A Trashy Mystical Worship Song

 

This is garbage. Worse than garbage. It's toxic waste, not only worthless, but actively harmful to the person listening. Take a look:

"Holy Spirit"

(feat. Kim Walker-Smith)

There is nothing worth more

That will ever come close

No thing can compare

You're our living hope

Your presence Lord

I've tasted and seen

Of the sweetest of love

When my heart becomes free

And my shame is undone

Your presence Lord

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

There is nothing worth more

That will ever come close

No thing can compare

You're our living hope

Your presence Lord

I've tasted and seen

Of the sweetest of Love

When my heart becomes free

And my shame is undone

Your presence Lord

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

There's so much evil in this "Christian" song that it's hard to know where to start. The fact that this was played by the praise band (praising who, exactly?) at my "Lutheran" high school should be an indicator of how deeply this kind of toxic waste has burrowed its way into our synod. 

According to the real Luther, false teaching is the worst way of breaking the Second Commandment. Using God's name (Holy Spirit) to teach falsehood, let alone at a school, is the kind of thing that makes Jesus want to tie a millstone around your neck and drown you in the depths of the sea.

Let's start with that recurring phrase: "your presence Lord". The lyrics do not discuss Christ's mercy as the thing that nothing can compare to, but rather the presence of the Holy Spirit. What the writer thinks that means, I'm afraid to speculate, but I'd wager a large sum that by "presence" they are not referring to the Word of God revealed in Scripture, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, or the Sacrament of the Altar. No, the Holy Spirit works in other ways, mystical ways, through an ecstatic feeling, through emotion, through swelling music and endlessly repeated bridges. The human brain gets excited that way, and it's a great way to empty your mind and invite the work of demons - but unfortunately that's not the Holy Spirit you're feeling.

Besides, where does Scripture tell us to find the Spirit through emotional highs?

It's ok, I'll wait...

Ooh, so you're just making things up and calling them the Holy Spirit. Did I mention the Second Commandment already?

Ok, now let's just go line by line:

Holy spirit, You are welcome here

You are making him unwelcome here because God's Word is being twisted and falsely taught.

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Hmm. What exactly do you mean by that? That the vibes of the radical music fill your soul? That you feel really good while listening to the sweet guitar riffs? Again, that's not how the Holy Spirit works - according to the words that were actually inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

So which God are we talking about again? At this point, I'm not sure.

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Oh, give me a break. How pathetic to go out and tell God, hey I'm not really feeling emotionally manipulated enough yet, could you please overcome me with your "presence" now so I can escape from the terrible realities of sin and death for a short time this morning? Just give me a little hit, no rush, I'll be singing this line about 48 more times. 

And then there's the bridge. Lord have mercy.

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

x100

Sure, to be aware that God is omnipresent is a good and beneficial thing. But in the theology of this praise song, that has become the central tenet of the Christian life, or at least the Christian worship experience. You just need to feel God through music, and then you'll be happy. You just need to be aware of his presence by the seventh refrain, and then you'll be fulfilled. You just need to experience him when the music swells, and then you're a real Christian.

Here's the problem. When you leave church and fall into that same sin again, you're not always going to feel God. When your grandparents start dying off, you aren't always going to be aware of God's presence. When disaster and trouble and sadness and loneliness hit, you aren't always going to experience God. With your house built on mysticism, your faith will collapse because it is built on the sand of the Satanic theology written into this faux-Christian chorus.

Call the false teaching what it is: demonic, evil, toxic trash.

Be fed with the truth:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

No merit of my own I claim but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. 

(Lutheran Service Book)

Complete sentences! Doctrines from Scripture! Jesus' name! Law and Gospel! Now those are some words from Scripture, some words that will stand even when you're not feeling it, because they are not built on fake Christianity. 

Upcoming 10K Race - Training Update

 

In just over a week, I'll be running my first 10K. I've gone longer and shorter, but never raced the 10K distance before. The training update is... not the best. Here's a summary of my training for the race next Saturday:

• Around 40 days of running every day, averaging approximately 2 miles per day from late July through early September
• Around 20 days of no training whatsoever in the middle of September
• 3 days of burpees at the end of September

And that takes us to the present day. I haven't run 6 miles in maybe a month, I'll need to check my running log to confirm. 

