Wednesday August 9, 2006

Theology: JD Wetterling has a good article introducing his forthcoming book “No One…” which has just been released by Christian Focus Publications. “I pray that our merciful God will speak to you in the pages of this book. If you or someone you love cannot see the kingdom of God, I pray that Christ’s crystal clear “No one…” declarations will, through the power of the Holy Spirit, do a miraculous work, and grace will give you or your loved one a joy that No one can take away (John 16:22b).” The book even has an endorsement by yours truly!

Anniversary: My wife and I celebrated our eighth anniversary yesterday. A hopeless romantic, I bought her something she declared the best anniversary gift I’ve ever gotten her: The first season DVD of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” I got her some chocolate too, which I hope redeems me.

Du Jour: Carolyn McCulley tenderly answers a letter from a single woman who feels she just cannot go on without a relationship.

Video: This is an exceptionally entertaining video. I have no idea what they’re singing about because I was too busy watching them. This is great entertainment!

Tuesday August 8, 2006

Photography: Tony at “The Shepherd’s Scrapbook” shares a series of photos he snapped of the Princeton Cemetary.

Prayer: Justin Taylor has collected a couple of prayers for seminaries. He asks, “Have you prayed for the seminaries today?”

Celebrity: In case you haven’t already heard, the current issue of “Newsweek” features quite a long article on Billy Graham. Is it just me or is he getting increasingly wishy-washy on the issue of universalism?

Video: Two videos, actually. The first shows what may well be the world’s most expensive pile-up. The second is the still and always hilarious “Mr. Bean Goes To Church.”

Monday August 7, 2006

Du Jour: In a particularly interesting article, Phil Johnson answers the question of why the emerging conversation is going nowhere.

Blog: Aaron, who runs Theopedia (the Christian-focuses answer to Wikipedia), has begun a new blog at theopedia.wordpress.com/. “The Theopedia blog seeks to serve the church as a resource for theological study and discussion. This blog will host commentaries on current issues as well as short articles on theology, church history, biographies, etc. in hopes of informing and encouraging its readers. ”

Announcement: Eric and Jenny Schumacher have announced the birth of Elijah Ames. Congratulations to the Schumacher family!

Sermon: Matt at What Else Floats blogged about the sermon John Piper preached upon returning from his lengthy sabbatical. “We just returned from worship at Bethlehem, all together on one site in the parking lot in Mounds View. Our pastor, John Piper, preached God’s Word to us for the first time in nearly 6 months after returning from his writing sabbatical in England.”

Photography: Carla snapped a great photo of a storm that was featured on the web site of a local news station.

Friday August 4, 2006

Eschatology: Jason of Fide-O fame, having recently adopted an amillennial understanding of the end times, has written an article explaining this viewpoint. He also lists many highly-regarded Christians who share the belief.

Evangelism: John R. Sittema has an interesting article entitled “Popeye, Evangelism, and the Reformed Faith.” He “offers some practical thoughts on evangelism
and why reformed people have such difficulties with it.”

Humor: A reader of this site, David, sends along “the ultimate boss key” for the internet surfing office worker. Workfriendly will copy the contents of a web page to what looks like Microsoft Word. It’s amazing how much time people will invest in brilliant responses to sinful desires!

Blogging: Is it just me, or is the blogosphere pretty quiet these days? I suppose summer is coming to an end for many Americans and perhaps they are distracted with real life. Either way, it has been a tad difficult gathering A La Carte items!

Thursday August 3, 2006

Church: Lisa links to an article about “Days of the Dead” at Cornerstone “Christian” Youth Camp. While the article is perhaps a little dramatic, it contains some rather startling information.

Humor: Nathan Busenitz, Personal Assistant to John MacArthur, began my Wednesday with a “LOL” moment by sending me this link to a cover of “Preaching Illustrated” covering the big Piper-MacArthur trade.

Theology: Mark at “A Spot of Blogger” is writing a series on the subject of universalism.

Mormons: John DiVito has an interesting link to an article discussing Mormon missions (and those white-shirted guys who knock on your door every year or two). “While many missionaries have friends who are enjoying college life, young elders and sisters are asked to knock on strangers’ doors teaching church doctrine or volunteer in the community 62 to 64 hours a week.”

