Michael Redd, Celibate in the NBA

From ESPN.com: I have been hearing whispers. In defiance of everything you have ever heard about professional athletes, I have heard some tales lately of this or that player who is either a virgin, or is in some kind of revirginizing celibacy process. Not the kind of thing you can get people to talk about [...]

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Materialism

In an article of the California section of the Los Angeles times entitled Into the land of $2,500 sneakers, Steve Lopez writes: I asked the clerk whether he worreid that the sluggish economy and tumbling stocks would keep people from spending this year.  He didn’t. He was speaking the day before Thanksgiving, when I polled [...]

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The Failure of Willow Creek

I admit, I’m coming to this conversation late. In reflecting on a book by Bill Hybels, I remembered that there were some relevant recent news and looked them up. The gist of the admission by Willow Creek is that the multi-million dollar seeker-sensitive approach has failed to make disciples for Christ and it is time [...]

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Sermon Illustration, or not

Though I can’t imagine the sermon it would go in (something having to do with sin no doubt), there was a news story that I know I’ll be bringing up in casual conversation at least once or twice: We’ve certainly gotten cranky after being denied some quality gaming time, but 16-year-old Cory Ryder took it [...]

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Statistics and Evangelicals

Here are some stats Christianity Today.  I wonder which of the prosperity gospel, emerging church, and new reformation are having a greater impact on opinion of evangelicals: 56% Americans who believe that freedom to worship applies to all religious groups, regardless of how extreme. 72 Americans who said this in 2000. 19% Americans who say [...]

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Christians in Iraq

Josh Harris posted an excerpt from a Washington Article, highlighting the persecution of Christians in Iraq.  Let us be sure to remember them in our prayers as well as our soldiers, and as well, everyone else.  Here is the full article.  Excerpts: BAGHDAD—Nabil Comanny and his family endured the dead bodies left to decompose along [...]

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Council of Europe and Creationism

From Albert Mohler’s Blog: The Council on Europe’s resolution is clear evidence of the fact that a secularized society desperately needs naturalistic evolution as the metaphysical foundation of its worldview. Any threat to evolution is seen as a threat to democracy and human rights — and democracy and human rights are understood in an entirely [...]

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Proverbs Today

What would it sound like if Proverbs were preached today?  A humorous take from Branthansen: (AP) — A noted writer has been “disinvited” from a cutting-edge church conference, say conference organizers, after a calmly-delivered, but highly controversial, speech. “He just doesn’t know how to put things,” one disgruntled listener said.  “It’s like ‘Oh, I’ve got [...]

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Reminder: National Do Not Call Registry

A quick reminder: if you signed up for the National Do-Not-Call Registry, or if you would like to, now is the time. Even if the 5 years isn’t up, you can always refresh it to keep the telemarketers away.  US only. HT: Lifehacker

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Money and Happiness

Everyone apparently agrees: money doesn’t bring happiness.  It isn’t just the Christians saying it, but secular sources like Newsweek, whose story was picked up by Lifehacker.  Still, the conclusion that they arrive at is odd: The lesson: If you can get yourself into the comfort of middle class living, keep in mind that the longer [...]

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