Having My Cake and Eating it, too

I love listening to music. Listening to music makes me a more cheerful person -- life is more dreary without music. I'm not sure I've ever been one who particularly enjoys making music; but I enjoy listening to it. Life is just better with a soundtrack.

When I was in high school & college, I always did my math homework with music playing -- I was always able to knock out mathematics while also enjoying tunes at the same time. In some ways listening to music raised my efficiency level because it kept my mind from wandering & being distracted -- I'd knock out my homework quicker with music playing. However, when it came to my English Composition & Literature classes, I could never pull off the same feat. Music was a major distraction to me while I attempted to read & write -- the lyrics of the songs would compete with the content of my homework for my attention.

Now that my vocation consists in large part of reading and writing, I've not been able to enjoy music at the same time as I work... that is, until just a couple of weeks ago. I've recently discovered a way to listen to music while I'm working. I wish I had made this discovery ten years ago! I've figured out that I can listen to instrument-only music & raise my level of productivity in reading/writing projects!

(My use of exclamation points should express to you how much this means to me!!)

There is a wonderful web site on the internet called "Pandora." It is an internet radio station, but not any ordinary station. At Pandora you can create your own personal station & seed it with your own musical tastes. So a couple of weeks ago I created a station called No Vocal Radio that plays great music without lyrics. I can vote "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on whether I like the music that's played or not. Pandora is simply the most wonderful music site on the planet.

I've thrived in my work the last couple of weeks because of the creation of NVR. I've discovered a bunch of new music that I never thought I would enjoy but do. I now listen to anything from John Williams to Explosions in the Sky to Ronald Jenkees. And since Pandora helps you discover new music, I've just begun to enjoy the musical stylings of Georges Bizet and Apocalyptica.

Check out NVR or make your own Pandora station, and add an awesome soundtrack to your life.

New Christmas Music

I've been cheating. Ever since the weather has started to turn cooler, I've already started to break out the Christmas music. Sue me. Anyway, while I was picking up a book at the local Family Christian Store, I was fortunate enough to pick up Third Day's new album ("Christmas Offerings") on sale for FIVE BUCKS. How awesome is that?! And it's really good stuff!

I typically tend to react in an annoyed way when I hear the tunes of old hymns given a make-over. But I love what Third Day has done with some classics like "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Joy to the World."

The one that is echoing around my cranium this afternoon is "O Holy Night." I don't guess I'd ever really explored the lyrics before, but they are rich! My favorite part is where the music begins to swell at the bridge & chorus following the 2nd verse...

     Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
     Let all within us praise His holy name.

     Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
     His power and glory evermore proclaim.



Hit up your local Christian store, or iTunes, and check out this great music. Third Day always seems to deliver solid albums. Southern Rock just never goes out of style. (g)

Plus, I have a soft spot for the lead singer because we have an added "tribal" connection. Mac Powell is a Birmingham native, and grew up a huge fan of the Crimson Tide. Love that guy.

Addicted to Springsteen

I'm not writing as much lately here because I don't have my computer. Hopefully I'll get it back later this week. But I do have some good blog thoughts saved up to write about whenever I get the laptop back.

In the meantime, maybe you'll enjoy this. I'm on a big Springsteen kick right now. I never appreciated his music before, but I've just really started to admire some of the sounds he puts together. Here's a good little spiritual with a Cajun flavor:

Britney

The newest single from Bebo Norman's soon-to-be-released new album. He says, "'Britney' is a song about what our culture says and does to young women these days. It's about the lies we tell them about fame and money and what's beautiful and what will give them life. It's an apology for those lies. But more than that, it's an invitation to the truth about a God who is bigger than the pain this world so often leaves them in."

A Pilgrimage Playlist (With Reflections)

I finally finished my final game synopsis tonight. And also did a cute little run-down of my Pilgrimage "by the numbers."

But I also put together a commemorative song playlist on iTunes. A "Pilgrimage mix tape" to play on rainy days to remind me of my epic adventure. Here is how it rounded out...

1.) "Centerfield" by John Fogerty

I don't know what it does for you, but this song just gets me all geeked up for baseball. And I believe it should be played before the first pitch of every baseball game. I would institute that if I were Commissioner for a day...

2.) "The Gregarious Raconteur" by Theocracy

You have to be a faithful listener to the ESPN Bill Simmons podcast to understand this song. And it brought me a great deal of laughter & entertainment on the opening stretch of the trip.