Abortion: This rates as one of the most disturbing things I’ve seen in a long time. “Ms. Magazine” is asking American women to sign a petition proudly proclaiming they have had an abortion. They are also looking for money for their “Reproductive Freedom Fund.” Since when is abortion reproduction?

Wednesday August 2, 2006

Prayer: Tim Irvin is having some strange health problems. Read up and commit to praying for the guy!

Du Jour: John Duncan takes on MTV, reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the network. “MTV doesn’t play videos or concerts anymore. MTV doesn’t really talk about music. It talks about the cheap and passing frivolity that music can create. MTV has exploited music more as a recreational drug than an art form.”

Weird: Have you heard of SpazzStick, the world’s only caffeinated lip balm? “It was developed by an Alaskan Police Officer, who needs both quality lip balm for the cold and the ability to stay awake during long shifts.”

Gospel: Jim Elliff addresses the gospel and whether or not it should be presented in a humorous way. “The combination of the Gospel (which is dead serious) and staged humor make strange bedfellows…”

Education: Ian at “Ruminations By The Lake” has linked to an interesting video highlighting Logos school in Moscow, ID. The school teaches the classical educational model of the Trivium.

Tuesday August 8, 2006

Weird: From an email list I’m part of comes a story of a town that has a population of 19,000, but 51 churches and other religious institutions. “Stafford, population 19,227, is the largest city in Texas without a property tax…”

Purity: Josh Harris is continuing to blog his way through a brief seven-part series on resisting internet pornography.

Family: In the most recent edition of the “Journal of Modern Ministry,” Lance Quinn wrote an excellent article (PDF File) entitled ” Ten Commandments of Parenting.”

Blogging: LaShawn Barber is beginning a short series teaching other bloggers “How to Avoid a Blogosphere Scandal.” Today’s lesson is all about disclosure.

Monday July 31, 2006

Weird: At the risk of sounding like a gossip page, I’ll mention this strange story of Mel Gibson being picked up for drunk driving and then launching into an anti-semitic tirade that blamed the Jews for all the wars in the world.

End Times: Tim LaHaye, author of the “Left Behind” series, explains to “Newsweek” why he believes the conflict in the Middle East is a sign of the End Times and that Christ will return in our lifetimes.

Bible: Ingrid, over at “Slice,” has an interesting reflection on the many spiritual lessons her sister has learned from being a long distance runner.

Creed: John Samson of “Reformation Theology” discusses the importance of creeds. “In this ocean of change, there stands a bedrock that has stood the test of time. It is an ancient creed that offers a sure and safe haven, and is an anchor in a theological world adrift and deceived.”

Friday July 28, 2006

Blog: Desiring God has begun a blog promoting the upcoming 2006 National Conference. You can visit it at natcon2006.wordpress.com/. The twofold purpose of the blog is: “To inform readers of news and information related to the conference and to introduce the speakers and subject matter of the conference prior to the event so that attendees can prepare their hearts and minds in anticipation of the event itself.”

Blogspotting: Hillbilly Calvinist began his new blog yesterday after reading my rational for blogging. “I will be surprised if I make it past two weeks. Since I only intend to post weekly, this kind of shows you my expectations.” At one post per week, he’ll break 1000 about twenty years from now…

Music: In his most recent Q&A Fridays column, Bob Kauflin addressed rap music, answering the concerns of a parent who says, “My hesitation is that the broader hip-hop culture is so foul and perverse that I am not sure I want to encourage my kids towards it.”

Thursday July 27, 2006

Humor: A prison inmate in New York is being charged after making bomb and anthrax threats. Sadly, he did so in his own name and with his own prisoner number. CNN reports on a not-so-great criminal mind.

Family: Crystal at Biblical Womanhood has some good thoughts on recapturing the nobility of the home. “Home has lost its noble place in society so much so that people can’t imagine what there is to do there all day long. Any woman who dares consider staying home fulltime is made out to be a unintelligent woman living with half her brain tied behind her back.”

Music: Scott Aniol writes about the future of fundamentalist music in an article guaranteed to be controversial. “The answer is not to replace old pop music with new pop music. The answer is to reclaim the music styles that churches used and loved before they began to replace that music with pop styles.”

Archaeology: Fox has an interesting article about a medieval Psalm book that was dug out of a bog in Ireland.