Author: jason

24 hours to go!

24 hours to go!

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In 24 hours, the braces that have plagued me for these past two years come off. I predict a big bag of caramel in my immediate future…

Earth Days Makes Me… Red!

Earth Days Makes Me… Red!

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I hate Earth Day.  For some reason, the Hollywood better-than-yous feel the need to scatter across the country telling me how we’re destroying the planet, all the while living the other 364.2425 days in giant mansions, flying in private jets, and driving Hummers.  Sure, as Christians, we should all be good stewards of the planet, but Earth Day, and the week of “green” nonsense that comes with it, grates more than a Barbra Streisand song.  As a nice antidote, I present to you (with apologies for a touch of coarser content), Louis Black:

Happy Tax Freedom Day!

Happy Tax Freedom Day!

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Today marks the first day of the year Americans would actually start working for themselves (as opposed to the government) if our tax burden were paid up front. Three months and 22 days to pay off our “debt” to the government. Very nice. To celebrate, watch the video below. For more information, the Tax Foundation is a good place to start.

Tax (tr. v): To make difficult or excessive demands upon

Tax (tr. v): To make difficult or excessive demands upon

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“Happy” Tax Day to you all. No, that’s not the “correct” definition of tax for today, though it’s not far off. Funny how close they are in practical terms. I hate April 15. Every year as I submit my taxes, I pray I haven’t messed something up that will cause an obscene amount of pain and financial anguish should the bogeymen of the IRS come knocking. Years ago, Jay Leno, in his monologue said something like this: “Bill Clinton said he dreams of a day when people can call the IRS and get a straight answer. Well, I dream of a day when you can call the IRS and get a disconnected message.” I agree, and there is hope, if ever so faint.

But, to bring a little mirth to this dreary and dreadful day, I bring you an ode to the product that has taken at least some of the fear of Tax Day away, Turbo Tax:

Head in the Sand Campaigning?

Head in the Sand Campaigning?

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I’ve groused here and in meat space before about what I consider a pretty vacuous campaign on the part of Obama. It’s all about hope and being audacious, apparently. Recently, as most of us not under a rock are probably aware, the Clinton campaign ran a pretty controversial “3am phone call” ad, asking who people would rather having answer that emergency 3am call to the president. Interesting question, I guess, but what’s more interesting to me is the response from Obama fans. Ignoring the substance of the ad, some seem to prefer burying our heads in the sand and imagining with John Lennon. To wit (emphasis added):

Well, what I don’t like about the ad is it, it’s fear-mongering. It’s, I think it’s a cheap hit to take. And I really prefer Obama’s message of looking forward to a bright future where there, there aren’t crises, you know? I think that’s a much stronger message, is hope. And that’s getting criticized that hope isn’t real, hope isn’t practical, but what more could you want in a leader.

I’ll tell you what I want: someone with ideas that might actually work, rather than someone passing out warm fuzzies and hugs on the campaign trail.

everybodyduck: Get in the Plate

everybodyduck: Get in the Plate

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Another everybodyduck song, if you can imagine that. This one, “Get in the Plate,” is a pretty good treatment of the idea that we can go to church, throw some money in the plate, and be done with things:

As the music starts to play
We mechanically obey
And scrape our scraps off in the plate so God can eat.

10% so very small
Most don’t feel it though at all
Just a fulfillment of a holy quota we guess we should keep

We believe what God desires is our money
The whole gift of giving we’ve completely missed
And while my solution may at first seem funny
If you truly want to give God what He wants I must insist

Get in the plate
Blow the ushers mind
When the offering plate is passed just climb in one foot at a time
Get in the plate
Try something new
Jesus won’t accept your offering until you’ve offered you

We’ll need forklifts in the aisles
Just to move the bodies piled
In the offering plate so high it’ll scrape the roof
No one ever will complain
Singing [something i can’t understand] ….

But this dream world is in [can’t understand these lyrics]
Do you tithe to ease the guilt you feel inside?
Death to self is what the gospel is demanding
So put your patronizing gifts away get in the plate and ride

Get in the plate
Blow the ushers mind
When the offering plate is passed just climb in one foot at a time
Get in the plate
Try something new
Jesus won’t accept your offering until you’ve offered you

We believe what God desires is our money
The whole gift of giving we’ve completely missed
And while my solution may at first seem funny
If you truly want to give God what He wants I must insist

Get in the plate
Blow the ushers mind
When the offering plate is passed just climb in one foot at a time
Get in the plate
Try something new
Jesus won’t accept your offering until you’ve offered you

everybodyduck: Sustained

everybodyduck: Sustained

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Here is a great praise and worship song from ebd, Sustained:

I’m satisfied by Your love so completely.
How could I thirst for the praises of man?
There’s nothing I need that You haven’t provided,
And no one can offer me peace like You can

Jesus Your love is enough
Sufficient for me
All I have needed You’ve given for free
Your love is enough
Don’t need man’s applause
I know what I’m worth I remember the cross

I’m sustained oh Lord
When Your light surrounds me the world goes away
I’m sustained oh Lord
My heart knows Your love like it flows through my veins
Such peace and contentment I found in Your grace
I can’t think why I’ve ever complained
You love me, what more can I want?
I’m sustained