The Price Of Caring Too Much About What Others Think
When our first concern is what others think of us, it’s a recipe for trouble. Whether it’s minor 
embarrassment or bad decisions that affect an entire nation, caring too much about what others think leads to problems.
In 1 Samuel 14 & 15, we see two examples of King Saul’s bad decision making based on what others think. In chapter 14, it all starts with a rash oath the king takes:
24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.
25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be any man who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”
29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.32 They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.
1 Samuel 14:24-32 (NIV)
From PJLifestyle: Reimagining Fairy Tales: Grimm, Once Upon A Time, and Their Modern Spin On Fantasy
There’s something about fairy tales that resonates throughout the generations. We remember the stories from our childhood — the princesses and princes, the grotesque creatures and devious villains, the near triumph of evil, defeated by good just at the end — and we pass them on to our children and grandchildren. They’re timeless stories we love to hear (and tell) over and over.
For years, television producers have tried to reframe fairy tales in new ways. This year, two new series are placing familiar fairy tales in a modern context.
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From PJLifestyle: Five TV Shows That Didn’t Get The Chance They Deserved
Over the years I’ve had the misfortune of falling head over heels for a new TV show only to see brilliant network executives cancel it before an audience could appear. It seems to be an issue more often these days. New series come and go, shattered by the network hammer long before they have a chance to garner fans and viewers.
It wasn’t always this way. Shows like Seinfeld and Taxi took years to develop a following, while networks often keep “prestige” shows like 30 Rock on the air despite poor ratings.
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From PJLifestyle: Forgotten Christmas: Five Lesser-Known Holiday Specials
There are a few Christmas shows that I like to call “forgotten specials.” They’re 
lesser known to the general public, though each one has its own fans. Sometimes you can find these specials on video, but often these forgotten specials are lost to the past when it comes to television broadcasting.
Here’s a list of five lesser known holiday programs. Four of them are legitimate classics, while the fifth is a notorious flop. Three of them are available on official video releases, while the other two take some effort to find.
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From PJLifestyle: Essential Christmas: The 10 Best Holiday Specials And Movies
In a day when parents and children rarely watch the same TV shows, Christmas TV specials and holiday movies still somehow manage to continue to bring families together.
These days it’s even easier than it used to be to share these traditions. ABC Family has made an art out of holiday programming with their “25 Days of Christmas” programming blocs that package specials throughout the month of December. Home video and streaming services also allow families to watch programs whenever they want.
In the spirit of Christmas, I’m offering to you this list of the ten most essential specials and movies of the season.
Continue reading at PJLifestyle…
Music Monday: My Top Ten Songs Of 2011
In conjunction with my albums list that I published last week, here are my top ten songs of the year… (Links direct to places where you can purchase the songs, and I’ve tried where possible to embed videos for the songs.)
10. Green River Ordinance, “Go Your Own Way” — This is hands down the best cover song I’ve heard this year. GRO took my favorite Fleetwood Mac song and put their own rootsy spin on it. Good stuff.
9. Needtobreathe, “Maybe They’re On To Us” — Among all the great tunes on The Reckoning, this minor-key rocker layers on the instruments and vocals to create an intriguing and unique sound. I can’t help but imagine that this one sounds killer live!
8. The Civil Wars, “Falling” — Think of this one as the anti-love song. In the most delicate way, The Civil Wars sing of a love that’s dying. Achingly beautiful.
7. Lady Antebellum, “Just A Kiss” — Imagine a Disney film ballad done by one of the top names in country-pop music. That’s exactly what this anthem reminds me of. This is one of the most genuinely sweet love songs I’ve ever heard.
6. Casey Darnell, “When The Waters Rise” — This amazing song is a reminder of God’s presence in our lives even in the tough times (especially in the tough times). It has meant a lot to me when I really needed to hear it.
5. Over The Rhine, “Sharpest Blade” — It was hard to pick just one song from The Long Surrender, but this stark ballad was the first song off that album that really grabbed me. A perfect example of Karin Bergquist’s vocal power.
4. R.E.M., “Oh My Heart” — This beautiful track off R.E.M.’s last full-length project has a special significance for me because UGA used it in their Chapel Bell commercial — undoubtedly the best ad the school has ever produced. This is one last sweet swing with a legendary band.
3. Bill Mallonee, “Just To Feel The Heat” — Here’s the best, most infectious track off The Power And The Glory. Bill & Muriah Rose’s voices blend well here, and I love the metaphor of burning down a haunted house to represent letting go of the past.
2. Adele, “Turning Tables” — On an album full of truly heartrending moments, this ballad stands head and shoulders above the rest. Adele wrings every ounce of emotion from the song in an effective way.
1. Matt Redman, “Here For You” — This powerful worship anthem has really struck a chord with the folks at Eastridge. It’s beautiful, meaningful, and worshipful. Matt Redman has done it again, creating a truly memorable worship song.