3.) "Pork and Beans" by Weezer

Because its awesome. Because it just came out. Because Weezer has written the latest anthem for non-conformists everywhere. And because when I explained this pilgrimage to people, I always heard feedback like, "You're going on a trip just to watch baseball games?" -and- "You're going on a trip like this by yourself?" YES. I AM. And I did. Because I like baseball, dang it. And because I can meet cool people along the way & hang out with old friends in big cities. And it turned out to be quite awesome... haters...

4.) "So Afraid" by Bebo Norman

If there was one thing that I discovered & recognized about MYSELF on this trip -- for the first time -- was how afraid I was at seemingly every turn. I am a total weeny. No, really -- I am. I was afraid of all these big cities, of leaving my rental car in parking lots, of riding subways, of how bad my knee was when I first hurt it. Real, exhilarating-and-brings-a-rush-of-adrenaline fear. But I faced & conquered each of these fears one by one. Sorta proud of myself for that. I reflected on it in my considerable amount of time on the road, happened upon this song one day in my iPod's shuffle mode, and grew a new appreciation for the lyrics.

5.) "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" by Dropkick Murphys

Boston's best-loved Irish folk-rock band. Papelbon's tune. Watching Sox fans dance an Irish jig in the stands when Papelbon came in. I'll think of these things whenever I hear this song from now on...

6.) "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond

I haven't felt THAT much peace, joy, good-will toward my fellow man, et. al. warm fuzzies since I don't know when. Singing this song at Fenway was a warm experience that is difficult to describe. Part "fanhood rite of passage" & existential becoming mixed with part "Strange sense of Homecoming to a place I'd never been" (in a way that "this must be sorta like what Heaven will feel like one day" -- homecoming even though I've never been there) sensation. I know it sounds corny to say, but Fenway was sort of a religious experience for me. And I miss it. This even borders on sounding sacrilegious, but there's a yearning to experience that again, and a dull ache when I realize that it may be a long while. You know that line "I don't care if I never get back" (speaking of not returning home from the ballpark) from Take Me Out to the Ballgame? I feel that way about Fenway...

7.) "New York Groove" by Hello

I played this song as I was driving into NYC on Monday the 9th. I'll admit: it was an utterly cheesy moment as I sang along. But I was having fun with my first visit to NYC. And this cheesy sing-a-long song fit the moment.

8.) "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" by Bruce Springsteen

You just have to visit a big city on a hot day in the summer time to understand. Wow! If the word "eyeful" ever applied...

9.) "Your Hand In Mine" by Explosions in the Sky

I played a lot of Explosions in the Sky on my day driving through Pennsylvania. If you've never heard of them, they are the instrumental band that does the music for the television series "Friday Night Lights." You could listen to their music doing literally the most mundane thing in the world -- like, say, pooper-scooping after your dog -- and yet feel a melancholy sense of heroism. Great music.

10.) "Into the Fire" by Bruce Springsteen

Russert was apparently a big fan of The Boss, so they were playing his tunes in the background during MSNBC's coverage on that Friday in St. Louis. Especially this song, which is sort of a spirited dirge. So I downloaded it, and immediately clung to it. And I'll always think of Russert & St. Louis when I hear it.

11.) "Rise Above This" by Seether

When the Cards were getting blown out, and were bringing in a reliever, they blared this song over the speakers. I was intrigued, so I looked it up & downloaded it when I got back to the hotel. A fantastic rock tune! I sense some spiritual undertones, too; though, I had to download a "Clean" version since there is also apparently a "Restricted" version. A great song to sort of bring you back to a right frame of mind from depth of sorrow. I'll always think of Busch Stadium & the positive Cardinals fans when I hear this song.

12.) "Willow" by James Horner & The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

This is a rendition of all the songs from the score of the film, "Willow," fit into a tidy little three minute & fifty-three second piece. I was in a soundtrack mood at one point on Saturday, my 12-hour driving day home from St. Louis. And I got stuck on this song for a little while. For one, it is a GREAT movie -- an epic tale of a little man who goes on a great adventure, plays a big surprisingly big role in the outcome of a great battle, only to return home again to his loved ones. Second, this was the first movie I ever went to see at the theater, and it was my Mom who took me -- just she & I. And, third, this was a GREAT, totally-underrated movie score that covers a wide range of emotions. And its a great song to end a playlist on.

Ten Thousand Days

Happy Birthday to me. No, it's not October 23rd -- the date of my birth. But it is a significant day in relation to my birth. At least it is to me...

Today I am exactly ten thousand days old.

