Archive for the 'Religious' Category
A Quick note on the Hymnal Committee
Some of you know that I’m spending Monday and Tuesday attending meetings for an upcoming hymnal (to be) published (in 2013) jointly by the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church. In 150 years since our split, we have never participated in such a project together and are now in the early stages […]
Read More..>>Let’s talk about ______, baby!
Years ago, Salt-n-Peppa put out a catchy little song called “let’s talk about sex.” I recall it going something like:
Let’s talk about sex, baby.
Let’s talk about you and me.
Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.
Let’s talk about sex.
Back “in the day” I thought it was “on […]
I long for…
A confession: I have been dissatisfied lately. Not with work, or family, or anything else specifically, just a general, unfocused dissatisfaction. It isn’t anyone’s fault and it isn’t based on any particular problem, except perhaps that I have a LOT to do these days and - although I stay very busy - I […]
Read More..>>US Celebrates High Holy Day
“The” day is just about upon us. “What day?” you ask… The highest holy day of civil religion in the United States. In just two days we will celebrate “Independence Day”… “the Fourth of July.” It is, I believe, one of my least favorite days of the calendar year. Not because I […]
Read More..>>Jurisdiction and the Old Testament Legal System
So here’s a question I’m often asked: What does it mean that Jesus “fulfilled the law?”
It’s usually connected to the question: Why do we “pick and choose” which of the Old Testament laws to follow (some say tattoos are bad, most people prefer to ensure they’re not drinking the blood of recently killed animals, etc.) […]
Liberation -vrs- Limitation
I’m currently in the middle of a sermon series that I’ve never preached before: A series on the 10 commandments.
It’s actually kind of odd that, in over 8 years of regular preaching, I’ve never worked a congregation through “the big 10.” Odd, but understandable. Why? Because even though the RCA’s position on […]
Tequila
So tell me this isn’t funny….
After frantically finishing up Sophia’s Dutch Costume this morning, we drove into Holland for our annual Tulip Time experience. This year, we went to the Kinderparade. Basically it’s a parade of elementary school children and middle-school bands. It’s never very polished, but always fun.
The best experience of […]
Celebrate with Me!
I have officially finished my first knitting pattern. Well, sort of. I’ve made a handful of patterns but never actually worked one up for publication and had it tested out by real knitters until now.
Thanks to several wonderful volunteers over at MenWhoKnit.com, I’ve finished “Tim’s Easiest-in-the-World, Infinitely-Adaptable, Toe-Up Sock Pattern.”
OK, so the title […]
Read More..>>This is why…
I am not a fan of “cutesy” little sayings on church signs. Although our sign is capable of hosting them, I informed our consistory, upon purchase of said sign, that if they wanted hokey sayings (er…umm… “neat, inspiring quips”), they would have to find someone else do them.
With few exceptions, they tend to give […]
“Those People”
So, Barack Obama gave “THE” speech today. It had to happen. If you haven’t seen or heard it, the text is available on his website here.
My opinion? I think it was ok - it was fine. I don’t consider it “one of the best and most important speeches” ever give nor probably […]
