Journaling

I've been sort of coveting an ESV Journaling Bible. I saw them at Sam's Club a month or so ago and then hemmed and hawed about getting one. By the time I was ready to pull the trigger they were all gone from both of the clubs by our house. Then I considered getting one online. After all, I had some extra money in my pocket.

Then I realized how silly this was. I can journal using the Bible on my Sony Clie. I decided to start doing that this morning. There is something to be said for interacting with the text a little bit. Plus, it's nice to be able to jump around my notes.

Sometimes it's just better to use the resources you already have. In fact, I'd say that is generally true. I just have to wait out the desire.

Sermon

Here is my sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10. It may undergo some minor revisions, but this is probably how it will more or less look when I turn it in.

Where We're Coming From

I am trying to decide if I'm going to go and see "Expelled." I am intrigued by it, but I think it can wait until it hits Netflix. After watching this interview with RC Sproul I think I get the basic gist of what the movie is all about.

Check out this post from a blog that I am warming to. I think he makes a good point.

Sundays

It's been a busy week for me. We've had some major problems with a system I support at work and that has kept me quite busy. I've had to get some writing done for the end of the semester. Fortunately, it hasn't been too much. I really have very little cause to complain. The only serious task ahead of me is preparation for my Counseling final next Thursday.

I wanted to link this article because of what he wrote about Sundays. I hope that my family will someday look at church that way.

The Real Problem

We evangelicals are great at complaining about the state of the public school system. To be sure, there is much junk in there. Their proselytizing about evolution, sex education, and homosexuality are of course problems. However, after my counseling class tonight I can't help but think that there is a much bigger problem. Our kids are being fed the lies about self-esteem.

Scripture makes it clear that we must have a realistic view of self. We should not think ourselves too good (Romans 12:3). However, we can't function in society if we are always moping around about how we are not naturally good. Apart from the gospel there really isn't much else to do but to try our best to hang in there.

However, as Christians we have the gospel. We know that man is naturally sinful and desperately needs Christ. We know that any worth we have comes from our union with Christ. The problem I see is that we are fighting against schools telling kids how great they are. In a world where some math books refuse to present right and wrong answers for fear of hurting kids' self-esteem, this is definitely a problem.

Later, when people get out into the world there are psychologists to help them suppress any feelings of low self-esteem they may have. I just hope that they run into Christians who can share the gospel about how they do not need more self, but they do need Jesus.