Downton Abbey

Amanda and I have gotten way into the PBS show Downton Abbey.  How far have we gotten into it?  We watched all of Season 1 last weekend and have caught up in Season 2 this week.  Needless to say, it's really good.  It is the story of a noble family in England during the early 1900's and of their house staff.  The stories are very intriguing and it keeps you watching from episode to episode.

We've watched all of Season 1 for free on Amazon through our Amazon Prime membership.  You can find all of the Season 2 episodes at PBS.  You'll have to work fast to catch up because the next episode comes out on PBS this Sunday.

RIP Nate Dogg!

To all you black and red Blazer lovers and leather Bulls hats wearers and stripes in your hair flaunters:  Regulators, mount up!



Say what up to 2Pac for me!

The Cross and the Jukebox

I'm always interested when I see someone talking about common grace in music.  I get even more interested when someone is talking about good country music.  Rusell Moore recently started a weekly podcast entitled The Cross and the Jukebox.  He talks about the intersections of religion and country music.  So far it has been very interesting.  He references many times the "Jesus haunted South": the idea that everyone in the southern US has some idea of Jesus and Christianity in the recesses of their past.  If you've got an extra half hour each week, I'd recommend giving it a try.  Here are the songs that he's talked about so far.

I Saw the Light--Hank Williams, Sr.


Ring of Fire--Johnny Cash


Me and Jesus--Tom T. Hal

Lark Rise to Candleford

Amanda and I (and at times, just Amanda) have been enjoying the BBC series Lark Rise to Candleford.  We have borrowed Season1 on DVD and only have a few episodes left.  It is the story of two small towns in England in the late 19th century.  Lark Rise is the lower class hamlet, while Candleford is the larger, wealthier town.    The main character, Laura, has moved from Lark Rise to Candleford to work with her mother's cousin, Miss Lane the Postmistress.  Laura struggles between the new joys of Candleford while seeking to stay true to her home in Lark Rise.  The stories focus around issues of class, politics and romance.

It is a show that we can watch and enjoy by ourselves, but don't feel like we need to shield the eyes and hearts of our children from.  If you're interested, check it out from your library or try and find it on Netflix.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Catch a little glimpse of what it's all about with this fan made trailer.

V--A return to the 80's

I can't be the only one who, growing up, totally enjoyed the miniseries and then eventual series entitled "V". Well, obviously I wasn't because ABC has decided to "reboot" the concept this fall. ABC says that it will be on Tuesday night so that I can at least give it a chance. It doesn't start though until half way through the fall season in November. Watch the preview below.

Jim Spiegel on Jon & Kate

I have only watched this show a couple of times, but Amanda loves it. Every time we go to her mom's (cable), Amanda looks to check in with the Gosselins. I think Spiegel has some great insights. You can read his article here.

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

Gregg forwarded this to me today. I am not usually one to pass along things like this, but this is a good one. See my comments at the end.

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl?

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

I knew I liked Curt Warner for a reason. He is an outspoken Christian. And unlike other quarter backs in the league, he seems to not be an egomaniacal hot head. I'll be rooting for the Cards on Superbowl Sunday. How about you?

What's wrong with America?

What's wrong with America? Well, there is probably a pretty long list, but after hitting both Target and Toys 'r' Us this weekend, I've got a pretty short list. For Christmas I wanted to get Matthew a toy gun. The one that I had in my mind was the Daisy rifle that all the cool kids had when I was little. It was really cool looking and when you shot it, it went "bunwg". When I went to Target--nothing. At Toys 'r' Us, more of the same. The only guns that they had were branded with Batman, Indiana Jones, Kung Fu Panda or something like that. I think that this will result in a whole generation of little boys who won't have the fun that Joey and I did. We spent a lot of time playing "guns" with our neighbors. When I was looking for info on the web about this, I came across this article from 1988 about K Mart and Toys 'r' Us phasing toy guns out.

So this morning, I jumped online and went to toyarsenal.com and found exactly what I needed (pictured below.) It's not the exact gun that I was looking for, but I think Matt will love it. How about you? Did you play guns growing up? For Jim and Alex (our friend who is a policeman and my brother-in-law hunter), what do you guys think about toy guns? Are they DANGEROUS?

