“State of Fear” a double-edged treatise (rated 4 stars)

State of Fear

by Michael Crichton

I’ve always enjoyed Crichton’s work. I mean, the guy who brought us “Jurassic Park” is simply a great storyteller. However, in this work, he pulls back the covers to reveal just how deeply many environmentalist groups have bedded down with political causes.

Not only does he create a page-turning story, but he sheds light with endless documentation on the question of global warming. Turns out, it’s become more politico-science than pure science, and there’s not compelling evidence available to suggest that global warming is caused by the human-industrial factor like the media and lobbyists would leave us to believe.

I appreciated being able to learn while being entertained. Few writers today can pull that one off.

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In addition, there’s a controversy stewing around the National Association of Evangelicals and one of its leaders stating the global warming is an issue that evangelicals should count as important to address.

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Helping high school grads transition to college

The Mayberry Church blog has a great podcast about helping incoming college Christians make a seamless integration of their faith with their new locale. When studies are showing that nearly 80% of churched youth drop out of the church in college, any attempt to address this is worth giving your ear to.

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For all you self-employed folks…

I won’t waste your time with even trying to add to the excellent entry that Andy White has over at his blog. It relates to the importance of positive self-talk for the self-employed person that often works alone. The “I can’t do it,” feelings can bring you spiraling out of mental control and inhibit your attitude, effectiveness, and productivity.

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Visual DNA

Saw this over at KT’s and Shelley’s blogs… Mucho coolo.

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Leaving schools behind

There may be a light at the end of the tunnel to ease federal restrictions caused by Bush’s No Child Left Behind initiative that has hamstrung states and local school districts, often forcing educators to “teach to the test” rather than promoting a broad-based educational strategy.

There’s another interesting article here. Canadians weigh in here. And some more good stuff here for teachers.

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A review of “A Generous Orthodoxy”

A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, … anabaptist/anglican, metho (Emergentys)

by Brian D. McLaren

I enjoyed reading McLaren’s emergent thesis book, but it left me with far more questions than the book could answer related to his actual positions on a few things.

Only one chapter in the book earned a standing O from me, while there were a few others that I would say gained a vigorous nod or two.

The thing that disturbed me in particular was his chapter about why he is “green,” or a Christian environmentalist. He seems to have bought into politico-science without doing any collaborative research related to global warming, species extinction, etc. While I agree wholeheartedly that Christians are called to be gentle and good stewards of Creation, I am not at all comfortable with some of his implications that the earth and ants are just as worthy of salvation as humanity is from God’s perspective. I believe that humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creative effort and the target of His salvation effort.

While others have demolished his chapter on being “incarnational,” I think it deserves a second or third read. I think that there’s an unfortunate knee-jerk theological reflex that occurs at first reading for those who are anxious to hear him proclaim Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life” (he does). At first read, I think one’s hackles arise too quickly to some of his truly challenging reflections on how we are called to be a servant to our Buddhist or Muslim neighbor.

Most conservative Christians seem to be too ready to assign the infidels to a far corner of Hell instead of seeking, like Paul, to “become all things to all men so that in all ways possible, I might win some.”

All in all, it’s a book worthy of chewing up. You decide if you want to spit it out.

See more about A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, … anabaptist/anglican, metho (Emergentys)

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Expanding your Christian blog reading

Rick Warren wrote an entry a while back where he listed some Christian blogs he was aware of that are worth the reading. You might stop by and see if any of them are worth adding to your regular read list.

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Chasing the kingdom

I think that Matthew 13.44-46 contains two of my very favorite parables of Christ. They’re both joyful comparisons of the kingdom of heaven. They’re so compelling, so inviting, and so deeply challenging that you find yourself meditating on them long after you’ve read them.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Notice the exuberant joy in both discoveries. Notice the immediate and radical life adjustment. Selling all you have to possess something you’ve just found is generally not wise. However, in both cases, Jesus obviously intends to commend the action rather than condemn it. In fact, he compares this spontaneous and immediate realignment to how a person should respond to the kingdom of heaven.

So here’s the kicker…. how have you responded to the Gospel and the kingdom?

• • Has it totally realigned your life and priorities?
• • Are you willing today to radically embrace its pursuit?

For most of us, the kingdom of heaven means living in a way that is radically different from our neighbors. It means a daily submission and implementation of Jesus’ teachings. More than that, it means a daily quietness of heart in order to hear the continued teachings of His Spirit.

One other thought… the discovery of the kingdom in each parable provokes unashamed joy. “…in his joy he goes and sells all that he has…” I’m reminded of Nehemiah’s confident declaration in the Old Testament, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

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Creative “writing”

Yellow snow just got high tech. You’ve gotta see the slogo here.

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A church on the move

HOW TO MOVE A 100 YEAR OLD CHURCH..

You’ve gotta watch this and tell me how it applies to transitioning churches today…

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