The movie Fireproof opened last Friday. The first theater I tried to go to was sold out. The second one was so full I had to sit in the second row. For a limited-release faith-based film that has received mixed reviews, it's 4th place opening weekend is pretty darn remarkable. Was it the great screenplay or acting? Was it the overt Christian ( Read more... )

This week, we've done a lot of catching up with friends. I'll highlight one of those visits in my next entry. Here's a summary of the rest of them, some of whom haven't been mentioned before in this blog (hence the introduction tag ( Read more... )

I have made precious few comments about the scandal surrounding the Yearning For Zion ranch of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What I can say so far is that just about the whole thing disgusts me ( Read more... )

Luckily, I wound up at home for Easter weekend. I got home Thursday evening, in time for Good Friday, and I don't leave until Tuesday. Though it was a quick trip, it was a good time to be home ( Read more... )

Reasons To Believe is an organization started by Dr. Hugh Ross, a Canadian astronomer, for the purpose of presenting scientific evidence that supports specifically Christian faith. They now have a whole team of scientists and other scholars (at least one philosopher) and quite an arsenal of books, articles and other resources for people who ( Read more... )

It occurs to me that I haven't introduced the Sugar Group on this blog. In fact, I'm not really sure if the history of the Sugar Group has ever really been committed to paper. I am occasionally asked about it because of my email address and I usually give the short answer: "it's a Bible study group." That answer really doesn't do it justice, ( Read more... )

I've known Jerry for nearly two decades. I don't actually recall when we first met but it would have been before 1991, maybe by a year or three. He's now 54 and his son, Jeremy is just a few years younger than me ( Read more... )

In the "Varrin thinks too much" department, several experiences over the last couple of weeks (including the training and the jazz) have refreshed some of my already-established views about the human will, achievement and ability, especially differences in innate ability or characteristics. At the same time my thinking has been challenged. I don' ( Read more... )

This is part 2 of the story of my pre-Christmas holy land tour. Part 1 can be found here.

We parked on the south side of Jerusalem and took a quick look at some of the digs outside the gates. Upon entering, the guide explained to us that the western wall (commonly called the wailing wall) extends past the traditional 'photo-op' spot which is ( Read more... )

Had a chance to hear guitarist John Moulder with his quintet at the Green Mill on Friday night in Chicago. I wasn't familiar with him but I had heard of his drummer, Paul Wertico, before. Filling out the group was Jim Trompeter on piano, Jim Gailloreto on sax, and Eric Hochberg on bass ( Read more... )