That's just something ugly people say.

A nice reminder of the futility of the superficial ...

Even Stars Have Bad Days

Our culture tends to idolize and/or glamorize many of these people, but really they're just like us.

It's helpful to see these folks age and/or catch them when they've not had the opportunity sit in the make-up chair for 4 hours.



Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
-Proverbs 31:30, ESV

I’ll be a good guy; I promise. I ain’t gonna do nothin’ wrong. I ain’t gonna leave no hair in the sink or nothin’ like that.

In light of an earlier post, Lance thought I would like this.

He has no idea how right he was.

Rick Astley Would Never ...




For context ...

That techno-rock you guys listen to is gutless.

I was browsing my TiVo guide recently and came across VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. I share them with you because they took me on a trip down memory lane and I invite you to join me on that journey.

I was particularly nostalgic concerning numbers 91, 86, 59, 37 (cf. Valley Girl), and 18.

Some of these bring to mind strong memories of particular times, places, and people. I had #24 on 8-track and blasted it through my first "Jam Box" back in the day. Number 96 is one of the first videos I remember on MTv.

Some of them beat me down beyond all measure 89, 83, 55 (no offense, Oil), and 1.

At least one of these artists really shouldn't be on the "one-hit wonder" list, Twisted Sister. Some folks even had 3 of their albums. Quiet Riot is marginal, as is Ratt.

Any of these do a little something for ya?

100. Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas
99. No Rain, Blind Melon
98. Two of Hearts, Stacey Q
97. Whoomp! (There It Is), Tag Team
96. I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow
95. Harper Valley P.T.A., Jeannie C. Riley
94. What's Up, 4 Non Blondes
93. Don't Give Up on Us, David Soul
92. T'Pau, Heart & Soul
91. Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant
90. Don't Wanna Fall in Love, Jane Child
89. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus
88. Barbie Girl, Aqua
87. Don't Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston
86. Bust a Move, Young MC
85. Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum
84. You Gotta Be, Des'ree
83. Safety Dance, Men without Hats
82. I know What Boys Like, The Waitresses
81. Just a Friend, Biz Markie
80. Cum on Feel the Noize, Quiet Riot
79. Puttin' on the Ritz, Taco
78. Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Crash Test Dummies
77. What I Am, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
76. We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off, Jermaine Stewart
75. I've Never Been to Me, Charlene
74. Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Digable Planets
73. Convoy, C.W. McCall
72. Maniac, Michael Sembello
71. How Bizarre, OMC
70. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Vicki Lawrence
69. Funky Town, Lipps Inc.
68. A Girl Like You, Edwyn Collins
67. Epic, Faith No More
66. Mambo No. 5, Lou Bega
65. In My House, The Mary Jane Girls
64. You Get What You Give, New Radicals
63. Jump Around, House Of Pain
62. Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades, Timbuk 3
61. Round And Round, Ratt
60. More, More, More, Andrea True Connection
59. 867-5309/Jenny, Tommy Tutone
58. What Is Love?, Haddaway
57. Smokin' In The Boys Room, Brownsville Station
56. Lovin' You, Minnie Riperton
55. It's Raining Men, Weather Girls
54. Makin' It, David Naughton
53. Somebody's Watching Me, Rockwell
52. Genius Of Love, Tom Tom Club
51. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers
50. I Touch Myself, The Divinyls
49. Turn The Beat Around, Vicki Sue Robinson
48. True, Spandau Ballet
47. Rock & Roll, Part 2, Gary Glitter
46. Don't Worry Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin
45. Lovefool, The Cardigans
44. Rock Me Amadeus, Falco
43. How Do You Talk To An Angel, The Heights
42. Hot Child In The City, Nick Gilder
41. Relax, Frankie Goes To Hollywood
40. In A Big Country, Big Country
39. Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
38. Me & Mrs. Jones, Billy Paul
37. I Melt With You, Modern English
36. Turning Japanese, The Vapors
35. Bitch, Meredith Brooks
34. Afternoon Delight, Starland Vocal Band
33. Got To Be Real, Cheryl Lynn
32. Hot Hot Hot, Buster Poindexter
31. Unbelievable, EMF
30. Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks
29. Pass The Dutchie, Musical Youth
28. It Takes Two, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
27. Pop Musik, M
26. Stumblin' In, Suzi Quatro
25. Too Shy, Kajagoogoo
24. Whip It, Devo
23. Tubthumping, Chumbawumba
22. Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
21. Cars, Gary Numan
20. She Blinded Me With Science, Thomas Dolby
19. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Iron Butterfly
18. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinéad O'Connor
17. We're Not Gonna Take It, Twisted Sister
16. Rapper's Delight, Sugarhill Gang
15. 96 Tears, ? And The Mysterians
14. Groove Is In The Heart, Deee-Lite
13. The Hustle, Van McCoy
12. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix-A-Lot
11. You Light Up My Life, Debby Boone
10. 99 Luftballoons, Nena
9. Rico Suave, Gerardo
8. Take On Me, A-Ha
7. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
6. Who Let The Dogs Out, Baha Men
5. Mickey, Toni Basil
4. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
3. Come On Eileen, Dexy's Midnight Runners
2. Tainted Love, Soft Cell
1. The Macarena, Los Del Rio

Baby steps to four o'clock. Baby steps to four o'clock.

