Long time no post

Sorry for my delay in posting.  I have let activity, particularly with the kids get the better of me.  I have also started to try to get back in shape again.  Wow, this is painful.

I wanted to make sure to thank Natalie for a great hosting job at our last meeting.  She really knows CS Lewis and spiritual battle and was a great wealth of knowledge along with a gracious host.  I think she may have inspired much more reading into CS Lewis books by all who were there.

In addition we picked a book for next time, "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns.The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World by Richard Stearns.  I must admit the reviews come from diverse places like Franklin Graham and Bono.  Truth in lending here, Richard Stearns is the CEO of  World Vision and a good portion of the book is his journey getting there.  That is not to diminish the impact of the book or its message, if anything it brings the message home clearer.


Please join us for a discussion of the book in July, July 15th to be exact at the same bat time, same bat channel.

Happy Mother's Day

I found some interesting information on Mother's Day and its founding.
Two women, Ann and Anna Jarvis are behind it and it all started as a service day by mothers.  Ann Jarvis served all her life and Anna Jarvis set out to honor her with a special day.  Anna wasn't happy with where Mother's Day went though and spent her inheritance trying to decommercialize it.  But it was all started by a woman who witnessed the love and care of her extraordinary mother.

Here are a few links, understand some of the information may be repetitive.
http://www.peopleoffaith.com/history-of-mothers-day.htm
http://www.germanna.org/node/521
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Jarvis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Jarvis

Happy Mother's Day to all Mother's out there and to all who are thankful to have a Mother that loves them.

God Bless.

Soft Power - You Can't Fake it

Influencing other countries without force.  Attracting countries to you by your positive culture.  You can't fake good culture or intentions.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/04/29/what_china_and_russia_don_t_get_about_soft_power

I'm still not giving up my Kindle

Here is one that Pastor Mike passed me about ebooks v. physical books and online reading vs. paper.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=reading-paper-screens

Just can't get rid of paper.

Socially Acceptable Sin

Someone posted a link to this and I thought it might be good to post here.  It made me think of Screwtape and his intentional misguiding of natural tendencies.

The Socially Acceptable Sin

What do you think?

Liberty Denied to the Poor

I read this post and thought it was interesting and maybe even a little depressing.  It contrasts two views of economic development and explains how the one that was followed has created problems in third world countries where the value of the person is diminished.  It mentions the an oil push in Uganda promoted by the World Bank and Ugandan government that is pushing poor villagers out of their homes.  It reminds me of Little Bee.

http://blog.acton.org/archives/53313-liberty-for-me-but-not-for-thee.html

A View from the Underside: The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thanks again, Pastor Mike, for passing this on to me.

A View from the Underside: The Legacy of Dietrich

This is a book and DVD by Al Skaggs and is just one of his justice series.  The series seems to focus on Christians standing up for the oppressed and has 12 different plays/performances that he performs at places around the world, 3 books, and 3 dvds.  I have not read the books or seen play or dvd although I think I will likely do so in the not too distant future.  If I do read or see any I will post that here on the blog.