by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/30/2007
Attraction is an unstable and capricious element in relationships. And yet all the singles I know make it their top priority. Michael Lawrence directs "I'm Just Not Attracted to Her, Part 2" (Part 1 is good, too) at men — the more visual of the sexes — but the principles apply to women, too. I've often heard a girlfriend say, "He's a really good guy, but I'm just not attracted to him." Before I continue, let me make a distinction.... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/29/2007
It's hard to believe in the midst of a jam-packed school schedule that life could ever be busier than it is in college. But graduates soon find out it is. And one of the first things to go is the social life. One way singles are making time for dating is to multi-task. In "Dinner and a Powerpoint?" Sue Shellenbarger reports in today's Wall Street Journal on the "working date": Many single people are so busy with careers that they... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 06/28/2007
Here's a new article you'll probably want to read: "The Possibility of Platonic Friendship." We published it today on TrueU, and I think it's pretty interesting. Blake Roeber (who's way into philosophy) talks about more than just guys and girls being friends. He explains the meaning of "Platonic" and, based on that meaning, argues that men and women cannot have Platonic friendships. Blake does a much better job of explaining this, so let's let him do the talking: On the... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/28/2007
I'm a big follower of trends in the church. So I found this article on the top 25 multiplying churches in America interesting. The thing to note is these are not the most highly-attended churches (think Rick Warren's Saddleback at 25,000 attendants). Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, which ranked No. 1, boasts a modest 4,800 attendants. Since its founding in 1989, Redeemer has swelled to 4,800 worship attendants each week and apportions 15 percent of its budget to church... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/28/2007
About a month ago I asked subscribers to our complimentary e-newsletter what they'd be doing this summer. I'm surprised at how many indicated they'd be serving in short-term missions projects. Here are some of the responses: I have been working just as much since finals ended, about thirty hours a week handling administrative duties for a NASA contractor here at Kennedy Space Center. In a week and a half, I will go on a ten day youth mission trip to... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/28/2007
Apparently, the emerging church isn't the only movement attracting young adults. According to Mark Dever, this demographic is also flocking to reformed doctrine. And on his new blog Church Matters, he attempts to answer why. In short, Mark says it's because of oft recommended writings of Charles Spurgeon. He continues, "And friends, if you keep being told to buy Spurgeon, eventually you'll probably read Spurgeon. And if you read Spurgeon, you'll never be able to believe the charge that all... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/28/2007
Earlier, I blogged about the breakout hit The Dangerous Book for Boys. In the past few weeks, the book has moved up to number one on Wall Street Journal's nonfiction bestsellers list. This past Sunday, the Washington Post featured an article by Conn Iggulden, one of the book's co-writers. Titled "In Praise of Skinned Knees and Grubby Faces," the article describes the motivation for a book celebrating a dangerous side of a boy's development that our culture has tried to... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/27/2007
I remember thinking when The Nativity Story was released last year, That sounds like a really boring movie. As a matter of fact, the only reason I was tempted to see it was because I didn't want it to bomb. I thought, If I go even though I don't want to, maybe it means other Christians will too. But I passed. And I can't even bring myself to rent it. Is that wrong? In this month's Christianity Today, editor David... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/27/2007
Tarver Hannant is finding a creative way to get a leg. Hit by a falling power line in 1997, Tarver endured the pain of a damaged leg for 10 years before deciding to amputate in May. Then the real fight began. With his first child on the way, Tarver had to figure out how to pay for a $40,000 prosthetic leg. He discovered that insurance companies pay a very limited amount and prosthetic companies offer no financing, while demanding payment... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/27/2007
A good friend of mine is getting married in a couple of weeks. He and his future wife chose the seventh of July for their wedding. They couldn't pass up the once-in-a-lifetime chance to marry on 07/07/07. Apparently, a lot of couples noticed the same opportunity. One account indicates that around 38,000 couples are getting married that day compared to 12,000 in a typical weekend. Any Boundless readers getting married on that date? If so, have you run into any... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/26/2007
