Mammoth Blog

Best Christian music of the year
By RICH COPLEY - McClatchy Newspapers

A few decades ago, Christian rock pioneer Steve Taylor penned a line that is exceedingly appropriate to faith-based pop: "If your music's saying nothing, save it for the dentist's chair."

It is the last weekend of the year, and we are here to talk about the best contemporary Christian music of 2008. And this year, the best was definitely music that said something. We hope Steve's happy.

1. Jon Foreman's seasonal EPs. In the past half decade, Switchfoot has released some of the most thoughtful rock in the marketplace, Christian or mainstream. Left to his own devices, frontman Jon Foreman plumbs new depths - meaning, he's deep. Foreman spent the past year releasing four solo EPs of six songs each, "Fall," "Winter," "Spring" and "Summer." Individually and together, they speak to the life of a 21st-century person of faith in a way few others have. His work includes thoughts on justice, money, sin and faith with bold statements like "Instead of a Show," an indictment of ostentatious faith, to "House of God Forever," a beautiful meditation on Psalm 23. We love Switchfoot, but solo Foreman is also something to treasure. Here's hoping they continue to co-exist in harmony.

2. Grits, "Reiterate." In 2008, the Tennessee duo of Coffee and Bonafide left their longtime home of Gotee Records for the independent market and released their most diverse album in recent memory. The disc dabbles in soulful and jazzy influences and benefits from guest appearances by Christian stars showing the duo to be simultaneously individual and part of a greater community.

3. Underoath, "Lost in the Sound of Separation." Underoath continued to defy status as a niche artist by making a very accessible metalcore album. The band's greatest asset is an ability to craft the torrent of sound it produces into memorable and even melodic pieces that attest the majesty of this genre.

4. Seabird, "'Til We See the Shore." No, I'm not giving this Northern Kentucky act a high post because I'm a homer. I'm putting Seabird up here because its debut is one fresh, compelling piece of piano-based pop. There was a common theme of triumph over struggle in Aaron Morgan's songwriting, which was literate and evocative, highlighted by standout track "Cottonmouth (Jargon)".

5. Fireflight, "Unbreakable." The title track was my favorite single of the year, an arresting testament from the adulterous woman Jesus saved from stoning. But Unbreakable was hardly a one-hit album, with more great power chord rock and ballads such as "You Made Me a Promise," all delivered by one of Christian rock's strongest frontwomen, Dawn Richardson.

6. Delirious, "Kingdom of Comfort." Taking a cue from their previous hit, "Our God Reigns," the British worship leaders have evolved into contemplative songwriters. Too bad they're calling it quits, for now, after releasing this standout.

7. Andy Hunter, "Colour." I have always been a fan of Hunter's mix of faith with electronica and dance music and wished he made more albums. Usually he's pre-occupied with soundtracks and such, but this is a satisfying, if rare, experience.

8. Anberlin, "New Surrender." "New Surrender" opened a new chapter for Anberlin, making a leap to a major label with an album that showed its individual, literate personality with a slightly more pop sound, including a new duo-guitar attack.

9. Superchick, "Rock What You Got." Producer and band member Max Hzu has crafted Superchick's sound into a fine concoction. While I would like to see a little more growth in lyrical content, it's undeniable that nobody does female-fronted, punky power pop as well as the Brock sisters and their band.

10. Third Day, "Revelation." That the title is not a Biblical reference, but a request for more insight from God, speaks to the mature, thoughtful voice this Georgia band brings to Christian pop. And they can rip a Southern rocker with the best of them too. Source>>>

Christmas trees are just about everywhere you look this time of year.

But did you ever wonder why?

Believe or not, the history of the Christmas tree goes back before Christianity even existed.

But here in the United States, Christmas trees didn't even start becoming popular until the mid-1800s.

Before that, they were considered "pagan" by many Christians.

In fact, the Christmas tree has its roots in many pre-Christian celebrations in Europe.

Historians say many of the people who lived in Europe before Christianity existed believed that evergreens had magical powers.

After all, the evergreens remained green when all the other plants withered and died.

According to historians, the Druids of northern Europe decorated their temples with evergreen boughs because to them, evergreens symbolized everlasting life.

And historians say the Romans decorated their homes with clippings from evergreen shrubs to celebrate a holiday called Saturnalia.

Saturnalia was celebrated at the winter solstice, which happens right around December 21st.

(The winter solstice is the day of the year with the fewest hours and minutes of sunlight.)

Obviously, that's just a few days before December 25th.

So it's easy to see how traditions from pre-Christian solstice celebrations became incorporated into the observance of Christmas.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the first written record of a decorated Christmas tree dates back to the year 1510 in Riga, Latvia.

