Yarbucks

Check out my Facebook profile

2008-11-23T16:28:00.003-05:00

I've decided to go the Facebook route because it's easier to post and keep everyone up to date automatically. If you're not already a member, please go to www.facebook.com and join (it's free). Then search for me and request to be my friend. Gosh, that sounds desperate!

facebook

Chris Yarborough has:
209 friends
16 photos
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36 wall posts
12 groups

Check out my Facebook profile

I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile.

Thanks,
Chris

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http://www.facebook.com/

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No Matter What Your Politics, That Is a Moment for the History Books

2008-09-04T14:56:00.001-04:00

(HT: JT)

Indiana Obama and the Temple of Dem

2008-08-28T16:19:00.002-04:00

Look familiar??

(HT: NYP)

Fickle Fay

2008-08-20T23:49:00.005-04:00

Well, still waiting on the storm. Tonight it looks like it may be intensifying. Guess we'll see tomorrow.

UPDATE: 8-21, 1225PM
Hello, Fay...

UPDATE: 8-21, 945PM
OK, go away, Fay!

Church Sign of the Week

2008-08-19T12:47:00.003-04:00

TDK No. 2. Really?

2008-08-18T11:15:00.002-04:00

OK, so the Dark Knight is now #2 on the domestic box office chart and it made more in its 4th week than the newest Star Wars movie did in its 1st, but according to the AP:

Taking inflation into account, "The Dark Knight" still lags well behind both movies in actual tickets sold. "The Dark Knight" would need to gross about $900 million to match the number of admissions for "Titanic" and about $1.2 billion to equal "Star Wars."

So, would it be fair to say Star Wars is still the #1 movie of all time?

Another Chapter in the Saga

2008-08-12T17:35:00.001-04:00

Jan and Michael?

2008-08-08T14:16:00.003-04:00

Nope, just Victoria and Joel.

Is this her best life now?

Church Sign of the Week

2008-08-06T20:42:00.001-04:00

"Cletus Take the Reel"

2008-07-30T11:42:00.002-04:00

My uncle Al sent me this clever spoof of "Jesus Take the Wheel".

Mutual Edification with Minimal Distraction

2008-07-29T08:41:00.006-04:00

I've been meditating on Romans 12:3-13 in preparation for a meeting I have after church this Sunday. Our church is making the transition from one to two services in three weeks, so I've been busy preparing what we've come to call Worship Support. Basically that's all the volunteer areas of service that are necessary to support the worship services, such as greeters, ushers, nursery, hospitality, set-up & security, etc. Romans 12:3-13 has become the Biblical basis for not only how we serve, but why. Flowing out of a deep appreciation and rest in the Gospel (i.e. chapters 1-11) we present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Thinking with a proper and sober view of ourselves (v.3), we recognize that God has given us each a measure of faith and made us members of one another in the body of Christ. We then use our gifts according to the grace given us. What's interesting about v.9-13 is that it's pretty generic. "Let love be genuine", "Outdo one another is showing honor", etc. Perhaps without specifics we can truly go further in our loving one another rather than holding each other to a relative minimum. These verses are the basis of what I want to share with all of our volunteers on Sunday. It's not only important how we serve, but why. We aren't trying to earn favor with God. We're not trying to do what is minimally necessary. We're not a bunch of "event staff" like at a football game. No, we are the body of Christ, the church of the living God, called to put others interest above our own and serve each other, and especially in this context, so that we can all partake of the means of grace. While folks are serving in the nursery, others get to hear the Word preached. While men are working security, others can worship without reluctance. Overall, the goal of our Worship Support Team is to enable worship and mutual edification in Christ (i.e. the means of grace) with minimal distraction by serving one another with excellence.

Well, those are some of my thoughts in prep for this Sunday, but I can't help but look at the verses that follow (14-21). God in His wisdom knew that when we start truly attempting to love one another and serve one another as we should that we'd be in such close proximity and would most likely, as fallen humans that fall short all the time, have some conflict. It is here that we are exhorted to "bless those who persecute you" and "live peaceably with all". I must admit that these words fall heavy on me today as I think on a specific unresolved conflict in my life.

Four years ago this week, I handled a disagreement in the wrong way. I did not show honor to someone I was in conflict with. When I should have talked to him in person, I chose to handle things by email. That was a drastic mistake. Email cannot convey body language and inflection. There are still misunderstandings that continue to this day and there are other people who are hurting as well. I continue to pray that one day there will be restoration of the relationship.

I have valued greatly from the much needed ministry of Peacemakers. They are phenomenal in helping and equipping people to handle conflict in a Christlike manner. In fact, I'm planning to go to their national conference in late September in Orlando.

Florida Gators already #1...

2008-07-28T13:01:00.001-04:00

..party school! Well, well, well, what goes around comes around.

GAINESVILLE, FL (AP) -- The University of Florida has been named the No. 1 party school in the nation.

The rankings come out each year from the Princeton Review and this is the first time the state's flagship university has been named in the top spot.

The Gators came close in 1999 when the school was No. 2 and 1998, when it was third. It was fourth last year.

Florida also came in first this year in the categories of students who study the least and students who pack the stadiums.

The only other Florida school making the list was Florida State, which ranked 10th.

The rankings come from the 2009 edition of the Princeton Review's annual college guide, "The Best 368 Colleges," which goes on sale Tuesday.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

Saw it this afternoon at the IMAX at World Golf Village. It was excellent. Is it "dark"? Yes. Good writing? Superb. Good acting? Yep. Good effects? Yep. Good music? Yep. They did it right. My hat's off to Chris Nolan and his crew. Not exaggerating when I say I'd put this in my top 5 movies.

And I encourage anyone who can to pay the extra couple of bucks to see it at an IMAX. There are portions of the movie that go full IMAX screen.

UPDATE 7/26: Saw it again. Just as good the 2nd time. Can't stop listening to the score.

