From the text: Christ is supreme, not just prominent, but pre-eminent. Why? Three reasons:
a. Because of His relationship to God- v. 15
b. Because of his relation to creation- in Him, through Him, for Him- v. 16-17
c. Because of His relationship to the Church and New Creation- v. 18-20
From Wikipedia: The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History is a 1978 book by Michael H. Hart. It is a ranking of the 100 people who most influenced human history. Since publication the book has been hotly debated and its concept widely copied. His criterion was influence.
The book was reprinted in 1992 and again in 2000 with several notable revisions made to the original list of 100 people and their associated rankings. Chief among these revisions was the demotion of figures associated with Communism, such as Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong, and the introduction of Mikhail Gorbachev. Hart took sides in the Shakespearean authorship issue and substituted Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford for William Shakespeare. Hart also substituted Niels Bohr and Henri Becquerel with Ernest Rutherford, thus correcting an error in the first edition. Henry Ford was also promoted from the "Honorary Mentions" list, replacing Pablo Picasso. Finally, some of the rankings were re-ordered, although no one listed in the top ten changed position.
What mainly surprised readers was the first person on Hart's list. Hart decided to choose Muhammad over Jesus or Moses despite the fact that Islam was not the largest religion and that it was from a distant part of the world from where he lived. Hart attributes this to the fact that Muhammad was successful in both the religious and political realms. He also writes that Muhammad's role in the development of Islam is far more influential than Jesus's collaboration in the development of Christianity. He attributes the development of Christianity to St. Paul (ranked 6th) , who played a pivotal role in the spreading Christianity.
In fact, Jesus ranks third behind Isaac Newton. He didn’t talk about why Jesus was third, but why wasn’t he first? He used reasons that seemed good to him. But there is a principle here- there is a difference between reasons that sound good and good sound reasons. He observed that Jesus had no real influence on the politics of His time, perhaps for the first century. His geographic sphere of influence was small, and he hadn’t touched many individuals. He had been an ethical teacher with an influential personality. He held that parts of his teacheing others had given and were not original to him, but the original parts were the parts people didn’t follow anyway; people didn’t practice them.
Hart, Michael H. The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Revised and Updated for the Nineties. New York: Carol Publishing Group/Citadel Press; first published in 1978, reprinted with minor revisions 1992. ISBN 9780806510682
Who Jesus is makes all the difference in the world. The most significant thing anyone can ask is “Who is this Jesus?” This passage reminds us that He is Supreme…and THAT influences how we live our lives. This is a great affirmation- By Him, For Him, To Him Through Him. Paul writes at about the same passage of time away from the event as we are from the length of time we’ve been married- thirty years Why did they say such amazing things about Christ? Wherever they were in the world they had taught and sung these words- it is possible it is more than a poem, but an early hymn. What caused them to be convinced that He is supreme? Others admitted that Christ was important, but Paul declares that He is more than important- it is critical. He is supreme, not just prominent but pre-eminent. Why?
Paul gives us three reasons from this passage which are profoundly important.
1. Verse 15- Jesus is preeminent because of His relation to God.
He is the image of the invisible God. The work image (eikon) points us in several directions. The word has come from the stamp and die industry where a precise likeness is created.the impression or stamp of God. Humans are said to be “in the image of God”
Verse 19 clarifies- all the fullness- the nature. Col 2:9 declares “ all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” Christ IS the image- not just divine- He is God-ness. Paul reminds us that Jesus is all god is. He is in fact God. He is not AMONG the created- He not only shares god’s nature, he reveals God’s person. An image is a visual representation. The David by Michaelangelo impresses us, but it does not surprise us- it reveals familiar territory. We’ve seen it already, we know what the human figure looks like. In a similar way, Paul says Jesus is eternally god. In the incarnation the One and only, fully declared SON- Jesus was asked “show us the Father” and he responded- “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” The Bible says that if we want to know God or OF God, look to Jesus. He shares God’s nature, reveals God’s person. The image is the only way I can know what God is like. Christ is One with God.
Now Paul tells us more. If you love created things- I don’t know of any more relevant and significant passage to the scientific mind.
2. v. 16 Jesus is preeminent because of His relation to CREATION:
His position- he is the firstborn of all creation. This can be a confusing statement, so let’s unpack it. How can Christ be “born” AND God? The next verse gives us a clue: It says EVERYTHING came into being BY Him. There is not a thing apart from Him. So we have a language problem.
Sir Christopher Rand created St. Paul’s Cathedral and then called in Queen Ann to show off his work to her. They made a tour and the Queen remarked: It is awful, it is amusing, and it is artificial.” And Sir Christopher replied “Thank you, your Majesty.” You might ask “why?”
Back in those days awful meant awe inspiring. Artificial meant artistic. Amusing meant delightful, or bringing pleasure. Words change meaning over time. Here the word FIRSTBORN refers to the heir of everything, the owner, possessor, the preeminent, the most important. In Psalms Israel is called the firstborn nation, and it was certainly not the first one born. It denotes headship. Mannesseh and Ephraim were sons of David and in Jeremiah 31: 9 God declares that Ephraim was his firstborn. In Psalm 89:27, God says he will appoint a firstborn-David and his royal line-as the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
In 1880, the Dutch statesman-theologian Abraham Kuyper issued a bold proclamation that spoke to the growing fragmentation of society and social roles in his own day—and in ours: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry “Mine!”
He is Lord of Creation but He is more than that. Verse 16 is a marvelous verse. Paul used three prepositions to describe the Lord’s relationship to creation. Don’t miss the nuances here as they are not clear in the NIV. Use the NASB- for IN Him all things, THROUGH or BY , and FOR Him. In through and for- think of building a house. You begin to think, to dream and design a plan. Before it comes into being it has to be originated in your mind. In you is the plan in terms of design. Paul says it all took place in the omniscient mind of the Son of God. He is the Master Designer who stamped his design on every corner of the Cosmos. Jesus is all of that- all things came into being not by happenstance but by intelligent design- and this same Creator holds the universe together.
Science will tell you there are two things- gravity and intermolecular forces that form the cosmic glue that keeps everything from spinning off into oblivion. More specifically superstrings and cosmic strings are what the astrophysicists tell us, (not Duct Tape). Then it was the “phantom particle”- cold dark matter or LSP’s –“lightest supersymmetric partners.” Fermions, such as electrons and quarks are the bricks or fundamental building blocks of matter. The mortar particle is called a boson.
“The basic idea of supersymmetry is that every boson has a fermion 'superpartner' and vice versa,"(astrophysicist Gordon ) Kane said. Most superpartners are heavy with a mass roughly equivalent to the recently discovered top quark. Like the top quark, they exist only for the tiniest fraction of a second before they decay, leaving no physical sign of their existence. This makes them difficult to detect in particle accelerators.” http://www.ur.umich.edu/9495/May08_95/phantom.htm.
I remember hearing Ken Poure speak nearly 40 years ago- The director emeritus of Hume Lake Christian Camps, he is known for his unique blend of wisdom, practical knowledge, and side-splitting humor. He said that scientists were seeking to know what holds the universe together and the answer was WOG. WOG is the Word of God.
He is the glue of the universe. He is that next heartbeat, the next bat of an eye- Acts 17:28 is my life verse- “In Him we live and move and have our being,” said Paul to the Aeropagus Eggheads.
The fact that all things do not fly apart is not because of random laws of nature. But because of the power of Jesus Christ. He is the cohesive force. Remember the author who put Newton in front to Jesus in ranking them? The Newtonian theories, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle of quantum physics are fine, but beneath them all is the sovereign power of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice in the next section:
3. Jesus is preeminent because of His relationship to the Church.
He is the head of the body. He determines the body. Men build institutions, but God grows things. He gives life. In a physical life there is no life apart from the connection to the head. Any part of the body that is separated from this connection withers and dies. The only ones in the body are the ones joined to Christ. It is a living bond. All the physical head is to the body, Jesus is to the Church. He is the resource, the leader, and controller. H is the one who gives life in verse 18. He conquers death. He is the beginning, the founder of the new humanity , new creation. In what way? First, he conquered death, so he is the first over death. He is the firstborn of all those who will share in this victory. He said “I am the resurrection and the life. When someone who s in Christ dies, it is certain that they go immediately to be in the presence of the Lord. The firstborn of the dead is the only way we can HOPE in the face of death. He is Risen.
VV. 19-20. Paul reminds us that He also brings together fallen, sinful, alienated man and God the Father. Understand this: Jesus ‘ sufficiency to meet our needs is totally related to His supremacy. A Jesus less than God is a bridge broken at the far end. If He is anything less than Lord god of All and I am hopeless. He Lived all that God is. V. 19: Fullness- “dwell in”- there are two words in Greek. One means a temporary visit this one means a permanent residence. This is that word.
There has been a disruption. The universe is in rebellion against its creator. Sin separated man from God who brought everything into being. Sin brought alienation and hostility, and destroyed what god created. Verse 20- God worked through Jesus to reconcile all things to himself. The glorious Creator made reconciliation through His blood shed on the cross (cf verse 14). This is an amazing statement here. He bled and died, he who spoke the tree into being hung on it to bring forgiveness of sins so I can know peace with the Living God!
Paul wants us to understand that Jesus is supreme: Supreme for what He has done in the original and again in the new creation. He is supreme and sufficieint- he is the answer to sin and death, the answer to any issue in your life. Jesus is Lord!
