IRAQIS MAY SEEK TO AVENGE THE VICTIMS...
(Thursday) for their shame. That is considered the appropriate and honor-restoring response in their culture. Link
Thursday, May 6
GOOD-BYE TO FRIENDS
(Thursday) The series ends today so I thought that perhaps I should watch it since I had never really done so and because it was going to be my last chance to participate in a cultural phenomena. Phenomena or not I could only handle about 45 seconds of inane throw-away lines and laugh-tracks. Oh well.
(Thursday) The series ends today so I thought that perhaps I should watch it since I had never really done so and because it was going to be my last chance to participate in a cultural phenomena. Phenomena or not I could only handle about 45 seconds of inane throw-away lines and laugh-tracks. Oh well.
PRISONER ABUSE
(Thursday) The president offered a public apology to the Iraqi people today. This evening my radio scanned past and settled on a talk radio show briefly. The caller was complaining about the apology. "If per chance the accusations ARE true -- we still shouldn't apologize. It makes us look weak." The host agreed.
Why is it that we equate righteousness and humility with weakness?
The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts." Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
(Thursday) The president offered a public apology to the Iraqi people today. This evening my radio scanned past and settled on a talk radio show briefly. The caller was complaining about the apology. "If per chance the accusations ARE true -- we still shouldn't apologize. It makes us look weak." The host agreed.
Why is it that we equate righteousness and humility with weakness?
The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts." Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
Wednesday, May 5
DR ALICE COOPER
(Wednesday) Terry Mattingly has picked up on the fact that Grand Canyon University, a Southern Baptist school in Phoenix, plans to give Alice Cooper an honorary doctorate at commencement on Saturday.
When I first moved to Phoenix about 1,000 years ago, and I was trying to figure out where I was going to continue my college education, I drove out to Grand Canyon College (as it was called back then) to check it out. But after spending 10 minutes with the director of admissions, who spoke with a thick Southern accent and was wearing the ugliest green leisure suit I had ever seen, I decided to take my chances with the pagans at Arizona State University. The rest is history. But I do wonder what has transpired at the school over the last 30 years -- that the 10-years-out-of-date leisure suit mentality has given way to Alice Cooper.
By the way, the ceremony will be broadcast live via the Web at 2 p.m., Saturday (MST -- Arizona doesn't do daylight savings time so it's the same as PDT).
(Wednesday) Terry Mattingly has picked up on the fact that Grand Canyon University, a Southern Baptist school in Phoenix, plans to give Alice Cooper an honorary doctorate at commencement on Saturday.
When I first moved to Phoenix about 1,000 years ago, and I was trying to figure out where I was going to continue my college education, I drove out to Grand Canyon College (as it was called back then) to check it out. But after spending 10 minutes with the director of admissions, who spoke with a thick Southern accent and was wearing the ugliest green leisure suit I had ever seen, I decided to take my chances with the pagans at Arizona State University. The rest is history. But I do wonder what has transpired at the school over the last 30 years -- that the 10-years-out-of-date leisure suit mentality has given way to Alice Cooper.
By the way, the ceremony will be broadcast live via the Web at 2 p.m., Saturday (MST -- Arizona doesn't do daylight savings time so it's the same as PDT).
HURRICANE ELECTRIC
(Wednesday) Our church has had a website online since 1995. About five of those years have been hosted on donated server space provided by Hurricane Electric. They have consistently provided us with great no hassle service. If you guys are googling yourselves -- thanks!
(Wednesday) Our church has had a website online since 1995. About five of those years have been hosted on donated server space provided by Hurricane Electric. They have consistently provided us with great no hassle service. If you guys are googling yourselves -- thanks!
¡VIVA! EL CINCO DE MAYO
(Wednesday) The reason we love Cinco de Mayo is: (choose the BEST answer)
a) We're looking for another opportunity to snub the French
b) We love waking up to the neighbor's loud mariachee music on Saturday mornings
c) carne asada
d) We believe that it commemorates when Mexico gave California to the United States because they didn't want to deal with all the gringo immigrants
e) It was a turning point in the American Civil War
f) other: _____________________
¡Viva México! ¡Viva Juárez! Viva el cinco de mayo!
(Wednesday) The reason we love Cinco de Mayo is: (choose the BEST answer)
a) We're looking for another opportunity to snub the French
b) We love waking up to the neighbor's loud mariachee music on Saturday mornings
c) carne asada
d) We believe that it commemorates when Mexico gave California to the United States because they didn't want to deal with all the gringo immigrants
e) It was a turning point in the American Civil War
f) other: _____________________
¡Viva México! ¡Viva Juárez! Viva el cinco de mayo!
Tuesday, May 4
WORSHIP WARS
(Tuesday) "What's the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist? You can negotiate with a terrorist."
Journalist Terry Mattingly says on his blog that of all the topics about which he writes, the worship wars -- that is, "music" wars -- continues to generate more controversy than anything else. But will it eventually be replaced by the plasma-screen wars? Who knows. Whatever direction the liturgical controversy takes it appears that George Barna has us pegged. Mattingly quotes one of his own columns.
"What we know about Americans is that we view ourselves first and foremost as consumers," said Barna. "Even when we walk in the doors of our churches what we tend to do is to wonder how can I get a good transaction out of this experience. ... So, what we know from our research is that Americans have made worship something that primarily we do for ourselves. When is it successful? When we feel good."
(Tuesday) "What's the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist? You can negotiate with a terrorist."
Journalist Terry Mattingly says on his blog that of all the topics about which he writes, the worship wars -- that is, "music" wars -- continues to generate more controversy than anything else. But will it eventually be replaced by the plasma-screen wars? Who knows. Whatever direction the liturgical controversy takes it appears that George Barna has us pegged. Mattingly quotes one of his own columns.
"What we know about Americans is that we view ourselves first and foremost as consumers," said Barna. "Even when we walk in the doors of our churches what we tend to do is to wonder how can I get a good transaction out of this experience. ... So, what we know from our research is that Americans have made worship something that primarily we do for ourselves. When is it successful? When we feel good."
TWICE AS MANY UNCHURCHED
(Tuesday) George Barna's latest study finds that the number of unchurched people in the U.S. has doubled since 1991. What do you think of his solution?
“Unchurched people are not just lazy or uniformed,” the researcher continued. “They are wholly disinterested in church life – often passionately so. Stirring worship music won’t attract them because worship isn’t even on their radar screen. More comfortable pews cannot compete with the easy chair or the bed that already serve the unchurched person well. Church events cannot effectively compete with what the world has to offer. The only thing the Church can provide that no one else has is a life-changing, practical encounter – and on-going relationship – with the living God and with people transformed by similar encounters. Until such a connection is made, focusing on features, programs and benefits other than such a life-shaping encounter is more likely to lose ground than to gain it.”
Barna noted that the millions of young unchurched have no understanding of or interest in a church, even if it is “contemporary” in style. “Millions of young adults are more interested in truth, authenticity, experiences, relationships and spirituality than they are in laws, traditions, events, disciplines, institutions and religion. The confluence of preconceived notions, past experiences and evolving lifestyles and values means that existing churches simply cannot reach millions of today’s unchurched people. The rapidly swelling numbers of unchurched people may be forcing existing churches to reinvent their core spiritual practices while holding tightly to their core spiritual beliefs. It will take radically new settings and experiences to effectively introduce unchurched individuals to biblical principles and practices.”
(Tuesday) George Barna's latest study finds that the number of unchurched people in the U.S. has doubled since 1991. What do you think of his solution?
“Unchurched people are not just lazy or uniformed,” the researcher continued. “They are wholly disinterested in church life – often passionately so. Stirring worship music won’t attract them because worship isn’t even on their radar screen. More comfortable pews cannot compete with the easy chair or the bed that already serve the unchurched person well. Church events cannot effectively compete with what the world has to offer. The only thing the Church can provide that no one else has is a life-changing, practical encounter – and on-going relationship – with the living God and with people transformed by similar encounters. Until such a connection is made, focusing on features, programs and benefits other than such a life-shaping encounter is more likely to lose ground than to gain it.”
Barna noted that the millions of young unchurched have no understanding of or interest in a church, even if it is “contemporary” in style. “Millions of young adults are more interested in truth, authenticity, experiences, relationships and spirituality than they are in laws, traditions, events, disciplines, institutions and religion. The confluence of preconceived notions, past experiences and evolving lifestyles and values means that existing churches simply cannot reach millions of today’s unchurched people. The rapidly swelling numbers of unchurched people may be forcing existing churches to reinvent their core spiritual practices while holding tightly to their core spiritual beliefs. It will take radically new settings and experiences to effectively introduce unchurched individuals to biblical principles and practices.”
NOTABLE ON POSTMODERNISM
(Tuesday) Russ Reeves has a summary of A. J. Conyers article Can Postmodernism Be Used as a Template for Christian Theology?" Unfortunately the article isn't online but Russ' summary is helpful.
Apparently Conyers is less than optimistic about the capability of postmodern culture to carry the gospel message -- because it's not really a culture at all! "Post-modernism is not a culture, but the fatigue of culture. It is a sign of the end of modernity, and for that reason its critique of modernity is telling. But it is not a new age, nor the sign of a new kind of culture. It despairs of culture. It cannot become a vessel for gospel for it is fundamentally anti-gospel just as all signs of destruction (or deconstruction) and judgment can only serve as a warning, the invocation of an "Icabod," that the glory has departed."
(Tuesday) Russ Reeves has a summary of A. J. Conyers article Can Postmodernism Be Used as a Template for Christian Theology?" Unfortunately the article isn't online but Russ' summary is helpful.
Apparently Conyers is less than optimistic about the capability of postmodern culture to carry the gospel message -- because it's not really a culture at all! "Post-modernism is not a culture, but the fatigue of culture. It is a sign of the end of modernity, and for that reason its critique of modernity is telling. But it is not a new age, nor the sign of a new kind of culture. It despairs of culture. It cannot become a vessel for gospel for it is fundamentally anti-gospel just as all signs of destruction (or deconstruction) and judgment can only serve as a warning, the invocation of an "Icabod," that the glory has departed."
PRISONER ABUSE
(Tuesday) It turns out that the abuse of Iraqi prisoners reported the other day was not a totally isolated case. More such cases are surfacing and more soldiers are now facing court martial charges.
President Bush needs to appear on Iraqi television immediately to make an apology to the Iraqi people. He needs to personally and humbly explain that these soldiers will be punished and that this isn't an acceptable way for Americans (or anyone!) to act. If this isn't done quickly in a very transparent manner he can pretty much write off any of the small amount of good will that we've gained in Iraq (if there is any left!).
Likewise, after these offending soldiers and their supervising officers are convicted (and before they are sent to prison -- or whatever it is that will happen to them) these soldiers need to appear on Iraqi television to make a public apology to all the people.
Leave it to us Americans to shoot ourselves in the foot (or both feet). It is no wonder that the rest of the world perceives us as wild and out-of-control cowboys.
(Tuesday) It turns out that the abuse of Iraqi prisoners reported the other day was not a totally isolated case. More such cases are surfacing and more soldiers are now facing court martial charges.
President Bush needs to appear on Iraqi television immediately to make an apology to the Iraqi people. He needs to personally and humbly explain that these soldiers will be punished and that this isn't an acceptable way for Americans (or anyone!) to act. If this isn't done quickly in a very transparent manner he can pretty much write off any of the small amount of good will that we've gained in Iraq (if there is any left!).
