Tuesday, March 31, 2009

25 Perfect Songs

The last couple weeks I've been making a list of perfect songs. In my opinion, they don't make music any better than what is listed below...all these songs come pretty close to tie-ing for the number one spot.

Against my better judgement, I've also included YouTube links for all the songs. This is especially bad news if you haven't heard the song before because: A) Seeing the people singing these songs on your first listen can be distracting, and B) Some of the versions aren't as good as the album versions.

But, you have to give the people what they want...I'd I knew you'd be too lazy to do your own research for these songs. So, enjoy...argue with me...suggest other perfect songs...I love all of you...

Monday, March 30, 2009

"Two Smiles"

Nothing's better than two smiles from my daughter's lips...

...one giggle at bedtime might come close.

And, not to be picky, but smiles are better in close proximity to sleep...waking or falling...

...giggles are best on laps and changing tables.

And, if you're lucky, a kiss isn't bad...

but still...

...nothing's better than two smiles from my daughter's lips. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bella

I finally broke my bad-movie streak. It's hard to tell for sure, but I think I had seen about 104 PG-13 romantic comedies in a row...all of them required the brain power of a green pea to get the nice moral message that when you really love someone you should make out, take off the man's shirt and then fall into a bed that is off camera...I'm assuming not much happens after that.

...but, then Bella came along. And, it reminded me that movies can feel almost perfect at times. It submits it's pro-life message artistically without preaching at people or letting the message overpower the emotions of the movie, although I would argue that the entire movie is about life (and in some ways, it's sanctity). I'm not sure how Christians decide which movies they are going to turn into sleeper hits...but, in my perfect world, I wish Bella would have drawn the lucky straw...

So, if you haven't seen it already, give it a shot. It reminds me alot of life...everywhere you look, there's sadness...but, between the sad stories there's usually some optimism in the air and redemption waiting around the corner.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The 10 most "Christian" U2 Songs

U2.  How cool is it that one of the longest-lasting, stadium-shaking, bastions of rock-and-roll greatness happens to be Christian?  Or, at least religious…or, spiritual…or, something.  Their new album, No Line On the Horizon, is freshly upon us and ready to provide more doses of potentially Biblical lyrics.  There’s almost 30 years of U2 history floating around.  In this small mound of Bono lyrics, we find religious analogies piled up on top of each other.  What rises to the top?  Where does Bono shine through at his most Christian…at his most “I’m spiritual, but don’t organize me”?  Provided below are the ten best U2’s songs where Bono’s spiritual side comes charging through, both guns blazing, with songs that seem so heartfelt that everyone who “gets it” wholeheartedly believes that every song in the U2 catalog is about “it”.  These next 10 songs should offer a glimpse of what’s so special about U2. 

  1. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (The Joshua Tree)
  2. Grace (All You Can’t Leave Behind)
  3. Yahweh (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
  4. The First Time (Zooropa)
  5. The Wanderer (Zooropa)
  6. 40 (War)
  7. When Loves Comes to Town (Rattle & Hum)
  8. North & South of the River (B-Sides; 80s-90s)
  9. Until the End of the World (Achtung Baby)
  10. Drowning Man (War)

Monday, March 2, 2009

Fame, Celebrity, and Accomplishment

Our church has hit the big time with a full-fledged blog post by Mr. Andy Naselli himself. I was quite flattered...and enjoyed seeing it in my Google Reader this morning.

http://andynaselli.com/theology/crossway-milwaukee

It's not Jason's first moment of being in the spotlight...here is our church's other moment of acclaim:

Young, Restless, Reformed

...I'll finish up here...my mildly cynical tone can only hide my unhealthy pride for so long...