Purity argument aside, this guy has some good insights on the wrong reasons why people masturbate. He sums up his argument against it with the following excerpt.

So people can masturbate, not simply to please themselves, but as an existentialist exercise in resignation and alienation: giving into the act of inauthenticity because of, and in spite of, the hollowness of the act. Masturbation then both becomes a rebellion against alienation and a surrender to it.

Thanks to Anthony at The Institute for the link. I agree that it is a subject that people do not like to talk about, let alone Christians, which is why I am posting it here.

I saw this over at Matt’s blog. It looks kind of fun and I wish I had thought of it first. Basically, this guy has not shaved or trimmed any hair on his head since the end of last year. That would drive me nuts! With only five weeks left in 2005 there is still a lot of money left to raise (even just to meet 1/4 of the $100K goal). Donations go to support The Neighborhood House.

Whenever I am at the mall I like to people watch. With a packed house it was especially interesting this past Black Friday. As I was standing around at the entrance to JC Penney’s waiting for the girls, a family of three caught my eye. The husband and wife appeared to be engaged in an argument. As they drew nearer I could see that the man was sternly lecturing his wife. She seemed to be doing her best to keep up appearances. Most telling was their young boy–maybe five or six years old–who was clinging protectively to his mother.

It reminded me of the times I have gotten into a fight with my wife, only to see my son do something strange like hide. If only we could see how our actions affect those around us, not from our own hardened perspective, but from the outside looking in.

The long anticipated hardcover edition of Post Secret has been released. Previous thoughts on the project are here.

On Sunday I was graciously handed a copy of Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas – Vol. I, II & III. Josiah posted the tracks on his blog last year. You can also download them elsewhere on the internet. You will not find the album in stores. Stevens apparently produced the tracks for his friends and fans.

The album is mostly Sufjan style covers of classic Christmas carols and hymns. However, there are a few originals that are real gems. Maybe someday an album full of them will be released?

Vol. I Hark! Songs for Christmas
01 Silent Night
02 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
03 We’re Goin’ to the Country!
04 Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming
05 It’s Christmas! Let’s Be Glad
06 Holy, Holy, etc.
07 Amazing Grace

Vol. II Hark! Songs for Christmas
08 Angels We Have Heard On High
09 Put the Lights on the Tree
10 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
11 I Saw Three Ships
12 Only at Christmas Time
13 Once in David’s Royal City
14 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
15 What Child is This Anyway?
16 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Vol. III Ding! Dong! Songs for Christmas
17 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
18 Come On! Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance!
19 We Three Kings of Orient Are
20 O Holy Night
21 That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!
22 All the King’s Horns
23 Ding! Dong!
24 The Friendly Beasts

My personal favorite from the album is That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! Not your typical Christmas song, it stirs up distant memories from my childhood while also shining light on my present surroundings. Our secular culture says that Christmas is about happiness and good cheer, when the reality for many is sadness and gloom. The track traces one child’s not so perfect Christmas. At the same time Sufjan points to the hope of Christmas. What happened on that silent and holy night gives us both strength and hope.

I listened to the song about ten or twelve times and transcribed the lyrics. The only line I am unsure about is the last word on the tenth line. It is hard to make out due to Sufjan’s falsetto. (more…)