So, how to train for a race off of almost 0 fitness that's 8 days away? My plan is daily burpees, and getting in one run of 6 or 7 miles. If I can sprinkle in a couple other shorter runs then I will. And then we'll be out of time, and race day will have arrived! Modifying my expectations for the race, I'm treating it more like a baseline to see where I'm at in the 10K with very little training, to give me something to build off of over the next few years. Again, I'll need to check the Running Log to see my 5K Time Trial time a couple months ago - but that may help me set a time goal for the 10K, because I was in only slightly better shape then than I am now. 

We'll se how things go next Saturday! I'll be sure to publish a full race report here on the Rhythm of the Sword website.

Leatherman Rev: Wear-Tested Review

 

The Leatherman Rev is a top-notch multitool offering from Leatherman, king of the multitool world. Featuring a tough and useful assortment of tools, the Rev gets a whole lot done with a small package. It's part of my everyday carry, and has proved useful on a regular basis. The tools that I've actually used from the Rev are

• box cutter
• knife
• needle-nose pliers
• wire cutter
• bottle opener
• screwdriver

What makes the Rev really excellent is that it strikes the right balance between size and tool selection. Practically speaking, I'm not going to invest a hundred dollars in a multitool, and I don't want something that's going to get in the way while clipped into the pocket. The Rev stays out of the way, but has enough functionality to do all the basic things you want, ready when it's needed. 

Its better tools in my opinion would be the box cutter, knife, and bottle opener. The box cutter is beautifully designed for it's purpose, the knife is sharp, can be sharpened, and stays firmly in place, and the bottle opener also makes its job a breeze.

It weaker tools would be the wire cutter and screwdriver. While I've had success using both, the lack of having the actual tool is a little more noticeable. The screwdriver sometimes struggles to grip due to its flat profile, and the wire cutters quickly slipped out of the original position and overlapped with each other, making them a little less effective in cutting. 

The belt / pocket clip also has gotten a little jiggly, and has proved very difficult to tighten, even with the proper star bit.

But don't let the inevitable weaknesses of any worldly possession get in the way of the positives. This is a truly practical multitool for the average man, a cutting, prying, grabbing, screwing, slicing tool that let's you do some of the basics without having a toolbox around. 

I've repaired a chair with the Philips head screwdriver, processed numerous large boxes with the box cutter, and just today broke into my own house using the knife! With serious tension applied to the blade, I was able to pry open a door bolt and avert a small disaster, thanks to my handy Leatherman Rev. 

If you're on a budget and have felt the need for a pocket tool before, the Rev is a great option. 

Rating: 9/10

Field Report #005

 

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle

Psalm 144:1

God calls his people to work, to war, to battle against the evil powers over this present darkness. God calls men out of sloth and into toil by the sweat of their brow. The way I picture this is a character like Aragorn. Ready for action, armed for battle, awake and in control of himself. 

Stay awake.

The Daily Office has been a blessing today, as has the lack of unnecessary entertainment. Burpees are coming soon... bodily labors should be practiced every day, according to the UAC. Not a law, just not something it would be wise to ignore.

So we'll talk to you later!

All 4 Inheritance Cycle Books - Ranked

 

#5 - Eragon

The original Eragon is a fun read, and a good start to Paolini's popular fantasy series. The clunky writing is balanced by an interesting, classic fantasy story. While Paolini's youth is evident with his first book, he pulls off an entertaining and engaging tale of dragons, elves, and dwarves that lays a strong foundation for his future novels. 

#4 - Murtagh

The last third of Murtagh picks up to provide a satisfying climax and conclusion, but much of this book drags and overall it feels in need of a good editor. However, the character work and finale are such that it steps above Paolini's original fantasy novel, even though it falls short of its other predecessors.

#3 - Eldest

Eldest is a step up from the original, in terms of both prose and overall storytelling. While a little on the longer side and still not particularly tightly written, Eldest feels like a more mature read that competes more strongly with the wider world of fantasy. 

#2 - Brisingr

Paolini takes a significant step up with Brisingr. As the war against Galbatorix develops with Book Three, the characters face fresh challenges and the world is expanded in new and exciting ways. The sword Brisingr itself is a great way to end the book and set the stage for the final entry.

