May 19, 2009
When books on new-atheism, daVinci’s code inspried conspiracy theories and alike, filled the “religion” section in the public library,
I feel sad.
I am sad not because I can’t tolerate different voices (I have no problems with books on Buddhism, Islam, or even other new-age “bibles”). I just don’t understand the logic on how a library determines what books to get (or not). Some books, which are pure attracts on other religions, are based on speculations or ill-informed research. I can think of a thousand titles to get on the same topic instead that one they shelved. But yeah, what do I know…
Think about walking into the “Cook-book” section of a library, yet all you can find are books with titles like “The REAL reason Jamie Oliver wants you to follow his recipes”, “Can we all eat crap and be happy about it?”, or “Good cooking is the source of all evil”.
You know what I mean?
Is there a difference between serving our community, and pleasing our community?
Should there be one?
May 15, 2009
What am I reading these days for leisure?
What are you reading for leisure?
May 15, 2009
The Face of Poverty in Canada
World Vision Canada has just completed an extensive national study that lifts the veil on poverty in Canada. Join your colleagues to hear the latest national and local statistics on poverty, network with leaders who are addressing poverty locally and find ways for your church to be more engaged.
Dates & Locations:
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
June 3 – Toronto: Best Western Primrose Hotel, 111 Carlton Street
Cost:
1 person – $25
2 people – $20/person
3 or more – $15/person
Responding Church Leaders Network Members – $15
Includes continental breakfast and a copy of the study Living Below the Line.
Registration details here.
May 9, 2009
Some goodies from bookcloseouts.com. Yes, it will take you a long time to go over all those bargain books. But don’t forget you can also get annother saving of $5 or 10, for orders over $35 or $65 from redflagdeals.com!! Boy, that’s tempting…
- Romans 1-8 (Word Biblical Commentary Vol.38A) $16.99
- The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything $5.99
- Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology) $5.99
- The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World $5.99
- The Christian Handbook: An Indispensable Guide to All Things Christian $2.99
- Let Me Tell You a Story $5.49
- In Constant Prayer (The Ancient Practices) $6.99
- Conversations with Poppi about God: An Eight-Year-Old and Her Theologian Grandfather Trade Questions $4.99
- The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America $5.99
May 3, 2009
We are so out of sync with this world.
I mean, we, Christians.
Make it Chinese Christians.
Have you ever run into a situation when you suddenly (and finally) realized that the world you lived in, is nothing like you at all? That the world is much more messy than you can imagine or dare to admit? Did you notice that people outside your Christian “la-la-land” are way more complicated that you expected?
That, my friend, is called the REAL world.
Look around — look beyond those “happy faces” who show up on Sundays; look into the reality of what this world has become.
Look.
Don’t just make casual comments like “O my, this is such a twisted world”, “This country is so morally corrupted”, or “How can they do that”…
Stop that.
Look.
Look, for example, at what are on the selves as gifts for Mother’s day:
Household Guide for Dying
Surviving Divorce
… and many more.
You know what I mean? No, these are not your regular electronic-massage-chair gifts; not your average coffeemaker or juice-maker gifts.
Look.
Look how disconnected we are. How disconnected we have become.
And you tell me our archaic way of evangelism is still effective?
May 1, 2009
From CT:
A year after stepping down as director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins is embarking on a new venture, one that may be even harder than deciphering DNA.
Collin’s new BioLogos Foundation, which launched on April 28, aims to be a bridge in the debate over science and religion and provide some answers to life’s most difficult questions.
Through an interactive Web site, gatherings with pastors and scientists, and possibly developing science curricula for Christian schools, Collins aims to tell others about the deep compatibility he sees between Christianity and science. Some answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Read it here. (& biologos.org)
