Scott Freeman

12 days ago I began a summer full of (almost) exclusive fiction writing. I’ve since knocked out 6 books and thought I would give a quick rundown on what I recommend and what I don’t.

Intuition by Allegra Goodman–Goodman does a great job of fully fleshing out her characters. A breakthrough in a lab leads to the discovery of shrinking tumors in lab mice. But things may not be completely as positive as they seem. This is a great look on the meaning of truth, honesty and integrity. Grade: B

Falling Man by Don Delilo–I remember a few years back reading a piece in Esquire magazine about the “falling man,” the heartbreaking, yet graceful, picture of the lone falling figure out of the World Trade Center. Delillo uses that picture as a metaphor for a survivor of the attacks and the aftermath. This book is somber but meaningful. It shows the ripples of grief that transpire after disaster. Grade: A

Boomsday by Christopher Buckley–Buckley is the master at political satire. His books always seem to straddle the fine line of absurdity and possibility. He tends to overly caricaturize everyone but his protagonist but that always leads to some delicious reading. If you are looking for a good laugh then you can never go wrong with Buckley and this take on the Social Security situation. It is set in 2011 and Boomsday is the day that the Baby Boomers begin to retire. The problem is that the government has passed a series of laws that passes the buck on to the next generation. Until one fed-up 29 year old has a novel idea. Grade: A-

bang Bang by Lynn Hoffman–This was a quick and enjoyable read. Hoffman writes with a precise hand using an economy of words that does not sacrifice character development. Instead this book that looks at the novel exploits of an anti-gun activist uses wry humor and a brisk pace to provide a stunning indictment on a culture that is far too steeped in violence. Grade: A-

gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson–I was recommended this book by Matt Elliott and it surely did not disappoint. It is a delightfully wicked read about an Alabama girl trying to escape a dark secret that she hoped would remain hidden back in Lower Alabama. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and contains some characters you will never forget. Grade: A

The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot by Jeffrey Archer–The best thing about this book is that it is brief, taking about an hour to read. It is not the gnostic gospel but is a fictionalized re-imagining of the story of Judas. In Archer’s hands Judas sees himself as a devout Jew, well-versed in Scripture who grows increasingly discouraged and disillusioned as Jesus begins to behave contrary to his vision of what the Messiah should look like. Judas is then suckered into thinking that he is saving Jesus rather than betraying Him. The book utilizes frequent direct quotes and paraphrases from the Gospels, conveniently pointed out in red ink. There is a reliance on many historical nuances as well. But, at the end, it is a fictional story that leads in a different direction than the stories we are used to. That wouldn’t be a bad thing, necessarily, if it was more interesting. But I found myself bored. Grade: C-

I’m about to embark on the longest vacation of my adult life. I took a run to the library yesterday to stock up for the trip. What I plan on reading over the next couple of weeks are contained on my left sidebar. (Note: I wanted to read Middlesex before Oprah picked it.)

I also picked up some audiobooks to load onto the iPod. Here is what I’ll be listening to over the next couple of weeks:

Next by Michael Crichton
The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

Any thoughts on any of these books? What are you reading this summer?

This past weekend VHI unveiled their 40 most softsational soft-rock songs.
As usual, some of their picks were great. Styx’s “Babe” was a great choice at #2. Some, not so great. I can imagine Escape (The Pina Colada Song) being on a one-hit wonders list but not on greatest soft-rock tunes.

So, I thought I would do my list. It’s more difficult than it looks because there has to be elements of both soft and a little bit of rock. That eliminates the harder power ballads and the more standard balladry and strives to hit somewhere in the middle. All in all it’s a more subjective experience. Here ya go (YouTube links when applicable):

30. Wounded by Michael McDermott–From my favorite album of all time this is a mournful ballad inspired by Cormac Macarthey’s “All the Pretty Horses”. I include this to keep his name before you as the greatest songwriter of my generation.

29. When You Walk In The Room by Paul Carrack–One of the omnipresent voices of the 70s and 80s this comes from his lone hit solo record after being a mainstay in such groups as Squeeze and Roxy Music.

28. Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina–That chorus, “Even though we don’t have money” is one of those indelible lines that will forever be memorable.

27. Never Surrender by Corey Hart–Did you know he was offered the role of Marty McFly? Yeah, me either. This song was part of my soundtrack the summer before my senior year of high school. Still sounds good 20+ years later.

26. Just When I Needed You Most by Randy VanWarmer–She leaves. And after watching the video it’s probably easy to see why. The choreography with the suitcases is hilarious. But this is a classic soft-rock tune.

25. Nights Are Forever by England Dan and John Ford Coley–This video makes me unbelievably happy. The sight of that 45 rotating harkens back the day of great music.

24. Love Conquers All by Seals and Crofts–They had more popular tunes. And maybe even better songs than this one. But those other tunes aren’t from the greatest basketball movie ever made. And yes the video is from the movie.

23. Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young–Not only do mullets rock. They have a sensitive side as well. He took Darryl Hall’s song and made it his own, dawg.

22. Missing You by John Waite–One of the better (and more ubiquitous) videos of the 80s. Look for the trademark sunglasses that feature in his videos. Or better yet watch this updated version with Waite and the amazing Alison Krause.

21. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins–Forget Kenny, this is the best song by a Loggins boy. You need to face the music, buddy. That girl ain’t leaving Rocky Top. I couldn’t find the original so you have to settle for a version by Bo Bice.

20. Everything I Own by Bread--If this song doesn’t rip your heart out when it gets to the bridge, then you are just dead inside. Dead.

19. Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg–If this song doesn’t rip your heart out when it gets to the final verse, then you are just dead inside. Dead.

18. Only Lonely by JD Souther–This was his only hit but he wrote a ton of classic tunes for the Eagles. This is one of the best of the bunch. I just love that falsetto.

17. Still by The Commodores–Smooth. Just smooth. That pause at the end is sublime.

16. Don’t Let It End by Styx–Sure, others would pick “Babe” or even “Lady” but for me this is the pinnacle of their soft-rock greatness. And to top it off here’s a link to the other stellar ballad from Kilroy Was Here, “Haven’t We Been Here Before.”

15. Don’t Expect Me To Be Your Friend by Lobo–Say what you want but this guy is not taking the break-up too well.

14. In Too Deep by Genesis–There are a handful of great Genesis tunes that would qualify for this list but it’s in this tune that they seem to channel all of the melancholy and longing that Collin’s voice was so suited for.

13. I Go Crazy by Paul Davis–One of the most under-appreciated songs in soft rock history. The rumors that he refused to cut his hair until she took him back were unfounded.

12. You Are The Woman by Firefall–I’ve been known to belt this chunk of croonability at the top of my lungs on occasion. Alas, I can’t find a video. We have to settle for an audio sample instead.

11. I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner–One of the greatest videos ever. And they are able to pull off that anthemic cliche that rock songs so frequently use and not sound trite: the choir. For an example of how not to do the choir see Mike and the Mechanic’s The Living Years.

10. The Search Is Over by Survivor–Although this is one of my favorite bands of the 80s the video is also proof that musicians don’t need to act.

9. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon–Sigh, there will never be another REO. But you can relive the glory by watching the video.

8. We Just Disagree by Dave Mason–Just a stellar lyric. Pop Gold. And to prove it the video clip is from Solid Gold.

7. Making Love Out of Nothing At All by Air Supply–Further proof that they don’t need to act. However, this song is a sonic delight written by none other than Jim Steinman. Come on, you know you love this song.

6. Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad by Meatloaf–Speaking of Steinman, here is another of his lyrics in all of its bombasity. And who better to belt it out than that former Lubbock Christian student, Meatloaf?

5. Against All Odds by Phil Collins–Again, the great Phil Collins providing one of the great love songs of our time.

4. Faithfully by Journey–They made horrible videos but they recorded timeless songs. Their best soft rock tune is by far this one.

3. Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill–Sure, it is a textbook case of lyrical over-reaching but what is better than a four minute justification of why he won’t say “I love you.” This guy is a master at non-answers.

2. We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters–The greatness of Karen Carpenter. What more needs to be said?

1. Weekend in New England by Barry Manilow–Laugh all you want but this song is sheer greatness. It also features a classic money note. If you doubt that, watch what may be the greatest performance in American Idol’s six seasons below:

Ah, that was fun. Discuss my list with me. Which songs on my list do you love? Which ones would you add or trash?

Even now, even though I know there is more to godly worship than just praising God I had a hard time typing that header.

And it’s not just because it’s a mouthful. It’s because I’ve always bristled at anything that smacks of “humanism.” Having done so, I’ve often skirted around a God that often seems decidedly “humanistic.”

By that I mean that God is so “up with people” that there is much in His character and nature that should inform the way we think, feel, believe and, ultimately, worship.

For most of my life I have cultivated an exclusive, for lack of a better term, “praise-centric” view of discipleship. That regular attendance of corporate worship services were and are indicative of a deeper level of faith and commitment.

However, although there can exist a correlation between discipleship and corporate participation there is also often a sizable disconnect between the two. Let’s face it, it is not rare to see people who are corporately content while being compassionately challenged.

But the more I study the more I realize that true godly worship is not the spring-board into godly living but is more the result of it. And as a matter of fact, God doesn’t want worship to be the impetus of discipleship. In fact, for God, worship results from godly living.

To wit:

Jeremiah 7:5–7
5 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

Amos 5:21–24
21 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Hosea 6:6
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Micah 6:6–8
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

This is just a sampling of passages that indicate what Marcus Borg insists is God’s stressing of justice over worship rather than vice-versa.

“Since God is just and the world belongs to God, worship cannot be separated from justice because worship or union with a God of justice empowers the worshiper for a life of Justice.”

Worship services cannot contain our love for God because it must be borne out in the way we interact with people. It must be evidenced by our cries for justice.

This idea would fuel the writings of Paul who tied in our ability to properly take communion with our relationships to others.

We have to be people who are concerned for the least of these. Who have a heart for the lost, forgotten and marginalized. Who love unconditionally and completely.
Who embody the presence of Christ and His wisdom.

We see, in the person of Jesus, God in the flesh. When we see the people that captured the heart of Jesus: the widow, the blind, the lame, the children. Then we see who we are to be in love with in this world.

Worship that sees itself inoculated or isolated from the heart of Christ is not true worship. Worship done in the absence of justice is not worship.

Worship that cares nothing for the heart of those hurting is not worship.

So, Jesus teaches us that the heart of true wisdom is to love God and love others. Completely and intertwined. Worship must be entered into with a heart and love for those you worship with.
It must be a result of a deeper love and commitment to the God of all people that sees itself lived out in their lives. In the muck and mire of broken people.

So, the wife and the kids went out of town yesterday. They drove up to Dallas for the night to spend some time with Tracy’s sister.
It’s the first time in over 3 years that Tracy has taken the girls (at that time there was just two) out of town by herself and left me home alone.

Now, in years past that would be a license to lapse back into bachelor mode. Go to a movie, rent a couple of video games and stay up into the wee hours of the night, eating greasy pizza and saving the world from aliens on the old X-Box.
And then, to top it all off, sleeping till noon.

Sigh, those were the good days.

Here is what my night of freedom looked like this time around:

–Worked in the office until after 6.
–Went and got dinner at Tom’s, one of the best burgers in Waco.
–Got home and made a couple of phone calls that lasted until about 8:45
–Watched the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Spelling Bee! Do you get what I’m telling you? No Halo. No Splinter Cell. A bunch of middle schoolers spelling words I’ve never heard of. Can I get the correct pronunciation for schlemiel, please?
–Went to bed and read a bit.
–Lights out at 11:30.
–Up at 7:30

I may need to send the family out of town for a do-over.

What would you do on a night alone?