A Better Way to Live

2008-07-09T17:24:00.003-04:00

Highly recommend Gospel-Driven's blog entry describing a better way to live in contrast to the danger and prevalence of Exemplary and Moralistic preaching that is all too common in most evangelical churches. John begins his entry...

While on family vacation, we attended a local, Evangelical church for two consecutive Sundays. Both Sunday services clearly illustrated one of the great problems with the Evangelical church in America, the prevalence of Exemplary and Moralistic preaching and the near non-existence of true Gospel preaching.
(Note: For those who may not be familiar with the concepts of Exemplary and Moralistic preaching, here are two definitions:

Exemplary preaching- Preaching that uses Biblical characters and situations as moral examples to be imitated. This kind of preaching dominated all of my summer youth camps while growing up and the vast majority of the Sunday School material I was taught [e.g., Life Lessons From David and How to Slay the Giants in Your Life].

Moralistic preaching- Preaching that centers on informing believers of the necessity, value and particulars of right conduct as revealed in Scripture and then exhorting them to apply themselves to such conduct.)

You can read the rest here.

Obama & the Born Alive Infants Protection Act

2008-06-30T16:20:00.002-04:00

On the way to work this morning I was listening to Bill Bennett’s Morning in America. He had a guest on there, a registered nurse named Jill Stanek who was discussing Obama's opposition to the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act. She has an incredible story of how she held an aborted 22 week old who survived the procedure and then died 45 minutes later. She then became a right to life activist. She shares that and yet another reason to reconsider possible casting a vote for Obama this November. I strongly encourage you to look at her site here.

Also on her site, she has a link to the following video from Family Research Council, a response to Barack Obama’s statement on Father’s Day that fatherhood begins at conception. AWESOME…

Get Smart: Steve Carrell Interview

2008-06-24T16:31:00.002-04:00

We saw the movie over the weekend. Very funny.
Is rated PG-13 and here's the Content review from Focus on the Family.

Jesus and Buddha on Happiness

2008-06-20T09:31:00.002-04:00

John Bloom, Desiring God

Greatly disturbed by the suffering he saw in the world, 29-year-old Prince Guatama Siddhartha (563-483 BC), who was later called the Buddha (enlightened one), left his wife and young child and set out on a search for the meaning of life.

What struck him was the impermanence of the world—nothing lasted. In spite of this, people were attached to impermanent things. They desired to hold on to life, health, possessions, and each other. But life, health, possessions and people pass away. This, he reasoned, was the cause of human suffering. Therefore, he concluded that if he could kill desire his suffering would cease and he would be happy.

But the Buddha did desire something: lasting happiness. Ironically, it was this great desire that fueled his philosophy of killing desire.

There is a vacuous absence of God in the Buddha’s pursuit of desire-less joy. He didn’t say much about God’s existence. To him, God was irrelevant to human happiness. Rather, happiness was being free from desire-induced suffering and reincarnation. It was the blissful end of individual existence—the sweet annihilation that is Nirvana.
How different are Jesus’ answers from the Buddha’s.

Click here to read the rest.

GNAR WARS

2008-06-19T16:31:00.002-04:00

A Jedi and a Sith battle it out...on SNOWBOARDS!!

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/06/18/votd-star-wars-snowboarding/trackback/

Midwest Flooding: Thought this was very cool

2008-06-19T09:40:00.002-04:00

Brothers Rick, right, and Tom Hobson and sisters-in-laws Pat, third from right, and Rhonda Hobson embrace just after Rick and Rhonda Hobson arrived from McLaurin, Miss. with a trailer full of flood relief supplies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Tom Hobson, is organizing the effort to help his flooded hometown of Cedar Rapids, which sent supplies and equipment to Mississippi following 2005's Hurricane Katrina. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

HT: Yahoo News Photos

Minnesota Johns and the Voice of Gabriel - Part 2

2008-06-05T09:49:00.003-04:00

Part 1 here.

Quicktime Versions of both parts over at ICY Pictures.

Minnesota Johns and the Voice of Gabriel Part 1

2008-06-04T09:35:00.004-04:00

Quicktime version available over at ICY Pictures...

Minnesota Johns and the Voice of Gabriel Part I

Part Two is coming soon.

Every year at our church, the youth group has an event called the Raymond Awards. It's like a mock Academy Awards where all the kids make a video that's submitted in advance and then there are prizes for Best Actor, Actress, Picture, etc. Well, Jason (our youth director) and I decided to make an Indiana Jones spoof about a week before the Raymonds. That's right, a week before. What we started out thinking would be a 5 to 7 minute film, turned into almost 20 minutes long. We had a great time making it and lot's of laughs when the youth saw it. We also showed it this past Sunday after our church cookout. To our surprise, almost 200 people hung around to watch this thing. Never thought I'd have that many people see one of my little movies.

AI7

2008-05-21T22:22:00.001-04:00

The best David won.

Williams is Back!!

2008-05-20T08:41:00.002-04:00

Just downloaded and listening to the score to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Ah, it’s like unwrapping a Christmas present.

'Jedi's' first weekend not news in 1983

2008-05-15T14:23:00.002-04:00

Interesting article from Richard Roeper

Now openings are do-or-die for film to get love from fans, studio

May 14, 2008

This months marks the 25th anniversary of "Return of the Jedi," which debuted on more than 1,000 screens and pulled in $23 million in its opening days.

Only a thousand screens? Today, we'd call that a semi-limited release.

"Jedi" was the biggest hit of 1983. When we adust the figures for inflation, it's the No. 14 box office performer of all time.

Yet other than a blurb from the AP, there wasn't much hype about the film's record-breaking performance. It was more than a week before the New York Times ran a feature; Time and Newsweek had articles in their June 13 issues.

