February 21, 2006
by John Pleasnick
Posts: 303
You might’ve thought this is about needing IT support, or even worse, me providing it… .
Instead, I’d like to point you to a humorous (at least for me) post listing 26 Ways in which doing IT Support is better than being a Pastor. Hopefully, this will provide you with either humor or some thought-provoking evaluation of how you consider pastoral ministry. 
February 17, 2006
by John Pleasnick
Posts: 303
Things like this should make us weep and cry out to God on their behalf…
CNN reports that ‘Bodies of fetuses, newborns clog Harare’s sewers’
February 10, 2006
by John Pleasnick
Posts: 303
You may not realize it, but there are a number of free bible software programs available online. Not web pages where you can do research, but real programs that you download, install and then can use without an internet connection. The one most popular at our church is e-Sword. But if you’re interested to learn more about the other freeware options, most of the current popular offerings are briefly reviewed here. If none of those meet your fancy, you can learn a lot more at Bible Software Review and it’s blog. (Mac users ~ B.S.R. also reviews Mac software, and if I remember rightly, ‘Online Study Bible’ has been the top free Mac software for years.)
And for the two of you wondering what I use… Logos, since 1995, and I add new reference tools & commentaries to it every year. I love it! (A Mac version was recently released as well.)
February 8, 2006
by John Pleasnick
Posts: 303
Justin Taylor relayed great words from John Piper on the recent riots over the Mohammed in cartoon form. Piper writes…
"Am I missing it, or is there an unusual silence in the blogosphere
about the Muslim outrage over the cartoons of Mohammed. To me this
cries out for the observation that when artists put the crucifix in a
flask of urine, Christians were grieved and angered, but not one
threatened to kill anyone. Our longing is to convert the blasphemers
with the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection, not kill them.
Our faith is based on One who was reviled not just in cartoons but in
reality and received it patiently for the salvation of the cartoonists.
These riots are filled with intimations about the glorious difference
between Christ and Mohammed, and between the way of Christ and the way
of Islam. And the cowing of the press around the world and the US
government is ominous for the fear we are under of Islam–not just
extremist Islam. I do not respect the teachings of Islam which when
followed devoutly lead to destruction. So I have been pondering which
will take me out first, Islam, Uncle Sam, or cancer. No matter, all
authority belongs to Jesus. I just want to bear faithful witness to his
glorious gospel of peace to the end."
February 3, 2006
by John Pleasnick
Posts: 303
The ESV web team has recently made all of Max McLean’s excellent reading of the ESV available online in a streaming format. If you’d like to hear a portion of Scripture (say Matt 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount), then follow the directions on this page. Quick, easy and potentially life-transforming!
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