Archive for January, 2009
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
January 27, 2009
This past week an amazing thing happened. The second most powerful ruler on earth (remember that Jesus is first) handed off his power to another. There was no war. There was no bloodshed. There were remarks and speeches and parades and endless media coverage—but no civil war. Being a student of world history, this fact alone should make you proud to be an American. There is (or should be) humility built into being President. You get a nice house, but it is only yours for a while. You have a huge staff, but in four or eight years the walls will be bare and you will be thinking about building a library somewhere. Most Presidents do not belong on
Mt.
Rushmore
. Some might but don’t have the chance to prove themselves because their work is done during quiet times. We all wish our new President, Mr. Obama, well and hope that God guides him into wise and just decisions, but . . . .
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Monday, January 26th, 2009
January 24, 2009
Again, the Lancaster Newspapers are highlighting another educational problem in Our Faire County. It seems that are substantial portion of the students graduating from public school in
Lancaster
County
who need remedial classes before they can attend public colleges in
Pennsylvania
. The article was pretty sobering. The price tag for this sort of remediation is astronomical—particularly when one considers how much money has been invested in the education already. Many schools in
Lancaster
County
spend more than 10k per pupil. Thus, we spend between 130k and 200k over the 13 year academic career of the typical student and we do not have them prepared for the entry level of public universities. Read that last sentence again. Thus, we spend between 130k and 200k over the 13 year academic career of the typical student and we do not have them prepared for the entry level of public universities. Answers were given, but . . . .
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
January 21, 2009
Last night I finished Wendell Berry’s fine book Jayber Crow, I would recommend it to you. It is the story of a barber, a lost world and maybe, finally, love. As I finished the last page, I laid the book aside and sighed. My wife noticed my obvious melancholy and asked me what was going on. There are a lot of sad events at the end of the book. Upon reflection, however, I was not upset by the ending of the book—which is generally hopeful (I think). I was upset by the recognition that I personally resonate with both the hero and the villain in the book . . . .
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Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
January 14, 2009
During the Christmas season often Churches recite or study the Nicene Creed. This ancient doctrinal statement sets out what the fathers of the Church understood concerning the Divinity of Christ. It also tells us about the Church saying that it is the Church is “one, holy, catholic and apostolic.” This means that the church is marked by these four chrematistics. The church I attend recites this Creed from time. I am always a bit perplexed when we get to this section. I do believe the Creed, but when I look out at the Church I see less of these marks than I would like. Too often I see believers divided—often over matters that seem appallingly insignificant. Too often we seem concerned about “my kingdom” rather than “Thy kingdom.” Recently, however, I have seen some encouraging things. . . .
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Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
January 13, 2009
The Poignant Beauty of Canto XXV of
Paradise
In the opening lines of Paradise XXV, Dante reveals some of his reason for writing the Comedy. He says . . . .
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Friday, January 9th, 2009
January 9, 2009
Last year—2008—is over. Here are a few of the best books that I experienced in 2008. Some are new and some continue to move me as I read them again and again. Note that most of this books are of little interest to or inappropriate for children.
10. Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door—by Lynne Truss. A delightful book on the decline of manners and etiquette which is done by with such good humor and wit you will not really care that it proves that the world as we know it is doomed.
9. The Road—by Cormac McCarthy. Now my favorite book about nuclear winter and cannibalism. McCarthy has been riding a wave or renewed popularity since No Country for Old Men (see below) hit it big. I spent some time learning about him and learned to enjoy his hopeless negativism. If you are suffering with a bout of manic happiness, The Road will, no doubt, cure you.
8. A Thousand Splendid Suns—by Khaled Hosseini. I enjoyed his first best seller The Kite Runner, so I thought that I would try this one out. I was not disappointed. Hosseini writes about his
Afghanistan
in a wonderful and terrible way piecing together its beauty, joy, suffering and depravity. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a woman in an Islamic country, this is as close as you will need to get. He writings reveal the troubling power paradigms and struggles that are built into Islam.
7. Redwall—by Brian Jacques. This one is great for kids. This story of destiny, trial and how good stands and triumphs in the face of evil is complex enough for adult consumption—particularly if that consumption is done with your children. They will love it. . . .
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
January 6, 2009
This week the church celebrated Epiphany which remembers the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. At Epiphany we remember that Jesus is the Light of the world and that His birth is the beginning of the Gentile nations being called into God’s people. I grew up in an environment where this holiday was not celebrated. It has been interesting this year to think about it more. I also have some hopeful news . . . .
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