A generation ago, we weren't obsessed with a film's opening weekend. As "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" were able to do on TV, films were given the opportunity to grow from a slow start. If the reviews and word of mouth were strong, a movie still had a chance of growing legs.

Now, if you don't put rear ends in theater seats immediately, you're doomed.

Syesha Later

2008-05-15T14:05:00.003-04:00

We could have just skipped last night. I think that the producers helped the results along by the last three song choices on Tuesday. It was clearly meant to help boost votes for Cook. Syesha didn't really have a chance with that lame song they got her to do. Well, may the best David win.

What Does It Mean to be Gospel-Driven?

2008-05-08T14:03:00.002-04:00

John writes a great summary article. Here's a quote:

The knowledge of duty, law, morality, fear of God’s vindictive wrath and fear of being punished in hell due to unbelief, etc… will not lead a believer to delight in God or serve others.

It is only the internal knowledge of Christ that will bring about true holiness and sanctification in believers. The more believers have their minds and hearts spiritually and evangelically enlightened, the more they will pursue holiness and experience joy and find comfort and peace.

For, the root and spring of true peace and joy, heart-felt holiness and practical godliness stems from a genuine and lively faith of the free grace and mercy of God in Christ.

Read the whole article here.

Castro is gone

2008-05-07T22:02:00.001-04:00

Never knew how he made it to the top 4, but now we say goodbye to Jason. Thanks for the dreads. Now, can we just skip next week and bring on David vs. David?

How in the world!?!

2008-05-01T16:44:00.000-04:00

T4G'08

2008-04-19T21:12:00.004-04:00

JC and I are sitting here in the Louisville airport on Saturday morning about 8AM waiting to fly home. We came up on Tuesday along with some other guys from our church to the Together for the Gospel 2008 conference. This was the second of three in a series of conferences. I didn’t make it up for the first conference back in April of 06. Kristina was pregnant with Caleb and we were going on vacation the next month. Anyway, it’s been a good week. After the hustle and bustle of the last month preparing for Easter at the church and a marriage conference last weekend, it’s been nice to get away and get recharged. The T4G conference started as the brainchild of 4 prominent evangelical leaders from different denominational backgrounds. Al Mohler and Mark Dever are both Southern Baptist, Ligon Duncan is Presbyterian (PCA) and C.J. Mahaney is with Sovereign Grace. These guys are friends who have spent much time together to discuss our centrality around the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the challenges that we all face, regardless of the affiliations from which we come. They wanted to expand that camaraderie to other like-minded folks, thereby creating T4G’06. There were about 1500 at the 2006 one, and it had a big impact, ‘cause there were over 5000 there this week. They had to move the location from a hotel banquet room to the Kentucky Convention Center. Each of those 4 men spoke and also 4 other friends they invited to speak, including R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Thabiti Anyabwile, and John Piper. Well, ‘bout to get on the plane, so more later.

UPDATE:
OK, back in Jville after missing our 12:03 flight. But, it was in the hands of our Sovereign God. We were at gate B01 and the lady at the desk announced that the flight to jacksonville had been moved to gate B10. So, we grabbed some lunch and went down to b10. Well, when the flight time rolled around we thought it was just late and went to check the board. It had just departed from gate B09. Argh! So, we went over to the help desk and Delta graciously put us on the 2:55 flight. A little longer layover, but it was worth it. JC got split up since there were no seats together. I was reading the only book I purchased at the conference, John Piper’s Brothers, We Are Not Professionals. I only bought one because they gave us 12 free books!! Anyway, JC switched seats with a guy so he could sit with his wife and ended up next to a guy with whom he got to discuss the Scriptures with for the next hour. Very cool. They even exchanged emails because the guy wanted to continue to ask questions. We praised God for His Sovereign Hand. It’s about 6PM now and I’m waiting in the parking lot at Bono’s for Kristina, the kids and her parents. Can’t wait to see them. Been a good but long 5 days away. So thankful for a wife who is supportive and made it possible for me to go off on this trip. It’s been a good shot in the arm for me.

Hopefully I can reflect more about the content of the conference in the next few days after relistening to some of the sessions. BTW, they're already available online here.

A THX Scientist Speaks Up About Blu-Ray

2008-03-31T22:29:00.001-04:00

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/a_thx_scientist_speaks_up_about_bluray_113577.asp

128GB cards!?!
And just when i was thinking of getting a blu-ray player in the near future.
Funny how THX immediately released a statement.

Indy 4 Outtakes:The Star Wars Influence

2008-03-20T22:52:00.000-04:00

Cobra Commander for President 08

2008-03-20T22:32:00.003-04:00

And my desk is a mess?

2008-02-28T15:32:00.000-05:00

The late William Buckley at his desk.

(HT: Between Two Worlds)

How Many of Me?

2008-02-20T15:30:00.002-05:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
38
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Star Wars: The Clone Wars in THEATERS August 15th

2008-02-13T15:25:00.002-05:00

http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/news/announcement.html

Sith Diego

2008-01-22T23:36:00.001-05:00

Is it me, or does L.T.’s facemask look like a certain Dark Lord?

34 years later

2008-01-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

As we have celebrated a new part of our family arriving only a few days ago, I can’t help to think about today as the day in 1973 when Roe vs. Wade was decided. Lord willing, one day the scourge of abortion will be as unthinkable as slavery. I pray that God will raise up someone who will champion the cause of the innocent unborn.

Introducing Kara

2008-01-19T22:55:00.000-05:00

Our beautiful daughter was born Thursday morning!

More info and pics over at Caleb and Kara.

"Top men are working on it"

2008-01-03T16:18:00.000-05:00

Hmmm, where have I seen this place before?

Shia LaBeouf and Karen Allen on set [of Indy 4] in Downey, California. Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s spunky girlfriend from the first film, while LaBeouf joins in—or so rumor has it—as Indy and Marion’s love child.

What time is it?