#1 - Inheritance

Inheritance is the crowning achievement of Paolini's four-book cycle. Featuring the best story and many of the best moments from the series, we see Eragon develop into the role of leadership he's been called to. Featuring epic battles, final showdowns, and strong character development, Inheritance is an excellent example of how to end an epic fantasy series. 

Field Report #004

 

"Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:11-12

The years of our life are 70, or maybe 80 if we're strong. Nowadays 90 is more of a possibility. But the point is that our days our numbered. God's wrath burns against all wickedness and ungodliness, and he has promised to return soon to judge the living and the dead. And if he tarries, he is sure to call you to the grave, sooner or later. So in Psalm 90, we pray for God to teach us to remember the brevity and impermanence that characterizes our lives, like grass that thrives one day and withers away the next.

With that being said, the Word of God and prayer can become the way that we mark the time. When we take up the Sword of the Spirit with prayer, we remember to number our days, we remember the warnings and promises of our Lord, and we turn again to him in faith, beggars beneath his merciful hand.

I'm eager to make the Daily Office the top priority today, and to make the best use of the time in the evil days. 70 burpees this morning felt great - my first set in a long time. It's good to be strong and ready to serve your neighbor in whatever capacity you are called to do it. And 0 Entertainment is going well today - likewise, it is good to spend the time working with your hands (or perhaps typing) instead of sinking back into the hypnosis that is the all-important "news" of the day.

Lord, have mercy.

Eliud Kipchoge - 2:01:09

 

Eliud Kipchoge broke his own "official" personal best by 30 seconds this morning, September 25th, with a time of 2:01:09 at the Berlin Marathon.

After Eliud Kipchoge runs a race, it often takes a few days for the casual running fan to process what happened. 

Let's put Kipchoge's masterpiece - the new "official world record" - into perspective.

Kipchoge's average pace per mile for this morning's run in Berlin was 4:37.2

Think about what it takes to run a mile in 4:37 - I've never done it, but that's something I can begin to imagine. We're talking about fast running, the kind of running that will get you way out of trouble in most games of tag, the kind of speed that will make you feel like you're flying, with the wind in your face and the ground flying by beneath your feet. It's an 800 in about 2:18, or one lap it 1 minute and 9 seconds. Again. And again. And again. Until you've made it 105 and a half times around and everyone else in the world is eating your dust. 

This isn't just mind blowing for the average hobby jogger to consider. The best guys in the world can't hang with it either. Today, the next-best East African endurance machine made it a little over halfway before succumbing to the insane pace. No one has the confidence or the fitness to open a marathon in 59:51. No one but Eliud Kipchoge. You can try to hang with him - and many have tried - but now 16 out of 18 times, you won't come out alive. 

To understand his dominance - not just compared to the average Joe but compared to his own peers - you have to realize just how fast Kipchoge has been over the last five years. 

As of this writing on Sunday evening, here are the seven fastest marathons ever run, on any course:

1:59:40    Eliud Kipchoge

2:00:25    Eliud Kipchoge

2:01:09    Eliud Kipchoge

2:01:39    Eliud Kipchoge

2:01:41    Kenenisa Bekele

2:02:37    Eliud Kipchoge

2:02:40    Eliud Kipchoge

Folks, that's not just dominance. That's a once-in-a-lifetime athlete in the process of putting together a career that will never be forgotten as long as the sport of distance running exists. This is history playing out live before your eyes. This is what you get when a supreme talent meets a relentless work ethic, uncompromising consistency in training, and a confidence born of unparalleled preparation, and success building on success. 

At this point, the only people you can really compare Kipchoge to are the greatest athletes from other sports and disciplines. There's an argument to put him up there with the aforementioned Bekele as the greatest distance runner ever. I would argue that his dominance in the marathon has surpassed Bekele's on the track, and matched his dominance on the grass. 

But let's put Kipchoge up against someone like MJ - a similarly once-in-a-lifetime kind of sensation in his own sport. Jordan won 6 titles - but in the NBA you only get a chance for one title per year. Let's think of 2 marathon wins as equivalent to winning one NBA title, since marathoners get 2 chances per year. 

Kipchoge has won 14 "major" marathons, counting his World Marathon Major wins, his Olympic golds, and his top 2 times ever run. That's (roughly) like winning 7 NBA titles.

Jordan was at the top of his game for 8 years, from 1991-1998. So far, Kipchoge has been at the top of his game for 9 years from 2014-2022, with no signs of slowing down. 

