CCM + Delirious?

The new Delirious? album, Kingdom of Comfort, drops on Tuesday, April 1 (no joke), and you have an opportunity to get your very own freshly shrink-wrapped copy for FREE!

Just leave me a comment with your take on the state of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). How do you define CCM? Is it good? Is it bad? Does it lack creativity? Does it have a place in your life? How has it effected you personally? Who’s your favorite?

At the end of the day on Tuesday I will draw a name out of a hat of the (valid) comments and ship out the album on Wednesday.

**UPDATE**
And the winner is Chris From Canada (via random.org)

Thanks for participating everyone! Since we’re on the subject, I had previously only heard of Delirious?, and I couldn’t tell you one song they sang. But after listening to this album for the last couple days, I’d have to say they are pretty good, and not cookie-cutter to be sure. The Kingdom of Comfort is turning out to be a pretty good album.

Filed under: Art, CCM, Delirious?, Freebies, Music

The Big 10

For starters, could you even list the 10 commandments?

I get lost after listing about three. It’s just never been something I’ve concerned myself with, but this weekend I heard a reference that I had never considered concerning the big tablets so I thought I’d look them up. Turns out there are more than ten imperative statements in Exodus, and different religions / denominations divide the commandments up differently (you learn something new everyday).

Here is the list that I’m most familiar with.

I – You shall have no other gods before Me.

II – You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the water below.

III – You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

IV – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

V – Honor your father and your mother.

VI – You shall not murder.

VII – You shall not commit adultery.

VIII – You shall not steal.

IX – You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

X – You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, male servant, female servant, ox, donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

The reference I heard this weekend was by Erwin McManus while watching a DVD of Ethos 2006. He said that most of the world looks at the ten commandments as this ceiling of being righteous, when in reality it is simply a base level marker of being human. To do less than these would be considered less than human. I don’t know why I’ve never thought about it in those terms.

And now for a little lighter diversion, here is a great short video by Coudal Partners where one man breaks all ten commandments before breakfast.

Filed under: God, Humanity, Mosaic, Religion, Ten Commandments

Nostalgia

This Pontiac / Spy Hunter commercial took me way back!

Time to hit up ebay.

Filed under: Advertising, Commercials, Nintendo, Nostalgia, Pontiac, Spy Hunter, Video Games

TMI pt.1

Inspired by Neil’s post, I thought I’d open the vault that is my life so you might get a little more insight into the Mud Puppy.

» As a baby I drank beer (or at least licked the cans).

» In elementary school I got caught with a Playboy.

» In middle school I TP’d the same house every Wednesday night after church one Summer.

» In high school I used to keep a log of the clothes I wore so I didn’t wear the same thing twice in a 2-week period.

» In college I once wore chaps around the halls of my dorm. Just chaps.

» As an adult, well, you’ve seen this and this and these right?

Still like reading the Mud Puppy?

Link to, or subscribe to me!

Filed under: Beer, Chaps, I Ain't Right, Indiscretions, Mental, Mud Puppy, TMI

Digital Converter

Time is running out to take advantage of the coupons the government is offering as a consolation for forcing us to switch to digital. You need to go to www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-DTV-2009 to sign up, and you’ll receive two coupons towards the purchase of an eligible converter box.

I’d say the majority of my readers don’t use rabbit ears for their television experience anymore, but you might know someone like my in-laws that just can’t give up that snowy experience. Or perhaps a sweet old lady in your church who could use one and doesn’t know to get the coupons (I’d use my grandma for an example, but she’s rocking some cable).

So go ahead and get those coupons and help someone out. And if it’s you that you’re helping out, go get you some cable or dish already!

(ht: Wise Bread)

Filed under: 1923, Coupons, Culture, Digital, Government, TV

PFP Reviewed: Chapter Three

Peppermint-Filled Piñatas
Chapter Three: Peppermint-Filled Piñatas
Partying to Expand Our Influence

This is one of my favorite chapters in the book. I mean who doesn’t enjoy a call to party more? Eric challenges us to throw more parties, as well as to accept invitations to more parties. It actually reminds me a lot of what my buddy Brandon talked about in this post. He hosts events at his house at least twice a month where he invites a broad spectrum of friends—college students, photographers, theology majors, working professionals, elders, and preachers all come together in an informal setting. In his words, “…its been our experience that when we do that, really good things happen.”

