Tim Keller Interview

Tim Keller of Redeemer in NYC is in the New York Times. I had to listen to one of his sermons for my New Testament Introduction class, "Arguing about Politics." We had to listen to it because it was a sermon that contained references to biblical backgrounds. It was one of the best sermons I have ever heard. While I listened, I took notes on my computer. If I remember, I will post the notes this weekend.

Tim's son gives some insight into the background of the article here.

Also, you can go here if you're interesting in purchasing his sermons.

(Link to the article and J. Keller's blog via Sacred Journey)

Dilbert

This is typical.

(Link via Jonah Goldberg at The Corner)

Sony's Site Debunking Their Movie

I read about this awhile ago and forgot to mention it. If you want material to debunk the DaVinci Code movie and don't want to spend the money on books (my husband has three), then you can go to the site that Sony is sponsoring to debunk their own movie. Maybe they think they can keep the Christians from starting boycotting and letter writing campaigns by doing this (You want to protest? Do it here on the nice website we provided for you). Hugh Hewitt says that he is going to post an article. Since the movie is coming out this summer it would be a good idea to prepare ourselves to debunk the claims made in the movie. You know that people are just going to add this to their hodge podge knowledge of Jesus and accept it as fact with absolutely no discernment.

In related news the author of the book, Dan Brown is being sued in England because it was too close in plot to the "non-fiction" book Holy Blood and Holy Grail.

Historians Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, who co-wrote the book with Henry Lincoln, claim that Brown plagiarised 'the whole jigsaw puzzle' of their decade's worth of research - that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a child, founding a bloodline that was protected by the Knights Templar

. My husband told me that the stories were really close and that you could tell Brown based most of his book on their book. But aren't historical events open to fictional interpretation? If they believe that what they published really happened then why not fictionalize it? How would that be plagiarism?

Something More Uplifting for a Sunday Morning

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:37-39)

"In John's record Jesus the Messiah becomes the thirsty one (cf. Jn. 19:16) under God's covenant curse (cf. Dt. 38:48), so that to those who are thirsty he may hand over his thirst-quenching Spirit (Jn. 19:30)." (Sinclair Ferguson, The Holy Spirit, pg. 67)

This is Disgusting

This judge in Italy needs to have a better understanding of humanity and justice.

Don Knotts and Darren McGavin

Both Don Knotts and Darren McGavin died this weekend. There are many stars from my youth that have recently dropped out of sight, and aren't really heard from anymore. Don Knotts was one of them, I'm sorry to say that I thought he was already dead. I really loved The Incredible Mr. Limpet and I think it should be remade; with today's technology, the underwater sequences could be realistic instead of cartoonish. I also liked The Shakiest Gun in the West. And of course Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker and The Christmas Story. Let's pray for their families during their time of mourning.

(Links via PoliPundit.com)

Look at this!!!

Go here, scroll down and after the picture look at the box that says, "Who's Blogging" and see who is number 1! It's me! Cool! Click on the list of bloggers and you'll see a quote from my blog. (Would another exclamation point be excessive?)

My husband found it and said, "Hey, you're linked to by the Post and your first. You're famous."

I wish it wasn't such a sad news event, though. Christians killing Muslims is not something I would have preferred to be linked to.

This will make me very aware of what I say now when I link to their newspaper. The Washington Post is smart to do this because it'll make me choose them over another news organization knowing that they might link to me. It's smart for the media to cultivate bloggers since we are probably their number one readers and we are very good about sharing what we read with others (well, duh that's why we're here).

(Now, this might happened to everyone but this is the first time it happened to me, so I'm excited about it).

Palestinian Christians Persecuted in Gaza

My husband sent me this report:

Extremists are threatening to blow up the Palestinian Bible Society in the Gaza Strip if the people who work there do not close up shop and abandon their ministry by the end of February, a Christian source told Cybercast News Service.

The threat appears to be the work of Islamic extremists who are determined to drive Christians out of the area. Arab Christians are taking the threat very seriously, said a Palestinian Bible Society information officer who asked not to be named.

There are only about 1,500 Christians living among an estimated 1.2 million Palestinian Muslims in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Bible society has been in operation there since 1999.

Isn't it amazing that the Palestinian Christians are being persecuted by their own people? They were able to exist under the Israeli government but now that Hamas is in control they are being threatened (I'm not buying that this is related to the cartoons).

They ask that we pray for them and their persecutors:

"It really breaks our heart that some groups are against the whole idea. We ask Christians worldwide to pray, not only for us, but also for those who are trying to hurt us, as Christ commands us to do."

Ordinary Means

OK, just in case you haven't been visiting my other blog as I asked you to do, I will repeat myself here:


Pastor Shaun is launching a podcast that sounds similar to the White Horse Inn (less Lutheran). This is a wonderful resource for the church. Their first broadcast was on ordinary means and it was very good. They explained all the terms they used, they were informative and they were interesting. Please give them a listen. Clicking on the picture will take you to their blog or you can download the podcast here.

What happened??

A few days ago we had this and now we have this? Sheech, you spend a couple days reading theology and working on your digests and the world turns upside down!

Yeah! This is what I'm talkin about

I wish we could see this in every state!

More Winter Olympics

I was scrolling through my site looking for a particular link in my link list when I saw in my previous posts section that I had posted something titled, "Winter Olympics" and I thought, "I wrote something about the Olympics? What in the world could I write about that? I'm not even watching it." And then I remembered that I had posted the report of the spammer winning some event. So continuing with my unique Olympics coverage, I give you this. (People are still doing this? What was he thinking? He would've really been hurting if he slipped.)

