Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 51
February 14, 2019
New Happy Rant Sports: Super Bowl Breakdown, Crime Boss Lebron, and More
In this episode of The Happy Rant Sports podcast Ted and Barnabas break down the following sports topics:
Are we better at podcasting than Tony Romo is at football announcing?
Colin Kaepernick, MLK, and the NFL
Super Bowl commercials
Super Bowl halftime show
The future of Rob Gronkowski, on and off the field
NFL without Brady and Belichick – better or worse?
Lebron the crime boss
Early NBA trades
Indy Live Details
Sun, March 31, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Soma Church – Midtown
2815 East 62nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220 Order Indy Live Tickets
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #26
February 12, 2019
New Happy Rant: Mega Churches, Wendell Berry Churches, and Church Trends
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ronnie and Barnabas chop up church stuff while Ted is off in meetings. They discuss:
Why do people even go to attractional churches?
Branding and Brand representatives for churches
What’s the future of the mega church?
What is the next church trend that starts with good intentions and becomes over-cool?
“Wendell Berry Church” and church revitalization
Indy Live Details
Sun, March 31, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Soma Church – Midtown
2815 East 62nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #233
February 8, 2019
3 Things I Like This Week – February 8
Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Chick Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich
[image error]There are two groups of weirdos in the world: those who think Chick fil-A is some sort of sanctified Holy Ghost anointed fast food and those who think Chick fil-A is over rated. Both are wrong, so let me set the record straight. It is the best run fast food restaurant that has made the conscientious choice to maintain a a simple menu of high quality offerings, none of which are burgers, offered with exceptional customer service. The spicy chicken sandwich is the best food item on this menu of high quality non-beef offerings. It is cooked to the same near-perfection as the classic sandwich but with about 11 times as much flavor (that’s science). It isn’t macho, impress-your-buddies spicy, just delightfully peppery.
2. Letters to Children by C.S. Lewis
[image error]C.S. Lewis is an almost mythical character in the minds of many. He was an Oxford Don (which is an exceptionally cool, mafia sounding name for “fellow” or “tutor”), one of Christianity’s greatest intellects, an apologist, a philosopher, an expert in classic literature, a novelist, and a prolific author of articles and books. While Lewis’s most well-know works, The Chronicles of Narnia, are written fir children Lewis’s reputation is not that of a “children’s author.” He was much too influential and intellectual for all that, right? Well, no. Lewis was a faithful correspondent who took great pains to respond to letters he received. This book is a collection of letters he received from children along side his responses. It is a side of Lewis oft under-appreciated and one that shines a new light on his brilliance on more adult disciplines. It is funny, touching, heart-warming, and sometimes exceptionally profound. Letters to Children might be my favorite collection of Lewis’s work.
3. “Billie Jean” covered by The Civil Wars
Michael Jackson meets one of the best folk/Americana duos of the last couple decades (may their musical greatness rest in peace). Rarely is a cross-genre cover so good.
February 7, 2019
He Reads Truth: Jacob Travels to Egypt
I have the privilege of contributing to He Reads Truth, a website of whose purpose is “To help men become who we were made to be, by doing what we were made to do, by the power and provision that God has given us to do it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.” They do this by providing scripture reading plans accompanied by reflections that can be accessed for free online or purchased as print books. For those of you looking to engage scripture in a fresh way – either because you are dried up or have been away from it, these studies/plans will refresh your soul and engage your mind.
What follows is one of the pieces I wrote for the plan on Genesis. You can find the full plan HERE.
Genesis 45:16-28, Genesis 46:1-34, Psalm 90:10-17
Every day we make decisions that have ripple effects beyond what we can see. In fact, every decision we make is this way. Even when we do our best to think about the repercussions and who might be affected, we simply can’t see into the future.
It’s a little bit like navigating a ship. If the navigator for a transAtlantic voyage sets a course that’s just one degree off, by the time ship arrives it will be hundreds of miles away from its intended destination. A single degree now can lead to a massive difference later. But, of course, we can’t see whether our “course” is off or not. We’re simply doing our best, so it’s a good thing God is in charge.
In Genesis 45 and 46, we see a decision with an impact larger and further-reaching than any you or I will ever make. When Jacob (Israel) hears from his sons that Joseph, his long lost son, is alive and ruling Egypt, he is stunned and overjoyed. Then he faces a decision: should he move the entire family of eleven sons and all their offspring and possessions to Egypt? This wouldn’t just be a holiday visit. It would be relocating, and it would mean leaving the land God had promised them. But it would also mean saving the family from the famine that drove his sons to Egypt in the first place. It was a hard decision, but Jacob decided to go for it.
The course of history for an entire nation was changed forever. Israel, the nation known as God’s chosen people, was born and grew in Egypt first as herders, then as slaves. For 400 years they languished there, all because of the decision one man made to avoid a famine and see his lost son.
But there’s more to the story; with God there always is. Jacob’s decision wasn’t a bad one at all. In Genesis 46:3-4, God blesses Jacob’s decision and promises to lead the people back to the Promised Land to uphold the promise He made years before to Abraham then Isaac. I’m sure Jacob didn’t think it would take four centuries and a spectacular rescue, but that was God’s plan. Jacob took his family to Egypt and God set them free in an awesome display of power.
Psalm 90 speaks of the wisdom of recognizing that God establishes our path. Wisdom means having godly perspective and following what we can see of God’s will. This is what Jacob did and it is what we must do too. Our decisions have impact into the future for us and others. We need God’s guidance to establish our steps. Are we seeking it? There is much we cannot see, but the One who goes before us is faithful.