Likewise, after these offending soldiers and their supervising officers are convicted (and before they are sent to prison -- or whatever it is that will happen to them) these soldiers need to appear on Iraqi television to make a public apology to all the people.
Leave it to us Americans to shoot ourselves in the foot (or both feet). It is no wonder that the rest of the world perceives us as wild and out-of-control cowboys.
Monday, May 3
BLACKOUT
(Monday) We lost power for about an hour this evening. The blackout was contained in a one mile radius around our house. All the air-conditioners and fans came to a sudden halt and people were drinking lots of beer in their front yards with their neighbors. No one seemed in the least bit concerned. We had about a two-minute power outage throughout Turlock at about 8 a.m. this morning. Who knows if the incidents are at all related.
Some of you are wondering why this is a big deal. It's only significant in that we rarely have power problems in Turlock. This is the longest we've lost power since we moved here 9 years ago. Even when California was doing the brownout thing last year we had stable power. A little problem like this reminds us that overall we really do have great service through TID -- our local publicly owned utility -- proof that government can work.
(Monday) We lost power for about an hour this evening. The blackout was contained in a one mile radius around our house. All the air-conditioners and fans came to a sudden halt and people were drinking lots of beer in their front yards with their neighbors. No one seemed in the least bit concerned. We had about a two-minute power outage throughout Turlock at about 8 a.m. this morning. Who knows if the incidents are at all related.
Some of you are wondering why this is a big deal. It's only significant in that we rarely have power problems in Turlock. This is the longest we've lost power since we moved here 9 years ago. Even when California was doing the brownout thing last year we had stable power. A little problem like this reminds us that overall we really do have great service through TID -- our local publicly owned utility -- proof that government can work.
Sunday, May 2
IS CALIFORNIA BACK?
(Sunday) Or is our state the next Argentina? The Economist mulls over this question in a series of articles that seeks to pinpoint the problems that keep California shaking. (Make sure you click the "next article" link at the bottom of each page).
If they had asked me I would have told them that the main cause of our downward spiral (other than the general moral climate which all the states to one degree or another share) is the initiative system and in particular the first grand initiative -- Prop. 13. The Economist seems to agree. In spite of the prosperity, the creative attempts at financing, committed people in leadership, and an incredibly vibrant economy we can't get beyond the funding chaos created in 1978.
The Arizona Republic began a series of articles today outlining the reasons that the Rocky Mountain region has suddenly become the economic front-runner of the U.S. What they failed to mention is the California exodus. But perhaps everyone just assumes that at this point.
(Sunday) Or is our state the next Argentina? The Economist mulls over this question in a series of articles that seeks to pinpoint the problems that keep California shaking. (Make sure you click the "next article" link at the bottom of each page).
If they had asked me I would have told them that the main cause of our downward spiral (other than the general moral climate which all the states to one degree or another share) is the initiative system and in particular the first grand initiative -- Prop. 13. The Economist seems to agree. In spite of the prosperity, the creative attempts at financing, committed people in leadership, and an incredibly vibrant economy we can't get beyond the funding chaos created in 1978.
The Arizona Republic began a series of articles today outlining the reasons that the Rocky Mountain region has suddenly become the economic front-runner of the U.S. What they failed to mention is the California exodus. But perhaps everyone just assumes that at this point.
Saturday, May 1
SATURDAY
(Saturday) Finished my sermon for tomorrow... got lots of grass mowed... harvested our cherry crop (all 7 cherries off our three-year-old tree)... saw Betsy off to the prom... AND Cheryl made pie out of the bag of key limes I brought home yesterday (She should have known better than to send me to the store).
(Saturday) Finished my sermon for tomorrow... got lots of grass mowed... harvested our cherry crop (all 7 cherries off our three-year-old tree)... saw Betsy off to the prom... AND Cheryl made pie out of the bag of key limes I brought home yesterday (She should have known better than to send me to the store).
Friday, April 30
STRANGE FLASH
(Friday) I picked up a couple of links for unusual flash sites off metafilter:
soy sauce advert -- in Japanese
bitkraft -- portfolio site of Philip Glofcheskie
(Friday) I picked up a couple of links for unusual flash sites off metafilter:
soy sauce advert -- in Japanese
bitkraft -- portfolio site of Philip Glofcheskie
PRISON BRUTALITY
(Friday) The headline says "Images of prison abuse outrage Arab world" -- and I might add, the American world, as well.
(Friday) The headline says "Images of prison abuse outrage Arab world" -- and I might add, the American world, as well.
Thursday, April 29
PETER WINS OUT OVER OSKI
(Thursday) Kent informed UC Irvine that he plans to attend there next fall -- turning down UC Berkeley. Cheryl is an alumna of Cal but she didn't seem terribly hurt by his decision.
This means I'll probably get a Peter the Anteater shirt at some point -- a lot more funky and cool than an Oski the Golden Bear Cal shirt. I mean, everyone and their brother seems to have Cal gear but I suspect that UCI will be the future craze.
(Thursday) Kent informed UC Irvine that he plans to attend there next fall -- turning down UC Berkeley. Cheryl is an alumna of Cal but she didn't seem terribly hurt by his decision.
This means I'll probably get a Peter the Anteater shirt at some point -- a lot more funky and cool than an Oski the Golden Bear Cal shirt. I mean, everyone and their brother seems to have Cal gear but I suspect that UCI will be the future craze.
STUDENT SPIRITUALITY
(Thursday) Diane Geng has written a fine article in the University of California Davis student newspaper, the California Aggie, about how students view spirituality. Specifically she focuses on the work of Daniel Perez, a senior student who did a research thesis on non-religious spirituality.
I don't agree with much of what the students interviewed said but the article presents a fairly accurate picture of the landscape in this area. The emphasis was on students finding spirituality outside organized religion. However, while they appear to be in the minority there are still significant numbers of students who are fully committed to pursuing faith within the contexts of traditional religious structures. It would have been even more interesting to explore how these two paths intersect and how the students pursuing each interface with each other. That, however, is for someone else's thesis.
(Thursday) Diane Geng has written a fine article in the University of California Davis student newspaper, the California Aggie, about how students view spirituality. Specifically she focuses on the work of Daniel Perez, a senior student who did a research thesis on non-religious spirituality.
I don't agree with much of what the students interviewed said but the article presents a fairly accurate picture of the landscape in this area. The emphasis was on students finding spirituality outside organized religion. However, while they appear to be in the minority there are still significant numbers of students who are fully committed to pursuing faith within the contexts of traditional religious structures. It would have been even more interesting to explore how these two paths intersect and how the students pursuing each interface with each other. That, however, is for someone else's thesis.
Tuesday, April 27
HOME
(Tuesday) I'm home from Chicago and since my biological clock is all screwed up I expect to sleep in tomorrow morning until at least 7 a.m.
It is a little bit warmer here in Turlock (95 today!) than in Chicago (53 today). Some places in the LA area broke records with 101 degrees. That is the earliest in the year that any place in the state has broken 100 -- at least in recorded history.
(Tuesday) I'm home from Chicago and since my biological clock is all screwed up I expect to sleep in tomorrow morning until at least 7 a.m.
It is a little bit warmer here in Turlock (95 today!) than in Chicago (53 today). Some places in the LA area broke records with 101 degrees. That is the earliest in the year that any place in the state has broken 100 -- at least in recorded history.
GMAIL
(Tuesday) Karl has been chosen as a Gmail beta tester -- that lucky dog. I guess all those nice things I said about google on my blog didn't give me any clout.
Gmail has added new info to their webpage.
(Tuesday) Karl has been chosen as a Gmail beta tester -- that lucky dog. I guess all those nice things I said about google on my blog didn't give me any clout.
Gmail has added new info to their webpage.
TEEN BLOGS
(Tuesday) Dan has some good thoughts on what we've been learning about how teens view blogs.
(Tuesday) Dan has some good thoughts on what we've been learning about how teens view blogs.
Sunday, April 25
TO CHICAGO
(Sunday)
We're having a big tri-tip dinner after worship this morning then I'm off in a bit of a hurry to Oakland so I can catch a plane to Chicago. I've got two days of meetings but I'll be back on Tuesday night.
I'm not keen on leaving Turlock at this time of the year -- too balmy -- with the smell of fresh cut alfalfa filling the air.
(Sunday)
We're having a big tri-tip dinner after worship this morning then I'm off in a bit of a hurry to Oakland so I can catch a plane to Chicago. I've got two days of meetings but I'll be back on Tuesday night.
I'm not keen on leaving Turlock at this time of the year -- too balmy -- with the smell of fresh cut alfalfa filling the air.
Saturday, April 24
Friday, April 23
SAN DIEGO
(Friday)
Yes, I'm in San Diego AGAIN. This time Cheryl and I are here for the annual meeting of the Pacific Southwest Conference. We picked up Kirk last night and had dinner at the Arirang House Korean Restaurant (4681 Convoy). Outstanding Korean BBQ! And it gave Kirk a chance to use a bit of his Korean.
By the way, it is chamber of commerce weather here today.
(Friday)
Yes, I'm in San Diego AGAIN. This time Cheryl and I are here for the annual meeting of the Pacific Southwest Conference. We picked up Kirk last night and had dinner at the Arirang House Korean Restaurant (4681 Convoy). Outstanding Korean BBQ! And it gave Kirk a chance to use a bit of his Korean.
By the way, it is chamber of commerce weather here today.
Wednesday, April 21
IKEA: BIG BOX BUT DIFFERENT
From the Wall Street Journal: IKEA does for the home what Julia Child did for the kitchen--and what Martha Stewart, later, did for home crafts. It's possible to walk into an IKEA store thinking that interior decoration is little more than cinder blocks and orange crates and leave with a bedroom, living room or kitchen worthy of the toniest shelter magazine. Goodbye college dorm, hello Museum of Modern Art--an instant upgrade.
In part, IKEA does this by marrying two seemingly irreconcilable worlds: economy and high design. The consumer no longer has to choose between the unattractive and cheap, on the one hand, and the good-looking and dear.
I'm not so sure about the "high design" part. I enjoy IKEA because it is just plain different -- funky with a twist. Oh yes, and I love the "manager's special" in the cafeteria -- Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, soup, and I get the lingonberry drink out of the fountain.
From the Wall Street Journal: IKEA does for the home what Julia Child did for the kitchen--and what Martha Stewart, later, did for home crafts. It's possible to walk into an IKEA store thinking that interior decoration is little more than cinder blocks and orange crates and leave with a bedroom, living room or kitchen worthy of the toniest shelter magazine. Goodbye college dorm, hello Museum of Modern Art--an instant upgrade.
In part, IKEA does this by marrying two seemingly irreconcilable worlds: economy and high design. The consumer no longer has to choose between the unattractive and cheap, on the one hand, and the good-looking and dear.
I'm not so sure about the "high design" part. I enjoy IKEA because it is just plain different -- funky with a twist. Oh yes, and I love the "manager's special" in the cafeteria -- Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, soup, and I get the lingonberry drink out of the fountain.
AIR AMERICA IN FREE FALL?
(Wednesday) Air America, the liberal answer to Rush, may be off the air before I ever get a chance to hear it. I'm not heart-broken but I at least wanted to hear it for a few minutes. However, the chances that it would ever come to a radio station near us in the Republican belt of California were pretty slim anyway.