2007-11-26T12:55:00.001-05:00

12:45. OUCH!!

But, c'mon may be we'll get to go to the Emerald Bowl again.

Reformation Sunday Video Intro

2007-11-02T13:00:00.002-04:00

Created this video for the beginning of our Reformation Sunday service at church.

This video is for non-profit informational purposes only.

Caleb's surgery update

2007-10-11T20:54:00.000-04:00

UPDATE...http://calebcy.blogspot.com/2007/10/calebs-surgery-update.html

Our son Caleb underwent surgery Tuesday morning (Oct 9). The surgery was to correct some urinary developmental issues that were a result his premature birth.

Please pray that his recovery will be a quick one.

Thanks for playing...please try again.

2007-10-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

The game was a lot of fun. Dad and I sat up in the nosebleed section, but at least in the stadium. Of course we were in the middle of the Bama section. I took some pics, but my batteries died before the 4th quarter so I didn't get a shot of the final scoreboard. Oh well, GO NOLES!!

Amazing Grace (Movie) finally coming to DVD

2007-09-27T09:40:00.001-04:00

"Crimson" Tide on First Coast!!

2007-09-27T09:26:00.000-04:00

Hopefully this is not some kind of omen...

NASSAU COUNTY, FL -- Scientists say red tide is being blamed for the respiratory problems and fish kills at First Coast Beaches.

Wednesday, a health advisory was issued for the beaches in Duval and Nassau counties.

You can read the rest of the article here...

Red Tide Washing First Coast Shoreline

Alabama vs. FSU

2007-09-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

Alabama is coming to Jacksonville to play FSU this Saturday.

I got the following shirt to wear to the game.

Go Noles!!

Vacation Pics

2007-09-17T18:47:00.001-04:00

View at http://calebcy.blogspot.com/2007/09/vacation.html

A question...

2007-08-14T17:12:00.000-04:00

Do you think may be J.K. Rowlings is a Lennon fan?

Minneapolis Bridge

2007-08-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

The Desiring God offices and Bethlehem Baptist Church are not far from the I-35W bridge.

John Piper comments on putting his daughter to bed two hours after the collapse.

Caleb: Year One

2007-07-10T09:40:00.000-04:00

Today we celebrate our son's first birthday!

More info and pics here.

Don't call me Senior

2007-06-25T21:38:00.001-04:00

On the set of Indiana Jones 4.

http://www.indianajones.com/community/news/news20070621.html

N.J. Dog Crowned World's Ugliest

2007-06-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PUBUIO1&show_article=1

A big surprise that it came in second last year.

(HT: Drudge Report)

Fantastic Fourmula

2007-06-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

Although the plotline was formulaic, overall I thought that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was a decent movie. I guess I didn't have any expectations going into it like I did for Spidey 3 or Pirates 3. And while FF:RotSS had some cheesy moments and lame "I may be a geek but I'm better than a football jock" dialogue, it's definitely better than it's predecessor in the tongue-in-cheek department.

I was a little disappointed by the length of the film. With the PG rating and clocking in at 90 minutes, it seems the intent was to cater to early teens. It could have used a little more character development/interaction, but it was fun to watch. And hopefully, unlike other recent sequels, the third one in this series will be the charm.

I give Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 3.5 out of 5 surfwaxes.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Wits End

2007-06-10T22:01:00.000-04:00

"Hey, there goes another subplot. Grab it quick. We can use it too!"
- Gore Verbinski, Director, on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Well, it's more of the same. Instead of tying up loose ends of Dead Man's Chest, PotC 3 introduces even more confusing storylines and extremely convenient plot devices. Got a massive armada ready to wipe your few ships out? Hey, no problem, we're holding the goddess of the sea hostage who happens to be squigley face's girlfriend. She'll feel sorry for us and cause it to rain. By the way, where'd she go?

I know, I know, it's all just tongue in cheek, right? Well, yes and no. I can suspend disbelief for Davy Jones and many other supernatural type things, but when Elizabeth (Keira Knightly) becomes the captain of a ship and then rallies all the pirates together with such a moving speech (yeah) to fight against the evil empire corporation mean rich bad guys, well, that's about all I can take. And what's the point of a pirate's code in a world where you can keep changing all the rules?

I think the best line of the movie was when the British Naval Lieutenant turns to short bad guy (Lord Beckett) and says, "I wonder if he has everything planned out or is just making it up as he goes along."

Now, was he talking about Jack Sparrow or the screenplay?

I give Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 2 out of 5 crab cakes.

(And 2 instead of one only because ILM's visual effects were really good)

UPDATE:

The Ninja examines Pirates 3.

When 30 years old you reach...

2007-05-25T08:53:00.000-04:00

Many stories and articles have already been written about how a little doomed-to-fail "space opera" movie that debuted on May 25, 1977 changed the way we would watch motion pictures forever. There is little doubt that that is true. Perhaps the greatest influence was on that of the imaginations of those who would behold the galaxy far, far away and dream of creating something similar or at least as captivating.

It's hard for me to imagine life without Star Wars. OK, that sounds awfully close to a border on idolatry. It's more an observation. As a four year old boy, I saw SW in the theater for the first time. I spent the next decade playing with Hasbro toys and playing video games where the star fighters were drawn with lines. That was the first ten years. The second decade was dormant as we all wondered if there would ever be a continuance to the saga. Well, it came in 1997 with the release of the Special Editions back in the theater. Going to see those rekindled a love for all things Star Wars. It was compounded when a little movie called Phantom Menace came out in 1999. And now it's hard to believe that it's already been two years since the saga concluded with Revenge of the Sith. Since then, I've been toying with idea of making my own fan film. One day. May be.