I don't know what else to say about this race, besides that Kipchoge is absolutely mind-blowing, and a joy to watch. He has been the beating heart of long distance running over the last decades, and I can't wait to see what he does next...

And what will he do next? The answer seems clear to me, but Kipchoge has surprised us before. In my opinion it's time to prove himself (again) on American soil, off the pancake-flat streets of Europe, in the hills of Boston and New York City. He can finish his career with his stated goal of winning all six World Marathon Majors, and adding a third Olympic gold to put the cherry on top.

And then - on to ultras? I certainly hope so. It would be absolutely incredible and fascinating to see the greatest marathoner ever, the perfect candidate for ultra dominance from the traditional world of distance running, take on the MUT community and shatter some records. If anyone can do it, Kipchoge can. Here are my predictions (and hopes) for the rest of his career:

2023 Boston Marathon - 1st

2023 New York City Marathon - 1st

2024 Paris Olympic Marathon - 1st

2024 Spring 50K - 1st

2024 Fall 50K - 1st WR

2025 Spring 50M - 1st

2025 Fall 50M - 1st WR

We'll just have to wait and see! Until he tells the world his next move, let's enjoy the beautiful running of Eliud Kipchoge.

Field Report #003

 

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. Psalm 143:5

With relentless consistency, the book of Psalms, the New Testament, and indeed all of Scripture point God's people back to what he has already done. 

Remember when I split a Sea in two? Remember when I drowned the host of evil in the water behind you? Remember the plagues I sent in Egypt? Remember the manna and the quail? Remember my provision in the wilderness? The water from the rock? The victory in battle?

Especially in Exodus, God does things, miraculous things, that he wants his people to never forget.

So let us continue to remember.

The Daily Office is proving to be a game-changer. Of course, it's a piece of church history, old news as far as God's people are concerned, but a practice that has been largely lost in Lutheran circles. Some are looking to bring it back. This version (from the earlier Daily Office post) is what works for me - find a routine that works for you!

Entertainment has slipped again into the black hole of YouTube, and I'm not doing burpees either. I've noticed the weakness, even when picking up the kids and feeling the strain on my weak legs. Time to get into it again, and make it sustainable so that I can stay in the game through busy times of life.

Rhythm of the Sword - Daily Office

If you're looking for some consistency from hour to hour, day to day, in daily prayer, consider joining me in the Rhythm of the Sword - Daily Office.

It contains seven "hours" of prayer throughout the day, every day - taking up the Word of God with prayer and resisting the devil, who will flee from you.

Key

- DL refers to the Daily Lectionary from the Treasury of Daily Prayer

- Ma. 11 is Matthew 11:28-30.

- Lu. 12 is Luke 12:48b.

- Our Father is the Lord's Prayer

- Psalm of the Day is whatever Psalm you want it to be, or 1/4 of Psalm 119, or 1/2 of Psalm 78.

- Morning Prayer is from "Daily Prayer" - Morning in the Lutheran Service Book.

- Compline is from the Lutheran Service book.

- Indicated slots refer to readings of any length from Exodus, Romans, Matthew, John, and the Book of Concord.

God's peace and blessing on your prayers!

Eliud Kipchoge - Berlin Marathon 2022 Prediction

On September 25th, Eliud Kipchoge will line up for the Berlin Marathon in an attempt to win the race for the fourth time. Kipchoge is the best marathoner the world has ever seen - the first man under 2 hours and the "official" world record holder as well, with a time of 2:01:39 (more on marathon world records another time). He is the two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds a record of 14-2 in marathons across his career. Oh, and he has a 5,000 meter world title, which he won in 2003 against Kenenisa Bekele and Hicham el Guerrouj. Nineteen years later, his latest marathon as of this writing was a casual 2:02:40 course record in Tokyo. Dominance, longevity, world titles, Olympic medals - Kipchoge has it all.

And that's why this upcoming weekend's race - and indeed any race in which Kipchoge enters - is so exciting. Because either you'll get to see a masterclass from the greatest marathoner (runner?) of all time, or you'll get to see an astounding upset of the greatest of all time. Which becomes more likely every year, as Kipchoge is now 37 years old. And since it's Berlin, there is always a chance that the world record will fall.

