Just thought I'd write a quick note about the new Rush album, Snakes & Arrows. After hearing the first single, "Far Cry" on the radio, I wasn't sure if I would buy the album when it came out, but then the Rush completist fan in me prevailed, and here we are (plus the $11.99 price helped in the decision-making process).
The album is better than I thought it might be, but not as good as I hoped it would be. It has 13 songs; most of them sound similar to one another, although the 2 instrumentals are kind of neat (I wish one of them had been a drum instrumental instead).
The coolest part about the album is the artwork in the liner notes, which is not a great compliment. I guess I like the album overall, but I stand by my earlier comment that I made to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (both Rush fans, she is actually nicknamed The Rush Goddess) that the album probably didn't need to be made. Snakes & Arrows sounds a lot like Rush's last few albums, which have been fairly ho-hum. This is too bad, considering their first decade was amazing, their second decade was good with a few so-so moments, while their third decade has been largely disappointing (to me).
OK, I'll say this much: At least there are no lyrics like the song Virtuality (on the album Test For Echo). Good music on that album, uninspired lyrics -- sorry Neil. That chorus of that song is second only to the rapping on Roll The Bones as Rush's Worst Moment Ever for me (and I like rap, I just think that middle-aged white Canadian guys shouldn't do it).
I'm going to give Snakes & Arrows a 6.5 out of 10, which is a solid C. I wish I could give them a higher mark, but they didn't show their work. (Math class joke for you out there) ;-)
On a brighter note, I also purchased a photograph print retrospective that was autographed by Neil Peart. I am lookng forward to receiving it and putting it up on the wall.
Rock on!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Same Sex Marriage
Here is a new article on a very serious matter facing the Anglican Church.
It appears that this response will anger those who are on polar opposite sides of the debate. The bishops either (a) went too far in recognizing same-sex relationships or (b) didn't go far enough in recognizing same sex relationships.
To me, the response seems right. No one should be excluded from taking communion, nor should any child be declined baptism simply because of their parents' relationship: gay, straight, married, divorced, whatever. The fact is that we are all God's children and we all deserve the relationship with Him. On the other hand, it is fairly clear in Scripture that marriage is for a man and a woman and one of the primary purposes of marriage is to have children. Therefore, same-sex marriage is not Scriptural.
I think the main purpose of marriage is for two people to become one and build each other and help each other become more Christ-like, better people. Having children is an excellent way for parents to join together, because sooner or later, your kids will outnumber you! ;-)
Seriously though, anyone who has children recognizes (or should recognize) that they are a blessing to parents. It is normal and preferable to have children, and it helps one to achieve self-actualization. Someone who has no children cannot fully understand the concepts of sacrifice and altruism. There is a deep-seated pull to give of yourself for your kids that is unlike any other relationship. This also gives one a better understanding of God's relationship with us as our father in heaven. How much did He sacrifice to give His son to us, so that we might live in eternity with Him? How much did He suffer, to give Jesus up to suffer for our sakes?
Jesus is the type for us. He is the best example of how we, who are created in God's image, all have the capacity to become like Christ, to reflect God's image, to love God and to love one another as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV):
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
It is the very reason that we should all strive to be more like Christ that no one should be denied communion simply because of their sexual orientation. None of us is perfect, we all fall short in the Judgment, even bishops! Yet it is because of God's grace and our relationship with Him that we can be saved. It is not our place to judge others:
John 8:7 (NKJV) - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
Matthew 7:1 (NIV) - Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
All of us sin. All of us need forgiveness. All of us deserve a relationship with God. But all of us must live in a manner that is in accordance with how God wants us to live, and that is without sin. All of us must all try every day to become more like Christ. I pray that all of us are given the strength to do so. Amen.
It appears that this response will anger those who are on polar opposite sides of the debate. The bishops either (a) went too far in recognizing same-sex relationships or (b) didn't go far enough in recognizing same sex relationships.
To me, the response seems right. No one should be excluded from taking communion, nor should any child be declined baptism simply because of their parents' relationship: gay, straight, married, divorced, whatever. The fact is that we are all God's children and we all deserve the relationship with Him. On the other hand, it is fairly clear in Scripture that marriage is for a man and a woman and one of the primary purposes of marriage is to have children. Therefore, same-sex marriage is not Scriptural.
I think the main purpose of marriage is for two people to become one and build each other and help each other become more Christ-like, better people. Having children is an excellent way for parents to join together, because sooner or later, your kids will outnumber you! ;-)
Seriously though, anyone who has children recognizes (or should recognize) that they are a blessing to parents. It is normal and preferable to have children, and it helps one to achieve self-actualization. Someone who has no children cannot fully understand the concepts of sacrifice and altruism. There is a deep-seated pull to give of yourself for your kids that is unlike any other relationship. This also gives one a better understanding of God's relationship with us as our father in heaven. How much did He sacrifice to give His son to us, so that we might live in eternity with Him? How much did He suffer, to give Jesus up to suffer for our sakes?
Jesus is the type for us. He is the best example of how we, who are created in God's image, all have the capacity to become like Christ, to reflect God's image, to love God and to love one another as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV):
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
It is the very reason that we should all strive to be more like Christ that no one should be denied communion simply because of their sexual orientation. None of us is perfect, we all fall short in the Judgment, even bishops! Yet it is because of God's grace and our relationship with Him that we can be saved. It is not our place to judge others:
John 8:7 (NKJV) - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
Matthew 7:1 (NIV) - Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
All of us sin. All of us need forgiveness. All of us deserve a relationship with God. But all of us must live in a manner that is in accordance with how God wants us to live, and that is without sin. All of us must all try every day to become more like Christ. I pray that all of us are given the strength to do so. Amen.
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