More about how stuff is made than you'd ever want to know.

(HT: the evangelical outpost)

Dan Edelen on the Church's complacency in providing for the needs of even her own people:

If I don’t instill in my son that we go without certain things we want so we can use the money to help others in need, then it doesn’t matter how many Bible verses he’s memorized, he’s been deprived of the heart of God. I fear that too many Christian parents brainwash themselves and their kids into a sense of entitlement that stomps on the Gospel. God help us should the next generation be even more stingy than we’ve become.

Here's a profoundly challenging post at consumed from Matthew Crawford: Will you walk in the darkness, or make a fire?

The exposition defies excerpting. Read it.

VOM, Iraq:

Christians in Iraq are experiencing a rise in persecution from Islamic extremists. According to a Christian Broadcasting Network News (CBNNews.com) report, Reverend Canon Andrew White, an Anglican minister from Baghdad, told a committee on religious freedom that Christians have been kidnapped, tortured and killed. Rev. White said in the last three to four months conditions in Iraq had deteriorated considerably. He added that he was given disturbing news at a congregational meeting this month. "Things are bad for everybody in Iraq. I said to them (church members), 'tell me what has happened over the past week.' And the people went through what had happened, and I realized that 36 of my congregation in that past week and been kidnapped. None of them have been returned," Reverend White said. Pray God protects and encourages Christians in Iraq. Ask God to send the Holy Spirit to refresh believers who face hardships everyday.

While I'm not ready to read Harry Potter for myself or recommend it to others, I'm not ready to condemn it either. It seems I'm slower to judgment than I used to be, and not as quick to lash out in angry dogmatism and call it discernment. Two thoughtful articles - Of Boggarts and What Would Jonathan Edwards Say About Harry Potter? - have further checked my initial inclination to dismiss the series out of hand. (Thanks to Aaron at The Wardrobe Door for the second link.)

Dan Edelen has drawn an interesting distinction between what he terms "NT" and "OT" Christians. I'm not sure I've heard it put exactly like this, but I know what he's getting at. Unlike him, I'm not sure it is Spiritually necessary - or even logically possible - to reconcile the two Covenants, as the one was designed to fulfill and replace the other.

What's the best argument against religion? Yep, you guessed it: religion.

(WORLD)

VOM, Kazakhstan:

On June 22, a mother and her young child were barred from their home as court executors sealed the Baptist church premises in Shymkent where they live to prevent the church from meeting. According to Forum 18 News Service, the move followed the church's refusal to abide by a court order halting its activity merely because it does not wish to undergo state registration. In Semey, Baptist Pastor Viktor Kandyba, his wife and their 12 children were threatened with the seizure of half their home after the pastor refused to pay a fine for leading unregistered worship. Pray for Christians in Kazakhstan.

An interview with Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

(A&LD)

How many U.S. Presidents can you name in 10 minutes? Give it a shot and see if you can beat my 31.

(HT: evangelical outpost)

Technology is now bringing the joys of digital reading to the offline world. This morning, I saw this portable reader from Sony, - basically a PocketPC optimized for reading - which holds 80 books and also plays music. It's an interesting concept, though for some reason I think I would miss the two page spread, not to mention the plain "bookishness" of books - their weight, binding, cover art - and don't forget that county library smell.

Still, something like this may have it's uses. I can see substantial advantages for both travel and study. Maybe I'll get one after they come down in price and feature a bit more functionality.

Greg Boyd on William Wilberforce:

In light of the recent movie on Wilberforce’s life (“Amazing Grace”) I’ve received several communications from people wondering how Wilberforce’s achievement fits into my radical distinction between the kingdom of God and politics. Some apparently think my perspective stands in conflict with the example of Wilberforce – as though I’d possibly be against what he did. This is not at all the case.

C. S. Lewis on Gender Language in the Bible:

When you turn from the New Testament to modern scholars, remember that you go among them as a sheep among wolves. Naturalistic assumptions, beggings of the question . . . will meet you on every side—even from the pens of clergymen.