We know that Kipchoge wants to break his own record. He has professed the desire to run the Majors he hasn't tried yet (Boston and New York), but has instead entered in Berlin again, looking for the fastest course that can produce the fastest times. Perhaps for the last time, Kipchoge will make a bid for one last world record, after already shattering preconceptions of what was thought to be achievable in the timeline of marathon history. His improvements and achievements have vaulted the event into another realm of speed, and he doesn't think he's done yet.

So what will happen on Sunday? Unfortunately, thousands of people will not be attending divine service, choosing instead to run a marathon. Again, that topic needs its own article another day. In terms of the racing, the forecast Sunday morning in Berlin looks good, if a little warm: low 50s and clear, with no significant wind. The competition is strong for Kipchoge, with Guye Adola breathing down his neck and a host of slightly slower East African runners who will be looking to hang with the king. 

Ultimately, I think it comes down to Kipchoge's fitness. We have received no cause to be concerned from his team, and he certainly still has the ceiling to break into 2:01 territory again, based on his recent run in Tokyo. However, world records are rare occurrences in the grand scheme of things, and an element of luck in terms of the pacing and the weather also comes into play.

On the other hand, we're talking about Eliud 1:59:40 Kipchoge. 

One last piece of the puzzle - we shouldn't forget that Kenenisa Bekele ran 2:01:41 in the 2019 Berlin Marathon. While he's not entered in this race, that fact is significant because Kipchoge is a significantly better marathoner than Bekele... implying that if Bekele is capable of a time like this, then Kipchoge - on a great day - should be capable of significantly better.

My prediction: Kipchoge wins his fourth Berlin title with a World Record 2:01:23

Field Report #002

 

"O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath." Psalm 6:1

God is slow to anger and yet abounding in steadfast love. His patience and longsuffering kindness with mankind is our only hope. We, like Noah and his family of old, must take refuge in the infinite mercy of God. We place our hope in his cross alone, hide ourselves in the waters of holy Baptism and plead for his mercy as his wrath storms upon the world around us. He does not repay us according to our iniquity - we who put our faith in the one true God and follow in the narrow path.

Today's report from the field is a whole lot of nothing! With a busy weekend, the exercise portion of Rhythm of the Sword fell off the rails for me. However, the Psalms and 0 Entertainment have continued to be a blessing, and I try to remember to turn to God's Word through the craziness of life. Lots of work to do. I need to spend more time on Psalm 7 to move through at a reasonable pace.

All 7 Harry Potter Books - Ranked

 

Harry Potter has been one of my favorite series, almost since I started reading chapter books. My brother was really into them when I was still a little too young. The Half Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows were coming out in those days. Eventually, I saw the appeal, caught the bug, and was hooked.

I have read each of the Harry Potter books at least twice, most at least three times, and some (The Prisoner of Azkaban) as many as seven times. My wife and I read the entire series out loud to one another early in our marriage, after receiving the wonderful gift of the boxed set pictured above from my brother. So yes, I feel as qualified as any fan to make a list of my favorites.

This is the definitive, end-all-arguments, peer-reviewed scientific ranking of the seven original Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.

Number 7: The Sorcerer's Stone

This one has to go Number 7 for me. It's not that Sorcerer's Stone isn't a good book, and an especially good children's book. Rather, the genre is part of its problem. It's written to a slightly younger audience than the other chapters of the saga, and also exposes the very beginnings of Rowling's work for the series - meaning it's a little less tightly written, a little less compelling and magnetic. Certainly I would encourage anyone interested in the series to start here, but don't expect things to really get going until Book 3. Sorcerer's Stone is a fun time, but a little tedious and not at the level of its successors. It is much more fun at age 11 than at age 21.

Number 6: The Chamber of Secrets

Next up is Chamber of Secrets, which I place a short distance ahead of Sorcerer's Stone. I find Book 2 to be a more compelling and interesting read, with the agonizingly self-obsessed Lockhart, set against the terror of the monster within the castle. Things seem to get a little more serious, and the reader becomes more invested in the adventures of Harry and his friends. Featuring a great final battle and more insight into great characters like Dumbledore and Hagrid, Chamber of Secrets is a step up from the original. 