(Wednesday) Air America, the liberal answer to Rush, may be off the air before I ever get a chance to hear it. I'm not heart-broken but I at least wanted to hear it for a few minutes. However, the chances that it would ever come to a radio station near us in the Republican belt of California were pretty slim anyway.
4:20
(Wednesday) I learned something new today from Dan, who oversees our youth ministry, potheads are into the number "4:20." And they don't even know why!
(Wednesday) I learned something new today from Dan, who oversees our youth ministry, potheads are into the number "4:20." And they don't even know why!
Tuesday, April 20
BEMOANING THE PRICE OF GAS
(Tuesday) On the Covnet list we were grousing about the cost of gasoline around the country. Then Keith Olson chimed in with a reality check -- "Adjusted for inflation 1981 gas prices were $2.80 per gallon. In the 1950s the price of gas averaged $1.80 in today's dollars, while the average income was half what it is today." Party pooper.
(Tuesday) On the Covnet list we were grousing about the cost of gasoline around the country. Then Keith Olson chimed in with a reality check -- "Adjusted for inflation 1981 gas prices were $2.80 per gallon. In the 1950s the price of gas averaged $1.80 in today's dollars, while the average income was half what it is today." Party pooper.
Sunday, April 18
FOCUS ON WAL-MART
(Sunday) Terry Mattingly is blogging about the Wal-Mart phenomena. I think he's against it -- but I'm not sure.
(Sunday) Terry Mattingly is blogging about the Wal-Mart phenomena. I think he's against it -- but I'm not sure.
Friday, April 16
HONEY MANGO
(Friday) I know that it is a bit of a long-shot but I'm wondering if anyone knows what a "honey mango" is? I saw this smaller, yellow mango at the grocery store. I had never tasted (or heard of) that variety so I bought one. It was quite sweet but I can't find any information on "honey mangos." I suspect that it is a name created by some produce marketer somewhere. Does anyone know what else they are called? They look a lot like the ataulfo mangos grown in Mexico and that may be what they are.
(Friday) I know that it is a bit of a long-shot but I'm wondering if anyone knows what a "honey mango" is? I saw this smaller, yellow mango at the grocery store. I had never tasted (or heard of) that variety so I bought one. It was quite sweet but I can't find any information on "honey mangos." I suspect that it is a name created by some produce marketer somewhere. Does anyone know what else they are called? They look a lot like the ataulfo mangos grown in Mexico and that may be what they are.
Thursday, April 15
PANNENBERG ON HOMOSEXUALITY
(Thursday) Wolfhart Pannenberg has an excellent, concise, gracious, to the point essay. Link
(Thursday) Wolfhart Pannenberg has an excellent, concise, gracious, to the point essay. Link
Wednesday, April 14
EASTER SERMON
(Wednesday) Several people have asked for a copy of my Easter sermon. There is a text version available online.
(Wednesday) Several people have asked for a copy of my Easter sermon. There is a text version available online.
Tuesday, April 13
AMERICAN EVANGELICALS
(Tuesday) Some interesting tidbits from the people at Religion & News Weekly. Among them:
+ Roughly one-in-five likely white evangelical voters (23%) say they are Democrats or lean Democrat.
+ Pope John Paul II is viewed more favorably by all evangelicals (59%) than either Falwell or Robertson.
+ Only 14% of Americans belong to congregations that are larger than 1000 members, the same as non-evangelical Protestants, and almost one-in-five evangelicals (19%) attend a church with less than 100 members.
+ An overwhelming majority of all evangelicals (84%) believe that personal faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, compared with 38% of Catholics and 56% of non-evangelical Protestants. Just half of white evangelicals, however, believe that only born-again Christians go to heaven, and even fewer black evangelicals (42%) say they believe only born-again Christians will go to heaven.
(Tuesday) Some interesting tidbits from the people at Religion & News Weekly. Among them:
+ Roughly one-in-five likely white evangelical voters (23%) say they are Democrats or lean Democrat.
+ Pope John Paul II is viewed more favorably by all evangelicals (59%) than either Falwell or Robertson.
+ Only 14% of Americans belong to congregations that are larger than 1000 members, the same as non-evangelical Protestants, and almost one-in-five evangelicals (19%) attend a church with less than 100 members.
+ An overwhelming majority of all evangelicals (84%) believe that personal faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, compared with 38% of Catholics and 56% of non-evangelical Protestants. Just half of white evangelicals, however, believe that only born-again Christians go to heaven, and even fewer black evangelicals (42%) say they believe only born-again Christians will go to heaven.
BERKELEY OR IRVINE?
(Tuesday) Cheryl and I took Kent to UC Berkeley for the grand tour today. After the hike we went to Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, an old favorite which was as good as we remembered.
On Saturday we return to UC Irvine for their campuswide open house.
Here's the dilemma. Berkeley is the school with the big reputation. Irvine is the school offering the big bucks.
(Tuesday) Cheryl and I took Kent to UC Berkeley for the grand tour today. After the hike we went to Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, an old favorite which was as good as we remembered.
On Saturday we return to UC Irvine for their campuswide open house.
Here's the dilemma. Berkeley is the school with the big reputation. Irvine is the school offering the big bucks.
Sunday, April 11
CHOOSE YOUR SAVIOR
Slate has a story on the different ways that people perceive Jesus. Every media outlet has got to have a story on Jesus these days -- even if they don't have anything significant to say. But the artwork is funky.
Slate has a story on the different ways that people perceive Jesus. Every media outlet has got to have a story on Jesus these days -- even if they don't have anything significant to say. But the artwork is funky.
DUBYA THE EVANGELICAL
(Sunday) Alan Jacobs from Wheaton College analyzes George Bush's evangelicalism. Don't worry, he isn't consistent enough to be a part of a fundamentalist take-over.
(Sunday) Alan Jacobs from Wheaton College analyzes George Bush's evangelicalism. Don't worry, he isn't consistent enough to be a part of a fundamentalist take-over.
EASTER ATTENDANCE
(Sunday) Not that I live or die by such things but we were down by about 50 people from what happened last Easter. We had added an additional service because we were maxed out last year and our over all attendance this year is higher than last year. The services went well in spite of the lower turn-out.
Interestingly, the Good Friday service that our ministerial association put on also seemed to be lower than last year, too. We were expecting significantly higher numbers because of the interest generated by the Passion movie. But that seemed to have little, if any, impact.
I remember that after 9-11 a lot of churches around the US experienced a great surge in attendance. But the churches in Turlock didn't seem to go up or down at all. This place marches to the beat of its own drum.
(Sunday) Not that I live or die by such things but we were down by about 50 people from what happened last Easter. We had added an additional service because we were maxed out last year and our over all attendance this year is higher than last year. The services went well in spite of the lower turn-out.
Interestingly, the Good Friday service that our ministerial association put on also seemed to be lower than last year, too. We were expecting significantly higher numbers because of the interest generated by the Passion movie. But that seemed to have little, if any, impact.
I remember that after 9-11 a lot of churches around the US experienced a great surge in attendance. But the churches in Turlock didn't seem to go up or down at all. This place marches to the beat of its own drum.
MULTI-CULTURAL IMAGES OF CHRIST
(Sunday) Joanne Pepper has an interesting piece on how Christ is portrayed in various cultures -- a quick lesson in religious anthropology.
(Sunday) Joanne Pepper has an interesting piece on how Christ is portrayed in various cultures -- a quick lesson in religious anthropology.
THE LITERARY DIVIDE
(Sunday) Anne Applebaum Laments in the Washington Post: I'm not quite sure how it got to be this way -- writers of heavy books on one side, mass media on the other -- because it wasn't always so. The great American cultural blender once produced whole art forms, such as Broadway musicals and jazz, that might well be described as a blend of the two. But nowadays, that gap is so wide that I'm not even sure the old descriptions of the various forms of "culture" -- highbrow, middlebrow, popular -- even make sense any more. Does Edward P. Jones, the Washingtonian whose eloquent novel, "The Known World," won a Pulitzer Prize this week, even inhabit the same universe as MTV? Does anybody who reads one watch the other?
Is she just noticing this for the first time?
(Sunday) Anne Applebaum Laments in the Washington Post: I'm not quite sure how it got to be this way -- writers of heavy books on one side, mass media on the other -- because it wasn't always so. The great American cultural blender once produced whole art forms, such as Broadway musicals and jazz, that might well be described as a blend of the two. But nowadays, that gap is so wide that I'm not even sure the old descriptions of the various forms of "culture" -- highbrow, middlebrow, popular -- even make sense any more. Does Edward P. Jones, the Washingtonian whose eloquent novel, "The Known World," won a Pulitzer Prize this week, even inhabit the same universe as MTV? Does anybody who reads one watch the other?
Is she just noticing this for the first time?
IN CASE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY TODAY
(Resurrection Sunday)
Al Maseeh qam!
Haqqan qam! - Arabic
Qristos haryal y merelotz!
Haverzh ordnyal harutiune Qristosy! - Armenian
Krishti Ungjall!
Vertete Ungjall! - Albanian
Helisituosi fuhuole.
Queshi fuhuole. - Chinese
Kristus vstal zmrtvy'ch!
Skutec~ne~ vstal! - Czech
Christ is Risen!
Indeed, he is Risen! - English
Crist is arisen!
Arisen he sothe! - Chaucerean Middle English
Christos T'ensah Em' Muhtan!
Exai' Ab-her Eokala! - Ethiopian
Kristus nousi kuolleista!
Totisesti nousi! - Finnish
Taw Creest Ereen!
Taw Shay Ereen Guhdyne! - Gaelic
Christus ist Auferstanden!!!
Wahrhaft auferstanden! - German
Christ ist Erstanden!
Wahrlicht Erstanden! - German
Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti! - Greek
Ha-Mashiah qom!
Be-emet qom! - Hebrew
Kristur reis upp!
Sannlega reis han upp! - Icelandic
Krestos a uprisin!
Seen, him a uprisin fe tru! - Iyaric Patw
Harisutosu Fukkatsu!
Jitsu Ni Fukkatsu! - Japanese
Kristo Gesso!
Buhar ha sho Nay! - Korean
Christus resurrexit!
Vere resurrexit! - Latin
Christus er Oppstanden!
Sandelig Han er Oppstanden! - Norwegian
Chrystus zmartwychwstal!
Zmartwychwstal prawdziwie! - Polish
Christos a Inviat!
Adeverat a Inviat! - Roumanian
Christos voskres!
Voistinu voskres! - Russian
Christos aftooun.
alethos aftooun. - Sahidic Coptic
Kristo'pastitaha,
Satvam Upastitaha! - Sanskrit
Christos Voskrese!
Voistinu Voskrese! - Church Slavonic
Kristus vstal zmr'tvych!
Skutoc~ne vstal! - Slovak
Cristo esta resucitado!
En verdad, esta resucitado! - Spanish
Meshiha qam!
Bashrira qam! - Syriac
Kristos Ame Fu Fuka!
Kweli Ame Fu Fuka! - Swahili
Kristus ar Upstanden!
Sannerligen Upstanden! - Swedish
Christ est ressuscite !
En verite il est ressuscite ! - French
Ukristu Uvukile!
