Happy to say that i'll be contributing my very biased musical snobbery opinions to a album review page.  Spinning is a review site I got hooked up with through some fellow bloggers who love music.  I just finished my first review, Muse of course.  Ha, as if we needed more of my opinions.....(wink)
 

 
Concerts can go a few different directions as far as how much I enjoy them.  I expect a band to come out and play thier songs the way ive heard them on the album.  Sometimes drawing them out a bit or adding some flair as a bonus.  I expect a certain amount of energy from most bands.  Its if they go above and beyond this that makes the difference between a good show and a great one.  Muse was great on saturday night.
First of all, know that this is the first time Muse has ventured anywhere near the midwest US.  And only thier second tour of the states at all.  I think the first was a west coast only thing.  Also, understand that Top Cats is a crackerbox type of venue, compared to big spots like Bogarts or even Southgate House for that matter.  So, packed like sardines in a tin can (always there with a Radiohead reference) we saw an excellent band in The Exit as an opener.  I rarely like openers but these guys played some great rock music and i enjoyed thier sound.  Then onto the main show with Muse.  I was surprised at the level of energy this band had for such a small venue.  And what was even more surprising was the energy of the crowd.  Sometimes the crowd can make or break a show, this group totally pushed the evening further.  They played everything I was hoping for and a few I wasnt as familiar with that were welcome.  Muse if often compared with Bends era Radiohead, and I can see that a bit.  But they are much more guitar driven and I feel theyve really stepped it up lyrically on this last album as well.  I also sprung for Absolution.  Finally not import only.  After many months of listening to the MP3s I felt the need to support these guys with my small purchase.  Check them out if you get a chance.  Man, I wish there was more rock music out there this good.......

Ok, so I cheated on the title of this entry, but thats the new album title from Modest Mouse and I love it, the title at least, ive yet to hear the album.  Anyway, reading Mark right now and I ran across what seems to be some more good news for those of us that often feel evangelistically challenged.  This is from the message version, Mark 6.

⁷Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. ^8-9He sent them off with these instructions:
"Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
¹⁰"And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
¹¹"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."
¹²Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; ¹³right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.


I like the bolded out part alot, to me its kinda obvious, you dont have to have all the programs or methods or book knowledge to do effective evangelism.  I also like the part about quietly withdrawing if you arent listened to, sometimes this might actually help down the road with folks rather than getting upset or pushing the limits in conversation.
God Bless

-Joe

Just wanted to share a quote from a very famous philosopher

"Oh, everything's too damned expensive these days. This Bible cost 15 bucks! And talk about a preachy book! Everybody's a sinner! Except this guy."

I saw Pedro the Lion and Death Cab for Cutie last night down at the Southgate House.  Good show, I really enjoyed Pedro, second time Ive seen him and DC.  Ben Gibbard, (DCs frontman) was very entertaining and quite a talented musician.  These guys are one of the founders of indie rock and while it wasnt an amazing show, it was good and fun.  My sister Margie tagged along as Julie didnt feel up to it at the last minute.  Thanks for hanging out Margie! 
This is only the second show Ive seen so far this year.  Last year I feel like I was constantly attending concerts, usually with Julie.  Saw Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Coldplay, Wilco, MMJ, Lyle Lovett, OTR w Pedro, Idlewild, David Gray, Nicklecreek, Steve Earle and I know lots more great concerts last year.  So, Im happy the concert season is upon us, more good shows to follow.  Muse is coming to Top Cats on the 24th.  I look forward to that one.....

Joe

Geesh, this is pretty bad I think.  Totally irreverrant or just bad humor?

GLASSPORT, Pa. (AP)--First, the Passion of the Christ. Now, the torment of the Easter Bunny?

It may not have been as gruesome as Mel Gibson's movie, but many parents and children got upset when a church trying to teach about Jesus' crucifixion performed an Easter show with actors whipping the Easter bunny and breaking eggs.

People who attended Saturday's show at Glassport's memorial stadium quoted performers as saying, ``There is no Easter bunny,'' and described the show as being a demonstration of how Jesus was crucified.

Melissa Salzmann, who brought her 4-year-old son J.T., said the program was inappropriate for young children. ``He was crying and asking me why the bunny was being whipped,'' Salzmann said.

Patty Bickerton, the youth minister at Glassport Assembly of God, said the performance wasn't meant to be offensive. Bickerton portrayed the Easter rabbit and said she tried to act with a tone of irreverence.

``The program was for all ages, not just the kids. We wanted to convey that Easter is not just about the Easter bunny, it is about Jesus Christ,'' Bickerton said.

Performers broke eggs meant for an Easter egg hunt and also portrayed a drunken man and a self-mutilating woman, said Jennifer Norelli-Burke, another parent who saw the show in Glassport, a community about 10 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

``It was very disturbing,'' Norelli-Burke said. ``I could not believe what I saw. It wasn't anything I was expecting.''

Been thinking alot lately about  what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  I like the way Dallas Willard puts it....

A disciple is a person who has decided that the most important thing in their life is to learn how to do what Jesus said to do. A disciple is not a person who has things under control, or knows a lot of things. Disciples simply are people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus.

Opening day here in Cincinnati, brings about hope for our storied franchise, the Reds.  However, hope usually is gone after about a week or so, as fans realize they have no chance of winning anything significant.  As a reds diehard, ill be rooting them on regardless.  Also, tonight is the national championship game with Conneticut facing Georgia Tech.  While im not a fan of either school, its been fun to watch these games.  Im gonna say UCONN beats the Yellowjackets though, too much talent.  Also, I never fill out brackets that are any good, however, this year I did manage to fill out one that has me ranked in the top 100% on ESPN.  Thats still only good for 1237th place, but that is out of more than a million. 

How much are we really concerned with whether or not someone else gets in to heaven? Or whether we have "saved" them.  Many of us would say its the reason we are to go out and spread the gospel.  But, how many of us when we get to heaven will look around and wonder.  How did they get here?  I mean, what if everyone got in?  I for one have a hard time not taking the stance of the older brother in the prodigal son story.  I mean, thats not fair right?  Of course, I know the company line.  I mean, none of us "deserve" everlasting life with our creator so who cares if everyone makes the cut.  Is it possible though that we could all spend less time thinking about the unfathomable place called heaven and more time growing the kingdom of God on earth right now!  After all, we dont get the final say as to who gets in and who doesnt.  Sure, we feel like our influence on people will make "the" difference.  But truthfully, we may never know how much we do or dont effect someone.  Maybe we should be more concerned with how someone lives thier life, striving to love one another and be Christlike, the results are up to God, right?
Enough rambling.....

Took this quiz , kinda interesting, check it out.  Looks like i should have been a Quaker! 

My results...
1. Orthodox Quaker (100%)
2. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (87%)
3. Liberal Quakers (81%)
4. Bahá'í Faith (77%)
5. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (70%)
6. Seventh Day Adventist (66%)
7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (64%)
8. Islam (60%)
9. Orthodox Judaism (60%)
10. Unitarian Universalism (58%)
11. Eastern Orthodox (57%)
12. Roman Catholic (57%)
13. Reform Judaism (56%)
14. Jehovah's Witness (54%)
15. Sikhism (52%)
16. Jainism (51%)
17. Theravada Buddhism (48%)
18. Mahayana Buddhism (47%)
19. Neo-Pagan (40%)
20. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (39%)
21. New Age (39%)
22. Hinduism (37%)
23. Taoism (37%)
24. Secular Humanism (36%)
25. New Thought (35%)
26. Scientology (25%)
27. Nontheist (19%)