Music Monday: My Top Ten Albums Of 2011
Yep, it’s that time of year again…time for my end-of-the-year countdown of the best albums. It’s been an interesting year for music. We lost an immense talent in Amy Winehouse…we’ve seen the charts dominated by another incredible voice. One of my favorite bands (Gomez) released an album I could barely even listen to once, but I’ve also fallen in love with some new music this year.
There have been some really good music that’s come down the pike this year, and as usual, I like to share the good stuff. Without further ado, here are the ten best I’ve heard all year.
10. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Revelator — The husband and wife combo of 
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks combined their considerable talents (she’s an accomplished blues singer/guitarist and he’s a member of the Allman Brothers Band), got together with nine of their friends, and recorded this Southern rock/blues/soul/jam-band masterpiece. The album feels exactly like what it is: a loose conglomeration of musicians jamming and having fun. (Best of the Best: “Love Has Something Else To Say,” “Midnight In Harlem,” “Come See About Me”)
9. Adele, Live at the Royal Albert Hall — Capping off a bittersweet year — unprecedented success followed by throat problems that sidelined her — with an incredible live CD/DVD was one of the best moves Adele could have made. This live set captures not only her immense talent but her engaging personality. Hearing her share some of the stories behind the songs, watching her interact with the audience, and especially seeing her emotional reaction to the crowd singing along endear me to Adele even more. (Best of the Best: “Set Fire To To The Rain,” “If It Hadn’t Been For Love,” “Someone Like You”)
8. Casey Darnell, Coming Alive — Casey Darnell has done something rare with Coming Alive — he has created a Christian rock recording free of cliches. Energetic, engaging, and modern, Coming Alive is one that I never tire of listening to, because I discover new sounds every time I do. (Best of the Best: “Coming Alive,” “Awakening,” “When The Waters Rise”)
7. Needtobreathe, The Reckoning — The Southern rockers seem to have ratcheted up both the Southern and the rock on their fourth album. With a great selection of driving tunes and quiet moments, The Reckoning isn’t lacking for variety or creativity. This record proves that Needtobreathe is one of the best out there. (Best of the Best: “Maybe They’re On To Us,” “Drive All Night,” Oohs And Aahs”)
6. The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow — After hearing friends rave about The 
Civil Wars, I figured I’d check them out. Joy Williams and John Paul White have created lovely and delicate with their debut record, and their harmonies are impossibly tight. Barton Hollow is a genuine acoustic treat. (Best of the Best: “Falling,” “To Whom It May Concern,” “Poison & Wine”)
5. Matt Redman, 10,000 Reasons — Matt Redman is one of the most consistent worship leaders and songwriters out there, and 10,000 Reasons is yet another worthy addition to his repertoire. I had the privilege of being one of the first people to get my hands on a copy of the record after hearing him lead a few of the songs live at Passion City Church. The first half of the album is especially strong, with powerful, passionate anthems throughout. (Best of the Best: “Here For You,” “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord),” “We Are The Free”)
4. Immanu El, In Passage — This Swedish “post-rock” combo released their
third album this year, and In Passage builds on the beautiful soundscapes of their first two records. The chiming guitars and impressionistic, not-always-decipherable lyrics complement the epic, cinematic scope of the songs. A truly exhilarating and lovely experience. (Best of the Best: “On Wide Shoulders,” “Skagerak,” “To An Ocean”)
3. Over The Rhine, The Long Surrender – After a couple of albums that didn’t quite meet my expectations, OTR returned with their most solid record in a long time. Blending their folk/acoustic alt-pop with the jazzier leanings they’ve experimented with, Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler have created a truly soulful outing. Bergquist’s vocals are better than ever, and the duo’s backing band is in fine form. Though it’s not perfect (I could do without “Rave On”), it’s awfully close. (Best of the Best: “Sharpest Blade,” “The King Knows How,” “Undamned”)
2. Bill Mallonee, The Power And The Glory — My friend Bill’s first full-
band studio album in several years is as consistent as anything he’s done. All the elements are there — the Southern rock, the trippy Brit-pop, the Byrds-esque folk — and they combine to create that inimitable Bill Mallonee style. With lyrics touching on matters of the heart, matters of the soul, current events, and even the legendary story of D B Cooper, The Power And The Glory is compelling and far-reaching. One of his best yet! (Best of the Best: “Just To Feel The Heat,” “The Ghosts That I Run With,” “Stop Breaking Down”)
1. Adele, 21 — Only one artist deserves two places on this year’s countdown, and of course it’s Adele. I fell madly in love with her music when her debut album, 19, came out in 2008, and I knew greater things were yet to come from this amazing voice. 21 delivers on the promise of 19…and then some. Soulful singing and heartfelt lyrics (mostly autobiographical) abound on this record. Even with all the bells and whistles, Adele shines best on the stripped-down songs. It’s so gratifying to see Adele reaping the rewards of the success she so deserves. (Best of the Best: “Turning Tables,” “Rolling In The Deep,” “He Won’t Go”)
From PJLifestyle: Walt Disney’s Five Greatest Innovations
Today marks the 110th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth. Disney started with little more than talent and ambition and built one of the most powerful entertainment empires known to man. Many people think of him as simply the man who created Mickey Mouse, or as a television host or studio head, but Disney played a vital, hands-on role in his company’s success.