Here's a very, very good post on imagination in Christian perspective. (HT: Dan Edelen) This one is worth reading - slowly - all the way through - twice.

If we are going to talk about the ‘primacy’ of anything in man’s grasping of his world, let us speak of the primacy of the imagination. The very act of perceiving our world necessarily involves the imagination. There is no such thing as mere perception.

It so happens that Peter Kreeft also has an excellent lecture on this.

Screwtape's First Letter to the Blogosphere. The phraseology is pretty faithful to the original, but it still doesn't sound quite like Lewis.

Thomas Woods has taken on an interesting question over at LVMI: Were American Indians Really Environmentalists?

The Indians often succeeded in being good stewards of the environment — but not in the way people generally suppose.

Joe at The Evangelical Outpost lists what are in his opinion the Top 100 Christian Blogs.

Trevin Wax reviews Theology of the Reformers. Haven't read it myself, so it's now on the wish list.

If you are interested in Reformation theology, but don’t have time to look through the primary source material, George’s book is where you should turn.

VOM, Columbia:

On July 5, two Pentecostal pastors were shot and killed by suspected members of the guerrilla group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in the village of El Dorado. According to the latest reports, Pastors Humberto Mendez and Joel Garcia were taken from their homes by a group of men wearing camouflage clothing. Their bodies were found the next day. Pray God comforts and provides for these families. Ask that the Holy Spirit would convict the hearts of the persecutors and draw them to Christ. Pray for believers in Colombia.

A backpacker's reflections on a creation marred by the Fall:

What did I learn from nature? It's fallen. Instead of fruit trees, the ground grows thorns and prickly things. There is almost nothing edible in the forest, and even that which is edible is fairly lousy. Except the occasional blackberry, but even that gift comes with thorns. Even clear mountain streams can prove lethal if the water is not filtered and treated before drinking.

The Bible teaches that "the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:20-21). So even the beauty of nature is tainted with the corruption of the fall. I could not see God as clearly as I wished in nature because it is fallen as I am fallen. Sin permeates the natural world and obscures the glory of God.

So as I walked over the cursed land I dreamed of a day when the Creator will liberate His creation from bondage. I imagined a day with no more thorns, chiggers, mosquitoes, and ticks. Even the earth longs for the day of redemption. Together we groaned for the return of the King.

Talking sense about 9/11:

On Sept. 12, 2001, it was easy to believe that we would suffer dozens of major attacks on U.S. soil over the next six years, and almost impossible to imagine we would suffer none. Instead of being the opening blitz of a "long, global war," 9/11 was a freak event that may never be replicated.

(HT: WORLD)

The Evangelical Outpost links to a blogger responding to the Hindu prayer in the Senate:

After I watched the video my initial gut reaction was one of "go get em, take one for the team. What's that pagan doing 'praying' in our Senate", but as I sat for several minutes trying to decide how I really should feel about this incident I wonder if my initial reaction was correct. I am familiar enough with political Christian activist to understand their reasoning. They were trying to protect America from this pagan, and one part of me emphasizes with their plight. But does America need protecting from Hindu's or Mormons or JW's or Muslims etc? What I believe about false religions is all over this blog, so it goes without saying that I disagree with this man. However, doesn't our constitution give him as much right to pray to his false godsssssssssssss' as I have to pray to the real one? Honestly I am surprised this is the first time a Hindu has opened the Senate in prayer. These political Christian organizations (which may be an oxymoron, I am still working on that) shout from the rooftops that we have freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Ultimately, whatever legislation is going to protect us from Hindus is also going to protect them from Christianity. As much as I disagree with Rajan Zed he has a right to pray in spite of the fact that doing so violates the 1st commandment. As well the 3 people arrested have the right to stand on the floor of the Senate and protest. That is what makes our country great.

I will add no commentary at this time, except to point out that this incident provides an interesting opportunity to think about these matters.

Tips on how to encourage a blogger, with another hat tip to Trevin Wax.

Observing the ESV's growing popularity. I've certainly been enjoying mine. (HT: Trevin Wax)