Number 5: The Order of the Phoenix

The fifth-best book in the series jumps us way ahead in the timeline. The Dark Lord has returned, and Rowling spends a fairly dark book exploring the secret society resisting Voldemort, the dark wizard's demonic influence on Harry, Harry's own strained friendships, house elf liberation, a dusty old former wizard hangout, teenage romance, Quidditch drama, mysterious dreams, Ministry politics, a shockingly evil new teacher... the list goes on for a while, sort of like the book. And while many of these elements are interesting and compelling - more so than in Books 1 and 2 - they lack the overall drive and direction needed to make such a lengthy novel really work.

One major strength of the book is its villain, Umbridge. She is far and away the most easy to despise of the Harry Potter bad guys, and her evil, twisted influence in Hogwarts draws the reader into the story. The Order of the Phoenix itself is another fun new element, but it sometimes gets bogged down in the dusty, dark corners of Grimmauld Place. Overall, Rowling has a lot of good things happening in Book 5 - too many things with too little overall plot direction - resulting in a good but clunky entry in the Harry Potter canon.

Number 4: The Goblet of Fire

The Goblet of Fire is a true classic. We are now at the level of Harry Potter books that I would gladly pick up and read anytime, at the drop of a hat. With a hefty but more tightly-written narrative (190,637 words as opposed to Book 5's 257,045), Book 4 really hits the mark as a Harry Potter adventure. The Triwizard Tournament is an excellent plot device that serves so many purposes - driving the plot forward relentlessly and always giving the reader something to look forward to, expanding the world of wizardry, shaking up the cast of characters, and ultimately providing a strong buildup for the return of Voldemort. 

The Goblet of Fire is also one of the strongest mysteries in the Harry Potter series, as looming questions arise and linger in compelling and layered ways throughout the story, all culminating in the stunning events of the climax. Book 4 also provides an excellent test for Harry and Ron's friendship, as they and the reader wonder together: Who put Harry's name in the cup? 

This book is full of classic characters and moments, sure to engross readers across the generations.

Number 3: The Deathly Hallows

The Deathly Hallows somehow pulls it all together with an excellent finale to the best-selling series of all time. With the expectations set sky-high from The Half-Blood Prince, Book 7 delivers with a thoughtful and powerful culmination to the series. Rowling takes almost the whole book out of Hogwarts and follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione through their most difficult trial yet: hunting horcruxes and facing down the Dark Lord one last time. Readers receive a satisfying conclusion to the relationship between the three friends, and a stunning final showdown between Harry and Voldemort (many times more powerful than the movie's version of events). 

The only thing that really drags Book 7 down is history. In order to bring things to a close, the reader is subjected to long clippings from newspapers and books within the story that unfold the subplot of Dumbledore's past. This facet of the novel is less compelling than the main storyline, and perhaps could have been handled differently or left out altogether. Modern fiction seems determined to humanize every character, as if it's evil to give the reader a strong example of pure and undefiled good (Ahem, Aragorn and Gandalf cough cough). Alas, we can't have everything, and even if there is a little earwax bean in the box, it doesn't change the fact that I'll enjoy eating the rest of the candy.

Number 2: The Prisoner of Azkaban

The Prisoner of Azkaban is perhaps the key that unlocked Harry Potter’s long-term success. After a highly successful opening salvo and follow-up, Book 3 was a place where the series had to evolve for a slightly older audience, or else falter and lose its momentum. Without missing a beat, Rowling delivered a masterpiece of entertaining and engrossing storytelling, pulling the reader into a darker and more mature world of wizardry – while also somehow expanding the childlike wonder and magic of the wizarding world. 

While a different entry in the series takes top honors overall, Book 3 is the winner for re-readability. In no other book does the author pack such an enthralling and well-written punch in so (relatively) short a piece of writing. Book 3 is easy to pick up and fly through over a short period of time, yet it contains an incredibly well-told and seamlessly woven mystery. The threat of Sirius Black and the shadow of the dementors work together to raise the stakes, pulling you in alongside Harry with Marauder’s Map and Firebolt in hand. The Prisoner of Azkaban is a joy and a thrill, even the seventh time through. 

Number 1: The Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the pinnacle of the series – Harry and Hogwarts at their finest. The final year before the three companions ultimately leave school to hunt Horcruxes, Book 6 just nails all the elements that make for a great Harry Potter book.