(Latvia is one of those little European countries along the Baltic Sea that used to be part of the Soviet Union.)

According to the association's website, some Latvian men decorated a tree with artificial roses, put it up in a marketplace and danced around it.

(Roses are said to be symbols of Mary, Jesus' mother.)

Then, they set the tree on fire.

Please don't try this at home or anywhere else, for that matter.

Many historians say the tradition of bringing evergreen trees into the home as part of the Christmas celebration began in Germany in the 1500s.

And it wasn't until German immigrants started coming to the United States in the mid-1800s that Christmas trees became popular here.

(In fact, according to one historical account, the Puritans of Massachusetts passed a law in 1659 that forbade Christmas trees and any other form of Christmas celebration other than prayer in church. Obviously, that law no longer exists.)

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the trees were first sold commercially in the United States in 1851.

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Most of us enjoy this festive time of year, but are we becoming more secular and agnostic regarding the Christmas season? For many with an 'atheistic' view of Christmas, it is presents and parties, tinsel and turkey, banqueting and booze.

Many are prepared to tolerate a 'sprinkling' of religion provided the festive season isn't exclusively focused on the Biblical events of that first Christmas.

Of course, in this world of political correctness it would be considered ill-mannered or bad taste to offend those from different faiths or none by sending greeting cards depicting 'The Christmas Story'. Far better to send sentiments of 'Happy Holidays' with a robin in the snow, or 'Winter Wishes'.

And is this Christmas story just a story, promoted by well meaning folk to cheer us amid the gloom of 'the bleak mid-winter'? And what is fact or falsehood? The little drummer boy, sung and adored by many, is not mentioned in the Gospels. But what of the donkey Mary rode from Nazareth to Bethlehem? No donkey appears in the Biblical account. Mary and Joseph probably walked.

And the three kings who followed the star to the manger to greet the new born baby Jesus -- incorrect on all counts. They weren't kings but magi (from the Greek word, magol 'wise men') -- and we don't even know how many of them brought the three gifts as they stopped at Mary and Joseph's house in Bethlehem when Jesus was a child (possibly as old as two years). And was our Lord born on December 25? We don't know.

But none of this should detract from the truth of the Gospel message encompassed in this beautiful Christmas story -- that of a virgin birth of God's only son, who by his life, work, witness and death on a cross provides us with the lasting gift of salvation for those who just believe. So this December 25 will it be just another 'Merry Xmas' for you and yours or, perhaps for the very first time, a special, meaningful, wonderful, peaceful and deeply significant 'Happy CHRISTmas'? source>>>

There's no better time to enjoy The Pistons and Palace experience than during the holidays. Check out this 48 hour ticket offer for any one or all of these three games:

* Oklahoma City Thunder on Fri., Dec. 26 at 8 pm
* New Jersey Nets on Wed., Dec. 31 at 3 pm - Special New Year's Eve matinee game
* Sacramento Kings on Fri., Jan. 2 at 8 pm

Get 4 tickets for $44. And, if you're bringing more than 4 people, you pay only $11 per person for additional tickets.

Purchase 4 tickets to the game(s) of your choice for only $44 (Tickets are normally priced up to $40 each). This offer is only available for 48 hours - from 12:01 am on Mon., Dec. 22nd thru midnight on Tues., Dec. 23rd.

The wait is over. Officials from Live Nation and the House of Blues have officially announced that the new venue will open in February. They also revealed the first batch of shows to hit Lansdowne Street with the Dropkick Murphys leading the way. The hometown favorites will host their annual St. Patrick's Day shows at the House of Blues from March 13 to 17.

Tickets for the Dropkick Murphys will go on sale Saturday morning at 10 a.m. along with a limited number of shows including: Gipsy Kings (2/20), BB King & Buddy Guy (2/22), Jimmy Eat World (2/26), The Disco Biscuits (2/28), Flogging Molly (3/10), The Pogues (3/21), Cut Copy (3/22), and John Brown's Body (4/25).

No plans for the official grand opening have been revealed yet. At the recent opening for the nationwide chain's Houston venue, the Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd, a House of Blues investor, and Jim Belushi, brother of the late original Blues Brother John Belushi) performed.

The February opening will mark the return of the House Of Blues to its original birthplace. The nationwide chain, originally opened its first venue in Harvard Square in 1992 but sold the small space in 2003. The new venue will be located on the grounds of the former Avalon Ballroom and Axis Club at 15 Lansdowne Street behind Fenway Park and will feature a full service restaurant, 2400+ capacity concert hall, retail store and an exclusive VIP membership club. .