During coronations, the Archbishop of Canterbury turns to each corner of the Cathedral and asks, “Will you pay )Him or Her) homage? When the answer comes, and not until it comes “We will”, then he places the crown on the head of the Monarch. The Father placed the crown on the head of the Lord Jesus. Will you pay Him homage? For some, you need to trust Him, acknowledge His work nd bow at his feet. For others, those who have trusted Him, give Him the preeminence. Yield to His throne of Grace-and exalt Him to the place that is Rightfully his in your life.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Links regarding news in educational technology...
Sun Microsystems demo’s open source Virtual World platform for the education community- created by Boston College and the University of Oregon et al.
Research and Markets: In Depth Analysis of e-Learning- critical reflection on current state of e-Learning market.
A move toward synchronous e-Learning
Colleges mine pre-college market- Wall Street Journal
Webconferencing software news
Blogs in Higher Ed
Blackboard’s new social network software
Gas prices driving students to online-here is a representative article from the Chronicle
Using RSS feeds to disseminate course information
Screencasts as scaffolding
Open textbook movement-good or bad?
Copyright fight over college textbooks
Google unveils online reference tool
Blackboard/Sakai integration on the way, Moodle on Deck
Changing Designs of Online Learning
Research and Markets: In Depth Analysis of e-Learning- critical reflection on current state of e-Learning market.
A move toward synchronous e-Learning
Colleges mine pre-college market- Wall Street Journal
Webconferencing software news
Blogs in Higher Ed
Blackboard’s new social network software
Gas prices driving students to online-here is a representative article from the Chronicle
Using RSS feeds to disseminate course information
Screencasts as scaffolding
Open textbook movement-good or bad?
Copyright fight over college textbooks
Google unveils online reference tool
Blackboard/Sakai integration on the way, Moodle on Deck
Changing Designs of Online Learning
Unknown woman
The Story Glory Tells
This flowed out of a series i taught for the Expositors' Class at Highview this summer...
We need the peace of Jesus Christ
The only shalom that has sufficed
We need to let it rule and reign
In hearts filled with doubt and pain
In our circumstances we find fear
But God in heaven draws us near
And the peace of Christ o’erflows
Overwhelms and holds us close
When the accuser accuses
And this life abuses
In this Peace I am called just
For righteousness redeems this dust
Each small victory prepares us
By each failure we’re undone
For our strength is found outside us
By His power the battle is won
As we stand within the glory
Of the hope that in us dwells
Christ in Us shall tell the story
We’re the stories glory tells
On each battlefield yet to come
In each defeat of the past
By His power His will is done
As before the throne we cast
Every circumstance from first to last…
As we stand within the glory
Of the hope that in us dwells
Christ in Us shall tell the story
We’re the stories glory tells…
Anthony Foster
Colossians 2-3
August 19, 2008
Dog Days for Blogging
I haven't posted much here lately, and for good reason... After spending a week catching up from my summer Doctoral residencey requirement, I was off to the MERLOT International Conference to conduct a workshop on Multiple Intelligences- it may sound like old hat stuff, but I focussed on writing assignments that incorporate such concerns. Met a lot of people, talked in Learning Objectese, and presented as part of a panel discussion late in the conference. Post conference has been spent in catching up...
RiverLife
I’ll cast my life into the river and I will rest within its flow
For my pardon and my cleansing- I pray Thee Lord, make it so
I’ll flee from the flood of this world and instead
I’ll rest my head in the river’s bed
I’ll live day by day in its holy undertow
And with the river I’ll learn to flow.
Place my hard heart into the river’s stream
Like a diamond that you polished I would gleam
And Lord your currents will- cover me until
All I know is you alone
As you turn this stony heart into a polished stone
So take me down into the river and wash away my sin
For my pardon and my cleansing you complete what you begin
As I become a stone of grace polished by the currents of your love
You make me a rock you’ll build your Kingdom of
On earth just as in heaven up above.
Anthony Foster
August 19, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Recent Research findings having potential ramifications for Learning Solutions
• Characteristics of Adult Learners With Implications for Online Learning Design - Cercone, K., AACE Journal
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24286
• Envisioning the Educational Possibilities of User-Created Virtual Worlds-
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewFullText&paper_id=24253
• A New Pathway for E-Learning: From Distribution to Collaboration and Competence in E-Learning
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewFullText&paper_id=25274
• “Mode-Neutral” pedagogy
http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2008/Smith_Reed_Jones.htm
• Strategies for assessment and potential rubrics for grading online interaction-
http://campustechnology.com/articles/64462/
• 7 things you should know about... Multi-Touch Interfaces - EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2008/Smith_Reed_Jones.htm
• Short and Sweet: Technology Shrinks the Lecture
http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i41/41a00901.htm
• Personal Learning Environments
http://campustechnology.com/articles/63551/
• Google earth now viewable inside web browsers:Google says it wants to open up the core of Google Earth to developers so they can create the next great 3-D geo application.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208400757&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_All
• Future Online Learning Landscapes: Transforming Pedagogy through Social Software -Innovate –Journal of Online Education
http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=539&action=article
• How Microsoft uses scenario planning to explore the future of education- White Paper
http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/whitepapers/scenario/ScenarioPlanning.aspx
• Another Microsoft white paper- E-Portfolios
http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/whitepapers/classroom/OutOfTheClassroom.aspx
• Characteristics of Adult Learners With Implications for Online Learning Design - Cercone, K., AACE Journal
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24286
• Envisioning the Educational Possibilities of User-Created Virtual Worlds-
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewFullText&paper_id=24253
• A New Pathway for E-Learning: From Distribution to Collaboration and Competence in E-Learning
http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewFullText&paper_id=25274
• “Mode-Neutral” pedagogy
http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2008/Smith_Reed_Jones.htm
• Strategies for assessment and potential rubrics for grading online interaction-
http://campustechnology.com/articles/64462/
• 7 things you should know about... Multi-Touch Interfaces - EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2008/Smith_Reed_Jones.htm
• Short and Sweet: Technology Shrinks the Lecture
http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i41/41a00901.htm
• Personal Learning Environments
http://campustechnology.com/articles/63551/
• Google earth now viewable inside web browsers:Google says it wants to open up the core of Google Earth to developers so they can create the next great 3-D geo application.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208400757&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_All
• Future Online Learning Landscapes: Transforming Pedagogy through Social Software -Innovate –Journal of Online Education
http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=539&action=article
• How Microsoft uses scenario planning to explore the future of education- White Paper
http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/whitepapers/scenario/ScenarioPlanning.aspx
• Another Microsoft white paper- E-Portfolios
http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/whitepapers/classroom/OutOfTheClassroom.aspx
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tragedy strikes
Please pray for the family of Gregory Gomez. I am trying to piece together the story- the IMB site has info here.
Here is the local news report...
I hear 14 people all told died on the bus. The IMB mantions only those on mission.
The Gomez family are part of my home church, Bethel Baptist in Troy, Il.
Long time, no blog
With Ma Smith's death and the ton of work going into dealing with her estate, I got SERIOUSLY behind in preparation for my upcoming residency requirements. So I have been typing mightily and at some point some of it will likely get posted here...
Pray for me as I dig out from under the pile of work and materials I created for the ABF class I am teaching on Colossians...
A recent DesiringGod newsletter had a word for me... If Jesus fed the five thousand, my worries are over.
Pray for me as I dig out from under the pile of work and materials I created for the ABF class I am teaching on Colossians...
A recent DesiringGod newsletter had a word for me... If Jesus fed the five thousand, my worries are over.
Monday, June 16, 2008
And Now a word of comment on David Dockery
From Chapter 8 of The Future of Christian Higher Education: on Professional Education
The author’s premise is that a secular worldview that has dismissed eternity, morality, accountability, and charity touches every aspect of life in the world in which we live. A distinctive of Christian Higher Education is to infuse these dimensions of life into education. The ability to contend for the truth in whatever sphere of influence one is called to is the critical foundation for life and living.
There are several implications of the Christian worldview for Christian Higher Education.
First, Christian teachers and learners have a higher motivation for learning than getting a good job. God’s purposes inform our learning. Secondly, the integration of Christian faith and learning can help restore the loss of morality and accountability Our will to do actions of righteousness will follow and that will impact our world. Thirdly, a Christian worldview will impact how someone is prepared to fulfill their calling, which is the original meaning of vocation. Thus the goals of Christian education is to prepare servant leaders to be salt and light for the marketplace and to act as agents of change and redemption in their sphere of influence. The Christian tradition holds that honest work is divinely ordained. This, in a nutshell, means that our learning, study and hard work are a means of glorifying and loving God with our heart soul, mind, and strength.Dockery’s final point is an important one: Promotions and prosperity come from God.
Here I will diverge with a personal comment. This is no name it and claim it theology that co-opts God’s blessings for temporal pleasures. I have see it at work at the highest levels. God is pleased at myriad times to work miraculously to advance the cause of the humble and contrite before him who intentionally seek to glorify Him in their day to day marketplace intercourse. One mark of this genuine blessing is that the one who is advanced becomes more humble, not puffed up by accomplishment. The world, the flesh and the devil would shut this form of righteousness down.
The author’s premise is that a secular worldview that has dismissed eternity, morality, accountability, and charity touches every aspect of life in the world in which we live. A distinctive of Christian Higher Education is to infuse these dimensions of life into education. The ability to contend for the truth in whatever sphere of influence one is called to is the critical foundation for life and living.
