the peace and satisfaction we need in facts and stuff. I am pretty big on facts and I like stuff.

What if we decided that we weren't going to let society tame our childhood belief in mystery the way that Paul talks of in Timothy? The Message translation says that "this life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding." The life that follows Jesus will fall prey to the comprehension game if we allow ourselves to have the magic of God stolen from us.

We might be able to get a form of comfort from knowledge, but there will come a longing for supernatural mystery (magic if you will). That's when I want to step back and let awe for the Creator overwhelm me.

Crazy, Whack, Funky, Pimp, Rockin'...New Music

Here is some new music to peep out.

Great sounds from the "dirty" (New Orleans, LA)...Macrosick (half of what was once Earthsuit). The other half is Mute Math.

Once more, Paramore, Copeland, and Joy Williams (having some nice mainstream spins).



Photo from paramore.net

Invisible Children

If you are up for a dose of reality go to www.invisiblechildren.com. I speak out a lot on these kinds of thing here at *Blogstar, and I don't apologize. Most of us reading this have life good....having internet etc.

ONE Love.

Not So Shameless Plugs

We have added some new Links and Blogs here at *Blogstar. Please feel free to show them love.

(disclaimer..."we" here are *Blogstar means "I"....I think that because I hang out with my dogs so much, I am starting to give them contribution credit sub-consciously.)

I'll Drink To That

The drink has been a bit taboo for the lovely "Bible Belt" for...well EST the "Bible Belt". I have been in Nashville for 7 years now, and from what I have seen, Nashvegas seems to be a possible exception to the "rule".

Sometimes it seems to be more of a denominational thing, but for the most part, the Baptists I know are pretty wet Baptists if you know what I mean. I grew up in Ohio and have been trying to clue in a bit since the move to Tennessee, with Ohio being cool with the drink and all. My travels have taken me everywhere in the states. The south can be a very "tricky" and hypocritical place.

The emerging church has begun a new "old" way of doing things. Many people meet and even have church in local pubs. The bible is pretty clear on not getting drunk on wine ("but be filled with the spirit"), and is also pretty clear about drinking alcohol. There is no where in scripture that states that drinking is a sin.

It seems that I am still learning about the culture in which I reside. I love it, but I hate it. Are there not bigger things that we should address? Like what we don't do that we should do?

Loving God and Loving People (as ourselves). Easier said than done?....... Yes.

Religious Checklist

The Unofficial Religious Checklist (Don't Do's) United States Version

#1. Don't smoke (anything that puts off an ember and smoke)

#2. Don't drink alcohol (cough medicine doesn't count)

#3. Do not cuss (don't even think it)

#4. Miss church more than once a month (even during football season)

#5. Only listen and / or watch Christian Music....(at least never admit listening to Mainstream Music) ....Rated R Movies are also NOT allowed (unless it is the Passion of the Christ)

Some of the Christian sub-culture which is mostly a Religious sub-culture would have you believe that if you don't do the things listed above, you are a "good Christian"....the reality is these things alone only show a life that practices religion. There isn't much spiritual life to them.

(spiritual life vs religious life)

We Need To Have WORLD VISION

For several years I have been a bystander to things beyond my little world. About 2 years ago I was on a tour that helped change the way I want to live. The tour was a World Vision tour that hit about 35 markets here in the US. Joy Williams, Anointed, 4-Him, and my band Among Thorns toured the country to raise awareness and to help children from Africa through sponsorships. Many people have uneducated issues with where the money goes with some Non-Profit organizations. 5 % of World Vision's funds to go administration/management purposes. After looking at the facts I felt good about where the money was actually going.

My wife and I have decided to not have 2 mid-scale meals per month (usually around $65-70 per month) in order to sponsor 2 little girls, Oliva, and Ruth. The truth is, I don't miss many meals, and if I do it is because I choose to miss them.

Not everybody has it as good as we do. We have 2 cars (SUV's), a 1200 sq ft home in one of the most affluent counties in the southeastern United States, 2 dogs (they eat well too), a bike, lawnmower, computer, 2 cell phones (no home phone), and an attic full of crap that I might see once a year (Christmas).

My friend and IKON partner SHLOG (Shaun Groves) has a great blog entry from Monday AUG 8th called Enough.

If you want to do something right now, go here!!!!

Blood:Water Mission

"In some ways it feels like a lot of the stuff we spend our time doing is about building up our little Jars of Clay 'kingdom.' Then all of a sudden we talk about Africa, and it's like Jars of Clay what?" -Charlie Lowell of Jars of Clay.

Some of my local Franklin ONE boys have taken their action another step and level with Blood:Water Mission.

I wonder if they just thought that helping people in need would just help sell records at the end of the day....Probably NOT. That is probably why God has blessed and will continue to bless this band. The Father blesses people so that those people will go bless others.

Making the Invisible Kingdom Visible...Jars Of Clay.

Guitars Invade Nashville

Photos by Larry McCormack

These are just 2 guitars that have made their way into downtown Music City. They are everywhere! Cool art that represent a city that is known for it's music and creative history. Each one has a story.

Ruskin Quote....hhhhmmm

"Cursing is invoking the assistance of a spirit to help you inflict suffering. Swearing on the other hand, is invoking, only the witness of a spirit to a statement you wish to make." -John Ruskin (Swearer since age 4)