And although I enjoy all of the film-making aspects of the movies and the story and characters and sound and special effects, I would have to say that the greatest influence was the music. I can not imagine SW without John Williams' score. With SW began a love of film scores that continues today. And most of the time, if you hear music from my truck or iPod, that's what I am listening to. You know, it's probably that early influence that led me to pursue music by being in the band in middle school, high school, and even marching band in college.

Well, I could go on and on. I'll post more thoughts in the days ahead.

Spider-man 3: "Hang up the suit?"

2007-05-09T17:38:00.000-04:00

"What in the world just happened?" That's what I was asking myself on the way home from the World Golf Village IMAX theater last night after seeing Spider-man 3. It's not a bad movie, but it's not the great one I was hoping for. Part 2 was great. This one was a hodge-podge of loose plot devices and over simplified coincidental meetings. Throw in the corny dance and music scenes and you've got a storytelling mess. It would have been nice if the angst was settled. Isn't that what 2 was about? Oh well, the villains were cool, though certainly under-developed. Hopefully they'll learn some things from the critics and do some more preliminary work at the beginning of the process rather than waiting for the cool effects to save the movie.

As one critic put it:

After the end of that second film, I thought for sure this entry in the series would show us a Spider-Man at peace with who he was, enjoying the way his life is working out, facing down threats with new confidence. Mary Jane by his side should not be the source of every single bit of misery in his life. It’s a drag to sit through, and that’s something I never thought I’d say about a Raimi SPIDER-MAN film.

My sentiments exactly, but, all in all, it's still better than most of the other junk coming out of Tinseltown. And if you have a chance, see it at the IMAX.

I give 3 out of 5 webs for Spider-man 3.

Clay Day

2007-03-21T20:40:00.000-04:00

Well, he did it. He worked really hard for it and got people out to vote.

Here's the results.

I'm very proud of my brother, a new Jacksonville city councilman.

Here's some pics from the "Thank You" party for Clay's supporters.

QotD

2007-03-14T18:19:00.000-04:00

"When the Secular Coalition asked me to complete a survey on my religious beliefs, I indicated I am a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being."

—U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Ca.), the first member of Congress to publicly declare that he does not believe in God.

HT: CT

I think it is obvious Representative Stark does believe in a supreme being.

Another New Start

2007-02-26T10:18:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Monday morning and I'm at home. Yes, by choice. Friday was my last day at the engineering firm. I have accepted a staff position at my church, Eastside Community. I will filling the role of administrator. And after a few days to rest, I'll start there next Monday. Kristina and I are very excited about this new chapter in our lives. We are looking forward to seeing how God will use us in service to this body of believers.

Wishes

2007-02-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

IV

2007-02-06T22:56:00.000-05:00

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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QotD

2007-02-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

internetmonk: Is Christianity a Religion of Fear?:

The Gospel is good news to those who understand the bad news.

QotD

2007-01-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

No earthly good?

'It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.'
C. S. Lewis

HT:EPM Resource - Q & A About Heaven

Stark Contrast

2007-01-22T14:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a ironic story considering the previous post subject matter...

First Coast News - Lawmaker Wants to Make Spanking at Home a Crime:

"Lawmaker Wants to Make Spanking at Home a Crime"

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- A California lawmaker wants to make spanking children three and under punishable by up to a year in prison.

State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber says her bill isn't meant to monitor how parents raise their kids, but is simply an effort to protect the state's most vulnerable citizens.

Lieber argues since children can't be punished in schools, the same should apply to homes.

The anti-spanking bill will be introduced this week.

If the Democrat Assemblywoman really wants to protect the state's "most vulnerable citizens", then why not introduce an anti-abortion bill.

"the overturning of Roe is inevitable"

2007-01-22T11:07:00.000-05:00

Nikolas T. Nikas on Roe v. Wade on National Review Online

Excerpt:

Even under the most conservative of estimates (and we lack certainty because we do not have a national, uniform mandatory abortion reporting requirement), somewhere between 40 and 50 million unborn children have died under this nation’s regime of abortion.

To put that number in some context, the best estimate is that the total war dead, of all causes, for all of America’s major and minor wars since 1775 is 1,329,991 or an amount equal to just one year of Roe’s infernal tally.

(HT: JT)

Our son Caleb was born three months early. He spent the first two months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where they were doing everything they could to preserve his life. It broke our hearts to think that right down the street they were taking the lives of babies not unlike our precious boy. The day before he was born, he wasn't just a piece of tissue!

Our pastor prayed yesterday for our nation whose allowance of this evil is far greater than the Holocaust (numerically speaking). God have mercy. And we long for the day that abortion will be as unthinkable as slavery!

QotD

2007-01-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

internetmonk.com:

"Some would say our heroes cannot be flawed, but it is the flaws of our saints that make them unique windows of the glory of God. Men like MLK faced unique challenges in their time, but their flaws are common to all of us who are sinners. As we follow their life stories, we learn where we’ve been and what we can expect around the corner. We learn God is faithful, and he will see us all the way home, no matter what our journey is like.
Along this journey, we all need companions, teachers and saints/heroes. Remember to choose and honor all three. We honor them by looking through and beyond them to our Lord Jesus Christ."

Is Forgiveness Always Right and Required?

2007-01-10T18:30:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I wrote a couple of entries regarding the subject of forgiveness (here and here). Then our church hosted the Peacemaker Seminar, which was excellent by the way. I have a situation in my life where this issue keeps resurfacing in various forms and with various people. Today I read Between Two Worlds: Is Forgiveness Always Right and Required?. Justin concludes that

Is it possible for a Christian to remain fully obedient to Scripture, with kindness and tenderheartedness, loving his enemy as himself, and yet at the same time not granting forgiveness to an unrepentant offender?

