Scott Freeman

I’ve been a fan of The Boss for as long as I can remember. When I left Waco last week I decided to make the long needed switch from XM to Sirius. During that drive I was unable to switch off of the Bruce channel for any extended period of time. I was even treated to a replay of one of his 1999 concerts that I was able to attend at Staples Arena in LA, one of only two Springsteen shows I’ve ever seen (the other being a solo acoustic show at Nashville’s Ryman in 1996.)

As I was driving I began to think what would comprise my favorite Springsteen songs of all time. It was too difficult to narrow it down to 10 so I left it at 20. Note: no songs from his new disc, Magic, made the cut. That is due to the fact that they have not withstood the test of time yet, not to the fact that they aren’t incredible songs from one of his finest albums. In addition these are all Springsteen originals so, alas, no Trapped or Jersey Girl.

20. No Surrender–This is a wall of sound gem from Born in the USA. Can you not sense that Bruce knows this is the end of the active membership of Little Steven in the E Street Band?

Money Lyric: We learned more from a three minute record than we ever learned is school.

19. Hungry Heart–We will never get to hear this song as Bruce originally intended: a Ramones tune. Instead, we have yet another quintessential Springsteen tune of running.
Money Lyric: Everybody needs a place to rest/Everybody wants to have a home/Don’t make no difference what nobody says/Ain’t nobody like to be alone

18. Highway Patrolman–This song is from the first Springsteen album I ever bought when I was 13 years old. Nebraska is still my favorite Bruce disk and this song about brotherly love and fidelity still resonates with me. If you feel nothing when Joe Roberts pulls over then you have no soul.
Money Lyric: Well I chased him through them county roads/Till a sign said “Canadian border five miles from here”/I pulled over the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear

17. Brilliant Disguise–Bruce has always zigged when people expected him to zag and this romantic follow-up to the gargantuan selling USA is the epitome of that. Here we see The Boss growing up and looking beyond the road.
Money Lyric: Tonight our bed is cold/I’m lost in the darkness of our love/God have mercy on the man/Who doubts what he’s sure of

“Is it me baby or just a brilliant disguise!”

Add to My Profile | More Videos

16. Fade Away–This is a deep cut off of “The River.” I’ve always loved the notion of refusing to go quietly.
Money Lyric: Now rooms that once were so bright are filled with the coming night

15. American Skin (41 Shots)–This is Bruce at his most unapologetically political. I still get chills every time I hear this protest of a senseless killing.
Money Lyric: Well, is it a gun, is it a knife/Is it a wallet, this is your life/It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)/No secret my friend/You can get killed just for living in your American skin

14. If I Should Fall Behind–I love this song because of the palpable emotion I felt when watching Bruce perform this song with the E Street Band back in 1999. That night the song became more than just another love song but a touching tribute to the band that made him who he is. It was as if Bruce was acknowledging that his greatest musical moments would always come from the partnership of those fellow musicians. This video is from the same reunion tour I saw. Watch the interaction with the band here singing along.
Money Lyric: If I should fall behind/Wait for me

13. My Hometown–No matter what I was doing as a high school student when this video came on MTV with Keith Richards sitting in I was drawn to the screen. Nobody encapsulated the heartache and hopelessness of this era like Bruce.
Money Lyric: Now Main Street’s whitewashed windows and vacant stores/Seems like there ain’t nobody wants to come down here no more/They’re closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks/Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain’t coming back to your hometown

12. Used Cars–Another song from Nebraska this one deals with his childhood watching his father deal with the humiliation of being poor. It’s an indelible word picture. Alas, there seems to be no video of Bruce performing this tune.
Money Lyric: Now, my ma, she fingers her wedding band/And watches the salesman stare at my old man’s hands/He’s tellin’ us all ’bout the break he’d give us if he could, but he just can’t/Well if I could, I swear I know just what I’d do/Now, mister, the day the lottery I win I ain’t ever gonna ride in no used car again

