Ligonier Ministires 2010 National Conference

The Ligonier Ministries National Conference which I usually attend each March with my moms, sisters, and friend was moved this year instead to June. Due to schedules we were unable to go.  However I was so happy to be able to live-stream the conference this year and to my surprise the conference videos have been archived online and are available for viewing now.  This years pre-conference focused on Christians and types of media while the main conference topic was "Tough Questions Christians Face."  I have already listened to about half the lectures and they are excellent as expected. I don't know how long they will be available so make your way here to listen.

1. The Brave New World of New Media by Ed Stetzer
2. Principles for Conduct in Communication by Tim Challies
3. Taking Captive New Media for the Church by Burk Parsons
4. The Hypersocialized Generation by Albert Mohler
5. Questions and Answers 
6. Why Did Jesus Have to Die? by John MacArthur
7. What is Evil and Where Did It Come From? by R.C. Sproul
8. Why Do Christians Still Sin? by R.C. Sproul Jr.
9. How Do We Know Which Interpretation is Right? by Derek Thomas
10. Is the Bible Just Another Book? by Steven Lawson
11. Is the Exclusivity of Christ Unjust? by Alistair Begg
12. Questions and Answers
13. Why Does the Universe Look So Old? by Albert Mohler
14. Is Calvinism Good For the Church? by Burk Parsons
15. If God is Good, How Could He Command Holy War? by Derek Thomas
16. Can We Enjoy Heaven Knowing of Loved Ones in Hell?by R.C. Sproul

Saturday, June 19

8:30am - 9:40am with Albert Mohler
Why Does the Universe Look So Old?

Many Christians believe that the universe is only 6000 years old. Others say that all observations of God’s creation indicate that it is much older. In this lecture, Dr. Albert Mohler will explain the difference between general and special revelation and the difference between both types of revelation and human interpretations of that revelation. He will also discuss how these facts should inform our approach to questions of science and faith.

9:40am - 10:30am with Burk Parsons
Is Calvinism Good For the Church?

Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the theology of John Calvin, but is this necessarily a good thing? Does Calvinism weaken and destroy churches as some contend? Is Reformed theology a hindrance to the church’s life and work? In this message, Burk Parsons will take a look at Reformed theology and explain why Calvin’s view of God, man, sin, Jesus Christ, and salvation are precisely what the church needs in this and every generation.

11:15am - 12:05pm with Derek Thomas
If God is Good, How Could He Command Holy War?

Numerous skeptics have challenged the goodness of God by pointing to His command in the Old Testament to exterminate the Canaanites, including the women and children. Christians have also wondered how to understand those passages of Scripture. In this lecture, Dr. Derek Thomas explains the meaning of Old Testament Holy War in light of redemptive history, showing that it is fully consistent with the holy and good character of God.

12:05pm - 1:00pm with R.C. Sproul
Can We Enjoy Heaven Knowing of Loved Ones in Hell?

Many of the toughest questions Christians face from skeptics involve the doctrine of eternal punishment and hell. But it is not only unbelievers who ask questions about hell. Many Christians have unbelieving loved ones who have died, and they wonder how they can enjoy heaven knowing that their loved ones are in hell. In this lecture, Dr. R.C. Sproul helps Christians understand what the Bible has to say about this deeply troubling question.

Recent MacArthur Quote

"What makes life exciting to me is discovery."

This was said by John MacArthur at the end of a sermon he recently preached on understanding God's sovereignty in salvation and man's responsibility.  Some things will not be understood this side of heaven and MacArthur is happy to leave some things for heaven.  His above statement resonates with me as I believe there is nothing better in life than discovering and getting to know God.  This is a lifelong process which continues into eternity.  Amen!

Swimming in the Irish Sea

As my time in Ireland winds down I am starting to think about things I want to do before I leave.  One of them is to swim in the Irish Sea.  My friend Honor is hardcore and swims in the Irish Sea all the time so I joined her and another friend Erin for a dip today.  The high today was 64, a typical summer day for Ireland.  I have no idea what the water temperature was.  Suffice it to say that getting in the water up to my neck and staying in for a few minutes was a very impressive feat.  The Irish say you will start enjoying the water as soon as your body is numb.  I stayed long enough for my legs and upper body to be numb but my arms felt so strangely cold that I got out after a few minutes. Anyway, I am quite satisfied that I did it and even happier that I lived to tell the tale!

