My daughter, Lydia, is three years old (she will be three-and-a-half in a few weeks). A few nights ago, I was reading Lydia her nightly Bible story. We were reading about Moses and the Passover from the very excellent Big Picture Story Bible. One of the pages had a picture of a man holding a lamb. The text of this story used the word “sacrifice”. My attempt to explain this word to Lydia went like this:

Daddy: Do you know what “sacrifice” means, Lydia?

Lydia: No.

Daddy: “Sacrifice” means God’s people have to kill the lamb. When we do bad things (sin), God says something or someone must die, so that our sins can be taken away. Did you know that Jesus is called the “Lamb of God”, because He died on the Cross for our sins?

Lydia: Yes. Jesus died on the Cross.

Daddy: That’s right. What happened after Jesus died on the Cross?

Lydia: He rose again!

Daddy: That’s right! Jesus died for our sins and then rose again. And because Jesus died and rose again, when we die, God will raise us again to be with Him forever!

Lydia: Do we die on a Cross?

Daddy: No, probably not. But, Lydia, if we do die on a Cross, what will happen?

Lydia: Jesus will raise us again!

Daddy: That’s right!

(Pensive pause.)

Lydia: Daddy, they’ll need to make a small cross for me!

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Cosby was right; kids do say the darndest things!

I love my daughter!

Jeremiah Wright, Evangelicals’ Brother in Christ, Christianity Today (5/7/2008)

The subtitle of the above post: Go ahead and disagree with Obama’s pastor. But remember: He’s family.

Jason Byassee, the author of the above post, argues that Evangelical Christians need to take the Reverend Wright seriously, because he is a Brother in Christ.

On the other hand:

James White recently spoke to the issue of Wright’s theology by quoting extensively from Wright’s teacher and favorite theologian, James Cone. (Wright references Cone and Cone’s contemporary, Dwight Hopkins, several times in the above video, starting at about 02:15.) White briefly and powerfully makes the case that Cone is a racist and, furthermore, a heretic outside the Christian faith. If White is correct, and Wright is on board with Cone’s Black Liberation Theology, are Evangelical Christians obligated to interact with the Reverend as a Brother in Christ?

Texas Woman Convicted for Operating Swinger’s Club Involving Young Children

I do not believe I am an overly sentimental type of guy, but as I read this horrible story this morning, I could not keep from weeping. I am sure my sensitivities to this particular kind of brutality are heightened as a relatively new father (my oldest is three), but I am - for better and/or worse - usually a rather stoic fellow. Yet, I continue to weep and pray for these children. Only God’s grace and mercy can save these little ones now.

It seems the depths of our depravity are as unfathomable as the heights of God’s goodness. I am sobered and brought low before Almighty God by the reality that this wickedness is in me.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come soon!

Several months ago, Drew (of the formerly famous Sign of Jonah) introduced me to the White Horse Inn podcast. I absolutely love it, and think you will too!

The White Horse Inn is hosted by Michael Horton and features co-hosts Kim Riddlebarger (Riddleblog), Ken Jones and Rod Rosenbladt. (See all men’s bios here.) Horton et. al. tackle all sorts of relevant theological issues with an intellectual depth and seriousness that is both humbling and heartening. I learn more from this podcast than virtually all others combined (and I listen to a lot of podcasts).

If you podcast, check out the White Horse Inn. You won’t regret it.

Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages may be defined as journeys made to some place with the purpose of venerating it, or in order to ask there for supernatural aid, or to discharge some religious obligation.

- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia

I was talking to a friend the other day about the “revival” in Lakeland, Florida. We talked about the similarities between charismatics flocking to these revival sites (Lakeland, Pensacola, Toronto, Brownsville, etc.) and Roman Catholics visiting various apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

Just a thought…

Michael Ramirez, Investor’s Business Daily

This is one of my pet peeves; something that occasionally drives me to a foaming-at-the-mouth rage. While gas prices hover just under $3.50/gallon in my neighborhood and the nation frets over an energy crisis, a plethora of legitimate options are available to us: domestic oil drilling, increased oil refining capacity, clean coal, nuclear power, etc. But how does our government respond? It responds by childishly frittering away our tax money on ethanol and wind mills.

I feel a tantrum coming on…

Anyway, this cartoon made my day.

My sister-in-law took these photos of Lydia and her cousin recently.

I haven’t read any of Richard Dawkins books’ in their entirety, but I have read and heard enough snippets of him, Hitchens, Harris, et. al. to recognize an intentional (and rather shallow) meanness in their presentations. I don’t think this will ultimately serve their cause well.

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P.S. I’ve been listening to James White and Steve Gregg debate Calvinism the last few days. It has been a very interesting conversation. If you’re interested, you can get all five mp3s here.

The Blatzkritters will be participating in the I Love Life! Walk this year on May 17. We are asking those who feel so lead to support us, and more importantly, support the Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center by donating here.

My sister-in-law has been volunteering for this Pro-Life organization for the past few years and our church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, also works with Amnion.

Thanks & God Bless!

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Below is a letter from my wife:

Dear Friends and Family,

Jim and I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center in the I Love Life! Walk on Saturday, May 17th. Amnion CPC provides free, life-saving assistance to pregnant women in crisis. We will be walking as a family in honor of our two children, Lydia and Titus, and the baby that I miscarried.

One in four women will end their pregnancies due to lack of compassionate care and practical assistance. It is our goal to help Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center provide women with the following free services: pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counsel for the young woman, man and parents throughout the unplanned pregnancy, maternity and baby supplies, evangelism and bible studies, post abortion grief counseling, middle and high school abstinence presentations.  Please join us by pledging support of our participation in the I Love Life! Walk or by directly contributing generously to Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for underserved women in crisis in our community.

Whatever you can give will really help! We truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support of this important outreach to help moms find hope for their future and their baby’s future! Every step counts for life!

Your Friend,
Katy Blatzheim

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Now playing: Rose Blossom Punch - Par Avion
via FoxyTunes

I saw this yesterday and had to share. While I recognize zombies reside on both sides of the aisle, I thought this was particularly apropos in light of the mindlessness of Obamamania.

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Now playing: Sugar - Man on the Moon
via FoxyTunes