Faith & Life

The Blind Side movie. @WORLD_magazine

Planning on seeing this movie?

Based on some previews I surely am. This from World Magazine provides a peak in the back story:

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy adopted as a family motto, "To whom much is given, much is required," they had no idea just how much would be required, nor that they were adopting far more than words.

[...]

Into this perfect storm of publicity [read the article to see more] comes a new movie, The Blind Side, due in theaters Nov. 20, based on Lewis' book. Starring Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy, Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, Quinton Aaron as Oher, and Kathy Bates as tutor Miss Sue, the film chronicles Oher's journey from the streets of inner-city Memphis to the NFL—and the difference the love of a family has made along the way.

From Rotten Tomatoes:

"The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

Some of are often very critical of Hollywood (and rightly so) for putting out so much trash as entertainment. Kudos to Warner Brothers for producing this one. However good the movies turns out to be, one thing it will most surely not be is "trash!"

JC Ryle Quote: A Warning

My devotional reading today in Day by Day With JC Ryle (edited by Eric Russell, based on Luke 7:36-50:

We see in this passage that men may show some outward respect to Christ, and yet remain unconverted. The Pharisee before us is a case in point. He showed our Lord Jesus Christ more respect than many did. He even "desired Him that He would eat with him." Yet all this time he was profoundly ignorant of the nature of Christ's Gospel. His proud heart secretly revolted at the sight of a poor contrite sinner being allowed to wash our Lord's feet. And even the hospitality he showed appears to have been cold and niggardly. Our Lord Himself says, "You gave me no water for my feet; you gave me no kiss; my head with oil you did not anoint." In short, in all that the Pharisee did, there was one great defect. There was outward civility, but there was no heart-love.

We shall do well to remember the case of this Pharisee. It is quite possible to have a decent form of religion, and yet to know nothing of the Gospel of Christ--to treat Christianity with respect, and yet to be utterly blind about its cardinal doctrines--to behave with great correctness and propriety at Church, and yet to hate justification by faith, and salvation by grace, with a deadly hatred. Do we really feel affection toward the Lord Jesus? Can we say, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you?" Have we cordially embraced His whole Gospel? Are we willing to enter heaven side by side with the chief of sinners, and to owe all our hopes to free grace? These are questions which we ought to consider. If we cannot answer them satisfactorily, we are in no respect better than Simon the Pharisee; and our Lord might say to us, "I have something to tell you."

Most Popular Christmas/Holiday Songs on the Radio

Well it's that time of year again. Already (actually since about November 1) several St.Louis area radio stations are playing Christmas music. I'm not listening much yet since I don't want to burn out. And I have my favorites as I'm sure we all do.

I wanted to see which Christmas songs are the most popular. Best I could find was a news release in November 2006 listing the top 25 "holiday" songs of the previous five years. I doubt the list has changed much (if anyone knows of a newer listing please let me know). See if you agree.

The Top 25 most performed ASCAP holiday songs are listed below. Each song includes songwriter credits, and cites the most popular artist version played on radio.

1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
   Written by: Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
   Performed by: Nat "King" Cole

2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
   Written by: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
   Performed by: The Pretenders

3. Winter Wonderland
   Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
   Performed by: Eurythmics

4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
   Written by: Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
   Performed by: Bruce Springsteen

5. White Christmas
   Written by: Irving Berlin
   Performed by: Bing Crosby

6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
   Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
   Performed by: Andy Williams

7. Jingle Bell Rock
   Written by: Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
   Performed by: Bobby Helms

8. Little Drummer Boy
   Written by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone
   Performed by: The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra

9. Sleigh Ride
   Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
   Performed by: The Ronettes

10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
    Written by: Johnny Marks
    Performed by: Gene Autry

11. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
    Written by: Edward Pola, George Wyle
    Performed by: Andy Williams

12. I'll Be Home For Christmas
    Written by: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
    Performed by: Vanessa Williams

13. Silver Bells
    Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
    Performed by: Kenny G

14. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
    Written by: Johnny Marks
    Performed by: Brenda Lee

15. Feliz Navidad
    Written by: José Feliciano
    Performed by: José Feliciano

16. Blue Christmas
    Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
    Performed by: Elvis Presley

17. Frosty The Snowman
    Written by: Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
    Performed by: The Ronettes

18. A Holly Jolly Christmas
    Written by: Johnny Marks
    Performed by: Burl Ives

19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
    Written by: Meredith Willson
    Performed by: Johnny Mathis

20. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
    Written by: Tommie Connor (PRS)
    Performed by: John Mellencamp

21. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
    Written by: Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
    Performed by: Elvis Presley

22. Carol Of The Bells
    Written by: Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
    Performed by: John Tesh and the Christmas Symphony Orchestra

23. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)
    Written by: Midge Ure (PRS), Bob Geldof (PRS)
    Performed by: Band Aid

24. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
    Written by: Bob Allen, Al Stillman
    Performed by: The Carpenters

25. Santa Baby
    Written by: Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer
    Performed by: Madonna

Some facts about the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs:

Oldest songs:
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (both 1934)

Newest song:
"Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)" (1984)

Most recorded Holiday song:
"White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages.

Songs introduced in Film and Television:
"White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
"Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950)
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" in TV special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1962)

Writer with most top Holiday songs:
Johnny Marks with three - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "A Holly Jolly Christmas"

"Sleigh Ride" is the only Holiday song written originally as an instrumental piece for a symphony orchestra. The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance in a concert conducted by Arthur Fiedler at Symphony Hall in Boston, May 4, 1948. Mills Music published it that same year. The Boston Pops Orchestra recorded it in June of 1949. Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949.

