Tricia and I are the Featured Wedding in the latest issue of Kentucky Bridal Magazine. We're on the cover of the Fall 2007 issue (pictured here) of this publication, which has just changed from bi-monthly to quarterly, and there's an article inside about our wedding.

This all started because of the photo on the front. Our wedding photographer, Rosemary Cundiff-Brown of Monarch Photography, snapped that shot while we were dancing at our reception. She was showing it to one of her friends, who happens to work for the magazine, and next thing you know we're famous!

Well, it turns out I'm not the famous one (my face isn't even visible in any of the pictures!) but Tricia's definitely prettier than I am, so it was a good choice on the editor's part!

The article, written by Rosemary, talks about how Tricia and I met and eventually ended up together! (Those of you that know us well should note that we gave the magazine the abridged version...we didn't think they'd have enough pages for the whole 9-year story!)

If you see one, pick it up. I found a couple of copies at the Kroger on Terry Rd. (don't look there, I bought them all!), but it should have a pretty good local distribution.

NOTE: I tried accessing their website (www.kybridalmag.com) and was unable to get any kind of page to load. I'm not sure if the website is still running or not, but if you have trouble finding the issue in stores, you might want to try logging on to it every few days or so.

For his latest novel, Ted Dekker returns to one of his first ones. This book is a slight rewrite of his 2002 novel Blink. Not having read the original, it's difficult to say if the version is better, but it is supposed to be more in line with the feature film that is coming soon, and it is certainly a reminder of Dekker's storytelling ability.

Perhaps that's one of the more frustrating things about this book: it's good. Much better than Dekker's last few efforts. This story feels more like a whole story -- complete with character development, story arcs, and a decently satisfying conclusion. It's a testimony to the page-turning prowess that Dekker possesses, but also serves as a stark contrast to this year's Skin (and even last year's Saint).

Slacker-genius Seth Borders finds himself on the receiving end of a gift that not only turns his own world upside-down, but also places him squarely in the middle of an international crisis revolving around Miriam, a Saudi Arabian woman seeking to escape the political ambitions of those who would use her to further their agenda. The action is tightly paced, and the two main characters endure many trials on their way to a final face-off with those who would stand against them.

Late-coming fans of Dekker (like myself) will enjoy the chance to pick up one of his earlier works in hardcover, but it's doubtful that those who already own Blink will find enough redone here for the double dip. While I certainly enjoyed this story, I more than once found myself wishing that Dekker would return to writing more like this one. B+

Fewer and fewer World War II veterans are left with us each year, and while many of us are aware of the major themes of the war -- Pearl Harbor, Normandy, etc. -- many stories remain untold. In his latest work, Gregory Freeman tells the story of more than 500 downed airmen who were daringly rescued from German-controlled Yugoslavia.

When dealing with a war of global scale, as WWII certainly was, it becomes easy to neglect the personal stories of the individuals that enlisted, went overseas, and risked their lives daily. If nothing else, this book clearly highlights the stories of people -- men and women who found themselves in the midst of an undesirable situation and yet rose to meet it with courage and honor.

At times, it's hard to keep up with the vast array of characters, or even the varying time periods necessary to tell the full story of all involved. Some stories seem almost too tangential to be included, but I can't fault Freeman for including so many personal accounts of the men who survived such ordeals. (I don't envy the editor who had to choose what parts of these stories had to be left out.)

This book serves as a tribute to the brave men who did what was necessary to prevent Nazism from spreading, and speaks plainly of the sacrifices made by them, those who painstakingly planned their rescue, and the generous Serbians that aided them. Although history may have overlooked them once, these 500 won't be forgotten again. B-

Falling Up is back with their third studio release, and this is the one that should broaden their fan base and open the door to even more exposure in the mainstream. Their songs have always been catchy, and these are no exception, but the band finally seems to have found a good balance between their talent and the tendency to rely on production too much.

Although I have to disagree with whoever decided to give the songs such obscure and confusing names. It might sound cool in a studio, but it's confusing in practice.

