Scott Freeman

I have a high view of Scripture. I hold unswervingly to the fact that it is the divinely inspired and inerrant word of God. Truths for life are contained in the sacred words of the Bible.
I also believe there is a danger in reading into the Bible messages that are not there.
Case in point: the belief that America is the new Promised Land.
The Old Testament tells a riveting, yet heart-breaking story, of God’s chosen people.
In a nutshell the story is this: I have a Promised Land for you. Do everything I tell you, follow My commands and I will prosper you forever.
Alas, the people of Israel, in their desire to be like other nations, chased after other gods. They turned their back on the one true God in pursuit of their own lust.
Because of their rebellion and wayward heart, they were defeated and led into exile, the presence of God having left Jerusalem.
Fast-forward 2400 years. Pilgrims settle a new land. A land teeming with opportunity and, yes, promise.
Somewhere along the line, in establishing this new land, many adopted the idea that this was Israel part deux.
That America was God’s second attempt to establish a Promised Land for His people. Those people now are the westerners, those fortunate enough to be born in the 50.
The problem is that this is not compatible with Scripture. Problems are manifest:

1. This holds the, although never said, notion that God failed in His first attempt at nation building and needs to try again.
2. It establishes an imperialistic eschatology that links the success of America to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
3. It diminishes the faith-life of devoted believers across the globe overlooking the spread of the gospel to all peoples.

As a result of this we have developed a rationale for our actions that elevate all that we do as being synonymous with the explicit will of God.
Because we are the new Israel:

• Our Destiny is Manifest
• Our Wars our Just
• Our dissenters are enemies
• Our sins are few

The danger of all this is to overemphasize the importance of nation over and above kingdom. It is to erroneously attach your location of birth with your spiritual heritage.
It is important to remember some key truths as American Christians:

1. America needs God not vice versa
2. We are Christians first, Americans second.
3. America is not God’s chosen people. The church is God’s chosen people.
4. We are blessed to live in this free country but blessings extend to all people.
5. We are to be subject to the governing authorities but that does not mean we must never question misguided policies and actions.
6. God is not a republican.
7. Nor is He a democrat.
8. We might be Americans by nature of our birth, but this world, this nation, is not our home.
9. America is not the Promised Land, Heaven is.

Let us thank God for the benefits of living in a great nation such as this. But let us not mistake those blessings for more than what they are. Let us give unto Caesar what is his and nothing more.
Our allegiance must reside solely and primarily with God Almighty.

Yeah, I know. I’m a crotchety old man. But everybody’s doing a thankful list and I already did one last week. So here we go.

1. Bluetooth. If you wear the thing on your ear, you look ridiculous.
2. People in front of me at the gas station that have to study all the lottery cards before they buy one.
3. Holiday lights in October. Guy today told me that he wasn’t decorating for Christmas this year. Instead, he was getting a head start on Christmas ’06.
4. Kids who steal my Gatorade.
5. MP3 players that break too easy.
6. Banks staying open later on Saturday.
7. Back to back episodes of the Apprentice.
8. The demise of Arrested Development
9. Congress
10. Having to take back the special roaster I got my wife for Christmas because if I don’t we “will have the biggest fight ever in the history of marriage.”

When did the Salvation Army people start ringing their bell two weeks before THANKGIVING? Now not only do I have to endure cloying Christmas songs beginning in August I have to endure the guilt of not emptying my pockets everytime I pass those earnest mendicants standing outside my grocery store.
Read the lyrics to this song.
Priceless.

Suddenly It’s Christmas – Loudon Wainwright III

Suddenly it’s Christmas,
Right after Hallowe’en.
Forget about Thanksgiving;
It’s just a buffet in between.
There’s lights and tinsel in the windows;
They’re stocking up the shelves;
Santa’s slaving at the North Pole
In his sweatshop full of elves.

There’s got to be a build-up
To the day that Christ was born:
The halls are decked with pumpkins
And the ears of Indian corn.
Dragging through the falling leaves
In a one-horse open sleigh,
Suddenly it’s Christmas,
Seven weeks before the day.

Suddenly it’s Christmas,
The longest holiday.
When they say “Season’s Greetings”
They mean just what they say:
It’s a season, it’s a marathon,
Retail eternity.
It’s not over till it’s over
And you throw away the tree.

Outside it’s positively balmy,
In the air nary a nip;
Suddenly it’s Christmas,
Unbuttoned and unzipped.
Yes, they’re working overtime,
Santa’s little runts;
Christmas comes but once a year
And goes on for two months.

Christmas carols in December
And November, too;
It’s no wonder we’re depressed
When the whole thing is through.
Finally it’s January;
Let’s sing “Auld Lang Syne”;
But here comes another heartache,
Shaped like a Valentine.

Suddenly it’s Christmas,
The longest holiday.
The season is upon us;
A pox, it won’t go away.
It’s a season, it’s a marathon,
Retail eternity.
It’s not over till it’s over
And you throw away the tree.

No, it’s not over till it’s over
And you throw away the tree;
It’s still not over till it’s over
And you throw away the tree.

