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Archive for February, 2008

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Amazon.com Responds

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Amazon.com responded to my complaint about the inappropriate promotional email (see yesterday’s post). They get credit for responding, especially since it looks like a human being actually was involved here. Gopi N’s response was pretty much boilerplate, and didn’t respond to my request that an apology email be sent to those who received the […]

Oops! Amazon.com Makes a Big Mistake [or, Strange Book Bedfellows, Part 1]

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

 
Warning: Parents, this post is inappropriate for children. (Actually, it’s not really appropriate for anyone, but I think it’s worth posting anyway.
Today I received a dozen or more emails from friends, including a comment from my mother, who had received a peculiar email promotion from Amazon.com. It read, in part:
Dear Amazon.com Customer,
We’ve noticed that customers […]

Why I Don’t Say “In Jesus’s Name” at the End of a Civic Prayer

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Part 3 of series: Should Christians Pray “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings?
Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series
When I have prayed in civic gatherings, such as city council meetings or community luncheons, I have ended my prayers by saying, simply, “Amen,” rather than saying what I’d say when leading prayer in church: […]

What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus?

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Part 2 of series: Should Christians Pray “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings?
Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series
In several passages from the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs us to pray in his name. For example:
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the […]

Praying “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings: Introduction

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Part 1 of series: Should Christians Pray “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings?
Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series
Recently I was talking with a friend about praying in civic gatherings such as city council meetings or community luncheons. “When you pray in meetings like these,” he asked, “do you pray in the name […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

Sarah Laughed
READ Genesis 18:1-12
So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Genesis 18:12
In Genesis 17, when God revealed his plan to Abraham and promised to give him a son through Sarah, Abraham laughed in disbelief. Now, in […]

The Worst Bar-B-Q in Texas

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

Texans love their Bar-B-Q. They don’t use “barbecue” to describe meat cooked on an outdoor gril, however. Rather, “barbecue” refers to various meats cooked with spices that enhance the flavor. And if you don’t think barbecue is a big deal in Texas, just check out this documentary: Barbecue: A Texas Love Story.
Anyway, last week I […]

The Commercialization of Lent?

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Well, I never thought I’d see it. But, sure enough, somebody has figured out how to commercialize Lent. Amazing.
Luby’s Cafeteria, founded in San Antonio, now based in Houston, is making a run at a Lenten promotion. As I was driving by their restaurant in Kerrville, their sign caught my attention. In fact, I wasn’t sure […]

James Arlandson Finishes Series on the Historical Reliability of the Gospels

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Dr. James Arlandson, my first guest blogger, has just finished an in-depth series on the reliability of the Gospels. James in a fine scholar and an excellent communicator. I’ve been proud to supply a platform for his work. His final post includes a review of all previous fourteen posts, as well as some concluding thoughts. […]

Scot McKnight on The Three Bears

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

I was browsing around one of my favorite websites, Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed, when, lo and behold, I found a post on “Three Bears of Reliability” of the Gospels. I was delighted to find that my book Can We Trust the Gospels? is one of the three bears. Scot, as you may know, is a […]

Christian Voting

Monday, February 18th, 2008

In this season of voting, many Christians are weighing in on their preferences. Near my office in Kerrville, Texas, I noticed a church sign that uses the voting metaphor to encourage church attendance:

Indeed, we do “vote” when we decide to join with God’s people for worship and/or Bible study. Now that I don’t have […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

The God Who Initiates
READ Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-shaddai—’God Almighty’.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.”
Genesis 17:1
In most pagan religions, human beings initiate relationship with the gods, usually by offering sacrifices in the hope that the gods will respond […]

Lily’s Hiding Place

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

My cat found a good hiding place a couple of weeks ago: a bag from the Apple store.

Do you ever feel like just crawling into a bag and hiding from life?

Some Links Worth Checking Out

Friday, February 15th, 2008

Tod Bolsinger of It Takes a Church has a helpful piece on icons and the Trinity. Check this out, especially if you’re inclined to be skeptical of the role if icons in spiritual life.
Sometimes Ben Witherington, New Testament professor and prolific author, just cracks me up. Check out his piece on “Old Wisdom” and enjoy […]

You Know You’re in a Small Town When . . . .

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

From the police blotter of the Boerne Star News:
January 7
100 block of First Street, 2:40 p.m., An officer was flagged down by a man who said he gave $900 to two men who said they were taking his money to the bank and would return with a check for him. [MDR: Note to self: Never […]
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