11. Promised Land–This classic is from what I believe to be his greatest E Street release, Darkness on the Edge of Town. This is Rock and Roll the way it is intended to be played.
Money Lyric: Well there’s a dark cloud rising from the desert floor/I packed my bags and I’m heading straight into the storm/Gonna be a twister to blow everything down/That ain’t got the faith to stand its ground/Blow away the dreams that tear you apart/Blow away the dreams that break your heart/Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

10. Rosalita–If I have to explain why this is in my top 10 then you just aren’t a Springsteen fan.
Money Lyric: Tell him this is last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance/Because a record company Rosie just gave me a big advance
9. Dancing In The Dark–The song that propelled Bruce from Rock and Roll greatness to super-stardom. It still rocks. And this was when Courtney Cox was still making good TV.
Money Lyric: You sit around getting older, there’s a joke here somewhere and it’s on me/I’ll shake this world off my shoulders, come on baby this laugh’s on me
8. My City of Ruins–This song was written prior to 9/11 but took on its greatest significance after that date. Still one of his most powerful lyrics ever. It took on even more added meaning in post Katrina New Orleans.
Money Lyric: Come on rise up! Come on rise up!

My City of Ruins

Add to My Profile | More Videos

7. Darkness On The Edge of Town–Pure greatness.
Money Lyric: Well everybody’s got a secret Sonny/Something that they just can’t face/Some folks spend their whole lives trying to keep it/They carry it with them every step that they take/Till some day they just cut it loose/Cut it loose or let it drag ‘em down/

6. The River–Do yourself a favor and get a hold of the spoken word intro to this from his 1975-85 live set. It brings the heartbreak of this song into stark relief.
Money Lyric: Then I got Mary pregnant, and man that was all she wrote/And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat/We went down to the courthouse/And the judge put it all to rest/No wedding day smiles no walk down the aisle/No flowers no wedding dress

5. Badlands–Yet another cut off of Darkness, this track kicks off with a rollicking keyboard and doesn’t let up until the end. A flawless tune.
Money Lyric: For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside/That it ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive/I wanna find one face that ain’t looking through me/I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

4. Atlantic City–The first video of his I ever saw from the first album of his that I bought. A moving depiction of the demise of a once great town and how that trickles down to honest hard-working people.
Money Lyric: Everything dies baby that’s a fact/But maybe everything that dies someday comes back/Put your makeup on fix your hair up pretty and meet me tonight in Atlantic City

3. Born To Run–It feels wrong putting this song all the way down at number 3. It’s the tune that first introduced me to the greatness of the greatest rocker of my lifetime. But, as great as it is, it’s not my favorite Springsteen song. But it’s oh so close. And oh so perfect. I never knew who Wendy was but I sure wanted to marry her.

Money Lyric: The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive/Everybody’s out on the run tonight but there’s no place left to hide/Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness/I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul/Someday girl I don’t know when we’re gonna get to that place/Where we really want to go and we’ll walk in the sun/But till then tramps like us baby we were born to run

2. Land of Hope and Dreams–I first heard this song in 1999 when Bruce closed the Staples show with it. To me this is his most hopeful, most redemptive and most faith filled song. It’s a Christ message wrapped in that vintage E Street sound.
Money Lyric:
This Train…
Carries saints and sinners
This Train…
Carries losers and winners
This Train…
Carries whores and gamblers
This Train…
Carries lost souls
This Train…
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train…
Faith will be rewarded
This Train…
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train…
Bells of freedom ringin’

1. Thunder Road–Specifically the 1975 version that was on the live set. This song, to me, stands as the quintessential Springsteen song: the specific girl, the cars, the hopelessness, the feelings of inadequacy and longing, and ultimately the hope of something better out there waiting.
Money Lyric: The whole thing.

Thoughts

With Heroes return to the little screen last night we can fully embrace the return of prime time television. I wanted to do a post on the 10 new shows I’m most looking forward to. However, I couldn’t find 10.

So, this will be two lists in one: returning shows I’m most excited about and new shows that look promising. Of course there is no way of knowing how good something is going to be until it starts (See Studio 60 and the 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks)

Returning Shows (Note: These are network shows which explains the omission of Michael C. Hall’s textured portrayal of Dexter.)