In honor of Disney’s birthday, here is a list of five of his greatest innovations. Some of them are obvious, while others aren’t as well known. But all changed the way we view entertainment and art.
Continue reading at PJLifestyle…
Music Monday Flashback: My Ten Favorite Christmas Albums
Originally posted on November 9, 2009…
After last week’s post on bad Christmas music, I figured I’d go ahead and write about my favorite music from the season. Some of these are by not-so-well-known artists, so I’m including links where you can listen to them and hopefully make them your own favorites. And, of course, since one of my favorite things to do in the world is make lists, they’re in a countdown format. Here goes…
10. John Denver & The Muppets, A Christmas Together This record was ubiquitous in our stereo when I was growing up. It’s a nice blend of Muppet silliness and John Denver earnestness, and it holds up surprisingly well, considering it was made in 1979. A nice bit of nostalgia for me.
9. Bill Mallonee, Yonder Shines The Infant Light Something truly astounding, done in a way only Bill can. Yonder Shines… is a glorious song cycle presenting a uniquely beautiful perspective on the Christmas season. My favorite track is “Every Father Knows,” and I can close my eyes and just hear him singing and playing it live.
8. The Carpenters, Christmas Portrait Here’s another one that takes me back to my childhood. This album is a lovingly produced, traditional take on Christmas music, complete with orchestra, choir, and the Carpenters’ knack for perfect vocals and impeccable arrangements. Songs like “Merry Christmas, Darling” (which still makes my mom cry) and Karen’s voice (even on the songs celebrating Christ’s birth) add a touch of melancholy to the season.
7. John Denver, Rocky Mountain Christmas Yet another trip down memory lane. John Denver’s Christmas album is exactly what you’d expect from him (and that’s a compliment). This is a beautiful, timeless acoustic Christmas recording, complete with reverent hymns and beautiful originals; “A Baby Just Like You” and “Christmas For Cowboys” never get old. It must be a great album to make my Top Ten even though it contains one of my five examples of bad Christmas music…
6. Amy Grant, A Christmas Album This is the first Christmas album I made the choice to listen to, way back at age 11. The maturity of this record belies the fact that Amy was only 22 when she recorded it. Yes, some of it sounds a bit dated 25-plus years later (let’s face it…everything made in 1983 sounds dated), but the vast majority of it is timeless, powerful music for the season.
5. Over The Rhine, Snow Angels OTR’s second Christmas recording is a collection of low-key, poignant songs, made up of mostly originals, save for reworkings of “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” and “Jingle Bells.” Somewhat less traditional than The Darkest Night Of The Year, which you’ll read about later,Snow Angels draws on jazz and mid-20th century pop influences to create another masterpiece. (And I especially love the Charles M Schulz/Vince Guaraldi tribute piece “Goodbye Charles.”)
4. Peter Mayer, Stars & Promises Peter Mayer is the lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet’s band, but his solo music is an entirely different affair. His first Christmas album contains a unique mix of traditional carols and beautiful originals spanning styles from pop to folk to jazz to world music. Originals like “This Christmas” and “Stars & Promises” hold up well alongside stirring renditions of classics like “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “Silent Night.”
3. Amy Grant, Home For Christmas Amy’s second Christmas album is a more traditional, timeless sounding recording than A Christmas Album, and her reliance on live orchestration creates a truly classic feel. Her renditions of songs like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” feel like versions you’ve heard for longer than 17 years, but the finest moment on this record is the original “Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” a powerful examination of what Mary must have felt like to give birth to the baby who would become her Lord and Savior.
2. Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas For me the Christmas season just isn’t complete without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas (“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”), and that TV special’s elegant, smart soundtrack is a must-listen as well. Guaraldi and his trio create a cool jazz vibe that complements the Christmas season in its own individual way. I always feel just a little more classy when I listen to it.
1. Over The Rhine, The Darkest Night Of The Year My favorite Christmas album of all time is a mix of contradictions: at once both reverent and innovative, both traditional and cutting-edge. OTR’s first holiday recording is inspired by the candlelight Christmas services of childhood. Lovingly made, thoughtfully arranged versions of classic carols (two amazing and divergent takes on “Silent Night”) intertwine with impressive new songs, like the driving “Thank You My Angel”; instrumentals mix flawlessly with vocal pieces. Though each song is a gem on its own, the entire song cycle is truly stunning; it’s one of the few Christmas albums I can listen to throughout the year.
So there you go… I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you find yourself discovering one or more of these gems for the first time.