So what does that have anything to do with anything? Well, as evidenced by the title of my blog, I'm a big fan of contemporary Christian music artist Bebo Norman. His music speaks to my soul. The title of Bebo's first album was "Ten Thousand Days." So I imagine that Bebo wrote the songs from this album at about the same age as I am today. And as I listen to that album today, it is an even richer experience because there is an existential bond with one of my favorite artists.

On that album is the song that is the namesake for this blog: "Where the Angels Sleep." In that song, like this blog, Bebo wrestles with cultural issues & life questions, both big & small. And to temper his anxiety over not having all the answers, he repeats the refrain, "And I don't know where the angels sleep." And there's this bridge toward the end of the song:

It's taken ten thousand days
To get stuck in my ways
And it offers no grace
I cannot stand this place
With love in my face
I walk away slowly

I like to think that Bebo & I are kindred spirits. At 27, most folks my age are partying & suckling all the pleasure out of the "benefits" that their age has to offer. Especially in this Spring Break party town. But like Bebo, and like Paul in Romans 8, I "groan" for something more.

So happy birthday to me. Ten thousand days down. Who knows how many more to go. But one day closer to my eternal reward.

Favorite Quotes About Heaven

I like to collect quotes. I used to be more deliberate about filing & organizing my favorite quotes, but I still enjoy finding good ones. So, the following are quotes from song lyrics, Scriptures, movie quotes, or other sources that say something interesting about Heaven -- what the world thinks, or what I find profound.

We all wonder about Heaven. For something that seems to be such a big part of our future, the Bible spends very little of its text trying to describe Heaven. So I like to listen to how others imagine Heaven. If you have any good ones to add, leave it in the comments section.

(From the movie "The Green Mile")

Arlen Bitterbuck: Do you believe that if a man repents enough for what he done wrong, than he'll get to go back to the time that was happiest for him and live there forever? Could that be what heaven's like?

Paul Edgecomb: I just about believe that very thing.

Arlen Bitterbuck: I had a young wife when I was eighteen. We spent the summer in the mountains, made love every night. After we would talk sometimes till the sun came up, and she'd lay there, bare breasted in the fire light... that was my best time.

(From the movie "Field of Dreams")

John Kinsella: Is this heaven?

Ray Kinsella: It's Iowa.

John Kinsella: Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven.

[John starts to walk away]

Ray Kinsella: Is there a heaven?

John Kinsella: Oh yeah. It's the place where dreams come true.

[Ray looks around, seeing his wife playing with their daughter on the porch]

Ray Kinsella: Maybe this is heaven.

(From Mercy Me's song, "I Can Only Imagine")

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.

(From Romans 8:18-25 [NIV])

¹⁸I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

(From 1st Thessalonians 4:17b)

And so we will be with the Lord forever.

(From Bebo Norman's song, "Rita")

But the finest moment that no man can measure
Is to look your Savior in the eyes

So take her tender to Your table
Take her from this killing floor
To taste the water that is forever
Let her be thirsty no more

[...]

And the God that sometimes can't be found
Will wrap Himself around you

(From Jennifer Knapp's song, "Visions")

They're looking for the peace that passes all understanding,
In a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much too demanding
To want a better place than here.

So I'll go unto visions
The prophets gave to me
And I'll dream of Heaven
The promise in which I believe.

(From U2's song, "Where the Streets Have No Name")

I want to feel, sunlight on my face
See that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name

(From Ephesians 3:20 [NIV])

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

(From Revelation 21:4 [NIV])

There shall be no more pain

(From John 14:1-3 [NKJV]... my personal favorite...)

¹ “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Latest Music Tastes

As I stated yesterday, I've been too serious & too political here lately. How about something frivolous! Here's a sampling of the tunes that have really caught my ear lately, in no particular order...

Nothin' Better to Do by LeAnn Rimes

That girl has some pipes! She & Mariah Carey have to be the best vocalists of my lifetime. I'm just mesmerized by that voice of her's. Listening to her sing that song is like watching Tiger Woods carve up a golf course. You know you're just witnessing a phenomenal talent.

Apologize (Instrumental Version) by Timbaland

That TV commercial for the Academy Award-nominated film Atonement encouraged me to download this song. What a captivating commercial. Anyway, it's a great sound. Timbaland surely knows how to put together a captivating sound.

Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna

Another song where the sound really mesmerizes & moves me. I haven't caught anything dirty in the lyrics yet. But it's just a catchy beat.

