Owner: The Cubicle Reverend URL:http://thecubiclereverend.blogspot.com Join Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:48:06 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Seeking God in literature, humour, work, and life. Site statistics:Click here
What I've Discovered '06 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It seems every time this year every peson comes up with their best of list. Usually the lists are pretty cool with very few suprises focussing only on what came out that year. But I like to focuss on the things I've discovered whether old or new because there are a lot of great things that have been out for a while that are worth remembering as well as newer stuff people should discover.1. Evelyn Waugh - I have been a fan of British humour for years, but I often find reading humour to be a bit of a drag. Plus many of his books were written in the 30's and talk about the upper crust of England. Not something I can exactly relate to. Plus his books are usually found in the bargain bin with everything else they are trying to get rid of. So like many things I buy the books just sat on their shelf collecting dust when necessity forced me to give it a go. Though I only read one of his books I definately want to read more. I found myself laughing out loud! He is satire at its best.
Over Rated / Under Rated: Burroughs Vs. Mitchell 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I admit I am totally stealing this idea from a magazine I read a few years back. I want to say it was the Utne Reader, but I am not too sure. Every so often they'd look at what was popular at that time and what is going unnoticed. Since I don't have any other ideas I figure it wouldn't hurt to do a few of my own from time to time. For the first I am looking at non-fiction writers.Over Rated: Augusten BurroughsThis guy is the big man on campus right now. On top of the best seller list for an infinite number of life times this guy got rich telling all about his struggles with alcoholism and growing up in a wacko Doc's house. The premise sounded promising and potentially quite an amusing and touching book. I bought it with much glee just to give up on it with about 30 pages left to read when I realized I just didn't care what happened and I didn't believe a word the guy was saying. Having grown up on fantasy and sci-fi novels I have no problem dispelling disbelief if it's Read more:Mitchell
Writing Opportunity 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I have just recently been asked to be a guest blogger on The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns. If you ever get the chance go and check her blog out. Read more:Opportunity
Just For Laughs 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I am sorry I haven't been publishing here as often as I'd like. I wish I could blame it on time, but it was more a lack of inspiration and out right laziness on my part. I have a few irons in the works and will have more regular posts shortly. If any of you want to be a guest blogger please feel free to send me your ideas at cubicle.reverend@gmail.com and we will work something out. And for a few good yucks, here's Jeff Dunham & Peanut.
The Poets Voice 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I am disapointed in myself. For years there was a recording archive of poets past and present reading their works. What makes it worse is a college right across the bridge from where I live created the sight. Plus, The Kelly Writer House offers a ton of progams which I should have been taking care of. Man, how could have I let this go for so long!? Read more:Voice
Article: Experiencing War From The Comfort Of Home 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I just published my first article at Samantha Burns. It is more political than I usually write here, but I thought that forum was right for it. Hope you enjoy. Read more:Article
Two By Ken 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The youth pastor I have the pleasure of not only working with, but consider a good friend as well has written a great post and you can give a listen to his most recent sermon.
Faith In Fiction Survey 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Want to help choose the publishing fait of someones novel? Ever look at a book cover and wonder, "What the crap does that mean?" Faith
in Fiction
is asking for people to take a survey to help choose the cover for a novel. Make your voices heard!!
Who Influenced Lewis? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 We are watching Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe at church. The person teaching the class had a few of Lewis
' books set up for people to thumb through with one exception. At the end was a beaten up old book called Phantastes by George Macdonald. According to the teacher Lewis was taking a long train ride and picked the book up at the station. The book is still in print, but if you don't want to shell out the $13 to buy it there is a free down loadable version. The book was written in the 1800's so there aren't any copyright laws to worry about. Enjoy. I wonder how people reacted to a minister using fairy tales and fantasy to get the message of Christ across?
You guys had the rennaisance! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 While working in a book store a friend of mine asked me, "How can you guys go from writing Dante's Inferno to The Left Behind Series? What happened? You guys had the rennaisance!" Good question. It's one I think more believers are starting to ask themselves. According to Chuck Colson there is a modern rennaisance in literature going on. Is this a good thing? I haven't read any of the books mentioned in the article, but going through Chronicles Of Narnia for Sunday School it is making me wonder what role art, literature, and music plays in the life of a believer. I thought I was pretty secure in my belief as the best way to use art for God's glory. Now I am no longer too sure.