One year ago yesterday, after a meal and needless dessert, I got the idea to throw on my tennis shoes and attempt to run a mile.
Needless to say, I was completely unable to achieve that goal. Walking home in the rain I realized that, despite significant weight loss, I still was horribly out of shape.
So, I hit the Internet and found a training plan designed to slowly take me from nothing to three miles in two weeks.
I bought some new shoes, some running clothes and a stopwatch and I was off.
Now one year later I have ran over 600 miles and will soon break in my third pair of running shoes. Here are some things I have learned over the miles:

• People who don’t run typically don’t understand those who do.
• People make up loads of excuses why they don’t run and 99% of those excuses are weak.
• It does not matter how fast you are or how far you run. What matters is that you start.
• Running is not about speed or distance. It’s about getting up and moving.
• Bodyglide is the greatest invention of all time.
• Cotton is anathema. If it doesn’t wick, make another pick.
• I love seeing other people out on the trails and tracks. Maybe it is the hope of a healthy beginning or the result of life-time commitment to activity. Whatever the reason, it’s good to see people doing something.
• Run, walk, crawl. But do something.
• Foam rollers are a must.
• You will run slower and sweat more on a treadmill than outdoors.
• It’s too hot to run outdoors during a Texas summer.
• Those moments running are the best worship of my week.
• Running is the greatest thing physically I have ever done.
• It doesn’t get easier, I just learn to love it more.
• Streets are horrible for your knees. Get on the trails or tracks.
• Shoes matter.
• Even I can do it.

1. This is the friendliest congregation in town.
2. I serve with a godly team of supportive elders.
3. Our deacons are eager and willing to work.
4. Nelda is a tremendous secretary who is not thanked enough for her hard work.
5. Chris is becoming a better worship leader every day.
6. Our teachers are top-notch and invested in training our children.
7. We have a great time in fellowship.
8. The Scarlet Thread is showing us the centrality of Jesus throughout Scripture.
9. Roy Franklin does a thankless job with a remarkable benevolence ministry.
10. People are genuinely glad to be here. Everywhere I look I see smiling faces.
11. Visitors and guests are valued.
12. Our children’s church is second-to-none.
13. I am surrounded by sweet children each Sunday morning during our sermonette.
14. This church loves my girls.
15. My girls love this church.
16. Such great discussion on Sunday nights. You challenge me to study harder.
17. The Spirit of the Lord is in this place.
18. We have been embraced by this family.
19. Our Golden 60′s are an active and vital part of all we do.
20. Our teens inject life and vitality.
21. We are growing.
22. Wednesday nights are a success.
23. God is working.
24. Jesus is praised.
25. You have a desire to move forward and do great things.
26. There are many young families excited to do God’s work in this place.
27. There is a vision in this place.
28. Mike Thompson keeps our audio/visual running.
29. Corey Bates gets communion ready.
30. JB keeps this place clean and inviting.
31. We have a lot of babies.
32. We eat well.
33. We have a heart for the college students in this town.
34. So many people are willing to prepare meals on Wednesday.
35. We give away a lot of clothes to people in the community.
36. We give away a lot of food to people in the community.
37. Steve January has our visitation committee moving along.
38. People are willing to babysit our girls.
39. Have you seen our coffee mugs?
40. We have a new logo.
41. We have dreams beyond this facility.
42. Reggie works close by for when I lock myself out of the building.
43. We are actively involved in Jamaican missions.
44. We responded to the needs of hurricane victims.
45. Prayer
46. There is a lot of love in this place.
47. Our bulletin boards are getting a spruce.
48. It’s a great environment for talking football. Go Placemats.
49. You don’t complain when I preach long.
50. Jesus loves this church.

Have I forgotten anything?

So, my dear wife has been talking on her blog about the special edition release of The Sound of Music. She knows ALL of the words to ALL the songs. Which got me thinking. What are the greatest movie songs of all time? “My Heart Will Go On?” “Unchained Melody?”

Not hardly. Here are the greatest movie songs of all time. If you click the link you can listen to them for free.

Link: The Ultimate Movie Soundtrack.

1. Streets Of Philadelphia – Bruce Springsteen (from Philadelphia) A gripping account of a man in the end stages of his fight with AIDS. I still shiver every time I hear Bruce sing, “and my clothes don’t fit me no more.”

2. Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel (from The Graduate)

3. Summer Nights – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John (from Grease) I know. It’s pure cheese. But I remember how excited I was to go see this at the theater with my sister. Hey, I was 10.

4. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) – Tex Ritter (from High Noon) Sometimes a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. And who better than Gary Cooper? A honeymoon can wait.

5. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out – Cat Stevens (from Harold And Maude) Is there a better scene than Bud Cort walking away from the wreckage picking his banjo? From one of the greatest movies of the 70′s.

6. Make ‘Em Laugh – The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (from Singin’ in the Rain) Donald O’Connor in a classic scene. The title song is pretty great too.

