Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Chasing Relevant

Jason Clark has written an article for on of the more recent Circle 6 magazines.  It is rather interesting.  Read the excerpt, and click below for the entire article.

"The crossroads for today's leader/believer, is whether we choose to chase relevant, or risk it all and chase obedience in whatever form it comes.  The true definition of relevant is found in the heartbeat of God.  And with every heartbeat, relevant is redefined.  Only those whose heads rest upon the breast of the Master will experience relevance.  It is always those who are practiced in the why, that God wants to use in defining the how."

- Jason Clark (www.surrenderedanduntamed.org)

Download and read the entire article below:

Download chasing_relevant_jason_clark_1205.pdf

Bono & Rolling Stone

   

Bono & the Rolling Stone Interview

A few months back, I posted about the U2 DVD "Vertigo", live from the United Center in Chicago.  Recently, I took the time to read through the Rolling Stone interview with Bono.  If you haven't had the opportunity to read it, click below and do so.  Pay attention, particularly to the section on Spirituality.

Download bono_interview_rs_nov_05.pdf

Disturbed

Disturbed:  I saw them last night at the Orbit Room

Truly excellent!  From the first second they took the stage I knew I was in for a loud, rockin' show.  I really enjoyed myself.  Disturbed played as the headliner for the "Jagermeister Tour" along with Corrosion of Conformity, and Dope.  I didn't see either of the openers, I think I'm getting old or something. The show was at the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, MI. They played Tuesday and Wednesday the 29th and 30th of November.  Both nights were extremely close to being sold out.

I had fun......In one sense, I was completely out of my element.  I wasn't pierced enough, tattooed enough (at all), goth enough, or drunk enough.  However, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves except for a few who were no longer able to enjoy themselves. 

In another sense, I was in my element because I love loud rock n roll.  I got it on Wednesday night for sure.  Disturbed, as a band, are extremely tight.  The vocals are pretty close to flawless for a live show.  The music is hard, but they have excellent melodies.  I think their best songs were "Down with the Sickness", Stupify", "Voices", "Shout", "Land of Confusion", 10,000 fists, "Liberate", and "Deify".  The new album is good, but so are the  old ones.

U2 - Vertigo

 
U2 - Vertigo Tour (click pics for large view)

I recently picked up the new U2 DVD of the "Vertigo" tour in Chicago. What makes U2 sooo good?  Why does it always feel so spiritual when watching them play or perform?  Could they possibly be the greatest band of all time?  I think so.

They closed the show with "Yahweh (acoustic) and "40".  I know it is the cool thing right now to be in to U2, but how can you not be into them.  The band itself is sort of a phenomenon.  They have all admitted in interviews that apart from each other they would be nothing.  And, consider how great they sound, how great they are as a band.

It is a beautiful picture of how a team, a body, a community should function.  Apart from each other, is not even close to what you are together. It is easy to see how much Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr. love and respect each other.  I also appreciate their hearts and what they try to give back to the world.

Foo Fighters & Weezer

 
Foo Fighters and Weezer
Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

***** FIVE STARS

This show was excellent!!!  I have seen both the Foo Fighters and Weezer many times before.  However, this show at the Van Andel on Thursday Oct 6, 2005 was incredible.

The sound was run very well, which is not usually the case at the arena.  Weezer were full of energy and sang every song one would want to hear including Buddy Holly, Hash Pipe, Say it ain't so, Beverly Hills, We're all on Drugs, Island in the Sun, and the Sweater Song.

It was during the Sweater Song, that Weezer invited a young guitar player from the audience to join them on stage.  This young rocker was lovin' it.  He was even given the guitar to keep after he finished the song.

One more little treat was Weezer's cover of Foo Fighter's Big Me, and Blur's Song 2.

Then the Foo Fighters took the stage with a very loud and booming In Your Honor.  Dave's screaming voice swallowed the arena, and without any hesitation, Foo Fighters went immediately into All My Life. From there on, the Foo's set was filled with favorites such as My Hero, Breakout, Stacked Actors, Everlong, Monkey Wrench, This is a Call, See You, Learn to Fly, Best of You, and Times Like These.

