SOPA Black Out and a positive Supreme Court Ruling

I don't know how anyone could not know this, but Wikipedia is doing a "black-out" today in order to raise awareness over the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) issue.  Here is what they say on their black-out page:

Imagine a World
Without Free Knowledge
For over a decade, we have spent millions of hours building the largest encyclopedia in human history. Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could fatally damage the free and open Internet. For 24 hours, to raise awareness, we are blacking out Wikipedia. Learn more.

I would link to an article about the SOPA, but I can't get to Wikipedia!  Basically, the act is aimed at stopping the piracy of things like unreleased movies and such.  I guess the big companies are worried that this would give the government too much power.  With that, I agree. The government already has too much power.

Google is doing something similar.  They have blacked-out their Google Logo on their main search page.  Here is a picture of that as well:

On a positive note, the Supreme court ruled in favor of churches that they have the right to fire people based on the Church's beliefs.  Here is how the Huffington Post starts their article on the topic:

Employees of religious organizations whose job duties reflect "a role in conveying the Church's message and carrying out its mission" are barred by the First Amendment from suing over employment discrimination, said the Supreme Court in a unanimous opinion handed down Wednesday morning.

Lots of interesting news.

Bloodlines by John Piper for Free

For Martin Luther King Day, John Piper made his new book Blood Lines available for free.  You can click here to go to the Desiring God blog post to download it.  He also includes his recent message dealing with the same topic to download for free.

Here is a short documentary for this book that you can watch for free as well:

First Painting

This is my son's very first painting.  

Maybe I am just speaking as his father, but I have to say that I think it is pretty amazing.  It is definitely going to get framed.

Click to Enlarge

This is better than any painting that I have ever done.  It makes me want to go back to school and take some art classes.

Migraine Aura

I was sitting there reading a book when I started to notice a blurred spot in the middle of my vision.  I tried to ignore it, but it was getting more noticeable as the moments passed.  After about 30 seconds to a minute I couldn't read because it was distorting the words.

Needless to say, it was a little disturbing.  Especially because it kept getting bigger. Not only could I not read, I was having trouble walking around the room.  When it gradually started to move to the side, but it was still getting larger, I decided to google these symptoms.

After a bit of searching I ran across this article by the Mayo Clinic that described the experience perfectly.  I was experiencing either a Migraine Aura (or possibly an ocular migraine).  They said it was harmless and would go away on its own.  Eventually it did, but it left a headache that was settled nicely behind my eyes.

I'm feeling fine this morning, but it defeated the majority of my sermon prep last night.

The Innkeeper by John Piper: Book Review

One of the books that my wife gave me for Christmas was The Innkeeper by John Piper.  It only took about 5 minutes to read this book, but I was was already deeply emotionally moved before I was half way through the book.

The inside front cover gives this description:

Only two weeks from His crucifixion, Jesus has stopped in Bethlehem. He has returned to visit someone important--the innkeeper who made a place for Mary and Joseph the night He was born. But His greater purpose in coming is to pay a debt. What did it cost to house the Son of God? 

Through this imaginative poem, John Piper shares a tale of what might have been. The story of an innkeeper whose life was forever altered by the arrival of the Son of God. 

Ponder the sacrifice that was made that night. Celebrate Christ's birth and the power of His resurrection. Rejoice in the life and light He brings to all. And encounter the hope His life gives you for today--and for eternity.

Just like the description, it tells a story of what might have been if Jesus had visited the innkeeper just before he was crucified.  It gives a different take on how we usually portray that innkeeper.  Normally we think of him as being unfeeling or unkind in allowing a baby to be born in a manger, but it didn't have to be that way.  It is quite possible, and maybe more believable that the innkeeper was showing a kindness in allowing the manger to be opened up to travelers.

The book that I have is dedicated to any who have lost a child.  As you read this, you can see why this is mentioned at the beginning.

There is also that great glorification of Jesus.  I love how Piper does this.  He doesn't come right out and say, "Jesus is great!"  Instead, he uses his words to draw you to that conclusion yourself.  You suddenly find yourself thinking, "Jesus is Great!" before you know that you are thinking it!  He pulls on your heartstrings to magnify our Lord.

The version that I have linked is different from the version that I have in front of me.  The version I have in front of me is illustrated by paintings from Glenn Harrington, whereas the version I have linked is illustrated by John Lawrence.

If you have a few extra bucks, this is a worthwhile purchase.  I believe that Amazon has a few of these that are used where you will basically pay for shipping.  Check it out.


 

Man's maker was made man...

And here is that quote from the end:

Man's maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars,
might nurse at His mother's breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.
~Augustine

The Shepherd's Response

The shepherds responded to the Angel's pronouncement.  Does our response match the magnitude of the announcement?  Do we think of Christmas in a way that corresponds adequately to the message of Christmas?

Last Sunday I approached this topic, using the announcement of the Angels as my text.  Consider listening to this message as you consider your own thoughts and actions this Christmas.




Or you can click here to download this message.