7. Let The River Run – Carly Simon (from Working Girl) An unforgettable song from an otherwise forgettable movie.

8. As Time Goes By – Dooley Wilson (from Casablanca) My favorite film of all time. “You played it for her, you can play it for me. Play it!”

9. (Listen To The) Flower People – Spinal Tap (from This is Spinal Tap) From their more psychedelic period.

10. Consider Yourself – Lionel Bart (from Oliver!) Oliver finds family and belonging. Say what you will, but it’ll preach.

11. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds (from The Breakfast Club) Hoping the memory doesn’t fail between Saturday detention and Monday morning.

12. Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor (from Rocky III) One of the greatest opening riffs ever.

13. Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio (from Dangerous Minds) I’m not a Rap/Hip-Hop fan but this is too cool.

14. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from “Rocky”) – Henry Mancini Orchestra & Chorus

15. Goodbye Girl – David Gates (from The Goodbye Girl) Who can forget Marsha Mason on the balcony in the rain clutching Richard Dreyfuss’ guitar?

16. The Hands That Built America – U2 (from Gangs of New York)

17. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Radio Version) – The Soggy Bottom Boys/Dan Tyminski (from O Brother Where Art Thou?) Man, I love this movie.

18. If You Leave – Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark (from Pretty in Pink) Where have you gone, John Hughes?

19. I’m Alright – Kenny Loggins (from Caddyshack) Gopher Power.

20. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel (from Say Anything) I like Solsbury Hill better from Vanilla Sky, but this is a seminal scene.

21. Purple Rain – Prince (from Purple Rain) Pain and forgiveness

22. Rock N’ Roll High School – The Ramones (from Rock N’Roll High School) The greatest American band go mainstream. Not really.

23. Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen (from Jerry Maguire) My favorite love story of all time.

24. Tiny Dancer – Elton John (from Almost Famous) The power of music to unite a band that is heading toward destruction. Does anybody do movie music better than Cameron Crowe? Here’s more:

25. Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne (from Fast Times at Ridgemont High) Jennifer Jason Leigh has to be somebody’s baby, right?

Great songs that would be on the list but not available on Rhapsody:

Man in Motion – John Parr ( from St. Elmo’s Fire) From my Senior year of high school. My first lesson that I would (eventually) grow up. Those times did not last forever.

Wise Up – Aimee Mann (from Magnolia) My favorite movie song of all time. If you haven’t seen this scene, get the movie.

Amazing Grace – Meryl Streep (from Silkwood) Heart-rending from an unexpected voice.

Any thoughts?

I don’t appreciate my wife enough. She does so much without thanks or expectation of thanks. Our home is what it is because of her influence and toil.
I’m on my way home (after a short run) and I have the feeling I will appreciate her in a new light by the end of the evening.
Tracy is in Austin for a work thing. She won’t be home until 10.
That means I am alone feeding the kids.
Alone getting them ready for bed.
Alone with three girls who have not seen their mommy today.
Alone with a 6 month old that doesn’t feel well and has been uncommonly fussy the last couple of days.
I’ve been alone with the kids many times. I’ve fed them by myself countless times.
I’ve put them to bed alone.
But I’ve never had to go through the complete process by myself.
Pray for me.
Whoever said that the transition from two kids to three is easier than from one kid to two should be shot.
I’m thinking pizza for the girls. Put the little two to bed and read a couple of chapters of The Magician’s Nephew with Chloe. (I highly recommend reading Narnia with your kids.)
I love my girls.
It’s going to be fun.

So President Bush has never vetoed a bill in his presidency. He is the first since President Garfield to fail to utilize this executive privilege.
But now the Prez is threatening to fish out his special-order decoder pen to veto a bill that would OUTLAW TORTURE.
Is our executive branch so morally adrift that it seems like a smart idea to strike down a resolution to abide by the Geneva Convention? Is he that worried about protecting his own power that yielding to humanity would seem to acquiesce too much? Does our international reputation mean anything anymore?
I mean seriously, What is Bush thinking? This bill is being brought by John McCain, a guy who WAS TORTURED, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Whaddya say we listen to him?
Or maybe McCain can be discredited. It’s worked before. Just see the revisionism that was done against war hero Max Cleland. (On second thought, skip the vitriol in that link and read Cleland’s profile.
Maybe McCain was actually sunning in Bermuda instead of stuck in the Hanoi Hilton.
It is time that we realize that we cannot win a war on terror by transforming ourselves into our own objects of terror.

Republicans, you want to win back my vote? Here’s the ticket:

• Texas Voters: Let’s make sure we READ the proposition today before we vote for it. OK?

• Am I the only one who things Son Volt is the superior offspring of the Uncle Tupelo divorce? Wilco is good. But there is only one Jay Farrar.

• 85 Degrees in November is unacceptable.

• Ugueth Urbina has lost the main components that a good closer needs: calm and control.

• Michael McDermott has a new CD coming out in February. If you have never listened to his music check him out. He posts new songs each Monday at Myspace. No songwriter has ever had close to the impact that McDermott has had on me lyrically. It is one of the greatest crimes ever committed on the music-listening public that he is not a household name.