The Weekly Town Crier
So, I was out browsing the internet the other day. You know, just poking around, looking here, looking there. Just minding my own business. Just a curious little guy poking around the world wide blogosphere, trying to learn, trying to stay informed. But sooner or later even the most intrepid explorer gets lonely. Join me, won’t you?
I had planned on having a “Poetry and Music” feature today, but for some reason, the band that I had highlighted has had their site removed, so the music downloads have gone AWOL! So I did get to it this week, but the internet has conspired against me!
Here’s some of what caught my eye. Sit awhile, browse a bit:
Read this article about Saddam’s death penalty.
Read about schools banning the game of tag.
Read Christianity Today’s interview with Bebo Norman.
Celebrate with fans of the Wrens as both Secaucus and Silver have been officially reissued.
Browse Techblog’s collection of reviews for the Microsoft Zune.
Browse Metromix’s short list of Bob Dylan fiascos.
Read about Cat Stevens‘ first album of new material in 30 years.
Follow some of the controversy surrounding Mark Driscoll’s recent comments about pastor’s wives “letting themselves go” in light of the recent Ted Haggard situation.
Try on the “air guitar T-shirt.”
Read Christianity Today’s article about “Jesus Camp” shutting down.
Read this Christianity Today article about whether or not embryos bear the image of God.
Read Pitchfork’s reviews of two of my favorite albums of the year so far: first, their review of Our Worn Shadow by Manyfingers, then they review Jóhann Jóhannsson’s IBM 1401 - A User’s Manual.
Browse this list of the 10 most polluted places on earth.
Read this article as you prepare to read Alice Cooper’s memoirs, which he apparently sold to Random House for $500,000. Anyone interested in the memoirs of a pastor from Glen Rose, TX?
Browse Time’s list of their 100 All-Time albums.
Read Allmusic’s article concerning Myspace’s impact on our music consumption, which argues that we now “discard the inhibitors that previously kept our expenditure in check and become rampant consumers to whom quantity is more important than quality” and laments: “No longer will we be able to recite an entire album; we’ll just sing the hooks.”
Read Yahoo’s article questioning the wisdom of the Boston Red Sox recent move to pay $51 million dollars just to be able to talk to Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Read Lark News‘ piece: Ushers With Stun Guns Cause Controversy. Or, read this article which claims: “Southern Gospel Music More Popular Than Ever Among Sheltered Christian Kids.” (thanks Shawn!).
Read Yahoo’s piece about “a vaguely religious man” who has a blog where he “plods gamely through scripture, asking down-to-earth or occasionally irreverent questions, and getting thousands of emails in response” (thanks Glenn).
For the music lover who likes to shower, see this fog-free mp3 playing shower mirror.
Read Justin Taylor’s post in which he says: “I don’t often link to “bad theology” articles in order to bash them, but I’m making an exception here.” Who is he talking about, you might wonder? Bart Campolo, giver of the single worst “sermon” I have ever heard in my entire life.
Read the Wall Street Journal’s online article discussing sermon plagiarism (ht: JT).
Browse the latest 9Marks Ministries newsletter which is devoted to Biblical Theology.
Read Yahoo’s report that House Democrats formally made Nancy Pelosi Speaker.
Read this Alliance Defense Fund piece about recent developments involving a student and the Missouri State University.
Browse “Ye Olde Treasure Trove” for all your Reformed novelty needs.
Read this article about Wal Mart selling explicitly pro-homosexual content. This article notes that the book uses derogatory language for God.
Read this article noting that Elton John wants to ban all organized religion.
Read as Cal Thomas asks the political question “Where Do Conservative Christians Go From Here?”
Read Yahoo’s story about the Roman Catholic church reaffirming celibacy for priests and excommunicating an archbishop who ordained four married priests.
Wow, a lot of stuff in here this week…
That Johnny Cash video — catchy rhythm, but I just couldn’t get past the chick with her rear end hanging out the back of her dress.
Mark Driscoll’s comments about pastor’s wives… sounds like the age-old argument of shifting blame to me. Adam said Eve did it and Eve said it was the serpent. Not that there’s no accountability or responsibility for wives, but bad form to post that in light of Mrs. Haggard’s pain and suffering.
And school’s removing tag?? You’ve gotta be kidding. Made me think of this (apalling) school-related story that I found this week, though. Totally off-topic, sorry. :)
http://www.townonline.com/newton/opinion/view.bg?articleid=610359
Bart Campolo: “For better or worse, I simply am not interested in any God but a completely good, entirely loving, and perfectly forgiving One who is powerful enough to utterly triumph over evil.” Hmmm, perhaps he’s an open theist. (Figured out that’s what James is, btw. Yeah, you read that right.)
Ushers with stun guns?!? Are you kidding me? Whatever happened to trusting God to take care of his children, and trusting that if he allows us to “get shot down” that’s all for His glory, too? I mean, as Christians, we have nothing to fear in death, right?
Ok, that’s all I’ll comment on for now. I have no clue how you find all this stuff, but keep it coming. :) (BTW - notice the new web link–out with the old, in with the new.)
The “ushers with stun guns” article is not real. I guess I should have noted that, but Lark News is a parody site. And I apologize for the girl in the Cash video. I didn’t notice that aspect or I would not have posted it (in fact, I’d better remove the link if it was enough to comment on). Thanks Amber. I’m still hoping I didn’t read correctly though.
You’re welcome. I think? I wasn’t pointing fingers, it’s just that none of that stuff gets past me very easily, I’m pretty quick to catch it and I just didn’t know if you did. (No offense, right?)
BTW - the ushers with stun guns is hilarious now that I know it’s a parody!!
Oc course no offense! In fact I’m glad you noticed because I certainly didn’t!