Category Archives: Uncategorized

The every-three-year Urbana event is happening this year from December 27 to 31. Here is how to learn more… click HERE

The department I work in, having just finished reading The Great Omission (see earlier post), is now embarking on the reading of The Year of Living Biblically. With my feet up on my desk (its been a rough week – my spiritual director says I need a two day solitude retreat – but then he’s been saying that for months), ANYWAY… I read the introduction (admittedly when I got the book earlier today and saw a fellow department member, I was scoffing at the volume) and was struck by two things: first, it is very readable and second… the author is seeking counsel to guide him through this journey… seeking counsel to guide him… too little guidance out there… maybe I better listen to my spiritual director if I’m advocating our seeking counsel, huh? More on the book as it strikes me worthy of the blog.

I received an email today from a friend who saw a provocative article in a well known newspaper. I followed their link back to the source (I was taught to follow ideas to their source) and found a very interesting blog. In this provocative article is a prediction of the future of Christianity in America and the West (one wonders what writers mean when they say “the West”). These predictions are not going to set well with many Christian readers. But I think if you are a thinking follower of Jesus, you should consider his reasoning.  Consider HERE He had 173 responses to this post!!!

is a book a few of us are reading and going to talk about: it is purportedly about discipleship but it is not what evangelicals talk about then they mean discipleship… it is about Spiritual Fomation. For Willard well points out that it is not until we care for the soul that we can be disciples. As some have said “it is tough to pour from an empty jar” (a cracked one at that). So there are two things that I really heard Willard say: First that we need to practice solitude until we become good at it. Second, that we need to memorize Scripture. … WHAT? Memorize Scripture? Are you kidding? NO, he is not. How can the word pour forth it we do not hide it in our hearts? When was the last time you memorized a verse?

The site “readthehook.com” put the word out and then 

 U2GIGS.com reports the following:

“Announcement of U2’s 360° Tour

1st leg: European dates

(In brackets is the date tickets go on general sale. For pre-sale information, see this FAQ on U2.com.)

· 2009-08-10 – Zagreb, Croatia – Stadium Maksimir (27 March)
2nd leg: North American dates

…

· 2009-09-29 – Washington, District of Columbia, USA – FedEx Field (6 April)

…

As noted above, some parts of the schedule contain lengthy gaps between concerts so that extra shows can be added in some markets once the first concert has sold out. Furthermore, don’t despair just yet if there are no concerts being held near your city: a recent Billboard report that proved accurate about the first two legs has forecast more shows in both North America and Europe over two legs in mid-2010, plus tentative plans to visit South America later in 2010.” (FROM http://www.u2gigs.com/ 9 March, 2009)

Americans love their cars. Today, I did something that turned out to be both relaxing and fulfilling. I cleaned the Volvo.  I got this car a couple of years ago and have never really cleaned ‘er up. Today, in some amazing weather (79 F.), I did so. Here she is:

PS, if you scroll down to the snow day post where everything is covered in snow just six days ago, you get a picture of our crazy March weather extremes.