my reading plan for the day

I have lofty goals for today. Here's the articles I want to tackle:

1. The Messiah: Explorations in the Law and Writings, by Tremper Longman III (for the class I'm taking)
2. How the Bible has been Interpreted in Christian Tradition, by Justo Gonzalez (for the ACG I'm teaching)
3. Some Observations on Paul's Use of the Phrases 'in Christ' and 'with Christ', by AJM Wedderburn (for the class I'm taking)
4. The Puzzle of Pauline Hermeneutics, by Richard Hays (for the class I'm taking)
5. The Bible and the Environment, by FF Bruce (for fun)
6. Chapters 7&8 in 'How to be Evangelical without being Conservative' (for some upcoming messages on politics and faith)
7. Chapters 1-3 in 'How Would Jesus Vote?' (for those same sermons)
8. Chapter 8 in 'The Mission of God', by Christopher Wright (for the class I'm taking)

Don't think you'll care, but now my goals are on paper, kinda.

the food I miss most

I've moved a lot in my life, and I always leave behind favorite restaraunts. I've been reminising with a few friends recently, and it's made miss my favorite place. In case you ever visit Endicott or Upstate New York, Chicago or New Castle, PA, here's a list of the best places.

High School Days:
1. Tony's Pizza, Endicott, NY. The NY style pizza, calzones and baked zitti. Oh my.
2. Lupo's Speedies, Endicott, NY. Unless you're from NY, you just wouldn't understand. Someone just gave me two bottles of special speedie sauce. I can't wait to cook it up.
3. Nirchi's Pizza, Endicott, NY. Owned by a friends famile and with in walking distance of the ZPool, my summer job.
4. Blue Dolphin, Endicott, NY (actually, maybe it was Vestal). I don't remember anything about it except the Bavarian Cheesecake. It was a meal by itself.

College Years:

1. Pontillo's, Batavia, NY. The wings were definitely worth the hour drive from Houghton to Batavia. I'll forever be grateful to Andy Hamm for introducing it to me.
2. The Anchor Bar, Buffalo, NY. Wings again. The birthplace of wings. Again an hour drive, but the atmosphere and wings were worth it.


Chicago:
1. Lou Malnati's, Chicago, IL. The best of the big three Chicago Pizza chains. Oh, and the chocolate chip pizza. Holy crap that was good.
2. Walker Bro's, Chicago, IL. The best chocolate chip pancakes in the world.
3. Buffalo Joes, Evanston, IL. Great wings, right down there near NorthWestern.
4. Fuddruckers, Deerfield, IL. It's a chain, I know, but the burgers and shakes are hard to beat.


New Castle:
1. Little Johnies, New Castle,PA. The best of both worlds - buffalo chicken wing pizza.
2. Steamers, New Castle, PA. The best coffee shop going. That's where the addiction started I think.

Update: I forgot one. Quaker Steak and Lube, Sharon, PA. That's the original, though there are copies other places. Go for the all you can eat wing night or the lunch buffet!

books I bought today

Thinking more about the intersection between faith and politics led me to purchase two new books today.

I'm not excited about this book. I know it's so slanted to the right it will make me angry. You can tell just by the endorsements. So why buy it? Just trying to be fair and balanced.





I'm more excited to read this, but from the reviews and endorsements (and title) it seems to slant to the left. It's so hard to sit on the fence without leaning - you have to read two books!





Having already voted, some might wonder why I'd start reading now. Don't worry, I'm also registered to vote in Ohio - 12 times.

Also today, I picked up a copy of Biblical Archaeologist, just to prove what a nerd I am. Actually, I'm quite looking forward to reading about the 'Messiah son of Joseph' inscription which dates possibly as early as 1st century BCE. Cool.

Voting as an Evangelical

Ok, so the irony is I learned about his book 4 hours after I voted, but I'm still going to buy it. Maybe I'll get some guidance for the message on Nov. 2nd, 'Do Christianity and Politics Mix?' If anyone's already read it, let me know what you thought.

The folks at Koinonia asked Dr. Olson for some prevoting food for thought. Here's what he offered:

5 Questions to consider before voting Republican:

1) What will happen to the poor in a Republican administration?

2) Will a Republican administration pursue world peace?

3) How will a Republican administration promote mercy, compassion and justice for all?

4) Is a Republican administration likely to be unduly influenced by large corporations?

5) Can a Republican administration show respect for every human person's dignity and rights?

5 Questions to consider before voting Democratic:

1) What will happen to the not-yet-born in a Democratic administration?

2) Will a Democratic administration keep America and others safe from terrorism?

3) How will a Democratic administration promote security and safety for Americans and others?

4) Is a Democratic administration likely to be unduly influenced by liberal special interest groups?

5) Can a Democratic administration show respect for traditional family values?

Great Resource from Covenant Seminary

I thought many of you may benefit from a new ministry of Covenant Seminary called Living Christ 360. It is chalk full of incredible stuff. The daily broadcast is an interview with Bryan Chapel, president of Covenant Seminary, author and incredible preacher. The ‘Living Room’ has daily devotionals (text) as well as resources organized by Scripture Text or Topic (including podcasts, sermons, lecturers, and articles). This is really good stuff. I’m sure you’ll find it helpful.