Comic from Mutts by Patrick McDonnell
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Reviewing the Adventist Review
April 23, 2009
Vol. 186, No. 12
GENERAL COMMENTS
Issues like this one may be one of the reasons why Lucy Butcher “was saddened to learn that only about three Sabbath school members out of about 25 subscribe to the magazine on a weekly basis”. (Love That Review! Letters) Things started out well with a CREDIBILITY, a MUST READ editorial by Roy Adams, but even the news that Oakwood University repeated as National Champions of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, didn’t inspire me to stay intellectually engaged as I continued reading.
The reading level in KID’S VIEW was uneven, and when I read that the magazine was being sent to “all third through sixth graders across North America”, I cringed. The third graders I know are breezing through Watership Down and the Harry Potter series. Winona and Kimberly, I suggest that the magazine as currently constituted should target a second grade audience.
TINY DISCIPLES, MIGHTY SERVANTS OF GOD, by Joel Henderson, asks the question, “How does the Kids in Discipleship ministry turn out Warriors for Christ?” Turning kids into “warriors” or “evangelists” is not my idea of a healthy thing for children or parents. Time would be better spent playing soccer or softball or going on picnics and camping trips with friends.
Jimmy Phillips continues suggest practical ways to keep young adults involved in the Adventist Church. In UNFORGETTABLE LEADERSHIP, he asks pastors and church leaders to get to know us, empower us, and position us so that we can learn necessary leadership skills. “By giving us responsibilities in the church you offer us the chance to gain—and share—a different perspective.”
Vol. 186, No. 12
GENERAL COMMENTS
Issues like this one may be one of the reasons why Lucy Butcher “was saddened to learn that only about three Sabbath school members out of about 25 subscribe to the magazine on a weekly basis”. (Love That Review! Letters) Things started out well with a CREDIBILITY, a MUST READ editorial by Roy Adams, but even the news that Oakwood University repeated as National Champions of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, didn’t inspire me to stay intellectually engaged as I continued reading.
The reading level in KID’S VIEW was uneven, and when I read that the magazine was being sent to “all third through sixth graders across North America”, I cringed. The third graders I know are breezing through Watership Down and the Harry Potter series. Winona and Kimberly, I suggest that the magazine as currently constituted should target a second grade audience.
TINY DISCIPLES, MIGHTY SERVANTS OF GOD, by Joel Henderson, asks the question, “How does the Kids in Discipleship ministry turn out Warriors for Christ?” Turning kids into “warriors” or “evangelists” is not my idea of a healthy thing for children or parents. Time would be better spent playing soccer or softball or going on picnics and camping trips with friends.
Jimmy Phillips continues suggest practical ways to keep young adults involved in the Adventist Church. In UNFORGETTABLE LEADERSHIP, he asks pastors and church leaders to get to know us, empower us, and position us so that we can learn necessary leadership skills. “By giving us responsibilities in the church you offer us the chance to gain—and share—a different perspective.”
Reviewing the Adventist Review
April 16, 2009
Vol. 186, No. 11
GENERAL COMMENTS
This issue has a lot to recommend it: two Stephen Chavez pieces and a great dog story. The rest of the issue deserves above average marks.
BOUQUETS
Stephen Chavez’ editorial, INTERSECTIONS, makes the Gospel message personal and relational.
“Could it be that sometimes we have such a rigid view of “witnessing” that we miss out on opportunities to reflect Christ’s character to the people we meet routinely, week after week, month after month, year after year? Could it be that we see ourselves as successful at witnessing only if someone is baptized? Or could it be that merely modeling Christ’s love and concern to those around us is part of our commission to take this gospel to the entire world?
“For Adventists many of our ideas about witnessing are bound up in the notion of the communication of information. But at its heart the gospel is about how a relationship with Jesus changes lives.”
The Cover Feature, I KNOW HE WATCHES ME, is another Chavez gem. His candid biographical sketch of Del Delker is a MUST READ. Delker is a living Adventist icon.
Jennifer E. Layton has written a dog story you won’t soon forget. JESSIE: ALL-AMERICAN DOG is, without a doubt, an angel with four legs. It’ a MUST READ.
THREE ADVENTIST FAMILIES ARE MONTANA PLANE CHRASH VICTIMS is particularly heartbreaking because it includes pictures of the families who died.