There are several implications of the Christian worldview for Christian Higher Education.
First, Christian teachers and learners have a higher motivation for learning than getting a good job. God’s purposes inform our learning. Secondly, the integration of Christian faith and learning can help restore the loss of morality and accountability Our will to do actions of righteousness will follow and that will impact our world. Thirdly, a Christian worldview will impact how someone is prepared to fulfill their calling, which is the original meaning of vocation. Thus the goals of Christian education is to prepare servant leaders to be salt and light for the marketplace and to act as agents of change and redemption in their sphere of influence. The Christian tradition holds that honest work is divinely ordained. This, in a nutshell, means that our learning, study and hard work are a means of glorifying and loving God with our heart soul, mind, and strength.Dockery’s final point is an important one: Promotions and prosperity come from God.
Here I will diverge with a personal comment. This is no name it and claim it theology that co-opts God’s blessings for temporal pleasures. I have see it at work at the highest levels. God is pleased at myriad times to work miraculously to advance the cause of the humble and contrite before him who intentionally seek to glorify Him in their day to day marketplace intercourse. One mark of this genuine blessing is that the one who is advanced becomes more humble, not puffed up by accomplishment. The world, the flesh and the devil would shut this form of righteousness down.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Keeping the Main thing the main thing...
Let's read a little Lewis Carroll- from Alice in Wonderland...
(Alice) was a little startled by seeing
the Cheshire Cat sitting on a bough of a tree a few yards off.
The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked good-
natured, she thought: still it had VERY long claws and a great
many teeth, so she felt that it ought to be treated with respect.
`Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at
all know whether it would like the name: however, it only
grinned a little wider. `Come, it's pleased so far,' thought
Alice, and she went on. `Would you tell me, please, which way I
ought to go from here?'
`That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said
the Cat.
`I don't much care where--' said Alice.
`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
This is an obvious fact- yet we miss it- your destination determines your direction. We usually get that backwards at our own peril. Your goals determine your choices. It’s easy for us to get distracted and more concerned with secondary things. Yet wise people think about what they are about
Pascal said- the last thing we learn is what to put first.
Paul prayed a prayer for strangers to him- yet he prayed for the them the things that were most important to him.- for them.
The Greek here says-“praying for you and asking that you may be filled.”
Grammar can be as exciting as looking at a root canal, but let’s do it- it will benefit us here.
It is imperative to see how Paul’s thought flows.
A. v. 9 the Petition-That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will.
B. v. 10 the purpose- That you might live a life worthy of the Lord then follow 4 participles
C. vv. 10b-14-The Products:
• Bearing Fruit
• Growing
• Being Strengthened
• Giving thanks
This prayer is like a tree- its source or root is found in verse 9
The trunk or substance is in verse 10
The leaves or fruit are in vv 10-14.
The profound question is: What is the right thing? that is the issue. How do we know what is wisdom and what is foolishness- how do we get an anchor for life so we are not knocked back and forth like the waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind? (James)
Paul is concerned for believers living in a pagan environment. What do they need most? Paul is not thinking of the theological issues here- God’s sovereignty, etc. “God works all things according to the counsel of his will”
The personal directive will of god is in view here. He does not express it specifically but it embraces all believers here. He is talking about the declarative will of God- the moral will of God. That which arises out of God’s desire for every single person. God’s purposes for all men who name the name of Christ and will follow in His commands.
These people didn’t have the New Testament as we know it- his written commands for us. We hold in our hands the will of God- the known, declared will- which is declared in Scripture-so we can be equipped for every good work. All I need to live a life pleasing to God is contained in Scripture.
The work “know” here is used of the most intimate relationship between a man and a woman. It goes on to say “spiritual wisdom”- this is not the type of word tested in a university, but tested in life. Not just knowing Scripture, but applying it to life.
Personal knowledge and practical skill- the ability to discern and understand what truth applies where. We need to know how the will of God flows into life- not some highly informed intellectual understanding.God says there is a human response to the Word of God.
Menalek the II, was ruler of Ethiopia before the turn of the century. In the Coptic faith the emperor is seen as a descendant in the line of all that. Menalek believed that when he fell ill he could be healed by the Bible. He thought if he literally ate a few pages of scripture it would make him better. In 1913 he fell seriously ill so he decided to eat 1 and 2 Kings…so they tore it out page by page and he ate it and somewhere in 1 Kings he expired.
This is NOT what it means to be filled with the knowledge of His will in case you were wondering about that.- But what DOES it mean?
When we are filled with something it controls us. It is to have the will of God shape and influence my will. And also to be captivated, full of love,
Not only intellect, of our choice, seeking to obey, but also of LOVING His Will. To say as David “Oh how I love your Law!”
We must be possessed by the Word of God, not just possess the Word of God. Do I want to be a man who is shaped by God’s will, by His revealed statement of all the concerns in life?? God has spoken, if we believe that, nothing is more important than being informed and obedient to that written word of God.
Colossians 1:9-14 Our Great Purpose
Why is it important to be informed by and live in accordance WITH the Word of God?
Look at Col 1:10- the purpose is clear here- to live a life worthy of the Lord and to please Him in all respects. OUR GREAT PURPOSE-
First a standard is given- as in Eph 4:1; Phil 1:27;1 Thess 2:12
Here- to Walk Worthy- do not miss the word picture here- the image is of a balancing scale- the standard is placed on one side- WORTHY- = weighs up-we all have a scale, but hat is our standard we measure against?
Here’s a little explanation I thought worthy from DesiringGod.com: The Greek adverb, aksios, is translated "worthy of" in all six of its New Testament uses in the NASB. Five of those uses refer to our acting "worthy of God" or the gospel or our heavenly calling. What does this mean? Does it mean that we are to become "worth" God's favor? That is, does "worthy of" mean - deserving or meriting or earning God's favor? Does it call attention to our worth which God is obliged to acknowledge because it enriches his worth, the way a great computer programmer might be worth $200,000 to Microsoft?
Here are all five of these uses:
3 John 1:6, "You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God."
Thessalonians 2:12, "Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
Colossians 1:10, "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Philippians 1:27, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
Ephesians 4:1, "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."
I don't think these texts mean that we merit from God or the gospel or our call; but that they merit from us. That is, to "walk worthy of the Lord" means to walk in a way that the Lord deserves from us, not in a way that we deserve from the Lord. So it is with the phrases "worthy of God" and "worthy of the Lord" and "worthy of the gospel" and "worthy of the calling." They mean: Act in a way that fits the great value and glorious nature of God and the gospel and your calling. And what fits with that great value? Faith. Above all things, faith and its fruit of love fits the worth of God and the gospel.
When constructing our scale or worth, we must not look to other people, heroes, role models as what we measure against. NO! it must be Christ Alone! When you construct the scale make One person the Lord. He is your measure, your standard. His character and love poured out on a cross--this rescues us from death and wrath preeminently, but also mediocrity and the ordinary. Don’t just be obsessed WITH it, DO IT to please Him Paul says. In every way we have a motivation.
If these things are true, then 4 other things are true:
1. Fruit is not brought by effort- it is the overflow of life. God’s life is evident in you-manifest the reality. No apple tree consciously decides to bear Macintoshes. The fruit can be the fruit of the Spirit- character. Other places it is evangelism. Here it is good works- the inevitable outflow that we were created UNTO. Titus 2:14 says we are eager- fanatics for good works. We are productive.
2. We also GROW. Verse 10 looks back to verse 9. It’s a circle- we know God’s will and we know God’s person- an endless cycle through this. It is an upward spiral.What I do with what I know of gods will will determine whether I will know my God better and so forth- as I move up the spiral of response. Einstein’s theory of relativity. Mrs Einstein was asked if she understood her husband;s theory. No, she answered, but I understand my husband. Spiritually there is a lot of truth in that.I won’t understand God and all his plans and purposes. He will be my sovereign and omniscient Lord, but not my intimate love.
3. Also I will know his enablement- verse 11.We struggle with our weakness and Paul wants us to know how to live to God’s Glory. It’s not like getting a big push on a swing, then you are on your own. No, God enables constantly. We’d like the end to read “so THAT we might escape and always prosper.” But God’s power is not only revealed in protection, but patience, not escape but endurance. James 1:3 So we can bear fruit and be made perfect. God always marvelously sustains- this is the norm- but he some times miraculously delivers.
4. The last statement bears a sense of wonder: GRATITUDE- vv. 12-14.God’s work in our life is what qualifies us by His grace- this is our position in Christ. V. 13- it is a PRIVILEDGE we could never achieve. We are now citizens. V. 14. It is a FREEDOM only from God. REDEMPTION. None of us would not want these things.
The root of it all is in verse 9. Are we being filled by the knowledge that shapes and controls us? Is vv 12-14 true of us? Have you trusted Christ, been transferred, been qualified by being In Christ? God help us to put first things first. Trust Christ and then obey Him.
Look at Col 1:10- the purpose is clear here- to live a life worthy of the Lord and to please Him in all respects. OUR GREAT PURPOSE-
First a standard is given- as in Eph 4:1; Phil 1:27;1 Thess 2:12
Here- to Walk Worthy- do not miss the word picture here- the image is of a balancing scale- the standard is placed on one side- WORTHY- = weighs up-we all have a scale, but hat is our standard we measure against?
