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Critiquing Critiques of Criticism
[Note: This post was inspired by my friend Lisa’s blog about worship music criticism.] I remember the first time I criticized worship music. It was in kindergarten. We would sing this song where half the class would jump up and sing “praise ye the Lord,” then as they sat back down the other half would jump up and sing “hallelujah!” I decided it was shallow and repetitive, and as I recall we sang it all the time. Fast-forward to the new millennium. I was a late-bloomer in terms of modern music, but I had embraced CCM (or “Contemporary Christian Music,” for the uninitiated) when I first heard Jesus Freak as…
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Gifts Like White Elephants
We think of Christmas as a time to give gifts, and the marketplace rejoices. I admit I have been too hard on them in recent years; they are just responding to us, same as they always have, same as they always will. Instead, let us turn our gaze inward, fellow gift-givers. Have you ever noticed how much we give and how little we sacrifice? We don’t just give gifts, we trade them. And we feel terrible if we get something and don’t reciprocate—even worse if we give something and get nothing in return. Granted, we will gladly give to someone who has legitimate need without expecting something in return. Children…
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This Christmas is Different
Those of you who have seen me over successive Christmases know I can be a little testy this time of year. I always struggle to get in the mood for whatever reason. I think, “why do we celebrate this? Why don’t we make a bigger deal the rest of the year?” I look at all the consumerism and say, “what gives?” Well this year is different—this Christmas is different. Why? I think much of the credit goes to my classes at DTS. Perhaps not everyone is easily inspired by theological discussions, but as I sit here I am so much more amazed at the thought that Jesus would become human.…
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Christmas Musings
Merry Christmas!!! I’ve missed you! I’ve missed writing! I’m sure if I didn’t spend 2 hours on every post we would both be happier, but such is the case. I have so much to say—and I’m sure I won’t remember all of it. Today finds me with my love at work and my work on break, so I’ve decided to spend the day with you. Let me start with the Christmas message. It’s funny; I know I’m not great with people, so I frequently doubt my future as anything like a pastor. But man can I get fired up to preach! And what better topic than Christmas? One of the…