(Link via Drudge Report)

Justice Scalia at the American Enterprise Institute

I was listening to the excerpts from Justice Scalia's speech on the Laura Ingram show during my ride home from school last night. She was playing some of the questions asked by hecklers and they were incredibly dumb questions. The only thing they did was demonstrate Scalia's brilliance. Read about it here but also go here and here (though this AP story was confusing) to get the full picture.

I'm Confused

Could someone explain this to me?

Update: I'm not the only one. Maybe its pomo and we're expected to do reader response.

Another update: Someone came up with a plausable explaination here:

Here's my stab at the cartoon's point: Hooper has allowed Lewis's work to be portrayed about as faithfully as if a Cockney accent had been placed in the beloved author's mouth. I don't know if Hooper himself has a Cockney accent, but perhaps the cartoonist is also suggesting (per the last panel) that Wee Walter is an uneducated thug.

Lewis, of course, did not despise all Cockneys (nor, I trust, does Mr. Byers). Witness King Frank and Queen Helen -- Narnia's first human monarchs -- a Cockney cabbie and housewife who exemplify the last becoming first and the lifing up of those who humble themselves.

Update on My Sister Maggie

Maggie is out of the hospital. She is supposed to be off her feet for 7 to 8 weeks but since it is here left foot, she is going to return to work sooner (she sits a lot at work) and as you can see my sister is more stubborn than I am (and that statement is going to shock a lot of people).

Hey, I Have Another Blog!

If you're only reading this blog, then you're only getting half the picture. I was thinking about combining the two blogs because I am the only one blogging anyway but I decided not to because I like the idea of the more theological and philosophical stuff over there and the more newsy items over here. But this could lead to some not reading everything and I want you to read everything.

I Wonder If They Would Perform Abortions?

The execution of a rapist and murderer of a 17 year old is being put off indefinitely because they can't find a licensed doctor to administer the drug:

San Quentin State Prison spokesman Lt. Vernell Crittendon said prison officials, who had delayed the execution earlier in the day, could not find a licensed medical professional willing to inject a lethal drug into Morales.

When I read this I wondered if the doctors who refused to execute this murderer performed abortions. Now, I know that some think it's logically inconsistent that I'm pro-life and yet I support the death penalty. I support the death penalty because I'm pro-life. Each of us is made in the image of God and therefore are highly valued as individuals and when that person, made in God's image is murdered then their life should be forfeited. I'm not basing this on my own personal opinion but the word of God:

And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

God is the creator and sustainer of life. He knit us in our mother's womb and therefore ending life is clearly a violation of His word. I'm pro-life because God is.

Read more about this story here.

(Link via Drudge Report)

Prayer Request

Please pray for my sister, Maggie. She broke her ankle and is going in for surgery tomorrow to have pins put in.

Sarah's Mardi Gras Mask

Sarah created this Mardi Gras mask for French class and they're having a party to celebrate Mardi Gras so they asked the parents to contribute traditional French food.

"What are the choices?"
"Quiche"
"Never made it"

"Onion soup"

"Never made it."
"Boeuf Bourgignon"
"Never made it"
"Ratatouille"
"Never heard of it"
"Croques Monsieur, it's a grilled ham and cheese sandwich"
"How do I make that before I take you to school and won't it get yech before you eat it?"
"She expects you to bring the food to school before class so that it's hot."
"How do I do that when I'm in class? What about the mom's that work?"

"She said that working moms can bring beverages."

"What about desserts?" I'm pretty good with desserts.

"Chocolate Mousse"

"Never made it."

"Creme Caramel"

"No way!"

"Eclairs"

"Never made them." She did say that they could bring the frozen kind but I'm not even sure where to get them.
"Since I've got to go to class, let's sign up for sodas."
"Ok, but we should sign up first so that we can choose what to bring."
"Give me the paper." And I sign while I'm driving so she can bring it in the next day. It is times like this that I wish I were the dad -- they aren't expected to cook.

Title

BTW, the quote in the title block came from reformation21 blog.

Winter Olympics

There have been a number of mistakes and crashes at the Winter Olympics. Did you miss them? Mary Katherine Ham has put together a list of links to the NBC videos. Now you don't have to wade through all the hours of videos to get to the most interesting ones, she has done the work for you.

Amazon Ads

I have added Amazon Ads to the blogs because it seems like the easiest way to have a "Current Reading List" and a "Recommended" list. I didn't start this blog for money (which is good because I don't think I would make much) but if you click on the link or search for products using the search engine here on my website and then buy something (this is the important part) then my daughters will receive money toward their college education.

Some people have too much free time

A science experiment (with video) to determine what really happened in the Cheney hunting accident. I think they should get a job with CSI.

(Link via The Corner)

Happy President's Day!

I hope you enjoy your day off today. Don't forget to thank God for all the men who have lead this country with a humble understanding of their responsibility to God to lead in a way that conforms to His will and to protect us from the one's who want the office only for their own personal gain.

Spammer Wins Gold in the Olympics

I guess it was bound to happen since they don't live in caves (though we may wish they lived in caves without Internet access):

There's already a tarnish on the gold medal won by Australian mogul skier Dale Begg-Smith at the Olympics in Turin this week.

While the 21-year-old Begg-Smith may not have been involved in doping or cheating on the slopes, the way he richly supported himself while training was incredibly unsportsmanlike and probably illegal: Begg-Smith was a key player in a company that infected other peoples' computers with adware a.k.a. spyware.