Sweet Caroline and Cracklin' Rosie by Neil Diamond

That guy has a great voice. Or at least had a great voice. He's old now.

"Sweet Caroline" has sort of been adopted by Red Sox fans as a favored tune to play in late innings at Fenway. So playing this song warms my heart by reminding me that baseball season is around the corner.

And They Praised God by Acappella

I've always thought that I'd like that verse on my tombstone. What greater testimony could you have? This song helps me reflect on my identity. Moving...

Bleed It Out by Linkin Park

They rock. Sometimes. I have to take them in doses.

Fix You by Coldplay

Okay, I'm a little behind I'll admit, but this song is majestic. That last minute & a half or so is just epic. It just washes over you like a comfortable wave of serenity. I don't know if I understand what I just wrote there, but it describes how I experience this song.

I'm Your Boogie Man by KC & The Sunshine Band

Hey, everyone has stuff in their iPod that they aren't proud of. I know it's not the prettiest picture in the world, but this movie makes me want to get up and, perish the thought, DANCE.

;)

Ten Thousand Days

The thought just occurred to me that, when I was in middle school & high school, I never would have dreamed that I would write essays for FUN. Remember when you first learned how to write an essay? An essay is five paragraphs long, and a paragraph consists of five whole sentences. How TEDIOUS!! I was a Math/Science guy, and I couldn't stand English Lit & Comp. The idea that I now write essays for personal leisure would probably freak the teenage me out.

Yesterday, a friend of mine from high school named Jennifer turned 10,000 days old. I have a countdown clock on my MySpace to the 10,000th day of my existence outside my mother's womb. Jennifer saw that, calculated her own birthday, and her's was yesterday. My ten thousandth day will be in mid-March.

Why am I concerned with this? Well, one of my favorite music artists is Christian folk singer Bebo Norman. Bebo's lyrics speak to my soul. Whenever I go through seasons of distress, I frequently find myself turning to Bebo to help soothe my soul. Bebo's first album was named "Ten Thousand Days." That name appears to come from a lyric of the song that is the name-sake for this blog:

"Where the Angels Sleep Lyrics"

Artist: Bebo Norman

I don't know why I always run
Is it fear of the fall or fear of the touch
And I don't know where the angels sleep

And I don't know how to really love
I've never stood still long enough
And I don't know where the angels sleep

But I am alive and standing strong
I'm no farther forward, just farther along
I hold on to my pride and dig in deep
It's pulling me down, and I am no closer to release
And I don't know where the angels sleep

I don't know how to see you now
The friend from before is different somehow
And I don't know where the angels sleep

And I don't know when I'll love again
But I don't trust myself to just let you in
And I don't know where the angels sleep

It's taken ten thousand days
To get stuck in my ways
And it offers no grace
I cannot stand this place
With love in my face
I walk away slowly

I don't know where the angels sleep
No, I don't know where the angels sleep

I love this song. It intermingles big life questions with more insignificant, child-like ones. "I don't know how to do this... and I don't know where the angels sleep for that matter!!" In the midst of realizing that there are questions we won't find answers to, there is a calm that settles in as you let go of the relentless pursuit of answers and settle in to rest in God's sovereignty.

I get the impression that Bebo wrote this song when he was about my age. He was single, too. So, when I listen to songs from that album, I feel an existential connection with one of my favorite music artists.

So, only 1 Month, 16 Days, 14 Hours, and 1 Minute until I turn Ten Thousand Days old. I'll let you know when it happens. (G)

Don't Call it a Comeback...

Felt the urge to share my latest "mix tape," or burned CD. There is an art to this. You don't just throw the songs together. Theme, mood, & timing are all factors.

I call this one That Fresh Feeling.

Format: Song Title by Artist on Album

1.) Fresh Feeling by Eels on Souljacker
2.) Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis on (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
3.) A Little More (electric guitar version) by Jennifer Knapp on Listen Louder
4.) How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin on Arriving
5.) Adoration by Newsboys on Adoration
6.) Love Heals Your Heart by Third Day on Wherever You Are
7.) What's Left of the Flag by Flogging Molly on Drunken Lullabies
8.) Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) by John Michael Montgomery on his self-titled album
9.) Into the Day by Bebo Norman on Between the Dreaming and the Coming True
10.) Hymn to the Fallen (From "Saving Private Ryan") by John Williams on The Music of John Williams
11.) Lovestoned (CLEAN version) by Justin Timberlake on FutureSex/LoveSounds
12.) Wake Up by Arcade Fire on Funeral
13.) It Ain't Over 'Til Its Over by Lenny Kravitz on Mama Said
14.) Hallelujah by Newsboys on Adoration
15.) Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash on With His Hot and Blue Guitar
16.) Unwell by Matchbox 20 on More Than You Think You Are
17.) Lonely Man by Audio Adrenaline on Lift

A God Touch

Ever have one of those moments or experiences where you sense that God was speaking directly to you? I always appreciate those. Even if it's just a traffic jam & I get the sensation that God is saying, "Slow down," I appreciate those.