Dave certainly has one of the best screaming voices in all of Rock n Roll. 

One story I found interesting was about Foo Fighters hanging out at Wenger's Bowling alley the night before eating tacos and drinking Yagerbombs.  Then Dave followed his story up with a loud belch in the microphone.  He then proceeded to point out the Wenger's employee that was responsible for feeding him the tacos and serving up the Yagerbombs that caused him to spend a good portion of the night on the toilet.

I hope you all have the opportunity to see Foo Fighters and Weezer, two excellent bands!!!

written by  James Littell
Oct 7, 2005

The Breakfast

Well, Hello again,

I am back and hope to be continually posting.  The last month has been extremely busy and stress filled.  I can't say that I find that beneficial.  Most people I know report that they are busy and we applaud them. Somehow we view busy as a good thing.   I don't. 

For the first time in quite a while, I went out with many people from our community.  It was a wonderful time.  We have some who are just getting involved with Lighthouse and some who have been with us for quite a while.

We hung with a couple who are looking to get engaged and then married soon, our intern, Christian, Rob, myself, our favorite character Matt "Red Flag" Brown, Chris, Katie, Lee, JB, and Ashlee.

Katie is a very generous person, always willing to share and take good care of her friends. Her almost fiance, Lee is very kind, and pleasant.  I really enjoy talking with him, and I am glad he is interested in hanging with us.  I really believe he has a lot to contribute.  Of course, JB and Ashlee always put a smile on my face, and Christian loves to push my buttons.  I love him for that.

Our community meeting was so good tonight.  We had communion together, we sang, LOUDLY, and we continued our study through I Corinthians.

I am thankful and excited with the way in which our community is growing together. I am thankful for the new people that God is bringing.

We watched a band called the "Breakfast" at the Intersection tonight.  They were kind of a psychedelic jam band.  Interesting, and they held my attention for about a half hour or so.  Not bad, since I was completely unfamiliar with them.

Motley Crue & a Double Pepper Jack Burger

Motley Crue - 1986                            James & Jan - Sat Night
                                                              (Click Pic for Large View)
Motley Crue and a
Double PepperJack Bacon Stack Burger
with Queso Fries

Friday night, my wife and I met a couple of friends over in Detroit.  They had purchased tickets to Motley Crue at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Remember this band?  Very big in 1985-1992.  Big Hits like: Dr. Feelgood, Kickstart my Heart, Girls Girls Girls, Wild Side, and Shout at the Devil.

I remember being in sixth grade when my friend brought the album Theatre of Pain to school. We used to listen to the song "Smokin' in the boys room" during recess in his headphones. Friday night's show was somewhat a theatre of pain, especially since Mick Marrs, guitarist for the band is still hobbling around from a hip replacement.

I suppose the show was a bit of a novelty, but the guys in the band sure looked like they were having a good time.  For Motley Crue fans, I would say it was fun to see the four original band members together on stage after all this time.  And if you know anything about the Crue, that is some feat.  Even they wonder how long this tour will last before they become too irritated with each other.

Afterwards, we headed to Champps bar and grill for some dinner.  You might say I told Jenny Craig to leave me alone for the evening so I could order the Double Pepper Jack Bacon - Stack Burger with Queso Fries.

Now this was an excellent sandwich, and it went down very well.  But, for those of you who know me, this is not on my so - called eating plan.  Never the less, it was awesome.

DOUBLE PEPPERJACK BACON-STACK BURGER* & QUESO FRIES
Two 8-ounce patties with pepperjack cheese and
smoked bacon strips. On a toasted sesame bun
with CHAMPPS' waffle fries smothered
in queso cheese sauce.

Baby Got Book

Alright, here is a funny link to check out......a "christian" Rapper doing his take on Baby got back, yet calling it Baby got Book.

Peep this, ya' herd!
Link to view "Baby got Book" video