Uvukile Kuphela! - Zulu
THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY TODAY
(Resurrection Sunday)
Al Maseeh qam!
Haqqan qam! - Arabic
Qristos haryal y merelotz!
Haverzh ordnyal harutiune Qristosy! - Armenian
Krishti Ungjall!
Vertete Ungjall! - Albanian
Helisituosi fuhuole.
Queshi fuhuole. - Chinese
Kristus vstal zmrtvy'ch!
Skutec~ne~ vstal! - Czech
Christ is Risen!
Indeed, he is Risen! - English
Crist is arisen!
Arisen he sothe! - Chaucerean Middle English
Christos T'ensah Em' Muhtan!
Exai' Ab-her Eokala! - Ethiopian
Kristus nousi kuolleista!
Totisesti nousi! - Finnish
Taw Creest Ereen!
Taw Shay Ereen Guhdyne! - Gaelic
Christus ist Auferstanden!!!
Wahrhaft auferstanden! - German
Christ ist Erstanden!
Wahrlicht Erstanden! - German
Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti! - Greek
Ha-Mashiah qom!
Be-emet qom! - Hebrew
Kristur reis upp!
Sannlega reis han upp! - Icelandic
Krestos a uprisin!
Seen, him a uprisin fe tru! - Iyaric Patw
Harisutosu Fukkatsu!
Jitsu Ni Fukkatsu! - Japanese
Kristo Gesso!
Buhar ha sho Nay! - Korean
Christus resurrexit!
Vere resurrexit! - Latin
Christus er Oppstanden!
Sandelig Han er Oppstanden! - Norwegian
Chrystus zmartwychwstal!
Zmartwychwstal prawdziwie! - Polish
Christos a Inviat!
Adeverat a Inviat! - Roumanian
Christos voskres!
Voistinu voskres! - Russian
Christos aftooun.
alethos aftooun. - Sahidic Coptic
Kristo'pastitaha,
Satvam Upastitaha! - Sanskrit
Christos Voskrese!
Voistinu Voskrese! - Church Slavonic
Kristus vstal zmr'tvych!
Skutoc~ne vstal! - Slovak
Cristo esta resucitado!
En verdad, esta resucitado! - Spanish
Meshiha qam!
Bashrira qam! - Syriac
Kristos Ame Fu Fuka!
Kweli Ame Fu Fuka! - Swahili
Kristus ar Upstanden!
Sannerligen Upstanden! - Swedish
Christ est ressuscite !
En verite il est ressuscite ! - French
Ukristu Uvukile!
Uvukile Kuphela! - Zulu
Saturday, April 10
ECO HOUSE
(Saturday) Richard Kew is in the midst of building an environmentally friendly house in middle Tennessee.
(Saturday) Richard Kew is in the midst of building an environmentally friendly house in middle Tennessee.
Friday, April 9
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
(Friday) "The state's most fundamental role is to protect citizens from the sinful conduct of their neighbors." Link
(Friday) "The state's most fundamental role is to protect citizens from the sinful conduct of their neighbors." Link
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
(Friday) The Good Friday services that our community ministerial association puts together continue to improve year after year. And that's a difficult assignment considering that they are usually put together by an ad hoc committee of pastors -- coming from very varying (mostly non-) liturgical backgrounds. This time they followed the pattern of a traditional tenebrae service.
I could have done without the PowerPoint images of Bible scenes (borrowed from several movies) flashing on the screen while people are reading the biblical passages. I have a hard time hearing what they're reading (really hearing) when my attention is continually diverted to a new screen image. Apparently, though, a lot of people connect with that. As a matter of fact the Jesus Film, the movie which has been shown to more people than any other in history, is simply the reading of scripture with movie images. I suppose that my problem is that I'm such a visually oriented person that I want to focus on the changing image -- to the point of distraction.
(Friday) The Good Friday services that our community ministerial association puts together continue to improve year after year. And that's a difficult assignment considering that they are usually put together by an ad hoc committee of pastors -- coming from very varying (mostly non-) liturgical backgrounds. This time they followed the pattern of a traditional tenebrae service.
I could have done without the PowerPoint images of Bible scenes (borrowed from several movies) flashing on the screen while people are reading the biblical passages. I have a hard time hearing what they're reading (really hearing) when my attention is continually diverted to a new screen image. Apparently, though, a lot of people connect with that. As a matter of fact the Jesus Film, the movie which has been shown to more people than any other in history, is simply the reading of scripture with movie images. I suppose that my problem is that I'm such a visually oriented person that I want to focus on the changing image -- to the point of distraction.
DATING EASTER
(Friday) In a Christian History article Dr. Farrell Brown tries to explain why date for Easter changes from year to year. If nothing else the reader will at least end up with a sense for how confusing this whole issue is. Even Brown doesn't get it all correct. He asks "And why do most Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches observe Easter 13 days after the rest of Christendom?" The answer, of course, has to do with the fact that they not only calculate Easter (Pascha) using a slightly different formula but that they use a liturgical calendar tied to the old Julian calendar. However, it happens that this year the Eastern Easter and the Western Easter coincide on the same actual day (April 11th Gregorian calendar/March 29th Julian). In other words, the Eastern churches are not observing Easter 13 days AFTER the rest of Christendom. This year, at least, we're all celebrating this Sunday.
If you're really into this you can check out the online calculator. Did you know that in the year 3132 Easter is suppose to fall on March 27th (Gregorian/Western) and May 8th (Julian/Eastern)? Hopefully Christ will return before that.
(Friday) In a Christian History article Dr. Farrell Brown tries to explain why date for Easter changes from year to year. If nothing else the reader will at least end up with a sense for how confusing this whole issue is. Even Brown doesn't get it all correct. He asks "And why do most Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches observe Easter 13 days after the rest of Christendom?" The answer, of course, has to do with the fact that they not only calculate Easter (Pascha) using a slightly different formula but that they use a liturgical calendar tied to the old Julian calendar. However, it happens that this year the Eastern Easter and the Western Easter coincide on the same actual day (April 11th Gregorian calendar/March 29th Julian). In other words, the Eastern churches are not observing Easter 13 days AFTER the rest of Christendom. This year, at least, we're all celebrating this Sunday.
If you're really into this you can check out the online calculator. Did you know that in the year 3132 Easter is suppose to fall on March 27th (Gregorian/Western) and May 8th (Julian/Eastern)? Hopefully Christ will return before that.
Thursday, April 8
Wednesday, April 7
PART-TIME
(Wednesday) Governor Schwarzenegger would like to cut the legislature back from full to part-time. Not a bad idea. They'd have less time to mess things up. Perhaps they could even come up with a regular budget if they didn't spend their full-time energies doing it. I suppose, though, we could also then cut the governor back to part-time. I further suppose that Schwarzenegger wouldn't object to that since he's not drawing a salary and he has plenty of other things he'd like to do. He does make sense occasionally -- which is a whole lot more than I was expecting when we elected him.
(Wednesday) Governor Schwarzenegger would like to cut the legislature back from full to part-time. Not a bad idea. They'd have less time to mess things up. Perhaps they could even come up with a regular budget if they didn't spend their full-time energies doing it. I suppose, though, we could also then cut the governor back to part-time. I further suppose that Schwarzenegger wouldn't object to that since he's not drawing a salary and he has plenty of other things he'd like to do. He does make sense occasionally -- which is a whole lot more than I was expecting when we elected him.
TURLOCK JOURNAL CHANGES
(Wednesday) Last week the Turlock Journal was sold (again!). Yesterday they announced that it will ceases daily publication and become a twice weekly with an exclusive focus on local news. This is something they should have done years ago. The paper could never quite get things right. Advertising goofs were common and the spellos were embarrassing. My children delivered it for several years when it was an afternoon paper and the circulation practices were at times comic (think Keystone Cops).
Ironically, the community has now grown to the point where it could probably support a good local daily. But the journal was in a tough hole and probably wouldn't have been able to climb out of it to fill that niche well. So this is a good move for the paper and the community. I may even subscribe again.
(Wednesday) Last week the Turlock Journal was sold (again!). Yesterday they announced that it will ceases daily publication and become a twice weekly with an exclusive focus on local news. This is something they should have done years ago. The paper could never quite get things right. Advertising goofs were common and the spellos were embarrassing. My children delivered it for several years when it was an afternoon paper and the circulation practices were at times comic (think Keystone Cops).
Ironically, the community has now grown to the point where it could probably support a good local daily. But the journal was in a tough hole and probably wouldn't have been able to climb out of it to fill that niche well. So this is a good move for the paper and the community. I may even subscribe again.
Tuesday, April 6
SMART PHONES REPLACING PDA'S
(Tuesday) I can understand why. I have a PocketPC which I've never been able to get to work quite right (and I'm fairly geeky). Configuring a modem for it was impossible so I took the modem back. Getting it to sync right is always an iffy deal. It's time to move on to something smarter. Link
(Tuesday) I can understand why. I have a PocketPC which I've never been able to get to work quite right (and I'm fairly geeky). Configuring a modem for it was impossible so I took the modem back. Getting it to sync right is always an iffy deal. It's time to move on to something smarter. Link
Monday, April 5
Sunday, April 4
THE SIMPSON'S PEW
(Sunday) A carving on the end of a 15th century English church pew has a striking resemblance to Marge Simpson. See if you agree.
(Sunday) A carving on the end of a 15th century English church pew has a striking resemblance to Marge Simpson. See if you agree.
EURABIA
(Sunday) There is speculation on what a Muslim dominated Europe might look like. Christian influence is all but gone amongst the Europeans (although it is significant among the new immigrants). And established Europeans stopped having babies 25 years ago -- so now the population growth is all coming with immigrants. It is speculation -- lots of speculation. But it's not really something that's been seriously considered since Edward Gibbon posed it in the 52nd chapter of the Fall of the Roman Empire. Link
(Sunday) There is speculation on what a Muslim dominated Europe might look like. Christian influence is all but gone amongst the Europeans (although it is significant among the new immigrants). And established Europeans stopped having babies 25 years ago -- so now the population growth is all coming with immigrants. It is speculation -- lots of speculation. But it's not really something that's been seriously considered since Edward Gibbon posed it in the 52nd chapter of the Fall of the Roman Empire. Link
GMAIL
(Sunday) On Thursday (no foolin') Google announced that they had been playing with a webmail system and that eventually they were going to give Yahoo and Hotmail a run for their money with 1 gb mailboxes (compared to Yahoo's 4 mb and Hotmail's 2 mb). On Friday they had a sign-in box on the gmail.com website. So now we're all waiting to see just when they open the doors. Even people who don't need another email account will want one just because it's Google doing it. (There are some really Google groupies out there.)
I'm guessing that they'll do a soft launch -- which is how they seem to do things. (They're still calling Google News a "beta.") And I'm further guessing that it will come some time early this week. And I hope so, so I can stop checking their website five times a day -- just to make sure I can get in there early enough to get a good address.
(Sunday) On Thursday (no foolin') Google announced that they had been playing with a webmail system and that eventually they were going to give Yahoo and Hotmail a run for their money with 1 gb mailboxes (compared to Yahoo's 4 mb and Hotmail's 2 mb). On Friday they had a sign-in box on the gmail.com website. So now we're all waiting to see just when they open the doors. Even people who don't need another email account will want one just because it's Google doing it. (There are some really Google groupies out there.)
