New on bekahcubed
Perhaps you’ve noticed that I’m now posting book reviews as part of my regular blog schedule. What with living and working in two towns, I simply do not have the time to sustain a two post a day schedule and write reviews on the side. What’s more, since I do my manual html coding and ftp uploading and the like on a desktop computer located in only one of those cities, it’s just not convenient to do manual coding for things that I want to do on a regular basis (like book reviews!) So expect to see book reviews cropping up more regularly in my daily posts–and disappearing from my “New on bekahcubed” recap posts.
Read Recently
Laugh out loud funnies:
- Have you seen the Pope-mobile?
You really should take a look.
News to take note of:
- AHA releases a position paper on smokeless tobacco
Here we go again: “Smokeless tobacco products not a safe alternative to smoking”. Absolutely right. But they ARE a safER alternative to smoking. And they don’t have the same second-hand effects–you’re not poisoning someone else while you’re at it! Grrr! - Gas Mask Bra now available to public
Inventor says “Isn’t that wonderful that women have two breasts, not just one? We can save not only our own life, but also the life of a man of our choice next to us.” Unfortunately, these are only currently available in firecracker red–and in a limited selection of sizes. (HT: Instapundit) - Speaking English Makes You Fat!
Okay, that’s not quite what this article says–but I don’t doubt many an unscientifically minded journalist might report it as such. Let this be a lesson to you about trusting causational conclusions drawn from correlational studies!
On Christianity and Politics:
- Justin Taylor talks up a new book, City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era, due for release by Moody Publishers
- A recent Mark Dever sermon on Mark 12:13-17 has Gospel Coalition bloggers talking
- Collin Hansen writes up some of his notes
The main points seem to be:- Christians are good citizens
- No earthly kingdom can be identified with God’s people
- Christians are finally accountable to God.
- Check out the sermon for yourself.
I downloaded it to my MP3 player to listen to this week :-) - Identifying your “functional saviors”
Questions from Jerry Bridge’s book The Bookends of the Christian Life–which my sister’s Bible study (now mine) just finished going through together. - Identifying idols in your life
Questions adapted from a Puritan sermon, delivered by Kenny Stokes in a sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church - Are we guilty of “Americolatry”?
Paul Ireland leaves an insightful comment on Justin Taylor’s blog “Between Two Worlds” - Should Evangelicals “Celebrate” Halloween?
A surprising response from Dan Wallace - Is there a such thing as “Christian Piracy”?
Challies takes on the idea that pirating music is ethically okay. It’s not. - Lisa Robinson reminds us that God never promised us a mate
This is one of my biggest frustrations with well-meaning Christian women. Don’t promise me what God hasn’t promised me–and like it or not, He hasn’t promised me a husband! - C. Michael Patton says to give Rick Warren a break
He’s got a point. So do those who criticize Warren’s less-than-stellar use of Scripture. Speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15) is difficult, as is keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). - What would you say if a sex offender started attending your church?
How one church is ministering to the societally “unforgiveable”. - Ken Samples talks about Christianity’s “Dangerous Ideas”
“In stark contrast to the naturalistic worldview’s melancholy and hopeless dilemma, historic Christianity’s most dangerous idea is that one man—Jesus Christ—died but didn’t remain dead. Following his public crucifixion, he rose from the dead on the first Easter morning. Therefore at the center of Christianity’s earliest preaching and teaching (kerygma) is the solemn proclamation that Jesus Christ lived on Earth, conquered death, and thus remains the living Savior and Lord.”
- J.I. Packer on the Holy Spirit’s Ministry:
“He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior.”
- I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care by John Zeisel
I cared for my grandmother when she had Alzheimer’s, before she went into the nursing home. Now I am the dietitian for dozens of Alzheimer’s patients in a long term care facility. I fully expect that at least one of my parents will succumb to this disease and, as the Scripture enjoins children to care for their parents, I fully expect to be active in their care if or when they do. This book sounds like a great resource for caring for folks with Alzheimer’s. - Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis
Recommended by C. Michael Patton, I think this may be the next step in my informal “theological training” (Maybe?) - Same Kind of Different as Me
I think I may have already had this title on my TBR list–but Lisa’s view makes it official. I have GOT to read this book. It’s about the unlikely meeting and friendship of a relatively rich man and homeless man–and what they learned about each other and themselves along the way. - Find your antipodal location
Having circumnavigated the globe on an antipodal fact-finding tour, I have officially decided that if you’re going to dig through the earth, your best bet is to dig from somewhere in Southeast Asia–that way you’ll end up in South America. Otherwise, you’re probably gonna end up in water. Turns out the earth is covered with a lot of water.
On Idolatry:
These posts have challenged me to consider whether I am living an idolatrous life. I think I may be spending the next week of quiet times praying over the questions posed by the first couple of posts in greater depth.
Miscellaneous items:
Because I don’t always have time to categorize everything I read.
To Read, to See, to Do
Books for the TBR list:
Projects to try:
Places to Waste Time: