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Folding shirts
March 28, 2005
The world's most fascinating video of shirt folding (HT The Corner) I was told. I clicked on it - and all of the sudden my laundry folding has become FUN!
TV Gets Religion
March 28, 2005
The Wall Street Journal has an article today about new fall programs that deal with religion. The article TV Gets Religion says:
It's the television industry's answer to the cash-generating power of biblical stories put through a pop-culture spin cycle. Mel Gibson's move "The Passion of the Christ" was one of the top box-office hits last year, and Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code" has sold 25 million copies. Meanwhile, author Tim LaHaye's biblical "Left Behind" novels have racked up sales of some $650 million.
Well, now we know the TV industry's motivations - but how are they planning to portray religion? CBS has a new drama with an interesting premise. It is described as a supernatural thriller about "a brilliant physicist with strong religious beliefs." Could they be thinking of Sir John Polkinghorne? Sir Polkinghorne, is a British physicist who did brilliant work calculating the paths of quantum particles and quarks, than left it all to become an Anglican priest. He has since written and spoken frequently about matters of science and faith. One of his best known works is The Faith of a Physicist: Reflections of a Bottom-Up Thinker.
This month Ken Myers has a great interview with Sir John Polkinghorne.
So will CBS look to Sir John for inspiration? Doubtful, here is a subnopsis of NBC's entry to the newly religious fall TV season, "Book of Daniel":
In "Book of Daniel," for example, actor Aidan Quinn plays a pill-popping Episcopal priest who has the ability to talk about his drug addiction with a hip, modern-day Jesus. The show is still a work in progress, but for now Mr. Quinn's character also is dealing with a daughter arrested for selling marijuana, a brother-in-law who embezzles money from the church and is found murdered, and a gay son.
Happy Resurrection Day
March 27, 2005
Christ is Risen - He is Risen Indeed!
Like the women at the tomb - I am surprised by Christ's faithfulness. Praise God He is faithful!
Happy Easter!
Women at the Grave
Adolpe Bouguereau
Ipods and Social Isolation
March 27, 2005
Ipods cause social isolation and are being banned in schools, according to this article. Now if we could ban instant messaging, text messaging, social emailing and talking on the cell to the person down the hall. Just kidding - but there is some truth.
This week I took my sign language class to visit a Deaf school. One of our Deaf hosts spoke a little about the history of Deaf education. He also spoke passionately about social isolation, technology and the loss of community in the Deaf community. One of the factors he spoke about where the ubiquitous presence of Blackberrys, Sidekicks (text messaging, instant messaging, cell phone combo's), and the internet. Where the Deaf used to get together on weekends at Deaf clubs and socialize they can now stay home and email or text message. The internet, video relay (live video phone), and other technologies allow the Deaf to work and live in the broader hearing community - but as good as this is - it has increased the sense of isolation the Deaf feel.
After church today - I had an interesting conversation with a friend who pointed out that even hearing people are experiencing a sense of isolation with the increase in technology. Of course - I don't know if she has discovered blogs!!!!
I came home and read about Ipods keeping kids focused inward rather than reaching out and dialoging with their friends. What's my son doing now - sitting here in the kitchen tuned into his Ipod. Something for me to think about!
Holy Saturday - The Day In-Between
March 26, 2005
Today is the day inbetween. Good Friday has passed, Christ is crucified, we wait expectently for tomorrow. But, tomorrow has not yet come.
I feel life is like Holy Saturday - Christ's work on the cross is accomplished. Our sins are forgiven and we have been made righteous because of Jesus's perfect obedience and sacrifice. But we wait to share in his glory. We wait, and wait and wait... expectently - hoping - looking forward in faith. It is Holy Saturday!
PCA Blog - with Terri
March 26, 2005
I have been reading this blog by David and Tim Bayly Baylyblog: Out of our minds, too - two pastors of PCA Churches. They are in Florida at the hospice where Terri Schiavo lays dying. Everyday they post pictures, perspectives and news from Florida. In prayer and in spirit I am with them as they stand vigil with Shindler family, praying for Terri Schiavo. Check their blog often and pray with them!
Bible Bookstore closes
March 5, 2005
Today I found out that the largest Bible bookstore in Massachusetts recently closed. Whittemore's was a place I would go once or twice a year, to look at new Bibles and the occasional book. It was always a enjoyable experience. I loved paging through the new Bibles; thinline Bibles, the new study Bibles, the leather bound, gold-leafed Bibles, and even went down memory lane with a Scofield Reference Bible. I usually left with a new Bible - which is always a treat.
Of course I had to make my way past the Thomas Kinkade T shirts and dayplanners, the Left Behind display, and the Veggie-Tale monitors. But instead of being critical right now - I'm sad.
According to National Endowment for the Arts' survey in July, only 57 percent of Americans read a book in 2002. The study "Reading at Risk" found the number of adults reading literary works declined over the last decade.
Another sobering statistic: 97 percent of the books purchased last year were bought by 3 percent of the country.
What does this have to do with the closing of Whittemore's Bible bookstore? Well, I'm only guessing, but I think it is the confluence of a number of issues. 1)The decline in all reading in the United States 2)The dying of the evangelical church in New England 3)The desire for evangelical Christians that do read to read popular, quick answer, formulaic books like 40 Days to this, or 7 Effective Habits to that, or possibly say the Prayer of whatever, or seek Your Best Life .... These books litter the best-seller lists and can be easily found at your local Borders, if not the Super Wal-Mart. Why go to a Bible bookstore?
I guess my occasional trips are over. Now I'll have to buy my Bibles without touching, leafing, smelling and sizing up the print. That is really sad!