I'm guessing that they'll do a soft launch -- which is how they seem to do things. (They're still calling Google News a "beta.") And I'm further guessing that it will come some time early this week. And I hope so, so I can stop checking their website five times a day -- just to make sure I can get in there early enough to get a good address.
Saturday, April 3
CITRUS UPDATE
(Saturday) Periodically I have to include citrus information to keep the sitemeter spinning. And today I'm happy to report that almost all the trees except the lime and the navel are in bloom -- thicker than last year. The lime tends to bloom whenever it wants to and the navel is getting ready to show its stuff. The two satsumas didn't have much fruit this winter but that should change this coming season. The lemon is blooming for the first time. The cara cara -- just two years old -- probably has 25 blooms. The mandarin tree is loaded. And the blanco grapefruit is looking pretty good, too. Of course, all of these trees are on dwarf stock so they actually fit in our not overly large yard.
It has been warm enough that I'm already having scale problems and I had to put some oil spray on the trees this afternoon (and it's only April!).
(Saturday) Periodically I have to include citrus information to keep the sitemeter spinning. And today I'm happy to report that almost all the trees except the lime and the navel are in bloom -- thicker than last year. The lime tends to bloom whenever it wants to and the navel is getting ready to show its stuff. The two satsumas didn't have much fruit this winter but that should change this coming season. The lemon is blooming for the first time. The cara cara -- just two years old -- probably has 25 blooms. The mandarin tree is loaded. And the blanco grapefruit is looking pretty good, too. Of course, all of these trees are on dwarf stock so they actually fit in our not overly large yard.
It has been warm enough that I'm already having scale problems and I had to put some oil spray on the trees this afternoon (and it's only April!).
Friday, April 2
A WORD ABOUT "LIVING TOGETHER"
(Friday) I just put up a short teaching paper on cohabitation. It is not intended to be comprehensive or overly technical. Rather I want it to be a discussion starter, as well as a word of encouragement for people who are having to make decisions in this area. Link
(Friday) I just put up a short teaching paper on cohabitation. It is not intended to be comprehensive or overly technical. Rather I want it to be a discussion starter, as well as a word of encouragement for people who are having to make decisions in this area. Link
WEBCAMS
(Friday) I check a few webcams everyday -- just to see what's happening out there. It's yet another beautiful day in Naples, Florida (that's why everyone wants to live there). And it's raining in Tempe, Arizona. Just down the road in Tucson things don't look a whole lot better. Las Vegas is looking pretty wet, too.
It's coastal at UCSD but looking pretty good. It's a beautiful day on the campus of North Park University in Chicago. They have redone their campus -- finally putting the park in North Park. However, I rarely see more than a few students walking around on campus. If it weren't for the fact that I often go there for meetings and see all of the people my webcam impression would be that it's a campus without any students.
(Friday) I check a few webcams everyday -- just to see what's happening out there. It's yet another beautiful day in Naples, Florida (that's why everyone wants to live there). And it's raining in Tempe, Arizona. Just down the road in Tucson things don't look a whole lot better. Las Vegas is looking pretty wet, too.
It's coastal at UCSD but looking pretty good. It's a beautiful day on the campus of North Park University in Chicago. They have redone their campus -- finally putting the park in North Park. However, I rarely see more than a few students walking around on campus. If it weren't for the fact that I often go there for meetings and see all of the people my webcam impression would be that it's a campus without any students.
Thursday, April 1
THE LORD'S PRAYER ONLINE
(Thursday) Powerful online production -- takes a few minutes to download, even with bandwidth -- a few subtle embedded political statements. Link
(Thursday) Powerful online production -- takes a few minutes to download, even with bandwidth -- a few subtle embedded political statements. Link
Wednesday, March 31
SCHISM PROFILED
(Wednesday) UPI religious affairs editor Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto is doing a series of articles on the newest schism of the church. The first article is on postmodern thought. The second focuses on the influence of Gnosticism. The third, I understand, will be about the north-south divide.
(Wednesday) UPI religious affairs editor Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto is doing a series of articles on the newest schism of the church. The first article is on postmodern thought. The second focuses on the influence of Gnosticism. The third, I understand, will be about the north-south divide.
Tuesday, March 30
CAL CHECKS IN
(Tuesday) There is excitement at our house tonight because Kent found out that he has been accepted by Cal -- his first choice in the university competition -- and his mother's alma mater. However (and there is always a "however" when it comes to this kind of thing), they offered him spring 2005 admission -- and we don't yet know about the financial package, yet -- and it is unclear whether housing is guaranteed for even a year.
In contrast UC Irvine (his last choice school) offered him a $7,000/year scholarship and guaranteed housing for two years.
Personally, I'd choose UCI -- not just because of the money but because I think anteaters are cool (and I've lived in Berkeley). But he has to decide what he wants to do. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and his feet on the ground, and he'll figure out what's best for him. And I'll be excited either way.
(Tuesday) There is excitement at our house tonight because Kent found out that he has been accepted by Cal -- his first choice in the university competition -- and his mother's alma mater. However (and there is always a "however" when it comes to this kind of thing), they offered him spring 2005 admission -- and we don't yet know about the financial package, yet -- and it is unclear whether housing is guaranteed for even a year.
In contrast UC Irvine (his last choice school) offered him a $7,000/year scholarship and guaranteed housing for two years.
Personally, I'd choose UCI -- not just because of the money but because I think anteaters are cool (and I've lived in Berkeley). But he has to decide what he wants to do. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and his feet on the ground, and he'll figure out what's best for him. And I'll be excited either way.
PASSION-LESS
(Tuesday) Stop the presses! Frank Schaeffer says that he has not and will not see the Passion. He has his reasons. Link
(Tuesday) Stop the presses! Frank Schaeffer says that he has not and will not see the Passion. He has his reasons. Link
Monday, March 29
IRISH SMOKE
(Monday) They've banned smoking in public buildings throughout all Ireland. Pub owners are worried that it will hurt business. Don't fret guys, that's what the restaurant and bar owners worried about when California went smoke-free. It hasn't hurt business a bit and it sure makes life more comfortable for non-smokers. Link
(Monday) They've banned smoking in public buildings throughout all Ireland. Pub owners are worried that it will hurt business. Don't fret guys, that's what the restaurant and bar owners worried about when California went smoke-free. It hasn't hurt business a bit and it sure makes life more comfortable for non-smokers. Link
SCORE!
(Monday) Yesterday I mentioned the fact that I had purchased the set of Laurel & Hardy DVDs for $5.50 at Wal-Mart and that Stan Laurel reminds me a lot of Peter Sellers. And I added "I'm only lacking the 'Return of the Pink Panther' and I'll have the entire Peter Sellers Panther set."
This morning I went to the same Wal-Mart -- walked by the same DVD bin where I picked up Laurel & Hardy -- and there sitting on the top of the pile was the "Return of the Pink Panther" -- for $5.50.
(Monday) Yesterday I mentioned the fact that I had purchased the set of Laurel & Hardy DVDs for $5.50 at Wal-Mart and that Stan Laurel reminds me a lot of Peter Sellers. And I added "I'm only lacking the 'Return of the Pink Panther' and I'll have the entire Peter Sellers Panther set."
This morning I went to the same Wal-Mart -- walked by the same DVD bin where I picked up Laurel & Hardy -- and there sitting on the top of the pile was the "Return of the Pink Panther" -- for $5.50.
Sunday, March 28
LAUREL & HARDY
(Sunday) Last year I looked into a buying a set of Laurel & Hardy DVDs but it was $35 -- so I didn't. Then two weeks ago I was walking through Wal-Mart and there it was on top of the pile of discounted DVDs -- $5.50. I've already watched four or five of the 14 episodes included. They were comic geniuses -- with incredible timing. Stan Laurel reminds me a lot of Peter Sellers. Or perhaps I should say that Sellers reminds me a lot of Laurel (I'm only lacking the "Return of the Pink Panther" and I'll have the entire Peter Sellers Panther set).
(Sunday) Last year I looked into a buying a set of Laurel & Hardy DVDs but it was $35 -- so I didn't. Then two weeks ago I was walking through Wal-Mart and there it was on top of the pile of discounted DVDs -- $5.50. I've already watched four or five of the 14 episodes included. They were comic geniuses -- with incredible timing. Stan Laurel reminds me a lot of Peter Sellers. Or perhaps I should say that Sellers reminds me a lot of Laurel (I'm only lacking the "Return of the Pink Panther" and I'll have the entire Peter Sellers Panther set).
Saturday, March 27
"THERE WAS NO JESUS"
(Saturday) Yet another Anglican priest has come up with an outrageous book. Tom Harpur, a theology professor, believes that "Jesus never existed, but was rather a composite of older god-characters, primarily the Egyptian god Horus." In case you want to roll your eyes here's a link.
(Saturday) Yet another Anglican priest has come up with an outrageous book. Tom Harpur, a theology professor, believes that "Jesus never existed, but was rather a composite of older god-characters, primarily the Egyptian god Horus." In case you want to roll your eyes here's a link.
CREDO
(Saturday) I read the Jaroslav Pelikan interview on BeliefNet and decided to order his book Credo. I was amazed by his ecumenical openness. I'll let you know what I think after I get to it.
(Saturday) I read the Jaroslav Pelikan interview on BeliefNet and decided to order his book Credo. I was amazed by his ecumenical openness. I'll let you know what I think after I get to it.
Friday, March 26
INLAND EMPIRE
(Friday) All Things Considered is doing a series of stories on the Inland Empire -- the desert area in Southern California east of LA where many people are taking refuge from the high prices of the LA Basin. I find those areas attractive because they are warmer and don't have the coastal fog that tends to chill to the bones. Link
(Friday) All Things Considered is doing a series of stories on the Inland Empire -- the desert area in Southern California east of LA where many people are taking refuge from the high prices of the LA Basin. I find those areas attractive because they are warmer and don't have the coastal fog that tends to chill to the bones. Link
Wednesday, March 24
RELIGION & YOUTH
(Wednesday) Adolescents who are active in religion are healthier all around. It sounds like a no brainer to me but this Washington Post story making that point is still pretty interesting -- even worth the free registration needed to get in.
(Wednesday) Adolescents who are active in religion are healthier all around. It sounds like a no brainer to me but this Washington Post story making that point is still pretty interesting -- even worth the free registration needed to get in.
MED STUDENT SHAFTED
(Wednesday) A Canadian medical student has been told he can't graduate because of his refusal to participate in abortion services. Link
(Wednesday) A Canadian medical student has been told he can't graduate because of his refusal to participate in abortion services. Link
Tuesday, March 23
BURTON NELSON
(Tuesday) Burton Nelson, friend, professor, and Bonhoeffer scholar, graduated yesterday. Link
(Tuesday) Burton Nelson, friend, professor, and Bonhoeffer scholar, graduated yesterday. Link
Monday, March 22
THE DANCE IS OVER
(Monday) The death of "Lord of the Dance" composer Sydney Bertram Carter has prompted several of Douglas LeBlanc's readers to offer their contributions to a list of "hymns, whether classic or contemporary" which they would "prefer never to sing again in this life?" There are a lot of unhappy campers out there. Frankly, though, I think some of them are just looking for something to be unhappy about. Link
(Monday) The death of "Lord of the Dance" composer Sydney Bertram Carter has prompted several of Douglas LeBlanc's readers to offer their contributions to a list of "hymns, whether classic or contemporary" which they would "prefer never to sing again in this life?" There are a lot of unhappy campers out there. Frankly, though, I think some of them are just looking for something to be unhappy about. Link
Sunday, March 21
WE'RE BACK!
