Ten years ago today a young driver lost control of his vehicle in the Judean hills and ran head on into the IBEX truck which was carrying two students, the volunteer, and me. Though all of us eventually recovered fully (as far as I know), it was a traumatic experience for us and others who served us in the aftermath. When I look at the photo now, I think that the damage done was much more than what the bent metal reveals. That’s not to say that it could not have been much worse, but there certainly were effects that one would never guess. There are a lot of things that way.
September 27
Is this the most epic Lego contraption of all time?
This is a remarkable interview with a long-time left-wing Israeli historian who now believes that there can be no peace with the Palestinians. (Free reg. may be req ‘d.)
Brian McLaren, who promotes a “new kind of Christianity,” recently presided over his son’s same-sex commitment ceremony.
You can teach one course at Harvard and make $282,000 for the year. That’s slightly more than what I expect to be offered by TMC for teaching 8 classes.
I don’t do many reviews on Amazon, but I just did one for MacArthur’s The Majesty of Prayer.
I’m sorry for being a lame blogger. Today I began writing (the actual writing!) of my dissertation. By word count, I’m 1/25 done. In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that but it’s nice to be underway.
September 20
Made in Israel by Jewish believers in Jesus to present the Messiah to Israelis, “The Other Side of the Cross” is viewable online (or start with the trailer).
There is much wise counsel in John Frame’s Advice: 30 Suggestions for Theological Students and Young Theologians. I’m in the middle of #23 right now.
If you need a real brief and easy response to those who believe that tongues are for today, check out this post by Josiah Grauman.
You ‘ve probably heard that no two seats on an airplane are sold for the same price. Apparently the grocery stores are trying out “customized pricing.”
If you have a 4-digit pin for anything, you should read this article.
Enoch Walked with God
Marcus Dods, in 1902:
“Enoch walked with God because he was His friend and liked His company, because he was going in the same direction as God, and had no desire for anything but what lay in God’s path.
We walk with God when He is in all our thoughts not because we consciously think of Him at all times but because He is naturally suggested to us by all we think of; as when any person or plan or idea has become important to us, no matter what we think of, our thought is always found recurring to this favourite object, so with the godly man everything has a connection with God and must be ruled by that connection.
When some change in his circumstances is thought of, he has first of all to determine how the proposed change will affect his connection with God—will his conscience be equally clear, will he be able to live on the same friendly terms with God and so forth. When he falls into sin he cannot rest till he has resumed his place at God’s side and walks again with Him.
This is the general nature of walking with God; it is a persistent endeavour to hold all our life open to God’s inspection and in conformity to His will; a readiness to give up what we find does cause any misunderstanding between us and God; a feeling of loneliness if we have not some satisfaction in our efforts at holding fellowship with God, a cold and desolate feeling when we are conscious of doing something that displeases Him.
This walking with God necessarily tells on the whole life and character. As you instinctively avoid subjects which you know will jar upon the feelings of your friend as you naturally endeavour to suit yourself to your company, so when the consciousness of God’s presence begins to have some weight with you, you are found instinctively endeavouring to please Him, repressing the thoughts you know He disapproves, and endeavouring to educate such dispositions as reflect His own nature” (pp. 51-52; paragraphination mine).
Yad Hashmona Loses Same-Sex Lawsuit
From ICEJ News:
Yad Hashmona, the Messianic Jewish Moshav near Jerusalem, was handed a devastating legal defeat on Wednesday when the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled that it had acted improperly in refusing to allow a lesbian couple to have a wedding reception in the Moshav events hall and ordered the Moshav to pay damages to the couple amounting to NIS 60,000, as well as legal fees. The judge explained in his ruling that it would "teach the public a lesson about the value of equality and tolerance." The lesbian couple, Tal Ya’akovovich and Yael Biran, underwent a civil wedding ceremony in the UK in 2008 and contracted to hold a party at Yad Hashmona without informing the management that it was a same-sex event. When the management realized this, they cancelled the reservation and the couple help their party at the nearby Kibbutz Tzuba instead. However, attorney Ira Hadar declared that her clients had suffered discrimination and humiliation based on sexual orientation, and the court agreed. In the two days since the verdict, Yad Hashmona has been bombarded with calls from same-sex couples demanding to have events at the reception hall.
It will not always be this way, but it will probably get worse before the nation repents.
September 3
D. A. Carson: “When you ‘re busy hating everybody, and denouncing everybody, and seeking political solutions to everything, it’s very difficult to evangelize. Isn’t it?”
This article helped me to better understand the Todd Akin situation. And here is what the congressman should have said.
The best New Testament Dictionary is the Old Testament. I would add that it’s not just the definition of words but the meaning of concepts and theology as a whole.