5. Heroes–With all apologies to Phil, the season finale last year was not good. It almost wrecked the entire season. So, I was a little meh about its return and last night’s premiere did not fully assuage my concerns. My confidence that it would avoid the Lost-syndrome of needless wandering is a little bowed right now. I mean, seriously, if both Petrelli boys and Sylar are still alive what was the point of the season finale? However, if there is any show that will overcome this minor misstep it is this one.

4. Beauty and the Geek–This is the only reality show on my radar screen except for the one we won’t mention. What separates this from all of the entries in this genre is its heart. The contestants generally emerge as better people. What could deviate into spectacle rarely does and instead works to foster relationships. And its fun.

3. House–Best character on TV finds himself alone at the beginning of this year. How does the loss of his diagnostic team acerbate his irritability? I’ll be tuned in tonight to find out.

2. How I Met Your Mother–This show grows stronger and stronger with each episode. Neil Patrick Harris is the best supporting character out there at the moment. Last year gave us one of the funniest episodes in sit-com history with “Slap-Bet.” And now, that Ted and Robin are officially broken up we can finally set our sites on meeting the aforementioned mother.

1. 30 Rock/The Office–I combine these two because they come on together, are excellent comedies and I run the risk of friends not talking to me if Heroes is not on this list. With that said these two shows are vying for the funniest show on TV. As last season ended 30 Rock had solidified into a timeless comedy. I’m looking at an ability to avoid a sophomore slump. My only hesitation with The Office is the temptation to milk the Jim/Pam will they, won’t they angle.

New Shows

5. Caveman–You bet I want to see it. Like I want to see helicopters crashing into bridges. This is one of those shows that you can tell your kids later actually made it to TV without a Studio Head waking up and coming to his senses. See: Manimal and any Dabney Coleman sitcom.

4. Back To You–I enjoyed the first episode but did not love it. However, I will give this a full season to grow into excellence. With Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton and Fred Willard leading a top-notch cast you have to give room for the show to grow.

3. Pushing Daisies–The pilot, which doesn’t officially air until October 3rd, was great. This is one of those quirky dramedies that you have to invest in from the beginning.

2. Chuck–If last year we saw an influx of 24-inspired narrative shows, this year is the year of the geek. Chuck is a pitch-perfect example of your local geek-squad member.

1. Reaper–By far the show I am most excited about. The hilarious pilot was directed by Kevin Smith and premieres tonight. Do not miss it. George Hamilton playing Satan. Typecasting? We shall see.

What shows are you looking forward to?

I was going to do the top 10 most embarrassing books on my shelves today. However, when I came back into my office yesterday I found a computer that would not turn on. Upon further inspection we find that said computer is fried.

Luckily, I was able to take it in and save all of my files and transport them to my home computer. Alas, I no longer have a computer at the office. Since I’m leaving it’s only right that the new guy who comes in after me selects his new office set-up so I will be largely relegated to working at home or lugging the laptop back and forth to the church building for the next few weeks.

Therefore, I can’t do a breakdown of my books this week. So, I thought I would ask for some ideas. Here are the top 10 lists I am preparing for the future:

10 Most Embarrassing Books I Own
100 Greatest Songs of All Time
10 Best Unsung Actors
10 Celebrities Who Should Run For Office
10 Issues That Should No Longer Be Issues
10 Greatest Living Theologians

Here are ones that have been suggested to me:

10 things the church has gotten right (I’d really like to see this one)
your 10 favorite Bible passages
your 10 biggest struggles as a pastor, a father, a husband, a Christian
your 10 most enjoyable moments at your current church
10 things you wish you could do over in life
10 things you would have done different at your current church
10 new ideas for your next church
10 questions you would ask Jesus
10 things that irritate you about the emerging church
10 things you would want in a pastor
Top 10 Sports Movies
Top 10 Razorback Sports Moments

Give Me Ideas. If I get a great one I might crank it out tonight.

I’m no prophet and make no claims to be. I’m not even a skilled prognosticator. If I was I’d be playing the horses.

However, there is no doubt that there is a coming tidal wave of issues that intellectually honest and sincere Christians will face in the future if not already. And surely many of us are confronting these topics in the here and now.

