Entries from December 2006

December 31, 2006

In response to Saddam’s death

I have listened to several conversations regarding the trial and death sentence of Saddam Hussein, and reaction to his execution yesterday. I do not necessarily support capital punishment, perhaps I am just naïve enough to think that we humans could do better. That is not to say that I oppose the government’s right to mete [...]

December 30, 2006

Are we misusing, or misunderstanding Jesus?

Regarding my earlier post on an article by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine in The Christian Century, thanks to my friend Ray for finding the online version. Read the article and form your own opinion. My thoughts as posted earlier are that Levine makes a compelling argument, and that we Christians do well to remember and focus [...]

December 29, 2006

Understanding Addiction and Bipolar Disorder

Things have been rather quiet since Christmas day, and I have enjoyed some quiet time in my office this week. I have also had the opportunity to have serious discussion with others on topics such as drug abuse, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder. I have known people through the years who suffer from one or the [...]

December 27, 2006

Are we really misusing Jesus?

I got my copy of this month’s Christian Century and saw a familiar name on the cover. Amy-Jill Levine is the New Testament professor at Vanderbilt, and I had an opportunity to hear her speak at a series of lectures spanning four days at Furman University in July of 2005. I must say that I [...]

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Merry Christmas!
Silent Night Christmas

December 22, 2006

Let’s Play!

Twas the Friday before Christmas and I’m ready for some mindless entertainment! I suggest that you pop in some various renditions of “Sleigh Ride” and “Jingle Bells” before you go flying down the hillside. Have fun!
Jingle Bells Sleigh Ride Christmas

December 21, 2006

St. Thomas the Apostle

I often feel that St. Thomas the apostle gets a bad rap. He is known most notably as “Doubting Thomas”, but is that really fair? Thomas asked for nothing more than what the other disciples had received from the resurrected Christ; that is to see and feel Jesus for himself. And if he was there [...]

December 19, 2006

Do not be afraid…

As fellow blogger LutherPunk and his wife anticipate the birth of their child, I felt this to be appropriate. Thank you Pastor Kerry for this wonderful devotion.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, [...]

December 17, 2006

Silent Treatment

I think I have stumbled on a very good use for the time I have between services each Sunday morning. In today’s sermon, Pastor mentioned “the silent treatment.” It is something that all of us have given to someone else at one time or another while being upset, but have we ever given ourselves the [...]

December 16, 2006

Blogroll Spotlight

It has been a while since I’ve gone through my blogroll and highlighted a few of my favorites. There are many blogs that I enjoy reading each day, and I noted several in a previous post last month. The following is a snapshot of some others that continually have some interesting things to say about [...]