Canadian-born Begg-Smith is president of AdsCPM Network (a.k.a. CPM Media Inc.), a firm notorious for using "driveby downloads," security exploits, and other cheap tricks to install spyware (including keyloggers and browser hijackers) on unsuspecting Internet users' computers.

(Link via Confessions of a Political Junkie)

Covenant Worldwide

Chris told me today in church about Covenant Seminary offering their course materials on line (not for credit). So if you want a seminary education without the hassle of driving to seminary (like some of us), studying Greek and Hebrew (like some of us), midterms, finals, research papers and especially digests, you might want to check this out.

(Link via Tulip Girl)

RSS Reader

I set up a button (the orange one) next to the "My Yahoo" button that will allow you to select the reader you want to use.

Nigerian Riots Lead to Death of Christians

You just knew this was going to happen. I haven't commented on the cartoon riots because it was being covered elsewhere but I am not shocked that the rioters have turned on the churches and the Christians. I am surprised it hasn't happened before now. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Muslim counties.

(Link via Drudge Report)

Yahoo

If you use Yahoo as your home page, you can add our RSS feed to your page by clicking on the "My Yahoo" button below the link list box. You can add Life Under the Sun as well by going here. If there is a RSS reader that you use and would like me to add it, leave a comment or email me.

Disappearing Email Link

The email link keeps disappearing and then reappearing and I am not sure why. There is an email link on my other blog. I will try to work on it next week.

My Other Blog

Go check out my other blog. I have finally figured out how to put my "Official Theologian in Training" symbol up on the sidebar and I even came up with the first tenent in my "Theologian in Training Manifesto."

Update on Global Warming

It turns out that the 85 Evangelicals are being funded by a group that supports abortion rights according to this report.

Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America says “Hewlett Foundation is one of the most prodigious and unabashed funders of abortion causes, with much money going to make abortion acceptable. Its significant grant for this initiative, along with the controversial Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, reveals where this effort could lead. They would not fund something that contradicts their ain missions.”

She seems to hit the nail on the head when she says, “The radical environmental, pro-abortion lobby has learned to adopt language to win over unsuspecting, well-intentioned people. I am sure that most of the evangelical leaders who signed on have no idea of the history and missions of the groups that have made this initiative possible with their financial backing,” said Wright.

As my daughter Samantha would say "Sheech people!" Why don't you check your funding sources so that you don't wind up embroiled in controversy.

(Link via Postscript Posthaste)

Email Us!

I have created an email account that you can use to contact us. Put who you want to contact in the subject line and I will forward the email to her.

Focus on the Family and World Magazine

While checking out different Christian blogs today I came to this one called Smart Christian and found some very shocking news, it seems that Ralph Reed has been implicated in the Jack Abramoff affair. Go here and read the excerpts from emails of Reed to Abramoff. It appears that Ralph Reed was influence peddling and was using Dobson to get money from Abramoff. He also appears to have used a number of pastors as well. Focus on the Family is upset about World Magazine publishing the article but the emails are part of the Congressional record so they can't complain that the sources aren't credible.

Another black eye for the Christian community. Can Christians work in politics? I believe so but I think it is incredibly hard not to be seduced by the corrupting influence of power. It is so important that those who claim the name of Christ act like his disciples when we are serving him in the jobs that He has called us to do. The minute we let money and pragmatism dictate our actions we abandon our calling and are just doing a job -- we are no longer serving Him but ourselves.

Update: Go here for the Ralph Reed emails.

8 Screaming Girls

I tried to blog last night during the party but it was impossible. The girls were out of control. It wasn't like I didn't have enough for them to do: they had pizza and ice cream cake, they opened presents, the painted little wooden jewelry boxes and they even made buttons. It's just that I gave them the ability to decide what they wanted on the buttons and then it took me forever to find and print the pictures and the button maker wasn't working properly and it turns out you have to precisely cut the pictures or it won't work so my husband had to cut the pictures and help make the buttons. And if you leave 10 year olds to their own devices they fight and get their feelings hurt and cry and you have girls taking sides and then the whole party gets out of control. I can take the running around screaming, but I can't take the emotionalism.

Then when it was time for bed, some didn't want to sleep on the floor (it's a sleep over with sleeping bags, what did they think they were going to do with them when they brought them). I tried to stay up until 1:00 which was their bedtime, but fell asleep and woke up at 1:30 to hear complaining. It turns out that two of the girls (the two that had been fighting earlier) were now in Samantha's bedroom because they were mad at the other girls and Samantha was crying. The girls had been playing truth or dare (which I told them they couldn't do) and the two girls wanted their friends to make a crank call but the other girls wouldn't do it because they are "Christians." (I am going to explain the concept of caller id when the girls wake up.)

I rounded up the wayward girls out of Samantha's room and told them they had to sleep with the rest of the girls.

"But they kept talking about us." This seems to be a common complaint.
"Well, they won't anymore because you're all going to sleep."

I made everyone lie down and I sat in the room with them waiting until they settled down and went to sleep. I noticed two of them talking.

"What's going on over there, get to sleep."
"The light is bother me, I can't sleep."

Ok, so now everyone has to move because we had to put the other light on (softer light) so that those who needed the light could sleep near it. And then they started to fall asleep and so did I, I woke up at 4:00 am and went to bed. And now, I have the sound of silence, isn't it lovely. It won't last long, since I know they are going to be fighting with the two girls again when they wake up.

Remind me not to do this again next year.

Have You Seen This?

This is so funny! I am amazed how they made it look just like the Amazon page. Go check it out.