And these issues will make many of our previous issues look as ridiculous as so many of them are. So this list is not that of issues that will appear out of the blue but will gain steam and momentum in the years to come. In other words, these issues are already among us.

Before I begin the list let me emphasize two points:

First, I am not taking a position on any of these issues. I am merely stating that what might be settled in our minds may not be settled in the minds of people coming after us. In the future I will talk about each of these but not today.

Burying our head in the sand and pretending they aren’t really issues at all will serve no benefit for the kingdom. Nor will drawing our line in the sand and proclaiming that there is no need to deal with these issues because everything is already settled. We must be engaged, honest, questioning and concerned enough with the thoughts of others that we are willing to wrestle with tough issues.

Secondly, these are in no particular order. I make no claims as to which will consume the most of our energy.

Again let me re-state. I’m not taking a position on any of these issues nor am I stating that they should be issues. I am merely stating that we, as Christians, must be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. And that means meeting people where they are. In the coming months and years, this is where we will meet them.

10. Evolution and other issues of science. As the evidence seems to mount lending credence to the theory of evolution we must prepare for a greater conversation on such issues. Repackaging Creationism under the designation “Intelligent Design” fools no one and brings the conversation to a grinding halt.

9. The nature of Truth. Must the Bible be viewed solely as Propositional Truth? Is the rejection of PT mean strictly an embrace of Relativism or is there nuance?

8. Fellowship with Mormons and other “fringe” Christian groups. As the LDS gains mainstream respectability and a public backing away from much of their questionable doctrine our working relationship with these groups will come into greater need for discussion.

7. Biblical Inerrancy. The question of whether or not the trustworthiness of Scripture hinges upon its inerrancy will become more central in the coming years.

6. Bio-ethical Questions–Cloning, stem cell, etc. must be wrestled with from a Judeo-Christian perspective.

5. Homosexuality–Studying the issues anew, grappling with how to receive someone who is LGBT, and what Christ commands of us is imperative, regardless of how uncomfortable the topic is for many.

4. Gender Issues–What does the Bible truly say about the role of women? Are they second-class citizens when it comes to areas of service and leadership or is there a more progressive hermeneutic that demands something more egalitarian?

3. The Nature of Salvation–Questions of hell, heaven, and a new earth will become increasingly important as we wrestle anew with some problematic passages of Scripture.

2. What Is Church?–As we see the growth of non-traditional services and meeting places, and as many places of worship become decentralized the question of what it is we are called to do and be will increase.

1. The Atonement–Which is it: penal substitution, Christus Victor, ransom, or some mixture of the above? Or none of the above?

Note: I know that I didn’t include Open Theism which probably should be on this list.

What are your thoughts with these 10? What do you think should be added?

Since I am in the middle of this transition I thought it would be apropos to step back and do some internal evaluation. Implicit in my role as a minister is a sense of calling that this is what God wants me to do with my life.

But what if that wasn’t the case? If I wasn’t in ministry what would I want to do? Where would my particular skill sets take me? After ruling out careers with Cirque Du Soleil and Political Image Consultant here is what I came up with:

10. Pharmicist–Not that I have any particular love or affinity for this field but who doesn’t think it’s a scam? How hard can it be to put 30 pills in a container? And they make some pretty legitimate coin by being able to count and measure.

9. Movie or Television Critic–I seem to have the top two requirements for this position: I love movies and TV and I’m reasonably critical. And I could be the people’s critic at that. No propping up a bunch of foreign language artsy stuff. I could do a 3000 piece why the new Scott Baio reality show is the best thing on TV this summer.

8. Attorney–Not some high powered “I want the Truth” attorney but one that works with underprivileged and disadvantaged suspects.

7. Event Planner–See, I could totally do this. That’s such a large part of what youth ministry is. And I’m relatively cool and collected during a crisis? Run out of those cute little napkins? No problem, I have some extras in my trunk. See, you already feel comfortable using me for your next reunion or Bat Mitzvah.

6. Counseling–I’ve done a far bit of this already and focused part of my grad work on Biblical Counseling. I just don’t know if I could do it all day long. Maybe if I could solve crimes between patients.

