BATTLING DIGITAL SHOPLIFTING
The Japanese Magazine Publishers Association says that young Japanese women are committing "information theft. " Apparently, the women are reading fashion magazines in bookstores and when they see something of interest, instead of buying the magazines, they snap a picture of it with their mobile phone cameras. So bookstores are posting stern signs hoping to shame customers who so use their phone cameras.
But there are other electronic problems in Japan. Only this weekend, newspaper ads warned phone users to avoid walking and writing emails at the same time.
Link
Monday, June 30
THIS IS NEWS?
Headline: California Struggling to Approve Budget
Reality: "California lawmakers have missed the state's constitutional deadline of June 15 for adoption of a budget 18 times in the last 22 years."
Business as usual.
Headline: California Struggling to Approve Budget
Reality: "California lawmakers have missed the state's constitutional deadline of June 15 for adoption of a budget 18 times in the last 22 years."
Business as usual.
Sunday, June 29
HOME AGAIN
I arrived home from my 11 day Chicago trek late last night. Observations:
1. I probably inhaled more second hand smoke in my 11 days in Chicago than in the last eight years in California, where smoking in public buildings and in restaurants is illegal. It is barbaric to have smoking in the same room as where food is being served and consumed.
2. In spite of some backwardness in tobacco usage Chicago is still a great place. I love the energy of the city and the summer charm comes out when the snow and the nasty wind off the lake isn't there. There were only a few days over 90 degrees. So the humidity wasn't TOO unbearable.
3. Midway airport is a totally new and improved place.
4. Dollar Car Rental at Midway was not only lame on the way in but they were not with it on the way out, either. I spent 15 minutes waiting for someone to check in my rental. They only had one person on duty and he was busy with his friends. Fortunately I had built in enough time so I wasn't late.
5. I love the agricultural smells of summer nights in Turlock. Notice I didn’t say odors. I can live with out the occasional dairy drift. But we don’t often have that in summer.
I arrived home from my 11 day Chicago trek late last night. Observations:
1. I probably inhaled more second hand smoke in my 11 days in Chicago than in the last eight years in California, where smoking in public buildings and in restaurants is illegal. It is barbaric to have smoking in the same room as where food is being served and consumed.
2. In spite of some backwardness in tobacco usage Chicago is still a great place. I love the energy of the city and the summer charm comes out when the snow and the nasty wind off the lake isn't there. There were only a few days over 90 degrees. So the humidity wasn't TOO unbearable.
3. Midway airport is a totally new and improved place.
4. Dollar Car Rental at Midway was not only lame on the way in but they were not with it on the way out, either. I spent 15 minutes waiting for someone to check in my rental. They only had one person on duty and he was busy with his friends. Fortunately I had built in enough time so I wasn't late.
5. I love the agricultural smells of summer nights in Turlock. Notice I didn’t say odors. I can live with out the occasional dairy drift. But we don’t often have that in summer.
Friday, June 27
CORNERSTONE & JPUSA
Christianity Today has an article on the Cornerstone Festival -- "Jesus' Woodstock." The annual festival is a ministry of Jesus People USA (JPUSA) in Chicago.
On a related note, this evening I'll be involved in the ordination of eight JPUSA pastors at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Christianity Today has an article on the Cornerstone Festival -- "Jesus' Woodstock." The annual festival is a ministry of Jesus People USA (JPUSA) in Chicago.
On a related note, this evening I'll be involved in the ordination of eight JPUSA pastors at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Thursday, June 26
THIRD WORLD RESPONSE TO ANGLICAN INNOVATION
Francis X. Rocca notes that the Third World Anglican churches are about to cut loose from the Western Churches that they perceive to be too loose. Link
Francis X. Rocca notes that the Third World Anglican churches are about to cut loose from the Western Churches that they perceive to be too loose. Link
NEW BLOGGER
Blogger has migrated me to the new blogger system. It looks different but I'm not sure yet if it's "new AND improved." Perhaps it will be more stable with the archives. The only thing I know so far is that I've had to sign-in a lot more than before. I'll get it figured out.
Blogger has migrated me to the new blogger system. It looks different but I'm not sure yet if it's "new AND improved." Perhaps it will be more stable with the archives. The only thing I know so far is that I've had to sign-in a lot more than before. I'll get it figured out.
YES, IT'S ME
I'm on the left, next to Lyle Heinitz
Randall found this picture of me on the Covenant website. It was taken yesterday as I was moderating the annual meeting of the Covenant Ministerium, the college of Covenant ministers and missionaries, of which I am the president. Lyle is the secretary.
I'm on the left, next to Lyle Heinitz
Randall found this picture of me on the Covenant website. It was taken yesterday as I was moderating the annual meeting of the Covenant Ministerium, the college of Covenant ministers and missionaries, of which I am the president. Lyle is the secretary.
