Monthly Archives: December 2006

Life is Unpredictable

Posted on December 31, 2006 by John Armstrong

My local newspaper includes a "Year in Review" section in the December 31 edition that is titled "In Memoriam." Pictured, and listed, are a number of nationally prominent persons who died in 2006. Also listed are a number of local … Continue reading →

Posted in Death | Leave a comment

Sin and the Human Genome

Posted on December 30, 2006 by John Armstrong

Francis Collins, who heads the human genome project, is a devout Christian. He actually believes in original sin. He also believes there is evidence for original sin at the most basic genetic level. "There are no perfect human specimens at … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Leave a comment

Good Guys and Bad Guys 2006

Posted on December 29, 2006 by John Armstrong

I thought I had seen almost every possible poll imaginable until AP-AOL News issued its leading "good guys/bad guys" poll today. President Bush tops both polls. People either think he is worse than Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden or … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | 14 Comments

Who Really Cares for the Poor?

Posted on December 28, 2006 by John Armstrong

Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks challenges perceived mainstream social orthodoxy in his new book, Who Really Cares: Who Gives, Who Doesn’t and Why It Matters. For generations it has been assumed that political and social liberals are generous towards the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty | 2 Comments

Gerald R. Ford, RIP

Posted on December 27, 2006 by John Armstrong

The death of Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) is an occasion for a little historical reflection. He came to the presidency as the only non-elected president in our history. Under the 25th Amendment he was appointed as vice-president when Spiro Agnew … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Love and Marriage

Posted on December 26, 2006 by John Armstrong

Today Anita and I celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. I love my wife more now than I did when I met her, in fact even more than I did at our 35th anniversary. Love, to me, is first friendship. Friendship, … Continue reading →

Posted in Marriage & Family | 3 Comments

The Nativity Story

Posted on December 25, 2006 by John Armstrong

I waited until Christmas afternoon to see "The Nativity Story," thinking it would be an interesting day on which to see a movie that corresponded to the Christian celebration of Christ’s birth. Though the script clearly had some facts out … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | Leave a comment

Christmas Tradition and a Prayer for Blessing

Posted on December 24, 2006 by John Armstrong

We obviously do not know the exact date of the Messiah’s birth. The church has celebrated his birth on December 25 for more than seventeen centuries, give or take a few years. It fits nicely into the liturgical flow of … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Tradition | 2 Comments

Contemplation: The Second Part of Effective Mental Prayer

Posted on December 23, 2006 by John Armstrong

I wrote yesterday about meditatio (meditation), arguing that it is essential to meaningful prayer and spiritual formation. The other essential practice is contemplari (contemplation). Contemplation is a simple dwelling upon God, a reflective resting in God’s presence. The term contemplation … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

The Place of Meditation

Posted on December 22, 2006 by John Armstrong

Mediation and contemplation are both essential aspects of prayer and Christian devotion.  I was taught very little about either growing up an evangelical. I have learned a great deal more by pursuing the subject of spiritual formation over the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | 6 Comments