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Previous Posts
The Last Text Message
Today is my last day with Beliefnet, and my last day as the author of this blog. The Text Messages archives will remain live at this location, but posting will cease. If that sounds gloomy, it's an accurate reflection of my mind this afternoon. I've chosen to pursue new opportunities, but I'm n
posted 3:47:12pm Feb. 04, 2009 |
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Quitting Church: A Q&A with Julia Duin
Why do people stop going to church? This big question is the subject of Julia Duin's small book, Quitting Church: Why teh Faithful are Fleeing and What To Do About It. Duin is not a disinterested observer of the phenomenon of church-dropping; rather, she's a churchgoer who wants churches to work wel
posted 4:03:51pm Feb. 03, 2009 |
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Rob Stennett vs. Marilynne Robinson
I'm overjoyed that my good friend Rob Stennett has won the Award of Merit from Christianity Today for his novel The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher. (Here's CT's review of the book.) Stennett's hilarious book is about a real estate agent who joins a suburban church in order to reach the Christian h
posted 2:36:44pm Jan. 30, 2009 |
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What is spiritual restoration?
Slate asked for an essay on Ted Haggard's spiritual restoration. I'm okay with what I came up with for now, but the more I think about it, the more I think we need better thinking on what restoration looks like for very public, outspoken, influential men and women like Haggard:Most people who fail n
posted 9:00:56am Jan. 29, 2009 |
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It's Not TV; it's Ted TV
A blog might not be the best medium for an essay like this. But I want to offer some more considered thoughts on Ted Haggard and his HBO documentary; I hope this performs some kind of service in a story that I hope will end--in its public iteration--very soon. This was written as a stand-alone essay
posted 3:57:44am Jan. 28, 2009 |
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posted November 24, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Even with all the acclaim for Enter the Worship Circle, Don Chaffer has never really gotten his due. A mastermind musician with keen lyrical insight, Chaffer paved the way for many who are enjoying success today. Still, Don continues to make wonderful music that is creative and human.
posted November 25, 2008 at 9:23 am
I’ve never heard of Bill Mallonnee. I’m glad to know of him. In a strange serendipity, I was just listening to Nina Simone’s version of I Shall Be Released.
I love Joe Henry and wish more people loved him too. Each song on Scar or Tiny Voices or Civilians is a short story, sad, yearning, sometimes hopeful. His voice is beautifully distinctive, has the slightly wrecked feel of Tom Waits. It’s hard for me to describe the music, I’ve heard it called folk-noir, and there are elements of jazz, but in a good smoky room way, not a bad fusak way.
posted November 25, 2008 at 11:10 am
Chaffer and Joe Henry both ring faint bells. Glad to know about both of them–”slightly wrecked” is exactly how I like my singer-songwriters.
posted November 25, 2008 at 12:25 pm
A staple in my life for nearly 20 years has been Over the Rhine. No matter where I am in my life, their work always plays the role of leavening.
I had the opportunity to have Bill & VOL stay at my place in Audible Sigh days and Bill is so real and such a beacon.
Other bands/artists that are often forgotten and nearly never talk about that are so hauntingly rich to me are Adam Again, the violet burning, 77s, Julie & Buddy Miller, Vic Williams, Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus, The Choir and Sam Philips.
posted November 25, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Martryn Bennett – a Canadian born musician who lived in Scotland – died at the age of 34 and it’s clear from his music that he was just getting started.
posted November 25, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Gene Eugene was taken from us much too soon. His five Adam Again albums, lyrically and musically profound, have been the soundtrack of my life. I can’t imagine what uncharted territory he’d have explored over these last 8 years.
“It’s strange… It’s strange and it’s wonderful…”
posted November 25, 2008 at 10:36 pm
‘Course dylan, springsteen, cohen, and mitchell deserve top 10.
Also very gratifying to see kris kristofferson (38), al green (44), john hiatt (61), richard (though did some of his best stuff w/linda) thompson (63), merle haggard (69), bruce cockburn (77), and t-bone burnett (100). Where was Nanci Griffith? sigh.
posted November 28, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Matt Maher. His album “Empty and Beautiful” is one of the best kept secrets in the industry. But it’s filled with incredibly annointed songs and lyricism. The CD also shows his command of different genres of music, though it’s all based on praise and worship.
posted November 29, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Neil Young is definitely underappreciated! I have been under his spell for 30 years. His lyrics about any subject are heartfelt and should be taken the cores of our souls. If you are a listener, you will agree! His songs will make you think.
posted November 29, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Chris Rea
posted December 11, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Anthony Gomes–the best guitarist you will ever ever experience. And one of the most soulful, inspiring singer/songwriters! With his latest reinvention of himself, frontman for the power trio New Soul Cowboys, the best is yet to come!