From what I can discern from the evidence in the Bible, and from what the Westminster Confession of Faith calls “good and necessary consequence,” I’m persuaded that the answer is yes. “Love your enemies” is something that we should do at all times and in all places. It is modeled after God’s love for his enemies, whom he loves even when they are “unjust” and “evil” (Luke 6:35). At the same time, our forgiveness of others is likewise modeled upon God’s forgiveness of sinners, whom he forgives conditioned upon their repentance. God does not forgive apart from repentance; neither should we. In major offenses, we are not to forgive the unrepentant.

Whew! This is a toughee. What's interesting is that a friend of mine brought up this same facet of forgiveness only a few weeks ago.

Needless to say, I will be chewing on this one for a while.

Rapture takes two

2007-01-08T18:11:00.000-05:00

OTTAWA — The Rapture occurred March 31, 2005, at 9:43 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time and took both people on the planet whose theology was exactly correct.

Read the rest of the article here.

Down with OSU

2007-01-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

As an FSU alum, I am compelled never to cheer for the Gators.

Therefore, I will root against Ohio State tonight.

Look, that's the best I can do, OK?

Also, would you like to know why we don't have a playoff?

Blame this guy.

An Ode to Free Will

2007-01-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

Watch the video here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrczyFvkv8Q

This is truly the worst song I've ever heard.

I thought it was a joke, but it's from PCC.

'Nuff said.

(HT:Between Two Worlds)

CH Spurgeon on Election

2007-01-03T17:50:00.000-05:00

A friend emailed this great quote today from Charles Spurgeon regarding the doctrine of election.

"I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love. So I am forced to accept that great Biblical doctrine."

Elated Noles

2006-12-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

It figures. I stop watching the Emerald Nut Bowl at halftime and then FSU comes back and wins in the fourth quarter. Well, at least we end the season with a winning record.

Giving Thanks

2006-11-22T12:17:00.000-05:00

When I was a high-schooler at church camp, our pastor at the time (Dr. Lindsay) encouraged us to be thankful. He challenged us to write out 100 things that we were thankful for. This was a great exercise that I would do every year for a while.

It was very humbling and still is to realize just how much God has given us. But I hope I don't embrace the gift over the Giver. In Romans chapter 1, one of the condemnations of those who exchange the creation for the Creator is that they do not honor God nor are they thankful.

Which reminds me, what does an atheist actually do on Thanksgiving?

Video = latin for "I see"

2006-11-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

I finally have a site for my hobby = movie productions.

Over the past year, I've produced videos for a church missions program, my sister-in-law's high school graduation, a memorial service, a wedding, a friend's surprise birthday party, a teaser for a seminar at our church and a few other things.

Currently I'm working on a video about my son, Caleb.

And for even more of a challenge, we're in pre-production for a Star Wars fan film. That's something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Hopefully, we can get it done by May 2007, which is the 30th anniversary of Star Wars.

Check out the site at:

ICY Pictures

QotD

2006-11-03T23:19:00.000-05:00

I was reading the comments over at Justin Taylor's post about the recent sad news regarding the allegations of Ted Haggard's indiscretions and came across this quote:

Robert Murray McCheyne said: "The best of men, are men at best".

...and there will be peace.

2006-10-23T23:26:00.000-04:00

The audio from the Peacemaker Seminar is now available online at

www.eastsidecommunity.org/peace

I'll share more thoughts and experiences from this great weekend later.

Right now I need to go to bed!

Yar...uh...Starbucks

2006-10-23T23:22:00.000-04:00

Today I had to make a site visit up to Brunswick, Georgia. That's about an hour and a half north of Jville. They are turning what used to be a Quizno's into a Starbucks. Not sure if too many folks in Brunswick have ever been to a Starbucks. At least that was the sentiment of the new owner.

Baptist Battles II

2006-10-16T23:30:00.000-04:00

Tom Ascol (Founders) weighs in on Dr.Vines recent sermon. In my opinion, he was very gracious.

http://www.founders.org/blog/2006/10/vines-on-calvinism.html

And here's yet another sad chapter in this escalating struggle.

BTW, this amazingly reckless quote is directly copied and pasted from www.erguncaner.com

Q: DIDN’T YOU SAY THAT CALVINISTS ARE WORSE THAN MUSLIMS?

A: Yes, absolutely. For a small portion of these people, just daring to question the Bezian movement is heresy. They will blog and e-mail incessantly. I call it a “Calvinist Jihad,” because just like Muslims, they believe they are defending the honor of their view. They can discuss nothing else. I have even had a few call for my head! Dr. Falwell and I have laughed about it, because they are so insistent, and they miss the point completely. There are plenty of schools to which the neo-Calvinists can go, but Liberty will be a lighthouse for missions and evangelism to the “whosoever wills.” Period.

The difference is, Muslims know when to quit - for these guys, it is the only topic about which they can talk.

Good job, Dr. Caner, Dean of Liberty Seminary.

Way to make peace.

Nothing like being one body with one Spirit.

QotD

2006-10-16T19:30:00.000-04:00

When an institution or person lives by principle there is an inherent consistency of logic. When an institution or person lives for power there is an inevitable corruption within leadership.

(HT: Grace and Truth to You: Worthy of Our Reflection)

Baptist Battles

2006-10-12T15:30:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: I started re-listening to the sermon and realized I had the dates of the upcoming series sermons incorrect. The Charismatic sermon is Oct.29th and A Baptist and His Booze will be the first week of November (5th).

---
I finished listening to Dr. Vines' Oct 8th sermon 2nd in the series Baptist Battles last night.

Baptist and Election... i.e. the "problem" (his word) of Calvinism.

http://www.fbcw.org/media/mediacenter/index_demand-2.php?detail&id=195

I will try and post my comments soon.

In the meantime, others are beginning to talk about it...

http://fide-o.blogspot.com/2006/10/baptist-battles-against-calvinism.html
http://nathancwhite.blogspot.com/2006/10/quick-links.html

And don't miss next week...Baptist vs. Pentacostalism, and then Oct.22 is Baptist vs. Booze.

I'm not kidding.