The following is an article I wrote that came out today in the local paper, The Murphy Messenger.

It's obviously about the progress seen since the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. In some respects they are giant leaps, yet in other ways we're only taken baby steps.

“The Dream: Progress Report”

In honor of Black History Month, we pause to fill out a progress report.

Less than 45 years ago the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke the following: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’”

Since that time many things have transpired for black people, especially in the political arena. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in US schools and public places, invalidating Jim Crow laws. A second black man has been appointed to the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall was the first in 1961 and Clarence Thomas was appointed in 1991.

We’ve seen the first black Secretary of State, 4th in line to succeed the presidency, in Collin Powell in 2000. In 2004 we saw the first black woman Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

We are at a historic time where we could very well have the first black nominee for president in 46 year old Barak Obama. In a country where black people have been regarded as property and then 3/5 of a human being, that’s quite a shift in perspective.

That doesn’t mean that people of all ethnicities live in perfect harmony in these somewhat united states. But that speaks volumes, I would submit, to the legacy of Dr. King and others like him for valiantly stood firm against injustice.

Yet, with stories such as the “Jena 6” from last year, we know we still have a distance to travel before we fully live out the true meaning of our creed, that all people are created equal, which means they should be treated with dignity and respect.

Some of you can remember white schools and black schools. Some of you can remember white and “colored” drinking fountains.

It can be hard to watch a tree grow seeing it day by day, but with the passing of years an acorn becomes a great oak. It’s encouraging to see the acorn of Dr. King’s dream spreading its branches through each passing year as progress is made.

P.S. What might we hope to see in the next 45 years?

I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

I recently came across a list of suggested "awkward" questions friends should ask one another to encourage each other unto godliness.

It has provoked me to share the questions I've used with a group of guys for accountability purposes.

I once heard Chuck Swindoll say something to the effect of, "Your accountability partner can ask you anything he wants, otherwise you're not really accountable."

What questions are the awkward ones you've asked or been asked? Any suggestions to add to such a list as mine?

1. Have you spent daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer? What’s your level of satisfaction with the time you spent with the Lord this week?
2. What are you praying for? Describe your prayers for self, others, praise, confession, etc.
3. Do you have any known sin in your life of which you have not repented? What are you planning to do about it?
4. Have you been faithfully involved (e.g., attendance, financial support, service, prayer, etc.) in your church?
5. Have you been exposed to any sexually explicit materials? How/why did this occur? How might you prevent it in the future?
6. Have you been with a person of the opposite sex in such a way that was inappropriate or could have looked to others as though you were using poor judgment?
7. How have you been tempted this week? How did you respond? Has there been any one dominant sin that plagued you this week?
8. Have you made time to spend quality time with your family?
9. What did you do this week to enhance your relationship with your spouse? Are you fun to live with?
10. How are you using your spiritual gift(s)?
11. What are you doing to further your role as the spiritual leader of the house? Or, if that's not your role, what are you doing to further the spirituality of your home?
12. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings? (e.g., spending a significant amount of money without spouse awareness or not praying about expenditures?)
13. Have you compromised your integrity this week? If so, how?
14. Are there any areas of your life that you are not trusting God to control?
15. Are you sharing the Gospel with the lost? How? Have you fulfilled your calling as a Christian this week, by living in a way that others would be drawn to Jesus Christ, whom you serve?
16. Is your spouse and/or family competing for your time and attention?
17. Have you controlled your tongue (e.g. gossip, profanity, outbursts, half-truths or outright lies)?
18. Do you owe anyone an apology?
19. Are you doing whatever you do to the glory of God?
20. Are you taking care of your body through proper exercise, eating, and sleeping habits?

• BONUS: Have you lied regarding any of the above?

He was wondering how a man weighing 600 pounds could teach people about self-discipline.

Recently, I came across the following 8 questions, some of which I've also wondered about.

I've added two of my own at the end.

1. Why do phones and calculators/computers have different number pads? To wit:

Phone:
123
456
789
0

Calculator/Computer:
789
456
123
0

2. Why do hockey games have 3 periods rather than 2 halves or 4 quarters? And why are points used to determine standings, rather than straight won-loss percentages?

