Without getting into an extensive theological discussion of free will and determination issues (its boring and I don’t know much about it), I’d like to address the question of just how ‘free’ we really are.
John Locke (the philosopher, not the guy on LOST) was wrong. We don’t come into the world tabula rasa style–blank [...]

Yesterday I was pondering the bulletin insert about “Narnia, The Movie” (as I’m calling it). Specifically, I was interested in the quotes from ‘church leaders’ included in the advertisement. The quote by Mark Mittelberg states, “Rarely do events happen in mainstream culture that cause people to think about deeper spiritual realities; however, the upcoming [...]

Make sure to check out the discussion going on at instantchurch.com re: last week’s meeting (check out both the pre- and post-discussion discussions going on). Sign in, find the link on the left, and post your thoughts. An online chatter setup is also working now.
Hope everyone had a happy turkey day.

This one is gonna have to be short, cuz House M.D. comes on in 14 minutes, and I don’t want to miss it.
Thanksgiving!!! My Wednesday night professor thinks its a weird idea. Granted, he’s British and views the holiday as nothing more than a way to ruin the specialness of Christmas, but maybe he’s [...]

Paul and I are back from a lovely weekend. Santa Barbara sure is pretty. We stayed in Montecito, which is even prettier. Heard a Jazz ensemble (The Ahmad Jamal Trio), went to Solvang, saw Lake Cachuma, and visited the SB mission. Hope your weekend was relaxing as well.
Don’t forget that this week’s twenty-something group [...]

The hubby and I will be in Santa Barbara this weekend, back on Sunday afternoon/evening.

I was in the parking lot of Panda Express in Pasadena today, just sitting in my car reading, waiting to get hungry. Three guys from a local high school pull up–they’ve got off campus lunch around there–and run into Panda. Minutes later they’re back, fast food in hand and arguing about who gets to sit [...]

Ever since our conversation last Thursday night, and particularly in light of the insights brought by Joanne, I’ve been thinking that I need to get back in the habit of doing some contemplative, silence-based spiritual exercises. I took a class on this kind of stuff 2 years ago now and really enjoyed it, but of [...]

Good discussion-no, wait-Great discussion last night. Also great Spaghetti-O’s (contrary to a few dissenting opinions). I sure am looking forward to these Thursday night times with you all. Like somebody whose name I could look up if I cared said, “If church isn’t as good as dinner with friends, it might not [...]

Hey Twenty-somethings. Bible study/discussion group meets tonight at Mike’s place–around 7pm. If you don’t know where his house is, call him at church. Or call me. If you know who I am. I’m bringing Spaghetti-O’s (with meatballs) for everyone. Be there, or be a rhombus with right angles. hahaha. That one’s for you, Nathan. [...]