Reformed Perspectives Magazine Volume 11, Number 10

Reformed Perspectives Magazine Volume 11, Number 10 (March 8 to March 14, 2009), is now available. The following articles are featured in this issue:

The Cross the Test of Character

By: Gardiner Spring [Webpage PDF Word ]

The Rapture

By: Everett Carver [Webpage PDF Word ]

Delighting in Doing Good

By: Matt Perman [Webpage PDF Word ]

Before the Throne

By: Kim Riddlebarger [Webpage PDF Word]

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Reformed Perspectives Magazine Volume 11, Number 10

Reformed Perspectives Magazine Volume 11, Number 10 (March 8 to March 14, 2009), is now available. The following articles are featured in this issue:

The Cross the Test of Character

By: Gardiner Spring [Webpage PDF Word ]

The Rapture

By: Everett Carver [Webpage PDF Word ]

Delighting in Doing Good

By: Matt Perman [Webpage PDF Word ]

Before the Throne

By: Kim Riddlebarger [Webpage PDF Word]

.

Dilbert: The Way of the Weasel

I have had a great time reading this book. I like Scott Adams' sense of humour and I have enjoyed his other books, The Dilbert Principle and The Dilbert Future. This book is even funnier and oh so true.

Dilbert: The Way of the Weasel

I have had a great time reading this book. I like Scott Adams' sense of humour and I have enjoyed his other books, The Dilbert Principle and The Dilbert Future. This book is even funnier and oh so true.

Reverance for the Mystery

Something from Christianity Today, February, 2009. John Calvin still have something to say to us after 500 years.

RE-FORMED
Reverence for the Mystery
God does not have to answer to us for his ways.
John Calvin with Knox Bucer-Beza posted 3/03/2009 09:33AM

In a universe of electrons and selfish genes, blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.

Richard Dawkins, scientist

I believe there is God's justice in action in what's going on here [in the current economic collapse] and we haven't seen the end of it. … We're going toward a one-world bank and a one-world monetary system, and if you believe the Word of God and you read Revelations … you will see clearly what's being spelt out, and we are in the end times.

James Bidgood, Australian MP

In pondering God's rule over human affairs,
we must avoid two common errors.

read more

Reverance for the Mystery

Something from Christianity Today, February, 2009. John Calvin still have something to say to us after 500 years.

RE-FORMED
Reverence for the Mystery
God does not have to answer to us for his ways.
John Calvin with Knox Bucer-Beza posted 3/03/2009 09:33AM

In a universe of electrons and selfish genes, blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.

Richard Dawkins, scientist

I believe there is God's justice in action in what's going on here [in the current economic collapse] and we haven't seen the end of it. … We're going toward a one-world bank and a one-world monetary system, and if you believe the Word of God and you read Revelations … you will see clearly what's being spelt out, and we are in the end times.

James Bidgood, Australian MP

In pondering God's rule over human affairs,
we must avoid two common errors.

read more

Postcards from the Edge (7)

Postcards from the Edge (7)

Hneri Nouwen on God and Pain

Jesus says, "Cry over your pains, and you will discover that I'm right there in your tears, and you will be grateful for my presence in your weakness." Ministry means to help people become grateful for life even with pain. That gratitude can send into the world precisely to the places where people are in pain. The minister, the disciple of Jesus, goes where there is pain not because he is a masochist or she is a sadist, but because God is hidden in the pain.

Henri Nouwen

Giving Up Soul Care for Lent

Mark Galli in his blog, Galliblog is often very insightful in his writing. In this post he makes an astonishing statement- give up introspective soul care for Lent.

As we begin another Lent, it seems fitting to meditate on the state of our souls. And many will do that, and all for the good. But I suspect this will be a mistake for others. Instead, let me suggest that caring for our souls might be the most significant thing we can give up for Lent.

read more

Giving Up Soul Care for Lent

Mark Galli in his blog, Galliblog is often very insightful in his writing. In this post he makes an astonishing statement- give up introspective soul care for Lent.

As we begin another Lent, it seems fitting to meditate on the state of our souls. And many will do that, and all for the good. But I suspect this will be a mistake for others. Instead, let me suggest that caring for our souls might be the most significant thing we can give up for Lent.

read more

The Wisdom of the Desert Abba and Amma (12)

When Abba Sisoes was about to die, and the fathers were sitting with him, they saw that his face was shining like the sun. He said unto them, "Behold, Abba Anthony has come." After a little while he said again, "Behold, the company of prophets has come," and his face shone twice as bright. Suddenly, he became as one speaking with someone else, and the fathers sitting there asked him, "Show us with whom you are speaking, father."

Immediately, Abba Sisoes said to them, "Behold, the angels came to take me away and I asked them to leave me so that I might tarry here a little longer and repent." And the old men said unto him, "You have no need to repent, father." And Abba Sisoes said to the fathers, "I do not know in my soul if I have rightly begun to repent," and they all realized that the old man was perfect. Then, suddenly, his face beamed like the sun and all who sat there were afraid and he said to them, "Look! Look! Behold, the Lord has come and he says, 'Bring unto me the chosen vessel which is in the desert,'" and he at once delivered up his spirit and became like lightning and the whole place was filled with a sweet fragrance.

Abba Sisoes

.

The Wisdom of the Desert Abba and Amma (12)

When Abba Sisoes was about to die, and the fathers were sitting with him, they saw that his face was shining like the sun. He said unto them, "Behold, Abba Anthony has come." After a little while he said again, "Behold, the company of prophets has come," and his face shone twice as bright. Suddenly, he became as one speaking with someone else, and the fathers sitting there asked him, "Show us with whom you are speaking, father."

Immediately, Abba Sisoes said to them, "Behold, the angels came to take me away and I asked them to leave me so that I might tarry here a little longer and repent." And the old men said unto him, "You have no need to repent, father." And Abba Sisoes said to the fathers, "I do not know in my soul if I have rightly begun to repent," and they all realized that the old man was perfect. Then, suddenly, his face beamed like the sun and all who sat there were afraid and he said to them, "Look! Look! Behold, the Lord has come and he says, 'Bring unto me the chosen vessel which is in the desert,'" and he at once delivered up his spirit and became like lightning and the whole place was filled with a sweet fragrance.

Abba Sisoes

.

Etiquette-Based Medicine

Here is an article by Michael Kahn, MD published in the New England Journal of Medicine, May 8, 2008 about "etiquette-based medicine." I wonder if you have to choose, will you want a doctor who is polite but poor in his or her clinical skills or one who is very competent but poor in manners? Of course we know all doctors are both polite and competent...

Patients ideally deserve to have a compassionate doctor, but might they be satisfied with one who is simply well-behaved? When I hear patients complain about doctors, their criticism often has nothing to do with not feeling understood or empathized with. Instead, they object that "he just stared at his computer screen," "she never smiles," or "I had no idea who I was talking to." During my own recent hospitalization, I found the Old World manners of my European-born surgeon — and my reaction to them — revealing in this regard. Whatever he might actually have been feeling, his behavior — dress, manners, body language, eye contact — was impeccable. I wasn't left thinking, "What compassion." Instead, I found myself thinking, "What a professional," and even (unexpectedly), "What a gentleman." The impression he made was remarkably calming, and it helped to confirm my suspicion that patients may care less about whether their doctors are reflective and empathic than whether they are respectful and attentive.

read more

photo source

Etiquette-Based Medicine

Here is an article by Michael Kahn, MD published in the New England Journal of Medicine, May 8, 2008 about "etiquette-based medicine." I wonder if you have to choose, will you want a doctor who is polite but poor in his or her clinical skills or one who is very competent but poor in manners? Of course we know all doctors are both polite and competent...

Patients ideally deserve to have a compassionate doctor, but might they be satisfied with one who is simply well-behaved? When I hear patients complain about doctors, their criticism often has nothing to do with not feeling understood or empathized with. Instead, they object that "he just stared at his computer screen," "she never smiles," or "I had no idea who I was talking to." During my own recent hospitalization, I found the Old World manners of my European-born surgeon — and my reaction to them — revealing in this regard. Whatever he might actually have been feeling, his behavior — dress, manners, body language, eye contact — was impeccable. I wasn't left thinking, "What compassion." Instead, I found myself thinking, "What a professional," and even (unexpectedly), "What a gentleman." The impression he made was remarkably calming, and it helped to confirm my suspicion that patients may care less about whether their doctors are reflective and empathic than whether they are respectful and attentive.

read more

photo source