From the just-published Trinity Journal come from wise words of expert preacher David Jackman of the U. K.’s Proclamation Trust: “Counteract the particular distortions of our present cultural context by refuting them biblically. That is to say that we must read the newspaper as well as the Scriptures. We should be people who know and understand our times, who discern the currents and tides beneath the surface of events and movements. We should be people who penetrate to the causes... Read more
Acts 9:31 reads, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Following a section on the difficulties the newly converted Saul faced in joining the church, this verse stood out to me because it seems to connect the way in which the church lived–“in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort... Read more
1. Here’s a cool cultural engagement site: Gospel and Culture. Phil Ryken just recommended it on the Reformation 21 blog (itself a worthy site), and I’ve checked it out a bit. Bill Edgar, one of my favorite thinkers, started this project, and it looks quite worthy of attention. They do need to post media from their events, though; I would love to access some of the past material. 2. According to the literati (and specifically Wired magazine), blogs are “so... Read more
1. Geoff Colvin’s Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everyone Else. Colvin is the senior editor of Fortune magazine and should have some interesting things to say. Here’s the book’s website blurb: “Why are some people so extraordinarily creative and innovative? Why can some continue to perform great at ages when conventional wisdom would deem it impossible? Those are the questions Geoff Colvin set out to answer in Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers From... Read more
From Joan Acocella’s just-published New Yorker article entitled “The Child Trap: The Rise of Overparenting”: “We’ve all been there—that is, in the living room of friends who invited us to dinner without mentioning that this would include a full-evening performance by their four-year-old. He sings, he dances, he eats all the hors d’oeuvres. When you try to speak to his parents, he interrupts. Why should they talk to you, about things he’s not interested in, when you could all be... Read more
American history is a larger-than-life enterprise, filled with lofty characters who scarcely seem like ordinary people. Franklin, Edwards, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, and the list goes on. One of the most important figures of the American past is the Massachusetts politician and farmer John Adams. Second president of America, close friend of Thomas Jefferson, Revolutionary War leader, Adams looms large in our nation’s memory. The 2008 HBO miniseries entitled, simply, “John Adams” explores the life and times of the man, revealing... Read more
You may not have heard of the Harris twins, Brett and Alex, the little brothers of evangelical mega-author and faithful pastor Josh Harris. They have a great website, the Rebelution, and a recent book called Do Hard Things in which they urge teens and people of all ages to work hard in life for the glory of God. Christianity Today just interviewed the twins and I found one section particularly interesting for people concerned with the structure and mission of... Read more
Found this quotation in a touching Christianity Today interview with evangelist Billy Graham (link by JT): “CT: Do you have any regrets as you look back on your life? Graham: I regret that I didn’t spend more time with my family; I’m sure Ruth and the children paid a heavy price for all the times I was absent. I always tell younger evangelists not to feel like they have to accept every invitation they get, or be absent from home... Read more
Some of you out there may have seen this video on how University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt and his wife adopted two children from the Ukraine. (Click on the link and you’ll be taken to a page that hosts the video–click on the video there to watch it.) The story is quite moving and will not fail to inspire you. It is a beautiful thing to see people catch a vision for adoption. Certainly one of the best... Read more
1. You may not have heard of the InSight podcasts done by Doug Baker of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. If not, you’re missing out on excellent interviews with a number of Christian leaders: Danny Akin of Southeastern Seminary, Marvin Olasky of WORLD Magazine, David Dockery of Union University, and more. Visit the site and listen to the extensive and helpful podcasts. 2. I found a terrific site dedicated to deep Christian engagement with the world of film:... Read more
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