Here’s a little explanation I thought worthy from DesiringGod.com: The Greek adverb, aksios, is translated "worthy of" in all six of its New Testament uses in the NASB. Five of those uses refer to our acting "worthy of God" or the gospel or our heavenly calling. What does this mean? Does it mean that we are to become "worth" God's favor? That is, does "worthy of" mean - deserving or meriting or earning God's favor? Does it call attention to our worth which God is obliged to acknowledge because it enriches his worth, the way a great computer programmer might be worth $200,000 to Microsoft?
Here are all five of these uses:
3 John 1:6, "You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God."
Thessalonians 2:12, "Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
Colossians 1:10, "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Philippians 1:27, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
Ephesians 4:1, "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."
I don't think these texts mean that we merit from God or the gospel or our call; but that they merit from us. That is, to "walk worthy of the Lord" means to walk in a way that the Lord deserves from us, not in a way that we deserve from the Lord. So it is with the phrases "worthy of God" and "worthy of the Lord" and "worthy of the gospel" and "worthy of the calling." They mean: Act in a way that fits the great value and glorious nature of God and the gospel and your calling. And what fits with that great value? Faith. Above all things, faith and its fruit of love fits the worth of God and the gospel.
When constructing our scale or worth, we must not look to other people, heroes, role models as what we measure against. NO! it must be Christ Alone! When you construct the scale make One person the Lord. He is your measure, your standard. His character and love poured out on a cross--this rescues us from death and wrath preeminently, but also mediocrity and the ordinary. Don’t just be obsessed WITH it, DO IT to please Him Paul says. In every way we have a motivation.
If these things are true, then 4 other things are true:
1. Fruit is not brought by effort- it is the overflow of life. God’s life is evident in you-manifest the reality. No apple tree consciously decides to bear Macintoshes. The fruit can be the fruit of the Spirit- character. Other places it is evangelism. Here it is good works- the inevitable outflow that we were created UNTO. Titus 2:14 says we are eager- fanatics for good works. We are productive.
2. We also GROW. Verse 10 looks back to verse 9. It’s a circle- we know God’s will and we know God’s person- an endless cycle through this. It is an upward spiral.What I do with what I know of gods will will determine whether I will know my God better and so forth- as I move up the spiral of response. Einstein’s theory of relativity. Mrs Einstein was asked if she understood her husband;s theory. No, she answered, but I understand my husband. Spiritually there is a lot of truth in that.I won’t understand God and all his plans and purposes. He will be my sovereign and omniscient Lord, but not my intimate love.
3. Also I will know his enablement- verse 11.We struggle with our weakness and Paul wants us to know how to live to God’s Glory. It’s not like getting a big push on a swing, then you are on your own. No, God enables constantly. We’d like the end to read “so THAT we might escape and always prosper.” But God’s power is not only revealed in protection, but patience, not escape but endurance. James 1:3 So we can bear fruit and be made perfect. God always marvelously sustains- this is the norm- but he some times miraculously delivers.
4. The last statement bears a sense of wonder: GRATITUDE- vv. 12-14.God’s work in our life is what qualifies us by His grace- this is our position in Christ. V. 13- it is a PRIVILEDGE we could never achieve. We are now citizens. V. 14. It is a FREEDOM only from God. REDEMPTION. None of us would not want these things.
The root of it all is in verse 9. Are we being filled by the knowledge that shapes and controls us? Is vv 12-14 true of us? Have you trusted Christ, been transferred, been qualified by being In Christ? God help us to put first things first. Trust Christ and then obey Him.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Indiana Jones-spoliers ahead!
How long has it been? Almost twenty years? Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. It's all there, the walk, the talk, the silliness, the fistfights. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly as you can tell.
Some movies just demand to be enjoyed and forget about the flaws. But then, that wouldn't make much of a review.
The big issue is the absurdity element. The earlier stories were made to seem to be almost believeable, but when you have Indy surviving an H-bomb test in a 1950's Frigidaire in the opening scenes and then opening the refrigerator door from the INSIDE to walk out without a scratch (that's a REAL trick) I got the sense that anything would be fair game. And it was. The poor Ark of the Covenant got left in the dust (and in the warehouse) for this foray into the cartoon unknown.
More to come...
Some movies just demand to be enjoyed and forget about the flaws. But then, that wouldn't make much of a review.
The big issue is the absurdity element. The earlier stories were made to seem to be almost believeable, but when you have Indy surviving an H-bomb test in a 1950's Frigidaire in the opening scenes and then opening the refrigerator door from the INSIDE to walk out without a scratch (that's a REAL trick) I got the sense that anything would be fair game. And it was. The poor Ark of the Covenant got left in the dust (and in the warehouse) for this foray into the cartoon unknown.
More to come...
Friday, May 30, 2008
EdTech news
• Teaching with Web 2.0
• Web 2.0 is redefining what and how and with whom we learn.
• Wikis- for collaboration and here.
• Smartphone tutorial-
• Research- Innovative Classroom Practices study
• Research on differences in games and simulations-
• Research on real life assessment regimes
• Research from MERLOT- Powerful E-Learning: A Preliminary Study of Learner Experiences
• Why Web 2.0 is about-more than technology-
• The LMS as a trap? Considering Online Pedagogy-
• Computer-Based Learning Could Transform Public Education within a Decade through “Disruptive Innovation,” experts say
• Second life pros and cons
• Web 2.0 is redefining what and how and with whom we learn.
• Wikis- for collaboration and here.
• Smartphone tutorial-
• Research- Innovative Classroom Practices study
• Research on differences in games and simulations-
• Research on real life assessment regimes
• Research from MERLOT- Powerful E-Learning: A Preliminary Study of Learner Experiences
• Why Web 2.0 is about-more than technology-
• The LMS as a trap? Considering Online Pedagogy-
• Computer-Based Learning Could Transform Public Education within a Decade through “Disruptive Innovation,” experts say
• Second life pros and cons
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Return to Narnia
It seems like 1300 years since I last blogged on the Chronicles. I will have to see Prince Caspian again, as I have an unsettled view of the film at this point. The effects were good, and the storyline was mainly consistent with the original.
Where it departs for me is the presence of a grand theme of essense versus presence. What something is, overriding what something is made of. The theme of mythos is underplayed in the movie for a different vision of grand battle scenes we have seen the like of before. It is like the director thought that the "deep magic" would be too deep for the audience. There is no hint of substantive mythological content- no Bacchus to dance with. More disturbing, there is very little sign of Aslan to dance with.Myth becomes fact but there seems to be little longing for it.
And Susan sure killed a bunch of Telmarines with that bow- wonder what Lewis would have thought of that? Apparently Doug Gresham didn't think much of it.
Here is a significant quote from the CT movie review that is very instructive.
"In the film, Aslan tells Lucy, "Every year you grow, so shall I." In the book, Aslan says, "Every year you grow, you will find me bigger." Is this a significant change? In another scene, the film version of Aslan tells Lucy, "We can never know what would have happened." In the book, he says, "Nobody is ever told that." Is this a significant change? Do changes like these affect our understanding of Aslan's divinity? If so, how? If not, why not?"
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Christian Higher Education- what is it?
Dr. Pettegrew says: "James Davison Hunter in his well known book "Evangelicalism: The Coming Generation" (published in 1987), suggests that "Somehow, exposure to the realm of higher education weakened the grip of religious conviction over a person's life. Thus whatever religious beliefs and practices an individual carried in with him at the start of his educational sojourn would have either been seriously compromised or abandoned altogether by the time he was ready to graduate. Minimally holding on to the religion of his adolescence would have proven difficult if not impossible" (171). He suggests that this is true not only in secular education but also Christian higher education in Christial liberal arts colleges. In fact, other studies have suggested that Christian students may do less well in Christian colleges, compared to secular colleges, because of a kind of "hothouse" effect at the Christian college, that the students become lethargic and apathetic about their faith."
I believe the above statements Dr. Pettegrew quoted are reflective of facts- a correct analysis. The underlying issue is the nature of faith- whether it is born of the Spirit or of indoctrination. It is a larger issue and has a prior genesis than that of beign accepted at a Christian Liberal Arts college. Of course, I am not alone in this crisis assessment. Much of what passes for Christianity is of this cultural untested variety that has learned to affirm that it is “all of God” but in fact is admixed with self-centered man. There is a simple reason why Christian are indistinguishable from the world in the west. They are in it and of it, not living practically with the ramifications of who they are, not even thinking in terms of all Truth being God’s Truth. Lukewarmness and laissez-faire religion ensues at best; the churches become unregenerate at worst...
In answering the second portion, I must allude to the words of my former pastor, Duane Litfin, whom I am deeply indebted to: The raison d’etre of the Christian college is see more fully the One we serve and to understand more clearly our own identity before Him and to provide an education where Jesus is the center and source of all knowledge. With Christ as the source, the Christian college must by virtue of its curriculum strengthen the foundations of Christian thought- to abrogate what David Wells called the Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. The revelatory nature of Truth demands that Christian education not only preserve Truth, but extend its application (and redemptive agency) to the uttermost disciplines. In my mind, this is an area of the Great Commission that has largely been ignored by the body of Christ, and yet it is where a substantial part of the battle is won or lost. We must equip students to take their faith to the public forums and not only stand, but to tear down every argument and every arrogant obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. We have along way to go and our existing strategies are not working as effectively as required for the task.