Tuesday, June 24
BARNA CHALLENGES COMMITMENT
"Baby Busters claim to be the most 'authentic' in relationships yet they are more likely than any other generational segment to engage in sex outside of marriage, less likely to devote time to serving others, and the least values-driven." Link
"Baby Busters claim to be the most 'authentic' in relationships yet they are more likely than any other generational segment to engage in sex outside of marriage, less likely to devote time to serving others, and the least values-driven." Link
Monday, June 23
HALF-BAKED EDUCATIONAL REFORM
New federal regulations seem to be making it especially tough for rural schools. Link
New federal regulations seem to be making it especially tough for rural schools. Link
Sunday, June 22
HARRY
So, who is this Harry Potter guy that people line up at bookstores and swamp amazon to read about him?
With all the electronic media and the hype about being an image-driven society -- we're still buying books -- lots and lots of books -- one million copies of HP in the first two days. And books are word driven. Maybe there is hope for the written language.
So, who is this Harry Potter guy that people line up at bookstores and swamp amazon to read about him?
With all the electronic media and the hype about being an image-driven society -- we're still buying books -- lots and lots of books -- one million copies of HP in the first two days. And books are word driven. Maybe there is hope for the written language.
CHICAGO REPORT
This is day five in the windy city -- although it wasn't too windy today. Just warm -- but not overly so. I had no obligations this morning so I looked for a church plant to visit. I ended up at Church of the Redeemer in Skokie (AMiA). On the way home I saw an Edwardo's Pizza, and since it had been years since I had a stuffed spinach pizza, I stopped for lunch. I wasn't disappointed.
This is day five in the windy city -- although it wasn't too windy today. Just warm -- but not overly so. I had no obligations this morning so I looked for a church plant to visit. I ended up at Church of the Redeemer in Skokie (AMiA). On the way home I saw an Edwardo's Pizza, and since it had been years since I had a stuffed spinach pizza, I stopped for lunch. I wasn't disappointed.
Friday, June 20
MEETINGS AND MORE MEETINGS
I spent most of the day in meetings in the basement of the Rosemont Holiday Inn. Some people freak at having so many meetings but I find them stimulating and as an opportunity to provide the structure that allows the mission work of the church to move forward.
We aren't the only ones in the hotel. The main conference is an association of Homebrewers. There is a lot of sampling going on and people are walking around with one or two glasses of beer in hand. The whole place smells like a stale pub. So it was a relief to finally get outside in the late afternoon.
Today was one of the most picture perfect and pleasant days I've experienced in Chicago -- light breeze, blue skies, temps in the 70's. Sixteen of us walked down the street to Maria's for Mexican Food. That, too, was a pleasant surprise. Great chili rellenos!
After dinner I had to run out to make some photocopies and had a couple of minutes before heading back to the room to read reports. So I took a quick trip down to North Park University to see the renovation and new landscaping. All I can say is "incredible!" It's a totally different place.
I spent most of the day in meetings in the basement of the Rosemont Holiday Inn. Some people freak at having so many meetings but I find them stimulating and as an opportunity to provide the structure that allows the mission work of the church to move forward.
We aren't the only ones in the hotel. The main conference is an association of Homebrewers. There is a lot of sampling going on and people are walking around with one or two glasses of beer in hand. The whole place smells like a stale pub. So it was a relief to finally get outside in the late afternoon.
Today was one of the most picture perfect and pleasant days I've experienced in Chicago -- light breeze, blue skies, temps in the 70's. Sixteen of us walked down the street to Maria's for Mexican Food. That, too, was a pleasant surprise. Great chili rellenos!
After dinner I had to run out to make some photocopies and had a couple of minutes before heading back to the room to read reports. So I took a quick trip down to North Park University to see the renovation and new landscaping. All I can say is "incredible!" It's a totally different place.
Wednesday, June 18
LANDING IN CHICAGO
The descent into the city through a raging rain storm was one of the roughest I've experienced. I'm not much for roller coasters.
I had reserved an economy car with Dollar Car Rentals. But they didn't have any cars in that class when I got there. And they were not expecting any for two more hours! The clerk offered to upgrade me for $10 more per day. That sounded like a bait and switch. So I called their customer service hotline on my cell phone. After three calls I finally ended up in a PT Cruiser -- which isn't on their list. But I doubt it's an economy car. Nothing like spending two extra hours at the airport! However, I didn't have anything scheduled for the evening so I felt that I could hold my ground and didn't stress about it.
Chicago, my place of birth, is a great city (especially when it's not February). There is just so much diversity. Tonight I tuned the radio in my less-than-a-thousand-miles-on-the-odometer PT Cruiser into the Irish-American radio network. They have two stations in Chicago playing Celtic music. That is one thing we don't have in Turlock.
The descent into the city through a raging rain storm was one of the roughest I've experienced. I'm not much for roller coasters.
I had reserved an economy car with Dollar Car Rentals. But they didn't have any cars in that class when I got there. And they were not expecting any for two more hours! The clerk offered to upgrade me for $10 more per day. That sounded like a bait and switch. So I called their customer service hotline on my cell phone. After three calls I finally ended up in a PT Cruiser -- which isn't on their list. But I doubt it's an economy car. Nothing like spending two extra hours at the airport! However, I didn't have anything scheduled for the evening so I felt that I could hold my ground and didn't stress about it.