I got one tonight. We were worshipping before Bible Study, and I was leading worship. I love leading worship... mainly because I get to pick the songs, and so I know that (from my perspective) we won't be singing any duds. (G)

(Control Freak. Remember?)

Anyways, even though I was pleased to be leading singing, I had arrived at church in one of my morose moods. I get these from time to time. Not all the time, or even most of the time. Just every once in a while. It's like I'm saying to the world, "I'm a loner. I'm mysterious. I'm unique. I'm complex. Tonight I'll be morose & you won't be able to figure me out." In all honesty, it's really a bit punk-ish.

So anyhow, all of that is going on in the background when I come to the song I picked to lead before opening prayer: "This is my Father's World." Man, what a great song. There are a few songs in this world that bring me to a state of tranquility. That Acappella song, "Peace." Yeah. You know what I'm talking about! Also, whenever I hear Jennifer Knapp sing "A Little More" ... ahhhhhhhh, I just want to melt. Good warm fuzzy feelings of tranquility. "This is My Father's World" is one of those songs. "Yessssssss ... it's God's world. He's in control. He's faithful. Things are working out for good. Ahhhhhhh ...."

So I'm leading the song. Worshipping God. Still in my punky morose mood. When we come to the last half of the final verse:

This is my Father's World
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: Let the Heavens Ring!
God Reigns: Let earth be glad!

That was like a nice little swift kick in the rear from God. "Come on, Philip. Quit being a punk. You've got a lot to be joyful about. How about you quit being so narcisistic, focusing on your own feelings, and maybe do a little ministry tonight? Huh? How about we do a little bit of that? Would that be alright with you?"

[Chuckles]

I appreciated that.

Cry Out to Jesus

Today I preached Blind Bartimaeus.

I think that if there is one thing that stands out in this passage it is Bartimaeus' persistence. Despite being told to hush up, Bartimaeus continued to cry out to the one who could bring healing & mercy upon him. And Jesus rewards this man's persistence.

We see this not only in the life of Jesus, but also in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 18, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with persistence and to not lose heart. When Jesus is teaching about prayer in Luke 11, he instructs us to be bold in an insistent & persistent kind of way.

There in Luke 11, Jesus says to "ask, seek, and knock." "Knock" is an especially telling command to me. So often, when we knock, we do it in a way so as to not be too disturbing. It seems as if Jesus saying that we should be the complete opposite with our prayers. Shake the door down! Make some noise! Wake up God! Be Bold! Stand in the gap & let your cares be known to God.

It's important to me in the story of Blind Bartimaeus, also, that it says that "Jesus stopped." Jesus has big important things to do. This is the story RIGHT before he is about to go into Jerusalem. He's got a lot on his plate. But because of one persistent beggar ...

Jesus stopped!

And isn't that encouraging? It's so easy to think of my concerns as petty & insignificant. "Ehhhh, I don't need to bother God with that. It's not important. Other people have more troubles than I do; I'm so blessed! I'd come off as selfish if I ask God for that." Yet, the truth is, Christ cares for each one of us as if there was only one to care for. He leaves the 99 for the 1. He sweeps the house for the lost coin. In the middle of his procession from Jericho, he STOPS ...... and shows compassion to a blind man.

Don't be afraid to bring your cares & concerns before the Lord as if you're some reprobate before a judge. Feel free to open up before a Father who loves you. Cry Out to Jesus ...

The Harding Rap

Alright HU alum's. Are you ready for this?

Check out Kodak & D'Lee at PureVolume.com. Click on the song "It's Goin Down (Harding University)" and prepare to laugh your socks off.

Something Frivolous, brought to you by YouTube

YouTube is becoming one of my favorite web sites. Anyways, you might have already seen this music video. But if you haven't, this is fun! :)

I especially enjoy watching the "big-boned" fellow with the pink shirt, buttoned-up sweater vest, white shoes, black-rimmed glasses, bald head, and obscenely big sideburns. He seems to be having the most fun of all four of those guys.