(Link via Postscript Posthaste)

More Blogging Anyone?

So, I am going to be working on digests for the next two weeks (no, really), is there anyway you guys can pick up the slack? Angela, are you OK? Have the kids taken over the house? Did they hide your keyboard? Smash a ball into your monitor? Flush the mouse down the potty?

9 8 7 Little Girls

I am going to have 9 Ten-year-olds in my house tomorrow night (without Sarah to help) for a sleep over. Please pray for me that I can get ready and that I will be able to make it through the night. And please pray that the kids will have a good time especially Samantha who didn't even get any presents for her birthday yet :-( (She will be getting a $125 shopping spree at the toy store later this weekend)

Update: Thanks for the prayers. I know that someone prayed for us because Samantha found some things she wanted from Toys R Us and we found some cool crafts to do at the party. I will tell you all about it on Saturday.

More Bayly Brothers

I agree with this woman that their name alone is annoying (I wonder if they deliberately changed it). I commented on another of their posts on my other blog.

Bayly calling out Mr. James

I'm shaking my head here after reading this, I can't wait to see what Mr. James says in response to it.

Is this going to be what divides the PCA church?

Stuff

Our sidebar decided to move down to the bottom of the page. My previous post must have some bad code but I'm too busy to figure it out and I don't want to delete the post. I'll try to figure it out this weekend.

I am having a bad day and I'm a little depressed. I don't want to repeat myself so go here to find out why.

In other news, I heard on the radio yesterday that 54% of the people surveyed recheck the lock after they locked it and so I was glad to see that I'm not the only neurotic. Woo Hoo! And that 98% of women surveyed sing along with the radio which is good because I'm not the only one who looks like a nut while driving.

Is it Accurate?

You scored as Anarchism.
What Political Party Do Your Beliefs Put You In?
created with QuizFarm.com

I knew that I was a rebel but sheech! I am shocked that I have 17% Democrat in me (maybe because I slightly agreed that there should be some form of public school). Since there is no Libertarian category, I think the anarchism contains those who are Libertarian in nature (at least I hope that is the case).

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Today is Samantha's 10th birthday. We are going to give her a cell phone. Yes, a cell phone at 10 years of age. Yes, I know that's nuts but she is one of the few in her class that doesn't have a cell phone yet. Yes, I know all about how you didn't even have a phone in your room until you were a teenager and it wasn't even a separate line. Things are different, deal with it.

Update: It turns out Samantha didn't get a cell phone because they changed the terms and it didn't make sense for us to get it. Turned out it would have cost us $30 a month, not a good deal.

Another Update: Read Sarah's reaction here.

For Your Listening Pleasure

Here is an audio (mp3) apologetics site (good for cleaning the house and commuting).

Valentine's Day Dinner

OK, this will probably be one of the few times I'll post anything domestic so enjoy it while you can. Samantha wanted me to make heart-shaped hamburgers. I suggested heart-shaped cheese steak sandwiches instead. I thought it made a nice Valentine's Day dinner.

Happy 100 Posts!

This is our 100th post. Woo Hoo!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone remembered to buy something for their honey!

(Web art courtesty of The Best Collection of Webimages & Clipart)

Snow Day!

My daughters have a snow day today (yeah, no driving). I will be cleaning, digesting, and doing errands but not blogging today. Look for a digest on the order of salvation tonight on my other blog.

Pictures of Princeton Seminary

Nice shots of Princeton Seminary here. They got 18 inches.

Update on the Italian Priest

Well, the court threw out the case against the priest:

An Italian atheist lost his legal crusade against the Catholic Church on Thursday when a judge rejected his attempts to sue a priest for saying that Jesus existed 2,000 years ago, the priest's lawyer said.

Luigi Cascioli, 72, had argued his hometown priest and former schoolmate had effectively broken an Italian law meant to protect the public from being conned.

But instead of granting Cascioli his request to bring the case to court, the judge recommended magistrates investigate him for slandering priest Enrico Righi, Righi's lawyer, Bruno Severo said.

The atheist plans to appeal all the way to the Hague. Read more about it here.

Burning the Danish Flag Can Be Dangerous

A warning has been issued by the manufacturers of Danish flags:

A WELSH flagmaker last night issued an urgent safety warning to Muslims who are buying up his Danish flags to torch in cartoon protests.

Orders for the Danish national red and white flag began flooding in to Swansea-based business Mr Flag as soon as the Prophet Muhammad caricatures featured in a Danish newspaper were reprinted in Europe.

"We have experienced a rise in orders for the Danish colours," owner Robin Ashburner confirmed.

But he warned, "It has to be pointed out though that a number of modern flags are now made largely of polyester and when they burn they melt. That means if they are whirled around by a protester, his or her fellow protesters could be splashed by flying pieces of burning material. If it got into the eye it could do serious damage so we are about to issue a warning to this effect on our website."

Read more about it here.

(Link via The Corner)

Ignorance is not bliss

"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" Proverbs 16:25

I just opened up my township's summer enrichment program catalog....this is a social studies class being offered for grades 3-5. Here's the description:
Ancient Greece
"Students will learn about Greek and Roman mythology, history of Greece and the Ancient Olympics. Students will use the knowledge they have gained to create their own "god". They will compose a written description about the physcial features and powers of their "god" and then use clay to create a statue of their character."

Now don't get me wrong, I realize that this is what the bible talks about when it says, "Professing to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man..." (Romans 1:22-23); so I'm not surprised by this, really. It just confirms to me that "there is nothing new under the sun" because this has been going on since the wilderness of Sinai.