Shirley's thoughts on Mr. Rogers and PBS's lame response

My mother-in-law Shirley followed my previous suggestion and e-mailed PBS. Her e-mail is below followed by PBS's lame cut and paste response. Thanks Shube for your action on behalf of America's and my kids.

Shirley's e-mail:
I am SO disappointed to see Mr. Roger's program being pulled from the daily PSB lineup. His program was a treausre to my children, and my grandchildren watch him at 1:00 in St. Paul almost every weekday. PLEASE reconsider. There is so little else worthwhile on TV.

PBS response:
Dear Shirley:

Thank you for writing to PBS regarding MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD.

This iconic series holds an extremely special place in PBS’s heart. Together, PBS and Family Communications, Inc. are committed to evolving the role this cherished series plays in today’s media landscape, ensuring future generations of children can experience this rich, unique
content.

PBS will continue to distribute repeats of MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD to all member stations. PBS stations have the option of broadcasting the series everyday or once a week as best suited for their local community interests. For those that choose to air the series daily, PBS is feeding 185 episodes over the summer, allowing easy access to a library of
episodes. For those stations choosing to air the series weekly, they can pick up the weekly feed this fall.

PBS continues to invest in the MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD Web site at pbskids.org/rogers, enriching content with new games, activities and resources for kids, parents and teachers. In addition, PBS and Family Communications, Inc. are planning to preserve MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD content and make it available on demand through Web streaming so families can access it 24/7. We will also engage Fred
Rogers’ many active fans to vote for favorite episodes, share stories and more.

Kevin Morrison, COO of Family Communications, added, "We've been working with PBS on the details of the distribution of MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD in 2008-09 and are pleased that stations can choose to continue to show the series each day or once a week. Fred Rogers was one of the pioneers of public television and it's exciting that he will now
be a new media pioneer on an expanded PBS KIDS Web service. Both PBS and Family Communications have some great ideas to make this a rich resource for children and parents for years to come.”

Our support for MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD reaches far beyond the TV series and Web site, including participation in comprehensive viral campaigns such as "Sweater Day" in March and various sweater drives across the country. PBS has carried on the legacy of Fred Rogers through his TV show, the Web and PBS station community outreach activities for
years because of the incredible impact Fred has had on children.

Fred Rogers' values are embedded in all the work we do and have been an inspiration to new generations of children’s producers. Everyday, PBS KIDS is taking children on a journey to learn about themselves, others and the world around them, a philosophy that’s very much inspired by Fred Rogers’ work and his dedication to the betterment of all children.

We appreciate your interest in our programs and hope you will continue to watch and support your local PBS station.

Sincerely,
Mary
PBS Viewer Services

Save Mr. Rogers

What is the world coming to? As reported by Paste Magazine, Mr. Rogers is being axed by PBS. Yes, you read that correctly. PBS has decided to drop Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from its daily syndication. This is the one show that our family watches religiously. Every day at 1:00 PM our family sits down to hear Mr. Rogers say "Won't you be my neighbor?"

Join our family and the folks at SaveMisterRogers.com in trying to get PBS to keep its best program option. This is the same PBS who is pushing junk like Word Girl and Big, Big World. Write, e-mail or call your local PBS station. Implore them to keep your friend and mine, Mr. Rogers.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

On Saturday night I ditched the fam and went to the new Narnia movie, Prince Caspian. I am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. I remember my mom reading them to us when I was very little. I read them for myself one semester in college when I should have been studying for finals. There are lots of places online to read why you should not go and see this movie. I will tell you why you SHOULD see it.

Of course it is not as good as the book. Of course the writers and directors take some real liberties with Lewis' text. But the story is still amazing. It is a story about Aslan, the great lion. In Prince Caspian, the Pevensie children are swept back into Narnia a year after they left. In Narnia though, more than a thousand years have passed. It is a dark time in Narnia. A race of men from a distant land has taken over and the talking animals, dwarfs and centaurs have been either killed or pushed into the deep, deep woods. Aslan has not been seen or heard of since the kings and queens left. Most Narnians have given up on even believing that he exists.