Three major story threads run through the narrative, challenging the characters and driving the action. First is Harry’s second-hand Potions book, which brings about challenges in each of his major friendships and introduces the titular mystery of the Prince. Second is Draco’s strange behavior as he clumsily attempts to assassinate Dumbledore behind the scenes. And third is Dumbledore’s hunt for the horcruxes, which leads to some of the best elements of the novel as Harry becomes more and more intertwined with the plots and perils of Dumbledore over the course of the book.

These three threads weave back and forth through the lives of the protagonists, villains, and supporting characters, with such subtlety and deftness of hand that the seams disappear, and the story simply flows forward from question to question, tension to trouble, and peril to terror, culminating in the epic twin climaxes – first in Riddle’s Cave and then on the Astronomy Tower. Our characters face fresh and increasingly difficult challenges including the more prominent presence of romance, which Book 6 skillfully and naturally weaves into the story. The conclusion given to Dumbledore in the cave is truly spectacular, but only pages later it is eclipsed by his final sacrifice for Harry, and the mystery of his death, all of which will only become clear in Book 7. But concluding volumes bear the burden of tying up loose ends, a limiting factor that holds no sway over The Half-Blood Prince. Book 6 is simply a masterpiece in engaging, compelling, can’t-put-it-down storytelling.

Praying and Learning the Psalter

 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 

O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 

O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 130

When Luther wrote his commentary on the Psalms, he made a humble and earnest request, a request I think we could all learn from. He asked that his words would never be placed alongside or together with the text of the Psalter, but rather in a separate volume - lest his words be given more attention that the words of the Triune God.

Countless Psalm commentaries have ignored this request, appealing to the usefulness and helpful nature of such comments. But despite the truth of their claims, Luther understood the treasure of the Psalms on a much deeper level, a level that allowed him to see that such was the value of this little book, that even the value of its explanation would not be worth the risk of drawing attention away from the Psalter's precious words.

The Psalter has been the primary prayerbook and hymnbook of God's people for millennia, since the last Psalm was written, likely a few hundred years before Jesus' birth. And since the death and resurrection of Christ, and the fulfillment of so many words of the Psalms, the book has taken on a more profound meaning, as the fullness of what God had been waiting to reveal finally took place. 

Throughout early church history and even (less frequently) in the present day, we see myriad examples of faithful Christians, particularly monks and church leaders learning the entire Psalter by heart. They found inestimable value in having these precious words with them always, in song and in prayer making their requests known to God.

Today, we are impressed with ourselves if we manage to remember a single weekly memory, or the occasional favorite passage. The memorization of God's word, learning the sacred pages by heart, has fallen by the wayside in proportion to the loss of our appreciation of its sacred and eternal value. Our time is increasingly filled with voices from glowing screens - neutral, harmless, pleasant entertainment. One of Satan's best tricks is that he often doesn't care to deceive and destroy us with powerful shows of evil and darkness. Rather, he overloads and distracts us quietly with the world, with things that aren't evil on their own. He tempts us to care for them and not for our Lord, to turn from our God and his word. Like the doomed seedling in the parable, so many are slowly destroyed while hardly noticing the process, choked by thorns as innocent as Sunday Night Football, a favorite YouTuber, a paycheck, or an image of a beautiful woman.

Against this relentless tide of false gods and worse-than-wasted time stands the Psalter. The Word of God and prayer all in one, a "little Bible" as Luther called it, calling us back to repentance, back to God's holy and beautiful Law, back to our Savior and his precious blood. Truly, we must begin to make the best use of the time, for the days are evil. To take back the time lost in the wide road of entertainment, and to replace it with praying and learning the Psalter, is to deprive the Deceiver of one of his greatest deceptions. Instead of chasing after the next dopamine hit, God in his Word offers us bread from heaven, and food that endures unto eternal life. 

God comes to us in the water and the word. He comes to us in his holy body and blood. Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life.

But stay awake, and don't forget: the road is long and dangerous from Sunday morning to Sunday morning. Will you go unarmed into the fray, fully aware that the lion prowls around you, that the thorns are always growing, reaching, thirsting to destroy your soul?

Or will you take up the Word of God with prayer? 

To take up the Psalter in prayer and song is to arm yourself for battle along the narrow way. To store it in your heart is to always be armed for war.

It should also be noted that the Psalter is by no means above the rest of sacred Scripture. We are called to hear the words of Christ, Paul's epistles, and the Law and the prophets - indeed we cannot and should not ignore a single word of God's counsel. And to ignore the New Testament is to ignore the fulfillment and culmination of all God's promises and Good News.