Snickers Commercial 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I know people are upset at this commercial both gay and straight.... I still think it's funny. Read more:Snickers
, Commercial
Christian Poets 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Out of curiosity I did a google search on Christian
poets to see what I'd find. Besides a lot of people attempting to re-write the psalms I found a list that was quite interesting. It is a list of the faitfhul or formerly faithful rounding out with a lot of the major heavy hitters of poetic thought including Auden and Berryman. I wonder if people any of us realize how influential Christianity is whether we mean it to or not?
Written On The Eve Of Execution 1970-01-01 00:59:59 My prime of youth is but a frost of cares,My feast of joy is but a dish of pain,My crop of corn is but a field of tares,And all my good is but vain hope of gain;The day is past, and yet I saw no sun,And now I live, and now my life is done. My tale was heard and yet it was not told,My fruit is fallen, and yet my leaves are green,My youth is spent and yet I am not old,I saw the world and yet I was not seen;My thread is cut and yet it is not spun,And now I live, and now my life is done. I sought my death and found it in my womb,I looked for life and saw it was a shade,I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb,And now I die, and now I was but made;My glass is full, and now my glass is run,And now I live, and now my life is done. I love finding old poetry anthologies at used book sales. In them you find who was considered the hot commodity at the time. Whose voices were worthy to be sustained for a time. Usually they are common names found in many other anthologies, such as: Coleridge, Ke Read more:Execution
Am I Going To Hell? Plus Other Good Reads 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!Here is how you matched up against all the levels:LevelScorePurgatory (Repenting Believers)Very HighLevel 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)LowLevel 2 (Lustful)HighLevel 3 (Gluttonous)ModerateLevel 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)Very LowLevel 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)LowLevel 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)Very LowLevel 7 (Violent)LowLevel 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)ModerateLevel 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)LowTake the Dante's Inferno Test Purgatory You have escaped damnation and made it to Purgatory, a place where the dew of repentance washes off the stain of sin and girds the spirit with humility. Through contrition, confession, and satisfaction by works of righteousness, you must make your way up the mountain. As the sins are cleansed from your soul, you will be illuminated by the Sun of Divine Grace, and you will join other souls, smiling and happy, upon the summit of this mountain. Before long you will know the joy Read more:Going
, Good Reads
Pissed Off Christians 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Am I wrong or are there a lot of pissed off Christians
around? They aren't pissed off at sin, or injustice, or the lack of health care they are pissed at other Christians. They are pissed because Christians are following the wrong teachers, or reading the wrong books, or for some past hurt they may have been subject to. The latter is unfortunate, but that is a risk we as Christians take in being a part of a body. I know, because it happened to me on at least two seperate occassions. Fortunately, the person who is discipling me had enough spiritual maturity to ask, "what are you so worried about? if they seek Jesus then it'll work out in the end." I became a pharisee. For the past year or so I frequented a blog called Stupid Church People and I can safely say that I understand their anger. Are there bad teachers out there? Yep, I followed them gladly. Are there bad books out there? Yep, I read those as well. I gave my tithe hoping to be blessed by God and worshipped at th Read more:Pissed
, Pissed Off
Mamet The Faithful 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I may be wrong, but I think I heard David Mamet in an interview with Bill Maher say that religious faith is a good thing and this country was founded as as a religious country. A man who wrote some of the most course and foul mouthed dialogue in film believes faith is good! I am trying to find the video, but have had no luck. Read more:Faithful
Lenten Humor 2007-03-03 22:24:00 Someone has way too much time on their hands. Thanks LP for giving me the heads up. Read more:Humor
Timothy Leary's Not Dead 2007-03-06 04:21:00 Millinerd has this uncanny ability to wind up in the middle of these discussions that really defy the imagination. What is amazing is that this time around the person he was commenting on actually comments several times on his blog! There is a lot of dialogue going on. Make sure to check it out. Read more:Timothy