What is a Perfusionist?!

I have yet to come across a single person who, when they ask me what my husband does for a living, actually knows the answer I give.  Even when I explain it to them they still look lost.  So for all of you out there who want to know what it is that Matt does take a look at this short video. I've asked  Matt if I can go on a "ride-along" with him at his work but after seeing some more videos on what he sees at work I don't know if I could handle all the blood and general gore of the OR.  I guess that's why he's the perfusionist and I'm the lady of leisure!

As of right now Matt performs his  sweet perfusion  skills on babies at the children's hospital here in Dublin.  It's been a good gig but it is time for us to return to the land of plenty.  I am dying to know where we will end up.  How bout a clue, Lord?!

Recent Tucson Trip

As many of you know I was in Tucson earlier this month visiting.  We decided to go because Matt was going to the states for a work conference in Reno and we figured since he would be so close why not pop down to Tucson?! While there we spent a lot of time with family, friends, and Mexican food.  We also were able to do a bit of work to our house and yard.  We also stayed in our house for the first time ever. Our renter Steve, a good friend of ours,  was happy enough for us to stay.  He was also good enough to let me invite my sister Regan and our friend Cbass down from Minnesota to stay too.  After Matt left Regan and Cbass joined me for 5 days of poolside relaxation in the Arizona sun.  We also took a short road trip over to the Chiricahua National Monument which is about 2.5 hours east of Tucson.  Here we saw God's beautiful handiwork and did a bit of hiking.  

But this trip was not just for fun, it was also to scout out jobs.  Matt met with his (future) Tucson boss over lunch for the latest Tucson job prospects.  We were very disappointed to hear that there is still no job for Matt in Tucson.  I also met with my Chief of Police who gave me better news.  He told me he had openings and then said I should cancel my return flight, stay here and start working!  While we were considering this idea Matt found out a third Tucson heart surgeon was leaving- that will be three in this last year- which is why there have been no jobs for Matt.  After hearing this news Matt and I decided since Tucson will probably not be hiring perfusionists for a while we would start looking elsewhere for jobs in the states.  As soon as Matt returned to Dublin he started scouring the job sites online and began sending out his CV.  

I didn't think I would be excited to return to the states unless it was to Tucson, my one true city love.  However I am very excited and so is Matt.  I pray God brings us somewhere good where we can make friends and enjoy our time as we wait for Tucson to open up.  Until then I will have to settle for desert visits. 

(Music by Tucson's own "Ryanhood")

Bath, Cardiff and Bristol Weekend

In March Matt and I took a whirlwind trip over to Bath, Cardiff, and Bristol in the U.K.  We have been to England before but not these cities and it was our first time to Wales.  Cardiff was a nice little city, very clean and friendly people.  My favorite thing about Wales was the Welshcakes.  I mean I figured they would be good but they surprised me with how good they were.  They taste like a cross between a minnie doughnut and a sugar cookie!  We also had great fun eating Cornish pasties everyday and partaking in cream tea with scones and clotted cream and Bath buns at the Jane Austen house.  My husband is such a good man to put up with going to such places!  Jane Austen is my favorite fiction writer so it was cool to visit her museum in Bath.  I also really enjoyed visiting the John Wesley chapel in Bristol.  It housed a very nice museum on his life. What an amazing man of God!  Anyway, here are some pictures from the trip.  Do you recognize the song?