Person 1: What's the name of that new Falling Up song where the chorus says "is anybody out there?"

Person 2: Oh yeah, that's called "Good Morning Planetarium."

Person 1: What?

Stylistically, this album is closer to Dawn Escapes (their second effort) that their debut, and it continues to move them further from that nu rock sound. This band is clearly in a maturation process, and while this disc isn't perfect, they are on the right track. B

This is the final release from Jump 5, calling it quits after a decade or so. While often criticized for being part of the "bubble gum pop" genre that littered the landscape of the late 90s, these four (one member left the band a few years back) clearly have strong vocal talent. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these kids pop up in the music scene after they've had some time to adjust to a "normal" teenage life.

As far as this album goes, it's a bit of a disappointment. We get 10 tracks, but 3 are covers (including an awful rendition of the Beatles song that gives this album it's name) and 2 are remixes, so there are only 5 new songs. Although their version of the hymn "I Surrender All" was a bit on the bland side, I do applaud them for taking a more overt Christian approach than on previous records.

Seeing as this was the finale, I would have thought they could have squeezed in more than 30 minutes of music, but that's been pretty standard fare on Jump 5 discs in the past as well. All said, this album is the same as their previous ones: if you liked those, you'll like this one too. If you aren't a fan, there's nothing here to change your mind. C

Tricia and I went over to Huber's Farm in Indiana with our Sunday School class yesterday. There were 21 of us that made the trip, including all the children. We had a great time, and the weather was great -- sunny and low 70s.

It took about 30-40 minutes to get there from Louisville, and at least half that time was spent on the very curvy (and often very narrow) back roads that lead from the Interstate to the farm. It's probably not that noticeable in a car, but I was driving the 15-passenger church van, and it was a bit snug at times. 

We arrived without incident and after we ate at the restaurant there, we spent the afternoon on the grounds. I took several pictures out there, the best of which are now in the photo section. I tried to capture some of the more vivid colors of the farm and attractions.

Most people know that 1776 was the year of the Declaration of Independence, but that was merely one of many events that led to the formation of the United States during that year. The untrained, outnumbered continental army faced the full might of the British empire, and defeat was more than likely -- it was nearly ensured.

Although I just got around to reading this book (it's been out since '05), the timing works out well, since a new Illustrated Edition - complete with replicas of the documents and letters McCullough references throughout the text - was released earlier this month. I've heard that the book is slightly abridged, but I can't imagine too much of importance being cut out, and the bonus features more than make up for any loss.

McCullough takes his readers on a worthwhile journey of one of the seminal years in the history of our country. Although the book is a bit shorter than I would have liked, it serves as a powerful reminder of how tenuous our nation's beginnings were, and how our victory was anything but certain. B

The title of this album is more than a clever name, it's a challenge. Open the liner notes and you'll find a list of websites and a brief note from the band encouraging their listeners to give to those less fortunate.

As you might expect, the songs on this disc are centered around a similar theme. However, it pulls off the amazing feat of being convicting and challenging without being condescending or guilt-based. It's a reminder of all God has done for us, especially through Jesus Christ, and that as people who have been so greatly helped, we must now help others.

I missed this band's debut disc a few years back, so I have nothing to compare it to in terms of growth, but this band has quite a mature sound and appears to already be living up to some great potential. Solid songwriting skills and sharp instrumentation will continue to serve this group in the years and discs to come.

There are a few tracks that don't quite click, but the hits are far greater than the misses, and I have a sneaking suspicion that this disc will find itself in heavy rotation for a while. B+

The latest effort from Plumb (aka: Tiffany Arbuckle Lee), and her fifth studio disc, is a full-blown departure from the style and sound of previous albums. In place of electronica and rock is an inventive, virtually unplugged collection of lullabies and songs for her children.

In fact, the album is dedicated to her two children, and every song relates to childhood, motherhood, or some combination thereof.  In many ways, it's a very poignant expression of a mother's love for her children. Listening to it almost seems awkward, like an invasion of a the intimate affection between parent and child.