Chicago, my place of birth, is a great city (especially when it's not February). There is just so much diversity. Tonight I tuned the radio in my less-than-a-thousand-miles-on-the-odometer PT Cruiser into the Irish-American radio network. They have two stations in Chicago playing Celtic music. That is one thing we don't have in Turlock.
Tuesday, June 17
Monday, June 16
Saturday, June 14
RANDALL'S NOW FAMOUS BLOG
Randall Friesen's blog was featured in a print article about blogging in the Covenant Companion (sorry it's not online--at least not yet). Hey, Randall, you're famous!
Randall Friesen's blog was featured in a print article about blogging in the Covenant Companion (sorry it's not online--at least not yet). Hey, Randall, you're famous!
Friday, June 13
ELF
I learned a new acronyom today -- Elf -- "English as Lingua Franca"
Timothy Garton Ash rambles (not aimlessly) about the ironies of 21st century Europe.
I learned a new acronyom today -- Elf -- "English as Lingua Franca"
Timothy Garton Ash rambles (not aimlessly) about the ironies of 21st century Europe.
CHURCH PROTESTS DISMISSAL OF ATHIESTIC PASTOR
Danish Lutheran Priest Thorkild Grosboell
A few weeks ago Thorkild Grosboel, a Lutheran pastor from Taarbaek, Denmark, was suspended by the government (it's a state church) because he mentioned that he didn't think there was a God, or eternal life, or any kind of resurrection -- on television! Now his former congregation is protesting and some of the protestors have filed a formal complaint saying the suspension violates the Danish constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Link
I could borrow a line from my Swedish ancestors and say, "What do you expect from the Danes?" But then again I suspect that if such a thing happened in Sweden today they might object as much there, too.
The Christianity Today weblog is citing a study printed in Kristelig Dagbladet which reports that 90 percent of all Danish pastors hold opinions similar to those of Grosboell. Link
Oh St. Anskar, we now understand why you had such a hard time!
(Thanks to Yahoo for the photo)
Danish Lutheran Priest Thorkild Grosboell
A few weeks ago Thorkild Grosboel, a Lutheran pastor from Taarbaek, Denmark, was suspended by the government (it's a state church) because he mentioned that he didn't think there was a God, or eternal life, or any kind of resurrection -- on television! Now his former congregation is protesting and some of the protestors have filed a formal complaint saying the suspension violates the Danish constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Link
I could borrow a line from my Swedish ancestors and say, "What do you expect from the Danes?" But then again I suspect that if such a thing happened in Sweden today they might object as much there, too.
The Christianity Today weblog is citing a study printed in Kristelig Dagbladet which reports that 90 percent of all Danish pastors hold opinions similar to those of Grosboell. Link
Oh St. Anskar, we now understand why you had such a hard time!
(Thanks to Yahoo for the photo)
Wednesday, June 11
OFF TO SAN DIEGO
Kirk called this afternoon to report that he finished his last final. Tomorrow Kent and I will drive on down to UC San Diego pick up his stuff. BTW, today their chancellor, Robert Dynes, was named as president of the whole University of California system (annual salary -- $395,000). I'm sure Kirk will miss having him around next year.
Kirk is actually staying on campus for a few more weeks to help out with new student orientation but he has to get his stuff out of the apartment.
On the way down we'll stop in Fresno to get in a coaching visit with a church planter there. On the way back on Friday I'm hoping to stop off at the Fuller Seminary bookstore for a few minutes and I want to visit the cactus store in Pasadena. Hopefully I can squeeze in some sermon prep somewhere along the way. I'm preaching on the Trinity -- as this will be Trinity Sunday. Talk about an opportunity to get bogged down in theological minutia that nobody really cares about. But it's also a great opportunity to deal with the implications of some critical biblical teaching.
Kirk called this afternoon to report that he finished his last final. Tomorrow Kent and I will drive on down to UC San Diego pick up his stuff. BTW, today their chancellor, Robert Dynes, was named as president of the whole University of California system (annual salary -- $395,000). I'm sure Kirk will miss having him around next year.
Kirk is actually staying on campus for a few more weeks to help out with new student orientation but he has to get his stuff out of the apartment.
On the way down we'll stop in Fresno to get in a coaching visit with a church planter there. On the way back on Friday I'm hoping to stop off at the Fuller Seminary bookstore for a few minutes and I want to visit the cactus store in Pasadena. Hopefully I can squeeze in some sermon prep somewhere along the way. I'm preaching on the Trinity -- as this will be Trinity Sunday. Talk about an opportunity to get bogged down in theological minutia that nobody really cares about. But it's also a great opportunity to deal with the implications of some critical biblical teaching.
Monday, June 9
AUTHORIZED HOMOSEXUALITY
IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH
It's not really a big surprise. Any Anglican watcher knew it was bound to happen probably sooner than later. Episcopalians in the U.S. have been hell bent on implosion since the 60's. But it was still a shock when on Saturday the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire elected a practicing homosexual, Gene Robinson, as bishop coadjutor. Of course, all elections of bishops have to be ratified by the House of Bishops in their denomination. Many are expecting the House to give Robinson their blessing. Link
All of this has created quite a stir within the worldwide Anglican Communion (which outside the US, Canada, U.K., New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil is orthodox and theologically conservative. The communion's numerical strength is in Asia and Africa). Link
The American mess comes on the heals of the authorized blessing of a homosexual union in a Vancouver, B.C. parish and the announcement that a homosexual has been nominated to become the Bishop of Oxford in England. Then, further raising the blood pressure of conservatives, the Archbishop of Canterbury (himself a supporter of homosexual unions) has been catching flak as it emerged that a recently appointed bishop in England has been in a homosexual relationship for decades. Talk about screwed up!
