Beyond the Gate

Christian Carnival
Another Think is hosting this week's Christian Carnival. Charlie did a super job of organizing the 60+ posts. It'll take me all week to read them!

Out of the Wilderness New Blog Showcase
Nick Queen is showcasing two new Christian blogs this week: Sonspot and The Scriptorium. You can read the interviews at Nick's site and then go visit the blogs and leave a comment while you're there!

New ID Site
When I visited The Scriptorium I found a link to a new team-written blog called Intelligent Design: The Future. Its writers include Michael Behe, the author of Darwin's Black Box, Jonathan Witt, of one of my favorite blogs, Wittenshire, and six others. The credentials of this group of writers is very impressive. (There are more PhD's than there are writers.) As an example of the fine writing to be found there, read Michael Behe's post, The Lego Argument.

I Wanted to Say This, But Couldn't
After the Terri Schiavo's life ended, I really wanted to say something to my brothers and sisters in Christ about the level of discourse that went on there, especially among some (not all) Christians. I started to write something, and, well, I decided not to post it, because it was too hard and too rambling. Maybe I'll work on it some more. Today, though, I read For Christians Only: How Long...? by JD Wetterling. He says a lot of what I would have said, only better. And he wasn't even talking about the Schiavo case. This is a pastoral piece that is well worth your reading time, especially if you write a blog as well as read them.

This Is a First!
I've never heard of a Bible translation having its own blog, but check out this site from the folks who publish the new ESV version of the Bible. What an innovative marketing idea! The blogosphere is really changing things. My son has been reading the ESV since December, and my copy is on order. (I mean, when the 14 year-old requests a new Bible translation for Christmas, you get it for him or her, right? Then you throw in the Lord of the Rings Nintendo game for good measure. Sorta' like when Solomon asked for wisdom and got the wisdom thing and then a bit of gold just for grins.) The ESV Bibles are available at Christianbook.com and Amazon.com. My Reformed readers will appreciate the Reformation Study Bible edition and there is also a version available without study notes. (Thanks to Adrian Warnock for the link to the ESV site.)  Of course, my non-reformed brothers and sisters can read the Reformation Study Bible, too. After all, I still read my Scofield...sometimes.

A Note to My Dear Friends
I survived. 'Nuff said. Thanks for your prayers.

Well...
Now I better get working on putting the finishing touches on those tax forms. Grrrrrrrrr.

Comments

[shokenjii]

Relative to "For Christians Only: How Long...?" -- From the first disciples, to the early followers recorded in Acts, and most recently, to us modern-day Christians, as the bumper sticker reads, CHRISTIANS: We're not perfect - just forgiven! (We're not necessarily one, big happy and perfect family; but we ARE a family!)

[shokenjii]

THE EMMAUS ROAD FROM FLORIDA

Terri Schiavo has stuck like molasses and honey since Ellen, my good wife, first asked me to write to Florida Governor, Jeb Bush -- maybe two years ago, at the urging of Joni Eareckson Tada. I am happy that Terri has found a warm and comfortable place in my heart (and yours) -- and with her Father in Heaven -- after great turmoil in her final days on earth.

Terri has certainly altered my political perspectives -- I now figuratively stand with my left arm stretched around Ted Kennedy and Jerry Brown (aka "Captain Moonbeam," former Governor of California, and now Mayor of Oakland), with my right arm resting on Tom DeLay's shoulder. I like to think that it's much like the Emmaus Road on Good Friday (Luke 24:13-35) -- I am greatly surprised by the company I keep while fleeing Jerusalem (Florida). Breaking bread in fellowship with strangers, on this difficult road, is comforting.

And if your Emmaus Road and your sandals carry you as far as California, you will hear the first shots fired for an assisted suicide bill (AB654), as it receives controversial committee approval (you can read an article written by Lynda Gledhill on the San Francisco Chronicle website, SFGate.com, for Wednesday, April 13, 2005 -- use the left hand search column for "30 days," inserting "AB654"). Interestingly, the bill would require, among other provisions: 1) Two physicians shall agree that the patient has less than six months to live. 2) The patient shall make multiple requests, and receive counseling about alternatives. 3) Two phyicians shall determine that the patient has no mental illness. 4) The patient must self administer the suicide death drug. 5) A conservator or family member shall not act for a terminally ill patient.

Very sadly, and with macabre irony, Terri Schindler Schiavo would be alive today, if her case had been tried and reviewed under provisions for California's proposed "Suicide Law," instead of Florida state law.