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Friday Ramblings

Here are just a few random things I wanted to mention before I post this week’s Free Stuff Friday giveaway.

Book News

I mentioned a short time ago that I was in the midst of putting together book proposals. That was completed some time ago and in the very near future I should have some exciting news about my next writing projects. I’m just sorting through details right now but should be able to bring you an update soon.

Regulating Blogging

A few people have asked me about the new FTC regulations that will regulate blogging (see here for details). Essentially, the FTC wants bloggers to be honest, above reproach, with product reviews, declaring any incentives they are given because of the the reviews they write. Apparently some lucky people receive amazing bribes in return for positive reviews. That hasn’t ever happened to me! From my perspective, I don’t think this ruling will change much, and not only because I am Canadian and fall outside the authority of the FTC. But in case you are wondering, you can generally assume that if I review a book on this site it is a book that showed up in the mail, usually unsolicited. The book is mine to keep or throw away as I see fit; I do not return books I review (for obvious reasons). If the book has not been given me for free, I’ve bought it on my own. I am not paid to write reviews and would not accept any kind of payment if it was offered.

Nobel

Just when you thought that the Nobel Peace Prize couldn’t get any more irrelevant, they go and give it to President Obama. If you thought Al Gore was the low water mark, well, think again. It is important to note that, at least as I understand it, the nominations happened just two week’s into Obama’s mandate, long before he had done anything more than rallied a lot of people to his cause. As the Times comments, “Sadly, it seems they have so bedazzled the Norwegians that they can no longer separate hopes from achievement. The achievements of all previous winners have been diminished.” And beyond hope it is “buzz,” the noise that surrounds a person as popular as Obama. I guess it’s now worth a Nobel Prize. This skit from Saturday Night Live has a better take on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5Kl38fSVY&hl=en&fs=1&

Of course I’m not American and, frankly, not much of a fan of the Nobel Peace Prize at all. What’s your take on this?


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 19)

    A La Carte: How to know if you’re using God / The soul-poison of the little word ‘should’ / True, false, or heresy? / Truthful thinking is greater than positive thinking / Unless the seed dies / and more.

  • The Phrase that Altered My Thinking Forever

    This week the blog is sponsored by P&R Publishing and is written by Ralph Cunnington. Years ago, I stumbled repeatedly on an ancient phrase that altered my thinking forever.  Distinct yet inseparable. The first time I encountered this phrase was while studying the Council of Chalcedon’s description of the two natures of Christ. Soon after,…

  • Always Look for the Light

    Always Look for the Light

    For many years there was a little potted plant on our kitchen window sill, though I’ve long since forgotten the variety. Year after year that plant would put out a shoot and from the shoot would emerge a single flower. And I observed that no matter how I turned the pot, the flower would respond.…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: God is good and does good—even in our pain / Dear bride and groom / Sin won’t comfort you / Worthy of the gospel / From self-sufficiency to trusting God’s people / The gods fight for our devotion / and more.

  • Confidence

    God Takes Us Into His Confidence

    Here is another Sunday devotional—a brief thought to orient your heart toward the Lord. God takes the initiative in establishing relationship by reaching out to helpless humanity. He reveals himself to the creatures he has made. But what does it mean for him to provide such revelation of himself? John Calvin began his Institutes by…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (March 16)

    A La Carte: I believe in the death of Julius Caesar and the resurrection of Jesus Christ / Reasons students and pastors shouldn’t use ChatGPT / A 1.3 gigpixel photo of a supernova / What two raw vegans taught me about sharing Jesus / If we realize we’re undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive /…