Douglas Howe: August 2008 Archives

Two of the most enduring and integrous Christian musicians of the last two decades are teaming up for what will no doubt be an inspiring and entertaining tour. And if your Christian faith is important to you, this will likely be a night that's as worshipful as it is wonderful.

Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith--or is it Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman?--are launching their new tour on August 30 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They're calling it the "United" tour and it's the first time the two have toured together.

Smith has won three Grammys and been nominated for nine others. Ever since he got his start by writing songs for well-known Christian musicians (Sandi Patti, Kathy Troccoli, Amy Grant, etc.) and playing as the opening act for Grant back in the eighties, he has been the biggest name in Christian music. He's made 22 CDs, won 33 of the Gospel Music Association's Dove awards and also published books and DVDs.

Did you watch the Democratic National Convention on TV Monday night? No. Neither did I. It made me think back to that "West Wing" episode of a few years ago, where the dramatic twist featured all three major television network presidents informing the White House staff that they would only be covering one hour of the convention, rather than the traditional gavel-to-gavel coverage of all four nights.

Back then, the very thought of this was obnoxiously impossible, but the points the characters made were strong: conventions, they said, were neither news nor entertainment anymore.

Well, if you're tiring of the Olympics, or can't afford the gas to drive to a movie theatre, or can't afford the popcorn after you buy the gas, there'll be a relevant, interesting, and hopefully inspiring show that you can see live via webcast on Saturday night.

This will be a first-of-its-kind event where both presumed presidential nominees, Barack Obama and John McCain, will be interviewed by Rick Warren, the founder and pastor of the church and author of best-selling, "The Purpose-Driven Life",

Saddleback Community Church and CNN will be airing the "Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency," direct from Orange County, California, Saturday evening at 8 p.m. EDT, and you'll be able to watch it through their website.

Ah, finally, day 4, and the Olympics have finally officially started for me.

Nope, the run-up and the hype didn't do it. Every sports event this side of the World Poker Championships has a big build-up.

No, the opening festivities--while, um, festive--didn't do it. There are pageants all over the world.

Yes, the USA's dramatic comeback over the French in the 4 x 100 meter relay final almost did it, but overconfident proclamations and underdog comebacks happen in all kinds of sports.

But the real Olympics kicked off last night when victorious representatives of two countries at war embraced in a hug and gently kissed each other on the cheek. It physically took place on the medal stand in Beijing, but it really took place on the screens of millions of the world's residents who long for peace and are inspired by the human bonds that overshadow it. If only they could pre-empt it.

CNN reports that "sharpshooters from Russia and Georgia embraced Sunday after earning medals for their countries, which have been teetering on the brink of war since the Beijing Summer Olympics kicked off last week."

Add another one, Neil Diamond, to your "Done Too Soon" lyrics: Bernie Mac is gone at 50. Although he rose from a poor upbringing to become a household comedic name, there was always a sense that there was more genius there, more exposure to come, more lives to touch, and more fulfillment for a genius in search of...something.

The Associated Press featured one of the stronger reviews of his life, which ended Saturday.

"Though his comedy drew on tough experiences as a black man, he had mainstream appeal," wrote Frazier Moore.

"The world just got a little less funny," said George Clooney, his "Ocean's Eleven" co-star.

"This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and loved Bernie," echoed Don Cheadle, another "Ocean's Eleven" co-star. "He brought so much joy to so many. He will be missed, but heaven just got funnier."

In the few days after his death, he's been remembered for his work in movies, television, stand-up and politics. Known for "The Bernie Mac Show," this was a man who could also play a tongue-in-cheek Charlie in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and remake Spencer Tracy's role in 2005's "Guess Who." He also made a recent appearance at a Barack Obama fund-raiser in which his edgy humor drew a rebuke (then an affirmation) from Obama.

The shame of it all, though, is this: Among the kind things we all want to say about someone after they die, a real question remains that one's passing should compel us to ask: Where is Bernard Jeffrey McCullough now? On a faith-based site such as this, it's a compelling question, and the one most relevant to this one who made us laugh--and re-think our convictions about some scary subjects--in his relatively short time here.

Earlier this summer, a celebrity's son ran over his daughter in a car. The daughter was killed. The son had to deal with the guilt. And, the celebrity is a Christian singer who is gifted, beloved and above reproach, a...

Presumed presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama have revealed their favorite pop culture icons, including superheroes, with McCain favoring Batman and Obama, Spider-Man and Batman, according to Reuters. I find myself asking two glaring questions: 1. Was this a...