Things in Tucson

As I have been getting ready for my upcoming visit to Tucson I have been busy scouring the internet for all things Tucson.  I have come across a few things I wanted to share with you.  First of all there is a great band out of Tucson called Ryanhood.  They are an acoustic guitar duo.  I would liken their sound to that of Caedmon's Call or the Indigo Girls (a few of my favorites).  I downloaded their latest album "The World Awaits" from my favorite site for new music called Noisetrade, last month.  I can't stop listening to it and dreaming of Tucson.  If you love acoustic guitars and harmony this band is definitely for you. They recently released a live album which you and all your friends can download for free at: Ryanhood- "The World Awaits" Live in Tucson

Second, I came across another Tucson artist named Leila Lopez.  She is a folky, jazzy type who has the voice of Fionna Apple and guitar skills of Ani Difranco.  She is also giving away her album called "The Roots and The Crops" on another site for new music called New Groove Music.  Follow this link to get her album: Leila Lopez "The Roots and The Crops"

Third, I came across a great blog called "Tucson Daily Photo."  The author is New York import to Tucson but she loves the Old Pueblo so much that she posts a photo taken from somewhere in Tucson each day.  Follow this link: Tucson Daily Photo

And fourthly, this blog will benefit all my Tucson mates. "Tucson on the Cheap" describes itself as a bargain hunters guide to inexpensive fun in Tucson. Can't wait til I can use this blog myself!  Follow this link: Tucson on the Cheap

From Under the Ash Cloud

Greetings from under the ash cloud.  Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard about the volcano that erupted in Iceland which is causing all kinds of havoc in the European skies.  Flights have been grounded since last Thursday when it happened.  I am extremely thankful to God that we were home when it happened and not off on one of our little holidays.  We returned from Italy just 2 days before the eruption and Sandi left us just one day before this volcano was awakened by the Lord. There are no traces of it in the skies above but we know its still hanging around up there as there are no planes in sky. I am praying for this ash cloud to be blown far away as Matt and I are supposed to be flying out to the U.S. next week.  Matt is to leave on Tuesday and I am off on Friday.  I am so excited to go to Tucson that the thought of not getting to go is just not an option.  I have already started packing and have made many plans for when I am there.  We have a bit of work to do on the house as well as other more pressing appointments such as Matt's lunch meeting with his future boss in Tucson to discuss any up coming jobs in Tucson and, depending on how that meeting goes, my meeting with my old boss to discuss the possibility of getting rehired before my peace officer certification runs out in August.  Matt and I were discussing this last night.  In order for me to be able to go back to police work before my certification is up he would have to find at least part time perfusion work in Tucson.  His job requires him to keep up his certification by doing a certain amount of cases each year so we are hoping for and I am praying for God to provide in this way.  I am also praying for wisdom as this is a big decision for me.  When I left the PD I didn't plan on returning but the nearer my certification draws to expiration the more I miss police work.  So, these next few weeks will be decisive in regards to our future.  The biggest obstacle is a job opening for Matt in Tucson.  Please pray with me for God to work providentially to this end so we can come home!

The Lighter Side of Johnny Mac

I've been raised in my Christian life on the Bible teaching of the great John MacArthur. If you're familiar with him you know what a serious and in depth Bible teacher he is. Click on the link below to see a side of him you've probably never seen or even imagined before!

Johnny Mac Celebrates 25 Years at the Masters College

Malta

Matt and I took a trip to the Mediterranean island of Malta a few months ago.  We rented a car and drove all around the island which is only about 17 miles long and 8 miles wide.  While there we saw St. Paul's Bay where St. Paul shipwrecked in Acts 27-28.  I love visiting Biblical places so this was my favorite place to see on the island.  My next favorite place to see was the old city of Birgu, also known as Vittoriossa.  Birgu is a really beautiful old harbor where one of my favorite movies, The Count of Monte Cristo, was filmed.  This harbor also houses the most beautiful vessel I have ever seen called the Maltese Falcon. When we came around the corner and saw it our mouths just dropped open.  Who could own such a ship?!  We had a great time in Malta, eating lots of pizza and pasta, Maltese pastizzis which are ricotta filled puff pastries, and drinking local Maltese wine.  It is a beautiful island covered in forts and overflowing with natural beauty.  Malta also has more churches than I have ever seen in one place.  The day after we left was the annual festival of St. Paul's shipwreck.  It would have been fun to be part of that!

