Book 12 of 2010

This one struck my fancy and I am glad it did.  McLaren does a great job of discussing these 10 questions, questions I agree need to be raised and explored -- preferably without a pre-expectation of what the response will (should?) be.  This too would be a great book for a discussion group.

Introducing

Ashley Joy

Born May 26, 2010 at 8:34. 3.02kg  (6lb10.5oz), 49cm(19.25inches)

Mom and baby are both well

CHanges Begin

Well not really begin since I firmly believe that the only that is constant is change.


But of the 2 big changes this spring/summer this week brings the first.  (And apparently has robbed me of mmy grammar knowledge -- based on that sentence anyway.)

This afternoon we drove to the City on the Lake.  TOmorrow we meet with a lawyer to sign documents around the house purchase.  THen we go tot he hospital for pre-op work.  C-SEction is scheduled for Wednesday--sometime--we have to be at the hospital for 6am but based on past experience it may well be afternoon before baby is removed.

Details will follow, likely not until I return to the hotel Wed night (unless we learn tomorrow that the hospital has wi-fi, then we'll take the laptop with us)

SAying Good-Bye....

I have been starting to work on this week's sermon.  The Scripture Reading is Jesus' High Priestly prayer from John 17.  The prayer isJesus' prayer for his friends and followers and those who will follow them...

ANd given that it is a month and a half before we move I find that my sermon thoughts are going to one question.  What is my prayer for these people with whom I have worked and churched for 9 years?

THe last while has been a time of lasts, and those will continue.  The week after I read my letter in worship was Palm Sunday (a day when the UCW always has a Ham Supper).  That was the first last--the last UCW meal we will be here for. 

Today was another last--the last meeting I will be at of the Community COunselling Advisory BOard.  Bittersweet moments all.

But back to the sermon.  I have given some thought to what the last Sunday in June will be.  But given the confluence of this Scripture passage and where we are as a faith community can I not share some of my hopes and prayers for this community this week?  Or does it need to wait for the last Sunday????

Free Book!

And I am named in it!!!!!! (in the preface/acknowledgements)

A couple years ago a seminary prof asked if I would pre-read a book he was writing and comment on the accessibility of the writing.  And now it has come out, DOn sent me a copy this week.

Contemporary Christologies looks at 15 post-WW2 writers in terms of their Christology and Soteriology and Atonement Theory.

I will read it as a whole some day (pre-reading was a chapter at a time) but I greatly enjoyed the book in chapter form.  Atonement theory is an area of interest and growth for me.  And this fleshed out various options.

As it happens I am reading chapters for another book by Don.  It is also on Christology, an introductory piece.  It also has been good thus far.

I endorse and recommend this one!

Book 11 of 2010

Nice thing about travelling is more time to read.  Although  to be fair I have been working at this one for a while (reading a couple chapters a week between other stuff).

I liked this book.  It was a nice mix of practical with theoretical and theological.  One of my desires is that we in the church remember that one of the blessings we offer is that we are still a truly intergenerational community -- a relative rarity in the world today.  And this book helps in exploring the implications of that.

The one quibble I had was that I kep getting the feeling that the authors were envisioning a worship that really hasn't changed much in form and structure.  There appeared to be a desire to keep worship fairly "traditional" (whatever that means) and just make the traditional worship more "generation friendly".  The biggest sign of this was one chapter when the author wote that children can and should learn the classic hymns of the faith while older generations can learn newer music.  Why only add the "should" in one part of that unless your bias is showing?

This book deserves to be read and discussed within a community so that the community can ask where they are and how it speaks to where they may need to go.  Maybe an idea for next winter.....

House Hunt Successful

AT supper tonight I got a call fromthe realtor that our offer had been accepted.  We get possession on July 7.  THose who know me on FB can find other pictures but here are a couple:

Book 10 of 2010

While packing up some books I came across this one and realized that while I had scanned through part of it when I got it years ago I had never read the whole thing.

And since I was travelling this weekend it seemed a good time to read it.

At best I would give it a mixed review.   Berton's strength does not appear to be in comedy and satire.  There are some really good sections, some rather bad ones and a lot that is passable.  And you would really think that a journalist/pop historian would know that 1999-2000 was NOT the millenium change.

Friday Five -- Let's Get PAcking

Some of my Blogging comrades are heading on a cruise.  Alas the only travel in my near future is not nearly as exotic (but far more costly) -- house hunting next week.  And so the RGBP FRiday Five focusses on packing.
1) Some fold, some roll and some simply fling into the bag. What's your technique for packing clothes?  Generally I roll.  SOme things don't roll well (sweaters for example).  Mind you if it is a short trip and I am prepping quickly the toss in the bag option comes into play.

2) The tight regulations about carrying liquids on planes makes packing complicated. What might we find in your quart-size bag? Ever lose a liquid that was too big? GEnerally it is not a problem because I put my shaving kit, which contains a bottle of shampoo, in checked luggage and only take a backpack or the laptop as carry on.  However the last time I only travelled with a carry on bag I forgot and ended up giving away the shampoo.

3) What's something you can't imagine leaving at home?  Largely that depends on the nature of the trip.  But in the end most things can be either managed without or replacements bought.  I guess my wallet and id would be the most irreplaceable

4) Do you have a bag with wheels? Nope.  I do usually use my travel backpack and if needed I can unzip the compartment and use the straps.

5) What's your favorite reading material for a non-driving trip (plane, train, bus, ship)?  Pretty much depends on my mood the week preceding the travel.  But often I choose something light and "mindless" over something heavier.

Book 9 of 2010

Most years the United CHurch Publishing House puts out a lenten devotional resource.  I generally buy one (in fact there are several of them that I just donated to the church library). This year's focused on issues around money and our attitudes towards same.  Each day includes a verse or two of Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, some journalling questions and a couple of hymn suggestions.