A 44-year-old single pastor describes the value of purity on the eve of his wedding.
I bet that some of my readers would like to follow in the footsteps of my friends Mike and Ellen who spent part of their last trip to Israel in the army.
I don’t pass on much negative stuff about the current president, but this article in the National Review about his African brother is quite remarkable.
Andrew Peterson has a new CD out.
I now have one reason to take up golf: the Extreme 19th!
Home
We made it home, safe and sound, and thankful for many good adventures and memories.
We visited 13 states and traveled 4,556 miles in the car. We saw license plates from 48 states, never seeing Hawaii or Rhode Island. Aside from sniffly noses, everyone was healthy.
Along the way we stopped at four major sites along Lewis and Clark’s route, visited four places related to US presidents, traveled to three areas important to Native Americans, toured two Christian college campuses, drove through two national parks, and saw one zoo, one theatrical performance, and one site associated with Little House on the Prairie. We enjoyed time with many family members and dear friends. We never ran out of gas, never visited a medical doctor, and hardly rested. We listened to the Blackgard Chronicles, The Ambition, and Dominion. We worked on memorizing Colossians 3 but were less successful in applying it. It was a great trip and we have much to be thankful for. Thanks for “coming along” with us!
Joseph
Today we drove to Branson to see the presentation of Joseph at the Sight & Sound Theater. This was a first-rate musical about the life of Joseph and his brothers that was powerful, instructive, and faithful to Scripture. I feared that I might find so many mistakes that it would take away from my enjoyment. Instead, the performance inspired me to study and teach the book of Genesis. (OK, I was already motivated, but this only pushed me more.)
Afterwards we went to dinner and had an extended discussion about the biblical story and what we learned.
Kids at the Sight & Sound Theater
St. Louis
I took a lot of photos today and I’m just not going to be able to share everything. We had a full day of American history and ended it with some fun time with friends.
We started off at Fort Dubois, the winter campground for the Corps of Discovery before Lewis and Clark began their journey. While we have seen many forts, sites, and boats related to their travels, I think they were spaced out enough and had sufficient variety that no one grew bored with them.
Katie with Lewis and Clark
The camp of Lewis and Clark, along with the city of St. Louis, sits near the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A viewing tower was recently constructed so visitors could see where the two famous rivers meet.
Overlooking the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers
Not too far from here are the Cahokia Mounds, the largest Native American settlement north of Mexico prior to the arrival of Columbus. We visited the museum which told the story of the Mississippian culture in the prehistoric years.
Cahokia Mounds Museum
Then we climbed the largest of the 80 preserved mounds, “Monks Mound.” A temple once was located on the summit.
Mark gives Jonathan a ride to the top
Finally we headed to downtown St. Louis. I’ve seen the Gateway Arch many times over the years, but always from a window driving by on the Interstate. The structure is much more impressive in person. Below the arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion tells more of the story of Lewis and Clark. They also somehow manage to get trams to the top of the arch, and Kelli took the older boys on that ride.
The family with Gateway Arch
Across the street from the arch is the St. Louis Historical Old State Courthouse where the famous Dred Scott case was heard. This visit provided us with the opportunity to review one of the most infamous decisions in U.S. history. I might just add here that American history is more glorious and noble the further you are away from it. Our preparation for the trip revealed some pretty ugly people and events.
Courtroom where the Dred Scott case was heard
Then we met up with Geoff and Elizabeth Kirkland, now planting a church in St. Louis. Geoff is a New Testament scholar, but he is still willing to associate with me. If my memory is correct, Geoff is the only student I ever had in three different semesters. (One of the disadvantages of teaching at IBEX is that you usually don’t get repeat students in your classes.)
Enjoying dinner at Imo’s Pizza
In all, we had a great day!
Springfield, Illinois
We ‘ve driven home from Rockford, Illinois in a day before, but we decided to take it a bit slower this time and see some of the sites. Today was the first of four days in our journey home.
Our time in Springfield, Illinois, was about the 16th president. We began at the Old State Capitol. Here visitors can see Representatives Hall where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech.
Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois
Representatives Hall
We enjoyed our picnic lunch not far from this statue.
Bethany and Abraham Lincoln
Originally we planned not to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum because of limited time and higher entrance fees. Several things convinced us to change that plan and I am very glad we did. The museum is outstanding for adults and children alike. The movies, presentations, exhibits, guides, and descriptions are all excellent.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
I think that our family’s enjoyment of it was increased because of our study of Lincoln’s life last summer in conjunction with our visits to his boyhood home, Lincoln Memorial, and Ford Theater. Personally I am motivated to read a good biography of Lincoln. (But I don’t know which one…)
Us and the Lincolns
We finished the day with a drive to St. Louis.