We simply focus on the Psalter here because our topic is the regular exercise of memory, song, and prayer, and the Psalms are the primary book that God has given us for this purpose. Perhaps uniquely among the books of the Bible, it functions, as Luther said, as an enchiridion, a little handbook, of all Scripture. Reading the book with the New Testament in mind, we can now see and take refuge in the  words of comfort and peace that reach across the centuries to sound in our longing ears, the words of hope, the words of the cross. 

Baptism (Psalm 51:7), The Lord's Supper (Psalm 78:24), Holy Absolution (Psalm 32:5), the cross (Psalm 22:1), eternal life (23:6), and a thousand other comforts and sorrows, all find a home in these ancient songs of prayer.

Replace the thorny white noise of 21st-century media with the Words of the Living God. Pick a book you like, whether it be the Psalms or something else that resonates with you. Then begin to learn that book - you can only ever begin to learn. Keep those words with you, and let them be a lamp to your feet, a light to your path, and a sword in your hand. Speak of them when you walk by the way, and let those words be heard often in your home. Sing them in the morning and in the evening, and cling to them in distress and in thanksgiving. 

The Deceiver has a thousand arts - and is even so bold as to use this article as a distraction from the living Word of God. He would have you spend hours reading blogs, watching videos, and making plans, rather than ever letting your shadow darken the threshold of God's sanctuary, or seeing your hands open the pages of God's Holy Word.

Don't give him that satisfaction - his road is wide and pleasant, but its end is like chaff that the wind drives away. Plant yourself by streams of water. Start a little habit in the Psalms. And don't stop until you arrive at home to dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6

Rite in the Rain vs. Field Notes

 

You have arrived at the Question.

The question that’s been plaguing the pocket notebook world for the last several years.

Rite in the Rain or Field Notes? (Or something else, but I, like many, have settled on these two front runners).

To aid in your decision-making process, we will lay the operative question out in a clear and straightforward manner.

Let’s begin with branding and approach.

Field Notes is a designer pocket notebook company with a wide variety of designs, colorways, and styles for the pocket notebook user - and collector. Their target audience includes creatives, stationary enthusiasts, and everyday people who like to carry pocket notebooks with cool designs. Their sizable core of notebook collectors spend significant time and money gathering various limited editions from Field Notes.

Rite in the Rain is a weatherproof notebook company with a wide variety of products, all geared primarily toward professionals and everyday people who desire notetaking that can withstand the elements. These are notebooks built to be used first, and admired second.

So consider: which camp do you more squarely fall into? It will likely be a good reflection of which brand you will enjoy more. Do you yearn for the latest visual design, keep your notebooks out of harm’s way, and feel little need to deviate from a pocket-sized saddle-stitched 48-page notebook? Then it’s really hard to beat the products offered by Field Notes.

On the other hand, do you wish your notebooks and stationary products were more durable? Do you need or enjoy using a wider variety of sizes and bindings styles? Do your notebooks get damp, wet, or dirty on a regular basis? Then it’s really hard to beat the products offered by Rite in the Rain. 

Ultimately, this is a question of personal preference. Many pocket notebook users may also enjoy using some mixture of the two types of products.

My verdict? First, I should say that I have used many more Field Notes products than Rite in the Rain. I believe that Field Notes' very best products (like the sold-out Shenandoah edition) hold the edge over Rite in the Rain's best pocket notebook products. However, those products are not readily available anymore - I was lucky to find a single 3-pack of Shenandoah for a reasonable price on Ebay. On the other hand, while perhaps not reaching the same design pinnacles as Field Notes, Rite in the Rain has the more consistently reliable group of core products that I've grown to trust a little more.

There's also the sad decision by Field Notes to proclaim their (monetary?) support for the murder of preborn children, a move that has cut off my involvement with them altogether.

But in terms of "the best pocket notebook company" - ignoring the question of wokeness - my vote goes to Rite in the Rain. Their products like this one lack the flash and elegance of Field Notes, but more than make up for it in durability, quality, and usefulness.

The Rite in the Rain Universal grid is absolutely outstanding, their covers don't fall apart, and they can handle getting wet. None of these things can be said about most Field Notes offerings.

Enjoy your note-taking!