AllTheseThings

Welcome To The Hugh Crew!

The Godfather of blogs--Hugh Hewitt--just posted a kind note at his site here.  I want to welcome all of his readers and thank Hugh for the link.

As you may know, Hugh Hewitt wrote the book on blogging.  You can get a copy through our book list--scroll down on the right.

You can find Hugh's site on our blog list.  In fact, Hugh was one of the primary influences on me starting this site!  I hope Hugh's readers enjoy All These Things, as much as we enjoy his posts.

If you are new to All These Things, you might want to read our opening post, to get a better sense of who we are and what we're doing.  You can find it here.

Basically, we are new bloggers from all walks of life and denominations.  We'll post on whatever is happening in life:  what we're working on, thinking about, living through, listening to, or reading.  You never really know what you'll get.  We do enjoy the discussion and debate, so be sure to leave your comments and join in!

Once again, welcome,

Thomas More

[email protected]

Welcome To The Hugh Crew!

The Godfather of blogs--Hugh Hewitt--just posted a kind note at his site here.  I want to welcome all of his readers and thank Hugh for the link.

As you may know, Hugh Hewitt wrote the book on blogging.  You can get a copy through our book list--scroll down on the right.

You can find Hugh's site on our blog list.  In fact, Hugh was one of the primary influences on me starting this site!  I hope Hugh's readers enjoy All These Things, as much as we enjoy his posts.

If you are new to All These Things, you might want to read our opening post, to get a better sense of who we are and what we're doing.  You can find it here.

Basically, we are new bloggers from all walks of life and denominations.  We'll post on whatever is happening in life:  what we're working on, thinking about, living through, listening to, or reading.  You never really know what you'll get.  We do enjoy the discussion and debate, so be sure to leave your comments and join in!

Once again, welcome,

Thomas More

[email protected]

The Chicken and the Art

First, I want to say "thank you" and "welcome."  Portia, at Portia Rediscovered, offered us some nice words and linked us to her site.  This followed, I think, from Portia and I (part of the "herd") having to team up to set frequent commenter MBMc straight on Francophilism.  Due to Typepad's difficulties yesterday, I couldn't reply or acknowledge the kind gesture--I'll provide the link to her site on our blog list too, and I'll also link to Mr. Cline's "sufrensucstash" blog.  To Portia's readers, you can get up to speed with All These Things by reading our first post here.  We're always hoping for a vibrant discussion, so please give us your comments!

Speaking of vibrant discussions, Philomena's dating life, and the comments about it, have sparked a discussion about the direction of our culture and art.  Timothy replied to my query about art degrading culture, or culture degrading art.  And, as a bonus, it's replete with Vanilla Ice references!

Here's the crux of Timothy's thoughts--but to understand the origin of the thread, or why Vanilla Ice is ever cited, you'll need to read up here:

In this case I believe I will have to go with the egg in that I think that the "art" accurately reflects our currently depraved state. Throughout history there have always been those interested in the devious and profane. For these individuals, culture has rarely failed to meet their needs and I believe that our time period is no exception.

Over the past 50 years or so, we have seen a rapid deterioration of the walls of morality that have guarded us against this type of material. In addition, we are producing a people group who has a tremendous probability of having a traumatic home life and/or divorcing. This of course leads to "looking for love in all the wrong places, looking for love in too many faces" to the extent that our present culture scarcely knows what a functional relationship looks like. Combine all of this with the myriad ways we now have at our fingertips to get our "art" out to the masses and you are left with a market of biblical proportions. This particular type of material sells exceptionally well in a day and age where anything goes, points are added for shock value, and pushing the envelope is expected. Of course, as you mentioned, the market then begets more market and I again echo Vanilla Ice, "will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know". Suffice it to say that we are hungry for it and it seems that everyone who can get their hands in the proverbial cookie jar is more than willing to deliver.

Additionally disturbing to me in this whole mess, though, is the general female response. Why embrace it? Why is one of the most popular songs on the radio "Promiscuous Girl" (sung by a bunch of women, I might add)? When did we start feeding females this lie that the harlot was desired above all else to such an extent that they actually started to believe it? Where id we go wrong? Where do we go from here? Maybe the hearts of men are always evil all the time.

So, is art pushing culture the wrong way, or is it reflecting the culture it is created in--and why are the ladies O.K. with the current art "egg"?  Your thoughts?

Thomas More

P.S. And in a slightly less related chicken/egg fashion, read this critical, late-breaking story (funny.)

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Red on the Right Returning

A hearty welcome to all you sailors dropping anchor on a port o' call.  I understand the harbormaster over at Port McClellan directed some ships our way.  Everyone at All These Things thanks him and his fleet captains for the visits and for Mike's kind referral and the much-appreciated encouragement and tips on getting this blog up and going!

To reciprocate, I'd encourage our readers to visit here and say hello to Mike, and then bookmark his blog.

Visitors from Port McClellan or elsewhere, make sure to leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts!

Any Port in a storm,

Thomas More

[email protected] 

In The Beginning

Welcome to our new blog.

We're just twelve pilgrims on the same road, heading to the same land.  Our journeys have been, and remain, quite different.  While we've been walking for some time, we're just beginning to write about it.  And, as you might discern, we've not done it before.  All first-time bloggers.  All in need of more time. 

The time we do have is spent pursuing different careers, caring for different children, reading different books, enjoying different hobbies, encountering different people, and thinking about different topics.  Our goal is to discuss all these things.

You'll hear from mothers, a politician, an accountant, a missionary, a scientist, a priest, a lawyer, a teacher, a looper/investor/theologian, a professor, a pastor, and a diplomat.  Some are in, or from, foreign lands, and the rest are spread across the U.S.  Some are Orthodox, others Roman Catholic, the rest Protestants--all, however, are faithful believers.  As you'll probably notice, what binds us transcends our differences.

My plan was to invite 12 people that would make up a most interesting, lively, and humorous dinner party--points will be awarded for all these categories!  My guests are all good friends of mine.  They're people I really enjoy spending time with and people I've learned from over the years.  I think they'd enjoy each others company, but they don't even all know each other.  I have no intention of directing the conversation at the meal, so you'll read about all sorts of topics here.  Well, the table is set and the food is ready--lets begin.

Where shall we begin discussing all these things? 

Well, "we'll begin at the beginning and go on till we come to the end; then stop."

Hopefully, you will join us on the journey, give us your comments, and tell a friend or two along the way.

SDG,

Thomas More

P.S. There won't really be any points awarded (yet.)

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