What’s so great…

It took a while because I read it slowly and deliberately but I finally finished Dinesh D’Souza’s book, What’s So Great About Christianity. Responding to a recent flurry of atheist publications, D’Souza addresses the anti-God community head on. Many of the arguments posed by those who want to abolish religion altogether are effectively refuted.

Well researched, documented and written, the book is an important read for anyone who wants defend belief in God and Christianity in particular. Honestly, this New York Times BESTSELLER should be on your bookshelf.

good fishing

I just got back from my fishing trip to Alabama. My friend Jim [I've known since 5th grade] and I hit those southern lakes hard for three days. The result was good. We caught a lot of fish. What kind you ask? Catfish, perch, bluegill…but the fish of choice…largemouth bass and crappie [FYI - yes that is the correct spelling - it's pronounced, "croppy"].

The crappie fishing was outstanding. On Thursday we brought home 38 keepers and threw back probably 30 or more. In terms of largemouth bass….wow, we caught some lunkers [that means "generously proportioned mircroterus salmoides" in fishing lingo]. Overall, not too bad for a couple of North Jersey guys.

Fishing is very serious stuff in the south. In case you doubt it…my friend Jim told me about this popular country western song [not my genre of music] which pretty much says it all. It’s called, “I’m gonna miss her.”

a story of community

DISCLAIMER: recommending movies is not my thing. However.

I watched a movie last night…the first of my summer vacation. My expectations were low but it was recommended by a friend so I figured – why not?  Lars And The Real Girl surprised me. I liked it a lot. Call me crazy but it is a film about community in the truest biblical sense. 

There is no way to explain the plot and have it not sound goofy, weird or mildly perverted but this film is anything but foul or foolish. I watched it twice simply to experience the humor and humanity of the story of an entire town that rallies around a friend in need.

If you’ve seen the trailers – don’t let them fool you. The film has depth both artistically and morally. An early scene shows Lars sitting in a Sunday worship service at his church while the pastor’s words are heard in the background, “In this world there is only one true law. The Lord told us what to do – to love one another.” Apparently Lars’ community understood what the Lord meant.

Not a lot of movies make me think about Scripture. This one did.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

in case you missed it

July 4th weekend culminated in PCC’s second annual Sunscreen Sunday outdoor worship service. The weather was incredibly nice and I think everyone enjoyed our time together.  I’ve loaded some pictures [Thanks Julie] of the event.

Sox vs Cubs

Now that the less than amiable Chicago baseball cross-town rivalry series is finally over, here’s the final analysis – Cubs - 3 wins, 3 losses. Sox -3 wins, 3 losses. It’s a tie! Both teams scored 31 runs. Both teams are good this year. Both teams lead their divisions. Both teams come from the very cool city of Chicago. Can’t we all just get along? How about a big collective HUG?  Where’s the love?