But it has helped me to see just how gracious the Lord is to open my eyes to the darkness that surrounds me. Don't you sometimes get lulled into a state of complacency when it comes to proclaiming the gospel? I do. This is a wake-up call to me. What are we doing to "proclaim the excellences of Him who rescued you from the domain of darkness and transferred you into the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13) ? People have no idea that this type of class is blasphemous to a holy God. They have no idea they are under the dominion of sin. I know it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict sinners of their need for a Savior, but we need to arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit as we live in this world. We need to "prepare our minds for action" (1Peter 1:13). That's why we need to constantly "renew our minds" (Romans 12:2) in His word. What the world offers is death, we should never forget this.

BTW, the cost for the class is $240!!

Update: More Snow!

This is from my front yard and the snow is up to my doorway. I won't be going out in it, so this is all you are going to get (unless my husband takes some shots when he is shoveling). I like to look at snow, not walk in it :-).

If you want to see some picturesque scenes of snow check this out. One of students from my seminary went out yesterday and took some pretty good shots (though his camera does the same thing mine does and flashes on the following snow, very weird affect) and he says he will go out later so make sure you stop back again to see the after shots.

Update: Here are his pictures from today. They seem to have gotten about 12 inches.

Check Out My Other Blog

I got my first spam email on my other blog. I think that may be good news, if I weren't getting any traffic they wouldn't be interested. If I continue to get spam I am going to have to take annoying measures to make it stop but I think I will wait to see if I get more.

I posted a comment there that I left on another blog. Evidently it appears that some Christians believe that we shouldn't educate our daughters. We should train them to be helpmeets for their future husbands. I wonder if we should arrange their marriages as well? And then plan how many children they have and where they should live? Aren't they suppose to be obedient and do exactly what we say? Well, enough sacrasm, go check out my response.

What a Hypocrite!!!

Not only was Carter being a bore and an opportunist for mentioning the wiretaps at King's funeral but he was also being a hypocrite:

Former President Jimmy Carter, who publicly rebuked President Bush's warrantless eavesdropping program this week during the funeral of Coretta Scott King and at a campaign event, used similar surveillance against suspected spies.

"Under the Bush administration, there's been a disgraceful and illegal decision -- we're not going to the let the judges or the Congress or anyone else know that we're spying on the American people," Mr. Carter said Monday in Nevada when his son Jack announced his Senate campaign.

"And no one knows how many innocent Americans have had their privacy violated under this secret act," he said.

The next day at Mrs. King's high-profile funeral, Mr. Carter evoked a comparison to the Bush policy when referring to the "secret government wiretapping" of civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

But in 1977, Mr. Carter and his attorney general, Griffin B. Bell, authorized warrantless electronic surveillance used in the conviction of two men for spying on behalf of Vietnam.

(Link via Polipundit.com)

More Snow!

I don't think we will be having church today. It is really coming down now.

Weird

This is very strange. What do you think it means?

A man identified as Sylvester Stallone, left, prepares to film a scene for the movie 'Rocky Balboa,' during a snow storm, on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Why would the author say, "A man indenfified as Sylvester Stallone?"

The Things You Find When You Should Be Reading Kline

I didn't know that Ligonier Ministries acquired Soli Deo Gloria Ministries (they publish Puritan works). Read about it here. Susan, why didn't you tell me!

Snow!

We are finally getting some decent snow accumulation here! Do you think we'll have a snow day at church tomorrow?

Global Warming

It appears that we have reached the tipping point and there is now nothing we can do about global warming.

Research commissioned by The Independent reveals that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has now crossed a threshold, set down by scientists from around the world at a conference in Britain last year, beyond which really dangerous climate change is likely to be unstoppable.

The implication is that some of global warming’s worst predicted effects, from destruction of ecosystems to increased hunger and water shortages for billions of people, cannot now be avoided, whatever we do.

Someone should tell the 85 Evangelicals that they're too late.

Reuters Alertnet

Here is an interesting service from Reuters of all places. It's Reuters Alertnet, "Alerting humanitarians to emergencies" including Christian emergencies.

China's Attempt to Suppress Information

We have amazing liberties in the United States and should be thankful to the Lord for our freedom. But the people of China are not so blessed. Totalitarian regimes suppress their people's freedoms in so many ways, big and small. Here is the government's attempt to suppress information to its people (with the help of an American corporation): click here and here and compare.

(Link via Stay Free! Magazine)

It is about time!

Don Hewitt admits that Dan Rather should have been fired over his "60 Minute" report on George Bush.

"I have a built-in bias against reporters who have axes to grind," Hewitt said. "I think there are reporters that allow their own bias to encroach on their journalism, and that's a crime against journalism."

Where was he when all the controversy was going on? This is a year too late. And if they fired all the journalist who had axes to grind, they would have very few left to actually report the news.

Muslims Call for Catholic School to Switch Religions

This is amazing! If the Muslims want a school, why don't they just build one? Why would they think that the Catholic church would allow its school to "switch religions?"

(Link via Teresa)

Wow! Mark Noll is Going to Notre Dame

Mark Noll is leaving Wheaton College to go to Notre Dame. Read the details here. I guess for him the Reformation really is over.

(Link via reformation21 blog)

Updated: If you haven't listened to the White Horse Inn conversation with Mark Noll. Go here and listen to it (10/30/05 broadcast). I think it puts this news in perspective.

Baiting Christians?

