Currently Reading The Historical Christ and the Jesus of Faith : The Incarnational Narrative as History By C. Stephen Evans see related

ON DRYCLEANING

Does anyone actually know what is involved in the process of drycleaning?  It could easily be a collossal scam - an extremely sucessful mind game.  For all I know, when I take my suit there they put it on a hanger and cover it in plastic, and hold it until I pick it up.  Is this just a larger version of the pedestrian crossing button?  Have I been duped?

Currently Reading Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism By George Eldon Ladd see related

ON ECCENTRICITY

The other day I saw a man I know who fancies himself an eccentric.  He sometimes wears strange clothes, a weird hat, and often engages in quirky behavior.  I've heard people comment to this man about how eccentric they think he is. 

A few months ago I took a business trip to a Baptist college in Missouri (For Thunderpuppy's sake, this college will go nameless).  In front of my booth passed an undergrad who was dressed in chain mail (a 50 lb piece of medieval armor) on his way to class.  I could tell this chap enjoyed the many comments he received concerning his "eccentricity." 

I know another man who is a genuine eccentric.  He is an expert in an obscure discipline, has unkempt hair, if you blindfolded him and asked him what he was wearing he couldn't tell you, and is quintessentially quirky.

Genuine eccentrics are often very brilliant.  This might help explain why some people would feign eccentricity.  Perhaps they simply want to create the illusion of intelligence.

Pseudo eccentricity is sophomoric and annoying.  It is especially annoying in grown men.  Here's a good rule of thumb.  If you think you are eccentric, you probably aren't.  Here's another - If people tell you that you are eccentric you most likely are not.  People would never tell a true eccentric that he is eccentric, they would only talk about his eccentricity behind his back.     

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to fix myself some toast topped with Marmite, being careful not to get any on the handlebar mustache I'm growing, and watch the Lawrence Welk show on PBS.

Currently Reading The Praise of Folly and Other Writings: A New Translation With Critical Commentary (Norton Critical Editions) By Desiderius Erasmus see related

I recently completed a paper called Radial Sesamoiding Our Noses At God: Evolution, Intelligent Design, and the Problem of Natural Evil for William Dembski's doctoral seminar at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  It was my first doctoral paper and consequently had some major things wrong with it.  However, one paragraph was salvageable.  Dembski posted it here and it has sparked some interesting conversation. 

Currently Reading The Mind and the Brain : Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force By Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Sharon Begley see related

ON SUFFERING

Last night at the prayer meeting of Immanuel Baptist Church, we spent a good bit of time praying for Jason and Sarah Lee, who are NAMB-appointed missionaries, stationed at our church given the charge of reaching Somalis in the church's neighbourhood.  We were reminded that the cost of conversion to Christianity means, for many Muslims, that they are ostracized and disowned by their families.  Others are even killed. 

I, for one, needed this reminder.  In the United States, especially in the south, it is easy to be a Christian.  In fact, you might be ostracized if you are not religious.  In Canada, a country that is increasingly becoming hostile to the gospel, it is still relatively easy to be a Christian.  When I was saved and subsequently baptized, my folks and the family of Dave Heslinga (my good friend who was baptized the same day) put on a luncheon for us after the service.  This memory flooded into my head as we were praying that Somalis would "consider the cost" and be willing to suffer.  Instead of getting lunch, it is entirely possible that a new Somali convert could get lynched.

Praise the Lord for folks like Jason and Sarah Lee who, in bringing the gospel to this people group, have signed up for their own share of suffering.  May the Lord protect them from the temptation to peddle a cheap and easy Gospel in an attempt to reduce their own suffering or that of the lost Somalis in Louisville.               

Currently Reading Light of Truth and Fire of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit By Gary D. Badcock see related

Okay.  I've changed my views on Hallowe'en.  I was at home in my apartment last night, thinking about the children who were out trick-or-treating, when I decided to check my digital outdoor thermometer to see what sort of conditions the costumed kiddies were contending with.  Much to my horror, the guage read 66.6 degrees Farenheit.  66.6!  That settles it...Hallowe'en must be evil.