8/28/2008

Juvenile Diabetes and You

My wife, Michelle, will be taking part in the 2008 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 13th.

This is very important because Michelle recently lost a cousin from complications caused by her diabetes. In addition, Michelle's mom is diabetic... as is my father, brother, and several other family members.

This is where each of you comes in. Would you be willing to visit her 'walker' page and donate a small amount to help find a cure? Her personal goal is just $100.

Follow this link to Donate

Thank you!

8/18/2008

Great Deal on Machen Book!

Westminster Bookstore is having a great deal on Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen. Half off until September 15th!

8/15/2008

Suicide and Christianity

C. Michael Patton over at Parchment & Pen responds to an email concerning the eternal destiny of a man who claimed to be a Christian, yet committed suicide. You can read his well-reasoned and biblical response HERE.

Patton's sister committed suicide in the recent past so he speaks from firsthand experience of having to deal with this issue.

Many people know that my mother died when I ten. However, fewer people know that she committed suicide. It is for this reason that I especially appreciated his comments and biblical response. Below are links to additional helpful resources:

Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down
Suicide: Understanding and Intervening

8/12/2008

Son of Hamas Leader Embraces Christianity

Read the interview and see video of Mosab Hassan Yousef discussing what led him to renounce Islam and embrace Christianity.

Where did the mountain go? More on Serving God & Saving the Environment

I just finished reading a review of Serve God, Save the Planet by Tim Challies and it got me thinking. Not so much about the book, but rather my personal thoughts on stewardship of the environment; particularly the effects of coal mining on the forests and wildlife of Appalachia.

The popular debate about the environment these days seems to be centered primarily on global warming. However, take a short drive to the coal fields of southeast Kentucky and you'll find a problem that is far more important to many residents there, mountain top removal.

Mountain top removal consists of hundreds of feet of a mountain top being blasted away and the resulting debris is pushed over into the valley, even if there are streams in those valleys. This exposes the coal seam so that it can be mined.

Areas that have experienced this practice have seen streams blocked, wells poisoned by dangerous chemicals used in mining, and native plant and animal life virtually eliminated. In addition, the intense blasting during the process has damaged or destroyed home after home. I know of someone whose well was emptied by an underground cavern caused by blasting and the resulting void was filled with explosive methane gas.

Until recently I was very apathetic about the entire issue. Now, however, I hope that this practice can be stopped because it looks like my hometown will soon become its next victim. I feel guilty that it takes my personal interests being threatened before I start caring (I think we humans are like that in a lot of ways).

I'm also taking greater interest in my responsibility for the overall environment. The jury is still out on global warming, but there can be no doubt that I (we) need to become more responsible in how I treat creation.

In the words of Francis Schaeffer from Pollution and the Death of Man,

"The man who believes things are there only by chance cannot give things a real intrinsic value. But for the Christian, there is an intrinsic value. The value of a thing is not in itself autonomously, but because God made it. It deserves this respect as something which was created by God, as man himself has been created by God."

8/11/2008

ESV Study Bible

The release of the much anticipated ESV Study Bible is just around the corner (October 15th). I'm not one to get caught up in the hype of new products. However, from the previews I've looked at I can honestly say I'm pretty excited!

Check it out for yourself:


WTS bookstore will be selling it at 37% below list price ($31.49)
Excerpt of Introduction to Luke

Introduction to Revelation
Complete Book of Jonah

8/05/2008

Counseling Booklets from CCEF

The Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF) offers some wonderful little booklets from the Resources For Changing Lives (RCL) series.

They are ideal for providing to those whom you may be counseling. The best part is that they are around $3 each (even cheaper if you buy in packs of five).

Examples include:

Facing Death with Hope - Powlison
Living With an Angry Spouse: Help for Victims of Abuse - Welch
How Do I Stop Losing it With My Kids? Getting to the Heart of Your Discipline Problems - Smith

You can find additional booklets and other resources from CCEF/RCL HERE & HERE.

While you're at it I would suggest New Testament Theology by Dr. Thomas Schreiner


Blessings!