As Scott Hill (Fide-O) said:

Make no bones about it. This sermon is placed in a series called Baptist Battles for a reason. There are powerful men who believe Calvinism is as dangerous as liberalism and we are seeing the beginnings of a battle to see it stamped out especially among Southern Baptist.

FSWho?

2006-10-05T23:54:00.000-04:00

As a Marching Chief alumni, I was especially disappointed not only by last night's poor performance by the FSU football team, but also by the high school "rent-a-band" playing our fight song and the war chant. Sad.

It brought back memories of 1995 when they wouldn't take any of us, not even a pep band (200) up to Virginia. Remember out first ACC loss, Warrick Dunn at the goal line? It makes a difference. And don't tell me it's an issue of money. Other big schools send their bands all over the country for every game.

Anyway...

'Nuff said.

(HT: www.retirecoachbowden.com)

Creativity vs. Entertainment: Episode II

2006-10-05T17:46:00.000-04:00

I talked to some friends about my earlier post regarding the difference between creativity and entertainment. We kind of came to the same conclusion that it's o.k. as long as the thing being created does not become an idol.

If carried too far, the idea that everything has to have a "Christian" label on it would make a lot of things that are enjoyable totally off limits. Can you imagine playing Christian flag football?

One friend reminded me of that C.S.Lewis quote of tracing the sunbeams back up to the sun.

Good stuff.

Caucasian Club Controversy

2006-10-04T18:16:00.000-04:00

Students at Arizona State have started a Caucasian Club.

Well, if there can be a Black Student Union, Womens Student Union, etc., then why not?

It sort of proves a point, doesn't it?

You can read more here.

Creativity vs. Entertainment

2006-10-03T14:05:00.000-04:00

For the past several months I’ve been working on a story that I’d like to make into a film. But, as a Christian, am I “wasting my life” by spending time, money and effort on a project that’s not inherently “Christian” or directly glorifying to God? Some folks would say yes. Some would not.

Was C.S. Lewis “wasting his life” when he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia?

I guess I’m looking for a healthy balance between creativity and entertainment.

Do what must be done, and there will be peace...

2006-10-02T23:23:00.000-04:00

On October 20th and 21st, Eastside Community Church is hosting The Peacemaker Seminar, presented by Peacemaker Ministries. Everyone is welcome to attend.

I finally updated the church website with info about the seminar, including a video teaser I produced to promote the event.

We've all seen relationships devastated by unresolved and/or poorly handled conflicts. The Biblical principles and wisdom taught by Peacemakers is extremely valuable and vital to cultivating and maintaining a culture of peace within our homes, businesses, churches and among the body of Christ at large.

We still have several open seats available and wanted to invite anyone who might like to attend, especially pastors, elders, staff, deacons and other leadership. The cost is $10 per person and we will be accepting registration at the door. (Please note that childcare will not be provided.)

From www.Peacemaker.net: "The Peacemaker Seminar is a five-hour training that applies systematically biblical principles to real-life situations to equip you to respond to conflicts in gracious, wise, and God-glorifying ways."

For more info and to view the video, click here.

Lord Dragon Wars Chronicles

2006-09-24T11:18:00.000-04:00

Lord of the Rings meets Dragonheart meets Star Wars meets Narnia =

http://www.eragonmovie.com/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/eragon/

The trilogy begins December 15th

"Felt Needs" Preaching

2006-09-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Al Mohler writes on his blog:

The idea that preaching should be addressed to the self-perceived "needs" of the congregation is now well ingrained in the larger evangelical culture. The argument behind this is almost always missiological -- just preach to the needs people already feel and then you can point them to a deep need and God's provision of the Gospel. There are several basic flaws with this approach.

Continue reading The Problem of Preaching to Felt Needs.

Theology for an Age of Terror

2006-09-11T12:19:00.000-04:00

I read this excellent article by Timothy George in Christianity Today last week.

Here's the online version:

Theology for an Age of Terror

QotD

2006-09-08T10:38:00.000-04:00

From internetmonk.com » Osteen Redux:

"Conservative evangelicals are strangely silent about Osteen, even though he outdoes liberals, mystics, the emerging church and many outright apostates in his abandonment of the Gospel. One of the reasons I am a post-evangelical is that I see little evidence that evangelicalism has the ability to separate itself from a successful minsiter who threw the Gospel itself away in order to be popular. Osteen is the present and the future of evangelicalism. If this is where we’re going, you can have him, and the whole movement."

QotD

2006-09-06T16:53:00.000-04:00

From The Purpose-Driven Dark Side Finally Shows Up At Baptist Press:

"Evangelicalism is full of churches that are going to die in 25 years. The promise of an endless supply of compliant baby boomers looking for “purpose” is simply a fantasy."

CELEBRATE ME

2006-08-31T12:35:00.000-04:00

"Hello? Paula White Ministries? Um, yes, my name is Chris from Jacksonville. Well, I'm calling on behalf of my wife about your upcoming Satisfied Woman Retreat entitled "Celebrate You" in Orlando. Yes, does she need to bring her Bible...umm, no? O.k. thanks."

The Cult of Personality

2006-08-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

Ugh, these stories make me sick. They should be a massive warning call to all sheep. You should know your shepherds! What a disgrace to the name of Christ!

At First Baptist West Palm Beach:
Pastor's fall from grace, resignation tied to résumé lies

Read Wade Burleson's commentary regarding the Cult Personality Within the SBC.

Absolutely amazing.

This is just one more reason in a long list to have a true plurality of elders in the local church.

(HT: Boars Head Tavern)

UPDATE:

BTW, I grew up Southern Baptist and I keep up with what's going on. That's how I came across this story.