Ted's post on the misuse of God's name in "Evan Almighty" got quite a discussion going. Then today, I read Tim Challies' review of Grace (Eventually) by Anne LaMott. One of his criticisms of the book (and there are many) is LaMott's use of profanity. Challies writes: Lamott has proven to have wide appeal, writing for Salon, the Los Angeles Times and a variety of other periodicals. It should be exciting to see a professed Christian writing for what is... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/26/2007
"If you're the first one in in the morning and the last one to leave at night, and you take fewer vacation days and never take a sick day, you will do better than the people who don't do that. It's very simple." This is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's advice to college graduates captured in today's Wall Street Journal. This portion of the article especially caught my eye: The mayor also said he's raised two daughters who have... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/25/2007
Last month Steve introduced the interesting idea that smaller weddings equal healthier marriages. But did you know that it also means a healthier planet? I read in Parade Magazine over the weekend that "nothing heats the planet like a big wedding." Here's the excerpt: And just in time to upset the last of you June brides, the folks at www.DrivingGreen.com tell us that almost nothing heats the planet like a big wedding: A two-day affair for 250 guests generates 72,000... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/25/2007
Speaking of Dr. Dobson's comments on Evan Almighty.... Am I the only one who would rather hear someone mutter the "F-word" than to hear someone say, "Oh my G--"? The former trivializes something sacred to humanity, procreation, while the latter trivializes God Himself. The slightly sanitized "oh my gosh" isn't much better, in my opinion, as it clearly makes reference to the blasphemous phrase that inspired it. What does "oh my gosh" mean, anyway? I wonder if Christians say this... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/25/2007
In a summer of sequels, Evan Almighty offers an interesting follow up to the surprise hit Bruce Almighty (read Plugged In review). This time around, director Tom Shadyac turned in a more family-friendly movie and tried to turn up the faith message a little. The studio also ponied up a $200 million budget -- much more than the budget for Bruce Almighty. The film also worked with organizations that stir up interest among the Christians at the grassroots level. So... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/25/2007
For some time now ethicists have warned that the development of real animal-human combinations — known as chimeras — was nearing on the horizon. Now, according to some reports, the future has arrived. This, from Dr. Al Mohler, weighing in on an article in The Washington Post that details some of the "transgenic animals" scientists at Britain's Academy of Medical Sciences have created. The primary driver behind these experiments is human stem cell research, which must first be tested on... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/22/2007
The American Medical Association may vote next week on making video game addiction an official psychiatric disorder but support for the move is mixed. And not surprisingly, the industry that makes the games that have entrapped many say there's no evidence that video games can be addictive. According to Lindsey Tanner in the Chicago Tribune, Michael Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association, said the trade group sides with psychiatrists "who agree that this so-called 'video-game addiction' is not a... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/21/2007
According to a study commissioned by the Culture and Media Institute, people who watch a lot of television have a different worldview than more moderate consumers -- one that is distinctly more liberal. Here's a portion of their conclusion: According to the survey, the more hours people spend in front of the television, the less likely they are to accept personal responsibility for their own lives and for their obligations to the people around them. They are less likely to... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/21/2007
"Find your inner Paul Potts," says journalist Tony Maciulis. A week ago I'd never heard of Potts, now he's all over the media for stunning the audience, and especially the judges, with his operatic performances in the "Britain's Got Talent" competition. When Potts, a mobile phone salesman, first stood awkwardly before the judges and said nervously that he was going to sing opera because it was what he felt he was born to do, I cringed right along with judge... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/21/2007
This past week, I spoke with my pastor after church. I wanted him to meet my sister who was visiting, since she was a fellow Multnomah Bible College grad. While I had his ear, I thanked him for constantly sharing the gospel from the pulpit. He seemed surprised by my praise. "That's what it's all about," was his simple response. Boundless writer and pastor Thabiti Anyabwile addresses the issue of preaching and "The Mereness of Church" on his blog. We... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/21/2007
Jesus believed the creation account presented in Scripture, and not the one presented by Darwin et al. He believed that God created everything that exists, that he created specific "kinds"** of creatures that each reproduced "according to its kind" (as opposed to having genetically more complex offspring a la evolution), that Adam and Eve were the very first humans and that they were created "from the beginning" (He intentionally created distinct sexes, rather than allowing them to emerge over millennia),... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 06/20/2007
This past weekend I saw a PBS documentary about the lives of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham. I was so interested to learn about the amazing life that Ruth had, culminating in her going to be with the Lord last week on June 14. Mrs. Graham was born in China to missionary parents. She planned to be a missionary to Tibet, and decided not to ever get married. Those plans changed when she met Billy Graham at Wheaton College in... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/20/2007
In a day of egalitarian relationships, do women care anymore if a potential husband will be a good provider? Do men care if a potential wife will be a nurturing mother? According to research in The Quarterly Journal of Economics, these "old-fashioned" capabilities still drive mate selection in spite of all the changes feminism has brought. Researchers at The Howard Institute round up insights from various scholarly journals related to marriage and family trends. In a piece called "Mating Patterns... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/20/2007
Yesterday I wrote about the unintended consequences of legalized abortion. But there's one I left out. It's the loss of outrage over women who kill their own babies after birth. Amy Hall of Stand to Reason Blog reports on the story of a 22-year-old University of Southern California student who has been suspected of murdering her two newborn babies. Murder charges against USC student Holly Ashcraft who left her newborn baby's body in a dumpster were dropped this week because... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/20/2007
South Beach, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast. The methods for losing weight are as many as there are excess pounds in our bodies. Still, conventional wisdom says whatever you do to slim down, "no pain, no gain." Deprivation. That's what it's all about. My problem is that extreme diets and exercise, though able to produce bursts of success, leave me more likely to binge and less likely to maintain any progress they produce. Today's Focus on the Family broadcast gave... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/20/2007
Did you ever think about what church was like before the hippies took over? I didn't either. Not till today when I read Sally Thomas' "Grooving on Jesus," a review of Preston Shires' book Hippies of the Religious Right. For all the positive changes brought about by a counter-cultural embrace of the New Testament communal-style worship, there were casualties: ... the unconverted hippie was not so much an unbeliever as a pre-believer. He was already living the essence of Christianity,... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/19/2007
I remember being introduced to postmodernism as an English major at a Christian college in the early 1990s. It was in the context of learning deconstruction as a method of literary criticism. I remember having a hard time wrapping my mind around it at first, but then actually finding it intriguing as it seemed much easier to "deconstruct" literature -- to find all its hidden messages and agendas -- than to do the hard work of traditional literary criticism. I... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/19/2007
You probably didn't notice Scott Peterson in church this past Sunday. But he was there. Somewhere in the third pew from the back, or perhaps in the children's Sunday-school choir. This is the intriguing opening of an article by Russell D. Moore, that considers how inaccurate views of women, children, sex and marriage are feeding the hatred that leads a person to become a predator of the ones he is called to protect. Guys I know are always asking how... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/19/2007
Whenever we dare envision the prospect of banning abortion, many (primarily those on the left) raise the counter-argument that doing so will only produce more "unwanted" children -- you know, "Every Child a Wanted Child." But as John R. Lott Jr. points out in today's Opinion Journal, it's not enough to be wanted. In "It's Not Enough to be 'Wanted,'" Lott says there are social cost "trade-offs" to legalized abortion that have long been neglected. These include: A sharp increase... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/19/2007
I love to travel. I love being immersed in a foreign place, experiencing the peculiar range of a society's "cultural artifacts" -- their food, their language, their architecture, their landscapes, their way of thinking, their parks and markets, their entertainment, and so on. I cherish having been able to spend months in Mexico and Colombia, and weeks in Singapore, Germany, Italy, France, England, Wales, Canada and other places. I think my travels have enriched my life and help me better... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/19/2007