, Leary
Gumby Vs. MST3K 2007-03-11 18:16:00 Note to self: Don't use toy robots to do chores. Man I miss this show! Read more:Gumby
RIP Richard Jeni 2007-03-15 03:39:00 Richard Jeni was a brilliant comedian who deserved to be considered one of the best. Read more:Richard
Finally! I Get To See The Pogues! 2007-03-16 03:10:00 I have waited 15 years for the opportunity to see The Pogues
perform live. I had the chance to see Shane Macgowan perform as a solo perfomer, but because I was an idiot and chasing after a girl I gave up the tickets. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! So now, like a giddy school girl I keep calling up Ken and saying, "Tomorrow's the Pogues!" Enjoy these videos. Am I youtube happy?Streams of WhiskeyWaxie's Dargle (this one made me dizzy)Fairytale of New YorkIf I Should Fall From Grace With God Read more:Finally
Finally, I Got To See The Pogues! Was It Worth It? 2007-03-18 03:37:00 Can you believe I was excited to see a band fronted by a guy with a froggy voice and a mug like that? Finally
, after 15 years of waiting and hoping someday the original members of the band plus Shane Macgowan would get back together and tour the country I got to see The Pogues
perform. And yes, it was worth it. Worth
every last penny (and this was a much more expensive show than what I am accustomed to). First off, a short rant about opening acts. I'm all for them. It can introduce you to a great band on the rise whose music is unique or the very least fun, or it can be sheer torture. This case was the latter. A group of young guys from Ohio called Sarving Goliath started off the show who were musically pretty good, their music had a lot of variety, and was reminiscient to early 90's alternative. But they went too damn long and they looked like they could care less about performing at all. They probably never even heard The Pogues and saw it as another job. Though you can
The Inklings Reformed 2007-03-20 16:15:00 A common conversation I have with a gentleman at my church is how much we wish we could have sat in on The Inklings and have a conversation with these brilliant and creative men of God. Since I was in highschool I have wanted to see Christians take a more active role in many aspects of art. I told my friend how I wished there was a group like the Inklings still around."Why don't you form one yourself." uhhhh, because it'd take effort? Ok, so I have no real excuse. So I am looking for anyone interested in forming a group like the Inklings though I am open to anyone in the artistic community from publishing, visual arts, literature, dance... whatever to get together and actively discuss the Christians role in art or share anything that they are working on. If you take art seriously and aren't afraid to give and take criticism and encouragement when either are necessary then I'd like to have you aboard. Even if you don't live in the Philadelphia area, thankfully e-mail makes i Read more:Reformed
Liberalism In The Church 2007-03-28 17:02:00 I am a member of The Evangelical Presbyterian Church
. As far as denominations go we are a young upstart which broke off from the PC USA about 20 years ago. In a very short time more churches are leaving the PC USA to join the EPC. The reason being is many fear liberalism has taken hold of the main line denominations. Though I agree with Religious Liberal that this isn't a new phenomena it is one we should take seriously. This is part of the reason why I'm not so concerned about people putting "My Boss Is A Jewish Carpenter" bumper stickers on their cars. Falling into the trap of extreme liberalism and conservatism is easy. The messages can be safe and appealing. Who wouldn't want to be happy and contented all the time? Who doesn't want people to look at Christians in the best possible light as welcoming and loving? I admit, there are many times I feel extremely embarressed by my Christian bretheren and sisteren. Though I can see valid points for having us know sin is sin
Tag! 7 Songs I'm Digging 2007-03-29 17:04:00 Just 7? Come on Whiskey, why only seven? Where's the fun in that? Considering all the music I listen to in a given day I am not sure I can pick just 7 for just right now. Sigh, ok, I'll try my best. The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God - Seriously, is there any real suprise why I'd pick this song? I'd been playing Pogues music all the time the past few weeks and usually this one'd be on the top of the list. Though it sounds negative, I think there is a deeper metaphor than God and me falling from grace. Considering the brilliant poetic mind of Shane Macgowan I don't think I'll ever truly get it.Christ Tomlin - Amazing Love - Probably one of my favorite praise and worship songs. It was Chris Tomlin wasn't it? It's hard to tell sometimes since a bunch of these guys sound alike. Anyway, one of the most moving and original worship songs out there.The Hooligans - Black Thorn Stick Set - One of my other favorite bands. They put on a great show and this is one
