Threads from Henry's Web

Author: henry

  • Book Notes: Cat in a Topaz Tango

    Cat in a Topaz Tango is the latest in the wonderful Midnight Louie series.  If you don’t like thinking and talking animals, then this book probably isn’t for you, but if you like light-hearted fun and a bit of mystery, it’s great.  If you like cats, so much the better!

    This is one of those rare series that manages to keep my attention through multiple books.  Douglas shows no inclination to “jump the shark.”  Her characters remain who they are.  Of course, they were always getting into some pretty strange messes, so perhaps that makes it easier!

    In this volume, Midnight Louie is using his feline agility and general sneakiness to keep up with his human, Temple Barr, through an an unusually complex set of moves, as a murderer stalks a dance competition, and Lieutenant Molina’s young teen daughter is, well, a teenager.  (Surprise!)

    We hear a bit more from Max, and we learn a bit more about Rafi Nadir.  It’s all good fun!

  • Mosaic Bible (NLT) and Lectionary Preaching

    I decided to check on what Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT might have for my lectionary reading this week.

    First I checked the material for the 18th Sunday in Pentecost.  Their readings do not coincide with the Revised Common Lectionary at all this week, though they do follow the church year.

    The RCL readings (with United Methodist readings) are:  Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 25 or 26, Heb. 1:1-4, 2:4-12, Mark 10:2-16.  The Mosaic Bible readings are Job 32:1-37:24, Psalm 112, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and John 9:1-34.

    Oddly enough, there is a thematic match in terms of suffering, hardship, and justice, though the take on it might be different depending on which scriptures you use  The additional reading from Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is also contructive though it takes the theme in a slightly different direction.  Readings from Alexander McLaren on Christ as the lamb of God and by Ed Cyzewski on “Unfair Justice” would make good reading before one tries to preach on Job.

    Looking at the texts the other way, by going to the scriptures and finding readings, I find that Psalm 25 is used for Advent 1, and there are some useful readings there as well as some additional themes.  The epistle, Hebrews 1:1-4 is used for Christmas (actually Hebrews 1:1-12, but who’s counting?) and continues the theme of waiting introduced in Advent.  (Waiting and justice might make an excellent combined theme for a homily, don’t you think?)  The gospel reading from the RCL does not occur in the meditations of the Mosaic Bible.

    I believe that I will consult this Bible regularly in my lectionary reading.  The weekly lectionary passages form the core of my personal devotions, even though I do not preach regularly.  I especially enjoy finding connections between the texts and finding themes on which to meditate from those.

  • Christian Carnival and Mosaic Bible Announcement

    OK, these are not that closely related, but the Christian Carnival will appear here tomorrow, and it will be evening before it appears.

    I will announce the winner of the Mosaic Bible giveaway at the same time.

  • Jesus Paradigm Giveaway

    Details at for the Sake of Truth.

  • Can Anyone Identify this Spider?

    It has taken up residence next to my office, in a large web stretched between the office and a nearby tree. I rather like it, and will allow it residence as long as it wishes.

    In my younger days I collected spiders and was fairly good at identifying them, but my younger days are long past and I don’t have any of my books. I tried some online options but wasn’t able to come up with anything.

    So if I have any readers who do that sort of thing, I’d really like some help. The picture below is about half size. Click on it to see the full size spider. The web is not portrayed well due to bad lighting, but it is circular and symmetrical.

    Unidentified Spider, near Pensacola, FL
    Unidentified Spider, near Pensacola, FL

  • Singing Praise to President Obama?

    CBS is reporting on a school that has children singing songs about President Obama’s accomplishments. I note that the story compares the reaction to this to the reaction to Obama giving a speech. I thought the speech reaction was way overblown. The president of the United States should be able to address the nation, and to address schoolchildren as well.

    But even in the context of Black history month as the school superintendent said this was, I think this is deplorable. Use historical figures, celebrate current African-American citizens, celebrate President Obama as our first African-American president, but leave out the songs of praise for his specific policies.

    In both religion and politics, it seems some teachers fail to comprehend the idea of neutrality.

    HT: Dispatches

  • Mosaic Study Bible Contest Closed

    I have only four entries, but the contest is closed.  Thus, for the four of you who entered, I must say that 1 in 4 is a better chance than you are likely to get in any lottery.

    Considering the large number of reads of the relevant posts, I’m guessing my question put some people off, but that’s how it goes.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday afternoon, when I post the Christian Carnival, which I’m hosting here this week.

  • Retraction on NIV2011 Update

    With an tip of the hat to Peter Kirk, I withdraw objections to the NIV2011 update project.  Peter in turn links to this NIV 2011 FAQ.

    My objection to the update hinged on the idea that the TNIV was being bypassed in favor of going back to the 1984 NIV.  I saw (and still see) no reason why there needed to be a parallel update when the TNIV does such an excellent job.  With the affirmation (under Q27) that the TNIV text is not to be abandoned, my objection is no longer valid.

    I still believe that the church as a whole puts too much into American resources and too little overseas, but Biblica and the CBT are already doing what I would call for in providing for translation for other languages (see Q17).

    Thanks to Peter Kirk for his diligent work in keeping some of us slower folks up on the facts of this case.

  • Christian Carnival CCXCV Posted

    … at The Evangelical Ecologist.

  • Railing against the Text of Scripture

    … and against God.  John Hobbins thinks you should.  I think he makes a pretty good scriptural case!