Thus, the key to the redemptive task is to understand and pursue the integrative mandate. Kingdom extension must be holistic and integrative of the whole man, lest the faith become just another compartment; this is how we got to where we are today. I believe a centerpiece of the curriculum must become teaching the strategic planning for advancing Kingdom initiatives in every discipline. For this to happen, it has to flow from the curriculum; teachers must see this as a mandate for themselves and for their students. Kingdom extension should be viewed as an outworking of our conformation to Christ, who is the Lord of All. What I am speaking of moves beyond Theodicy or Reconstructionism, it is the air we breath. We must teach students to think integratively: what can I do in this monent, in this week, in this lifetime to extend the Kingdom of my Lord in my dauily work and walk?
To “prevent it from happening” is not the issue- the primary task we must attack is to verify and validate the faith students enter with- true faith is living and can not be extinguished. We must “stir up the spark” the gift God bestows, and educate students in the deliberately designed passionate pursuit of exalting God in ALL things. The sanctification and consecration of a kingdom of priests is in view. Sanctification is more than Spiritual disciplines- it is practical, physical, vital, daily, anoverpowering engagement and effective stewardship of life on this earth for Christ's sake. I am not sure many Christian educators understand this, they take for granted that the students they encounter must be believers in the first place. We must be about building culture warriors and wise stewards of vocation, but the foundation for such a pursuit must be the correct estimation preeminent place of the Glorious One in our living, moving, being.
I believe the above statements Dr. Pettegrew quoted are reflective of facts- a correct analysis. The underlying issue is the nature of faith- whether it is born of the Spirit or of indoctrination. It is a larger issue and has a prior genesis than that of beign accepted at a Christian Liberal Arts college. Of course, I am not alone in this crisis assessment. Much of what passes for Christianity is of this cultural untested variety that has learned to affirm that it is “all of God” but in fact is admixed with self-centered man. There is a simple reason why Christian are indistinguishable from the world in the west. They are in it and of it, not living practically with the ramifications of who they are, not even thinking in terms of all Truth being God’s Truth. Lukewarmness and laissez-faire religion ensues at best; the churches become unregenerate at worst...
In answering the second portion, I must allude to the words of my former pastor, Duane Litfin, whom I am deeply indebted to: The raison d’etre of the Christian college is see more fully the One we serve and to understand more clearly our own identity before Him and to provide an education where Jesus is the center and source of all knowledge. With Christ as the source, the Christian college must by virtue of its curriculum strengthen the foundations of Christian thought- to abrogate what David Wells called the Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. The revelatory nature of Truth demands that Christian education not only preserve Truth, but extend its application (and redemptive agency) to the uttermost disciplines. In my mind, this is an area of the Great Commission that has largely been ignored by the body of Christ, and yet it is where a substantial part of the battle is won or lost. We must equip students to take their faith to the public forums and not only stand, but to tear down every argument and every arrogant obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. We have along way to go and our existing strategies are not working as effectively as required for the task.
Thus, the key to the redemptive task is to understand and pursue the integrative mandate. Kingdom extension must be holistic and integrative of the whole man, lest the faith become just another compartment; this is how we got to where we are today. I believe a centerpiece of the curriculum must become teaching the strategic planning for advancing Kingdom initiatives in every discipline. For this to happen, it has to flow from the curriculum; teachers must see this as a mandate for themselves and for their students. Kingdom extension should be viewed as an outworking of our conformation to Christ, who is the Lord of All. What I am speaking of moves beyond Theodicy or Reconstructionism, it is the air we breath. We must teach students to think integratively: what can I do in this monent, in this week, in this lifetime to extend the Kingdom of my Lord in my dauily work and walk?
To “prevent it from happening” is not the issue- the primary task we must attack is to verify and validate the faith students enter with- true faith is living and can not be extinguished. We must “stir up the spark” the gift God bestows, and educate students in the deliberately designed passionate pursuit of exalting God in ALL things. The sanctification and consecration of a kingdom of priests is in view. Sanctification is more than Spiritual disciplines- it is practical, physical, vital, daily, anoverpowering engagement and effective stewardship of life on this earth for Christ's sake. I am not sure many Christian educators understand this, they take for granted that the students they encounter must be believers in the first place. We must be about building culture warriors and wise stewards of vocation, but the foundation for such a pursuit must be the correct estimation preeminent place of the Glorious One in our living, moving, being.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Day by Day on Vacation
Day One-Saturday we drove to Summerville, SC. We toured the town looking at the shops and the azalea gardens. We missed the blooming but it was still lovely.
Day Two:We attended Summerville Baptist on Sunday morning. Most of the staff there is from SBTS. From there we toured the old Middleton Plantation by carriage and by foot. We journeyed on to Patriot’s Point and Mt. Pleasant that afternoon. We had the best meal of our week at The Water’s Edge in Mt. Pleasant. 
. There we watched the porpoi – or maybe they were dolphins--play and the parade of dogs steeling themselves like hood ornaments on the front of the passing pleasure boats. I had what I would consider the best flounder i ever ate and the service and atmosphere was almost as good...
Day Three: Monday morning we toured the Yorktown, the Medal of Honor museum, and ferried out to Fort Sumter. Lunch was at the Okra Grill where everyone had a down home meal. Then on to the Hilton for the conference.The conference started at 6 PM with David Jeremiah teaching from the book of James. The teaching for the entire conference seems to be taken from one of his books, Turning Toward Integrity.
The ministry’s old website is changing- it is becoming DavidJeremiah.org due to the proliferation of like sounding sites- people were getting confused as to whether they were on the right site or not.Day Four: Tuesday morning was another session from James, followed by a short concert by David Phelps, who was looking a bit shaggy...
He has a gifted voice, but I think he needs to go back and work with Bill Gaither on his deportment and especially his interaction with the audience. He didn’t even introduce the talented pianist and accompanist with him. This was especially notable since all the other artists- especially Mark Lowry- bent over backwards to recognize their backups.We then went into Charleston and ate at Hyman’s Seafood. Compared to the Water’s Edge, the food was not as good. Then we took a carriage tour of Old Charleston, which was great.
Mark Lowry was on the bill for the evening and though I have not followed his career, it was nice to laugh so hard. Day Five: On day three of the conference Dr. Jeremiah taught from James 5. It was a very good message on patience- waiting and the grip a culture of speed has on us as Christians.
Babbie Mason was in concert that evening.
Day Six: Day 4 of the conference we heard another message from James 5. We adjourned for home and returned to Summerville to enjoy the shops and flora.
Jerry and I saw Iron Man in the evening- (can you say "Tony Snark"?) and determined we had to have another movie weekend together sometime in the next few months.
Day Seven: We journeyed home on Friday stopping to eat and shop a bit- Strawberries and the Ky. Artisan’s Shop in Berea were the order of the day.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
John Michael Talbot's new recording
In a recent interview, John Michael Talbot said "I’m kind of preferring to spend some time with nothing for a while,” he said, adding that what God wants him to do after that is God’s business.
He still plans to tour in the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009 to promote his new album, which is to be released Aug. 15.
Although touring is a lot of work, he said he loves doing concerts and would continue them, except, in prayer, he hears God telling him to stop and “stand still for a while” so God can direct him. That could be back into touring, doing prayer walks again or even being a recluse for the remainder of his life.
“In the mind of God, the song has been there forever, and the job of the composer is to find that song,” he said.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Word from Foster Anthony
That's my moniker in Second Life. And here's a link to a great resource I am exploring...
Another cultural icon bites the dust- from the First Earth Day, 1971
From The Straight Dope:
"According to an article in the April 8 Los Angeles New Times, the entire persona was exacty that--merely a persona. "Iron Eyes" Cody was actually Espera DiCorti, born of two Italian immigrants in Gueydan, Louisiana. DiCorti had loved playing Indians as a child and always said he was going to be an actor one day. After a move to Texas, he shortened his name to Cody and headed off for Los Angeles to make his fortune. According to Mae Abshire Duhon, his only living sibling, "The next thing we heard was that he had turned Indian."
The story is verified by a 1996 article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune that also established Cody's Italian-American roots. "
Here's the Wikipedia entry...
Expelled opens well
Made 3 Million plus on opening weekend- pretty good numbers for a limited opening venue and little or no advertising...
Thoughts on Earth Day.
I would likely be cast out if I frequented places where tree huggers dwell.That being said, having grown up in the sixties in a VERY rural place, I know how to live in symbiotic relationship with nature. And I remember the childhood ads and programs created to educate us to environmental awareness...please please don't be a litterbug, for every litter bit hurts. I remember the ad with Iron Eyes Cody shedding a tear.
We made good use of everything and waste was not an issue. Today I have returned to the same county I grew up in and the sights are appalling- young people make a habit of making the landscape their garbage dump. I thought the next generation was green! Not so here. There is no recycling program in Bullitt County, and that's the first time that has been the case in my married life- Memphis, Dallas, and Illinois had recycling programs. Try to find a magazine recycling bin here and you are out of luck. Families have 4, 5, 6 cars and gas guzzlers galore. Fast food is the order of the day, and I get enough junk mail each week to half fill our waste container.