Anyway, I figured Tom Ascol (Founders) would weigh in on this. His insightful and gracious thoughts are here. OK, so well said, I'm gonna quote the whole thing:

This story (and this one, and this one) from South Florida of a popular pastor's demise is tragic. It is also a sober reminder and warning that no one is beyond temptation. It is tragic that he did not have some faithful men in his life who could have kept him accountable and perhaps pursuing an honorable course. The reported stories contain enough sadness to make anyone who loves Christ's church weep. They also raise (and leave unanswered) so many other questions that an honest journalist could stay busy pursuing them for the next 6 months.Pray for Brother Flockhart. Pray for the church...and pray for his enablers.

I Wish This Had Been Written 15 Years Ago

2006-08-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

iMonk:

I can admit it now. There’s a bunch of church folks to whom I owe a belated message:

Go home. Stay home. You’re at church too much. Take some payback and take care of yourself. Take a sabbath from church.

Repeating that: Take a sabbath from church. Yes, a sabbath. God wants you to enjoy him, life, other people, maybe another church. He wants you to get your sour, guilt-ridden, manipulated, beaten down face out of that circus and save yourself.

MUST READ the whole thing here.

Bo

2006-08-22T17:04:00.000-04:00

Today is my dad's birthday.

Being a father now makes me even more thankful for my own. Even though Caleb is only 6 weeks old, I think I'm just beginning to understand the amount of selfless sacrifice it takes to be a good steward of children, i.e. a parent.

Dad, thanks for always being there for me.

And now, thanks for being there for Caleb.

But, don't spoil him too bad, o.k.?

QOTD

2006-08-14T08:15:00.000-04:00

From Ellen at The Boars Head Tavern in response to a discussion about the validity of other religions:

These quotes and truths about other religions reminds me of the young woman who was in my history class.

A Muslim, she told me, “We worship the same God.”

I asked her, “Did your god die on the cross to pay for your sins?”

She answered, “no” and I told her, “we don’t worship the same God.”

Conservative evangelical pastor steers clear of politics, and pays

2006-08-07T11:21:00.000-04:00

iMonk in his recent entry The Tactics of Failure: Why The Culture War Makes Sense To Spiritually Empty Evangelicals, points to an article about a pastor of a mega-church in St. Paul that recently lost over 1000 members "in response to his stand against typical conservative culture was issues." Here's a good quote from Pastor Greg Boyd:

"America wasn't founded as a theocracy," he said. "America was founded by people trying to escape theocracies. Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn't bloody and barbaric. That's why our Constitution wisely put in a separation of church and state.
"I am sorry to tell you," he continued, "that America is not the light of the world and the hope of the world. The light of the world and the hope of the world is Jesus Christ."

You can read the entire article here.

UPDATE: This should go without saying, but the fact that I posted the above quote is not a whole-sale endorsement of all of Greg Boyd's books and teaching. I just like what he said in the article. Boyd has published works about a theology called Open Theism which I wholly reject. As with any teacher/preacher, "chew the meat, spit out the bones."

Praying for Irresistible Grace

2006-08-04T09:58:00.000-04:00

From John Piper's recent sermon on Desiring God Radio, "That Which Is Born of the Spirit Is Spirit":

I cannot pray for the lost without [the doctrine of irresistible grace]. I have tried time and again to imagine what I would ask God to do for a hardened, resistant neighbor if I did not believe in irresistible grace. Every prayer I come up with sounds like a joke. "God, provide my neighbor with some allurements to faith, but don't make those allurements irresistible." "God, work--work in my neighbor's heart, but don't work so much that he feels an overwhelming urge to believe."

No! I will not pray like that!

On the authority of God's Word, here's what I'm going to say to my neighbor: "God, give him a new heart! Reach in there and take that heart of stone and yank it out! Put a new one back in so that he loves to believe. Ravish him with your glory Put irresistible inducements in front of him. Save him! Don't let him go to hell."

(HT: Paleoevangelical)

Chris = A dud?

2006-08-04T09:19:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess it's a good thing that Tropical Storm Chris is now a depression.

But, honestly, it didn't help my ego when the weather guy last night on the news was talking about how none of the 5 "Chris" storms in history have been very strong. Of those, only one hurricane, and it was a hurricane for less than a day.

In the grand scheme of things I guess I shouldn't want it to become a Category 5 monster and then head toward my relatives back in the hometown or my grandmother's house.

Yet, he's still heading to the Gulf...

C'mon, you'd be kind of excited too if it was your name!

Chris going to the Bahamas

2006-08-01T16:42:00.000-04:00

http://firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=62163

They're saying the system may kind of fade out in a few days.

Of course I don't want a major storm to wreak havoc, but I kind of don't want "Chris" to be a dud either.

Pain In the Left Behind

2006-07-28T09:52:00.000-04:00

John Hagee is a TV Evangelist who is leading a campaign to let Israel fight. This is a definite must-read article which shows the outgrowth of an eschatology (end-times teaching) run amuck.

(HT: Boars Head Tavern)

Balance that with a John Piper sermon from 2004 regarding Israel and the Middle East.

As believers in Jesus Christ, I think we should be careful in how quickly we just blanketly support the nation-state of Israel.

They reject Christ as Lord.

UPDATE: Here's a great quote from another good article on the same subject.

We don't love Israel more than we love Jesus. And we don't love Israel too little to tell our Jewish friends the truth. That's why we must emphasize evangelism, of Jew as well as Gentile. No one will inherit the Kingdom of God apart from Christ. The dual covenant heresies of some prominent charismatic television preachers should be denounced and abhorred by every faithful Christian. The current secular state of Israel is not the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham; Jesus is.

Nonetheless, the state of Israel is the guardian of post-Holocaust world Judaism. This does not necessitate that we support every political decision of the Israeli government. But it does mean that we stand with Israel against every form of anti-Semitic violence because, first of all, we know that these are the kinsmen according to the flesh of our Messiah.

You can read the whole article from Russ Moore here.

(HT: Between Two Worlds)