First it was this and now this. Do you think Kanye West wants to bait Christians into condemning him for the publicity? Here he is in his own words:

Cocky rap star KANYE WEST is calling for a revised edition of THE BIBLE, because he thinks he should be a character in it.

The JESUS WALKS hitmaker, who picked up three Grammy Awards last night (08FEB06), feels sure he'd be "a griot" (West African storyteller) in a modern Bible.

He says, "I bring up historical subjects in a way that makes kids want to learn about them. I'm an inspirational speaker.

(Link via The Drudge Report)

Help!

I am trying to hide the text on my digests since they are too long to post. I tried this but it didn't work. All the entries said "read more" not just the one I wanted. Anyone know how to do this?

A Pastor is Arrested in the Pulpit

This is amazing:

Some members of a Lutheran parish on Chicago's far South Side said they are outraged police arrested the Rev. Jimmy McCants in the middle of his sermon.

McCants, 54, has been the focus of a dispute between rival factions at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The church's board of directors told police the board fired McCants on Christmas Eve, and a woman affiliated with the church signed a complaint against him for trespassing on church property, said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

Maybe when the pastor returns he should preach on the following passage:

"When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" (1 Corinthians 6:1-7)

(Link via The Pearcey Report)

Common Grace

I have posted my Doctrine of Salvation II digest of John Murray's article "Common Grace" to my other blog.

Speeding Ticket

I just got a speeding ticket on the way to seminary. Anyone traveling on the PA Turnpike might want to stay a few miles under the limit because I was not going as fast as the State Trooper said I was (I asked him if he were sure that it was me going that fast). What makes you nuts is that people were passing me and he pulls me over!

And what makes this all so annoying is that I was in a good mood this morning. While I was waiting for the cop to write me the ticket I said, "God, you are really wearing down my good mood here!" But I remembered what Paul said "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content" (Philippians 4:11) and then I felt a little better.

Oh Noooooo!

Having lived through the Carter administration (yes, I am that old and I wasn't a baby) and waited in gas lines, I am hopeful that his son's political career ends quickly. Read about his son's bid for the Nevada senate seat against a Republican incumbent (thankfully) here.

(Link via The Corner)

Delaware Bill Gutted

Way to go, Delaware Christians! Praise God for His answer to your prayers.

"Several supporters, including sponsor Rep. Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, said the bill’s references to embryonic stem cell research were removed because of a powerful lobbying and advertising campaign that opposed the bill.

The campaign Rep. Hudson referenced, “A Rose & a Prayer,” is a grassroots effort that involved Delawareans of many faiths. More than 2,400 Delawareans signed up for a total of more than 1,500 hours of prayer in opposition to SB 80. Also as part of the campaign, state legislators last week received more than 1,500 roses with cards from individual voters asking them to vote against the bill. In addition, it is believed that over ten thousand Delawareans contacted their representatives asking them to vote against the bill...

Largely as a result of the campaign, legislators amended the bill to 1)remove all references to embryonic stem cell research and 2) clarify the definition of “human reproductive cloning” to clearly ban any cloning that results in a human fetus or child for any purposes, and to close a loophole that would have allowed fetal farming...

'We hope that other states will recognize Delaware’s decision to refuse to legalize embryonic stem cell research as an indication that Americans do not want or need research that destroys human embryos,” said Jenkins, a Wilmington attorney. “Rather, we need research that focuses on adult stem cells, where scientists are increasingly finding real cures.'"

My New Bible

We need to bring an English Bible to my Hermeneutics class and since I am no longer able to read my pocket Bible (6.2 font size is a little too small for my ancient eyes), I decided to try the Thinline ESV (pictured above). The picture really doesn't do it justice since it is a much darker color. I love it! It is the softest Bible I have ever used. The margins aren't very wide but the font is readable. The only real problem with it is that there are no reference notes but since it is meant to be thin that is not surprising. You can purchase it for 40% off at Westminster's bookstore.

Update on the New Checking Account

So, the checks came on Monday without my name on them and they only sent one ATM card. I asked my husband, "Why haven't you done anything about this yet?" And he replied, "I haven't gotten around to it yet." I'm still wondering if I should be suspicious. He is either procrastinating, is really busy or something nefarious is going on here.

Frozen Chosen?

Since when are the Episcopalians the "frozen chosen?" (Clinton calling Bush 41 a "frozen chosen" because he was Episcopalian at Coretta Scott King's funeral today.)

And while I am blogging about the funeral, I was shocked by the political comments that were made -- at a funeral! It's a funeral, don't make comments about wiretapping or the billions spent on war. They showed no respect for the lovely woman who was being remembered. Carter's comment about MLK, Jr. being wiretapped were funny when you remember that it was a Democrat who did it.

Baptists Disaffiliate Church

This sort of affirms my thinking in my McLaren post. Churches will not be allowed to welcome gays into the fold and if they do they run the risk of getting kicked out of their denomination. My question is how do you love the sinner but hate the sin?

Hate Crime Bill in the U. K.

U. K. Christians dodged a bullet but it was close. The measure was defeated by only one vote.

British Evangelicals on Tuesday celebrated the defeat of segments of the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill that they say could have criminalized Christians for preaching Biblical values...

In the past few months, Evangelicals worked to defeat the bill, persuading MPs to vote against the proposed legislation and rallying Christians to speak out against the bill. Evangelicals warned that the original law would have restricted the freedom of speech for all individuals, including Christians who preach about scriptural teachings on Islam or homosexuality.

Comments from those from the U. K. stopping in for the Sproul postings would be appreciated.
(Links via The Pearcey Report)

Update on R. C. Sproul, Jr.