I believe in cycles of climate change- climate based on thirty year cycles. I'm not yet on the global warming bandwagon, but it doesn't take a genius to recognize things are still going horribly wrong in the area of personal environmental stewardship. Education has not helped; it is human laziness and arrogance that makes the mess I see daily. Fast food wrappers, beer cans, cigarette butts. The county just dredged the river and removed tons of debris from where it's been used as a dump. Driving along a lazy country road here gives you a view like a landfill with mattresses and garbage. It is sickening.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Temple Trembles
By radiance and glory- all nature is stilled
God’s presence has come out from that most holy place
To meet with his children face to face.
We are the temple God’s Spirit indwells
Our heart is the altar where true praise now swells
A glorious building made of living stones
With light in our eyes and fire in our bones
The water that cleanses in the Holy laver
The altar where the One pure sacrifice finds favor
The showbread, the lampstand that is filled with light
The altar of incense where prayer takes its flight
The one tabernacle where God and man meet
The door, the way, the living vine, the one mercy seat
The ark the manna and living Rod-
the final Word of God
The slain lamb now stands-
and we see the Great I am.
The temple now trembles, the temple now quakes
God’s presence is revealed to us for our sakes
Though once we were cast out we now enter in
To feast with the Father once again.
April 22, 2008
Anthony Foster
The Kindle
I've been hearing the buzz on the Kindle and the reviews I have seen have been very positive. I'll have to try one for a while before adopting a new way of reading- Larry sent a link to the Charlie Rose interview with Jeff Bezos, which I found pretty interesting...
Advocacy Apologetics
Read Rusty Wright's article here.
David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, writes in unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity, "In studying thousands of outsiders' impressions, it is clear that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for "[emphasis his].
David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, writes in unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity, "In studying thousands of outsiders' impressions, it is clear that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for "[emphasis his].
Can't sleep, so here I blog.
I ran across a cheap but pristine copy of a book I remembered from 30 years ago titled God's Images by Dickey and Hayes. I first saw it and photographed images of the fine drawings during my days working on my BFA. It is as beautiful today as I remembered.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Early wakeup call- quake style...
Here's the story...
We were awakened by a substantial tremor around 5:35 this AM- (actually, Earnie was awakened, I slept through the fun...) I chalked it up to a barrage from Fort Knox, which we are still not used to after moving here. Seems Earnie was right- it was a 5.7 earthquake centered near Evansville- which is the epicenter of the New Madrid fault. They's calling it a tremor on the Wabash fault however...
We were awakened by a substantial tremor around 5:35 this AM- (actually, Earnie was awakened, I slept through the fun...) I chalked it up to a barrage from Fort Knox, which we are still not used to after moving here. Seems Earnie was right- it was a 5.7 earthquake centered near Evansville- which is the epicenter of the New Madrid fault. They's calling it a tremor on the Wabash fault however...
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Dawgs I have known.
There were others from the litters along the way, but these were the main ones... can't imagine life without a dog.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Jobs I have known.
Truth is important.
I like urban legend sites...they tell you a lot about human nature. Here is the link to the Eye of God one, which is notable for its beauty if nothing else...
Snopes.com is my favorite one...and imho, should be perused by every thinking Christian.
So was this a goof or not?
Coins are circulating now with no "In God We Trust" inscription... almost immediately, this spawned a viral email that is being propagated by the uncritical attentions of many Christians.
Here's the skinny...
Leatherheads
We saw the movie last week and thought it was pretty funny, if predictable. At times the repartee between Clooney and Zellweger rivalled the interplay of the likes of Roz Russell and Cary Grant in His Girl Friday; but this level of interchange was not sustained for very long. The movie fumbles the ball in places, but overall, it was entertaining if unevenly paced. Clooney does comedy well, I think- this is a stark departure from his somber Michael Clayton role.
Student Art Exhibition
I showed up, as planned, to take a look at the installation of the SBTS First annual student art exhibition- except there was no installation. Dr. Halla and I swung into action and four hours later we had a presentable show with fourteen works, labels and (passable) lighting. Chef Pam added her culinary artistry and the chocolate lovers began obeying their olfactory senses. We probably had 40 folks show by the time I left, and this was early on.
I hope the efforts will shed some light on the potential for God glorifying visual arts in the seminary community. This was a small start, to be sure, but an important first step, I think. This, along with the inception of a new Student Arts group on campus(I met the principal from engagingculture.com at the opening) may provide the impetus for more and greater things down the road.
We also had a prolonged conversation with Dr. James Parker. I knew him from the early days back in Dallas and his work with the Trinity Institute study center.
I hope the efforts will shed some light on the potential for God glorifying visual arts in the seminary community. This was a small start, to be sure, but an important first step, I think. This, along with the inception of a new Student Arts group on campus(I met the principal from engagingculture.com at the opening) may provide the impetus for more and greater things down the road.
We also had a prolonged conversation with Dr. James Parker. I knew him from the early days back in Dallas and his work with the Trinity Institute study center.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
This day is heavy with memories
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Great Churches we have been members of
Bethel Baptist Church. Tim Lewis was our pastor. This is where I was licensed to the gospel ministry.
Northwest Bible Church Dr. Howard Clark was our pastor then.
Rhinehardt Bible Church is now Firewheel Fellowship. Dr. Gary Inrig was our pastor then.
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA. Dr. Bob Palmer was our pastor.
First Evangelical Church, Memphis.Dr. Duane Litfin was pastor then.
Highview Baptist Church, Louisville.Dr. Kevin Ezell, current pastor...
We've also been able to attend some great schools...
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Covenant Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently working a Ph.D. there.
Not to mention: University of Louisville (Art), Murray State University (BFA), coursework at Southern Methodist University, Collin County Community College, Dallas County Community College (Multimedia Development), St. Louis Community College, Bowling Green State University (Non -Linear Video Editor 1)... and a MS in Instructional Technology at Southern Illinois University...
The Eye of the Lord
Ayin Adonai (The Eye of the Lord)
Come you flood of tears like the rain
Dwell in our eyes for our grief and pain
Our souls have need of your flowing release
And from this Grace will flow perfect peace.
God will wipe away every tear one day
But today our mourning is displayed
And he will catch up and bottle each tear
For in His book they all appear.
The ones who for his lovingkindness are thirsty
The ones who trust in His good mercy
Their death is precious in the eyes of the Lord
Now unbolt our hearts to let in Your Word.
Unbolt our hearts to love
For as pain pours forth from our eyes
His eye sees every one who cries
While we are weary, while we weep
From within us deep cries unto deep
The ones who for his lovingkindness are thirsty
The ones who trust in His good mercy
Their death is precious in the eye of the Lord
Now unbolt our hearts to let in Your Word.
Unbolt our hearts to love
Help us to see with the eye of the Lord.
Anthony Foster
April 7, 2008
Revelation 7:1
Ps 56:8; Job 16:20
Don Carson quote (for my own sake)
“If our suffering unbolts our own heart to allow freer entrance by the Word of God, it also unbolts our heart to allow freer flow outward of empathetic love.” D. A. Carson in How Long, O Lord? I purchased this book one week to the day before Mama Smith’s death. This is yet another tender mercy of the Lord, I think.
Divine works of art....
C. S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain wrote:
We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character. Here again we come up against what I have called the ‘intolerable compliment’. Over a sketch made idly to amuse a child, an artist may not take much trouble: he may be content to let it go even though it is not exactly as he meant it to be. But over the great picture of his life—the work which he loves, though in a fashion, as intensely as a man loves a woman or a mother a child—he will take endless trouble—and would, doubtless, thereby give endless trouble to the picture if it were sentient. One can imagine a sentient picture, after being rubbed and scraped and recommenced for the tenth time, wishing that it were only a thumbnail sketch whose making was over in a minute. In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed us for a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Heart Beating Somewhere Between Factivity and Possibility
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Joy of Your Presence
Oh Lord my God, I will seek you
I will seek you in the morning
Oh Lord my God, I will worship you
I will lift my hands in devotion
I will bow down in praise
I will pursue you for all of my days
Here in the joy of Your presence
Here in the place where you are revealed
Encountering your suffering
For there my wounds are healed
For all my days
For all my days
I will worship you
As a sacrifice of praise
For all my days
For all my days
I will I will worship
In my wilderness always.
For only You are worthy
To my Master I belong
In this slavery there is freedom
In this freedom is a song
Anthony Foster
April 1, 2008
I will seek you in the morning
Oh Lord my God, I will worship you
I will lift my hands in devotion
I will bow down in praise
I will pursue you for all of my days
Here in the joy of Your presence
Here in the place where you are revealed
Encountering your suffering
For there my wounds are healed
For all my days
For all my days
I will worship you
As a sacrifice of praise
For all my days
For all my days
I will I will worship
In my wilderness always.
For only You are worthy
To my Master I belong
In this slavery there is freedom
In this freedom is a song
Anthony Foster
April 1, 2008
Creativity and Cruciformity
Ben Stein
Monday, March 31, 2008
Art Exhibit
Card Concert
This was my fourth or fifth Michael Card concert over the years, and it brought to mind how different every concert has been. The crowd at Southern was larger than some church setttings I have previously heard the artist perform in. It was laid back and included a bit more singalong than usual, I think. The ad hoc way in which he wove the songs together was very effective, I think, and the mix of stories and illustrations brought them together coherently.
I enjoy Michael Card as an instrumentalist as well, and he treated us to a real variety along those lines.
