This video is certainly in the category of must-watch. So good.

What is the Bible about?

Message excerpt from Tim Keller, video by Heath McPherson.

“It’s okay to wrestle with a biblical text, so long as at the end it masters you and not the other way around.”

Jared C. Wilson

I feel bad that my spam filter is shutting so many people out. I’m going to make up for it by moving the best of the spammers right out here to the blog itself. Forget the comments. It’s primetime for your spammers. But only the best.

Here we go, in no particular order. Note: These are all absolutely word-for-word and are real spam comments at this site. The spam comment are presented in italics, then my own comment in not-italics. <—technically, the right term.

But first, a picture of a spammer.

—Hello! caffdeg interesting caffdeg site!

For years I said “caffde” between each word as well. See other spammers for some great, cheap, Canadian Rx.

—Fascinating…and I agree with all of it. Keep up the great work…I will undoubtedly be back shortly

Thanks, CheapBasketballJerseys. This comment undoubtedly makes me want to explore what kind of business you might be in.

—I, envy you. Your blog is much better under the maintenance and design than mine. Who to you the design did?

Brian Patton to me did it.

—Keep up the good work. Everyone is opened to there opinion. Excellent blog here, i am still reading

I’m glad your opinion is opened to how excellent my blog is. Their are few blogs like this.

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By the way I found you comment in my Spam folder.

—Do you make funds out of this web website? just curious

None funds. Can you possibly show me how to in a few easy steps?

—Smokeless cigarettes are those cigarettes which run on battery and they desire no flame. These cigarettes include no tobacco in them and give. No batteries, no befog, use anywhere with well supplied satisfaction.

That’s where smokeless cigs and me are different. I desire a flame.

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This is just so encouraging, mate.

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I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I adore YOUR submit.

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It was an awesome awesome publish, wasn’t it? Thanks!

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Again, it comes back to potential. It can be.

—Ha, that? Truly a Seriously good suggestion. Many thanks so Very much for this!

I thought I was the only one who said, “Ha, that?” Sweet!

—I am am touched certainly more with others, but in this case I will simply keep silent

Ditto.

—Composing is a talent that you surely have. All your hard work is clearly obvious in how you express yourself through writing. Your amazing talent will always be remembered.

Validation!

Note: The post I had up earlier has been removed due to blogger incoherence. Thanks for the, “Your blog doesn’t make sense today” emails. Especially the “Your blog makes EVEN LESS sense today than usual.” Thank ye, thankee. Now you get this instead.

“When a man is wrapped up in himself he makes a pretty small package.”

John Ruskin

Here is my pal, Aaron Roughton, with this inspirational number. Keep watching…you’ll be glad. (First I typed, “you’ll be gald.” Then I reluctantly fixed it.) Take it away, Aaron.

“There is something which unites magic and applied science while separating both from the ‘wisdom’ of earlier ages.

For the wise men of old the cardinal problem had been how to conform the soul to reality, and the solution had been knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue.

For magic and applied science alike the problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of men; the solution is a technique.”

C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man

HT: JT

Note: This was posted at The Rabbit Room recently. So, you may have seen it there. Do not read it twice. It’s like seeing yourself in time-travel. –sam

Last night I wrote a fable. It’s fabulous. And by that I mean it’s a fable.

With me?

Words really mean things. I want to be some one whose appreciation of this fact fuels more intentional investigation on word origins.

I only have one book on my shelf that I can think of right now about word origins in English. That book is pretty amazing (now I’m thinking of what amazing history the word “amazing” might have), but I ought to have more. I almost have aught.

I remember hearing Ken Myers talking to some fellow about how he was grading a student paper where it was said that a boat had “arrived half-way across the ocean.” The fellow was objecting to this use because the word “arrive” has in it the notion of coming ashore. So one cannot arrive half-way. It means to get there. Specifically to “come to shore.”

So, at Hutchmoot (the Rabbit Room conference) this idea of the power and origin in the original power of words arrived on the sandy beach of my mind. Courtesy of Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Walt (I call him Walt, because I was close enough to yank his pony tail –but I didn’t, amazingly) was amazing. <—– I haven’t looked that up yet.

I felt a thousand things as he spoke, which I feel incapable of putting into adequate words. I feel like a clever monkey trying to explain to Beethoven (who is deaf and dead) the joys of flinging poo. I felt validated, inspired, full, hopeful, peaceful, joyful and the list goes on and on like a long, long list.

But here is one thing. Walt knows words.

He inhabits language like the oldest local. He speaks as one with authority, as if in his naming the thing may finally –again– be itself. It was not that words were used by him, or that he was commanding with them. I can aspire to that. It was more.

He cooperated with words. Co-operated. He and the words were on the same side. He has arrived on their side after a long, literate life’s journey.

His relation of the history of schap (forever on the chalkboard of my mind) was a significant life event for me. Because, in so many words, he told me who I am.

I am a schap. A shaper. This is how he talked about storytellers.

And words are the tools of my trade. I will use them, care for them, add more to my bag and hope that one day I will do more than use them. I will inhabit them. Know them like an intimate friend. Partner with them. Conjure up with them a vision for those without eyes to see. And tell stories.

Like Walt.

Leg Crossers –Jason and Sam

I got to meet fellow Rabbit Room writer Jason Gray in Nashville a few weeks ago, as well as hear him perform some songs. Then this past weekend got to hear him again here in southern West Virginia (thanks Matt and Mark). Gina and I (and the kids) got to spend some extended time with him and it was really special. I encourage you to check out his music. It’s good, ya’ll.

Fake Scholarship –Jason and Gina, fakers

His emphasis on weakness, brokenness and the power and completeness of God in our weakness is beautiful. His song from several years ago, Blessed Be, has been a welcome reminder of something I have needed to hear lately.

I am going through some health issues now, again (I have a medical test today, in fact, and would appreciate prayer). This idea of being perfected in weakness, of being blessed in brokenness (which is so evident in Matthew, and all of Scripture) has been a comfort to me. Jason’s music has added to the chorus of truth I need to hear now and all the time.

The Gospel is for the broken, the needy, the ones who know they need it. Not for the morally superior. Again, consider this amazing passage in Luke 18. I need that!

So, after the jump here I put Jason’s song, Blessed Be, up for you to hear. I didn’t ask him, so mum’s the word. It’s not the best audio (or video), so I put up the words. But he tells the same story on Acoustic Storytime, which is a great record.
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