Sproul and his session (the elders) have asked to be "dismissed for the jurisdiction" of his presbytery and has repented of his actions and has asked for the forgiveness of the presbytery. Read the session's letter of repentance here. And the presbytery quickly granted the session forgiveness and released them from the jurisdiction of the presbytery. Read the response here.

I wonder where they are going to go now. As a Presbyterian, you have to be a part of a presbytery. What Presbyterian denomination supports paedo-communion? Are they going to change their denomination? What denomination supports it?

Spears Episode Cancelled

The Britney Spears episode of Will and Grace has been cancelled due to Christian protests according to this report.

I find it amazing that the term "Cruci-fixins" has been used so much since 1991! I had never heard it until now. It is really disgusting how they can make fun of such a slow and agonizing death.

It was first used on the oddball comedy "Arrested Development," when one of the characters quipped: "I think I'm going to go get one of those 'Corndog Crosses' -- with all the 'Crucifixins'"

"The Simpsons" cartoon also used the term in an episode that described a church ice cream social led by a character called Rev. Lovejoy. Lovejoy offered "Crucifixins," with flavors like "Blessed Virgin Berry," "Commandmint," and "Biblegum."

As far back as 1991, the term popped up in Advertising Age magazine, as part of an entry for a lighthearted contest to predict McDonald's next slogan intended to "pack in the pilgrims" at its new location in Lourdes. "Try our new Crucifixin's Bar" won an "honorable intention" award.

R. C. Sproul, Jr. was Defrocked

Wow, the news about R. C. Sproul Jr. being defrocked is all over the Internet. Even Human Events is reporting on it.

"Among the reasons for the disciplinary action are charges of spiritual abuse of members and attendees of St. Peter Presbyterian Church, as well as financial irregularities that include the “identity theft” of another church’s Federal Tax I.D. number."

As well as practicing paedo-communion (giving communion to infants or children) which Sproul Jr. knew was forbidden by the Presbytery.

Read more about it here. And you can read the report from the Moderator here.

Update: More information here

The Bible on the Shelf

I have a few minutes while I am waiting for my husband to get ready for church, so I thought I would post about a comment that Dr. Poythress made yesterday. He said that the Neo-Orthox believe that the Bible on the shelf doesn't become the word of God until it is read but John Frame states that the Bible on the shelf has an effect on you because you will be cursed. There is a binding element to the Bible. When he said that I thought of Luke 12:48b "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."

Posting Digests

There will be a serious decrease in my blogging activity but I hope you will appreciate the increase in content. I will be posting my digests for my Doctrine of Salvation II to my other blog. The topics for this month will include: Common Grace, The Resurrection of Christ and Soteriology, and Union with Christ (this is all content for one month's digest, I have to write three digests this semester). I will post a note here when I post them to the blog.

We're Back!!!

There was a problem with blogger that appears to be cleared up (I hope).

My Other Blog

I am blogging about seminary at my other blog.

Naomi Wolf and Jesus

It appears that feminist and advisor to Presidential candidate Al Gore, has had an encounter with Jesus. The article in which she makes this revelation is fascinating and is the reason for the post. Go read it.

(Link via WorldMag blog)

Insanity at University

This is simply amazing! A Christian group is being punished because it won't admit non-Christians as members.

A UNIVERSITY Christian Union has been suspended and had its bank account frozen after refusing to open its membership to people of all religions.

Here is the most insane part:

The Christian Union was advised that the use of the words “men” and “women” in the constitution were causing concern because they could be seen as excluding transsexual and transgendered people.

(Link via Worldmag Blog)

Women of Westminster

Susan, you are not going to believe what the lecture series is going to be this Spring for the Women of Westminster -- Union with Christ! You have got to come Feb 21 because Gaffin is going to do Union with Christ in the New Testament. I am definitely going to stay for it. The lecture is from 7:30-9:00. For more information on the rest of the speakers go here.

Encouragement for Donna

Donna, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b). Be thankful that you are able to give a defense; be thankful God has prepared you so that you can be a source of encouragement and help to your friend. Be thankful that you have been reading the Bible and know where to go to prove that Jesus was born of a virgin. This should be a warning to us all to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

There are many liberals who are Christian, not because they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was raised from the dead but that He was a godly man whose example we should follow. They call themselves Christians because they follow His teaching, not because they believe that He is their Savior.

My Heart Hurts!

I have a good friend who believes herself to be a Christian. But she happened to come over while another friend and I were having a discussion about the Bible, and she basically looked at us like we were daft and scoffed at us for believing in the virgin birth and other miracles. I defended my faith in the Word and let her know my stand, but was too flabbergasted and heart broken to do much more. I am praying that the Lord gives me more opportunities to talk to her about this. She noted that her pastor is a procaimed agnostic and doesn't belive in such miracles as well. I didn't know that was even possible! I have some studying to do to prepare for my talks with her...and then wait for the Lord's opportunity.

Blogging from the Library

I am in the library now, waiting for the bookstore to open so I can purchase the rest of my textbooks. Class was interesting so I didn't check my email. Poythress is an engaging teacher so it wasn't torture :-). I know that I have been complaining about going back to seminary but now that I am here I am happy to be back.

And no, I don't intend to blog all day at various locations on the campus. Thought I am tempted to do so (I have waited years for them to wire this campus).

This is Cool!

I am blogging from my classroom at seminary! And no, I am not doing it during class. They have finally wired the campus and we now have wireless in the classrooms. I got here early, so I thought I would check out the connection. Now, if the lecture is boring, I can log in and check my email (just kidding).