I'm not a big fan of pop psychology, but I have found Gary Chapman's "The Five Love Languages" helpful as I think how to love my wife and as I think about what makes me feel loved. For those of you who generally stick to Spurgeon and Edwards and à Kempis, Dr. Chapman describes the five "languages" on his website. I found an online test that may help you narrow down which of your "love languages" is dominant. I took... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/15/2007
I was driving home from the mall tonight with my wife and two baby daughters. As we were approaching our home, I noticed that the yard a few homes down was finally completed. After about a year of landscaping, the sod had finally been laid, and the end result looked beautiful. As I passed, I noticed the owner in his garage. I stopped, put the van in reverse, rolled down the window, and yelled to him, "Your yard looks great!"... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/15/2007
The best article in today's Wall Street Journal isn't about stocks or bonds and it doesn't even mention money. In my opinion, today's top article is a little sleeper by columnist and blogger Tony Woodlief. In "Boys to Men," he admits his own shortcomings as an ill-prepared dad to three rowdy, rambunctious, energetic boys. Not deluded into thinking this Sunday will be a day of rest or relaxation, he's gearing up for a Father's Day full of creepy, crawly things,... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 06/15/2007
The criticisms of the book I recommended in my last post got me thinking. Some of you didn't like Redeeming Love -- or at least were cautious about recommending it -- because of some of the sexual content. While I would still argue that there's nothing overtly graphic about the book, I can understand that it might not be something everyone is used to or comfortable with. And for those who have experienced any kind of abuse, I can obviously... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/15/2007
I was meandering around ShoutLife, a "fresh approach to social networking," and found myself on CBNmusic's profile page. (At the cost of sounding like co-blogger Denise Morris, "A quick shout-out to Jennifer E. Jones!") Anyway, their most recent blog headline caught my eye, and so I clicked on the link and then on to their Web site to read the story on BarlowGirl. Turns out that BarlowGirl is releasing their latest album, "How Can We Be Silent," on July 24.... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/15/2007
One of my favorite points by the speakers here at the LEAD conference was the one made by Glenn Packiam about balancing relevance with ministry to 20somethings. He said that even while churches try to be more relevant to new believers, they shouldn't be embarrassed by the presence of God. "That's like walking into a hospital sick and having the nurses hide the medicine," he said. Each speaker has reminded this group of leaders that it doesn't matter how cool... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/15/2007
It's the fourth session of the day and The Mill worship leader Glenn Packiam is speaking about how God uses people, ordinary people, to accomplish his will. He's using the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem as an illustration. Glenn highlights three lessons from the Book of Nehemiah: do small things well, act where you are, and stay on the scene. In chapter 2:5, we see Nehemiah leveraging his "favor" as cupbearer to appeal to King Artaxerxes for... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/14/2007
Steve and I are out of the office today manning the Boundless booth at the LEAD conference here in Colorado Springs. Its purpose is "to equip pastors and campus leaders to reach and disciple college students/20-somethings with purpose and passion." Aaron Stern, pastor of The Mill and conference leader, just finished praying and the Desperation Band is kicking off the worship. The Mill is New Life Church's community for college students and 20-somethings, "one of the largest ministries of its... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 06/14/2007
I noticed that Francine Rivers' book, Redeeming Love, is on the summer reading list for a few of you. Here's the deal: If it's not on your list, add it immediately. Redeeming Love is a beautiful book -- and I believe it's one that everyone (men and women) can, should and will enjoy. And no worries, folks. Although it is a religious novel, it is not corny and predictable like much of Christian fiction. The story is set in California... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/14/2007
My friend Will recently shared a puzzling tale with me. For the past few years, Will has been attracted to Lynette. Although, he has expressed interest in pursuing her at least twice, she has declined his offer insisting she'd rather be friends (See "You're a Great Guy, but...). Still, Lynette seems eager to spend time with Will, and he has been the one to establish boundaries as to how much time they spend together. Here's where the story gets weird.... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/13/2007