A Problem Child Sees Christ 2007-04-02 05:17:00 Tonight the church had a special worship service focussing on The Stations Of The Cross. I haven't done anything like this since my CCD days at Christ
The King Church. Theirs were hand carved with wood showing stunning realism that still makes me shiver. This time around we modified it having instead a symbol reprisenting various parts of Christs passion, death, and ressurection, ie: a stone for the tomb, a rope for his capture, etc. I admit I was wary about how my junior high kids would have handled the imposed quiet and reflection. Every so often not only do they suprise me, but they do it in a big way. Many of them lasted much longer in the quiet than most of the adults filling up pages of notebook space on their thoughts and reflections. When we talked about it with them afterwards I could tell they weren't just going through the motions (except for one, but God will touch his heart when he's ready). There was one girl known for being a bit of a hard heart. I expected h Read more:Problem
Read Any Good Books Lately? 2007-04-04 04:59:00 Considering the glut of Christian books out there, much of which is bad (I'm trying to be nice and not call it crap. Oops, I just did.). When I was a wee lad my mother worked in the local sewage treatment plant testing water for heavy metals like lead, mercury, and Metallica. Every so often she'd have to go out to the sludge pile to get a sample. At the pile there were workers who'd go out for her sinking up to their knees in all sorts of vile waste to get her sample. My mother, being barely 5'1" would have sunk up to her neck. I see the Christian writing community in much the same light as that pile of sludge. Sometimes you have to get waste deep in it in order to find what you need and you hope to God you don't sink up to your neck before you do! Few in the publishing world are taking notice. I for the most part have greatly reduced the amount of Christian books I read. I almost never read Christian fiction. My pastor introduced me to CCEL where I gladly spend most of Read more:Books
R.I.P. Johnny Hart 2007-04-09 05:47:00 I usually don't post so many posts in such a short amount of time, but I just found out Johnny
Hart creator of BC and The Wizard of Id has just passed away. He was a man of God who wasn't afraid to have overtly Christian messages in his comic strips. Though at times his comics were a tad corny I looked forward to reading them when I had the time and they usually made me smile. Right now I bet he's up there with God giving Him a good chuckle.
Content in Ignorance, A Rant in the Key of Sarcasm 2007-04-07 23:38:00 This morning I met with my discipler Darrell to read over 1 Peter 1:13-25. I know I picked the right person to disciple me because he, along with my buddy Ken, keep bringing up aspects of the Christian faith that I have no idea about. Such as: The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Council of Dordt, and The Nicene Creed. They actually had the nerve to expect me to not only know about them, but to actually read them as well. This has opened up in my mind a whole world of new questions and ideas that I hoped to long put to bed. Oh no. I miss my days of ignorance. It made my faith so much easier. So as Darrell and I are talking over various things I wonder aloud why I am even bothering to study literature or introduce poetic language and literary licence to the Christian community. Is it so bad to have certain Christian novels (I'm sure you can think of a few) even if they aren't particularly good? What difference will it make in the long run whether a Christian David Sedari Read more:Content
, Sarcasm
Thinking Blog Awards 2007-04-12 05:53:00 Much appreciation to Art for choosing me for the thinking blog awards. It feels good to make the cut. I have to admit I am having the same problem he did. Who do you chose? I read many blogs for many different reasons. I read one because he's a good friend and it gives me added insight into him as a person. Others because I can't help, but violently disagree with them which forces me to think outside of the box. Plus the bugger chose one I would have chosen. Thanks a lot Art! So here they are, in no particular order:Millinerd: Matt and I go way back to highschool. We got back in touch with each other a few years back and he encouraged me to start blogging as well as helped guide it along a little bit. Since I am not a theologian and his knowledge about art greatly goes further than my own I am finding new things to learn and discover. My faith expands from knowing him.Looking Closer: Faith and Art, too thinks I wished were looked at more by the general church family. I n Read more:Awards
Recommend Site To A Friend