5. Journalist/Reporter–I actually majored in Journalism for a semester or two and had aspirations of being an investigative reporter. I could see myself in a newspaper setting with my sleeves rolled up.

4. Advocacy Work/Non-Profit–The older I get the more I see the value in investing in works designed to alleviate poverty, seek justice and protect the environment. I could see myself really seeking my teeth into non-profit work.

3. Book Store Owner–How cool would it be to have your own bookstore? That way I could sit there and read all day while people come in and peruse the racks.

2. Professor/Teacher–This is the one thing I’ve been told the most I should consider outside of ministry. I would love to be in a classroom setting.

1. Novelist–I have at least two books in my head. One of these days I’m going to sit down and actually start writing. “I became a preacher the day my father died. Both events were equally unexpected and unwanted.” That’s the opening to one of them.

What would you do? What do you think about these career ideas?

So being in the midst of a ministry search brings about some exciting possibilities. But there is one thing that is assured this time around: it has to be a place where we can stay long-term. With our oldest daughter entering first grade we can’t move around any longer.

So, I went to the good folks at Find Your Spot and allowed them to tell me where my dream locations are. I find this interesting.

My top ten were:

10: Boston–Tracy and I love Boston. We spent our 2nd and 3rd anniversaries in that grand town. Of course it would be a great place to live and that 600,000 average house price doesn’t scare us off at all . I hear they have a pretty big Church of Christ there. I wonder if they are hiring.

9. Danbury, Connecticut–I don’t know anything about this town. However, I am told that this is the place to go if you want a nice beaver hat. I’ve never been in the market before but that might be because I’ve been running in the wrong circles.

8. Fayetteville, Arkansas–If the survey had polled my favorite teams this would have been higher up the chart. Ahh, Fayetteville. God’s town.

7. Carlisle, Pennsylvania–Really? I’m just reporting what the survey says. Again, another town I know next to nothing about. It is sight of the longest stone arch bridge in the world. If that’s reason enough to move there then so be it.

6. Baltimore, Maryland–OK, I guess I can see that. I’m not a Ravens fan, though. But I’d love the chance to see Cal Ripken play 3rd.

5. Little Rock, Arkansas–I’m not making this up. My home-town is number 5 on the list it kicked back. It’s a happening place.

4. Hartford, Connecticut–I guess I could get good insurance there, right?

3. New Haven, Connecticut–I’d move here only on the condition that I could teach a couple of courses at the local university. It would be fitting to live in the home of the hamburger.

2. Worcester, Massachusetts–I’m obviously missing something, here. I drove through Worcester several years ago and something nothing memorable. I guess it’s centrally located. After living in Albuquerque I guess it would be cool to live in another town that no one can spell or pronounce correctly.

1. Providence, Rhode Island–”She came from Providence. The one in Rhode Island, where the old world shadows hang heavy in the air.” Bonus points if you can name the song that came from. I did love this town the one time I visited. Great mall and they have a Cheesecake Factory which is a huge deal for Tracy.

Other recommendations the spot gave me were: Charleston, Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Nashville (been there, done that ), Norfolk, Altoona, Roanake, Elkins (W. Va.), Chattanooga, Oklahoma City, Johnson City–Kingsport, Johnson (Vt.), Erie (Pa.) and Frederick (Md.)

Where is your spot? Where would you like to live? Take the poll and find out. Any recommendations for us?

Since we have passed the midway mark of this year I thought it an apropos time to look back at the best the music world has had to offer through June.
Understand that this list is not static and is likely to change considerably as the year progresses. At this point last year, The Dixie Chicks held my spot for best album. By the end of the year they had fallen to number 9.

Because I’m a YouTube junkie, I’ll give you pertinent videos as well.

10. The Twilight Sad–Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters: These Scottish rockers create an aural masterpiece that harkens back to the Wall of Sound era. These songs are in no way upbeat but they possess a beauty that is able to contain but somber and melancholy lyrics alongside a near symphonic sound. The Scottish brogue may be off-putting for some but, to me, it stands up well as a bridge between the downcast and the upbeat.
Here is a link to an MP3 of the opening track Cold Days From The Birdhouse.

