A big thanks to The Gospel Coalition for running my thoughts on Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code as part of their “Reading for Worldviews” series: Conspiracy theorists may operate under the guise of seeking truth, but in reality they’re driven by cynicism. Any new revelation casts further doubt, and truth becomes separated from the… Continue reading Christ, conspiracy, and code
Voter ID and Voter Ego
Last week, I got my Virginia voter registration card in the mail. My wife’s card also arrived on the same day. So did the card above, which is neither mine nor my wife’s. The address is correct, but the name (blurred intentionally in the photo) belongs to a previous owner of my house. A previous… Continue reading Voter ID and Voter Ego
Chuck Colson, R.I.P.
The summer between my freshman and sophomore years in college, I somehow ended up in my church’s lending library. It was an improbable place for me to be not because I wasn’t active at the church (I was) or because I wasn’t a reader (I was), but because the holdings in that particular church library… Continue reading Chuck Colson, R.I.P.
2011 in cities
It’s that time again, so here’s a record of all the cities, towns, hamlets, or dots-on-a-map in which I’ve spent at least one night this year. A slow year for sleeping travel was my 2011: Chattanooga, TN Kingsport, TN Lynchburg, VA Nashville, TN Woodbridge, VA Washington, DC cf. 2005/1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Why you shouldn’t skip the boring parts
Christmas readings at churches and homes will rightly include a heavy dose of Luke 2 (for the birth narrative), and Matthew 2 (for the visit of the magi). Even Isaiah’s prophecies about the coming Immanuel may make an appearance, but there’s one Christmas-related passage of Scripture that’s more likely to be skipped over. You know… Continue reading Why you shouldn’t skip the boring parts
Sandlot foreign policy
Strange business is the saga with the Obama administration and that downed drone aircraft recovered by Iran in Iranian territory. It’s bad enough that Iranian officials are using the whole thing as a publicity stunt, but now the Obama Administration is asking Iran to return the drone: U.S. President Barack Obama, in a session with… Continue reading Sandlot foreign policy
Names: they are a changin’
“…And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” (Genesis 1:19, ESV) Over at First Things, read my latest musings on a culture that changes its names: This week, the Southern Baptist Convention announced it is launching yet another committee to examine changing its name. The goal is to better reflect the fact that,… Continue reading Names: they are a changin’
Blogs, trees, & sounds in the woods
If a blog falls in the woods, and no one is around, does it make a sound? Probably not, although a podcast might. At any rate, if anyone is still out there, keep your eyes peeled. You just may begin to see things around these parts again…
2010 in places
In keeping with my yearly tradition, here’s a record of all the cities, towns, hamlets, or dots-on-a-map in which I’ve spent at least one night this year: Kingsport, TN Nashville, TN Memphis, TN Rodanthe, NC Tupelo, MS Upperville, VA Woodbridge, VA Washington, DC cf. 2005/1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
A Christmas prayer
Our Father, we come to you this Christmas day seeking to be mindful of your most precious gift to us. Though world would seek to drown him out, it cannot. By his continuing work in the lives of your people, the gift that is your Son still brings you glory today. Lord, help us this… Continue reading A Christmas prayer