July Reading List

42. 24 days (hc), by Rebecca Smith & John Emshwiller
43. Breaking Dawn (ua), by Stephenie Meyer
44. Everything You Need to Know Before Colelge (pb), by Matthew Paul Turner
45. The Rules of Deception (ua), by Christopher Reich
46. Pension Dumping (hc), by Fran Hawthorne
47. Wizard's First Rule (ua), by Terry Goodkind
48. The Bellmaker (ua), by Brian Jacques
49. A Cat of One's Own (ua), by Lydia Adamson
50. A Cat With the Blues (ua), by Lydia Adamson

From the Liturgy

This hymn/poem was in tonight's evening reading:

Lord Jesus Christ, abide with us,
Now that the sun has run its course
Let hope not be obscured by night
But may it face darkness, and be as light

Lord Jesus Christ, grant us your peace
And when the trials of earth shall cease
Grant us the morning light of grace
The radiant splendor of your face

Immortal holy, three-fold light
Yours be the Kingdom, power & might
All glory by Eternally
To you, Life-giving trinity

Great Panel from C-Stone

I did not make it to Cornerstone 2009, but was able to track down this this fascinating panel on the future of evangelicalism. Michael Spencer (the Internet Monk, from both the blog- and podio-spheres) hosts this conversation on the future of evangelicalism. Participants include Professor Soong-Chan Rah, Tony Jones, Phyllis Tickle, and other.

The link is to the first of seven parts. The entire panel runs about 50 minutes total.

Thought-provoking stuff.

Happy Birthday, John Calvin

On July 10, 1509, John Calvin was born in France. After breaking with Rome during the Reformation, he moved to Switzerland, from where he published the classic "Institutes of the Christian Religion." This work is arguably the first Protestant attempt at systematic theology, and his thoughts are still influential today -- and that influence seems to be on the rise. Everywhere you look, especially online and in the podcast world, Calvinist theology is dominat.

I personally appreciate the fact that Calvin was able to separate his disapproval of Roman Catholic mariology, from his positive view of Mary herself, and that he did not hold to a number of the Protestant views on her that became common after the Reformation.

The quincentenary is being observed around the globe with the Geneva-based World Alliance of Reformed Churches acting as a central organizer of "Calvin 09."

Music Review

Progress, by Nathan Long.

Long's first studio effort ia a six-song acoustic rock set that he has made available as a "donations optional" download.

"If You Love Me" is my favorite track, a fast-moving song expressing Jesus' heart for his disciples in the days before his Crucifixion. Another solid tune, "Love Picture" is a commentary on current social problems. "Progress" shows off Long's sense of humor and lyrical skills. The final three songs cover more tradtional worship themes, although the musicianship lifts them above the ordinary.

Check Nathan out. Download the songs.

Keep the ones you want, and pay what you think is fair.