9. Storyhill–Storyhill: This singer-songwriter duo from Montana are all about majestic harmonies and simple tunes. They have the bearing, lyricism and soaring melodies that hints of a modern day Simon and Garfunkel. This is a song they wrote for one of their weddings. It’s called “Highlight” and is my favorite cut on the album:

8. Susan Werner–The Gospel Truth: Werner calls this an “agnostic gospel” album. But what you will find is an album of great faith. This is one of a small influx of more progressive Christian recordings a la Derek Webb that is slowly coming into its own. From the hilarious “Our Father” to the foot-stomping inclusion anthem that is “I Will Have My Portion” Werner continues to demonstrate that she is a tremendous lyricist and a voice that needs to be heard. Here is “I Will Have My Portion”

7. Sinead O’Connor–Theology: If you had told me that I would ever include an O’Connor album in my “best of” anything, I would have laughed at you. But this two-disc set is a revelation and further evidence of the gathering storm of an alternative to CCM. Broken into two different sessions, The Dublin recordings are stark and introspective. The London recordings are largely the same tunes with a full band backing. The difference is between prayer and celebration. Meditation and praise. And her voice beautifully centers the entire project. Here is Something Beautiful:

6. Bright Eyes–Cassadega: Yeah, Conor Oberst is cocky and smug. But he makes a great album. It opts for more cryptic and less heavy-handed political ruminations than some of their previous outings. And that makes for a more enjoyable, diverse collection of tunes. Here is the great “Four Winds”

5. Patty Griffin–Children Running Through: If you have never heard Patty Griffin then you are missing out on one of the great unsung voices in music today. She is an accomplished lyricist, tremendous guitarist. And that voice! Oh, that voice. She can shift from one musical genre to another without breaking a sweat. And this may be her best album yet. Interesting tidbit: when Kelly Clarkson performed on the Idol Gives Back show she chose the Martin Luther King tribute “Up The Mountain” from this album. Here is “No Bad News”

4. Brandi Carlile–The Story: The problem here is how to adequately describe the power and dramatic flair that comes through in Carlile’s vocal. It would be a grave disservice to merely dismiss her as another angst-y female vocalist. She has a range that can transform a song from a maudlin ballad to a roots rocker in one beat. You may remember this song if you watch Grey’s Anatomy. “The Story”

3. Mavis Staples–We’ll Never Turn Back: I’ve had a difficult time not listening to this disc over the last two weeks. Take the greatest songs from the Civil Rights Era, sung by one of the greatest living voices of the Blues and update it for a contemporary audience with the guitar licks of a living legend and you get this collection. Check out this scorching version of “99 & 1/2.” “My God is a freedom God”

2. The Avett Brothers–Emotionalism: If the Beatles did bluegrass it might sound like this. Any other year and this would be my #1 album. Stellar harmonies, clever lyrics, multiple styles converging to produce a pop confection are reasons enough to put this at the top of any list. Here is my favorite track, “Shame”

1. Michael McDermott–Noise From Words: At this point I don’t know what more I can say. It’s not hyperbole to say that this is greatest songwriter of my generation. And this is his best outing since his 1996 self-titled album. It is a crime of the highest order that he is not a house hold name. No song-writer has ever touched me lyrically like Michael has. If you buy any album this year, get this one. Here is the debut video, “Mess of Things”

Honorable Mentions
Todd Snider–Peace, Love and Anarchy
Mary Chapin Carpenter–The Calling
Bon Jovi–Lost Highway
Kelly Clarkson–My December (Note: I love Kelly Clarkson and I really want to love this album. So far, I just can’t.)
Maria McKee–Late December
Lucy Kaplansky–Over The Hills
Of Montreal–Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Son Volt–The Search?

What has been your favorite of the year?

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?

Attempting this ambitious of a list is quite a daunting one. Especially when I try to recall the books that I have read through the years.

What follows is not necessarily a list of the greatest books that I have read but the ones that have helped to shape me and turn me into a life-long reader.

