A quick plug-ola...

It burns, burns, burns...

"For those who could only watch as Johnny Cash’s house burned to the ground, the sense of loss was almost as heavy and real as the thick gray smoke.

Johnny’s gone. June’s gone. And now even their house is gone..."

Read the whole story here.

I don't think I've ever felt so sad hearing about a house burning down.

Monday got you down?

It can't be this bad:





HT: BTW

I just want to say...

Wha' happened?

The bells! THE BELLS!

As those who know me could testify, I am a Derek Webb fanboy. Ever since I heard his clever songwriting on the Caedmon's Call album 40 Acres, I've been hooked. He's been riding solo for a few years now and on May 1 he'll be releasing his newest album The Ringing Bell (Amazon link).

Derek has always been quite creative with promoting his music and this release looks like no exception. Sure, you could pre-order from Amazon for thirteen bucks. But before you do, take a look at theringingbell.com and you might change your mind. (Sidenote: that last line is ridiculous but I don't care. I am helping a bald guy sell his music.) If you pre-order from theringingbell.com you get an immediate download of the music, a physical copy of the album, and an autographed graphic novel. Take a peek at the novel and listen to some of the tunes over at theringingbell.com.

On a semi-related note, what is the difference between a graphic novel and a comic book?

P.S. I love the cover art for this album.

Mr. Mom

This weekend I did something I have never done before: took care of my daughter without my wife for longer than 6 hours.

Dallass left on Friday with the rest of the ladies from our church to a retreat at the beautiful Lost Coast Ranch and Adelaide and I have been a 2/3.875 (Hugh is almost here!) family all weekend. It was not hard at all and we have had a blast, watching Lady and the Tramp, getting the mail, hanging out with Grandma (and the rest of the Downey clan), and reading together. Adelaide now asks me often to read to her from the Bible (which she calls the "Bi-Bee"), so we've been reading through Leviticus (exciting) and some Psalms. It is a great blessing to have my daughter ask me to read to her from Scripture.

She's got a little cold, so there has been lots of nose wiping, etc. We also had to skip church this morning, but she's doing ok. She's napping now and Dallass should be home right after she wakes up.

So...I learned a little bit more about being a dad and it has been great. That being said, I am really looking forward to having Dallass home. I love her and I miss her terribly when she's gone.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Last night I had the privilege of watching The Devil and Daniel Johnston, a documentary about the musician/artist Daniel Johnston.

It was a beautiful and emotionally wrenching story about a very disturbed and very special man. If you like music, if you like art, if you like good films, then you should watch this movie.

Here is the trailer: