"As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs a God"

Atheist Matthew Parris from London's The Times says that Christian missionaries - not government or world aid efforts - are the answer to the Africa problem:

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

I used to avoid this truth by applauding - as you can - the practical work of mission churches in Africa. It's a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the package, but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it. I would allow that if faith was needed to motivate missionaries to help, then, fine: but what counted was the help, not the faith.

But this doesn't fit the facts. Faith does more than support the missionary; it is also transferred to his flock. This is the effect that matters so immensely, and which I cannot help observing.

Read the article

Oh Wait NO

After posting that previous quote followed by the picture of the puppy, I realized it came right after a picture of my cat, Spotty. In just glimpsing at the blog, it appears as though this is one of those, "guy/girl-takes-pictures-of-cute-domestic-animals-blog."

This is to inform you that it is not.

I mean, it will not be in the future, because it kind of is now.

I'll hold off for a while. I promise I'll come back with some witty entry in the next few days that will make you want to come back.

The Cost of Forgiveness

"...forgiveness is free and unconditional to the perpetrator, but it is costly to you...if the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness."

-Tim Keller, The Prodigal God, p. 83

It may seem trite and obvious, but this statement has more weight when you are faced with the decision to forgive or not. When you're there, come back to this quote for a wake-up. Or if you think you have forgiven, check yourself with this.

And then look at this puppy holding a stuffed animal:

Snow Daze

Well, if you are anywhere in the Portland Oregon Metro area you know that large amounts of cold white stuff have left us to hibernate in our houses and not shower for days.

I have found my mind operating completely differently under these snowy conditions. For example, instead of thinking about all that I have to do the next day before going to sleep, I simply fall asleep assuming I won't do a single thing the next day. And during the day I make a lot of excuses to not do things. Such as: Better not take out the trash, it's snowing right now or, I can't feed the cat on a day like today! These excuses have led me to take a good look at my life and wonder how great of an effect the weather has on my humanity. I feel like a monkey.

Beyond this, I keep thinking about all of the things I would be doing. Like spending tons of money on things people I don't like don't need (Christmas shopping).

But I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and await for what my local news has called "The Arctic Blast" to deliquesce (look that one up, nerds). I'm losing track of what day it is and that never happens. I'm starting to see visions of Jack in "The Shining" as me, but then I just realize it's the old cream cheese I ate for breakfast.

The great part about being snowed in is you don't have to make any excuses to do leisurely activities. Two of my favorites are reading and watching ABC Family. So far I've caught "Home Alone," "The Family Man," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," and "Elf," "Cars," and a good amount of Home Improvement. You know what, I shouldn't post that list, it is quite sad...but it is snowing.

I read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in preparation for the movie coming on Christmas Day. I've been sifting through some other Fitzgerald short stories, although he was never really fond of them. He was right to an extent, his novels are much better. I finished Keller's The Prodigal God as well as the book of Amos. For the Advent season I have loved reading Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, which is a compilation of the best Christmas writings by classic preachers and theologians as well as contemporary pastors and scholars. Great and beautiful stuff. From Saint Augustine: "Do not follow the current of the flesh. For this flesh is indeed a current; for it has none abiding." There's more where that came from. For my scholarly palette, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses has been rocking my world. For those of you who doubt Jesus ever walked the earth or even existed, or if you doubt the accuracy of the Christian gospels, please give that book a chance. I think it puts most skeptics to rest and will most likely prove to be the most important book in the field of Biblical historicity.

The novel Home is perfect for these days, slow but uniquely suspenseful, it is purely character and setting driven. And I love Marilynne Robinson. And when I want to read something easy I've always got Hornby's collection of his monthly contribution to The Believer magazine. It is consistantly funny and incredibly informative. He's just a really smart guy but totally not an ass. Rare!

Anyways, due to my boredom I will not only post all of this for other bored people to read, but I will also give you a pictorial glimpse into the last two days.

Happy Christmas From Our Home to Yours

Our first Christmas card:

There's Just No Way

The title to this video on YouTube is "Dude transports 22 bricks on his head." Both accurate and amusing. By the way, you're welcome!

9 Year-Old Pimp Writes Book

This is an interview with the pimp Alec Greven, who recently wrote a book entitled, "How to Talk to Girls." My roommate John asked me where I think the kid will be in a couple of years. I think after he writes "How to Talk to Your Mom," he may go into rehab or get arrested or both. He's just too good to be true.

2008 Word of the Year

Webster's Word of the Year 2008: Overshare