There is no surer sign that Advent Caroling Madness has captured the heart of America than this: I am being bullied and threatened and intimidated as we get closer to the finish. There are people out there (Bylsma and Rourke) who, in a telling sign …
Read More“Emmanuel” Round Two
In 7th grade journalism I was taught that you never bury the lead. Our number one seed is gone, in only the second round. (Bethany Bylsma is so going to yell at me. In all caps.) Whitney. I’m just not sure where to begin. It’s …
Read MoreVoting open for Emmanuel Round 2!
New match ups, please vote! [polldaddy poll=7622357] [polldaddy poll=7622359] [polldaddy poll=7622360] [polldaddy poll=7622368]
Read More“Emmanuel” Round One
1 Whitney Houston vs. 16 Rob Halford Whitney came with her A game, demonstrating effortless range and never missing a note. Sometimes a big favorite comes out flat, but not here. Just over the top domination. Halford impressively stuck with his game, and executed it …
Read MoreCelebrity Bracket Analysis
Evie: Come on, ring those bells! I’ll be your cheerful host tonight as we break down the “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” bracket. I’m not even bitter that I didn’t get selected for my humble little offering. Not at all. Well, maybe a little, tiny, teensy …
Read MoreVote for your favorite version!
There has been some push back that me deciding everything takes the fun out of this endeavor. So, I’ve made an adjustment. I will still decide my bracket how I want; but I will let all of you vote on your winners in the bracket …
Read MoreBracket Released for Advent Caroling Madness #1
Without further adieu, I present you with the bracket for the battle to discover the best version of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”: Bethany Bylsma nominated Whitney Houston’s version, which I must confess I had never heard. Her peerless pipes earned her the #1 seed! …
Read MoreAdvent Caroling Madness
You just never know when you might have the best idea in the history of, like, ever. I was driving to lunch today, listening to this: Elaine and I have been binging on Pentatonix lately. I’m really enjoying them, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” …
Read MoreCloud of Witnesses…Ruth
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on December 1, 2013) I love story. I love tradition and repetition. I love finding the threads and themes that carry through lives and generations and history. Last summer on my sabbatical, one of the surprisingly fun pieces of …
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