3. How are railroads able to use freight cars that belong to other railroads? United doesn’t fly jets belonging to Southwest — so why should Burlington Northern let Norfolk Southern use its freight cars?

4. Why is whiskey sold in fifths?

5. There’s a metric scale for measuring just about everything — weight, distance, volume, even temperature (Celsius is derived from the metric system) — except for one thing — time. How come there’s never been a metric calendar/time system, with, say, 10 metric months of 10 metric days each, each metric day composed of 10 metric hours, each metric hour composed of 100 metric minutes, and each metric minute composed of 100 metric seconds (which would be different from the seconds currently used)? (I’m surprised that countries that use the metric system have no problem with the “non-metric” way we measure time).

6. Why is Newfoundland a half hour different from other time zones?

7. Why don’t doctors dispense medicine or employ pharmacists in their offices, so we can have one-stop health care and save a trip to the drugstore?

8. Why don’t cell phones have dial tones?

9. If you share the hair on your arm (for example) the hair will grow back. However, it only grows back to a certain length and then it stops growing. How does it know how long to get and than grow no further?

10. If my internal body temperature (and yours) is to be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, then why am I not cold with an external temperature less than that (say 95 degrees) and only warm when the outside temperature exceeds my 98.6?

so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.

The first time, I let it go. But now I'm really disturbed.

Rachel just got her 2nd credit card application in the mail. Rachel is in elementary school.

What's wrong with this picture?

I know we're a capitalistic society that depends on people spending money to keep things moving along, but are we so champing at the bit that we're trying to suck 1st graders into the world of consumer debt?

I'm expressing my inner anguish through the majesty of song.

Okay, either I'm losing my mind or the music world is off its axis, bold as love.

I'm station jumping in my car and on MIX 102.9 (local pop station in Dallas) I hear "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.

Earlier that very same day I had heard Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" on KLTY, one of the local "Christian" stations. I had heard it reported that they played it, but my blood still boiled when I heard it.

The latter no longer surprises me, having either personally heard or got from reliable witnesses the playing of the following on the Christian station:

• I Need You - Lea Ann Rimes
• If I Lose My Faith in You - Sting
• Time after Time - Cyndi Lauper
• Peaceful, Easy Feeling - Eagles
• Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFarin
• Proud To Be An American - Lee Greenwood
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
• The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics
• Stand By Me - Ben E. King
• Beautiful Day - U2
• Kyrie Eleison - Mister Mister
• Lean on Me - Bill Withers
• In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
• Because You Love Me - Celine Dion
• Love Is the Answer - England Dan & John Ford Coley
• Where Are You Going - Dave Matthews Band

(Perhaps I'm just tender that Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" has been snubbed thus far.)

I heard two others last week that my wife could validate, but I can't remember them. I was about to come unglued and so wished I would have written them down. I just thought they were so heinous I would not be able to forget them. My bad.

Admittedly, at least some of these songs are being sung by (presumably) Christian artists, but I'm not sure that makes it a Christian song.

I also realize that for some they only know these songs via a Christian station by a Christian, but is that what makes a secular song a Christian song?

But, hearing "I Can Only Imagine" on "regular" radio motivates me to ask: Are these helpful labels anymore (i.e., "secular" and "Christian") when it comes to music? Were they ever?

1. What constitutes "Christian" music?

For me that's a more difficult question to answer than "What may I listen to?"

It's easier for me to have stuff that's "off limits" (that list may be different for others). But for me there are two things that can disqualify a song:

• Does it promote sin?
• Does it glorify evil?

There's a lot of gray out there, but these are two questions that I have found helpful.

2. What governs/guides your musical experiences?

God made men. Men made slaves.

(The following is an article I wrote that came out today in our local newspaper, The Murphy Messenger.)

“Remembering a Pioneer”

In honor of Black History Month, we examine a pioneer in the realm of the black church and Christian missions.

George Leile was born a slave on a plantation in Virginia around 1750. He would later belong to a Baptist deacon in Georgia. After his dramatic conversion to Christianity in 1773, Leile was set free to become a traveling preacher. Ordained May 20, 1775, Leile is recognized as the first ordained black Baptist pastor in Georgia. In Savannah, he founded the first “African Baptist” church in North America, which is still in existence today.

The English Baptist William Carey is commonly known as the “Father of the Modern Missions Movement,” but George Leile predated him by a decade. In 1783, Leile was forced to leave his homeland and wound up in Jamaica, where he started the first Baptist church on the island.

In 1888, biographer E. K. Love wrote: “When he had established a church in the towns he made for the interior to unfurl the gospel banner to those who were sitting in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death.”

The details of his death are uncertain, but his legacy is not. His name is not well known, though it should be.

