Baylor University Starbucks has pulled cup #43 with the quote from the homosexual novelist I discussed before.
Baylor Dining Services oversees two coffee shops. One of them has a scriptural reference in its title. The other was recently asked to remove a series of cups that some would argue "promote homosexuality."
Late last week, the Baylor Starbucks pulled about 500 cups with a quote by gay author Armistead Maupin after a faculty member complained.
(HT: Starbucks Gossip)
Interesting short audio clip (13 minutes) of Ken Myers talking with Eugene Peterson at Mars Hill Audio. Visit their site as well.
Doug Baker has written a new article in Baptist Press, "The Gospel at the Center." In it he works through emerging church issues and theology, Rob Bell and Brian McLaren, and finds it all pretty dangerous. Do you agree?
While no human being will ever be ableadequately to explain the mystery of the incarnation, the resurrection, or the Trinity, a “generous orthodoxy” (an idea taken from McLaren’s book by the same title) would never reframe these doctrines or others like them in such fluid terms so as to confuse others of their true meaning. In the end, this orthodoxy is not generous, but dangerous.
Joe Thorn responds to Jack Graham's "Total Abstinence" article in BP.
I believe the cure for drunkenness is not abstinence or moderation, but the gospel itself.
I don't think I posted this before...
I've been asked by Glenn Lucke to review his book (with Ben Young) Common Grounds: Conversations About Things That Matter Most, and I have the opportunity to preview review C.J. Mahaney's new one, Humility: True Greatness. I hope to read and review both here in the next couple of weeks.
I've been looking for this online ever since the new Christianity Today came out and I read it. Well, it's finally online. Donald Miller is interviewed by Stan Guthrie: "Finding God in Odd Places: There's more to faith than grids and logic, says Donald Miller." I think it's thought provoking. Here's the last section, but please go and read it all.
You are big on the experiential. How about truth?
Ultimately everything is purely experiential. If we could divide the complexity of our reality into grids and categories, God would have communicated through the Bible in grids and categories. There are mysteries that cannot be explained logically.
That isn't to say there isn't truth. I certainly believe there's absolute truth. My criticism is, however many years ago, that the Bible or Christian spirituality was changed out of an experiential [approach] into grids and logical kinds of thinking.
I think it's hurt our faith. I think it's hurt me. For instance, I had always grown up believing the Lord's Prayer was a list of philosophical paradigms that we'd check off. But when we actually read the text, we understand that Jesus is teaching us a dynamic new way to experience faith, that we will relate to God as a father. It wasn't until I understood that the dynamic of our faith is relational rather than logical that I started maturing in my faith.
Can't you bring them together?
Well, certainly you can.
"Rather than" is pretty stark.
It is very stark. But it's the language of our culture.
So you're overstating your case.
I'm overstating my case, because I don't feel like anybody will listen if I don't.
Scot McKnight is sick of Bic pens filling up our dumps, and has a great alternative: fountain pens.
Oh man. The SBC is just a delight. Joe Thorn finds a gem of an article by Jack Graham in today's Baptist Press on the need for total abstinence from alcohol. Uh, all that was sarcasm. This is a mess of an article.
I expect that Joe's post tomorrow will register on the Richter Scale. Look for it.
One of my new favorite CD's is In Motion by Copeland. Emo, sorta. Rock, kinda. Pop, a little bit. Harmony laden, emotion provoking, gentle but not cheesy. Brilliant vocals. I love it.
Reviews:
The true power of In Motion -- and the primary reason it is so solid -- lies in Copeland's ability to drag the listener along the gauntlet of their emotions with them.
It's tough to write a summary of an album like In Motion without sounding like they paid me to say it. But I absolutely love this album. ...It combines so many emotions into those songs; some may even be clichéd, but Copeland manages to put such a novel spin on them that they sound fresh and romantic. ...Many of the songs could be considered almost progressive indie. The guitars, when they appear on the album, are some of the best I've heard in a while. Aaron Marsh's voice is beyond underrated, and it's such a shame. He absolutely invigorates this album. In a sentence, you need to add Copeland's In Motion to your CD collection. I've been reviewing some awesome albums lately, but Copeland has managed to jump to the head of the pack. A well-deserved, and tough to achieve A+ for them.
Copeland’s In Motion wants to put its hands on love to hold it, define it, and put a name there for all to see.
...those actively searching for a band that can stalk your veins like a ghost … will probably find one of their new favorite bands.
Sovereign Grace Ministries is offering the first 50 bloggers who will review C.J. Mahaney's new book Humility: True Greatness, a free copy of the book.
You need to go to the SGM site, click the email button, give them some info, they will send you a pdf version, you read and review it, then you get the book sent to you in the mail for free.
I know what "paybacks are hell" means when someone has done something to you and you are going to "pay them back" for it. I don't quite get it in the context of a local church sign, as seen in my hometown of Pontiac, IL.
Could it mean that God is like that kid in high school who took something we did very personally, so they give us a beat down later? Hmmm...
Sorry for the delay on getting up a recap of the week in Dallas. Man, I'm tired.
First of all, this conference/boot camp was (to me) not primarily about church planting or church renewal. It was about the gospel. It was the most Christocentric event I've ever attended. Hard to describe unless you go and experience it yourself.
The guys and wives we met were all great. We are so pumped to gain some good relationships with young pastors who more concerned for the fame of Christ than methods and personal ambition. We also
met some other bloggers and blog readers, like Michael Foster and Scott Michael Ringo and their wives.
We heard from Ed Stetzer, Matt Chandler, Mark Moore, Darrin Patrick, and Mark Driscoll. All sessions were great, but the final one on perseverance was 
life-changing.
Overall, we feel a bit overwhelmed with the boot camp and what we learned. But we are very thankful for the opportunity to learn it and be challenged, not just in ministry
but in our hearts as followers of Jesus.
The kids did great at the grandparents for three days. No major problems or broken bones. They loved it, and it makes it so much easier to leave when we know they won't freak out.
On the plane to Texas last week I read Rick McKinley's article, "Leading the Calling and Conversion of Your Core Group." The article is intended for church planters, but it's also helpful for pastors and other church leaders.
I hope pastors realize that church planting resources are not just for church planters. All churches should be planting churches. But even more, the "base jumping" faith of planters is contagious. We need it.
Great news! Tim Keller has a blog. It's called Dr. Keller's Vision Blog. (Presbyterians aren't often known for their innovative naming skills.) :) I don't see a feed anywhere unfortunately.
The blog is linked to Redeemer's Vision Campaign, which deserves a look. Exciting stuff.
Oh geez, let's not Michael Jordan this thing to death. Lance Armstrong took 6 whole weeks to reconsider his retirement.
While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryland the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side. I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances, but I will no longer rule it out.
The motive, it seems, is revenge against the French (at least French officials and labs and such). Listen, it better not be. If he does ride again, my prediction (write it down folks), is that some crazed French fan will sabotage Lance on the road by throwing something at him or pushing him down, etc.
Would he win, barring an incident? Yep, I don't see any reason to doubt he would. But the Alps and Pyrenees might not be the hardest part of the course. It might be a stick in his spokes.
Made it to Texas without incident. Our flights arrived early, room and rental car are great, and the heat is Texas sized (96ish today). The first evening of the boot camp included two good talks by Ed Stetzer and Mark Driscoll is up to bat the first two talks tomorrow. All is well and I'm very tired. I'll try to post some tomorrow.