Awards
The National Council for Staff, Program and Organizational Development (NCSPOD) awarded the 2007 Institutional Merit Award to the SLCC Professional Development Council for their five certificate programs –Leadership/Management, Classified Development, Adjunct Faculty, Essential Technology Skills and Office Productivity. I was a lead designer for three of these programs.
The fruit of my labor over the past couple of years (along with my very praiseworthy team) has been named a finalist in two categories of the Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) 23rd Annual Codie Awards competition- the awards honor outstanding achievement and vision in the software, digital content, and education technology industries. This is two years in a row it’s been nominated (sorry, no win last year)… Voting continues till April 25 and SIIA will announce the winners of the 2008 Codie Awards at a gala dinner in San Francisco on May 20, 2008.
Nominated for another award!
Educational technology links
Participation in an Online Learning Community- discusses the need for a pedagogical approach that relies heavily on social, collaborative and ethical aspects of learning as a starting point for the design of online learning communities.
More research supports the idea that the successful traits of a distance learner are similar to the successful traits of an adult learner in traditional educational settings.
Problem based Learning research.
Athabasca University Elluminate seminars:Case study in Problem Based Learning.
And Effective use of context in learning.
Research on Fostering equitable University access.
Applications to colleges are breaking records- The swelling population of 18-year-olds is not supposed to peak until 2009, when the largest group of high school seniors in the nation’s history, 3.2 million, are to graduate.
A Taste of Web 2.0- article
A good video on Web 2.0 differences from jutecht on YouTube-
Piano Lessons online-This was curiously interesting to see how they are doing it -
Google’s next conquest- Academic Research.
More research supports the idea that the successful traits of a distance learner are similar to the successful traits of an adult learner in traditional educational settings.
Problem based Learning research.
Athabasca University Elluminate seminars:Case study in Problem Based Learning.
And Effective use of context in learning.
Research on Fostering equitable University access.
Applications to colleges are breaking records- The swelling population of 18-year-olds is not supposed to peak until 2009, when the largest group of high school seniors in the nation’s history, 3.2 million, are to graduate.
A Taste of Web 2.0- article
A good video on Web 2.0 differences from jutecht on YouTube-
Piano Lessons online-This was curiously interesting to see how they are doing it -
Google’s next conquest- Academic Research.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Songs Discovered
A bunch-o-tunes turned up as I was transcribing some old tapes that predate my digital recorders I carry everywhere I go...some were unfinished so they will get a 2008 date.
I'll just post these as separate pages as there are almost twenty of them total...
New 2006 songs
New 2008 songs
Songs arise
Trust and Obey
When the world’s mountains I cannot scale
When I try my very best but still I fail
When doubts abide and fears assail
I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey.
Living in darkness in a hard cold place
I will dare boldly to seek God’s face
Dreaming to live where despair is erased
I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey.
When in death’s shadows I must sojourn
When justice and mercy are both overturned
When the fire that is falling is fire that must burn
I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey.
We honor our dead as we weep for the light
We persevere humbly as we lift our sights
I apprehend glory shining through this deep night
I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey, I will trust and obey.
Anthony Foster
March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Target = new
I just looked out and now it is sunny and snowing...
This is my Easter Song...
Living Redeemer
Oh Living Redeemer you rose from the grave
Oh Sufficient Savior you are mighty to save
Oh Living Redeemer, you make us alive
Your will be done till your Kingdom comes
And you glory arrives.
Our ransom and refuge endures to the end
Our living Redeemer is our faithful friend
To us He’s the shelter, our Harbor and Home
The lost have been sought-And by His blood bought
He’s made us His Own.
Oh Living Redeemer you transform our minds
The visions of dreamers, cant compare to what we find
When we find your mercy, forgiveness so free,
Oh Living Redeemer-Come and redeem me.
I’ll take all life’s questions, the wherefores and why’s
There are no suggestions once a man dies
No hope of changing, and no way to try
For redemption’s price is your sacrifice
Now redemption draws nigh!
Our ransom and refuge the payment for sin
Is made at the cross and so it begins
Our savior redeems us His blood doth atone
Now we take our refuge in Christ alone.
Anthony Foster
March 22, 2008
Let them eat PEEPS!
My 97 year old mother in law called out to me last night from her position on the sofa, "It's time to break that bunny's neck!" Which meant, of course, that it was time for a bit of Easter chocolate. We had a full supply of rainbow coloured Peeps and Bunnies as well.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Listen to the Call
With heart of humble service
A heart of deep concern
A heart that beats so humbly
And with compassion burns
Be a messenger and minister
To see the good news through
A good and faithful servant
The chosen and the few
Listen to the call
Going out to all
Going out to you
The only thing to do
Is to say amen, as on your knees you fall
God has raised up a deliverer
He will rescue you and set you apart
God is able to glorify His name in you
And He is lifting up each humble heart
Listen to the call
Going out to all
Going out to you
The only thing to do
Is to answer yes as on your knees you fall
Anthony Foster
March 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
U. S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Forum
The PDF
Nothing too surprising, but we have our work cut out for us. Not a surprise to the Lord Most High either.
Question: if half of those of the Jewish faith are over fifty and 72 percent have no children under 18 living at home, what does this mean for the future of Judaism?
Nothing too surprising, but we have our work cut out for us. Not a surprise to the Lord Most High either.
Question: if half of those of the Jewish faith are over fifty and 72 percent have no children under 18 living at home, what does this mean for the future of Judaism?
Most important Relationships- a new Barna Poll
See the results here.
The people most likely to list God (as their most important connection) were 40 or older.
Political conservatives were almost three times as likely as political liberals to identify God as their most important relationship (33% vs. 12%, respectively).
People in the Midwest were only half as likely as residents of the West and Northeast to say their children are their most important relationship.
The only subgroup for which at least one-third said God was their most significant relationship was evangelicals, among whom 70% listed God.
Thirty percent of Protestants listed God as their most important connection. In contrast, just 9% of Catholics did so.
Blacks were about twice as likely as all other Americans to describe their bond with God as their most important relationship.
Women were nearly twice as likely as men to list their children as their most important relationship.
The people most likely to list God (as their most important connection) were 40 or older.
Political conservatives were almost three times as likely as political liberals to identify God as their most important relationship (33% vs. 12%, respectively).
People in the Midwest were only half as likely as residents of the West and Northeast to say their children are their most important relationship.
The only subgroup for which at least one-third said God was their most significant relationship was evangelicals, among whom 70% listed God.
Thirty percent of Protestants listed God as their most important connection. In contrast, just 9% of Catholics did so.
Blacks were about twice as likely as all other Americans to describe their bond with God as their most important relationship.
Women were nearly twice as likely as men to list their children as their most important relationship.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Barna notes
Read it here. With Americans pursuing a growing number of "church" options, some of the traditional measures of church health are being redefined.
Ummm- forgot to say - we went to the Louisville Kennel Club's dog show- it was amazing to see the great variety of breeds- from miniatures that didn't even look like dogs to ones big enough to ride!
Ummm- forgot to say - we went to the Louisville Kennel Club's dog show- it was amazing to see the great variety of breeds- from miniatures that didn't even look like dogs to ones big enough to ride!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Political Rhetoric
Some of it sounds like this....
Prince Charming:You! You can't lie! So tell me puppet... where... is... Shrek?
Pinocchio: Uh. Hmm, well, uh, I don't know where he's not
Prince Charming: You're telling me you don't know where Shrek is?
Pinocchio: It wouldn't be inaccurate to assume that I couldn't exactly not say that it is or isn't almost partially incorrect.
Prince Charming: So you do know where he is!
Pinocchio: On the contrary. I'm possibly more or less not definitely rejecting the idea that in no way with any amount of uncertainty that I undeniably
Prince Charming: Stop it!
Pinocchio: ...do or do not know where he shouldn't probably be, if that indeed wasn't where he isn't. Even if he wasn't at where I knew he was
[Pigs and Gingerbread Man begin singing]
Pinocchio: That'd mean I'd really have to know where he wasn't.
Arise
Arise, Shine
Come out of the darkness
Come into the radiance of His light
Flee from the shadows,
Flee from the shrouding of the night
Step into the glowing
Brightness of His holy face
This light is showing
Walk in it now by God’s good grace
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Enter His presence
Come set your heart and mind ablaze
Enter with reverence
Fall on your knees or stand amazed!
Take His revelation
Into the world as holy fire
Go to the nations
Teach them to burn with One desire
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
There is no other sight for blind men walking in the night!
No other light can shine so bright by the power of His might!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
March 10, 2008
Anthony Foster
Come out of the darkness
Come into the radiance of His light
Flee from the shadows,
Flee from the shrouding of the night
Step into the glowing
Brightness of His holy face
This light is showing
Walk in it now by God’s good grace
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Enter His presence
Come set your heart and mind ablaze
Enter with reverence
Fall on your knees or stand amazed!
Take His revelation
Into the world as holy fire
Go to the nations
Teach them to burn with One desire
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
There is no other sight for blind men walking in the night!
No other light can shine so bright by the power of His might!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
Arise, shine, arise shine, arise shine for your Light has come!
March 10, 2008
Anthony Foster
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Probe Political Resources
Here we do not define politics as Kinky Friedman does.. polyticks (poly= many plus ticks= blood sucking parasites)...
Check out the Probe resources
Friday, March 7, 2008
Newsongs for March
Risen Again
Christ the Lord of all creation
The One who is I AM
Was crucified for our salvation
The stricken, holy lamb.