(Song "These Times" by The Normals)

The Hat that Brings Out the Mountain Lion

Matt got me this cute hat for Christmas last year.  The funny thing is whenever one of us puts it on in the house it drives our Bengal cat crazy.  She turns into a miniature killer mountain lion and puffs all out and makes this scary guttural warning noise that I have never heard before.  Even after we take the hat off she is stressed out for the next few hours and carefully scours the flat to make sure that big gray cat is nowhere to be found.  What can I say except that not only do cats make the best house pets but they also provide great entertainment!

McMom is Here!

Matt's Mom is here visiting us in Dublin for the third time.  It is so nice to have a visitor from home, especially when we are so homesick!  Today I invited over a few friends- Catrin, Edwina, and Lois- to experience McMom's famous "monkey bread" which is small bread dough balls rolled in cinnamon sugar, covered in melted butter and brown sugar, and then baked in the oven.  This is one of our favorite things she makes and we always insist on having it when we see her.  Needless to say it was hit.  Here is a picture of it straight of the oven.

I'm Back!

About a year and a half ago I started low lighting my hair as I had decided to go back to my real hair color which is a medium brown.  In the beginning of this experiment I liked the look and was happy that I only had to go to the hair dresser every 5 months instead of every 3.  But over the months as my hair got darker and darker I began not to like it.  Looking over old photos from my blond days made me long for my blond hair so here I am- back where I belong!

8 Years Ago Today...

Eight years ago today Matt and I married. It was so long ago that all the pictures I have from our wedding photographer are real photos, not digital.  These pictures you see here were emailed to me by someone at the wedding and are the only digital photos I have (sorry I don't have better ones to post!).  People I meet are always surprised to hear how long we've been married.  They always say,  "you must have gotten married so young!"  We were 22 and 23.  It didn't seem young at the time. Out of all of our friends who are our age we have been married the longest and we joke about being the old married couple. Anyway, I have to say God has been so very good to us these last 8 years of marriage.  I feel closer to Matt and love him more than ever.  I am often amazed by God when I think about how He, in His wisdom, gave me just the man I needed to compliment me, challenge me, and shape me.  Marriage is after all, as Martin Luther said, a school for character.  Thanks honey, for all the love and grace you show me and model to me.

Paddy's Day 2010

Today we went to over to our friends Betsy and Dave's house to join them (and Betsy's sister and brother in law) for breakfast before we all went downtown to see the Paddy's Day parade.  Betsy and Dave have been a huge blessing to us over here.  We've spent many a holiday together and there is nothing like being with fellow Americans for holidays while we're away from home.  On top of holidays the four of us also hang out regularly- having dinner, going shopping, or smoking cigars around the fire bowl. It will be so hard to say goodbye to them this summer when they move back to New York :(

Brazilian Pastel Night

Last night Matt and I were invited to have Brazilian Pastel made by our Brazilian friend Cristiane.  Pastel is a crispy deep fried pastry filled with savory or sweet fillings.  Cristiane made two kinds, minced meat and cheese.

I met Cristiane a few months ago  through my friends Edwina and Sandra who are flatmates with her.  She is from the south of Brazil and has been here for almost three years.  I have really enjoyed the Brazilians and Australians I have met over here as I find them to be very friendly and American compatible.

Sandra and Edwina as well as Edwina's fiance, Ebe, and another friend of Cristiane's joined in the pastel extravaganza also. The 7 of us had a great time devouring pastel and laughing about all kinds of things.  As the Irish say,  it was good craic!  Pictured from left to right, Cristiane (Brazil), Sandra (France), Matt, Edwina (Ireland) and Ebe (Ethiopia). 

Our New Flat

Here are some pics of our new flat so you can see how a typical Irish flat looks.

Ephesians Conference Day

This weekend I went up to Belfast with a group of ladies from my church to attend a day conference.  The speaker was Peter O'Brien, an Aussie who is an Anglican clergyman and professor at Moore Theological College in Sydney.  He gave three lectures on the book of Ephesians and answered some questions at the end.  The lectures were very good and Ephesians was made anew to me.  On the way home we stopped at the Banbridge Outlet mall just outside of Belfast where we scooped up deals like Gap jeans for 7 pounds!

