Thursday, June 23, 2005

Wow ... the fruits of my labors

I suppose this is what I get for reading Wright, Yoder, RO, etc... Maybe I need to finish the Institutes?

Anselm 87% Karl Barth 80% Jürgen Moltmann 73% John Calvin 60% Jonathan Edwards 60% Augustine 60% Martin Luther 53% Friedrich Schleiermacher 53% Paul Tillich 40% Charles Finney 40% Which theologian are you? created with QuizFarm.com

written by michael, at 10:47 AM | leave your mark |
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Wednesday, June 22, 2005

WordPress

We're thinking of making the switch to WP. Any thoughts? Any ideas on how to transfer our SP comments?

written by kristen, at 1:26 AM | leave your mark |
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Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Please Pray for These Women

We had only seen her twice, but we were really excited about the midwife we chose to deliver the newest Stewart. She's a Cerified Nurse Midwife and she was going to practice in a new hospital they are building really close to where we live. I got a call today from the scheduling department saying that she and her partner midwife had left the practice. I was stunned and angry, thinking, "how could she do that?"

She didn't. The doctors group (one of the largest, if not the single largest, OB/GYN groups in the city) decided to terminate the midwife program. No notice to the midwives or their patients. They have patients due this week they aren't permitted to speak to or to assist their births in any way. The contract they had signed forbids them from practicing within 5 miles of any VPW clinic, which are near most of the hospitals in the city, so even if they find a doctor to take them in, they are still going to have to fight a legal battle to practice.

Please pray for Leslie and Jessica. They both made a lot of sacrifices to work with this group. Leslie (our midwife) gave up another job in another practice less than 6 months ago to work with this group and deliver in this new hospital.

This is also a blow for our family, as the only other midwives practicing in hospitals are on the complete opposite side of town, a very long drive from us. The insurance we have makes a homebirth very cost prohibitive. The granola-y birth community is in an uproar about this, so hopefully, something will be done. Kate will be attending her first peaceful protest this week in support of the midwives.

written by kristen, at 7:34 PM | leave your mark |
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Sunday, June 19, 2005

Father's Day

Kate and I were able to celebrate Mike's first father's day as a dad of one who is not in-utero. It was really fun :o) We found the perfect card at Hallmark and got him several books.

When we found out we were expecting Kate, within a few days Mike suddenly exclaimed, "This means I get to celebrate Father's Day! Another excuse for you to buy me books!" I had to live up to that.

written by kristen, at 9:09 PM | leave your mark |
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Friday, June 17, 2005

Book Meme

I got tagged by Megan!

1. How many books do you own?
Well, I counted about 715 when we were packing in Austin. We had a few boxes in the closet. We've bought a fair number since then and so... I guesstimate about 950 (not too shabby for two 23 year olds.) That's not counting any of Kate's books. I guess when we have the new baby, I will consider most of her books to be family books (the baby books and board books, especially) but all of them were bought for her so at this point, I consider them hers.

1. What is the last book you bought?
For me? I never buy books for me. Mike buys them! I bought Blue Like Jazz for my sister recently...

1. What is the last book you read?
The last book I finished was Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I'm almost done with Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen.

1. Name five books that mean a lot to you.
(1) The Holy Bible - Sunday School answer, but it's true.
(2) My Name is Asher Lev/The Gift of Asher Lev - these beautiful novels by Chaim Potok are precious works. All these wonderful thoughts swirl in my head about calling and art and family life... while I am enjoying a well written and compelling story. Must reads.
(3) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - I've long loved this book, but reading it with my class last year made it more precious to me than it was before. I can't wait to share it with Kate.
(4) Carry On, Mr. Bowditch - a childhood favorite that I read dozens of times growing up. I just love this story.
(5) Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory - a sociological study of Evangelicals in America seems so out of place on this list. It's a very readable account of about a dozen different niches in Evangelicalism. After reading it, I had my heart set on studying with the author, Randall Balmer, for a Ph.D in religious studies. But I met this guy named Mike...

