May it come to pass: “For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism… That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, ‘Not this time.’” - Barack Obama (via Daring Fireball, view the text or the video)
Author Archive for benjamin
Oh man, that sucks: “As humiliating as it sounds, let me repeat: the MacBook Air is so thin that it got tossed out with the newspapers. Yes, it’s still possible the gizmo may have been stolen. Or it may be somewhere jammed into an obscure crevice in my apartment. For now, though, my review unit lays claim to being the first MacBook Air to be discarded by mistake. But, I will wager, not the last.” From Newsweek
Interesting comment’s on e~mergent’s Kiwi’s blog in response to the following:
In summary, “for all you’ve done” is a surprisingly broad song theologically. Christians often limit what Jesus does to the cross. Yet this song names Jesus, for all you’ve done as including creation, incarnation, life, resurrection and ascension. e~mergent kiwi: the theology of Hillsong
I came across Ben Witherington’s excellent review of Sex God while doing some research. It is such a comprehensive review that I actually would not recommend reading it if you haven’t read the book. I hate spoiled surprises! That being said, I thought there were a few thoughts that were worth sharing.
On chapter five Ben says,
And it is not an accident that the NT never says God is power (the noun) though it does say God is almighty (the adjective). On the other hand it absolutely does say that God is love.
Ben also pulls the essence of chapter six out with this simple quote:
Rob says on p. 117 “The husband’s waiting for his wife to submit is actually a failure to lead….If he really thinks he is the head, then he would surrender his desires and wants and plans. He would die to his need to be in control and do whatever it takes to serve her….He would die to himself so that she could live.”
From Ben Witherington, Rob Bells’ ‘Sex.God’ Book– a First Rate Read
Also see my humble review for a basic overview of the book.
We Shall Not Fail by Celia Sandys is a 263 page leadership biography of Winston Churchill. The book focuses on the leadership decisions of Churchill’s life and draws from many respected leaders and leadership books to drive home its points. Sandys also incorporates many moments of personal reflection as she has the unique perspective of being Winston Churchill’s granddaughter. Each chapter focuses on a particular area of Churchill’s life, loosely following it in chronological order. At each chapter’s conclusion, Sandys draws several leadership principles from Churchill’s life.
Read the rest of the review here.
Perfect night predicted for lunar eclipse:
“The moon is to appear high in the southern sky when the Earth’s shadow begins to travel across the lunar surface from left to right at 8:42p.m. Total eclipse is to last from 10p.m. to 10:51p.m… Unlike a solar eclipse, no special eye protection is necessary to watch the event, caused when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon.”
Hurry it’s only five minutes away!
Yum. Pizza.
I have a friend who is working on the restoration Book-Cadillac Hotel in downtown Detroit. He told me that when they entered the building to begin the restoration, the basement was so full of water that it took weeks to pump all of it out. Today, I came across some picture of the Book-Cadillac taken before the restoration began at Forgotten Detroit.
According to the website,
“Detroit is known for one of the most stunning collections of pre-depression architecture in the world. The past two decades have seen several of these treasures sit vacant, waiting for economic revival”
I don’t know about the “stunning collection” part but I can personally vouch for the fact that Detroit is, “waiting for economic revival”.
(Via Jordon Cooper.)
Sex God is Rob Bell’s exploration of the connection between spirituality and sexuality. You can read the review I’ve posted our just read the seven sentence summary from Mr. Bell himself;
Sex. God. They’re connected. And they can’t be separated. Where the one is, you will always find the other. This is a book about how sexuality is the “this” and spirituality is the “that”. To make sense of the one, we will have to explore the other.
Illustrated sermon notes from my talk last night on relationships and sexuality. Thanks to The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsh and Sex God by Rob Bell for much of the material.