Montte Sahlin is back with review of an important book series by Nancy Alcorn that should be in every church library. These are “practical books about ministry for teenage girls. . .Each focuses on a particular application of the spiritual gift of mercy—Starved: Mercy for eating Disorders; Cut: Mercy for Self-Harm; Trapped: Mercy for Addictions; and Violated: Mercy for Sexual Abuse.
Andrew McChesney writes a fascinating column. His testimony revolves around the difficulties of keeping the Sabbath as a Russian journalist. ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE describes his decision not to meet informally with then President Putin on Saturday and the consequences of that decision. While I admire his determination not to compromise his convictions, I wish he could be convinced that Jesus did not forbid good works during the Sabbath hours.
In NIGHT NURSE by Sherilyn D. Gibbs, a labor-and-delivery nurse gives her patients more than medical attention.
Vol. 186, No. 11
GENERAL COMMENTS
This issue has a lot to recommend it: two Stephen Chavez pieces and a great dog story. The rest of the issue deserves above average marks.
BOUQUETS
Stephen Chavez’ editorial, INTERSECTIONS, makes the Gospel message personal and relational.
“Could it be that sometimes we have such a rigid view of “witnessing” that we miss out on opportunities to reflect Christ’s character to the people we meet routinely, week after week, month after month, year after year? Could it be that we see ourselves as successful at witnessing only if someone is baptized? Or could it be that merely modeling Christ’s love and concern to those around us is part of our commission to take this gospel to the entire world?
“For Adventists many of our ideas about witnessing are bound up in the notion of the communication of information. But at its heart the gospel is about how a relationship with Jesus changes lives.”
The Cover Feature, I KNOW HE WATCHES ME, is another Chavez gem. His candid biographical sketch of Del Delker is a MUST READ. Delker is a living Adventist icon.
Jennifer E. Layton has written a dog story you won’t soon forget. JESSIE: ALL-AMERICAN DOG is, without a doubt, an angel with four legs. It’ a MUST READ.
THREE ADVENTIST FAMILIES ARE MONTANA PLANE CHRASH VICTIMS is particularly heartbreaking because it includes pictures of the families who died.
Montte Sahlin is back with review of an important book series by Nancy Alcorn that should be in every church library. These are “practical books about ministry for teenage girls. . .Each focuses on a particular application of the spiritual gift of mercy—Starved: Mercy for eating Disorders; Cut: Mercy for Self-Harm; Trapped: Mercy for Addictions; and Violated: Mercy for Sexual Abuse.
Andrew McChesney writes a fascinating column. His testimony revolves around the difficulties of keeping the Sabbath as a Russian journalist. ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE describes his decision not to meet informally with then President Putin on Saturday and the consequences of that decision. While I admire his determination not to compromise his convictions, I wish he could be convinced that Jesus did not forbid good works during the Sabbath hours.
In NIGHT NURSE by Sherilyn D. Gibbs, a labor-and-delivery nurse gives her patients more than medical attention.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Christ's Parables for Today, by Sakae Kubo
I first heard the name, Sakae Kubo, when I was on sabbatical, teaching at Chester College in the United Kingdom. At the time he was the president of Newbold College. Steve Thompson asked me to be part of an education seminar there and offered his home for my family's weekend stay. Sakae was out of town, so I was not able to meet him. Steve was very impressed with Sakae's leadership. He also informed me that Dr. Kubo was not only an outstanding president, but that he had a wonderful wife; was the author of a Greek grammar, in addition to a number of Bible based books for the lay reader; a brilliant linguist; and a highly respected New Testament scholar. In addition, and most important to me, he was beloved and highly respected by students and faculty. Steve's admiration for Sakae made a deep impression.
When I learned that Sakae and Hatsumi had moved to Chico, I made it a point to get acquainted. To my delight, everything Steve Thompson had said was true. I consider it a great honor to have been given permission to serialize Sakae's book, Christ's Parables for Today, in Grace Connection, the Magazine.
When I learned that Sakae and Hatsumi had moved to Chico, I made it a point to get acquainted. To my delight, everything Steve Thompson had said was true. I consider it a great honor to have been given permission to serialize Sakae's book, Christ's Parables for Today, in Grace Connection, the Magazine.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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