Chris August, "Not Over You"

It's so good to see Christian artists being just as creative as the rest of the YouTube world. I'm convinced that this guy is a genius.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK0vauPfKc4]

Thanks to Sam for sharing.

-B

Derek Jeter 3K

Anyone who knows me knows that I can't stand the pinstripes. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up as a huge Braves fan. Maybe it's because I started following the Red Sox in college. Maybe it's because of the way I was treated in Yankee Stadium (the real one). Maybe it's because I couldn't stand the way that Steinbrenner bought his way to championships. Maybe it's because they tore down one of America's best known buildings.

Maybe it's jealousy that the Yankees have had one of the greatest rosters of all time.

In any case, there is one Yankee that everyone has to like. He's never been in trouble with the media. He seems to be so humble whenever he speaks. He's easily one of the best shortstops of all time. He now belongs to the 3,000 hit club. He will belong to the Hall of Fame when all is said and done.

Derek Jeter is about the only reason to watch a Yankee game.

This looks like a phenomenal documentary.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyDvPObUfcA&w=640&h=385]

-B

God Bless NASCAR

Somehow I missed this entire meme until now. Work has been too busy, I guess.

So...there's this pastor. I think he's a pastor of Family Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN. In April, he prayed this prayer before a NASCAR race: You don't want to miss this.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dCj7n1PhHA&w=640&h=385]Let's be straight: that was good. Quality communication with the Father if I do say so myself.

But only a few months later, big boy outdid himself. If you skipped the first one, shame on you. DONT MISS THIS ONE.

Boogity, boogity, boogity, AMEN

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74y88YuSJ8&w=640&h=385]The faces of the drivers are about the most wonderful thing in the world. I'll forego this opportunity to criticize his use of the word "power" when he has been charged with demonstrating and relating the power of God. I think he stole the "Boogity" line from Darrell Waltrip, but he used it in a way that will be remembered for ages.

Of course, the Songify kids put this gem together (though I think footage from a Dale Earnhardt crash is probably in poor taste):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZnDt2wEFjk&w=640&h=385]I hope you've benefited from this experience. I know I have.

Lessons I've learned: I want to go to his church and God Bless NASCAR.

Boogity, boogity, boogity, AMEN.

-B

UPDATE: It's Lebanon, TN, not Nashville. Also, their website is a real treat. FULLY colored in Red, White, and Blue. You need to check it out. Do so, here.

The KJV on Contemporary Music

Michael Pearl (whoever he is) on Contemporary Music in the Church.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCmY3HgZF7w&w=640&h=385]

It is obvious that he has shining opinions. It's also fairly obvious which side he is on.

I hear tons of arguments for and against "contemporary music" (whatever that means) in the Church very, very often. Many make good points. Others make points like our friend above.

It is, though, an interesting approach to be sure. All of his other videos seem to focus around the Bible for guidance in issues he drones on about(yeah, I watched more than one). This one, besides the trumpet point at the end, does none of that. Rather, he uses "science" (and to use that term is more than a large stretch) to talk about how a happy song can't have a "sad" melody or harmonic pattern. While most any human would agree with this notion at first glance, I doubt many are able to make the jump that our friend does here (we might also profit from thinking about how many other emotions are portrayed within music, especially outside of the realm of happy and sad). Somehow he went from that concept to...rap music glorifies violence and rape. While we all know that many songs on the radio do glorify violence, rarely (if at all) do they glorify rape. And, just because a rapist listens to rap music, doesn't mean that all music with the same rhythms or "beats" is intended for rape and violence. It's a boggling correlation that makes very, very little sense.

He remarks that music that glorifies God has to have four part harmonies and be the music of "Bach and Beethoven." He also says that that was when music was at its best, "it was at its most complex." I'm a fan of both noted composers, but music has become more and more complex since the time of Bach and Beethoven. It is only within the past 75 years or so that music has "simplified." Beethoven's works, in and of themselves, are good examples of the progression of complexity that continued through time. If one compared Beethoven's early works to his later works, one might not be even able to tell that they were written by the same man. Bach was incredibly talented and brilliantly minded to be sure, but complexity within music (specifically within harmonic studies) has become more and more developed since his time. It's what we like to call "progress" and it is both necessary and inevitable.