The world too often sees the invitation to connect to the church as irrelevant or at best as involving a cumbersome process. People have to learn our religious language, sing our songs, and discuss our topics. For those who make the effort to connect with us, we reward them with rules, traditions, and conditional acceptance, yet Jesus offered grace, forgiveness, and love. Rather than religion, Jesus offers relationship. As part of the body called the church, we need to strive to eliminate barriers that keep others from connecting with our community and connecting with Jesus.

The story at the end of this chapter will change your perspective about accepting invitations to things you really don’t want to do. As a matter of fact, just tonight my wife Tonia was considering backing out of an invitation to hang out with some friends and their friends this weekend because we’re getting a little backed up in house work. I would have nothing of it because this application is still fresh in my mind. I am now actively pursuing opportunities to hang with people I don’t know. To build and strengthen relationships.

Ultimately, we need to reorient our lives so that we begin to invest in the people we already know and start investing in people who need a friend.

Related:
PFP Reviewed: Introduction
PFP Reviewed: Chapter One
PFP Reviewed: Chapter Two

Filed under: Books, Eric Bryant, Friendship, Jesus, Love, Parties, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas, Relationships, Religion, Reviews

Shawn McDonald — Roots

It’s fun to be onto something from the beginning, and then watch it develop and grow. Ever since Shawn McDonalds first album Simply Nothing dropped I’ve been a huge fan. Now in this his third studio release it’s amazing to see how far he’s come. Especially considering how much I loved his first album.

The first words that came to me after listening to Roots a few times are Laid Back, Soulful, Layered. One of the things Shawn has always had knack for is his insightfully raw and inspiring lyrics. More than most, Shawn’s songs are beautiful little poems drawn from his own life experiences, accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar.

I imagined myself laying on a hammock sipping an Arnold Palmer during Slow Down. And that is exactly what this album is perfect for. For all the times I need to just slow down and meditate. Roots will take you to the place where you need to be when life seems to be moving too fast.

» shawnmcdonaldmusic.com
» Shawn McDonald’s Bio
» Albums on amazon.com

Filed under: Music, Reviews, Shawn McDonald

Look Who’s Talkin’

Thanks to Evan for the Tweet Stats find.

Earlier this week my sister asked me what Twitter was. I sent her this video, and explained it a little. I avoided the twitter for so long, but now I really enjoy it. Obviously it’s only a true joy if you have a bunch of friends following you.

So thanks to all who follow the mud puppy! If you feel like jumping on the train, follow me here. Then follow all of my homies. They’re great fun!

Filed under: Blogging, Friendship, Stats, Twitter

Reprise: The Cynical PK

Having said all that, I still believe in the local church.

I know a bunch of people, including Christ followers on my blogroll, that have had enough to the point that they no longer see the relevance of the local church. But I still find solace there. I see my mission there. I remember reading an article by Rick Warren once where he said that the church is the only organization that is fully equipped to actually make a physical, emotional, and spiritual difference in this world.

And I believe that.

The problem is that most of the time the church isn’t working right, and the reason is that humans are involved. We humans have a knack for screwing up all the good things God has planned for us. But that doesn’t mean we need to throw our hands up and admit defeat. It simply means we have much more work to do. It’s just a shame that the majority of the road blocks in our pursuit of spreading the message happens to come from His own people.

As Obama has stated in his speeches all year, I feel the fierce urgency of now. Sometimes I get a little impatient because people just don’t see the big picture. I feel like we keep falling back into the idea that church is supposed to be comfortable. I’ve got some news for you guys, church is supposed to make you uncomfortable. It should be in a state of constant change. And believe it or not, it isn’t about you at all. It isn’t about me either. It’s about giving hope to the hopeless. It’s about being a light in a very dark world.

So allow me to blow off some steam now and again when I see and hear people who not only don’t get it, but take out their frustrations on a man who has dedicated his entire life and well-being into reaching those lost souls. You can’t ever know the damage you do, not just to him and his family, but to the message of Jesus. The message of love.

Filed under: Church, Grace, Hope, Love

Chinese Democracy + Dr. Pepper

As if you needed a 24th reason to love Dr. Pepper, today the company is announcing that it will give a free Dr. Pepper to everyone in the U.S. if Guns N’ Roses release the album, Chinese Democracy, before the end of 2008.

Apparently Axl Rose has been talking about this album for a good 15 years, so the odds aren’t in our favor, but Dr. Pepper has set up a blog to encourage Axl in his quest.

» chinesedemocracywhen.blogspot.com

Filed under: Axl Rose, Democracy, Dr. Pepper, Guns N' Roses, Marketing, Music, Promotions