It is a fascinating problem for us human beings to consider how the Eternal Being — wishing to show men His own Character focused, His own Thought expressed, and His own Purpose demonstrated — could introduce Himself into the stream of human history without disturbing or disrupting it. There must obviously be an almost unbelievable “scaling-down” of the “size” of God to match the life of the planet. There must be a complete acceptance of the space- and-time limitations of this present life. The thing must be done properly — it must not, for example, be merely an act put on for man’s benefit. If it is to be done at all, God must BE man. There could be no convincing focusing of real God in some strange semi-divine creature who enjoys supernatural advantages. Nor, though it is plain that many men have been “inspired” to utter truth, to create beauty and to demonstrate goodness, could it suffice for a unique and authentic focusing to depend on one “super-inspired” man. For complete dependability, for universal appeal, for a personally guaranteed authenticity to which all other truth is to be related, God must do it Himself.
August 22, 2009
August 21, 2009
The Spitfire Grill
I saw this movie several years back and just now saw it again. Both times, I enjoyed it so I’m going to recommend it to you, my readers. It’s a beautiful movie; very simple and very redemptive. It’s a story about a young woman who is trying to start her life over in the little town of Gillead. There are many Christian themes in the movie, which for me is always fun to think through, yet it’s not a Christian movie. I would tell you more, but I want you to see it yourself. So if you have a couple of hours to spare, watch it. And if you can’t find it or don’t want to pay for it, you can watch it for free here on youtube.
P.S. I just realized the picture here with the axe makes it look like a scary movie. Don’t let the cover scare you away. It’s not a horror flick.
August 8, 2009
Life and Death
“…saying I would die for my wife is one thing, whereas actually living for her each and every day is a far greater responsibility”, wrote Burk Parsons. I came across this quote the other day and found it very sobering. Truly, to take a bullet for someone is probably not easy to do, but to live everyday for someone else is unthinkable. Until you look at Jesus and realize what He has done for you. He died for you and now daily lives for you.
July 13, 2009
Thoughts on Las Vegas
My favorite things about the trip:
1. Driving through Red Rock Canyon and climbing up the sides of mountains.
2. Playing cards with my brothers late into the night in our rooms.
3. Holding my niece, Maxine, at a restaurant and seeing her smile.
4. The scenery on our way to Hoover Dam.
5. The Las Vegas Blvd strip at night.
My least favorite parts of the trip.
1. Provocative and sensual images everywhere.
2. The dry, hot weather.
3. Everything was expensive.
4. Losing a hundred dollars in Black Jack (I’ve heard Las Vegas sometimes being referred to as Lost Wages, Nevada).
To be honest, I have no desire to go back. It’s not a real family-friendly place. Nor is it a christian-friendly place. There was simply too much temptation around. Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps the big city just doesn’t fit my personality. Next time my family takes a vacation, I may suggest we pack our tents and join the Greenwald’s in the Smoky Mountains. That sounds more like my kind of place.
June 30, 2009
Summer Reading