(Sunday) On Friday we drove down to the University of California Irvine so that Kent could check things out. Then we drove to San Diego, picked up Kirk, and drove to my parents house in Tempe. On Saturday we celebrated their 50th anniversary. Yes, my father actually owns a tie (but no one can prove that I do). Following the party we drove Cheryl's father home to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Then today after worship we left and drove home -- arriving a little after 8 p.m. In other words, if you missed me it's because my hands have been glued to a steering wheel for most of the last three days.
(Sunday) On Friday we drove down to the University of California Irvine so that Kent could check things out. Then we drove to San Diego, picked up Kirk, and drove to my parents house in Tempe. On Saturday we celebrated their 50th anniversary. Yes, my father actually owns a tie (but no one can prove that I do). Following the party we drove Cheryl's father home to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Then today after worship we left and drove home -- arriving a little after 8 p.m. In other words, if you missed me it's because my hands have been glued to a steering wheel for most of the last three days.
Thursday, March 18
EMAIL USAGE DOWN
(Thursday) "'Spam is ruining the greatest communication tool of the 21st century,' said Jason Catlett, president of Junkbusters Corp..." and a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project seems to confirm his observations. Link
I hate spam, too, but I'd have to say that things are getting better. I've been running everything through the filtering system on my yahoo mail page. I do have to go through and empty the bulk folder daily (I've been getting about 500 spams a day) but I don't have to deal with the mail directly. Then I run it through the spam filter in Eudora. By the time it gets to me it has become a trickle of what it was -- maybe 4 or 5 a day that get through. So, in spite of the frustration out there, things are improving slightly from where I'm sitting.
(Thursday) "'Spam is ruining the greatest communication tool of the 21st century,' said Jason Catlett, president of Junkbusters Corp..." and a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project seems to confirm his observations. Link
I hate spam, too, but I'd have to say that things are getting better. I've been running everything through the filtering system on my yahoo mail page. I do have to go through and empty the bulk folder daily (I've been getting about 500 spams a day) but I don't have to deal with the mail directly. Then I run it through the spam filter in Eudora. By the time it gets to me it has become a trickle of what it was -- maybe 4 or 5 a day that get through. So, in spite of the frustration out there, things are improving slightly from where I'm sitting.
Wednesday, March 17
OCCIDENTALISM
(Wednesday) I briefly caught some comments by Ian Buruma on Talk of the Nation today. He describes the current conflicts as "a war against a particular idea of the West, which is neither new nor unique to Islamist extremism. The current jihadis see the West as something less than human, to be destroyed, as though it were a cancer. This idea has historical roots that long precede any form of 'U.S. imperialism.' Similar hostility, though not always as lethal, has been directed in the past against Britain and France as much as against America." This he explains is Occidentalism, a movement fed by the humiliation of the East by Western modernity and the dogmatic rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Fascinating notion. I did a Google search on him and came up with a good article summarizing the thesis of his book Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies, which he wrote with Avishai Margalit. I'm adding the book to my reading list. It is due out next month.
(Wednesday) I briefly caught some comments by Ian Buruma on Talk of the Nation today. He describes the current conflicts as "a war against a particular idea of the West, which is neither new nor unique to Islamist extremism. The current jihadis see the West as something less than human, to be destroyed, as though it were a cancer. This idea has historical roots that long precede any form of 'U.S. imperialism.' Similar hostility, though not always as lethal, has been directed in the past against Britain and France as much as against America." This he explains is Occidentalism, a movement fed by the humiliation of the East by Western modernity and the dogmatic rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Fascinating notion. I did a Google search on him and came up with a good article summarizing the thesis of his book Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies, which he wrote with Avishai Margalit. I'm adding the book to my reading list. It is due out next month.
Tuesday, March 16
CHURCH ADVERTISING
(Tuesday) The declining oldline liberal churches are increasingly looking to the higher power of television advertising for their salvation. Link
(Tuesday) The declining oldline liberal churches are increasingly looking to the higher power of television advertising for their salvation. Link
Sunday, March 14
"GOD GOES WHERE HE IS WANTED"
(Sunday) And that currently appears to be in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Link
(Sunday) And that currently appears to be in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Link
Saturday, March 13
WHAT SPRING FEELS LIKE
(Saturday) Yes, you can believe the weather button on the side of this page. We've been in the 80's. Many trees are done blooming and are starting to leaf. I spent the morning cutting the lawns at home and then the bulk of the afternoon riding the Cornerstone tractor to cut the back 40 there. Very relaxing.
(Saturday) Yes, you can believe the weather button on the side of this page. We've been in the 80's. Many trees are done blooming and are starting to leaf. I spent the morning cutting the lawns at home and then the bulk of the afternoon riding the Cornerstone tractor to cut the back 40 there. Very relaxing.
Friday, March 12
EASTERN ORTHODOXY THROUGH WESTERN EYES
(Friday) Eastern Orthodoxy Through Western Eyes
by Donald Fairbairn
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, 209 pages
Review by Brad Boydston
This is one of the very best books on Eastern Orthodox Christianity written by a non-Orthodox author. Daniel B. Clendenin's now classic Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western Perspective, and the accompanying reader, is outstanding. But Donald Fairbairn, professor of theology and missions at Erskine Theological Seminary, takes things just a little bit deeper.
Fairbairn, who taught in the Ukraine and served as a missionary in other places around the former-Soviet Union, jumps right in and identifies tradition as the apex of Orthodox thought and life. This is a difficult concept for Westerners who emphasize the individual over the group. But tradition as a concept assumes a higher role in a group orientation.
Orthodox tradition, though, is not easily pinned down. There is a level of fluidity that will make analytically oriented Westerners cringe -- at least a little. Tradition can be found in the consensus of the church councils, in the scriptures, in the icons, in the church fathers, in the liturgy -- in short, in the church itself -- the group.
Orthodoxy sees the scriptures as authoritative witnesses only as seen within the context of the church's tradition. "Orthodox theologians have two basic approaches to the issue of relating Scripture and church life. The majority of writers believe that no qualitative distinction exists between the books of the Bible and other facets of Orthodox tradition. However, a few theologians argue for the supremacy of Scripture but point out that only the Church can interpret Scripture properly." (p. 15)
In contrast Evangelicals see the scriptures as being over the church.
Fairbairn points to other theological distinctives which Westerners need to understand if they are going to relate well to their Eastern siblings. For example, and much to the surprise of many Westerners who see the Orthodox Church as fixated on the past, Orthodoxy is primarily a forward looking movement. That is, theologically everything in the present and the past is viewed through the lenses of life in the future age. "In Orthodoxy, tradition is not primarily a deposit of writings given in the past that must be faithfully preserved and proclaimed. Tradition is rather a future life, a future union and fellowship with God, on the basis of which the Church judges present teaching and experience now... The source of theology is the entire community's experience of the life of the future kingdom, an experience that goes by the name of tradition." (p. 20)
The church itself is the mystical entity which is the recipient of God's direct activity. It is the manifestation of God's unity (sobornost) -- a reflection of the unity within the Holy Trinity. In the Evangelical West we see this unity as being a collection of individuals who have had the common experience of new life in Christ. But in the Eastern understanding the source of unity is the sacraments -- the mysteries through which each local parish enters into the whole of the church's sobornost. And it is through the sacraments that Christ is present in the church.
The unity of the church is preserved by the presidency of the bishops over the sacraments. Without bishops a church cannot really even be a church (at least in the fullest sense) in Eastern thinking. For the bishop represents Christ and the catholicity of the church. Again, all of this makes the most sense in the context of the Eastern corporate mindset -- but is a stretch to those of us who are steeped in the individualism of the West.
Fairbairn covers well the other two theological basics in Orthodoxy -- aphophatic mysticism and theosis.
Aphophaticism speaks of the negative priority in theological method. In the West we start with what we know about God and then draw analytical conclusions based on that information. In the Eastern mystical approach the starting point is what is unknown about God. God is not limited. God is not temporal. "Through such concentration on what is not true of God, people eventually reach the point at which they can no longer make negations. In the face of God's mysteriousness, they cannot declare whether some quality is true of him or not." (p. 52) This means that God cannot be reduced to any kind of philosophical description.
Fairbairn explains how this affects the church's understanding of the Holy Trinity and the Person of Christ.
Theosis is the idea of salvation as mystical union with God -- a sharing in the divine energies that radiate from him. (Not to be confused with the mysticism of Buddhism or Hinduism where one empties and loses self.) Originally, the first human beings were created imperfect and with the freedom to pursue perfection or maturity in their relationship with God. However, through the fall the freedom to pursue theosis was damaged and people abandoned their vocation of pursuing life with God.
In the West original sin is often seen as an inherited guilt. In the East it is a matter of being born into a world where it is difficult to pursue union with God but easy to do evil.
It is the arrival of Christ -- the incarnation -- which restores freedom to truly pursue our vocation of unity with God. The death of Christ is the means by which the atoning work of Christ came to a head. It was how Christ broke into the realm of death so that we might be broken out. Thus it is not the suffering of Christ on the cross that is emphasized, as in the judicial models popular in the Western church, but the resurrection is the focal point -- the great climax of the atonement.
This, Fairbairn explains, restores the possibility of theosis. "...the role of the atonement is clearly to make possible our being united to God. Christ did not complete the human vocation for us; he completed it in himself so as to guide and accompany us as we walk the pathway to eternity. Therefore, the purpose of Christ's incarnation and work was to enable people who had lost the capacity for theosis to embark once again on the road to union with God." (p. 85)
Theosis is thus a process by which we become united with God -- not in the sense that we lose ourselves or that we become God but more in the sense that we get to share in the energy that radiates from him. It's a combination of what Protestants have traditionally seen as sanctification and glorification.
The journey to theosis isn't something which one undertakes on his or her own. The saints (especially Mary) are cheerleading intercessors. The sacraments feed us and icons ("depictions of people restored to their proper image of God" -- p. 107) inspire us.
The last third of the book is a discussion of the relationship between Eastern and Western Christians -- an attempt to bring some of the theological summaries of the first two-thirds of the book to bear on the relationship between the East and the West. This is where Fairbairn calls us in the West to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of Orthodoxy -- particularly Orthodoxy as it is practiced on a popular level and the propensity toward nationalism in the Orthodox world.
There are four appendixes -- a bibliography for additional reading, suggestions for Christian workers in the East, the structure of the Orthodox church, and an outline of the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
As I said, this is one of the best introductions to Orthodox thinking that I have come across. It goes deep without becoming overly technical. As such it is a great place to start your education on Eastern Orthodoxy.
(Friday) Eastern Orthodoxy Through Western Eyes
by Donald Fairbairn
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, 209 pages
Review by Brad Boydston
This is one of the very best books on Eastern Orthodox Christianity written by a non-Orthodox author. Daniel B. Clendenin's now classic Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western Perspective, and the accompanying reader, is outstanding. But Donald Fairbairn, professor of theology and missions at Erskine Theological Seminary, takes things just a little bit deeper.