February 6, 2019
New Happy Rant: Steaks, Tourism, Shofars, and Pastors Starting Businesses
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted and Barnabas, sans, Ronnie, discuss the best ideas for pastors starting business inspired by Matt Chandler’s steak company
Pastor Fashion
Religious Tourism
Indy Theater
Cleaning products
Men’s grooming
Office Furniture
Symbolic religious Gifts
AND MORE
Indy Live Details
Sun, March 31, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Soma Church – Midtown
2815 East 62nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #232
February 1, 2019
3 Things I Like this Week – February 1
Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
[image error]This was the first of Conroy’s novels I ever read. Since that time I have read all of them (there aren’t many, about a half dozen). Lords of Discipline is as forceful a novel as I have read. To describe the plot would not do it justice, but here is the gist. Will Maclean is a cadet at Carolina Military institute (a fictional school in Charleston, SC based largely on The Citadel where Conroy attended). He is asked to look out for the first black incoming freshman in school history and see him through his plebe year, a year that breaks and washes out numerous incoming cadets. It is a story of race, southern culture. the majesty of Charleston, friendship, betrayal, and so much more. And it is rough. Conroy pulls no punches, minces no words, and hides nothing. He writes with a sort of angry, pointed, sad, beautiful force I have found in few other novelists. His books deal in the complexity of the ugly – the ugliness of history, family, mental and emotional health, relationships. But they deal in the beauty of those things too. Pat Conroy is one of my favorite novelists and stands alone in style.
2. Libsyn
[image error]This is more nerdy and less fun than some predictions, but it’s pretty valuable for podcasters. Libsyn is the hosting service we use for The Happy Rant. It is affordable and makes it easy to connect podcasts to all major listening apps/services. It also provides statistics that are as granular as any I have seen. Good stats are hard to come by for podcasters since they are distributed through Apple, who keeps their data very close to the vest, and numerous other disparate apps and platforms. Uploading and posting episodes is easy and clean and they provide easy-to-embed codes for blogs and other sites too. I have tried a couple other hosting platforms, and Libsyn is the best I have come across.
3. Ken Griffey Jr. Home Runs
With the Polar Vortex having crushed much of the country and the dismal prospect of February ahead of us we need something especially spring timey to give warmth and happiness. Nothing is as spring timey as baseball and few things in baseball warm the heart as much a sweet lefty swing. And who had one of those? Ken Griffey Junior, that’s who. Enjoy.
New Happy Rant Sports: Harry Connick & Roger Goodell, Super Bowl Preview, and NBA Talk
In this episode of The Happy Rant Sports Ted and Barnabas discuss a wide and varied array of topics including:
Harry Connick Jr.’s letter to Roger Goodell about referees
National Anthem renditions by Jimmy Buffett and Melissa Etheridge
Which Christian Artists should sing the Anthem when *we* own a team?
A Super Bowl preview
NBA Alternate Uniforms
Predicting the future of Kevin Durant and Boogie Cousins
Book Recommendation
Indy Live Details
Sun, March 31, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Soma Church – Midtown
2815 East 62nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #25
January 31, 2019
New Happy Rant: Abortion Rulings, March for Life, and Leif Enger
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas discuss a range of topics from the very fun to the very serious.
INDY LIVE is coming! On March 31 we will host our 3rd live event in Indianapolis – deatails in the episode!
The recent Abortion ruling in New York and how such travesties come about
Abortion arguments and why the sides talk past each other
The conflict between teens and Native Americans at the March for life
Leif Enger’s genius
Indy Live Details
Sun, March 31, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Soma Church – Midtown
2815 East 62nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #231
January 25, 2019
3 Things I Like this Week – January 25
Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Beartown by Fredrik Backman
[image error]This book was brilliant. It’s heartbreaking and deep and fun and funny and insightful and engaging and human – all the best things about a great novel. Backman is a master at writing human nature, the full spectrum of it in all its complexities, into novel form. His characters are deep and rich, and that makes the story matter even if it something foreign (like a book about a rural Swedish town that loves hockey). He weaves in time and place and context so well they feel like additional characters in an already rich story. Backman is one of those rare authors whose work transcends the question “what is it about?” It is about life, and it’s brilliant. (The sequel, Us Against You, is equally as good, if a slightly stronger flavor.)
2. Eddie Bauer Outerwear
[image error]“Eddie Bauer is for old people.” This hurtful, fallacious statement was made to me by one of those darn millennials a couple years ago when the young punk discovered my affection for Eddie Bauer. Little did the whippersnapper realize that Eddie Bauer is one of the OG’s of outdoor gear, dating back to 1920. Not only that, their gear is more affordable than Northface, Patagonia, or Arcteryx. It is comfortable, reliable, and not made for tiny waif like hipsters who like to pretend to be outdoorsy. I don’t know how well it would hold up on an arctic excursion or a summiting of Mount Everest, but really, who cares? I mainly need it to hold up to a life of commuting, kids sporting events, walking dogs, and day hikes. And it absolutely does the trick.
3. “You Never Change” by Austin Stone Worship
This song has been a regular encouragement and sermon to my soul over the past couple year. Just listen, then share it with the worship leaders at your church.
January 23, 2019
New Happy Rant: Marie Kondo, Gillette Ad, Chris Pratt, and More
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas rant about the following:
Marie Kondo’s philosophy of loving the things you keep and keeping the things you love
The controversial Gillette ad that threatens toxic masculinity
Sexist razor choices
Chris Pratt: the new evangelical superstar
Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:
Order fresh roasted coffee from Lagares Roasters
Order your Happy Rant swag from Missional Wear (Use code RANT to get discounts on swag and/or shipping)
Please consider supporting the podcast financially as well. We have set up a Patreon page, and your donations help us cover production costs, do live events, and grow the podcast by trying some new things. Oh, and of course there are perks for those who commit to helps us such as free books and coffee!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Google Play
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #230
