More Cowbell

Meaning of the Cross

From The Valley of Vision (pp. 76-77),

Christ was all anguish
that I might be all joy,

cast off
that I might be brought in,

trodden down as an enemy
that I might be welcomed as a friend,

surrendered to hell's worst
that I might attain heaven's best,

stripped
that I might be clothed,

wounded
that I might be healed,

athirst
that I might drink,

tormented
that I might be comforted,

made a shame
that I might inherit glory,

entered darkness
that I might have eternal light.

My Saviour wept
that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,

groaned
that I might have endless song,

endured all pain
that I might have unfading health,

bore a thorny crown
that I might have a glory-diadem,

bowed his head
that I might uplift mine,

experienced reproach
that I might receive welcome,

closed his eyes in death
that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,

expired
that I might for ever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare
me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, my every step
buoyant with delight. . .

Jesus Wants the Rose

Here's an excerpt from Matt Chandler's excellent sermon in the last Desiring God conference. The full sermon of "A Shepherd and His Unregenerate Sheep" can be downloaded here.

Comparing Tunes with DownloadShopper.com

Downloadshopper.com allows you to compare the prices of song and albums between iTunes, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com.

If I found this earlier, I would have seen that U2's new album was $9.99 on iTunes but only $3.99 on Amazon. That's six buck I could have spend to feed my old 80's Christian metal nostalgia.

It's worth looking around to save a few bucks.

Teleprompter Blues

Hey, Dum-Dum, Austrian is not, nor has it ever been, a language. Austrians speak German. You speak only teleprompter.

My Rejection Letter

From: Steinbeck Institute <steinbeckinstitute@gmail.com>

Date: April 2, 2009 10:10:26 AM JST

To: ron.coia@mac.com

Subject: Steinbeck Decision

Dear Ron,

The review of applications to our summer institute, John Steinbeck: Voice of a Region, Voice for America, has been completed, and we regret to inform you that we will be unable to offer you a place in the institute.

We received 157 applications for only 25 positions. The decision-making process was challenging, as there were many more excellent applications than we could accept. Consequently, a considerable number of deserving applicants had to be passed over. We can assure you, though, that the selection committee reviewed each application with great care, and that the criteria for evaluation were fairly applied.

As you know, the National Endowment for the Humanities plans to continue to offer seminars and institutes in subsequent summers. We urge you, therefore, to apply again next summer.

My co-director, Mary Adler, and I are honored by your interest in our institute and commend you for your remarkable service to the intellectual development and growth of your students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Shillinglaw

Professor of English

San Jose State University