Fairbairn, who taught in the Ukraine and served as a missionary in other places around the former-Soviet Union, jumps right in and identifies tradition as the apex of Orthodox thought and life. This is a difficult concept for Westerners who emphasize the individual over the group. But tradition as a concept assumes a higher role in a group orientation.
Orthodox tradition, though, is not easily pinned down. There is a level of fluidity that will make analytically oriented Westerners cringe -- at least a little. Tradition can be found in the consensus of the church councils, in the scriptures, in the icons, in the church fathers, in the liturgy -- in short, in the church itself -- the group.
Orthodoxy sees the scriptures as authoritative witnesses only as seen within the context of the church's tradition. "Orthodox theologians have two basic approaches to the issue of relating Scripture and church life. The majority of writers believe that no qualitative distinction exists between the books of the Bible and other facets of Orthodox tradition. However, a few theologians argue for the supremacy of Scripture but point out that only the Church can interpret Scripture properly." (p. 15)
In contrast Evangelicals see the scriptures as being over the church.
Fairbairn points to other theological distinctives which Westerners need to understand if they are going to relate well to their Eastern siblings. For example, and much to the surprise of many Westerners who see the Orthodox Church as fixated on the past, Orthodoxy is primarily a forward looking movement. That is, theologically everything in the present and the past is viewed through the lenses of life in the future age. "In Orthodoxy, tradition is not primarily a deposit of writings given in the past that must be faithfully preserved and proclaimed. Tradition is rather a future life, a future union and fellowship with God, on the basis of which the Church judges present teaching and experience now... The source of theology is the entire community's experience of the life of the future kingdom, an experience that goes by the name of tradition." (p. 20)
The church itself is the mystical entity which is the recipient of God's direct activity. It is the manifestation of God's unity (sobornost) -- a reflection of the unity within the Holy Trinity. In the Evangelical West we see this unity as being a collection of individuals who have had the common experience of new life in Christ. But in the Eastern understanding the source of unity is the sacraments -- the mysteries through which each local parish enters into the whole of the church's sobornost. And it is through the sacraments that Christ is present in the church.
The unity of the church is preserved by the presidency of the bishops over the sacraments. Without bishops a church cannot really even be a church (at least in the fullest sense) in Eastern thinking. For the bishop represents Christ and the catholicity of the church. Again, all of this makes the most sense in the context of the Eastern corporate mindset -- but is a stretch to those of us who are steeped in the individualism of the West.
Fairbairn covers well the other two theological basics in Orthodoxy -- aphophatic mysticism and theosis.
Aphophaticism speaks of the negative priority in theological method. In the West we start with what we know about God and then draw analytical conclusions based on that information. In the Eastern mystical approach the starting point is what is unknown about God. God is not limited. God is not temporal. "Through such concentration on what is not true of God, people eventually reach the point at which they can no longer make negations. In the face of God's mysteriousness, they cannot declare whether some quality is true of him or not." (p. 52) This means that God cannot be reduced to any kind of philosophical description.
Fairbairn explains how this affects the church's understanding of the Holy Trinity and the Person of Christ.
Theosis is the idea of salvation as mystical union with God -- a sharing in the divine energies that radiate from him. (Not to be confused with the mysticism of Buddhism or Hinduism where one empties and loses self.) Originally, the first human beings were created imperfect and with the freedom to pursue perfection or maturity in their relationship with God. However, through the fall the freedom to pursue theosis was damaged and people abandoned their vocation of pursuing life with God.
In the West original sin is often seen as an inherited guilt. In the East it is a matter of being born into a world where it is difficult to pursue union with God but easy to do evil.
It is the arrival of Christ -- the incarnation -- which restores freedom to truly pursue our vocation of unity with God. The death of Christ is the means by which the atoning work of Christ came to a head. It was how Christ broke into the realm of death so that we might be broken out. Thus it is not the suffering of Christ on the cross that is emphasized, as in the judicial models popular in the Western church, but the resurrection is the focal point -- the great climax of the atonement.
This, Fairbairn explains, restores the possibility of theosis. "...the role of the atonement is clearly to make possible our being united to God. Christ did not complete the human vocation for us; he completed it in himself so as to guide and accompany us as we walk the pathway to eternity. Therefore, the purpose of Christ's incarnation and work was to enable people who had lost the capacity for theosis to embark once again on the road to union with God." (p. 85)
Theosis is thus a process by which we become united with God -- not in the sense that we lose ourselves or that we become God but more in the sense that we get to share in the energy that radiates from him. It's a combination of what Protestants have traditionally seen as sanctification and glorification.
The journey to theosis isn't something which one undertakes on his or her own. The saints (especially Mary) are cheerleading intercessors. The sacraments feed us and icons ("depictions of people restored to their proper image of God" -- p. 107) inspire us.
The last third of the book is a discussion of the relationship between Eastern and Western Christians -- an attempt to bring some of the theological summaries of the first two-thirds of the book to bear on the relationship between the East and the West. This is where Fairbairn calls us in the West to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of Orthodoxy -- particularly Orthodoxy as it is practiced on a popular level and the propensity toward nationalism in the Orthodox world.
There are four appendixes -- a bibliography for additional reading, suggestions for Christian workers in the East, the structure of the Orthodox church, and an outline of the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
As I said, this is one of the best introductions to Orthodox thinking that I have come across. It goes deep without becoming overly technical. As such it is a great place to start your education on Eastern Orthodoxy.
Thursday, March 11
Wednesday, March 10
MASONIC WEIRDNESS
(Wednesday) The Masonic thing has always struck me as more than little bit strange. But since when did initiation involve pointing a gun at someone's head while someone else pounds on a garbage can lid? It sounds more like a gang initiation.
One man is dead and another was arrested. Link
(Wednesday) The Masonic thing has always struck me as more than little bit strange. But since when did initiation involve pointing a gun at someone's head while someone else pounds on a garbage can lid? It sounds more like a gang initiation.
One man is dead and another was arrested. Link
THE MILLION DOLLAR BILL
(Wednesday) A Georgia woman was arrested when she tried to use a $1 million bill to pay for her purchases. Link
I wonder if she was expecting her change in $20 bills. And I wonder how she expected to get all of her change home? It seems more likely that she was just playing with the clerk. But then again it was a Wal-Mart store and not everyone who shops there is a Rhodes Scholar (I'm not!).
(Wednesday) A Georgia woman was arrested when she tried to use a $1 million bill to pay for her purchases. Link
I wonder if she was expecting her change in $20 bills. And I wonder how she expected to get all of her change home? It seems more likely that she was just playing with the clerk. But then again it was a Wal-Mart store and not everyone who shops there is a Rhodes Scholar (I'm not!).
Monday, March 8
MT ATHOS FIRE
(Monday) The ancient monastery on Mount Athos in north-eastern Greece has been badly damaged by an electrical fire. Apparently, most of the treasures were saved -- but not all... I haven't seen anything about this tragedy in the American news, yet.Link
(Monday) The ancient monastery on Mount Athos in north-eastern Greece has been badly damaged by an electrical fire. Apparently, most of the treasures were saved -- but not all... I haven't seen anything about this tragedy in the American news, yet.Link
Sunday, March 7
THE PASSION IS A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW...
(Sunday) but I can't imagine that it will a problem for the new Starsky & Hutch movie. Finally, film that we can believe in.
(Sunday) but I can't imagine that it will a problem for the new Starsky & Hutch movie. Finally, film that we can believe in.
Saturday, March 6
IT'S NOT CULTURAL WARS...
(Saturday) Joe Klein in Time says that the real problem is that Americans are addicted to shock. "In fact, the Culture War isn't really a war; it's more a public entertainment, a Culture Circus. Wars require combatants. The general public is not up in arms but plastered in armchairs, occasionally roused to flaccid pique by a handful of show-biz gladiators -- Rosie O'Donnell, Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, Jerry Falwell -- who fight carefully selected papier-mache lions."
(Saturday) Joe Klein in Time says that the real problem is that Americans are addicted to shock. "In fact, the Culture War isn't really a war; it's more a public entertainment, a Culture Circus. Wars require combatants. The general public is not up in arms but plastered in armchairs, occasionally roused to flaccid pique by a handful of show-biz gladiators -- Rosie O'Donnell, Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, Jerry Falwell -- who fight carefully selected papier-mache lions."
THE CRACKED DA VINCI CODE
(Saturday) Jonathan Wilson has put together a fine series of articles debunking the notion that the Da Vinci Code is more than good fiction. Link
(Saturday) Jonathan Wilson has put together a fine series of articles debunking the notion that the Da Vinci Code is more than good fiction. Link
GROWTH IN ETHNIC MINISTRIES
(Friday) Ethnic ministries in the Evangelical Covenant Church have grown over 150% during the last decade, making us one of the few historically Caucasian denominations to actually have a stab at becoming truly multi-ethnic (During the same period the denomination itself grew about 45%). Currently about 20% of all our congregations are ethnic or multi-ethnic in make-up. We've got a ways to go, though -- especially when we consider that in places like California Caucasians are in the minority. These are great days to be a part of the church! Link
(Friday) Ethnic ministries in the Evangelical Covenant Church have grown over 150% during the last decade, making us one of the few historically Caucasian denominations to actually have a stab at becoming truly multi-ethnic (During the same period the denomination itself grew about 45%). Currently about 20% of all our congregations are ethnic or multi-ethnic in make-up. We've got a ways to go, though -- especially when we consider that in places like California Caucasians are in the minority. These are great days to be a part of the church! Link
Friday, March 5
ONLINE PARISH
(Friday) The Church of England is setting up not just another cyber-ministry but an actual online web-based parish, with membership, etc. Link to BBC article
They are in a pastoral search mode.
(Friday) The Church of England is setting up not just another cyber-ministry but an actual online web-based parish, with membership, etc. Link to BBC article
They are in a pastoral search mode.
MARTHA IS GUILTY...
(Friday) but no one wins if we stick her in prison. I'm no fan but it seems that a hefty fine and a few years of community service would serve us all well. Perhaps they could put her to work redecorating the post offices or the Pentagon. Link
(Friday) but no one wins if we stick her in prison. I'm no fan but it seems that a hefty fine and a few years of community service would serve us all well. Perhaps they could put her to work redecorating the post offices or the Pentagon. Link
DISNEY & NARNIA
(Friday) Disney has signed a deal to do a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe film. I doubt they'll make it into a series, though. Their mouse would be upstaged by Reepicheep.
(Friday) Disney has signed a deal to do a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe film. I doubt they'll make it into a series, though. Their mouse would be upstaged by Reepicheep.
Wednesday, March 3
ELECTION DISAPPOINTMENT
(Wednesday) Our man Brad Bates came in third in the race for the county supervisor seat. That means that he's out because the run-off will be between the top two. For me this is a great disappointment -- not just that Brad didn't make it but more so that a candidate who was slinging mud at him did. I mentioned Ted Howze a few days ago, astonished that anyone would say the kinds of things he did and still expect to get votes. The lack of civility and the circus atmosphere he created would seem to keep people from taking him seriously. But I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose. This is, after all, the state that likes to put people into public office because of their acting ability.
"How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?" -- Psalm 94:3 (NLT)
(Wednesday) Our man Brad Bates came in third in the race for the county supervisor seat. That means that he's out because the run-off will be between the top two. For me this is a great disappointment -- not just that Brad didn't make it but more so that a candidate who was slinging mud at him did. I mentioned Ted Howze a few days ago, astonished that anyone would say the kinds of things he did and still expect to get votes. The lack of civility and the circus atmosphere he created would seem to keep people from taking him seriously. But I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose. This is, after all, the state that likes to put people into public office because of their acting ability.
