Spread Firefox

The newest version of the best browser has been released. I’m pretty impressed with the new look and improved speed. Go get the latest version of Firefox here, and help break a record!

Dave Barnes / Matt Wertz

I’m really enjoying these two guys right now. They fall into the pop singer/songwriter genre. Both guys are also Christians that have each written a few songs dedicated to their faith. Dave’s website is here. Matt’s is here.

ESV Makes Some Changes

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7 edition of the ESV made some changes here and there. I didn’t know about this until Josh emailed me today. Looks like some good changes. I’m going to check to see if any of my ESV’s have these changes. After all, I can NOT have an out-of-date Bible. Kidding. Sort of. While we’re on the subject, don’t forget to pre-order your copy of the ESV Study Bible. Can’t wait!

I agree with him 100% on his most recent post. His answer to the problems like O.J. Mayo’s seems to make plenty of sense to me – get the IRS involved. It’s a good read. Go check it out.

Antoine Dufour – Glimmer of Hope – Guitar – www.candyrat.com

[WARNING: Last week's sermon was the longest sermon Rick has preached at TPCC.  It was an hour and fifteen minutes long!  To me, it's fine, but I'm sure some people think that's too long.  These people couldn't handle sitting through Driscoll or Piper sermons each week!  They're regularly that length.  Anyhow, there is a lot of good information in the sermon, so it's worth the extra time]

The Lord’s Supper

Ordinances of the Church

What have I been up to? Well, as mentioned previously, CLS has hit our busy time of the year. We’ll pretty much stay this way until sometime in June. It usually slows down over the summer.

My buddy Jeremy and I have been jogging around downtown a few times this past week. I’ve been wanting to get back into a regular exercise schedule, and so has he. In fact, he’s on a pretty big health kick right now. Seriously, congrats to him. Sounds like he’s making good progress in keeping a good diet, sleep schedule and some exercise. We’re actually pleased with our jogging progress after only a few runs. I’m looking forward to keeping it up. Also, my gym has gone to being open for 24 hours. I picked up my security card this past week (to let me in “after hours”), and I plan on using it. I don’t mind working out late, before bed, so it’s good for me that I can go work out later in the evening now, or in the evening on weekends

Outside of a busy CLS work schedule, I actually have a week of “freedom” this week. That means, I don’t have any projects to work on. I’ve done my taxes, I don’t have any recording projects on my plate, and just a few minor website issues – updates and such. It will all change next weekend, when I have a recording project lined up, with another concert to record the following week.

I’ve joined the Guitar Hero revolution. I caved. After playing it at a friend’s a few times, and finding out it was available for PS2 (I’m a little behind the times), I picked up a wireless controller and a used copy of the game. I’ve beaten the “easy” level, so now I’m on to “medium.” It really is a fun game.

There you have it.  I think we’re caught up now.  Now, back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

This is a video produced by Mars Hill Church that represents Christ’s death on the cross.  I will warn you that it is not for the faint of heart, and slightly graphic in nature.  But, I sometimes think Christians need a reminder of what Christ did for them.

Matthew 7:21-23 Listen

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

This begs the question – how do we become a true disciple?  If we back up a bit, we can see:

Matthew 7:17-20 Listen

17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

But, the only way to produce good fruit is to build on a solid foundation, found later in the chapter:

Matthew 7:24-27 Listen

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

It is my prayer this week to obey Jesus’ teaching to be found a true disciple.

Even though there will be no shortage of
media attention on this topic, I can’t pass up the opportunity to throw
out my opinion.  Today, the Mitchell Report was released, detailing the
use of steroids by Major League Baseball players in recent years.

Without a doubt, the biggest disappointment is seeing Roger Clemens’
name on the list.  One of the greatest pitchers of all time is now
linked with cheating.  Is it true?  It certainly seems so, although
Clemens’ lawyer has already issued a statement denying the report. 
Being a pitcher myself, he was never a big inspiration to me, but I
always respected him.  He seemed to be cut from the same mold as Nolan
Ryan – a big, strong power pitcher from Texas who had a tremendous work
ethic to stay on top of his game.  Now, it seems that image has been
tarnished, and he’ll now be known as a cheater.

The biggest surprise was not seeing two names on the list – Sammy
Sosa and Mark McGuire.  The same two guys that helped start the
steroids debate ten years ago are nowhere to be found on the list.  Are
they innocent?  I have my doubts.  Their explosion in size during their
careers, coupled with their performance would certainly lead one to
think they’d be guilty of steroid use.  After all, these two factors
are the same criteria being used to say Barry Bonds is guilty of
steroids use.

Another name nowhere to be found on the list is Ken Griffey, Jr.  I
was very happy to not find his name on the list.  While he’s had a
tough time in Cincinnati, Junior has always been an exemplar of what it
means to be a professional athlete.  He’s done everything the right
way, stayed out of trouble and has been a positive role model.  There
are many other Major Leaguers who fit this mold who also deserve credit
for keeping the game of baseball fair and fun.  By not taking steroids,
they’ve upheld the integrity of the game.  The steroids issue is yet
another case of a few bad apples spoiling the bunch.

I’m very grateful to Major League Baseball finally taking a stance
on this and hiring Mitchell to investigate steroids use.  This past
season, attendance continued to grow, and it seemed America was finally
forgetting the 1995 strike, and falling back in love with America’s
past time.  By taking a stance to fight steroids use, fans should
respect MLB even more and continue filling the seats in 2008 and
beyond.  It will be nice to get back to the way the game is supposed to
be played, with respect for integrity, tradition, and for every aspect
that makes us love the game of baseball in America.