If this is a story of Aslan, then it is the story of the hidden face of God. How many of us have struggled through difficult times wondering where God is? How many of us have asked the question that Lucy asks in the film, "He must know what he's doing?" Peter, Susan and Prince Caspian all look to take the situation in their own hands. Peter even goes so far as to say, "I think we have waited for Aslan long enough." (Peter is portrayed much differently in the film than the book. He much more sinister and self-absorbed in the film.) Lucy, the always faithful, and Edmund, my favorite character in the books, are still trying to seek after Aslan. In the end, Aslan does show his face and when he does, he tells Lucy that he had always been there. She just needed to trust and look.

I sat in the movie theater and (on the inside) cheered and moaned for these very identifiable characters. Whether you are looking for a connection with the God who often hides his face or just looking for a good movie to see next weekend, go and see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. You won't be disappointed.

Know what you believe and why you believe it.

I have just begun listening to a podcast entitled The White Horse Inn. Their motto is "Know what you believe and why you believe it." It is a work of about four Reformed theologians from California. Their conversation reminds me of many of the conversations that Brad and I have had of late. They are talking about a case for doctrine and apologetics. They are fighting the fight against what many churches have called "cultural relevance."

The argument that makes the most sense to me is that Christianity is not about me. The church is not about me. The Gospel is not about me. All of these things are about God and His work. If we are trying to fit Christianity into what the world is doing, we are missing the point. To paraphrase them, "Churches are saying that Jesus can have a supporting role in the drama that you are living. Instead, churches must say that YOU can have a supporting role in the drama that Christ has written." Listening to this has inspired me to learn more about some of the deeper truths of our faith and to be able to articulate them. How do you feel your church is doing in pointing people to Jesus and the Gospel instead of trying to make Jesus and the Gospel fit into their world?

Will Chuck Norris blend?

I came across these videos today and thought that I would pass them along. They are all advertisements for the Blendtec Total Blender. And for $400 you can have one of your very own. It is a very ingenious ad campaign though. It is all over the web. My favorite video is the Chuck Norris versus the bad guys video. Very funny! I like it even better because Chuck Norris is for Mike Huckabee. I have really enjoyed the way that NPR and has covered Chuck and Mike. Its been fun to listen to and follow.

Is Christianity funny?

Is Christianity funny? It sure is, but not half as funny as Christians. That's the take away that I get from spending a little bit of time at a new Christian satire site Larknews.com. I first found out about this site when reading an article about it in Christianity Today. The funniest headline that I read on the site was about California pastor Rick Warren, Warren to buy Saints, build Purpose-Driven Field. While I thought the site was funny, it didn't seem to be quite a good as it's predecessor The Wittenburg Door. I loved the article entitled 2008 Resolutions of the Televangelists. I don't even know who Randy and Paula White are but this resolution cracked me up.

"Randy and Paula White: We resolve to remember to pay for private jets we say we're going to purchase, instead of coughing up $112,000 in damages for cancelling the deal. And we resolve to place in our bio only those doctorates we actually earned, and to claim only doctorates at schools that actually exist. Oh, and we resolve to make sure there are no pesky lawyers around when we scam an old lady out of her life savings. Amen."

The CT article tackled the tough question behind publications like this. Is it all right to make fun of Christianity and Christians? I say, "Yes. Especially when they are doing ridiculous things!" Satire has always been a sincere form of criticism. As long as the criticism/satire is aimed at people or institutions and not at God, I think its great. Check out the above sites. You'll get a good laugh at your own expense.

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Now playing: Ryan Adams - Oh My Sweet Carolina
via FoxyTunes

What's up with the RIAA?

Do you know what the RIAA is? It is the Record Industry Association of America, a trade group that represents almost everyone in the Recording Industry. They are also the biggest opponents of music piracy, file sharing and it appears now, even making digital copies of your own music. In a few recent articles, the RIAA has said that it is illegal for consumers to put digital copies (MP3's) of legal CD's that they own on to their computers. While I am slow to take the side of people who are blatantly stealing music, i.e. file sharing, getting digital copies or burned CD's from friends, or ripping CD's from the library, this isn't what I am talking about. I just read in the Star Tribune this weekend about the slumping CD sales. Doesn't the RIAA get it that the business that they are in is in trouble? It seems they want to make criminals of people like me who are working hard to keep only music that they own on their iPods. I think that the RIAA should pull it's head out from where the sun doesn't shine and worry about trying to give people good music in a convenient and fair legal way. And that's my two cents.

Read more here and here.

Oh, Oprah!