Of course, it's tough to critique such a heartfelt expression of love from a mother to her sons. It's a bold move on Lee's part to create an entire CD in this vein, but I doubt that guitar riffs and trance rhythms would have conveyed these sentiments as effectively.

The concept works, but it's so atypical of previous Plumb efforts that it's a bit disappointing. Plus, the identical nature and content of so many of the songs makes listening to this disc sound like it has fewer than its skimpy-enough-as-it-is 10 tracks. I'm not criticizing her decision to make an album for her boys, I'm just not sure it was meant for anyone else. C-

Jesus satisfies.

As I've been going through the book of Mark, I've noticed a theme in each of Jesus' miracles: when he meets a need, he meets it completely and instantly.

• When Jesus heard that Simon's mother-in-law is sick, he "came in and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them." [Mark 1:31] She was healed so completely that she was able to get up and start working right away!


• Four men wanted to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, but the crowd was too thick. So they went to the roof, cut a hole in it, and lowered their friend to Jesus. Jesus commanded him to "rise, pick up your bed, and go home" [Mark 2:11] and the man who was lowered in on a bed, unable to move, stood up and walked out the front door.


• A woman had suffered from a blood-related disease for 12 years. She went to every doctor she could find and spent all she had, and she was only getting worse. She looked to Jesus for help, and when the woman touched the edge of Jesus' garment, she immediately "felt in her body that she was healed of her disease." [Mark 5:29] It wasn't a gradual cure, but an instant healing.


• When a crowd of 5,000, and then another crowd of 4,000 a short while later, were hungry and without food, Jesus took one lunch and multiplied it so that all were fed. But it wasn't just a snack that Jesus provided -- it was a full meal. In both cases, the people ate until "they were satisfied." [Mark 6:42 & 8:8]

Of course, these weren't permanent solutions. Those he healed would eventually get sick again. Even if they didn't suffer from the same disease, they would grow old and die. Those who were fed on the hillside would go home and become hungry again.

Which is why Jesus didn't make meeting physical needs the main point of his earthly ministry. He could have spent all his years on earth going from town to town and healed every sick person, fed all the hungry, and cured every disease. But that wasn't his mission, because as real as our physical needs are, they aren't our biggest problem.

In the story of the paralytic man that I mentioned earlier, the first thing Jesus said to the man was "My son, your sins are forgiven." [Mark 2:5] Even though he was laying on a mat unable to move, being healed physically wasn't his most pressing concern. There was a deeper healing that this man needed. It was this need that Jesus addressed first, since it was truly his most urgent need.

It's the same for us. Our sins have separated from sin-less God. Only Jesus can bridge that gap, by both paying off the debt we owe God because of our wrongs, and by crediting us with his perfection. Those who place their faith in Christ can stand before God innocent -- not because they are perfect, but because Jesus gives them his perfection.

And, as God's Word shows us, that is just like Jesus: meeting our greatest need completely and totally. When we were helpless and hopeless, he "had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" [Mark 6:34] and provided help and hope.

Completely and eternally, Jesus satisfies.

Maybe it's the vocals. I've never quite been able to pin down what sets this band apart from so many others, but they certainly have a unique sound. (You may have heard "Shine On" from their first CD used in some TV spots on ABC last spring.) They have returned just one year after their debut with another disc that should help them build their fanbase and enjoy even more mainstream success.

[UPDATE (10/08/07): I was watching FOX football yesterday and heard their new track "Nothing Left To Lose" in a promo spot for the FOX Monday night lineup.]

As a side note, can I just say how much I dislike the band's decision to have their name as one long word...and in all caps? It's distracting and, frankly, a bit silly looking. But, of course, that has nothing to do with the band itself or their music. I'm just saying.

All in all, I liked their debut album (Daylight) a bit better, but this sophomore release is similar enough in sound and style that it has grown on me with repeated listenings. Good memories of their first CD as well as a few standout tracks (notably: "Signature of Divine") earn this one a decent grade. B-