You Saw It Here … Second Last

Some blogs call it the weekly round-up but so far the above is my title. 

I know the virtues of blogging is posting things instantly.  Well apparently, I’m not one of those blogs.  But I do have a decent job bookmarking and placing things in “To Read Later” folders.

About a week or so ago, Thom Turner tweeted that he had liked this post.  I did too.  It’s from NPR writer Rod Dreher who wrote an open letter to Obama.  It’s called, Guess Whose Coming to Dinner.

Earlier this week on the EV Weblog was this gem. Pastor Abandons His Church. It’s an interview with a mega-church pastor who, alongside with his leadership, decided to sell the church facility and restructure pretty much everything.   You need to read to the end to really appreciate it and the comments are great.   

And of course, the Hitler-Emergent Video.  Like everyone has been saying – it is hilarious.  And I like that it pokes fun of emergents (whom I identify with).  I need to find the background story to it or the “Behind the Making of an Emergent You Tube Phenomena” (if this blog was VH1).  Some aren’t sure if it was a bit too far to use Hitler and again, though it’s hilarious and i’d like to continue thinking it was meant as a joke, I’d like to be sensitive too. Check out Evan’s post for some of his initial thoughts.  

Monday Morning Brief – 12.1.08

Highlight of the Week – 1.  Yesterday we dedicated Nathan in our church.  We’ve prayed for this day for a while so that was cool. Also loved the little gathering at our place afterwards.  Wished we could have invited everyone but it was nice to be among family and a couple of friends.  2. Sister, brother-in-law, parent in-laws flew in for Thanksgiving (and dedication) 3. Really nice Thanksgiving Eve service.  (mentioned some of it in my thanksgiving reflection).

Disappointment of the Week – Aside for all the preparations for the dedication, I think my biggest disappointment was one of my fantasy football teams performing so poorly this season.  I really had high expectations this year.  Granted we lost a couple close games and had some tough match-ups but I’m paying a lot of fantasy money here and I really expected some better results.  Fair warning – no loyalties to anyone next year.    I am however, first in our other league. First round bye next week.   Not sure how strong we are heading into the playoffs though.  Haven’t had a good QB  and have been dragging Braylon Edwards the whole season (argh!).  We’ll see if it becomes a showdown between me and Evan.  These are my disappointments, so yeah, it’s been a good week.

Listening to: same as last week.  If you like good music though (as opposed to those who choose crappy music.  you know who you are), the best musician who you may never have heard of – Andy Zipf was named American Songwriter of the Week.  “Andy Zipf has built himself quite a cottage industry by constantly writing, touring and building a fan-base one friend at a time…”  I should blog about him sometime.  He really is the definition of an independent artist.  Owns all his music rights, plays shows constantly and never takes a short cut.  He is also a brilliant artist.  

Just Watched: Charlie Wilson’s War.  Really liked it.  I guess I didn’t realize it was rated R and watched it with some people who I wouldn’t normally watch such a movie with.  All consistent with the title. A little too much sensual gratuity, profanity, (apparently that’s how Charlie rolled according to the History Channel special) and of course scenes of violence (as usually is the case in “War”).  Once again, Tom Hanks is brilliant and a lot of fun to watch.  I couldn’t stop laughing at his wit and humor.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman was fantastic.  (Susan really liked his role).  Oh, and Julia Roberts is in it. I guess you tend to forget that it’s her so I guess that means it was a good performance. 

Youth Ministry Has Been:  off for Thanksgiving.  We had the Thanksgiving Eve service so no youth group that night.  Did have Sunday school and the day before had our annual Turkey Tackle Football game.  Good times.  Was also great to see returning college students too.  Most of them seem to be doing great.

Need To: Do a ton of schoolwork and a million other things.  This was a nice break though.  

Keeping in Mind:  The beginning of Advent and World AIDS Day. Hope to meditate on them both in the upcoming days.