Sadly, all of this will probably out of necessity result in the break-up of the Anglican Communion. The Kingdom of God will move forward without them.
IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH
It's not really a big surprise. Any Anglican watcher knew it was bound to happen probably sooner than later. Episcopalians in the U.S. have been hell bent on implosion since the 60's. But it was still a shock when on Saturday the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire elected a practicing homosexual, Gene Robinson, as bishop coadjutor. Of course, all elections of bishops have to be ratified by the House of Bishops in their denomination. Many are expecting the House to give Robinson their blessing. Link
All of this has created quite a stir within the worldwide Anglican Communion (which outside the US, Canada, U.K., New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil is orthodox and theologically conservative. The communion's numerical strength is in Asia and Africa). Link
The American mess comes on the heals of the authorized blessing of a homosexual union in a Vancouver, B.C. parish and the announcement that a homosexual has been nominated to become the Bishop of Oxford in England. Then, further raising the blood pressure of conservatives, the Archbishop of Canterbury (himself a supporter of homosexual unions) has been catching flak as it emerged that a recently appointed bishop in England has been in a homosexual relationship for decades. Talk about screwed up!
Sadly, all of this will probably out of necessity result in the break-up of the Anglican Communion. The Kingdom of God will move forward without them.
QUOTES
+ On the Covnet list Glenn Wolf reminded me of a John Stott quote I had read years ago: "It is comparatively easy to be faithful if we do not care about being contemporary, and easy also to be contemporary if we do not bother to be faithful. It is the search for a combination of truth and relevance which is exacting. Yet nothing else can save us from an insensitive loyalty to formulae and shibboleths on the one hand, and from a treasonable disloyalty to the revelation of God on the other." (Christian Mission in the Modern World -- Yes, it's still in print -- 27 years later)
+ I'm just finishing up What Does It Mean to Be Saved? (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, John G. Stackhouse, Jr. 2002). This is a collection of essays intent on "broadening evangelical horizons of salvation." Half of the writers have some kind of connection to Regent College in Vancouver., B.C. The first essay by Rikk Watts on The New Exodus/New Creational Restoration of the Image of God is worth the cost of the whole book plus some.
Loren Wilkinson has a good chapter entitled Christians Should Be Converted Pagans. This quote is from that essay. “Neo-paganism, I believe is an attempt to recover an aspect of being human that is central to the gospel but is often obscured – that is, we cannot be fully human until our restored relationship with the Creator results in a restored relationship not only with other men and women but also with the rest of creation, which is seen and accepted as a divine gift. Paganism (old and new) sees that divine gift as the only essential revelation, and harmony with creation and its resident gods or spirits as the only salvation. Thus, paganism is forever inadequate for the wholeness its believers seek. But inasmuch as paganism does have open eyes to the gift-nature of creation, it glimpses a truth to which Christians are sometimes blind. Our culture is being tilted toward paganism as much by an inadequate understanding and modeling by Christians of the creational scope of salvation as by pagan perversity and hardness of heart.” (p. 154)
+ On the Covnet list Glenn Wolf reminded me of a John Stott quote I had read years ago: "It is comparatively easy to be faithful if we do not care about being contemporary, and easy also to be contemporary if we do not bother to be faithful. It is the search for a combination of truth and relevance which is exacting. Yet nothing else can save us from an insensitive loyalty to formulae and shibboleths on the one hand, and from a treasonable disloyalty to the revelation of God on the other." (Christian Mission in the Modern World -- Yes, it's still in print -- 27 years later)
+ I'm just finishing up What Does It Mean to Be Saved? (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, John G. Stackhouse, Jr. 2002). This is a collection of essays intent on "broadening evangelical horizons of salvation." Half of the writers have some kind of connection to Regent College in Vancouver., B.C. The first essay by Rikk Watts on The New Exodus/New Creational Restoration of the Image of God is worth the cost of the whole book plus some.
Loren Wilkinson has a good chapter entitled Christians Should Be Converted Pagans. This quote is from that essay. “Neo-paganism, I believe is an attempt to recover an aspect of being human that is central to the gospel but is often obscured – that is, we cannot be fully human until our restored relationship with the Creator results in a restored relationship not only with other men and women but also with the rest of creation, which is seen and accepted as a divine gift. Paganism (old and new) sees that divine gift as the only essential revelation, and harmony with creation and its resident gods or spirits as the only salvation. Thus, paganism is forever inadequate for the wholeness its believers seek. But inasmuch as paganism does have open eyes to the gift-nature of creation, it glimpses a truth to which Christians are sometimes blind. Our culture is being tilted toward paganism as much by an inadequate understanding and modeling by Christians of the creational scope of salvation as by pagan perversity and hardness of heart.” (p. 154)
Saturday, June 7
SOLAR OVEN SOCIETY
They may not do popcorn but these seem like low tech answers for some high priority problems. Why can't the NGOs and the United Nations push these simple ovens? They'd solve a lot of problems -- especially where there is no firewood. Link
They may not do popcorn but these seem like low tech answers for some high priority problems. Why can't the NGOs and the United Nations push these simple ovens? They'd solve a lot of problems -- especially where there is no firewood. Link
MICROWAVE POPCORN
Our microwave oven had not been functioning right for a long time. Cooking popcorn caused arching in the oven so we couldn't do that. Yesterday, though, Cheryl was warming up her coffee and it started shooting flames. So we figured it was time to get something new -- which we did today. And tonight we celebrated by popping microwave popcorn. The small pleasures of life.
