Friday Foto

ESV One-Year Bible

I love the ESV translation of the Bible, and so am pleased to see that Crossway is releasing an ESV with a one-year reading plan that utilizes a much better format then other one-year Bibles I've seen. Justin Taylor explains it and links to examples of what it looks like. If you're looking for a one-year Bible, this is the way to go.

These Kids Are Gettin' Hitched

Here's a lovely couple, the picture of future matrimonial bliss, eh? Keri's younger sister Kathryn, and her longtime beau, Jim, shocked the world when they announced their engagement today. (OK "shocked" is probably not the right word.) Jim characteristically managed to capture the moment on film. I still like my picture better. Asa is pleased that he can now confidently refer to him as "Uncle Jim."

Congrats to them!

Friday Foto

Asa and his younger (4 months old) cousin, Trip, enjoyed hanging out together at Asa's birthday party last weekend. Here they're unwinding a bit after our trip to the zoo, where the weather was warmer than we anticipated.

Young, Restless, Reformed

Christianity Today has posted last month's cover story, "Young, Restless, Reformed" on their website. It is an interesting and balanced look at the rise of Reformed doctrine among younger Christians like, well, me.

Birthday Boy

Today is Asa's first birthday, though I'm not sure he realizes it. He's not quite able to read the "Happy Birthday" banner his mom hung up, though he enjoys swatting at the balloon hanging from his high chair. There is a noticeably larger pile of toys now than there was a few days ago, and a lot of family came to visit him.

We actually had Asa's birthday party on Saturday so that family could make it. Most of the attendees were family. Interestingly enough, while Asa enjoyed playing with his little cake, he didn't really like it when we persuaded him to eat it.

Below is a picture from September 19, 2005. He has changed dramatically since then. The most obvious difference is size, of course. He is still the center of attention wherever he goes, but now he really knows how to work the room, waving to everyone and essentially commanding attention. He definitely has a big personality.

Asa did get a lot of really fun presents that have occupied him since the party. After opening gifts we all went to the zoo, where Asa incorrectly identified every animal as a dog and waved to them all. (He goes nuts when he sees a dog, shouting out something that sounds like "dog-da" and often flailing about.)

Anyway, Asa has many friends in far-off places like Louisville that weren't at his party. He wanted me to tell everyone he said, "Doh! da-da-ra-ra-ra-ma. aaahhhh," followed by him buzzing his lips. "Dog-da!!!" What a guy.

Happy birthday Asa!

Better Eat Your Wheaties

Georgia coach Mark Richt unveils the new UGA Wheaties box, one of three colleges featured on new boxes. The UGA box will be distributed throughout the Southeast. I bet that will go over really well in places like Knoxville and Gainesville, FL.

Bad Day?

If you think you've had a bad day, think again. This guy in nearby Anderson had a bad day. Hopefully he'll rebound to have better days.

Joel Osteen

I've been asked about Joel Osteen from time to time, the mega-mega-church leader in Houston who is apparently enjoying his "best life now" on TV and at the book store. I tend to think of Joel Osteen as the epitome of what I like to call cotton-candy preaching: it may look good and taste sweet but, utlimately, there is nothing really there but an oncoming stomach ache. He seems to be the kind of teacher who tickles the ears (see 1 Tim 4:3).

There is plenty more that could be said, but sometimes its just easier to say, "Yeah, what he said." So in that spirit, I point you to Michael Spencer, a guy who has invested a lot more time in studying Joel Osteen and has a pretty insightful take on him.

(ht: Justin Taylor)

Bound to Happen

Sigh. Its only a surprise that it took this long...

Get This Great Book Free!

One of the better books I've ever read is John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. It is an outstanding book for all ages, but especially for those in or recently out of college. During the month of September, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is offering the book for free on their website. If you haven't read it, please do yourself a favor and get it. Trust me.

Gerogetown Boots Evangelical Groups

Georgetown University, a catholic school in the Virginia suburbs of DC, has kicked evangelical groups off campus, prohibiting them from having any kind of campus presence, includeing holding meetings or Bible studies, publicizing events, leading students on retreats, or even helping people move into their dorms. The move was made by, of all people, the school's Protestant chaplain, who noted in his letter that the ministries' banishment was the result of "much dialogue with the Lord." In other words, God told me to.

The issue is reportedly the result of a desire for greater control by the chaplain's office over the on-campus activities of Protestant ministries. Last year, ministries were asked to sign a statement in which they agreed not to "proselytize nor undermine another faith community." Furthermore, staff members had to sign a statement "expressing respect for the Catholic faith as a legitimate path to God." Well, I suppose one ought not be surprised that a Catholic school would take the latter measure, but it is disappointing nonetheless. (One does have to question the legality of prohibiting something like a retreat.) While in college, I myself was part of an evangelical student group that was similarly banned from the campus by the school chaplain. While that presented hurtles to ministry, it was not a death knell. In fact, the ministry was thriving.

Perhaps these developments will spur local churches to step into the void of seeking to reach and disciple Georgetown students. I would love to see a day when para-church ministries are not needed on college campuses because God-fearing and gospel-preaching local churches are engaging the campus community and students are plugging into them.

(ht: CT)

Ageless Julio Franco

When the Braves reached into the Mexican league to sign a forty-something year old Julio Franco, there was jeering, laugter, and talk of desperation. Franco was a washed up former all-star that was well past his prime, or so it was thought. But the old man helped and stuck around four years. In fact, the only reason he left is because the New York Mets offered Franco a two year deal, one that will take him to his 49th birthday by all estimates. (Birth records in the Dominican Republic are not totally reliable, so the age is usually an estimate for someone like Franco.) Franco could still hit and wasn't a defensive liability at first. What is noted as much as his play is his outspoken Christian faith and his impressive physique, one that is the envy of teammates much younger than him. What is also noted is the rigid discipline required to maintain it.

Check out this profile of Franco. The writer notes that Franco asked as many questions as he did, such as, "Tell me something, are you a sinner?" In fact, as the writer discovered, Franco's faith drives his approach to baseball and everything else: "Because, Julio said, everything he does is with the Lord in mind, and the only reason he plays baseball is because the Lord wants him to play baseball, and if the Lord wants him to play baseball as he approaches 50, his body better be some kind of a machine."

Franco, who turned 48 last week (we think), begins his day with an hour of prayer. He then prepares a breakfast consisting of egg whites from twenty eggs, eaten for the protein. (Franco reportedly only eats organic food). In the afternoon he prepares an unimaginable shake consisting of beets, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, garlic, onions and apple, the latter included for at least a little taste. That's nasty stuff, but you can't argue with the results. You gotta respect Julio Franco, even if he plays for the Mets.

Free Derek Webb

If you're interested, Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon's Call, has made his new solo album available for free download. I just downloaded it myself and haven't listened to it yet, so I can't comment much on it, but it's cool that he's doing it for free.

Friday Foto

While I was snapping this picture of Charleston's harbor, Asa was seeking relief from the heat by kicking back in his stroller and enjoying the ocean breeze. By the way, that's Fort Sumter in the background.