Friday, October 06, 2006

A potpourri of questions and thoughts culled from Thursday's travels from Fresno to Arkansas...

*What was that liquid substance falling from the sky this morning as I left Fresno? It's been so long since we've seen rain I'd forgotten what it was like!

*Why is it that the Fresno, Modesto and Sacramento newspapers are all "Bees"?

*Long-term parking at the Sacramento airport is Expensive, with a capital E.

*Have you ever seen any illusion to the North American Free Trade Agreement in the story of Jesus raising Lazarus in John 11? I listened to a keynote address from a recent college lectureship on the drive from Fresno to Sacramento and was shocked that the speaker used John 11 as a platform to bash NAFTA. I understand social justice, but goodness, how do you find that in John 11?

*In keeping with the above conundrum, does the whole push for "revisioning" and "reimaginging" Scripture in preaching need an immediate moratorium if texts like John 11 are being used for the purpose of advancing political agendas?

*Joel Zumaya, relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, is filthy with his 103 MPH fastball.

*How come landings in Phoenix are always rougher than anywhere else?

*Now that the Dodgers are down 2 games to none, I wonder how bad third base coach Rich Donnelly must feel after making the terrible mistake of waving two men to the plate on Wednesday, both of whom were tagged out simultaneously by former Dodger, Paul LoDuca?

*Dallas Willard's insights into the Sermon on the Mount in his book The Divine Conspiracy are unparalleled.

*And finally, how about a little comfort from David: "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears attentive to their cry...The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34.15, 17-18).

Have a great Friday!