So many times have I wanted to post about Oprah Winfrey, her huge ego and her cult-like pseudo-religious following. After the story that has come out this week about sexual abuse at her girls' school in Africa, I was compelled. What a terrible thing to happen to any young girl anywhere! I saw a portion of Oprah's press conference yesterday on the news. She said "This has been one of the most devastating if not the most devastating experience
of my life. But like all such experiences, there's always much to be gained and I think there's a lot to be learned." WHAT ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL? She talked about how she spent the first half-hour after she heard about it crying. Then she was able to pull herself together and do what needed to be done. In response to this incident, she decided to give each of the girls a cell phone with her number on it. Do you think Oprah is going to be answering the calls from those little African girls? "Hello, you've reached Oprah Winfrey. I love you, but I can't take your call right now. Please leave a message." The causes that she tackles are admirable, but it always seems like it all about Oprah and not about caring for people. This seems to be just another example.

Matthew 6:1-4
1"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The "Relevance" of the Gospel

One thing that frustrates Amanda and me about some of Evangelicalism today is the death of anything that is not "relevant". Hymns, senior citizens, tradition, scripture and even at times, the Gospel have all been killed on the alter of "RELEVANCE". I have often thought in the conversations about making one's faith relevant to the world, "Isn't Jesus Christ sent to die on a cross for the forgiveness of my sins so that I might have right relationship with God RELEVANT?" Check out the video below of our pastor, John Piper speaking about the relevance of the Gospel.

The Great Minnesota Get-together

Minnesota is an interesting place. People who live here, especially people who have been born and raised here, are VERY proud of their state. This comes out in things like celebration of their Scandinavian heritage, celebration of their "educatedness", love of the University of Minnesota (Aren't they the team that everyone looks forward to playing during the Big Ten season?), and many other points of pride. This pride comes out no more than during the twelve days before Labor Day every year--The Minnesota State Fair. I have never been to any other state fairs, but I cannot imagine that anything is like this. Every television and radio station has a booth there and they all broadcast live there every day of the fair. It is held at the state fair grounds which is approximately 10 city blocks between Minneapolis and St. Paul. It was a ton of fun and quite a spectacle. They see over 1 million people in the twelve days.

The boys loved doing the sky ride (gondola), the Giant Slide, and eating the fair food. Matty especially enjoyed his pronto pup (corn dog) and licked the bowl of french fries clean. We looked at all of the animals in the barns. Matthew really liked this. MOOOO, NEIGH! The boys rode the motorcycle ride and a little roller coaster. They loved them and it was so much fun to watch. All in all, it was a great day and a tiring day. Matty even cashed out on our way home, mid-cookie.

We are hoping to make a return trip on Saturday without the boys. Shube (Amanda's mom) plays the piano for a gospel quartet and they are singing at one of the stages. My mom is coming from Michigan this week too, so she will join us. I am hoping to load up on some more fair food. I saw on the news yesterday that Famous Dave's sells Kool-aid Pickles. They are large dill pickles soaked for two weeks in black cherry Kool-aid. They said that they were quite good. I think I'll pass.

You can check out the rest of our fair pictures here.

Excitement addiction

Gregg just sent me a great article about parenting. The main crux of the article is that happiness is more important than excitement in the lives our our children. Most of American families are focused on providing excitement for their kids, not happiness. It described many American kids as addicted to excitement: presents, video games, Internet images and video, exciting music, action films, fun TV. The article talks about how kids who are addicted to excitement eventually become adults who have to meet their need for excitement in more and more destructive ways. It's the classic law of diminishing returns. These are great things to think about as we seek to raise kids that become adults that love people and love Jesus.

This is also something that I can feel some significant conviction about. I have often described myself as a "new" addict. I love new things. For instance, I found myself this morning watching a video of a dude opening a new iMac. I just wanted to see what it was like. I feed my need for "new" or excitement by little things like looking for new music that I think I might like. When my Paste magazine arrives in the mail every month with the sampler CD inside, my synapses fire faster. Sometimes I justify all of this by the reality that these are fairly "healthy" ways of scratching this itch. I think that building in "unexciting" times is very important. Our house is a pretty "unexciting" place, but it is also a fairly happy place most of the time.

Thanks Gregg, for a great article.

More from John Piper on the Bridge Collapse