10. The Stand by Stephen King–When I was about 13 years old I picked up my older brother’s copy of Salem’s Lot and began to read it. I was hooked. Although The Stand was not the first King book that I read it was the first where I knew that I was leaving the world of comic books and Encyclopedia Brown behind and moving into more adult fare.
My mom supported my growing reading habit but was understandably concerned about the mature subject matter of King’s book. She let me read his stuff anyway, most likely against her better judgment. There was one rule though: I couldn’t take any of his books to school with me. But The Stand was way too long of a book to not try to sneak it to school to read during class. And too engrossing. I got caught carrying it to the bus stop.

9. Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy–It would be that following summer when I first picked up Conroy’s book. The themes of friendship, honor and integrity would so resonate in my 14 year old consciousness that I would go back and read it multiple times over the next few years of my life. It was the first book that would prompt the multiple readings. Not only that, but I would end up watching the movie version 32 times.

8. On the Anvil by Max Lucado–I haven’t read anything by Lucado in many years and don’t particularly enjoy his style of writing. However when I was 21 years old I decided that it was time to take this faith thing seriously. This book was the one that aided me the most in that process. It fomented my desire to be a true disciple. I still appreciate that.

7. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards–I read this book in the early days of my ministry. I did not go to a Christian school or receive any formal training in what ministry was all about. Going into it I thought it would be an easy job with nothing but love and nurture from people. This book was absolutely critical for me when I realized that was not the case. During the first 5 years of ministry I would pull this book down off the shelf every six months or so and read it again. The theme of brokenness is one that has always been important to me. It’s the only way I truly know how to proclaim the gospel.
It’s time to read this again.

6. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning–Grace came alive to me when I read this book for the first time 17 years ago. This was in those formative days of trying to start a college ministry, hanging out with friends who were passionately pursuing Jesus, jaunts to the Tulsa Workshop, and passing a very pregnant Amy Grant on the streets of Nashville. It was when I first fully began to realize that the blessed gospel is for all and not my narrow corner of the world.

5. I Just Want To Be A Christian by Rubel Shelly–I would not have been prepared for the two-by-four of Manning’s book if not for the advance work that Shelly’s book accomplished. In the summer and fall of 1989 I was wrestling with God’s love and grace and just truly how wide, deep and high it was. This book was the one that first initially gave me the idea that maybe there didn’t need to be the series of litmus tests that I had thought were necessary. Maybe the things that I thought were so important as a test of fellowship didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

4. The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey–It’s amazing to think how slowly and gradually true change takes place. In the five years between Ragamuffin and this book I considered myself a progressive, open-minded Christian. However, in that period I didn’t experience the love affair with Jesus that would characterize my life in later years. Yancey’s book began the sea change away from Paulianity to truly fixing my eyes on Jesus.

3. Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch–Branch’s first entry in his masterful trilogy documenting America in the years of Martin Luther King, Jr. had a tremendous impact on me. Over the last few years I have confronted my own hatreds and prejudices. It was in reading this book that King became more than just a tragic figure but a true hero of mine. Branch’s work is exhaustive and compelling. He brings the pains and struggles of the Civil Rights era into stark relief and spurred me to greater love for all people.

2. The Inescapable Love of God by Tom Talbott–Not only is this one of my favorite titles of all time but it is also one of my favorite writings. Part autobiography, part exegesis this writing is the one that took me deepest into a true understanding of the never-ending love of God. Regardless of words that I have said to the contrary I have longed viewed God’s love being fixed and finite, conditional and contingent. Talbott’s book was instrumental in moving me to a more fleshed out and salvific view of the character and nature of God.

1. Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp–It’s no stretch to say that this book has shaped me more than any other that I have ever read. It is not the most exhaustive or scholarly book that I have read on the subject of true Christian discipleship. But it is the one that truly sparked my desire to be more like Christ, to understand and embrace non-violence and allegiance solely to the Lamb.
And to think that it was by chance that I discovered this book: standing in a Port Huron, Michigan library in January of 2004 and noticing a title that seemed to combine two of my favorite works only to discover that it was penned by a member of my own tribe. I got the book read a few pages, got disgusted and put it aside.
But I kept coming back to it. The truth that it proclaimed was too real for me to escape from. I’ve since read it 7 times. It has shaped me and redefined me.

