Category Archives: Contemporary Worship

Plain Label Christianity and Hall Monitors

There are hundreds of shampoos on the market; far too many to make any logical, rational, certain choice, so I choose one called “Generic Shampoo.”  There are hundreds of beers too.  All have competing claims and counter claims so I … Continue reading

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Don’t Even Bother to ask Your Doctor

Since the late 1990s prescription drug use has grown exponentially.  In large part this has been due to the “ask your doctor if _____ is right for you” ad campaign.  Doctors are hard pressed when you say, “I have these … Continue reading

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Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

A member showed me an AT&T ad from Sunday’s paper.  At the top of the page in block letters in the question:  “How do I love thee?”  He has written to the side, “Even AT&T understands what editors of modern … Continue reading

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“Drift Away”

Who can forget this 70s classic especially since it’s still being recorded as of 2007?  It begins plaintively like a good hymn in the “suffering” section of a hymnal should.

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Bonheoffer, Hitler, and Holocaust

The January Concordia Theological Quarterly has an article entitled “Themes of the Cruciform Life in Bonheoffer.”  Bonheoffer was executed for his participation in the plot to assassinate the one man every man thinks ought to have been: Hitler.

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Cowboy Service and The Lutheran Service Book

Isn’t this a hoot?  Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Texas (ELCA) had their annual Cowboy Service on July 6, 2008.  It begins with the leader saying, “The Lord be with y’all,” and the congregation responding, “And also with y’all.”

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Only Stories

Spoiler alert:  If you haven’t seen the movie “Atonement” and want to, don’t read this.

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“Flies on Jesus”

Saul Bellow in his novel Herzog quotes what he says is an old song, “There are flies on me; there’s flies on you, but there ain’t no flies on Jesus.”  O yes, there were

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This Jeremiah Wasn’t a Bullfrog but a Friend

 ”Jeremiah was a bullfrog.  He was a good friend of mine,” so sang “Three Dog Night.”  Well Rev. Jeremiah Wright isn’t a bullfrog, but he was a good friend of Senator Baraak Obamba.  Keep reading; this isn’t a political screed … Continue reading

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David Danced Why Can’t I?

In the March 8/15 issue of World magazine, Marvin Olasky references 2 Samuel 6:16 to bring up short those of us defending liturgical worship.  He quotes the passage: ” ‘As the ark of  the Lord came into the city of … Continue reading

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