Though the Internet is severely restricted in his country, that should not stop Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from participating in the international blogging movement. This looks legitimate -- and concerning. See the BBC's report here. Click here to go directly to President Ahmadinejad's blog -- the second flag from the left will give it to you in English. His post is about 2000 (English) words long, but don't worry....he promises to be more brief in the future. (HT: Justin Taylor and Dana Olson) Update: President Bush, rightly, going after Iran today, reminding the world of the … [Read more...] about President of Iran launches a weblog
Zuckerman on the Israeli – Lebanese conflict
Referring to the Israeli withdrawl from the Gaza Strip almost a year ago: Everyone hoped then that the Palestinians would show the world what they could achieve with freedom as a template for a future independent state. Alas, they have shown us all too well. Not one day of peace has followed since then. The pattern was set on the very day of Israel's pullout. Palestinian militants fired rockets from Gaza into Israeli towns on the other side of the border, targeting innocent civilians living in the pre-1967 Israel recognized by the international community. The final straw came last month, with … [Read more...] about Zuckerman on the Israeli – Lebanese conflict
Jerry Walls Interview – Modern Reformation
Dr. Jerry Walls will be interviewed this Fall in the periodical Modern Reformation. I had the privilege of reading the interview in advance of its publication. An outstanding spokesman for classical Arminianism (a position I do not hold), Walls really tries to understand Calvinism and avoid its caricatures. I found his book Why I am not a Calvinist (co-authored with Dr. Joe Dongell, InterVarsity Press, 2004) to be an clear and fair presentation of Arminianism. Dr. Walls provides a strong argument for a libertarian view of human freedom as opposed to compatibilism (the view that God's … [Read more...] about Jerry Walls Interview – Modern Reformation
Ned Lamont victory – a bad sign for the Democratic Party
On July 30, yours truly predicted that Joe Lieberman (who perhaps might have been our Vice President today were it not for a few thousand votes and Ralph Nadar's candidacy) would be hung out to dry by the Democratic establishment in Connecticut and beyond (so I'm batting 100%, 1-for-1, in political predictions). Following his 52-48 August 8 primary loss to Ned Lamont, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Sens. Chuck Schumer, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dick Durbin, John Kerry and Christopher Dodd have all declared their support of Ned Lamont in the November general election. New Mexico Gov. Bill … [Read more...] about Ned Lamont victory – a bad sign for the Democratic Party
Talking to people rather than about them
A good word from Pastor John Piper on why talking to people, rather than about them, is often more difficult yet more loving. Excerpt: But Jesus does not call us to make safe choices. He calls us to make loving choices. In the short run, love is often more painful than self-protecting conflict-avoidance. But in the long run, our consciences condemn us for this easy path and we do little good for others. So let’s be more like Jesus in this case and not talk about people, but talk to them, both with words of encouragement, because of the evidences of grace we see in their lives, and with words … [Read more...] about Talking to people rather than about them
Introduction to my wife, Marni
My wife Marni will be posting some book reviews here, so I'd like to introduce her to you a bit: The former Maren Kristine Haugen grew up in Palo Alto, CA where after being homeschooled through elementary school she demonstrated academic prowess as a high schooler at Crystal Springs Uplands School. Her English SAT score is more than 100 points higher than mine, yet I have the audacity to call myself a writer. Marni also played the trombone, acted in several plays, and was involved in summer camps such as City on the Hill which taught leadership and the formation of a Christian … [Read more...] about Introduction to my wife, Marni