Live Nation, House of Blues' parent company, also announced the venue's management. Leading the booking effort will be veteran talent buyers, John Innamorato and Ryan Vangel. Veteran operator Julie Jordan will serve as General Manger for the new club, while Rossella Romagnoli will be the Director of Sales. The House of Blues is also planning a job fair in mid-January to recruit for all venue level positions. source>>>

This week's match-up with the New Orleans Saints is the last chance the Detroit Lions have to earn a regular season win at Ford Field this year.

After a 2007 season in which the Lions finished 5-3 at home, this year's winless streak is difficult for the team and the fans to take.

"It's very much a thought in your mind - 'Okay, this is our last one at home - let's give these people a Sunday afternoon where they can go home and be happy,'" said quarterback Dan Orlovsky. "It's definitely there, but you don't want it to consume you.

"We know what the situation is and we know everything that goes along with it. We're excited for it - it's a good team - we're excited to play at home again."

With an 0-14 record, the Saints represent the last team the Lions could beat this year on home territory, traveling to Lambeau Field next week to take on the Green Bay Packers in the regular season finale.

Despite still looking for a victory, Head Coach Rod Marinelli isn't focused on the magnitude of this game.

"(The possibility of 0-15) means we've got to go in and execute this week," he said. "We've got to go out and play and do the things that we're supposed to do and try to get the win."

The Lions have plenty to build on after last week's performance at Indianapolis.

Detroit came back to tie the game early in the fourth quarter before falling to quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts, but the Lions were able to move the ball effectively on offense and create turnovers on special teams.

Defensively, Detroit held the Colts to 106 yards rushing but surrendering 318 passing yards.

"There are good players in this league every week," said Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry. "You can't just toss it up to, 'Well, we played Peyton Manning.' We play against good players every week. But that would have been a good one to get, no doubt about it." source>>>

Fans of singer-songwriter Bryan Adams will have a chance to see the artist perform a solo, acoustic show in Victoria on Feb.7, promoter Live Nation announced Friday.

The "intimate concert" will take place at the McPherson Playhouse. Live Nation previously announced Adams will play in Nanaimo at The Port Theatre on Feb. 8. Adams, who is known for several hits, including Cuts Like a Knife and Summer of 69, is touring to promote his new album, 11.

The Victoria tickets go on sale Monday at $125. The Nanaimo tickets, $110, are on sale now, Live Nation said.

To purchase Victoria tickets, call the McPherson Playhouse & Royal Theatre Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online at www.rmts.bc.ca.

To purchase Nanaimo tickets, call the Port Theatre Box Office, at 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com source>>>

Christians in the northern Indian state of Orissa are preparing for a violent Christmas.

Recently, Hindu extremists have asked for a statewide shutdown in all sectors of society on Christmas Day, which could result in attacks by extremists against anyone publicly celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The latest development follows months of attacks against Christians and churches by radical Hindus.

At least 60 Christians have been killed since the summer, with hundreds injured in the coordinated attacks. K. P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia, says Christians in Orissa state face a dangerous Christmas.
K.P. Yohannan
"The entire Orissa crisis happened because of radical fundamentalists planning and plotting to kill off Christians and to stop all Christian activities," he points out. "As a matter of fact, some 15,000 people marched into the government office demanding that they ban all Christian work in Orissa forever, and their demands are very fearsome."

The lower house of the Indian Parliament recently approved two draft laws concerning the prevention of criminal acts against Christian source>>>

Tonight "Psycho T," Tyler Hansbrough, etched his name into quite a prestigious record book. He is now the all-time leading scorer in the history of the illustrious North Carolina basketball program. A program which housed the likes of Micheal Jordan, Vince Carter, Walter Davis, and James Worthy now sees the 6'9" star senior sitting atop the list when it comes to career points.

Hansbrough surpassed Phil Ford tonight with 7:41 left in the first half during a blowout victory over Evansville.

He entered the season 11th on the all-time list, but has surpassed each of the ten men who once stood in his way with relative ease. Some household names on that list of ten were Davis, Antawn Jamison, Brad Daugherty, Sam Perkins, and Ford. This record had stood since 1978.

Next on the list for Hansbrough should be J.J. Redick's all-time ACC scoring record. Redick compiled 2769 career points. Hansbrough currently has 2301 points. If you figure the Tar Heels have 26 games left -- probably a conservative, if realistic, estimate considering their lofty expectations in the ACC and NCAA tourneys -- Hansbrough will have to average 18 points per game to tie Redick. He's currently averaging 22.8 a game this year and averaged 22.6 last year.