Our microwave oven had not been functioning right for a long time. Cooking popcorn caused arching in the oven so we couldn't do that. Yesterday, though, Cheryl was warming up her coffee and it started shooting flames. So we figured it was time to get something new -- which we did today. And tonight we celebrated by popping microwave popcorn. The small pleasures of life.
Friday, June 6
THE FUTURE OF WORDPERFECT
I've been a hardcore WordPerfect user since 1989 so I took note when it was announced today that Vector Capital is taking over Corel Corp. (the current owner of WordPerfect). I've tried other word processors off and on over the years (including the biggies). But I always end up back at WordPerfect because it is so powerful and flexible. However, Corel has a rocky history and hasn't had the strength to confront Microsoft Word. So hopefully Vector will either sell WordPerfect to someone who can do it right or will capitalize the product itself.
I've been a hardcore WordPerfect user since 1989 so I took note when it was announced today that Vector Capital is taking over Corel Corp. (the current owner of WordPerfect). I've tried other word processors off and on over the years (including the biggies). But I always end up back at WordPerfect because it is so powerful and flexible. However, Corel has a rocky history and hasn't had the strength to confront Microsoft Word. So hopefully Vector will either sell WordPerfect to someone who can do it right or will capitalize the product itself.
DEFINE NON-SECTARIAN
Our city manager sent the following letter to the local ministerial association, which has been coordinating the invocation at city council meetings. I understand where he is coming from. We have a good group of community leaders and they're just trying to protect the city from litigation. I'm surprised that given the overall secular climate in California that they still want to have an invocation at the city council meeting -- period. So I'm not in the least bit unhappy with the city manager, attorney, or council. They all have my deepest admiration and respect.
But this does raise the issue of whether prayer to a generic God is really prayer at all. What is the point of praying to a God that can't be named?
Frankly, I don't think the court decision will set the Kingdom of God back an inch -- even if no one says a prayer at the city council meeting.
June 2, 2003
Turlock Evangelical Association of Ministers
Mr. Elton Nelson, Secretary
Turlock, California 95380
Re: Invocations at City Council Meetings
Dear TEAM Members:
It is with great regret that we inform you that the United States Supreme Court has let stand a California Appellate Court decision declaring that invocations for City Council meetings cannot constitutionally refer to "Jesus Christ" nor can they contain any other sectarian references.
The City of Turlock believes that invocations are an important part of City Council proceedings and wishes to continue them while complying with these new limitations. As a consequence, the City asks that any future invocations follow the new guidelines. The City hopes all of you will continue to participate but would understand completely if some members of your group were no longer able to because they could not, in good conscience, limit their invocations in this manner.
If you have any questions regarding this issue do not hesitate to contact me or City Attorney Dick Burton.
Very truly yours,
STEVEN H. KYTE,
City Manager
Our city manager sent the following letter to the local ministerial association, which has been coordinating the invocation at city council meetings. I understand where he is coming from. We have a good group of community leaders and they're just trying to protect the city from litigation. I'm surprised that given the overall secular climate in California that they still want to have an invocation at the city council meeting -- period. So I'm not in the least bit unhappy with the city manager, attorney, or council. They all have my deepest admiration and respect.
But this does raise the issue of whether prayer to a generic God is really prayer at all. What is the point of praying to a God that can't be named?
Frankly, I don't think the court decision will set the Kingdom of God back an inch -- even if no one says a prayer at the city council meeting.
June 2, 2003
Turlock Evangelical Association of Ministers
Mr. Elton Nelson, Secretary
Turlock, California 95380
Re: Invocations at City Council Meetings
Dear TEAM Members:
It is with great regret that we inform you that the United States Supreme Court has let stand a California Appellate Court decision declaring that invocations for City Council meetings cannot constitutionally refer to "Jesus Christ" nor can they contain any other sectarian references.
The City of Turlock believes that invocations are an important part of City Council proceedings and wishes to continue them while complying with these new limitations. As a consequence, the City asks that any future invocations follow the new guidelines. The City hopes all of you will continue to participate but would understand completely if some members of your group were no longer able to because they could not, in good conscience, limit their invocations in this manner.
If you have any questions regarding this issue do not hesitate to contact me or City Attorney Dick Burton.