I particularly like The Christmas Song with Nat King Cole, White Christmas by Bing and Blue Christmas by Elvis. When I have time I'm going to list some of my favorite CDs for this time of year.

Church leaders and the health care debate

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops defended its involvement in the health care debate, saying Monday that church leaders have a duty to the nation and God to raise moral concerns on any issue, including on abortion rights and coverage for the poor.

Question: should church leaders inject themselves into what is now clearly a political debate? Should the SBC, PCA, LCMS, etc. be making statements and/or taking positions on aspects of the health care debate? The Bishops surely believe so. The article goes on to say,

Chicago Cardinal Francis George, the conference president, said that the prelates must ensure that "issues that are moral questions before they become political remain moral questions when they become political." Roman Catholic prelates believe that "everyone should be cared for and that no one should be deliberately killed," he said.

So I am wondering what others think on what basis a church leader or leaders should get involved in something like the health care debate. Which leaders? Pastors? Denominational leaders? Should there be "position" statements on certain political matters that touch on or arise from a moral issue? Which parts of the current debate?

Source for the article: CNS News

The Civility Project

I ran across an article on the loss of civility in public and private discourse recently. Kathleen Parker writing in the Washington Post, Politics with a little politesse, notes:

Growing concern about incivility is one of America's more appealing trends. Increasingly, individuals and institutions are seeking to burnish the golden rule.

[...]

Most crucial in the viral growth of incivility are new media -- the Internet, the blogosphere and all the social applications, from Facebook to Twitter, and whatever else may have developed since I began typing this page.

Whereas in previous eras, an uncivil exchange might be confined to a room, a building or a public square, today's media technology means that it is captured, amplified, replayed and distributed -- perpetually.

She's right, of course. If I were to be charged with incivility in the blogosphere, I would have to plead guilty! And much too often.

In her article Ms. Parker referenced the Southern Baptist Mark DeMoss and his Civility Project. His web site, TheCivilityProject.org states:

We are proud to launch The Civility Project—a collection of liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, and people of various faith—or no faith— who agree that even in sharp disagreement we should not be disagreeable.

Here is the pledge the project signatories agree to:

• I will be civil in my public discourse and behavior.
  
• I will be respectful of others whether or not I agree with them.
  
• I will stand against incivility when I see it.
  

Seems simple enough. Right? Right. Easy to sign the pledge. Not so easy to live up to. But by God's grace...

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2

Understanding Biblical Doctrine

I ran across my old copy of Understanding Biblical Doctrine recently. Crown and Covenant Publications is the source and I can tell you this is an excellent resource for basic discipleship in the Reformed faith. From the description:

Newly revised and updated! Popular workbook on Reformed theology. Offers lessons on Reformed Presbyterian distinctive principles, such as exclusive psalmody, instruments in worship, and Lodge membership. Fill-in-the-blank study. Junior high through adult. Includes a new  appendix containing the Westminster Confession and RP Testimony.

Crown and Covenant has many other great resources, including many on the Psalms for their use in worship. They are a ministry of the RPCNA.

Christ the Center Interview on Credobaptism in the Reformation

When approaching the question of credo-baptism during the Reformation, James Dolezal argues for viewing three distinct categories: Anabaptists, general baptists, and particular baptists.  The theological differences between these groups are as great as the differences among all forms of paedo-baptism.

This is an excellent presentation of the credo position. Click over to Christ the Center (aka the Reformed Forum) and listen to the interview.

via Feeding on Christ

As the Hart Longs for Flowing Streams

In the Trinity Hymnal # 662. I love to sing this song. Not only are the words most biblically based (Psalm 42), the tune is excellent. In the hymnal it is attributed to Danna Harkins and is named AS THE HART LONGS. It purports to be an Appalachian folk melody, as I'm sure it is. But the tune goes much further back and seems to be based on another song.

Wiki calls it The Water is Wide (or O Waley, Waley) and says it is thought to be of English or Scottish origin. Interesting, at least to me. If you have ever seen the movie The River Wild with Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep you will notice that this tune is played throughout.

For our purposes, here are the words of the hymn:

As the hart longs for flowing streams, So longs my soul for You, O God. My soul does thirst for the living God. When shall I come to see Your face?

My tears have fed me day and night While men have said, “Where is your God?” But I recall as my soul pours dry The days of praise within Your house.

Why do I mourn and toil within When it is mine to hope in God? I shall again sing praise to Him; He is my help; He is my God.

Now here is an acoustic version of the tune. The part related to this song begins at 0:43. Note that this tune works very well for the hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. A version of that follows.

Twitter is useless? Here's a Tweet on the "uselessness" of Twitter

David Harsanyi says Twitter is useless.

Twitter's popularity and usefulness are a mystery to me. Pressed by personal, professional and cultural forces, I sporadically deploy short missives for fear of becoming one of those cantankerous technophobes who is too dense to recognize the miracle of letting "followers" know I hate raisins or that I loved the finale of "Mad Men."

Now, not only am I expected to transmit this minutiae mere seconds after I think it, some 20-year-old in California has decreed that I must do it within the brevity of 140 characters. This need for conciseness, in fact, induces normally articulate friends of mine to write in Prince lyrics — recklessly using "2" and "4" and "U" as words.

Did my Tweet make it through?

Redefining social justice. Anthony Bradley via World Magazine. @WORLD_Magazine