I had a great time this week in Abilene, but it's good to be back home with my wife and kids. While in Abilene I got to eat at both
Harold's and Sharon Allen's new bar-b-que place on the north side. I had a bowl of brisket and beans just like the old days. I have to admit that Sharon may know bar-b-que better than Joe, or at least how to run a restuarant better.
I got to spend some time with our two summer camp teams, and we come up with some great ideas for next summer's camps. I only had time to hit a few lectures during
ACU's Annual Lectureship. The most notable were a discussion on
U2's use of the Psalms and a great review of the movie "
Crash" led by ACU english professor,
Steven Moore. I hope ACU continues to offer this type of culturally relevant lecture stuff in the future.
My favorite quote from the week was from Rick Atchley. During a forum on unity between the church of christ and christian churches he was describing our religious heritage, and he said, "we speak were the Bible speaks, and were the Bible doesn't speak......we have a whole lot more to say." He went on to suggest that maybe on certain issues of personal opinion we'd be better off keeping our mouth shut. Not a bad idea.
I though last night's
Grammy Awards show was one of the best I have seen in the last few years. Outstanding performances by Kelly Clarkson, Bruce, Paul, Keith Urban, John Legend, Kanye West, and especially U2. I think it was also one of those years when the Grammy voters got it right and all the winners were right on. From Kanye to Green Day to Kelly Clarkson to U2--these are all outstanding artists that deserved to be recognized for their acheivement. I can only hope that the
Academy of Motion Pictures will vote the same way.
What's the difference between charity and justice? This is a very interesting and moving question. Check out what Bono had to say last week at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C.
-Watch Bono's Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.-Read the transcript.I have read or listened to just about everything Bono has written, said or sung in the last 20 years. This speech may the best thing I have ever heard come out of his mouth. If this speech moves you the way it did me, and you want to take action, consider joining the
ONE campaign to make poverty history.
I appreciate Bono for his music, but even more for his message, rather God's message, that he proclaims so boldly.
This week is Super Bowl 40 in Detroit. It’s hard to miss the big scene. There will be fans, cheerleaders, football players, nachos, hot dogs, fireworks, and of course commercials. Lots and lots of great commercials. The going rate this year for a Super Bowl commercial is $2.5 million for 30 seconds. That comes out to $83,333 a second to get your product promoted during the Super Bowl. Now for some perspective. In 2004 there were 37 million Americans living in poverty. That amounts to one in eight Americans living on less than $19,307 a year, or roughly one fourth of one second of a Super Bowl commercial. Hopefully, this kind of perspective will help followers of Christ to not only be thankful for all we’ve been given, but also to be reminded of our responsibility to help others. At our Super Bowl party this year we are asking every student to bring $5 to donate towards the
Souper Bowl of Caring. This money will go to help those in need in the North Texas area. Last year all across the country students and adults were able to raise $4 million on Super Bowl Sunday. So, enjoy the game, enjoy the commercials, and do your part to help others.