Looks like you, J.J., are next. source>>>

Bobby Labonte is continuing to weigh his options after his departure from Petty Enterprises last week and the former Sprint Cup Series champion believes he will find a full-time ride for the 2009 season.

"Well, I left the Pettys not really having anything because I needed to make myself available," Labonte said. "I feel like that a lot of people don't know what Bobby is doing. I don't have a signed [contract or anything]. There are talks happening, but that has not happened yet. A phone call might happen in the next five minutes, but it might not. I need to make sure that people do know that that's not happened yet."

The free agent has been linked to the new Earnhardt-Ganassi team but says nothing is set at this point.

"The DEI-Ganassi deal, I think there's a lot of things that still have to develop over there to make it happen," Labonte said during a conference call with reporters. "It's a deal where, I'm not sure, but I think everybody had me leaving the Pettys to go to the 41.

"I'm not really at liberty to say [who I've talked to]," Labonte said. "I feel like they've got a great program. It's just a matter of putting things together for them.

"They've got to get everything put together with their deal first before I can come into the picture."

There has been some speculation Labonte could return to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he spent his career before moving to Petty Enterprises three years ago.

"I can say that I do talk to Joe, and I do talk to J.D., and I've always continued that relationship for years after I quit driving for them, but that's all it is, is just the friendship that I've had with them, and there's nothing to that nature that I know of," Labonte said. "I wouldn't be able to hold that in if I could tell you if that was even the truth of the matter.

"If you check my phone records, I have talked to them. But it's more about advice or what their thoughts are [on] what's happening here, how's it going there, stuff like that. If I knew that, I wouldn't be able to keep that secret probably source>>>

- Race fans will receive a sneak peek of DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 as well as the new NASCAR racing season on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 with the annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests at historic Daytona International Speedway.

Fans can get their "racing fix" prior to DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 and the 51st annual Daytona 500 with numerous activities with their favorite drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series in the Sprint FANZONE located in the heart of "The World Center of Racing."

Among the activities planned for both days include:

* Interactive fan forums
* Autograph sessions
* Show cars, displays, music
* Online auction
* Blood drive

In addition, Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on track with ride and driving packages available. The ride-only packages can be purchased on-site while the driving packages must be purchased in advance at 1-800-BE-PETTY.

Tickets, which go on sale Saturday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m., are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Drivers scheduled to make appearances on Friday, Jan. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. include 50th running of the Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner and John Wes Townley.

Scheduled to appear on Saturday, Jan. 17 during the noon - 4 p.m. session include three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth, 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup runner-up Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Paul Menard and Alex Garcia.

In the 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. session on Saturday, Jan. 17, drivers scheduled to appear include former Daytona 500 winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr.

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The bowl season begins with a rematch, a resurrection and, if Wake Forest has its way, revenge.

The Demon Deacons (7-5) will seek vindication against Navy (8-4) on Saturday in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl. Wake Forest was unbeaten and ranked 16th in the country before the Midshipmen forced six turnovers in a 24-17 victory on Sept. 27.

"We played them earlier this year and lost a game we thought we could have won," Wake Forest senior cornerback Alphonso Smith said. "It's a great opportunity for us, and we're going to try to give our fans and the people who support us a treat in D.C."

It is the first of 34 bowl games over a 20-day span and the first ever at venerable RFK Stadium, which served as home to the Washington Redskins for 36 seasons.

It's been 12 years since a significant football game was held at the 48-year-old stadium, a concrete doughnut that showcased some of the NFL's greatest names and most memorable games. There are dozens of prettier stadiums in the United States, but this is the only one built for football in the middle of the nation's capital.
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"I'm more excited about where we're going than who we're playing," Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. "I think it's a great location. ... We feel like Washington is the right place."

After touring monuments dedicated to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, Demon Deacons fans will settle into a stadium where fans once worshipped Sonny Jurgensen, John Riggins and Joe Gibbs.

Demon Deacons-Midshipmen doesn't have the same ring as Redskins-Cowboys, but there is a bit of history between Wake Forest and Navy. The Demon Deacons have won six of nine in the series, and were 3-0 in the new millennium before Navy ended the run with an upset at Winston-Salem two months ago.

"Every time we watched the film during these last couple of weeks, it makes you want to cringe," said Wake Forest's Riley Skinner, who threw four interceptions and lost a fumble. "It's a good thing that we get another shot at them this year. It's going to be fun playing them in the bowl, but it's going to take a lot of efficiency on offense in order to score some points."

Protecting the ball is the No. 1 priority. Wake Forest is 18-3 when Skinner does not throw an interception and 7-8 when he does.

