- RSS FeedSubscribe
- « Previous PostNotes from the True Woman Conference
- Next Post »Notes from True Woman - Prayer Warriors
A La Carte (10/15)
- 10/15/10
- 7
Yesterday was the closest I’ve come to not being allowed into the US of A. The trouble I have is that the rules keep changing, and when I attempt to find out what the new rules are, I am regarded with suspicion as if I’m trying to game the system. So I try to come prepared, but every now and again they throw me for a loop. Probably just for their own amusement. This time I had to give up fingerprints and a photograph, but eventually they let me in, even if my fingerprints are now on file in some nefarious database somewhere in the headquarters of the FBI or CIA or TSA or IRS or who knows where. I feel a little less welcome every time I come to America.
A Transgender Golfer - “A former male SWAT team member filed a lawsuit in California against the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) after the now transgender woman was denied in her efforts to join the women’s golf tour, her lawyer said Wednesday.” I have to say, I’ve got more sympathy with the golfer than the LPGA in this case. If our society is crazy enough to say, “If you say you’re a woman, we’ll treat you as a woman,” what right do we then have to say that you can’t compete as a woman, even if you’ve got the body of a man? We can’t have it both ways! Let him (her?) compete until society figures out why this is all insanity.
The Story of the T-Shirts - Here’s an interesting story from CNN. It tells why the Chilean miners were all rescued wearing t-shirts saying ‘Gracias Senor’ - ‘Thank you Lord.’
Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians? - I mentioned last Sunday that I have an underdeveloped theology of the Sabbath. JT has Tom Schreiner’s take on the Sabbath requirements in the New Testament. I think I hold to his view. But I need to do more thinking about it.
Mustard Seeds and Willow Trees - I enjoyed this post from Erik Raymond. “I sometimes have something of a Willow tree perspective on ministry. As a church planting pastor I have plans. I have goals. I have ways to measure these things and get us where we need to go. These expectations are also fueled by other 'successful' ministries that seem to make rapid, evident, growth in numbers and influence almost seem normative.”
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
New to the site? You can get
This is a guide written
Comments (7)
You mean they let you past the border?? Hhhhmm, someone’s going to lose their job… :) (“They” probably have files on bloggers who mention the U.S.)
“We can’t have it both ways! Let him (her?) compete until society figures out why this is all insanity.”
And it may grow worse and worse, like a snow ball rolling down a hill, it keeps growing.
And supposed this person comes to faith in Christ, I wonder what we do as the Church? I guess whatever this person was at birth is what she/he needs to be, even after the operations.
It’s like Randy Stonehill said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EBjQQwoB8
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the link to JT’s post on Tom Schreiner’s entry on the Sabbath (don’t have his book, but it’s just one on my wish list). I’m basically with him on the issue, though perhaps with slightly different emphases.
Since you said you want to do more thinking on it, can I commend the article on Sabbath in the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (ed. by T. D. Alexander and B. Rosner, IVP)? It deals with the meaning and purpose of the Sabbath in the OT, and its relationship to creation and redemption - I find it helpful as ground-work for considering the NT perspective.
(Disclaimer: I happen to be related to the author of the article. But I agreed with him before he wrote it…)
A little Os Guinness in you to say let them see the fruits of their insanity, then maybe they will change.
On the Sabbath question, I agree with the idea that it is not binding on Christians directly. I think people could keep the Sabbath if they wanted, but we should not judge our brothers either way on the subject. I do, however, think we need to incorporate the principles taught in Sabbath namely getting away from what we “usually” do in order to think on the blessings of God in our lives, both past and present.
www.studyyourbibleonline.com
Tim, if you really want to feel unwelcome in the USA try living here as a native-born son. Sigh…..Oh well, after 70+ years I’m just a sojourner “looking to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”
As an American, it is grievous to know that you were processed at the border such as you were. Regardless of status, it is demoralizing to be fingerprinted and required to give identity proof.
The times are a’ changin’, as they have been for some time now. They’re also telling - we are certainly not home yet.
I am sorry this happened to you.
The Sabbath Keeping article was one of the best I’ve read on the topic. Excellent. My husband and I struggled over this for a few years and this is where we have arrived as well. Breaking free from the fear of NOT keeping the Sabbath as good Chrsitains should was a huge thing for us. As we were both brought up in respectfully obedient families on this issue. It was enough to make us feel like rebellious teens… But the consequence of knowing Christ IS truly all sufficient, and has fulfilled the law in it’s entirety… has brought life and light into our lives. Be encouraged to search it out til you are steadfastly at rest in your conclusion. It is worth it. It may also shed some needed light and discernment onto your path as it did us. I don’t mean that in a trite way. I just had no idea the impact this “Sabbath keeping” had on my life prior, and the difference after I realized I am no longer under that law. Feeling guilty if I did not “keep” Sunday holy unto God… yet not knowing exactly what that meant- for sure. Socially we could figure out what a good Chrsitian should do/not do. Depending on what Christian circles you run. But Biblically the case is not there. (Side note, and eye opener for us: We were so taken with the movie “Chariots of Fire” and Eric Liddell’s stand to keep Sunday set apart… it is hard to buck courage and resolve like that. And as Paul writes, he was fully convinced in his own mind, not racing on Sunday was the way to honor God. But we learned through a biography that he later changed his position on this as a missionary in the Chinese concentration camp… organizing sports for the bored, restless teens on Sunday afternoons!! Again, fully convinved in his own mind that this was the way to honor God!)