The part about the trumpet may have some truth to it (I haven't done any research) but he contradicts himself again when he speaks about how if the spirit of God tugs at you then it is Godly music. He assumes that all people feel the spirit of God in the music he does.

We all know what you do when you ass-u-me.

-B

NOTE: My choice of title for this post is intended to reflect the irony of our friend's lack of Biblical insight into this "issue" while also explaining to the reader who Michael Pearl is. He only uses the KJV Bible, and actively speaks negatively about all other translations, including the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. He prefers the Masoritic and Vulgate, which in translation were heavily influenced by church politics. Because when you want an accurate translation, politics are the first thing your need.

This post spends no time at all looking into what the KJV actually says about music (the trumpet parts appear in every text). If you're disappointed by this reality please accept my profuse, yet not that profuse, apologies.

Schmoyoho

They're at it again. The newest creation: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP4NMoJcFd4&]

and, the infamous (and incredibly annoying) original

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTwcCVajAc&]

Yes, I downloaded their app. I'll let you know how it is.

-B

I Used To Want a Segway...

...but then I saw this on the Today Show. This is like some "holy crap we are living in some sort of robot-controlled-future time" stuff.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0109liIZGQ&]

Ok, maybe not so futuristic but if I'm not doing this by the end of the year, I'm going to be so mad.

-B

The History of Duke in the NBA Draft

Another great montage by the good folks at Blue Devil Nation. Great stats, great players, great history.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOwFOZTA9wU&]

I've been criticized before for not understanding what it is like to go to a big college or university. I've been accused of not knowing what it's like to see people in the cafeteria that go on to play for millions in professional sports. On Thursday, that all went out the window. I saw Nolan on a regular basis in the Divinity School and Kyrie and Kyle on numerous occasions around school too. Kyrie was the number one draft pick and probably one of the best players we've seen in awhile. Yeah, I think I qualify now.

I never have paid much attention to the NBA before. I think that's all about to change.

-B

Conan on Final Cut Pro X

Apple released their new professional grade Final Cut Pro X. Problem is, it isn't professional grade. They've received some...negative press from the professional editing world about it. Conan, though, had the best take on it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxKYuF9pENQ&]

In reality, the fact that they could make this video actually speaks highly of the product. It's nice work.

Apple doesn't have many business disasters. This might be their first in a while. Here's to hoping that they can figure out some way to please those with the loudest voices.

-B

"I'm a Comedian First"

[vodpod id=Video.11387818&w=425&h=350&fv=] Jon Stewart on Fox News Sunday.

I'm surprised he did this. Because he did though, we have many great quotes.

"I'm not denying that there is liberal bias in the media, but you're suggesting that there is an equivalence between Fox News and ABC and I thinks that's absolutely...silly."

-B

I'm On The Edge...of Stupid.

Gaga's got a new video. It's brilliant. So deep.  So inspiring. So well-written. So perfectly executed. [vodpod id=Video.11139720&w=425&h=350&fv=]

She's received quite a bit of negative press for this one(But that's not that different for her, is it?).

In all honesty, she can do whatever she wants.  If she chooses to write a song while taking shots with her dad on the piano after her grandfather died, then tell everyone that the song is about her grandfather (ought to be sentimental, right?), then dress in scant leather and basically have sex with poles and brick walls for the video; she has the right to.

But here's what I think happened:

  • Someone offered her some kind of drug.
  • She took it.
  • She thought, "I'm GaGa; I can do anything and get away with it"
  • Then she looked at a friend next to her and said, "what if I just dance without planning anything and we make it into a music video and then I sell it and get huge publicity for it."
  • Then her friend said, "Stephanie, I think that's a terrible idea."
  • Then GaGa said, "Great, let's do it; I'll do it naked."
  • Then her friend said, "But that song's about your Grandfather!"
  • To which GaGa replied, "He'd be proud."
  • They filmed it ten minutes later (no need for elaborate set design).
  • The next day, the drugs wore off.
  • GaGa realized how bad it was.
  • So she decided that if she blamed it on a creative director, people would think it was brilliant.
  • So she did.
  • But he had Twitter.  And he corrected the whole world.
Thus, ladies and gentlemen, we get the current product displayed above.
I never knew Elton in his crazy days. I came to really appreciate his work later in life. I liked his eccentricity, but I liked his music more.  I wonder if the same thing will happen with artists like GaGa to my kids.
God, I hope not.
Oh, GaGa.
-B