Very truly yours,
STEVEN H. KYTE,
City Manager
Thursday, June 5
'NIGERIAN' EMAIL CONFERENCE
Great site which will be enjoyed by everyone who has ever received an email that starts out "I AM MRS. MARIAM SESE-SEKO WIDOW OF LATE PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE-SEKO OF ZAIRE, NOW KNOWN AS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC). I AM MOVED TO WRITE YOU THIS LETTER, THIS WAS IN CONFIDENCE CONSIDERING MY PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION..."
Link (Thanks Andrew and Darren)
Great site which will be enjoyed by everyone who has ever received an email that starts out "I AM MRS. MARIAM SESE-SEKO WIDOW OF LATE PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE-SEKO OF ZAIRE, NOW KNOWN AS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC). I AM MOVED TO WRITE YOU THIS LETTER, THIS WAS IN CONFIDENCE CONSIDERING MY PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION..."
Link (Thanks Andrew and Darren)
Wednesday, June 4
I WAS THINKING ABOUT MOVING BACK TO TEXAS...
so I could attend Fellowship Church in Grapevine. They now have WiFi on their "campus". However, I've been having second thoughts upon realizing that the signal doesn't reach into the worship center. In other words, you can't surf and worship at the same time. What good is that? Maybe I'll stay a Californian for awhile.
so I could attend Fellowship Church in Grapevine. They now have WiFi on their "campus". However, I've been having second thoughts upon realizing that the signal doesn't reach into the worship center. In other words, you can't surf and worship at the same time. What good is that? Maybe I'll stay a Californian for awhile.
TED HAGGARD HAS SELECTED ME
Ted must have read my comments about him yesterday -- or at least his ears were burning. Today he sent me a personal email invitation to his Life Giving Leadership Conference.
Dear Church Leader:
You've been selected to receive this note, because I know you care very much about the future of your church.
Little did I know 18 years ago that the simple and easy-to-learn steps we put into place, when starting a brand new church in our home, would cause it to become the largest congregation in the state of Colorado. In fact, right now we're in the process of building a 12,000 seat sanctuary -- something I couldn't have imagined a few years ago.
With you and just a few others, my team and I would like to reveal some breakthrough new ideas in a very important gathering June 24-26 right here in beautiful Colorado Springs. Isn't it about time that you got away for a couple of days to enjoy the beauty of Pikes Peak, and to also discover how to bring your church to its own peak of effectiveness. You'll learn fresh new insights into growing your church -- making it more alive and vibrant. My team and I promise to work with you directly over these three important days to share our knowledge and also to answer any questions you may have.
He signs it -- Ted Haggard -- but not just Senior Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado -- and not just as President of The World Prayer Team -- but also as President of the National Association of Evangelicals.
P.S. If you know someone else who should be among the select few that must attend this important event, please pass this note on to them. They'll thank you for it.
This is cheesy -- using his new title as president of the NAE to promote his "easy-to-learn steps" church growth seminar. This makes it even harder to take the new NAE seriously. There is trouble ahead.
Ted must have read my comments about him yesterday -- or at least his ears were burning. Today he sent me a personal email invitation to his Life Giving Leadership Conference.
Dear Church Leader:
You've been selected to receive this note, because I know you care very much about the future of your church.
Little did I know 18 years ago that the simple and easy-to-learn steps we put into place, when starting a brand new church in our home, would cause it to become the largest congregation in the state of Colorado. In fact, right now we're in the process of building a 12,000 seat sanctuary -- something I couldn't have imagined a few years ago.
With you and just a few others, my team and I would like to reveal some breakthrough new ideas in a very important gathering June 24-26 right here in beautiful Colorado Springs. Isn't it about time that you got away for a couple of days to enjoy the beauty of Pikes Peak, and to also discover how to bring your church to its own peak of effectiveness. You'll learn fresh new insights into growing your church -- making it more alive and vibrant. My team and I promise to work with you directly over these three important days to share our knowledge and also to answer any questions you may have.
He signs it -- Ted Haggard -- but not just Senior Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado -- and not just as President of The World Prayer Team -- but also as President of the National Association of Evangelicals.
P.S. If you know someone else who should be among the select few that must attend this important event, please pass this note on to them. They'll thank you for it.
This is cheesy -- using his new title as president of the NAE to promote his "easy-to-learn steps" church growth seminar. This makes it even harder to take the new NAE seriously. There is trouble ahead.
WHAT HAPPENED TO GOD?
Rodney Stark in the Chronicle of Higher Education: "If asked what the word 'religion' means, most religious people will say it's about God or the Gods. Yet, for a century, most social-scientific studies of religion have examined nearly every aspect of faith except what people believe about Gods. When and why did we get it so wrong?"
By "wrong" he means emphasizing the study of religious ritual instead of the study of people's beliefs about God.
"Recently, I conducted an elaborate research study to test those conclusions, based on data for the United States and 33 other nations. The results were consistent and overwhelmingly supportive. In each of 27 nations within Christendom, the greater the importance people placed on God, the less likely they were to approve of buying goods they knew to be stolen, of someone failing to report that they had accidentally damaged an auto in a parking lot, or of smoking marijuana. The correlations were as high in Protestant as in Roman Catholic nations and where average levels of church attendance were high or low. Indeed, participation in Sunday services (a measure of ritual activity) was only weakly related to moral attitudes, and those correlations disappeared or became very small when the God 'effects' were removed through regression analysis. That is, God matters; ritual doesn't."
