40-year-old

Celebrating 40 Years!

May 16, 2012 — 63 Comments

Well friends, tomorrow marks my 40th year on this planet. Wait…. WHAT?!? How did that happen?? Aren’t you supposed to be mature or something when you turn 40? Strike that. My grandparents are twice my age and they’re about as mature as a couple of 10 year olds. So I guess I’m good (sorry gramps and grams!).

My wife and I will be doing some extended weekend celebrating, which means I won’t be able to finish my follow up to the Beethoven post before we get the party started. Excited to be celebrating. Bummed to leave the “crapping on a masterpiece” topic on hold. I appreciate the participation so far! Since I won’t be able to finish the follow up until next week, I’d like to leave you with a few hypothetical questions. These are hypothetical. Which means, don’t crucify me for asking them!! I’m just throwing some thoughts out there. You ready?
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In Church, Culture, Random, USA , , , , , ,
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Stieler, Joseph Karl: Beethoven mit der Missa solemnis Ölgemälde, 1819

Who Crapped on Beethoven’s 9th?

May 15, 2012 — 38 Comments

DA DA DA DAAAAAH. da da da daaaaah. It’s quite possibly the best known musical composition ever. What is it? Why, it’s Symphony No. 5, of course! Check it:

Beethoven’s 5th, composed between 1804-1808, is one of the most popular and most played symphonies in the world. Some consider it to be one of the most important works of all time. But despite it’s importance and popularity, many regard Beethoven’s final completed symphony to be his masterpiece.
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In Church, Culture, USA , ,
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your blog sucks coffee

Blogging Sucks

May 10, 2012 — 2 Comments

I’m not sure if blogging actually sucks, or if it’s just the pressure of following the guidelines of becoming a “successful” blogger. I’m breaking all the rules the gurus teach about blogging successfully. But I have to remind myself that, essentially, I’m writing for an audience of One. Anything beyond that is gravy.

But I also know that there are a few of you out there that actually look forward to new content on this blog. YOU are some sick puppies! Seriously though, I’m grateful that anybody would be interested in reading what I’m typing. You should know that I’ve been working on some projects. Those projects have a twofold focus: 1. I’m deepening my theology, and 2. I’m working on creatively telling my story. If those two merge together like I hope they do, then what’s produced will likely be one of the most important things I’ve ever done. Far more important than being a “successful” blogger.

I’ll try to keep posting as I work on these projects. So much to write about, so little time! A special thanks to those of you who have supported and encouraged what I’m doing. As you continue to travel down the road that sucks, my hope is that your discovery of why it’s worth it is becoming wider, longer, higher, and deeper.

It really is worth it.

In Life, Random
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The Strangest Way book

The Strangest Way by Robert Barron

May 10, 2012 — Leave a comment

I recently heard my “rabbi” say that there are about 10 books that he has or will read multiple times. The Strangest Way: Walking The Christian Path by Robert Barron, is one of those books.   

I recommend this book to those who are looking to go deeper than the fluff typically found in the “Christian Living” section in most book stores. That’s not to say that all of the books found in the “fluff” section are fluff, but just to be clear, if you’re into finding the 7 steps to your best life now, Barron’s book will frustrate you.

You should also know that Barron is Catholic. This may turn a few people off, unfortunately. I don’t subscribe to many of Catholicism’s theological positions and traditions, but the deep thinkers and mystics of the faith have enriched my life and my walk. Barron is now included in that group, and this book will likely be one I’ll need to read multiple times. Here are a few quotes that put my highlighter to work…
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Simon Cowell judging

I Like Judging People

April 18, 2012 — 35 Comments

It’s a crazy line, isn’t it? It’s unlikely that you’ll ever hear anybody actually say they like judging people. And yet, when I look around, and in the mirror, I see this very thing. We must like judging, because we do it all the time!
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There are saints indeed in my religion: but a saint only means a man who really knows that he is a sinner.

We’re all in the same boat; and we’re all seasick.

G.K. Chesterton

Saints and Sinners

Posted on April 10, 2012 In Culture, Life ,
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Love has a posture, and it looks like this.

What God Does With Sluts…Like Me

April 7, 2012 — 2 Comments

Listen to the heart of the Faithful Groom as he groans over His bride:

She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red, with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea. As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust. When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.

So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.

Listen…See…Feel…the heart of the Groom.

This is part 4 in a 4 part series on sluts. If you haven’t read parts 1, 2 or 3, please click on the following links:

Part 1: She’s a Slut! (The story of Julie)
Part 2: What Does God Do With Sluts? (Julie’s true identity revealed)
Part 3: A Slutty History (The sordid history of an unfaithful bride)

Read on for the rest of part 4…
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In Culture, Life, Story , , , , , , ,
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