"How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?" -- Psalm 94:3 (NLT)
THE EMERGING CAMP
(Wednesday) Rudy has a pointed out a blog on "re-imagining camp ministries." There is an interesting tongue-in-cheek post on what a camp experience would look like if the emerging church was designing it.
* If we normally start on Sunday afternoon, we probably wouldn't begin until Sunday night or when the spirit started to move or we just kind of finished drinking our coffees.
* Craft time would be mostly candle making, since we use lots of candles.
* No preaching, just stories
* We would change the name from FREE TIME to LIBERATION
* We would change the craft shack into a Nike sweat shop so each camper could experience the plight of the poor
* No Max Lucado only Dostoyevsky
* No Snickers only FairTrade sugar cane and PuraVida coffee
* We would change the name of SUMMER STAFF to THE COMMUNITY
* We wouldn't have staff shirts but yet we would all end up wearing the same thing anyway
* Cabin time would become Cabo devina
(Wednesday) Rudy has a pointed out a blog on "re-imagining camp ministries." There is an interesting tongue-in-cheek post on what a camp experience would look like if the emerging church was designing it.
* If we normally start on Sunday afternoon, we probably wouldn't begin until Sunday night or when the spirit started to move or we just kind of finished drinking our coffees.
* Craft time would be mostly candle making, since we use lots of candles.
* No preaching, just stories
* We would change the name from FREE TIME to LIBERATION
* We would change the craft shack into a Nike sweat shop so each camper could experience the plight of the poor
* No Max Lucado only Dostoyevsky
* No Snickers only FairTrade sugar cane and PuraVida coffee
* We would change the name of SUMMER STAFF to THE COMMUNITY
* We wouldn't have staff shirts but yet we would all end up wearing the same thing anyway
* Cabin time would become Cabo devina
ARNOLD CHANGES HIS MIND...
(Wednesday) He's now in favor of same-sex marriages. Link He also got his economic recovery bond in yesterday's election (now our children will get to pay for the fiscal mess). Considering the nature of his ascension I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised at his ongoing power. It seems like the honeymoon goes on and on for the Govinator.
(Wednesday) He's now in favor of same-sex marriages. Link He also got his economic recovery bond in yesterday's election (now our children will get to pay for the fiscal mess). Considering the nature of his ascension I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised at his ongoing power. It seems like the honeymoon goes on and on for the Govinator.
BYE-BYE SUPER-SIZE
(Wednesday) McDonald's is slimming down eliminating their "super-size" options by the end of the year. They are also adding more fruit, vegetables, and yogurt to the menu. What's going on here? Are they trying to change their reputation, or what? Link
(Wednesday) McDonald's is slimming down eliminating their "super-size" options by the end of the year. They are also adding more fruit, vegetables, and yogurt to the menu. What's going on here? Are they trying to change their reputation, or what? Link
GRODA THE FROG
(Wednesday) Three years ago today my children gave me for my birthday an African frog, an "AquaBaby" in a mini aquarium. That two-inch frog eats two small food pellets a day, likes to hide under his rock, or sometimes he just floats in the tank with all his legs spread (I call it the zen position). He's not very accurate when he's aiming at those food pellets that float on the water. Sometimes it takes him four or five attempts to actually get one. The instructions that came with Groda say that these frogs "may live 2-3 years (or longer)." We're obviously now in the "or longer" zone.
(Wednesday) Three years ago today my children gave me for my birthday an African frog, an "AquaBaby" in a mini aquarium. That two-inch frog eats two small food pellets a day, likes to hide under his rock, or sometimes he just floats in the tank with all his legs spread (I call it the zen position). He's not very accurate when he's aiming at those food pellets that float on the water. Sometimes it takes him four or five attempts to actually get one. The instructions that came with Groda say that these frogs "may live 2-3 years (or longer)." We're obviously now in the "or longer" zone.
Monday, March 1
FREDERICA ON
ATONEMENT AND SUFFERING
(Monday) She has a good article in the issue of Books and Culture which arrived in my mailbox today.
ATONEMENT AND SUFFERING
(Monday) She has a good article in the issue of Books and Culture which arrived in my mailbox today.
ORDINATION OF WOMEN
AND RELATED ISSUES
(Monday) Karl Naslund left a comment on my ordination of women post yesterday. It's a significant concern and I think it is worth responding to at this level. He wrote:
Whenever I read EO or largely Catholic websites (like Mere Comments, for example), I'm always struck by how easily they draw a connection between ordaining women and permissive attitudes towards perverse sexuality. It usually goes something like "First the Protestants ordained women, and now they're ordaining Gene Robinson...etc.."
Sadly, when I look at other denominations, the connection does appear to be true. Can the Covenant buck this trend?
A few observations:
1. Not all groups which ordain women have gone down the slippery slope -- contrary to what people say on Mere Comments. This is especially evident in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The Salvation Army has ordained women from the outset. More examples: The Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church, Wesleyan Church, Church of God (Anderson) have all ordained women for years and remain conservative voices. The problem is that these groups are just not on the parochial radar screens of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox pundits.
2. The churches which see this as a stewardship issue are healthier than those which frame it as a gender equality issue and try to read it in terms of justice, and ultimately entitlement. The fact is that no one is entitled to serve in the church and there will be some contexts where it is just not feasible for some people to serve. There are more churches where I cannot serve than where I can serve. This has nothing to do with fairness.
However, if the issue is framed in terms of stewardship you end up in a better spot. There are women with great pastoral gifts. These gifts have been given to the church. We need to figure out how to use them -- for the sake of the church.
3. We do ordain women in the Evangelical Covenant Church and have done so since the early part of the 20th century (although all those early ordained women served in world missions). In 1976 the annual meeting voted to not object to the ordination of women for ministry in local churches. There had not been any rule against such happening earlier so in a sense the 1976 action was a resolution affirming the status quo.
4. We do not ordain active homosexuals or allow our clergy to "bless" same-sex unions. Neither of these issues is really up for consideration. This isn't to say that there aren't a small number of people who would like them to be -- but it's just not going to happen.
Last week I saw a church bulletin from a United Church of Christ congregation. Above the order of worship was the statement -- "We are an open and affirming church" -- code words for the fact that they accept homosexuality. In the Covenant we are "an open and unaffirming church." Homosexuals, like other sinners, are welcome (We won't single you out for your sin). But don't expect us to affirm your sin -- whether it be gluttony, hatred, racism, adultery, or homosexuality. We're not going to beat you up but we'll gently encourage you to consider embracing Christ's gift of freedom -- that which comes from being "in him."
Our big concern at this point is figuring out how we can say this with grace, and without turning homosexual activity into the #1 problem on someone's top-ten list of sins.
A few helpful links:
A short summary of the biblical arguments for women in ministry
Ethical Principles for Covenant Ministers -- includes statements on sexuality
Annual Meeting Resolution on Human Sexuality
AND RELATED ISSUES
(Monday) Karl Naslund left a comment on my ordination of women post yesterday. It's a significant concern and I think it is worth responding to at this level. He wrote:
Whenever I read EO or largely Catholic websites (like Mere Comments, for example), I'm always struck by how easily they draw a connection between ordaining women and permissive attitudes towards perverse sexuality. It usually goes something like "First the Protestants ordained women, and now they're ordaining Gene Robinson...etc.."
Sadly, when I look at other denominations, the connection does appear to be true. Can the Covenant buck this trend?
A few observations:
1. Not all groups which ordain women have gone down the slippery slope -- contrary to what people say on Mere Comments. This is especially evident in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The Salvation Army has ordained women from the outset. More examples: The Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church, Wesleyan Church, Church of God (Anderson) have all ordained women for years and remain conservative voices. The problem is that these groups are just not on the parochial radar screens of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox pundits.
2. The churches which see this as a stewardship issue are healthier than those which frame it as a gender equality issue and try to read it in terms of justice, and ultimately entitlement. The fact is that no one is entitled to serve in the church and there will be some contexts where it is just not feasible for some people to serve. There are more churches where I cannot serve than where I can serve. This has nothing to do with fairness.
However, if the issue is framed in terms of stewardship you end up in a better spot. There are women with great pastoral gifts. These gifts have been given to the church. We need to figure out how to use them -- for the sake of the church.
3. We do ordain women in the Evangelical Covenant Church and have done so since the early part of the 20th century (although all those early ordained women served in world missions). In 1976 the annual meeting voted to not object to the ordination of women for ministry in local churches. There had not been any rule against such happening earlier so in a sense the 1976 action was a resolution affirming the status quo.
4. We do not ordain active homosexuals or allow our clergy to "bless" same-sex unions. Neither of these issues is really up for consideration. This isn't to say that there aren't a small number of people who would like them to be -- but it's just not going to happen.
Last week I saw a church bulletin from a United Church of Christ congregation. Above the order of worship was the statement -- "We are an open and affirming church" -- code words for the fact that they accept homosexuality. In the Covenant we are "an open and unaffirming church." Homosexuals, like other sinners, are welcome (We won't single you out for your sin). But don't expect us to affirm your sin -- whether it be gluttony, hatred, racism, adultery, or homosexuality. We're not going to beat you up but we'll gently encourage you to consider embracing Christ's gift of freedom -- that which comes from being "in him."
Our big concern at this point is figuring out how we can say this with grace, and without turning homosexual activity into the #1 problem on someone's top-ten list of sins.
A few helpful links:
A short summary of the biblical arguments for women in ministry
Ethical Principles for Covenant Ministers -- includes statements on sexuality
Annual Meeting Resolution on Human Sexuality
MARCH MADNESS
(Monday) A glance at my calendar suggests that this is going to be a crazy month. There are two trips to Chicago. And we're going to Arizona once for my parent's 50th anniversary. I have an extra preaching assignment this week and then a Covenant Village of Turlock management advisory committee meeting next week (I'm hoping they'll let me "retire" off that committee this spring). None of these things in and of themselves is too stressful. But there will be a lot of coming and going.
The month has started off well, though. Kent got up this morning and checked his University of California pathways account and discovered that he has been accepted for admission to UC Irvine. This doesn't really come as a major surprise since they sent him an unsolicited letter last fall telling him that if he applied he would be accepted. Still, it's nice to have at least one acceptance in hand. He has applied to three other UC campuses but they don't post their admissions until later this month. He has worked hard to get to this point.
(Monday) A glance at my calendar suggests that this is going to be a crazy month. There are two trips to Chicago. And we're going to Arizona once for my parent's 50th anniversary. I have an extra preaching assignment this week and then a Covenant Village of Turlock management advisory committee meeting next week (I'm hoping they'll let me "retire" off that committee this spring). None of these things in and of themselves is too stressful. But there will be a lot of coming and going.
The month has started off well, though. Kent got up this morning and checked his University of California pathways account and discovered that he has been accepted for admission to UC Irvine. This doesn't really come as a major surprise since they sent him an unsolicited letter last fall telling him that if he applied he would be accepted. Still, it's nice to have at least one acceptance in hand. He has applied to three other UC campuses but they don't post their admissions until later this month. He has worked hard to get to this point.
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