Monthly Archives: January 2014

NICE COINCIDENCE

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I just got back from Dallas.
I went with our oldest son, David, because he does his internship with Deloitte consulting
in Dallas before finishing up the Masters program at the University of Texas in accounting.  
Turns out he is living very close to DTS so he was interested in stopping by.  There were not many on campus, but a guy came out of a building as I was looking for someone who could answer a few of my questions.  
I asked my questions, we started to depart, and then I said, “Michael?”  Indeed, it was Professor Michael Svigel who uses Doreen’s book in his classes.  He has even Skyped her in twice to interact with the students who write papers on my wife’s book.  We’ve never met.  Great guy, even apart from his terrific taste in literature!

PRODIGAL CHRISTIANITY

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I truly wanted to like this book. And there were things that gave me hope early on that I would. The honest admission that the authors do not have everything wired was refreshing. Also, the authors desire to practice what they preach is commendable.

Unfortunately, other things continued to nag as I got further in the book: a confusing proposal, false dichotomies, and caricatures. For the latter, I am not sure many in the so-called “Reformed” camp would agree with the description given of them in this book. The impression is that these folks put doctrine in too prominent a place.

Granted, the Reformed movement, if we can call it that, is sprawling, so there are definitely folks who fit the profile these authors describe. However, I am do not think the authors give much credit to the social consciousness of many in the resurgence of Calvinism. For example, it is by design that John Piper lives in a poor neighborhood and seeks to incarnate the gospel there. Whether you agree with his theology or not, it is that theology which spurs him to do so.

USED BOOKSTORES AND THEIR TREASURES

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I have found several treasures rummaging through old bookstores, but none greater than my most recent find.  

I spied out an old biography on H.L. Mencken for $1.00.  That alone was a find, but what was contained inside much better.  As I thumbed through to make sure it was a clean copy, I found to my utter astonishment that there were two personal letters from Mencken on his personal stationary.  And those two letters were just valued at $250 and $150 by a rare book dealer.  You can’t have that experience at your local Barnes and Noble!  

WRITING FOR POSTERITY…EVERYONE CAN SO THEY SHOULD

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The image is from Grant Horner’s Bible and it leads to a pleasant challenge for all of us.

How about writing in your Bible (and other places like journals) to leave a wonderful gift to your children, their children, and who knows whoever else!  

Personally, I mark up four Bibles: two in English and two in Greek.  We have two sons so each will have somewhat of an idea of the things which struck me most.  I try to keep my penmanship fairly neat, but even when it is unclear what better gift could you give someone from your family?

My wife, Doreen, has a heavily marked up Bible, but because of smudges from the wrong kinds of writing instruments, some of the notes will only be known in eternity!

I was glad to see this post last year:

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/dads-write-in-your-bible

GETTING PUBLISHED IS LIKE FOOTBALL

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In these days with all the new media it is both easier and harder to gain a hearing.  I liken it to having four wide receivers (and they get to play based just on desire, no talent is needed).  Some are talented, but those lacking talent also get to play.  All are on a football field trying to gain separation from fifty (!) defensive backs.  Not easy even for the talented!

 

MANY LIBs ARE IN THE CHURCH

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Rush Limbaugh likes to poke fun at people who are “low information voters.”  That is certainly serious, but a far more serious issue in the church are what I call the “low information believers” or LIB for short.

And yes, there are many LIBs even in so-called “Bible-believing” churches.