| What American accent do you have?
Your Result: The South
That’s a Southern accent you’ve got there. You may love it, you may hate it, you may swear you don’t have it, but whatever the case, we can hear it. |
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| The Midland |
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| Philadelphia |
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| The Inland North |
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| The Northeast |
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| The West |
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| North Central |
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| Boston |
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| What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz |
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It’s no big roller coaster ride, but here’s a video I shot of what it’s like to ride the Scrambler at Dollywood. Look close and you can see my brother, Jeremy.
As far as the “spiritual disciplines” go, the memorization of Scripture has long been viewed as an integral part of life in Christ. Never has that been made more clear to me than in the past week. July 13 was my 32nd birthday and I resolved at that time to go to work on learning the book of James. In my second week I am working to nail down 1:5-8 (I don’t have it yet, but I will), but I can tell that I’ve memorized the first four verses and have a grasp on the next four.
James 1:1-8 goes something like this (in the NASB):
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad. Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete — lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
After facing a trial this past week that left me as mentally and emotionally drained, and as angry and disspirited, as I can ever recall being, these verses constantly came to mind. I cannot say that I was obedient to them at all times, but I can tell you that they were a constant comfort in a time of trouble.
I implore any and all who read this to devote yourselves to actually learning the Word. It pays off.
RELATED LINKS - Read these to look at a method I had modified slightly to use on James:
Ephesians, 2008, and a Memory Moleskine (Provocations & Pantings)
Memory Moleskine (Provocations & Pantings)
The following crossed the Associated Press wire this evening…
A measure seeking to commemorate President Bush’s years in office by slapping his name on a San Francisco sewage plant has qualified for the November ballot.
The measure certified Thursday would rename the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant the George W. Bush Sewage Plant.
Supporters say the idea is to commemorate the mess they claim Bush has left behind by actions such as the war in Iraq.
Local Republicans say the plan stinks and they will oppose it.
When does the disdain for President Bush cross the line? I think we’ve found it. It’s one thing to protest the war. It’s one thing to not like the President’s policies. It’s quite another thing not to respect the office of the presidency by naming a sewage plant for President Bush.
If there is a bastion of liberalism and postmodernism in America it is the city of San Francisco. We know that. We get it. You hate the war and the President. There is a right way to protest, though, and this is not it. It’s not funny, but insulting not only to the man, himself, but to the country. The presidency is an institution, not a man. This shows a lack of respect for the office itself.
Some views on what’s going on in the sports world while I listen to my daughter talk to a stuffed butterfly…
I blame Brett Favre. Legend or not, you can not, year after year, keeping holding your team hostage with regards to how it is to plan for the next season. This time Favre really retired, tearful press conference and all. Who can blame the Packers for giving the keys to the car to Aaron Rodgers, their number one draft pick from a few years back, and letting him be the man of the future? Green Bay’s front office had to think about the fall of 2008, not 1992-2007 with Favre at the wheel. And speaking of thinking about 2008, why on earth would they grant Favre his release when all three teams in their division have quarterbacks that are mediocre at best and would jump at the chance to sign Favre so that they could make a playoff run? Bravo to the Packers for not blinking. I have loved watching Brett Favre over the years and last year’s run to the NFC Championship Game was special. I was pulling for them to reach the Super Bowl. But this about face he’s done on retirement, putting his team in this position, has tarnished his legacy in my humble opinion.
Billy Packer is out as the #1 college basketball analyst for CBS. This guy has called 34 consecutive Final Fours, an amazing accomplishment for anyone in his profession. Most Tar Heel fans can’t stand him. I’m not one of them. Sure, Packer has been controversial at times, but in my opinion he’s never been unfair. Some don’t think he loves the game. That’s hogwash. His detailed analysis, which is only rivaled by ESPN’s Jay Bilas (yes, a Dukie), is more than enough evidence to show ho much he enjoys watching and picking apart college basketball games. The sport will be worse for it if he’s not in a high profile analyst position come November.- Tonight is the Home Run Derby and I could not care less. None of Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities get my motor running anymore. The Derby was fun about a decade ago, but that was the Steroid Era and now everything is tainted, so watching the guys now is no fun. The stars want no part of it so you get the equivalent of B-List celebrities hitting the balls out of the park. As for the All-Star Game, it might count for home field in the World Series, but I think that is stupid to begin with. It’s not like the old days, even to the ’80s, where the players wanted to win. Now it’s just about making an appearance and perhaps cashing in on a contract bonus.
In honor of turning 32 I have concocted this little TWO-PART video blog. Just as Chunk told the Fratellis “everything,” so I now you, the loyal viewer. Hope you enjoy parts one and two…
32 Things (part 1)… or My Version of Telling the Fratellis Everything
32 Things (part 2)… or My Version of Telling the Fratellis Everything
UPDATE (07/11/08 - 8:57 AM): As of this morning, in Firefox 3, there are no warnings of theMATTrix being a reported attack site. Google no longer posts a warning when you search for theMATTrix there, either. I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it.
UPDATE (07/11/08 - 1:20 AM): After removing some malicious code that was apparently hacked into an old post, I am now told by Google that my site is clean and the warnings are in the process of being removed. We’ll see how long that takes, but I’m relieved to have (hopefully) resolved this problem. I will post another update when it appears the warnings are gone.
If you are using Firefox 3 and visiting my web page you are most likely getting a message that warns you my web page is an attack site with malicious software. Needless to say, I have never put anything on my web page that could remotely be considered malicious software (well, Howard Dean and John Kerry might think so, but that’s another story).
I am diligently seeking a way to remedy the situation, which apparently has ties to Google. If you know how to fix it please HELP!
A man who blogs on Senator Barack Obama’s campaign web site is suing Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing companies for $70 million for emotional distress because they publish Bibles that portray homosexuality as a sin. Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, alleges that that their Bibles’ “references to homosexuality as a sin have made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of demoralization, chaos and bewilderment.”
I humbly submit to you that Fowler is suing the wrong party. Mr. Fowler, if you are reading this, file your suit against The Lord Jesus Christ. His current location is at the right hand of God the Father, but He’ll be back before too long.
The Greek word used in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 is transliterated arsenokoitēs and refers to one who lies with a male as one would a female. Mince words all you want to but the plain meaning of God’s Word is “homosexuals.” They will not enter into the kingdom of God and homosexuality is contrary to the glorious gospel of the blessed God (as is lawlessness, rebellion, ungodliness, immorality, kidnapping, lying, etc.).
Believers in Jesus Christ are by no means innocent of these sins, but have been cleansed of their unrighteousness and forgiven their sins through the blood of the cross. They have had the perfect righteousness of Christ credited to them on the basis of faith alone. Mr. Fowler can sue anyone he wants. You never know. He might actually win something. But there will come a day when he, Senator Obama, and every other human being will have to answer to the King of Kings, the Righteous Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ. He won’t accept any self-righteousness, because it does not exist.
RELATED LINK: ‘Gay’ man sues Bible publishers (WorldNetDaily)
Well, we’ve got ourselves a new little feature here on The MATTrix, and as you can probably tell by the title of the post, it has to do with things that are underrated. We all know of things that we feel are underrated, things that did not and still do not get the attention they deserve(d). Well, that’s what this little feature is all about, and today we start off by talking about a few of the most Un-Der-Ra-Ted songs of the 1990s in contemporary Christian music. And yes, there probably will be an O-Ver-Ra-Ted feature coming.
5. “Free” - Steven Curtis Chapman (1996) - Yeah, I know. SCC underrated? The guy’s only won about eleventy billion awards and all. I know this song got some love back when Signs of Life was released, but it tells a wonderful story and builds to a great crescendo. It’s my all time favorite by perhaps the most celebrated artist in CCM history.
4. “I Surrender All” - Clay Crosse (1994) - A song of great personal significance to me, this signature song from Crosse’s debut album got it’s fair share of airplay, but is still underrated in my opinion. It’s a wonderful song about turning things over God in personal crisis, the need to surrender everything to the One who surrendered His own life, that we might be with Him for eternity. I love the emphasis in the chorus at the end of the song where he repeats the line, “That all my kingdoms fall,” three times to emphasize our need to give ourselves to God.
3. “I Believe” - Wes King (1993) - By the time this came out CCM artists were really trying to be clever and figure out ways to be “positive” and “encouraging” without talking specifically about Christian themes (mostly so they might get airplay outside of the CCM realm, and also because that’s what certain “Christian” labels wanted). But here comes Wes King with a completely unfancy pop diddy about something simple and controversial: Believing in the Word of God. I love the lyric: “I believe, I believe. ‘Cause He made me believe!”
2. “Enter In” - Petra (1995) - Grunge rock had long since taken over in the music world by the time their No Doubt album was released, but Petra still managed a radio hit or two off this album that, for the most part, was more “radio friendly” for the average listener. The opening track, though, is a rocker with absolutely fantastic lyrics that cause it to be on this list.. Inspired from the book of Hebrews, “Enter In” speaks about the essence of the gospel itself, and how the believer, once separated from God, can enter into the Holy of Holies now that the temple veil has been torn in two. I provide you with all of the lyrics:
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on Hebrews 10:19,20Once a year for sacrifice just one priest could pay the price
And step inside the inner veil to make the people free
Temple stood the same for years till the Nazarene appears
Things will never be the same since 33 A.D.
When He spoke and bowed Hid head
He who saved the world was dead
Then the earth began to shake
Heaven’s wall began to break
Opening the Holy Place
The temple veil is torn in two
The way is clear for me and you(Chorus)
We can enter in, enter in
Into Heaven’s Holy place
We can enter in, enter in
Boldly by His blood we can approach His throne of grace
We can enter in a new and living Way
By our faith He will receive us when we prayNow without a second look we forget what all it took
To be seen as innocent by His Holy eyes
Never thinking foolishly there is something He won’t see
For our lack of righteousness there is no disguise
He won’t look the other Way
Someone’s life will have to pay
Once for all it has been done
Taken out upon His Son
He remembers it no more
Now for us He is the Door
Opened up forevermoreWe can enter in, enter in
We can enter in His gates with thankfulness and praise
Into the once forbidden Holy place
We can live in goodness and in mercy all our days
We can enter in a new and living Way
By our faith He will receive us when we pray
We don’t have to be afraid to seek His face
We can enter in
1. “Blind Man, Deaf Boy” - PFR (1994) - The most underrated song should come from the underrated Christian band of the 1990s. These guys burst onto the scene around 1992 and actually won a Dove award, I think, for Best New Artist. By 1997 they were releasing a farewell album, although they would reunite for 2001’s Disappear. This song comes from Great Lengths, which is, in my opinion, their greatest album. Even though this isn’t one of the most famous songs from this, their most successful album, it is in my opinion the best, and one of my favorite songs of all time. The song doesn’t waste time, it’s only 2:55, but read some of these words (of which I can really identify): “Off the bridge i threw my heart as if it didn’t matter. I walked the edge so fearlessly, blindfolded by my lustful eyes, deafened by a string of lies. But You saw me there in my same condition. Your eyes held me in Your stare. You gazed into my empty soul, spoke the words the burned a hole in my heart.” The most underrated song of the 1990s.