Today should be Music Spotlight Friday. And yesterday I said it would be. But I saw this video and decided to change the programming.
[Disclaimer: I know relatively nothing about the organization that produced it - which is advertised at the end. I just thought it was a good video.]
Hey friends, just wanted to let you know the final piece of the Whataburger story from last week.
When I cam home today there was a package on my doorstep. This is what I found
What you’re seeing is a handwritten note from the CEO, a very soft t-shirt, a set of coasters, two koozies, and a mouse pad.
These guys went way overboard and I appreciate them for it. Thanks to all who got excited about this experience with me.
I’m still going to do a “Music Spotlight” tomorrow. This is more for you to give feedback on.
I’m sure that I’ve ranted about it before, but the one huge downside to iTunes (and digital music in general) is that we’ve gotten away from listening to full albums straight through in one sitting. I would almost compare this to looking at a painting in a poorly lit room with one eye closed.
So, I’m curious. What are the most recent albums that have really impacted you?
Here are mine from the year:
The New Frontiers: Mending
The Frames: The Cost
Caleb Carruth: Darkness Falls
Coldplay: Viva la Vida
The other day I picked up and started reading Making Room for Life by Randy Frazee. (I listened to the audio book about a year and a half ago).
It’s a really easy, but potentially life-changing, read.
First, I want to encourage you to read it. More than that, I would love to be able to dialogue with anyone about it. So, if you’ve read it or you plan on grabbing it up and reading it over the Thanksgiving break (it really is a fast read), drop me a comment. Maybe we can come up with a few topics to throw out there as individual blog posts over the next few weeks.
P.S. You can probably find the CD version pretty cheap. It’s only about 4 hours long. If you’ve got a trip to, oh, I don’t know, New Jersey, it might help you pass the time. (Just kidding, Andy, I know you have plenty of reading/listening on your plate.)
Sorry if you felt deprived by my absence yesterday. Maybe I’ll double-up today. You never can tell.
Friday/Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Countdown to kickoff - 4 days, 11 hours.
How do you follow up a day when a corporate CEO emails you to thank you for your blog post?
Well, I thought I would resurrect the 10 albums thread.
I’m going out of town today and then again in a couple of weeks, so I’ve been burning some CDs since my new car is not set up to play my iPod. So here are 10 must have CDs for a Road Trip.
Bebo Norman: Myself When I am Real - After traveling back and forth across Texas promoting this album, the sound of it just calls me back to the road.
Rolling Stones: Forty Licks - There’s something about real, true rock-n-roll that makes you have to get moving.
The Frames: The Cost - It’s The Cost by The Frames. Do I need any more reason to include it?
Graham Colton Band: Drive - Ok, forgive the horrible pun of the album title given this list. I have to roll down the windows and drive a little faster when I’m playing it.
Hootie and the Blowfish: Cracked Rear View - Hootie is road music.
Matt Wertz: Somedays - This is what we were listening when we were driving all over for the Bebo Norman shows.
Counting Crows: August and Everything After - The ultimate in timeless albums will get you where you’re going in no time.
Randy Rogers Band: Rollercoaster - The ultimate audio tour guide for your travels throughout Texas.
Edwin McCain: Messenger - Edwin was a must have for any trip home during college.
Lifehouse: Stanley Climbfall - Another staple from the Bebo Norman trips.
What do you need for a good road trip?
Related Posts:
Andy tagged me on this “book meme” thing and I found it kind of interesting so here’s the rules followed by my entry.
I have to pick up the nearest book with at least 123 pages, turn to the 123rd page, find the 5th sentence and post the three sentences immediately after that.
My book is Making Room for Life by Randy Frazee (great book - more posts about it are certainly yet to come):
p. 123
“I once heard a true story of a man who decided to go to his annual home owners’ association meeting. They were having problems with beavers eating the trees. A motion was made by the chairperson to replace the trees eaten by the beavers.”
Mmm. Good stuff.
Sorry I’m not going to tag anybody, but I was amused by that passage and had to share it.
My friends, I have a public service announcement to share with you. It is, in fact, the most wonderful time of the year. Not because of turkey and dressing or family and friends. No, there is but one reason for giving thanks. Every year the dear, sweet people over at Whataburger grace us with three month of taste sensation and this is that time of year.
Now, I have yet to plot it out specificially on the calendar, which is good because I think that it may have some variance there. However, one thing I have noticed is that these three blessings of flavor delight always come one after another (though the precise order may be varied). What is important is that with the advent of the first, the other two can be expected. Much like the gift of the Magi, these sandwiches bring with them great aromas and an experience that one could only dream of having all year long.
Of course, I’m referring to the
Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich (just ended)
A1 Think & Hearty Burger (just re-launched)
and the BBQ Cheddar Burger (coming soon)
So, if you’re wondering what to do with your hard earned money in this economic crisis and fear putting it in banks, invest in flavor. You won’t be disappointed. (Though we are not able to garauntee a specific return on your investment. Please remember, all investments involve some risk.)
Last week I started a series called “Change that Matters.”
I’m wrapping that idea up today with this post, which has caused me more than a little bit of stress. I fear that I could be challenged on it or alienate people with it. But, it’s good to challenge myself and others every once in a while.
The change we really need is a change of the heart. I’m not completely certain how to explain that, other than to hold it up in contrast to the change that I see people mostly pushing for.
Changes in laws, regulations, and social mores is not what we need. Becoming more conservative or liberal as a culture is not what we need. Acceptance, tolerance, or separation is not what we need. We need to be grown and matured inwardly and then allow that change to be manifest in our actions outwardly.
The biggest way that I see this happening is that people will picket, protest, and campaign for an agenda that challenges the beliefs and way of life of another subset (this happens on both sides, so I’m not trying to single out one group). But the fact is that legislation is not going to change people - if anything, it is going to make them more committed to their choice/beliefs because they have been challenged. And this only serves to widen the gap between the two sides, making change even more unlikely.
Now I will point the finger and talk to the Church: You can’t expect people who believe differently than you to behave in a way that you believe is appropriate. Legislation will not do this. Protesting will not do this. I would nearly dare say that preaching will not do this.
Behavior change (whether by choice or by legislation) is not what we need and will not last. Change that we need is change of the heart.
So, when you pray, what do you pray for? That someone will quit doing this or stop being that? Or do you pray that the will encounter God and be changed from the inside out?
that about says it
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A Dose of Inspiration for your Monday Morning
About Me:
I am the Hospitality Coordinator at 121 Community Church and the Ministry Coordination Administrator for The iPlace/Leaders Summit. I like both of my jobs, but what I write here should not be taken as the opinion of either of my employers.
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