The picture from left to right: Lois (Australia), Deirdre (Ireland), me, Catrin (Wales), and Alley (Australia).

The Sound of Tucson!

Today I woke up to find out that we can now live stream our favorite radio station from Tucson, 92.9 The Mountain.  I was so excited that I had to text Matt right away and say "guess what I am listening to?!"  I've tried to stream this station a number of times since we've been here and it never allows me to because I'm outside of the U.S.  Well I don't know what changed because we're still outside of the states but we can now hear the sounds of Tucson at home- YIPPEE!

After this exciting news I received a knock on my door. It was 2 Jehova Witnesses.  A man and a woman, French.  I rushed them off as fast as I could but not before finding out that I did not qualify to become a JW.  They likened it to becoming a surgeon. Hmm.... I am sure glad I qualified to be recipient of God's saving grace in Christ by being a sinner!

Pining Away for Tucson

Today it is 46 degrees and sunny in Dublin.  This is nicest day so far this year as it has been an unusually cold and snowy winter here.  We are anxious for warmer temperatures as our new apartment is poorly insulated and very cold.  I spent the weekend pining away for Tucson and today's sunny weather only served to make me want Arizona all the more!  One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to pray everyday for a perfusion job to open up in Tucson for Matt.  I have wanted to move back to Tucson for what feels like as long as I have been over here but it wasn't until the turn of the year that I became serious about it in prayer.  Don't get me wrong, we have had an amazing time traveling over here but the truth of the matter is there is no place like home and I am more anxious than ever to get back to Tucson.  Today as I was doing my house work I was dancing around to Paul Simon whose music is the perfect soundtrack for Tucson in my mind.  I dream of the desert, the cactus, the mountains, the Arizona sunsets, the sunshine, the warm breezes and the beautiful smells of Tucson's spring .  I cannot wait to get back to family, friends, my home church, and our new house which I affectionately call "my adobe."  As you can probably tell, and as I often say to God in regards to moving back to Tucson, "tomorrow couldn't be soon enough!"  Please pray with me.

Blogs

I am probably the only person on earth who is not on facebook.  I take that back, my husband isn't either.  I really find facebook to be a mindless waste of time.  No offense to my facebooking friends.  I have my other loves that many of you may think are a waste of time- such as my blogs.  I love blogs.  I love having my own blog and reading my friend's blogs.  I really wish all my friends had them.  Of the few friends who do have them I have come to find out some interesting and surprising things about them from their posts.  I find blogs to be quite personal and depending on how open the author decides to be blogs can be quite telling. Its nice to see people's pictures and to know what they've been up to but I especially like reading what my friends write.  I also read a very small handful of blogs from people I don't know.  My favorite stranger blog is Take Your Vitamin Z

So speaking of blogs I want to announce a few new ones.  My husband has recently started up a blog regarding one of his favorite things- cigars.  This new blog is called My Blue Heaven. I have also started up a blog in the last few months on one of my favorite things- food.  Its called The Traveler's Table. Feel free to drop in and look around.

And get off facebook and onto blogger, people!

Pancake Tuesday

My friend Sandra came over today and suggested we make pancakes for Pancake Tuesday. Pancake Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday in Ireland and Britain, is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. 'Shrove' stems from old English word 'shrive', meaning 'confess all sins'. It is called Pancake Tuesday because it is the day traditionally for eating pancakes as pancake recipes were a way to use up any stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent. Neither of us observes Lent but we thought it was a fun idea to eat pancakes today with the rest of the country.

Portugal

Matt and I took a trip to Portugal near the end of last year.  While there we visited three towns; Evora, Sintra, and Lisbon.  I wanted to go to Evora to see the "Capela dos Ossos" which in English is "Chapel of Bones."  It was built by some Franciscan  monks who were worried about the materialistic and secular state of the people.  In order to get the people to think of the transitory nature of this life they built the chapel of bones.  There is a famous poem about the chapel written in Portugese by Fr. António da Ascenção .  Here is the English translation:

Where are you going in such a hurry traveler?
Stop … do not proceed;
You have no greater concern,
Than this one: that on which you focus your sight.
Recall how many have passed from this world,
Reflect on your similar end,
There is good reason to reflect
If only all did the same.
Ponder, you so influenced by fate,
Among all the many concerns of the world,
So little do you reflect on death;
If by chance you glance at this place,
Stop … for the sake of your journey,
The more you pause, the further on your journey you will be.

