Disqus - Latest Comments for Just Tom

Re: What's Your Favorite Children's Book?

Just Tom — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:54:00 -0000

Charlotte's Web...I'm an elementary librarian, and I still get choked up when I read the part where (SPOILER ALERT) Charlotte dies. Few books with such heart so perfectly evoke a specific place and time and yet remain timeless. Also loved A Fly Went By, Are You My Mother, Go Dog Go, and of course, Wild Things.

A new children's book that is truly unique and makes me laugh every time I read it is Cowboy & Octopus by John Sczieska (sp?), author of the beloved Stinky Cheese Man. Read it...you'll understand.

Re: What's the Best Concert You've Ever Been To?

Just Tom — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:15:00 -0000

Have seen Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band a dozen times - always phenomenal. No two shows alike, audibles called throughout, still blowin the roof off the joint for three hours and he just turned 60...quite simply, in terms of effort, passion, and commitment to giving the audience their money's worth, no one else comes close.

That said, dcTalk, Jennifer Knapp and The Ws at Liberty in '97(?) was awesome, and Third Day (and Sanctus Real) truly rocked the Charlottesville Pavillion in '07...

Re: Gay Marriage�How Should Christians Respond?

Just Tom — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:43:00 -0000

firstsamuel: A much-needed infusion of grace and truth into this discussion. Beautifully and compassionately stated. Thank you.
relientj428: Mostly right on, but equating Rick Warren with Joel Osteen is just wrong.

Re: Weekly News Roundup: March 23-27

Just Tom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:50:00 -0000

What do you have against Shemp? While no one could match Curly, I thought Shemp filled in admirably under the circumstances. And he had great hair. Curly Joe, on the other hand, well that was just wrong.
And yes, Bonkers, Jack Black would be [i]awesome[/i] as Curly!

Re: Weekly News Roundup: March 9-13

Just Tom — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:33:00 -0000

Thank you, anlyfo...you're right. Guess I get a little hacked off by thoughtless, knee-jerk criticism of the U.S. I have to remember that it is only by God's grace that we are who we are - and only because of God's love and patience that He has not washed His hands of us as we (the nation, not the church) have pushed Him aside. Thanks for the gentle reminder.
By the way...you're also right about Colbert :-)

Re: Weekly News Roundup: March 9-13

Just Tom — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:49:00 -0000

lieutenant, do you really believe that? We have certainly acted foolishly and arrogantly in specific situations around the world in recent years, but our ham-fisted attempts to share the blessings of democracy and opportunity we so take for granted have not changed the fact that most of the world still sees us as the good guys. There is simply no arguing that the U.S. offers more freedom, more opportunity, more potential for success than any country in the world. We are flawed - most dangerously in our increasing acceptance that God be separated from all aspects of public life - but we are still the "shining city on a hill."

A "supremacist foreign policy"? You're right - you are no expert.

Re: Losing Faith

Just Tom — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:13:00 -0000

Thank you, lostmysneeze...funny and right on target.
Lska, there's no doubt "society often sees Christians as judgmental, radical, hypocritical..." - but so what? Are we to respond by "rebranding" ourselves, or by living as broken, imperfect, loving Christ followers? God's Word is Truth and we either accept it or reject it. By publicly accepting it, we can expect to be opposed, ridiculed and attacked. As those who claim Christ, we must respond with unconditional love for people, though not unconditional acceptance of everything they do.

Re: The Christian Music Conspiracy

Just Tom — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:46:00 -0000

Sharp observations, "a dog..." (great moniker, by the way). For the most part, you're right - great Christian music is out there if you're willing to make a bit of an effort to find it. I also think the best stuff from better known Christian bands (Jars of Clay and Third Day, for example) never gets radio airplay.
That said, I have to take issue (a bit) with your "happy happy joy joy" comment. The only thing that really matters is the condition of the artist's heart and that he/she is speaking Truth. If they are truly joyful, their music should reflect it; conversely, if they've been struggling, their music should reflect that. Radio formats (as disappointingly limited as they are) may be looking for a certain kind of song and a given artist may write and produce just such a song, but that doesn't mean that artist is being disingenuous. I like to think God has a plan for blandish, predictable pop, too...
As for hope for the future of Christian music, check out Jeremy Casella's [i]Recovery[/i].

Re: The Christian Music Conspiracy

Just Tom — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:14:00 -0000

Christian or secular, let's face it: almost ALL radio is purposely bland. Since the goal is to appeal to the widest demographic, anything too far from the middle of the road is usually left out. It follows, then, that music written with an eye toward airplay is very often predictable and "safe."
I like to believe what sets mainstream Christian artists apart from mainstream secular artists is their motivation - that they are making the music they're making because they love and want to honor, celebrate, and praise their Creator. I can't fault them for that, even if I don't always find their music particularly riveting.

Re: Don't Call It a Comeback

Just Tom — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:46:00 -0000

Way to rock Barack, Relevant! You loved him enough to ask the right questions, and the world took notice. would that the media outlets that responded to your efforts would do the same...

And to David, well said. I am convinced there is no issue more important - and none that more clearly reveals the true nature of the candidate - than the abortion issue. We can show no greater love than to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and there are no more vulnerable individuals than unborn children.

We must decide: Do we believe life begins at conception? Biblically, there is simply no debate. Medically and legally, we as a society have regularly concluded that it does. Our course, as individual believers and as the Church, should be clear:

Act with Christlike love and fight (using legal, ethical, non-violent means) to save those who cannot save themselves;

Look for opportunities to support, care for and love women dealing with unplanned pregnancies;

Be open to considering the possibility of adoption, or foster care participation;

Pray, pray, and pray some more that those considering an abortion will choose life, and that those performing abortions will have their hearts transformed by the unavoidable truth of life.

God bless...

Tom

Re: Obama Pumpkins Promise Halloween for Hope

Just Tom — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:47:49 -0000

SAA,
Forced childbirth? Really? Is that what the left is calling abortion now? And, I'm just curious, have you had a personal experience with wiretapping, or did you just watch an MSNBC report on it?
You, SAA, and your ilk are the most frightening aspect of this entire process: lazily clueless, sound bite parroting, bandwagon jumping, "I hate Bush" Obamaniacs lurching, zombie-like, out of the shadows and into the voting booth. AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!