Survivor

OK, how do I say this nicely? The Presbyterian didn't do so good. Her team lost and then she voted off the strongest member (she found them water, started the fire, even provided them with a fish) to keep one of the weaker members (she is afraid of leaves and never slept outside). Maybe she has a strategy but I doubt it.

The End is Near

Well, it has been fun but the end is fast approaching. My first class starts tomorrow. I hope I have time to check in but since I didn't read any of the books I wanted to, I fear I'm doomed. But on a brighter note, I decided to enjoy myself tonight and watch Survivor. I will report back later and let you know what happened to the Presbyterian.

The Bible Taught as Literature in Public Schools

Here is a link to an article about a new textbook that teaches the Bible as literature. I am so pleased by this because it is really needed. Since the Bible has been removed from the public schools, I have been afraid that the nation's children would become illiterate. So much of western civilization art and literature has been steeped in or a reaction to the Bible. How can our children understand Thoreau, East of Eden, the literature and art of the Middle Ages, Moby Dick and so much more without an understanding of the stories in the Bible.

(Link via reformation21 blog)

Narnia: the Sequel

Yes! There is going to be a sequel to Narnia but it will not be here until Christmas 2007! The sequel will be Prince Caspian. Read all about it here.

(Link via The Corner)

BTW, I am not surprised that there will be a sequel since it has made over 600 million world wide!

Brian McLaren and THE Hot Button Issue

Brian McLaren has stepped in it over at Leadership magazine (or we could say he has grabbed the third rail of Christianity) in an article about welcoming homosexuals into the church. I think that his article is very clever and presents the issue in terms that a Christian would of course sympathize with: a young couple, who want to get married in his church are concerned that their parents would be welcomed in the church for their wedding (they met through their fathers who are partners). There may be churches out there that would have a problem with this but I would think that most churches would not object to the parents of the couple attending the wedding. This is a no brainer. But taking this a step further what about welcoming a gay couple into the church?

What would happen if the pastor welcomed a gay couple into fellowship in their church? (This is the issue that is being discussed all over the Internet related to this article.) Of course Christians want their churches open to anyone who wants to attend and they want them to feel welcome. But could the gay couple take their attendance to the next level and become members of the church? Would McLaren and others make them members of their church? That, I think is the harder question.

If Paul condemned the Corinthians for accepting a man who "had" his father's wife (1 Corinthians 5:1-13), what would he say to the church today as this issue is being contemplated? There is a discussion about this subject here.

Update: This post has been heavily edited from the original.

How Funny is this?

A woman is booted from the dressing room for exposing her breast in Victoria's Secret! Can you believe it? How could the salesperson say with a straight face, "I am sorry but you have to put that breast away?" Read the whole story here (including damage control by their spokesperson).

(Link via Drudge)

Malice and misunderstanding

FYI... See the reactions. Interesting. The only one that makes any sense is Ellie. It's a sad commentary on the church.

Sheesh! Everyone has a Blog

I didn't know that The American Spectator has a blog. And I found out from the reformation21 blog that Kim Riddlebarger has a blog.

New Post

I put up a new post over at my other blog.

who Will they think of next?....

Check it out.

I never watch this show, but I'd be tempted to watch it so I am prepared to give a defense......

I wonder if the network knows exactly what a "conservative Christian" is? I doubt it.

Wow! This is Amazing

I am really out of it because I didn't even know this was going on until I read the post in the reformation21 blog. In Italy a priest has to appear in court to prove the existence of Jesus!

Hey Susan, I bet you wish it were you!

Update: I found another article dated 1-27-06. The priest stated his case in court and is awaiting the verdict. And here is yet another article that lays out the priest's defense.

Here is the "money quote:"

A passage of Josephus' "Jewish Antiquities," completed in A.D. 93, cites the execution in A.D. 62 of "the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, James by name."

Righi also cited Pliny the Younger, who in the early second century described a policy of executing Christians who refused to curse Christ, and Tacitus, another writer of the same time who wrote that Jesus was executed by the sentence of Pontius Pilate.

These sources are all non-Christian.

Infant Baptism Discussion

A baptist, Justin Taylor (of John Piper's ministry) asks a question about infant baptism on the reformation21 blog (the date of the question is 1/29/06). Rick Phillips gives a very good response (dated 1/29/06). Here's a quote:

One reality this makes clear is that the difference between paedo- and craedo-baptists is not really about who should receive the sacrament. The difference is over what the sacrament is. Whereas Baptists believe (correct me if I am mistaken) that baptism is "an outward sign of an inward change", we believe that baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Whereas Baptists believe that baptism signifies the new birth, we believe that it initiates entry into the covenant community of the visible church. This is the difference of opinion that produces our different views on the recipients of baptism. I think that realizing this will help us to communicate more effectively than has been our norm.

Read the rest here and the followup discussion here.

(Link via Round Here)

Aging Gracefully is not an Option

I've noticed it happening over the last year, not being able to read the fine print on the medicine bottles, having to ask my children what dosage I'm supposed to give them but I've been able to read books and other printed material with no problem until Sunday. On Sunday I was unable to read the music in the bulletin! I had to read the overhead screens which were also a little blurry but readable. My husband said it was time for bifocals, I hit him in the stomach in response.

Yahoo Home Page Temptation

Yahoo.com is my home page and every time I click on Internet Explorer I am tempted with this in the recipe section. It is driving me crazy! Mmm,chocolate.