I really like this poem as it so true and the Chapel of Bones was my favorite site to visit in Portugal.  After spending a night in Evora we went to Sintra where we toured the Pena Palace which was a very beautiful castle.  While in Sintra we stayed at a hotel on the coast.  The waves of the Atlantic were crashing and magnificent.  The next day we headed to Lisbon where we visited the sites of Belem and the three famous neighborhoods of Lisbon, Chiado, Baixa, and the Alfama.  Portugal is a beautiful country, very green and lush.  I loved seeing the horned bulls in the countryside and the cork trees which when peeled of their cork have a rust red colored under-bark and so are easily identified.  The hand painted tiles all over Portugla were also beautiful and reminded me so much of Mexico.  I would like to go back again just eat some more queijadas and pasteis de natas!

(Slide show song "Pretty the World" by Matt Nathanson)

Bon Anniversaire Sandra!

Last night we went out to celebrate my French girlfriend Sandra's birthday in Dublin city center. Here are my chicas from left to right: Cristiana (Brazil), Edwina (Ireland), me, and  the birthday girl Sandra (France).

Betsy and Dave (New York) also joined in the birthday fun as Sandra came to know them by coming with us for Thanksgiving dinner last November at their place.  A  good time was had by all!

Jacks Back!

Sunday night I nibbled a piece of dark chocolate as I ended my 2 week leg of the South Beach Diet phase 1.  It just so happened on this night that season 8 of my favorite TV show of all time, 24, premiered here in Europe.  We are behind the U.S.by two weeks but what a way to celebrate the end of phase 1 than to see Jack back in action!  If you have never watched 24 you are missing out and should immediately go to your local video store to rent season 1.  You will not be able to stop watching!

The first phase of SB went as expected.  It was difficult but worth it as I did shed some poundage.  I will now slowly reintroduce good carbs back into my life and begin working out again to lose the remaining unwanted pounds hanging around. Being that I love to cook and bake so much I will have to work at keeping my weight under control my whole life, but it could be worse- God could have made all food to taste like cooked cabbage and what a sad existence we would have!

Beachin'

Matt and I decided it was time again to treat ourselves to the South Beach Diet.  We did this diet about 5 years ago and both of lost some extra poundage.  We kept it off for a long time but over the past few years we slowly began to put weight back on.  Even though we are more physically active now that we live in Europe and have no car we have found that traveling frequently and partaking in international culinary delights is not conducive to staying thin.  Unfortunately neither is my cooking or baking as I am a serious foodie! 

We have just finished up our first week of phase 1 of the South Beach Diet.  This is the hardest phase of the diet and it is supposed to last for two weeks.  We did very well and did not cheat a bit.  What accounts for this great achievement (besides the grace of God)?  Well, the list of acceptable foods has widened since the diet first came out and on top of that our pallets have matured over the past few years so that we now enjoy many more foods than we used to, especially in the realm of vegetables.  I have hope that we will make it through week 2 of phase 1 and then I will weigh myself, rejoice over my success and reassess my plan for weight loss as needed.  The weight loss will be good but what also is good is that I am retraining myself on how to eat healthily.

Eating healthily can be quite a delight when one gets to partake in delicious foods like this salad above which we made last night with our dinner.  It is eggplants and tomatoes which I  first marinated in balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil and then grilled over our charcoal grill.  I served these delicious vegetables on a bed of arugula and baby leaf salad mix with grated fresh mozzarella cheese (or try with feta) and dressed the salad in a balsamic vinaigrette.  Don't for get to add toasted pine nuts!

Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet never tasted so good!

Snowy Dublin

It has snowed three times in Dublin since New Year's Eve.  And I don't mean flurries and flakes fluttering about, I mean real, accumulated, sticking around, snow.  Though temperatures in the 30's are normal here during the winter season, snow is not. These last 10 days have brought about 4-5 inches and temperatures well below freezing. The roads are a wreck and the sidewalks are even worse as there seems to be a limited supply of salt and grit.  This weather has arrived just upon the heals of the recent Copenhagen climate meeting where world leaders met to discuss how to save the world from global warming.  I imagine God on his throne in heaven above, laughing...

Reforming Science Courses

My friend Ben gave a 12 week Sunday school course at my home church in Tucson last year on the subject of science and it's epistemological foundations.  I have just started listening to the class and it is so good that I wanted to share it with you.  The class, called Reforming Science, can be found here

Here is a quote from Ben himself on the course:

"For far too long, debates in the field of science and Christian faith have been dominated by Darwinism and the age of the earth. These are details. What absolutely must be settled first is of much more fundamental significance: science itself, as an intellectual discipline. Science is a branch of human knowledge, and as such is deeply implicated in philosophical questions, which are themselves deeply implicated in theological questions about the nature of and relationships between human beings, physical reality, and God. A careful look at the foundations of science will reveal that it is impossible to make sense of science except on the basis of a Christian theistic worldview. We do not mean that non-Christians cannot do science and be very successful at it. We are simply claiming that their worldview does not provide the intellectual resources to make science intelligible."

Feliz Ano!

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year last night at a friend's house party in Dublin.  A bunch of my friends were there as well as my father-in-law who is in town visiting us.  The party was fun and not much different than how we would ring in the New Year in the U.S.  The only difference from an Arizona New Year's Eve was that here we received about 2 inches of snow!  It doesn't snow often in Dublin and if it does it never sticks around so to still have a good deal of snow today was surprising.

My favorite thing about New Year's is New Year's resolutions.  I am always asking people if they make them and most say no and the reason they give is because they can't keep them.  I am not the type of person who would get discouraged from making New Year's resolutions simply because they're hard to keep.  I mean anything worth doing is hard so suck it up and keep trying!  I look forward to a new year, taking stock of my life and making goals. I think its a good and worthy thing to do, not to mention fun! My resolutions are pretty similar each year.  I have spiritual growth type goals, goals having to do with my marriage, and some personal goals.  A personal goal I really hope to make some progress in this year is in the area of weight loss.  I am going back to the South Beach diet again but will have to wait for my father-in-law to leave before I can begin.  It is too fun having a guest to cook for to cut out all the fun cooking!  Plus he makes these amazing mushrooms that we are having for dinner tonight- how could I possibly pass these up when I probably won't see him again for months to come?!

A Powerful Illustration

I found this post on a blog I follow called Take Your Vitamin Z and loved it so much that I had to post it on my own blog.  What a powerful illustration of what Christ has done for us!

From John Ortberg’s God Is Closer Than You Think:

Father Damien was a priest who became famous for his willingness to serve lepers. He moved to Kalawao – a village on the island of Molokai, in Hawaii, that had been quarantined to serve as a leper colony. For 16 years, he lived in their midst. He learned to speak their language. He bandaged their wounds, embraced the bodies no one else would touch, preached to hearts that would otherwise have been left alone. He organized schools, bands, and choirs. He built homes so that the lepers could have shelter. He built 2,000 coffins by hand so that, when they died, they could be buried with dignity. Slowly, it was said, Kalawao became a place to live rather than a place to die, for Father Damien offered hope.

Father Damien was not careful about keeping his distance. He did nothing to separate himself from his people. He dipped his fingers in the poi bowl along with the patients. He shared his pipe. He did not always wash his hands after bandaging open sores. He got close. For this, the people loved him.

Then one day he stood up and began his sermon with two words: “We lepers….”

Now he wasn’t just helping them. Now he was one of them. From this day forward, he wasn’t just on their island; he was in their skin. First he had chosen to live as they lived; now he would die as they died. Now they were in it together.

One day God came to Earth and began his message: “We lepers….” Now he wasn’t just helping us. Now he was one of us. Now he was in our skin. Now we were in it together.