Another Musical Musing

Christ-centered music instead of man-centered meaninglessness.

This past winter, I was introduced to an interesting genre of music. The genre is a juxtaposition, almost a misfit. This genre is Christian Rap & Hip-Hop.  Some of the beats are very impressive and catchy, but they’re just icing on the cake. The greatest part of these songs is their lyrics. The messages in the lines of many of these songs run deep. They go far beyond the point where many Christian contemporary songs stop. I can describe these songs all day, but my ramblings are no substitute to going and listening to a few of them. My favorite artist in this genre would have to be Lecrae (pictured), but Trip Lee and Tedashii have some good songs as well.

I’ll follow this post up with one outlining some objections to Christian rap & hip-hop. I’ll provide answers to those objections to the best of my ability.

Remember not to idolize these or any other artists. It’s so easy to focus on the song or the performer when we should look past them. They should be blurry for us, because our focus should be on God. These artists will be the first to tell you that “if you’re looking for a Superstar” then “look at Him.” (quotes taken from “Superstar” by Trip Lee)

As always, thanks for reading and I apologize for the giant gap between posts.

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Music

I’m back to share a song by one of my favorite music groups, Owl City. Adam Young created a cover song of “In Christ Alone” and shared it via his weekly blog. Here’s a link to it: http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/

The song’s music and lyrics blend together very well and make a great song.

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One for the History Books

Wow.  That was a very impressive storm system that came through on Tuesday, October 26.  Several smart meteorologists predicted a strong storm with high winds, severe weather, and very low pressure a week before it hit.  Kudos to them.  We had one tornado touch down just north-east of Kokomo, and another 7 touch down through out the rest of the state.  This number doesn’t count all the Farmer Bob’s and Joe Punk’s who called in to report “some pretty creepy clouds”.  These are NWS (National Weather Service) confirmed tornadoes.  Very impressive.  Ecclesiastes 1:6 says: “Blowing toward the South, then turning toward the North, the wind continues swirling along, and on its circular courses the wind returns.”

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I’m back…

First, I want to apologize for not posting for two whole months, hence this haiku:

Sorry, shoulda posted
I’ll post more and if I don’t
Then cyber-kick me

Now that we’re done with that wonderful example of English/Japanese culture, I want to point everyone to my blogroll of fellow bloggers on the side of my page. They sometimes forget to post too, but you can take a peek there. I have just added a new blog to the blogroll! This blog, “Tunes from the Fiddler”, is my cousin Nathan Davis’ blog, in which he shares some of his fiddling and other musical experiences. Check it out here: www.blog.fiddlergram.com

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For you Weather-Watchers

Atlantic IR Satellite

Before I start, I want to make something clear. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I love weather. I’ve been fascinated with the atmosphere, climate, barometric pressure, and Doppler radar since I was quite young. So, if weather is not your thing, go read the funnies. If you enjoy weather-watching as much as I do, then dig in!

UPDATE: This picture wasn’t just a radar picture, apparently it changes with the weather, so the satellite image isn’t valid anymore.

I’m glad I’m not vacationing in the Antilles right now. This infrared satellite image from TWC doesn’t look very good. Maybe this will bust, but in my crystal ball, this is looking like it could be three in a row. Going from right to left in the Atlantic, the first storm is Hurricane Danielle (Currently a Category 2). She’s expected to turn north soon, hit Bermuda, and then weaken as she heads into colder waters. She could still hit New England or Canada as a strong Tropical Storm.  The second storm has just been upgraded to Tropical Storm status.  TS Earl is expected to continue plugging due west for a while, while strengthening to possible Category 2 Status. He could blast through the Antilles and then into the Gulf, possibly hitting Mexico or the Southeast US.  The third storm really isn’t getting much media attention, but it is just west of Africa where many strong hurricanes develop.  Whether it becomes a hurricane all depends on whether it organizes or not.  It should become apparent in the next day or two.  I’ll try to post a Tropical Update in a few days, and thanks for tolerating my hobby.   Now, everyone who has been reading the funnies can come back.  I’m done for now.