Who wants to be tagged?

written by kristen, at 11:08 AM | leave your mark |
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Thursday, June 16, 2005

Thankful Thursday

"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!"
Psalm 107:22

written by kristen, at 10:59 AM | leave your mark |
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Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Blogger Troubles

We've really been having a hard time publishing recently. Anyone else?

written by kristen, at 10:19 AM | leave your mark |
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Saturday, June 11, 2005

"Thursday" 13

I usually post my answers on Amanda's comments, but they haven't been working for a while...

13 things you'd like to learn about, given enough time and resources. In no particular order:
1. Midwifery
2. the French language
3. Library Science
4. Educational History
5. Pediatrics
6. Vaccinations
7. Gardening
8. Classical Languages
9. Sewing
10. Interior Design
11. Historical Theology
12. Playing the Cello
13. Painting

written by kristen, at 9:54 AM | leave your mark |
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Friday, June 10, 2005

John Piper and the PCA?

If Alexandra is to be trusted -- and she usually is -- then John Piper is preaching at GA this year. Why is John Piper (a baptist) preaching at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America? I really don't get it. I suppose its because being a "Reformed" "Presbyterian" right now usually means that you believe in "TULIP" and dedicate babies with water.

written by michael, at 10:39 PM | leave your mark |
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Word of God in English

Leland Ryken's Word of God in English is available for .pdf download from Crossway.

written by michael, at 5:48 PM | leave your mark |
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Thursday, June 09, 2005

Thankful Thursday

Give thanks!

written by kristen, at 12:17 PM | leave your mark |
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Tuesday, June 07, 2005

What Makes a Successful "Emerging" Pastor?

So, lately I've been trying to read about the "emerging" or "emergent" church, and post-liberal, postmodern theology.

It appears that one of the big leaders is Brian McLaren, who challenges NT Wright in number of books written. Well, in an attempt to learn about him on the web, I stumbled onto his church's website and learned that he is stepping down as Senior Pastor at Cedar Ridge Community Church, and they are looking for a new senior pastor.

What I found most interesting is the measures used by the church to determine success.

Success Measures

• General health and growth of church (qualitative and quantitative) and progress in Strategic Plan
• Sunday celebrations receive high evaluations from attenders, staff and LT
• Receives high evaluations from staff colleagues
• Can offer stories and statistics showing achievement of mission

What happened to "authentic", "God-focused" and not seeker-sensitive, socialism not capitalism? I thought these were important to "emerging" churches and christians?

Suddenly an "emerging" pastor looks a lot like a modernistic, Sacred CEO.

How disappointing. I thought the evangelicals were "emerging" past this.

written by michael, at 4:55 PM | leave your mark |
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*sigh*

We've been so busy lately: School ended on Friday for Mike and we went to an out of town wedding this weekend... our laptop is dying and the desktop fan isn't working so it won't start... Kate is running around everywhere and I am out of Zofran (anti-nausea medicine) and feeling pretty icky. But the apartment pool is open and we broke down to buy the county mandated Little Swimmer diapers and so we may just get in a good summer grove yet.

written by kristen, at 10:11 AM | leave your mark |
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Thursday, June 02, 2005

Spelling Bee!

Kate and I are watching the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee on ESPN and the second word of round 6 was soteriology!

written by kristen, at 1:05 PM | leave your mark |
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Thankful Thursday

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
Romans 1:8

written by kristen, at 9:11 AM | leave your mark |
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Wednesday, June 01, 2005

My Apologies

To all of Kate's fans who are wondering why I haven't uploaded a picture in more than a month:
I changed the settings on my digital camera so I take larger, clearer pictures for printing purposes. But now my pictures are too big to upload in Coppermine without resizing. With being tired and sick, I haven't had the time and energy to find a batch image resizing freeware program that didn't require the .NET platform. I do apologize for my laziness. But tonight, I spent hours doing just that and will provide pictures soon and very soon. I do not promise large quantities of great pictures. Again, I am not feeling my best. But you shall have a few pictures!

*UPDATE* Pictures added to April and May albums.

written by kristen, at 11:49 PM | leave your mark |
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Personalizing the News

When Deep Throat's identity was revealed, the part I found most interesting is that he now lives in Sonoma County, where Mike was born and raised. I have really lost my current events edge.

written by kristen, at 1:40 PM | leave your mark |
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