Love wrote: “This man doubtless has long since finished his labors and has entered the saints' rest. We have no date of his death, nor the latter end of his work. But he will be remembered, and his name honored, both here and in Jamaica while memory holds its place. Whatever the negro Baptists here and in Jamaica are, they owe it to his humble beginning. And whatever may be written of either of us, it cannot be complete if his name is left out. His record is here, there and in heaven.”

- - - - - - - - -

From a letter George Leile wrote to Dr. Rippon of London in 1891:

"I cannot tell what is my age, as I have no account of the time of my birth; but I suppose I am about 40 years old. I have a wife and four children. My wife was baptized by me in Savannah, and I have every satisfaction in life from her. She is much the same age as myself. My eldest son is 19 years, my next son 17, the third fourteen, and the last child a girl of 11 years. They are all members of the church. My occupation is a farmer, but as the seasons in this part of the country are uncertain, I also keep a team of horses and wagons for the carrying of goods from one place to another, which I attend myself, with the assistance of my sons, and by this way of life have gained the good will of the public, who recommend me to business and to some very principal work for Government. I have a few books, some good old authors and sermons, and one large Bible that was given me by a gentleman. A good many of our members can read and are all desirous to learn. They will be very thankful for a few books to read on Sundays and other days. I agree to election, redemption, the fall of Adam, regeneration and perseverance, knowing the promise is to all who endure, in grace, faith and good works to the end, shall be saved."

More about Leile from Hughes Oliphant Old, The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church: The Modern Age (2007):

“He often preached on Sunday evenings at the Kiokee [Baptist] Church, and his preaching was received by black and white alike. Leile was hesitant about seeking church membership because of his color, but his master encouraged him and was in fact even more delighted to discover that he seemed to have a gift for preaching.” (p. 585)

“George Leile was a gifted evangelistic preacher who knew how to present the gospel in the language of his people.” (p. 586)

Related Information:
History of the First African Baptist Church by Rev. E.K. Love (1888)

First African Baptist Church (Savannah, GA) - “The Oldest Black Church in North America”

Jamaica Baptist Union

"The JBU traces its beginning to George Leile, a 'free black slave' from Atlanta Georgia who came to Jamaica in 1783 and started preaching in Kingston. His work grew and spread to other parts of the island. The Baptist Missionary Society (UK) was invited to support the work, and in 1814 they sent the first missionary to the island. The ministry continued to grow and expand under the British."

Lance, Benji, Casey, Chad, Cody, Garold, Ross and Gunny Go to White Castle.

Like 2006 & 2007, I was in Minneapolis this week for the 2008 Desiring God pastors conference.

They're blogging (about) the conference if you want to check it out.

D. A. Carson was great, but, for me, Crawford Loritts (2nd from left) stole the show.

Crawford Loritts had 4 lessons about courage in The Call to Courage from Joshua 1:1-9, with the commissioning of Joshua after Moses' death. I heartily recommend his talk as well as the Q&A session with all the speakers (Carson, Loritts, Piper, and Livingstone).

I also recommend that pastors prayerfully consider going next year (to the conference and to White Castle).

As another has done, I'll share the Top 10 things I look forward to regarding this conference each year.

1. Being a part of the paparazzi who pounces on "The Pipe" et al for a photo op
2. Seeing seminary buddies again (e.g., Mike Ernst and Shane Freeman)
3. Great times of worship with my brothers from various and sundry places
4. Catching up with the conference regulars (e.g., Larry Newcomer, Benji Magness, Ross Strader, and Casey Jones)
5. Making some new friends (e.g., Jay Collier, Garold Timmons, and Chad Barnes)
6. Getting to White Castle - This has included walking (2006), a cab (2007), and the bus (2007 & 2008). This year's bus ride was interesting as we were packed in like sardines during rush hour and Texan Casey Jones tried his best to have a friendly conversation with a woman who clearly just wanted to get home. Finally, she informed him, "You need to get used to the way we do things in Minnesota; we keep to ourselves on the bus." I also love that when we tell folks we're trying to get to White Castle, the locals invariably ask, "Why do you wanna go there?"
7. Getting better acquainted with men I have primarily known online (e.g., Tom Ascol (pictured) and Abraham Piper).
8. Getting to visit with my local peeps (e.g., Brent Thomas, Tim Presson, Chris Blake, Cody Dixon (of Providence Church), and Lance Ward, my wingman and ol' lady at the conference)
9. Making my joy complete by sharing in culinary excellence with the brethren at White Castle - How's that for an agape feast?!
10. Having my heart stirred toward greater affection and commitment for the Lord Jesus - Priceless!

If you went, I'm curious as to what you most appreciate(d) about this conference.

This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.

Happy Groundhog Day!