One more thing! Without looking at a map, can you name the island group that the third storm is close to, just West of Africa?

Posted in Commentary on Life, Weather | 1 Comment

How clever….

SPAM

You just can’t get away from it anymore. This picture illustrates how I feel. A spammer just commented on one of my posts: “All of these spammy comments seem a bit ridiculous!”
Apparently, spammers and spam-bots alike have resorted to self-ridicule trying to push, wedge, twist, and squeeze their way onto my blog. It didn’t work. I ruthlessly deleted it, sparing no means to destroy it forever. RIP Spammy. In case you wondered, I kind of like ridding the world of Spam.

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School is starting soon…

Wow.  I’m so speechless that I’m going to write a triple-digit-word blog post.

High School is just around the corner, and I’m preparing to face it.  And when I say face it, this is what I mean:  I’m going to hit it at full speed, just like a linebacker slams a running back.  That’s how.  Except, unlike a linebacker, I’ll probably bounce off and wake up wondering just what hit me.  Maybe a linebacker.  I know it’ll be tough, but I’m ready to face the music, err, the homework.  “High School: the mouse race to prepare you for the rat race.”  I think that pretty much sums it up.  Of course, any good High School student should be telling me that I should sight my source for that quote.  So, for you good students out there, that quote is of unknown origin.  Now, for you good students who noticed I didn’t state whose quote that was, you also should have noticed that I should have said “cite my source” instead of “sight my source”.   I don’t expect most high school students to catch both those errors, because “Our bombs are smarter than our high school students.  At least they can find Kuwait.”  That quote was from A. Whitney Brown, you whipper-snappers.  Anyway, I digress.  Until the fun starts, I’ll be gearing up.  Have you ever noticed how gearing up for school has changed drastically over the last few decades?  Back in the 20th century (Yes, the 20th century), gearing up for school involved getting one or two new pairs of pants or a dress or two (or refurbishing yours or getting hand-me-downs from older siblings or acquaintances).  Maybe you would get some pencils, pens, and some rubber boots.  Nowadays, two months before school starts, big stores are already exploiting the commercial potential of the “holiday” of Back to School.  Between the 4th of July and Halloween, the stores have decided to make the return to educational facilities a money-making ordeal.  To stay “in”, you just have to get an iPod (to help you study, of course), multiple new complete outfits from name-brand retailers, a new binder or two, a new backpack, maybe a laptop, new shoes, and the list goes on longer than your teacher can string out a lecture on parasitic nematodes.  And you know how long that really is.  But retail hype is not what education is all about.  It’s about the learning, the homework, the friends made, the smell of new books, and that glorious feeling of a sunny spring day afternoon following school.  That’s what it’s about, and that’s what I’m about to face.  Just like a linebacker.

Posted in Commentary on Life, Updates | 4 Comments

Jump Starting My Rusty Blog

After a brief hiatus from blogging, I now return.  It’s been a while, I know, but I hope to recapture with rapture the minds and hearts of my readers.  Thanks for coming back and I hope to be at least somewhat consistent.  I hope to reuse this blog to hone my writing skills and keep up to date with people and vice versa.  There seems to be a regrowth of bloggers and I have rejoined the fray.  That’s all for now.

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Tim Tebow with "John 3:16" written on his eye black.

Tim Tebow with "John 3:16" written on his eye black.

Here is a pictue of Tim Tebow and what he wears during each game.  (See last post.)

Picture courtesy of TIME Magazine.

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Tebowific!

I’m not one for idolizing sports stars, but I go out of my way today to tell you about one who seems to be a great guy.  Quarterback Tim Tebow, who is a homeschooler and a Christian, just won the BCS Championship (College football championship) with his team, the Florida Gators.  As is his custom, on those lines that quarterbacks have below their eye, the words “John 3:16″ were written.  The junior was given an MVP award, not surprisingly, after leading the team throughout the season, and posting 232 passing yards and 2 TDs, and 108 rushing yards in the championship game (to contrast, the opposing team’s quarterback had -18 rushing yards).  Tebow also won the Heisman trophy earlier this year.

That’s all for now.  I hope to post again soon.

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