the church geek

1.) Matt at Glocal Christianity frequently points to some great sources for quality, global Christian art. In this post he points to Japanese Christian artist Sadao Watanabe.

2.) Be There…a challenge to those who struggle with repetitive prayer.

3.) Tony Jones challenges the notion that America is an “empire.” Not sure I totally agree…just because we don’t have an emperor doesn’t mean we don’t have the traits characteristic of an empire. It’s worth considering his thoughts, and the comments that follow.

4.) This is pretty funny: Are you ready for Feb 17, 2009?

5.) Today’s photo captures what we all should take the time to do this fall.

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1.) Michael Kruse points out that from the very beginning there were warnings about possible economic problems from extending mortgages into risky pools.

2.) This comic sure is a zinger.

3.) Here is another perspective on the west’s economic crisis, from the Ethiopian Church.

4.) While I don’t have any objection to a ‘Green Bible,‘ I do wonder why it is so popular to publish special interest edition bibles these days.

5.) Here is a nice review of Scot McKnight’s new book, the Blue Parakeet, about reading and interpreting the bible in a post-modern world.

6.) It’s fall around these parts, so here is an autumnal photo for your enjoyment.

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It’s been a while since there has been any activity here on this blog. Lori and I got away for a few days around Labor Day and in the ensuing time things have been pretty hectic! Anyway, here are a few highlights from around the Web:

1.) After listening to the rhetoric of the DNC and RNC, Todd Heistand offers some excellent reflections on preaching.

2.) While we are on the theme of politics, my friend David Pepper offers some good reflections on not putting too much hope in it all.

3.) What do you want to do before you die? (HT: Jonny Baker)

4.) Sometimes the comic, Basic Instructions, is lame and other times it’s too funny. This was one of the better ones: How to select a T-shirt.

5.) The Naked Pastor, David Hayward, almost always nails it right on the head with his comics, and he’s sure got it right with this one..

6.) And as expected, here is a photo for your pleasure.

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Here is this week’s Wednesday Roundup - The Vacation Edition (lighter fare than usual…)

1.) Rockstar wanna-bes singing about the dangers of belief in the Trinity. Beware!

2.) I loved these reflections by a retired ‘mainline’ minister finding new life in an emergent congregation.

3.) They often say that ministers never really retired; Looks like the same is true with quarterbacks. I feel for the man, but as a Packer fan I’m in the camp that it really is/was time for the team to move on.

4.) And now for something completely silly and ridiculous!

5.) UPDATE: OOPS! I forgot to point you toward a photo or two…I love this evening photo by fellow local blogger, A Bite of Sanity. I’m not sure what kind of flower it is, but this is a great macro photo.

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As promised, here is the Wednesday Roundup. As they say, better late than never.

1.) JK Rowling offers some thoughts on living the good life. Dr Geoff Pound has put together a nice collection of Stories for Speakers and Writers.

2.) Having grown up, I’m no longer a big fan of Garfield, though I sure did love it as a kid. Garfield minus Garfield, however, makes it all the more interesting.

3.) My candidate of choice takes a bit hit on the blog Faith and Theology. I’m not really sure I get the point of the argument, so maybe some astute reader of this blog can go over there then come back and elucidate it for me?

4.) Some thoughts on ministry and people, from the blog with the best name ever “Letters from Kamp Krusty”

5.) Here is your recommended photo of the week.

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1.) Tony Jones offers an excerpt from his new book The New Christians in which some boys in South Africa are very pleased with the result of the move of the Spirit at Tony’s Church.

2.) You really need to see this incredible photo of snow flakes on another one of my favorite photoblogs the daily dose of imagery.

3.) Ever wonder what Pastors do all week when they’re not in the pulpit on Sunday? Find out here.

4.) For you pastors out there, here is the good news and the bad news.

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I’m not one for grand and public displays of religious devotion. I was a little surprised to recently find a house in our neighborhood with a 5 foot lit cross in the backyard for Christmas, but I’ll take that any day over this….

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In honor of “Talk Like a Pirate Day” I post the Pirate Psalm for your enjoyment:

Pirate psalm

Aarg! The Lord is me Cap’n
And I ain’t wantin’ nuthin’.
He shivers me timbers,
And sails me through blistering barnacles.
He refreshes me rum
And guides me
To Spanish galleons
For his booty. Aarg!

Even though I walk the plank
Over shark-infested waters,
I ain’t afeared,
For my Cap’n is wi’ me.
Along with the bo’sun
And first mate. Aarg!

He gets ready the mainsail
And broadsides the enemy,
The deck o’erflows
Wi’ powder and blood.

Surely pillage and plunder
Will be my pirate life,
And I will dwell in
Davey Jones’ Locker
Forevermore. Aarg!

(c) 2007 John Stuart

(HT: Stushie via Presbyterian Bloggers)

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I like checking my stats and seeing what types of google searches end up referring folks to my site.

Evidently someone recently wanted to know “What insect does Tom watch in church during the preacher’s sermon?” and was referred to my site.

This is odd since we don’t have anybody with the name of Tom (though we do have a Thomas) who attends our congregation and all my worship attenders are always listening very attentively to my sermons (wink, wink.)

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This made me laugh harder than I have in a long time…

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“Thanks to the Boston Police bomb squad, this is one traffic counter box that won’t get a chance to kill anyone.” HT: Boing Boing

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This quacks me up every time I think about it!!

(now you’ve got a little taste of my humor since it sometimes doesn’t come through on my blog…)

This is actually yesterday’s photo, but Flickr was having some maintenance when I tried to post it last night.

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I’ve plugged this guy before, but I’ll do it again because he’s great! If you haven’t seen his cartoons check out www.cartoonchurch.com.

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

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Wow! It nailed me. I guess living four years in Nashville and nine more in New Orleans did absolutely nothing to cure my ‘midwestern’ accent. And, yes, I still call a water fountain a ‘bubbler,’ a sofa a “davenport,” and we “go by” those we are going to visit.

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