Enjoy!

Pop Culture Review

My new favorite comedian is a guy named Jim Gaffigan. You may not recognize the name, but you'll recognize his face from at least one of the hundreds of commercials that he has been on, whether it's Siera Mist, Saturn, ESPN, or Rolling Rock. He recently did the Gator Growl (University of Florida Homecoming pre-game festival) this past Saturday, and I wish I had known so I could have gone.

Click play below to listen to one of Gaffigan's best bits, as he talks about "Hot Pockets."

I'm not much of a television watcher, but that which I do watch I watch religiously.

My favorite show right now is by far NBC's The Office, with Steve Carrel. If you like to laugh but don't appreciate standard sitcom humor ("Look, the husband has done something dumb again ... that's so funny"). OK. Now, you know when you here from like half a dozen people that something is "SO FUNNY," and you're not sure, so it makes you stay further away from watching it for some reason, and then one day you tune in on your own & you discover that it REALLY IS funny? THIS is THAT show. So if you've never watched The Office, give it a try. And I recommend that you start from the beginning ... go buy it on DVD. You will love it; I promise.

The BEST show you aren't watching.

OK, to preface what's coming next -- I am a man, and I am indeed heterosexual. One of my favorite shows is Gilmore Girls. I've really been disappointed with the trajectory of this show over the last several seasons, however. When it first began, Lorelai was eye candy, Rory was the innocent girl that reminded you of all that's right with women, & Luke was the one normal guy on television who was a good guy and who always came through in the clutch. Now, Lorelai is still eye candy, but is aging. Rory lost her virginity on the show and has never been the same and is slowing becoming all that is wrong with women. And the writers have made Luke into sort of a jerk. I just watched my first episode of the season last night, and it was a rather joyless experience. But I've invested myself into the first 6 seasons, I've gotta watch this last one, right? Maybe. We'll see ...

Those were my only two until I recently discovered ABC's new drama, Six Degrees. It is everything that is right with TV -- beautiful women, excellent plot development with believable writing, & likeable characters (with solid character development). I've been very impressed so far. If you haven't seen it, and are interested, you can catch the first three episodes in full on-line at ABC.com for free.

In music, I'm really excited, and unsure, about a new rock band: Hinder. I love pure rock & roll. Not head-banger stuff. Not punk rock. Not pop rock. ROCK. And Hinder has said publicly that they are making it their mission to bring rock back. I'm so happy about that. They also say they want to bring back the "Sex & Drugs" element back with it. I'm not sure if they're joking or serious. So, tread lightly there. But their music seems pretty good so far.

In Memorium

While I'm here, I feel the need to write about something else: An ode to Jennifer.

I was introduced to Christian music in my first year of college. I ate it up. Newsboys. Third Day. dcTalk. I began to devour the favorites. But weirdo that I am, I always have to be a little different from the rest of the crowd. Everyone already loved those first 3 groups; I needed to find my own favorite -- the independent band or lesser known artist who I could call my own.

It wasn't long before I found her. Jennifer Knapp. Pretty new on the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) scene. I first discovered her by listening to her 2nd studio album, Lay It Down. I was impressed by songs like "A Little More" & "When Nothing Satisfies." I would often put them on my "going to bed" list, because they spoke to me, eased my nerves, and gave me peace as I laid down to sleep.

I then went & bought Kansas, and loved her even more. When The Way I Am was released, I bought it, too. Admittedly, it wasn't as good as the other two, but I cherished & digested each song just because it was Jen. I bought City On a Hill CD's on which she had several tracks, and to this day am entranced by her song, "Hallowed."

And then she stopped touring. Years have passed and she hasn't produced another studio album. Rumors began to fly. Some were saying she had taken a female lover -- that she had left her faith & music career behind. Others assert that her seemingly permanent hiatus is merely due to the grind. Produce an album, then go make money on tour, which you use to produce another album, so you can make more money on tour. And so the cycle goes. And if you know her music, you know her lyrics are so rich that it's a wonder she popped out 3 quality albums so quickly.

I choose to believe that she protects her craft by not recording or touring anymore. That she would not dumb down her product to make money. I hope that's it.

Her music & lyrics touch my heart like NO other. I hope she is still using her gift in some way wherever she is today. Even if it's at a church somewhere, for a group of kids, or whatever. When God made her, I know He smiled. He gave the world a great gift in Jennifer Knapp. And because of that, I've almost wanted to cry when I've listened to her music lately.

Jen, I hope you're well. I miss you.