But now He is arisen
And as a fruitful seed
Full grown unto the harvest
He is risen now, indeed
The Lord of the beginning
The Lord unto the End
As in the resurrection
We too are risen again!
Anthony Foster
March 8, 2008
Relentless
You never fail to find
The heart that seeks your face
Our broken spirits bind
Draw us into your grace
Your holy hammer sings out
Beat by beat it rings out
You seek the lost-
You are relentless
You paid the cost-
You are relentless
The onslaught of your radiant fire
Drives out the darkness- you never tire
You never slumber, never sleep
And deep is calling unto deep
You are relentless.
You never cease to amaze
Your mercies never end
Our never-ending praise
Will rise to n'er relent.
Your holy hammer sings out
Beat by beat it rings out
You seek the lost-
You are relentless
You paid the cost-
You are relentless
The onslaught of your radiant fire
Drives out the darkness- you never tire
You never slumber, never sleep
And deep is calling unto deep
You are relentless.
Anthony Foster
March 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Transformative Learning
It is my contention that principles for fostering transformative learning can also be a vital feature of online learning from a Christian perspective. In transformative learning (Mezirow 1991) the most significant learning occurs in the communicative domain which “involves identifying problematic ideas, values, beliefs, and feelings, critically examining the assumptions upon which they are based, testing their justification through rational discourse and making decisions predicated upon the resulting consensus” (Mezirow 1995, 58.) The communication possibilities of the online learning environment provide an opportunity to maximize perspective transformation.
Transformative learning offers a theory of learning that in many ways reflects the biblical witness of how adults learn. It is more than a developmental process; it is “understood as the process of using a prior interpretation to construe a new or revised interpretation of the meaning of one's experience in order to guide future action" (Mezirow 1996, 162). It is grounded in the nature of human communication, which in turn is grounded in the imago Dei.
Transformative learning offers a theory of learning that in many ways reflects the biblical witness of how adults learn. It is more than a developmental process; it is “understood as the process of using a prior interpretation to construe a new or revised interpretation of the meaning of one's experience in order to guide future action" (Mezirow 1996, 162). It is grounded in the nature of human communication, which in turn is grounded in the imago Dei.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Thomas Homer-Dixon- The Ingenuity Gap
Can we solve the problems of the future? Thomas Homer-Dixon tackles this question in a groundbreaking study of a world becoming too complex and too fast-paced to manage.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Newest Newsy News
Recent research and news
• Elluminate Builds Bridge to Moodle-Collaborative technology developer Elluminate has brought its Live! virtual classroom software to the Moodle platform. The company released a piece of software Tuesday called Elluminate Bridge for Moodle, which is designed to integrate Live! into the open-source learning management system: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/22037
• Sloan-C Report: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning: >http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/online_nation.pdf
• Community of Inquiry- >http://www.jite.org/documents/Vol6/JITEv6p153-168Lim258.pdf
• Second Life- >http://www.astd.org/TD/Archives/2008/Feb/Free/Feb2008.htm and
http://www.news.com/Universities%20register%20for%20virtual%20future/2100-1032_3-6157088.html?tag=nefd.lede
• Research on positive effects of hypertext on reading comprehension->http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=21925 (contact Anthony for copy)
• Eduventures conducted research to better understand the views, attitudes, usage, and future demand/ownership of various technologies and brands among college students. The research, conducted via a Web survey, targeted 18- to 24-year-old students enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university. Among students responding to the question, which of the following devices do you currently own, 79 percent own a laptop compared to 49 percent who own a desktop; 30 percent own both. >http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2008/1/prweb658623.htm
• Today's business students have grown up with computer-based simulations. So it's only natural that business simulations are growing in popularity in business-school programs—and threatening the once unassailable dominance of the case study (BusinessWeek, 1/24/08). Online learning simulations are Internet-based games that allow students to perform tasks such as overseeing operations management of a virtual factory or serving as chief executive of a virtual business and networking with other executives. >http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jan2008/bs20080128_035814.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
• Adobe pushing Flash for Learning- Adobe emphasized a view of learning around Flash for video and an animated Web at their stand during Learning Technologies, a show at Olympia in London last week. Although the word "Acrobat" is still used to describe a software product there was almost no mention for the Portable Document Format (PDF) widely assumed to be still a significant proportion of current income. The implication is that Adobe anticipates a Web based less on text and learning environments based less on paper. >http://english.ohmynews.com/ArticleView/article_view.asp?menu=A11100&no=381717&rel_no=1&back_url=
• Elluminate Builds Bridge to Moodle-Collaborative technology developer Elluminate has brought its Live! virtual classroom software to the Moodle platform. The company released a piece of software Tuesday called Elluminate Bridge for Moodle, which is designed to integrate Live! into the open-source learning management system: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/22037
• Sloan-C Report: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning: >http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/online_nation.pdf
• Community of Inquiry- >http://www.jite.org/documents/Vol6/JITEv6p153-168Lim258.pdf
• Second Life- >http://www.astd.org/TD/Archives/2008/Feb/Free/Feb2008.htm and
http://www.news.com/Universities%20register%20for%20virtual%20future/2100-1032_3-6157088.html?tag=nefd.lede
• Research on positive effects of hypertext on reading comprehension->http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=21925 (contact Anthony for copy)
• Eduventures conducted research to better understand the views, attitudes, usage, and future demand/ownership of various technologies and brands among college students. The research, conducted via a Web survey, targeted 18- to 24-year-old students enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university. Among students responding to the question, which of the following devices do you currently own, 79 percent own a laptop compared to 49 percent who own a desktop; 30 percent own both. >http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2008/1/prweb658623.htm
• Today's business students have grown up with computer-based simulations. So it's only natural that business simulations are growing in popularity in business-school programs—and threatening the once unassailable dominance of the case study (BusinessWeek, 1/24/08). Online learning simulations are Internet-based games that allow students to perform tasks such as overseeing operations management of a virtual factory or serving as chief executive of a virtual business and networking with other executives. >http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jan2008/bs20080128_035814.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
• Adobe pushing Flash for Learning- Adobe emphasized a view of learning around Flash for video and an animated Web at their stand during Learning Technologies, a show at Olympia in London last week. Although the word "Acrobat" is still used to describe a software product there was almost no mention for the Portable Document Format (PDF) widely assumed to be still a significant proportion of current income. The implication is that Adobe anticipates a Web based less on text and learning environments based less on paper. >http://english.ohmynews.com/ArticleView/article_view.asp?menu=A11100&no=381717&rel_no=1&back_url=
Reviving Old Musical Interests
As I was giving the garage a much needed cleaning on our sixty degree anomaly yesterday, along with the birdsongs I ran across an old favorite tape and gave it a listen- here are the lyrics from a song that ministered to me long ago, and I was surprised to find it still does!
Lord Of The Past
Every harsh word spoken
Every promise ever broken to me
Total recall of data in the memory
Every tear that has washed my face
Every moment of disgrace that I have known
Every time I've ever felt alone
Lord of the here and now
Lord of the come what may
I want to believe somehow
That you can heal these wounds of yesterday
(You can redeem these things so far away)
So now I'm asking you
To do what you want to do
Be the Lord of the Past
(Be the Lord of my Past)
Oh how I want you to
Be the Lord of the Past
All the chances I let slip by
All the dreams that I let die in vain
Afraid of failure and afraid of pain
Every tear that has washed my face
Every moment of disgrace that I have known
Every time I've ever felt alone
Well I picked up all these pieces
And I built a strong deception
And I locked myself inside of it
For my own protection
And I sit alone inside myself
And curse my company
For this thing that has kept me alive for so long
Is now killing me.
And as sure as the sin rose this morning,
The man in the moon hides his face tonight.
And I lay myself down on my bed
And I pray this prayer inside my head
Lord of the here and now
Lord of the come what may
I want to believe somehow
That you can heal these wounds of yesterday
So now I'm asking you
To do what you want to do
Be the Lord of my Past
You can do anything
Be the Lord of the Past
I know that you can find a way
To heal every yesterday of my life
Be the Lord of the Past
Lord Of The Past
Every harsh word spoken
Every promise ever broken to me
Total recall of data in the memory
Every tear that has washed my face
Every moment of disgrace that I have known
Every time I've ever felt alone
Lord of the here and now
Lord of the come what may
I want to believe somehow
That you can heal these wounds of yesterday
(You can redeem these things so far away)
So now I'm asking you
To do what you want to do
Be the Lord of the Past
(Be the Lord of my Past)
Oh how I want you to
Be the Lord of the Past
All the chances I let slip by
All the dreams that I let die in vain
Afraid of failure and afraid of pain
Every tear that has washed my face
Every moment of disgrace that I have known
Every time I've ever felt alone
Well I picked up all these pieces
And I built a strong deception
And I locked myself inside of it
For my own protection
And I sit alone inside myself
And curse my company
For this thing that has kept me alive for so long
Is now killing me.
And as sure as the sin rose this morning,
The man in the moon hides his face tonight.
And I lay myself down on my bed
And I pray this prayer inside my head
Lord of the here and now
Lord of the come what may
I want to believe somehow
That you can heal these wounds of yesterday
So now I'm asking you
To do what you want to do
Be the Lord of my Past
You can do anything
Be the Lord of the Past
I know that you can find a way
To heal every yesterday of my life
Be the Lord of the Past
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