It's a little esoteric for us non-sociology majors but still worth a glance. Link to the complete article.
Rodney Stark in the Chronicle of Higher Education: "If asked what the word 'religion' means, most religious people will say it's about God or the Gods. Yet, for a century, most social-scientific studies of religion have examined nearly every aspect of faith except what people believe about Gods. When and why did we get it so wrong?"
By "wrong" he means emphasizing the study of religious ritual instead of the study of people's beliefs about God.
"Recently, I conducted an elaborate research study to test those conclusions, based on data for the United States and 33 other nations. The results were consistent and overwhelmingly supportive. In each of 27 nations within Christendom, the greater the importance people placed on God, the less likely they were to approve of buying goods they knew to be stolen, of someone failing to report that they had accidentally damaged an auto in a parking lot, or of smoking marijuana. The correlations were as high in Protestant as in Roman Catholic nations and where average levels of church attendance were high or low. Indeed, participation in Sunday services (a measure of ritual activity) was only weakly related to moral attitudes, and those correlations disappeared or became very small when the God 'effects' were removed through regression analysis. That is, God matters; ritual doesn't."
It's a little esoteric for us non-sociology majors but still worth a glance. Link to the complete article.
Tuesday, June 3
TED HAGGARD INTERVIEW
Ted, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, was interviewed in CT.
He says, "This is evangelicalism's finest hour. It is the time for evangelicalism to assert itself in the public debate of ideas. One of my passions is to ensure that evangelicalism is thoughtfully and effectively represented. NAE needs to facilitate the body of Christ in the communication of the gospel."
But then he adds, "Even though NAE represents all evangelicals in America by virtue of our name, we need be more proactive in encouraging people to directly affiliate with us so they can have a voice in what we're saying that they believe. Here's what I tell people: NAE represents you but if you will join NAE, then you get to have input in what we say you believe."
Really? Just because they have the word evangelical in their name, that doesn't mean they have any kind of mandate to represent all evangelicals, most of which are not affiliated with the NAE . The whole things is very triumphal and cheeky -- and doesn't sound like a very thoughtful and effective representation of evangelicalism.
These days I'm much excited about what's happening with Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. I think that this is a much more rounded endeavor into which we can pour our ecumenical energy.
Ted, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, was interviewed in CT.
He says, "This is evangelicalism's finest hour. It is the time for evangelicalism to assert itself in the public debate of ideas. One of my passions is to ensure that evangelicalism is thoughtfully and effectively represented. NAE needs to facilitate the body of Christ in the communication of the gospel."
But then he adds, "Even though NAE represents all evangelicals in America by virtue of our name, we need be more proactive in encouraging people to directly affiliate with us so they can have a voice in what we're saying that they believe. Here's what I tell people: NAE represents you but if you will join NAE, then you get to have input in what we say you believe."
Really? Just because they have the word evangelical in their name, that doesn't mean they have any kind of mandate to represent all evangelicals, most of which are not affiliated with the NAE . The whole things is very triumphal and cheeky -- and doesn't sound like a very thoughtful and effective representation of evangelicalism.
These days I'm much excited about what's happening with Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. I think that this is a much more rounded endeavor into which we can pour our ecumenical energy.
SWEDES GET NEW NAME
The Svenska Missionsförbundet (Swedish Mission Covenant) has changed its name to the Svenska Missionskyrkan (Swedish Mission Church). The word förbundet is roughly equivalent to the word covenant or association in English. The Swedish body is a sister denomination to the Evangelical Covenant Church.
The Svenska Missionsförbundet (Swedish Mission Covenant) has changed its name to the Svenska Missionskyrkan (Swedish Mission Church). The word förbundet is roughly equivalent to the word covenant or association in English. The Swedish body is a sister denomination to the Evangelical Covenant Church.
CONVERSION IN A POSTMODERN ENVIRONMENT
The May issue of Theology, News and Notes is about "Conflicting Understandings of Christian Conversion." Brad Kallenberg's piece on conversion in a postmodern environment is particularly good. Link
A SAMPLE:
...However, the change of conceptual schemes from modern to postmodern involves not simply retooling old crowbars into more effective ones; the mechanical view of evangelism is itself a modern metaphor that needs replacing. How now are we to think about evangelism? Perhaps postmodernism can school us away from the "how to" to the "to what." In other words, the crucial question for the church to ask is not “How are we to convert the unsaved?" but "To what are we asking them to convert?"...
While I hesitate to say we've grown slothful, I do think that churches may be losing their distinctiveness due to our inattention. In part, our problem can be traced to the fact that we have been bewitched by the myth that the best way to reach the unchurched is to translate the message into terms that anybody could understand. This is a particularly modern myth. In Hendrikus Berkhof's apt illustration, the church since the nineteenth century can be likened to a boat traveling down the river of time that attempted to clear the shoals of modernity by lightening its load. One by one, the items of scandalous particularity (the deity of Christ, the resurrection, etc.) were emptied out of the cargo bay. But alas, now the boat is empty, evacuated of any distinctive content.