Looking for some good books to read this summer? Check out these recommendations from Dr. Albert Mohler. I have my eye on two of them: Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America and Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East. Though Mohler's recommendations aren't gender specific, I do believe these offerings appeal more to guys. For more book suggestions, check out Tim Challies's newly redesigned Discerning Reader. It's "a place where... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/13/2007
Today's top story on Fox News made my heart sick. The article reports that infanticide and abortion are responsible for 60 million girls missing in Asia. These missing girls — primarily in China and India — are creating a gender imbalance that is contributing to a social crisis. A normal sex ratio at birth (SRB) is between 103 and 105 males per 100 females; in China, make that 130 males to 100 females. "Twenty-five million men in China currently can't... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 06/13/2007
It's clear from the rag tag comments on Motte's post about Bridal Gift Registries that the Boundless Line readers would benefit from reading Miss Manners on Painfully Proper Weddings, by Judith Martin. Contrary to the title, this book is a painless and quite entertaining read. More importantly, it's a needed reminder that etiquette is more than a set of stuffy old rules. It's the means by which we may interact with other people in a way that has their interests... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 06/12/2007
Whenever I express an opinion about some minute detail of home decor, my wife sighs and says, "Just like my bridal registry." It's true. I have lots of opinions about things I probably shouldn't. I can't help it. I'm just into practicality and feng shui. So when I ran across this article on the essentials of bridal registry, I could really relate. Sara Dickerman, food and dining editor for "Seattle Magazine," preaches modesty when given the "chance to receive pretty... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/12/2007
The Associated Press reports that a series of studies conducted over the past six years claim that the death penalty saves lives. One study found that each execution deters an average of 18 murders (Other studies have estimated the deterred murders per execution at three, five and 14). "Science does really draw a conclusion. It did. There is no question about it," said Naci Mocan, an economics professor at the University of Colorado at Denver. "The conclusion there is a... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/11/2007
I am a big fan of Boundless writer Carolyn McCulley. I am a regular visitor to her blog, and I enjoy reading her perspectives on Boundless. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend a few days with her in the D.C. area. This picture was taken after we ate dinner at a great Lebanese restaurant. Carolyn, who writes on topics ranging from being gracious to men to exercising hospitality, practices what she preaches. She not only helped me... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 06/11/2007
The book I'm reading, King of the Jews by D. Thomas Lancaster, has a chapter devoted to the idea that, theologically speaking, Jesus was most likely a Pharisee. What?! As the book points out, we usually think of Pharisees as super bad dudes. The term "Pharisaical" was even brought up (negatively) in a response to Motte's post about budgeting. In general, being associated with the Pharisees is not a good thing. But, says Lancaster, perhaps we have misunderstood exactly what... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 06/11/2007
In high school I spent days working on mathematical proofs that everyone knew were impossible. I was confident that if anyone could break through, it would be me. I consistently earned the highest grades in math and science, earning an A+ in Geometry and acing the Physics final (though in an act of retro cockiness I used a slide rule rather than a calculator like everyone else). I was a Slater, the son of a renown physician, and we were... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 06/11/2007
Over the weekend, my pastor Matt Heard, told the story of a creative experiment the Washington Post conducted this past January. Here are some highlights from their story about it: It was 7:51 a.m. on Friday, January 12, the middle of the morning rush hour. In the next 43 minutes, as the violinist performed six classical pieces, 1,097 people passed by. ...Each passerby had a quick choice to make, one familiar to commuters in any urban area where the occasional... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 06/09/2007
One of my favorite things about writing for Boundless is designer Michael Heath's art. I love how his designs give the articles life and personality. That said, I think this week's art is a little off. The image accompanying my article "You're a Great Guy, But..." depicts a glamorous, eye-rolling girl snubbing a guy who appears to be a video-game-playing loser (not that those two things go together necessarily). While it's pretty easy to see why this beautiful woman might... Read more.
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