Navy has won four of five, including shutouts against Northern Illinois (16-0) and Army (34-0) in its final two games. The Midshipmen are known primarily for their triple-option running attack (which amassed 292 yards against Wake), but their defense made the difference in the first meeting.

Skinner had thrown 133 passes without an interception and the Midshipmen had gone 23 years without defeating a ranked opponent before Navy bolted to a 17-0 lead and held on for the win.

"We're going to try and do some different stuff in the game plan and, hopefully, get them on their heels," Skinner said.

Many bowl games offer a one-of-a-kind matchup. This one does not, but that won't ruin the fun for the participants.

"It's a bowl game and you have to take that as an honor. Not every team in the nation gets to go to a bowl game," Navy fullback Eric Kettani said. "It's a rematch. So what? Rematches are completely different games. I'm sure they're going to come out hungry to get revenge on us."

It's the first time since 1907 that Navy has played an opponent twice in one season. Wake Forest last faced a team twice in 1945, tying South Carolina during the regular season before defeating the Gamecocks in the Gator Bowl. source>>>

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Leading second round scores from the
par-72 Pearl Valley golf course near Paarl, South Africa on
Friday. The cut was set at 143.

132 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (France) 67 65

134 Lee Westwood (Britain) 66 68

Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 69 65

Damien McGrane (Ireland) 70 64

Ernie Els (South Africa) 67 67

135 Thomas Aiken (South Africa) 71 64

Dave Horsey (Britain) 70 65

Gareth Maybin (Britain) 66 69

136 Retief Goosen (South Africa) 70 66

Len Mattiace (United States) 70 66

Branden Grace (South Africa) 69 67

Ross McGowan (Britain) 66 70

Keith Horne (South Africa) 66 70

Michael Hoey (Britain) 70 66

Fabrizio Zanotti (Paraguay) 64 72

137 George Coetzee (South Africa) 69 68

Chris Wood (Britain) 68 69

Martin Wiegele (Austria) 69 68

Carlos Del Moral (Spain) 69 68

Rory Sabbatini (South Africa) 66 71

Jaco Van Zyl (South Africa) 66 71

138 Richie Ramsay (Britain) 66 72

John Mellor (Britain) 70 68

Adilson da Silva (Brazil) 70 68

Rory McIlroy (Britain) 70 68

Ake Nilsson (Sweden) 66 72

Indie-rockers The Von Bondies [ tickets ] have announced the first round of support dates behind the band's latest forthcoming new studio LP, which is due for a February release.

The Detroit-based act shows only seven dates on its current schedule, leading with a Feb. 13 show in Toronto, but expects to add more cities to the list early next year. Other stops on the current slate include Montreal, New York City and Philadelphia. Dates are included below.

The group, which has gone through several par-for-the-course lineup changes over the last few years, returns with frontman Jason Stollsteimer, longtime drummer Don Blum, bassist Leann Banks and guitarist Christy Hunt for "Love, Hate and Then There's You," the Bondies' third studio album and first since 2004's "Pawn Shoppe Heart."

"When we got off of touring 'Pawn Shoppe Heart,' we were so exhausted," Stollsteimer told Billboard.com recently. "In my own head, I was like, 'I don't want to ever do it again.' But these three years have revived my energy to do it again.

The new album, which will be released Feb. 3 on the Majordomo label, sports production from Butch Walker (Hot Hot Heat, The Donnas) and Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). A limited-edition 7-inch single of "Pale Bride" backed by the non-album track "Falling In Love" is currently in stores. source>>>

While Tiger Woods should be basking in the limelight for hosting the Chevron Challenge, his caddy Steve Williams has been taking centre stage.

Most know that Mickelson and Woods don't get on but the New Zealand bag man wanted to make his feelings public. "I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player, because I hate the p***k!" he said, resisting the urge to talk about the world number 3's "moobs".

The response from Phil's camp was far less colourful, but much more dignified. "After seeing Steve Williams' comments all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones (Mickelson's caddy Jim MacKay) on my bag and representing me." a statement read.

Would it be wise to back the early house leader Jim Furyk to win the Chevron Challenge?

You can catch the action live on Setanta at 5.40pm.

Bookies Paddy Power and SkyBet both have Jim Furyk as 9/4 (3.25) favourite to win.

SkyBet are offering 10% cashback on net losses for all sports bets placed until 13th Jan 2009.

Betting Odds (SkyBet) - Overall Winner

* J Furyk - 9/4 (3.25)
* A Kim - 6/1
* V Singh - 6/1

Check out the latest odds at SkyBet source>>>