Here are a few blogs that are following the story of the massive protests in Iran over the recent presidential election, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner by a 2-1 margin within hours of the polls closing. Today, Iran's supreme leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), who had already congratulated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, ordered a vote fraud probe. Andrew Sullivan (with the Atlantic) is following the unfolding events closely, the Power Line authors have a series of videos (the first of which appears to show police riot officers breaking into a home a beating someone senseless), and the … [Read more...] about Iran Supreme Leader Orders Vote Fraud Probe
Sacred Marriage (Gary Thomas)
Some quotes from this very helpful book: "If you want to be free to serve Jesus, there's no question -- stay single. Marriage takes a lot of time. But if you want to become like Jesus, I can't imagine any better thing to do than to get married. Being married forces you to face some character issues you'd never have to face otherwise." -p. 21 "Any situation that calls me to confront my selfishness has enormous spiritual value, and I slowly began to understand that the real purpose of marriage may not be happiness as much as it is holiness. Not that God has anything against happiness, or that … [Read more...] about Sacred Marriage (Gary Thomas)
Southern Baptist Identity: An Evangelical Denomination Faces the Future
This new book edited by Dr. David Dockery, President of Union University in Jackson, TN, should be a very interesting for all of us associated with the SBC in one way or another (and everyone else wondering where this large group of churches is headed). Dr. Dockery is an articulate spokesman on Christian higher education and one who has a great influence on my own pursuit of academic excellence (for myself and my students). He is also a great theologian, historian, and cultural observer, particularly on issues within the Southern Baptist Convention. So I highly recommend this book. (It is … [Read more...] about Southern Baptist Identity: An Evangelical Denomination Faces the Future
Preaching in Bakersfield, CA on With One Voice
I'd cover your prayers for my message this Sunday at Sovereign Grace Church of Bakersfield on the topic of With One Voice. It has been an unusually challenging week in some ways and I feel drained. I was pulling up some data related to attitudes toward marriage, and the last two slides of this 2008 report from the National Marriage Project stood out. 1. A majority (~56%) of high school seniors believe that having a child without being married is "experimenting with a worthwhile lifestyle or not affecting anyone else." 2. About 60% of high school seniors “Agreed” or “Mostly Agreed” with the … [Read more...] about Preaching in Bakersfield, CA on With One Voice
Charles Krauthammer Wins Major Journalism Award
Yesterday, Charles Krauthammer, one of the most insightful political commentators of our day, received the 2009 Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism. The New York post published some of Mr. Krauthammer's remarks upon receiving the honor. An excerpt: At a time when awards in the humanities are a near-monopoly of the left -- Nobel peace prizes awarded to those, from Yasir Arafat to Jimmy Carter, who give the most succor to the forces of terror and tyranny; Pulitzers given to whichever newspaper can expose the more damaging national-security secrets -- it is important for … [Read more...] about Charles Krauthammer Wins Major Journalism Award
Do You Want a Friend? – Noel Piper
Noel Piper's latest book, Do You Want a Friend?, is now available. This beautifully illustrated hard cover book begins with the story of a little boy who moves to a new town with his family and wishes to make some friends. The narrator then asks questions like: Do you want a friend who loves you? Do you want a friend who comforts you? For each question, there is a colorful picture (over the two page spread) and an appropriate Scripture verse that shows how Jesus is that Friend. For example: Do you want a friend who helps you be strong? "I can do all things through him [Jesus, the Lord] … [Read more...] about Do You Want a Friend? – Noel Piper