Of course evangelicals quickly point out that Berkhof's analysis describes the history of Protestant liberalism and, after all, everyone knows that membership of liberal churches is on the wane. In contrast, effective evangelistic strategies must be found, or so it is claimed, by studying churches that are growing. But sadly, one finds among many megachurches the very same "user-friendly" strategy employed by liberal churches of the last century. What will be the fate of these churches?
Fortunately, there is more than one way to skin a cat. If there is a communication gap between the followers of Jesus and their secular counterparts, and this gap cannot be closed by translating the gospel into "secularese," then perhaps the gap can be closed by raising the level of fluency of the secular hearers so that they can understand the gospel on its own terms.
Perhaps now we can see why some are downright cheerful about the end of the mechanical age. Postmodern philosophy may open up ways for us to see evangelism in more living and organic ways. Specifically, postmodern insights about the nature of language help us appreciate that genuine conversion is tantamount to learning the Christian language from a community that participates in the mind of Christ by co-participating in their form of life and practices...
The May issue of Theology, News and Notes is about "Conflicting Understandings of Christian Conversion." Brad Kallenberg's piece on conversion in a postmodern environment is particularly good. Link
A SAMPLE:
...However, the change of conceptual schemes from modern to postmodern involves not simply retooling old crowbars into more effective ones; the mechanical view of evangelism is itself a modern metaphor that needs replacing. How now are we to think about evangelism? Perhaps postmodernism can school us away from the "how to" to the "to what." In other words, the crucial question for the church to ask is not “How are we to convert the unsaved?" but "To what are we asking them to convert?"...
While I hesitate to say we've grown slothful, I do think that churches may be losing their distinctiveness due to our inattention. In part, our problem can be traced to the fact that we have been bewitched by the myth that the best way to reach the unchurched is to translate the message into terms that anybody could understand. This is a particularly modern myth. In Hendrikus Berkhof's apt illustration, the church since the nineteenth century can be likened to a boat traveling down the river of time that attempted to clear the shoals of modernity by lightening its load. One by one, the items of scandalous particularity (the deity of Christ, the resurrection, etc.) were emptied out of the cargo bay. But alas, now the boat is empty, evacuated of any distinctive content.
Of course evangelicals quickly point out that Berkhof's analysis describes the history of Protestant liberalism and, after all, everyone knows that membership of liberal churches is on the wane. In contrast, effective evangelistic strategies must be found, or so it is claimed, by studying churches that are growing. But sadly, one finds among many megachurches the very same "user-friendly" strategy employed by liberal churches of the last century. What will be the fate of these churches?
Fortunately, there is more than one way to skin a cat. If there is a communication gap between the followers of Jesus and their secular counterparts, and this gap cannot be closed by translating the gospel into "secularese," then perhaps the gap can be closed by raising the level of fluency of the secular hearers so that they can understand the gospel on its own terms.
Perhaps now we can see why some are downright cheerful about the end of the mechanical age. Postmodern philosophy may open up ways for us to see evangelism in more living and organic ways. Specifically, postmodern insights about the nature of language help us appreciate that genuine conversion is tantamount to learning the Christian language from a community that participates in the mind of Christ by co-participating in their form of life and practices...
Monday, June 2
GOLFING
My pastor friend Don Holmertz, from Stillman Valley, Illinois, was in town today and so we went golfing at one of the municipal courses in Modesto. I'm not a big golfer but I do enjoy the good conversation and being outdoors (even if it is 95 degrees). I had my very best sand shot of all time! We won't talk about the score, though.
My pastor friend Don Holmertz, from Stillman Valley, Illinois, was in town today and so we went golfing at one of the municipal courses in Modesto. I'm not a big golfer but I do enjoy the good conversation and being outdoors (even if it is 95 degrees). I had my very best sand shot of all time! We won't talk about the score, though.
MOURNING DOVE UPDATE
The runt disappeared last night. I assume that he tried to leave the nest or was pushed out and ended up as breakfast for some of the neighborhood wildlife. However, the other two young doves (8 days old) have flown from the nest and are flying around the backyard. They've been on the fence and then down on the ground foraging in the dirt. Meanwhile, the proud parents sit on the roof of the house overseeing the whole process.
The runt disappeared last night. I assume that he tried to leave the nest or was pushed out and ended up as breakfast for some of the neighborhood wildlife. However, the other two young doves (8 days old) have flown from the nest and are flying around the backyard. They've been on the fence and then down on the ground foraging in the dirt. Meanwhile, the proud parents sit on the roof of the house overseeing the whole process.
Sunday, June 1
THE MOURNING DOVES
There are still three "baby" doves in the nest on our back patio. One is pretty much a runt. But one is already flying back and forth from hanging pot to hanging pot. And this is after only one week. They all hatched last Sunday. The growth is phenominal. They look different every hour -- except for the runt.
There are still three "baby" doves in the nest on our back patio. One is pretty much a runt. But one is already flying back and forth from hanging pot to hanging pot. And this is after only one week. They all hatched last Sunday. The growth is phenominal. They look different every hour -- except for the runt.
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