But then again, all of these books have. I anxiously await the next 10 books that will impact me like these.

What about you?

There is a lot of talk that persists in the world today about dangerous religious movements and the toll that they exact on unsuspecting people. From a potential presidential candidate to a leading Hollywood star to my own religious heritage questions persist about what does and does not constitute a cult.

This is where I come in. In this special edition top 10 list (postponed from yesterday) I break down the 10 most dangerous, insidious and pervasive cults in America today.

It’s not Scientology that we have to be worried about (please don’t sue me). It’s not the People’s Temple or the Moonies. No, these groups are far more sinister.

Read on, reader, and gird up your loins for battle:

10. Jeep Drivers–I know the danger of this one first-hand because I used to own a Jeep. I had no idea when I purchased it back in 1996 that I had joined a covert group. But, overnight, people begin to wave at me and give me these furtive nods. The connection? We were fellow Jeep drivers. It took my wife and an expired lease to get me out (relatively) unscathed.

9. Star Wars Fans–Sure, they are geeks. But it’s the geek world writ large. They don’t just watch the movies, they view life through the prism of an alternative language. Tatooine isn’t another planet, it’s home to these folks. And don’t be surprised if some of the more industrious members are constructing their very own Millennium Falcon’s in their parent’s basements.

8. Lads To Leaders Participants–Sure, it has produced some leadership qualities in many of our churches. It has enabled people to develop and refine preaching and song-leading skills not to mention stoking the fires of all things puppets. But just suggest to the die-hards that you are uncomfortable with the spirit of competition that it provokes and you just might get a beat-down.

7. Garage Sale Scavengers–You have seen these people. They are the ones who begin trolling the streets late on Thursday nights looking for those who are setting up their sales to begin the next day. They are the ones who park outside said garage sales beginning at midnight in eager anticipation of the next day’s bounty. They are the ones who ring the doorbell at 4 in the morning because it’s time to roll up the garage door and begin the bargaining. And they are the ones who will gut you if you get between them and their nickel rolling pin.

6. Yankee Haters–There appears to be this code of acceptability among baseball fans that gauges your true love of the sport based upon the level of animosity you harbor toward the boys in pinstripes. I’m no Yankee fan but the seething level of hatred that many of the haters have is enough to give me pause and wonder if somewhere someone is amassing an arsenal to take out this scourge on America’s pastime.

5. Harry Potter Fans–Tell them it’s just a series of books and see the spittle and foam begin to appear around the corners of their mouths. Tell them you don’t know the difference between a muggle and a dumbledore and they will stare at you with incredulous pity. Tell them that you think it’s all a bunch of hype and prepare to see them slip into anaphylactic shock. Be warned of this group. Their next planned incursion into the real world is scheduled the week of July 21st. Best to stay off the streets that week.

4. NPR Listeners–This group of people are absolutely addicted to lifeless, monotone recitation of world events and “interesting” tidbits of cultural, political and sociological insight. The concern here is that the endless, never varying drone of those pedestrian and lifeless talking heads has produced a near zombie effect that could progress to the eating of young.

3. Mac Users–Be warned. Their smug, knowing tone belies an evangelistic fervor that seeks to indoctrinate.

2. Oprah Watchers–This group is the epitome of a modern day cult. They have a charismatic leader that demands unquestioning and impassioned fidelity. And she has achieved just that level of respect and adoration among her throngs of disciples. If she announces the phone book as her book club pick people will snatch it up in droves. Men, be careful. She is a few precisely timed “special Oprahs” away from taking over the world.

1. Coffee Drinkers–This group is far and away the most dangerous of all. They are universally incapable of understanding anyone who is not a full-blown aficionado. Tell them that you don’t like coffee and prefer a Diet Coke and you can see them looking incredulously at your impertinence and general lack of civility. Tell them that it’s preposterous that anyone would pay 12 bucks for a venti or grande or whatever and you can see them silently plotting your death. Keep away.

There you have it, the most dangerous cults in America today. Any thoughts? I’m sure there will be some insight from the members of some of these cults.

Any that I forgot?

And by the way, this is all in good fun.