Monthly Archives: May 2008

Peggy Noonan on Scott McClellan’s Controversial Book

Posted on May 31, 2008 by John Armstrong

Peggy Noonan’s thoughtful and fair perspective on contemporary politics often amazes me. I read her "Declarations" column in the Wall Street Journal every Saturday, always with real anticipation. Such was the case when she responded to Barack Obama’s famous speech … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Take the Warnings About the Sun Seriously

Posted on May 30, 2008 by John Armstrong

I have had my share of sunburn over the course of my life. In the South we grew up out-of-doors and I worked in the heat and sunshine and generally was careful, though sun screen was not very macho in … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 2 Comments

What is the UCC and Should We Care?

Posted on May 29, 2008 by John Armstrong

The United Church of Christ (UCC) has made the news of late. The primary reason for this interest has been the long time association of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama with Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Trinity … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church | 2 Comments

The True Spirit of Sport

Posted on May 28, 2008 by John Armstrong

My readers know that I truly love baseball. I grew up on the game with my dad. I have come to see so many parallels between this great game and life itself. It was once said, about professional baseball: "Baseball … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Leave a comment

The “Confessional” Debate

Posted on May 27, 2008 by John Armstrong

Several responses to my blogs have recently underscored the very reason why ACT 3 is committed to the mission of the whole Church. Various comments you can read reflect the older "Reformed" or "Lutheran" confessionalism of the kind that divided … Continue reading →

Posted in Unity of the Church | 2 Comments

Indiana Jones Again

Posted on May 26, 2008 by John Armstrong

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullDirector: Steven SpielbergPG-13124 minutes The previous Indiana Jones movies provided great fun and pure entertainment, if nothing else. Some people try to get all kinds of philosophical insights from such movies. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | 1 Comment

Dear First Reformed Family

Posted on May 25, 2008 by John Armstrong

Many of you know, and some of you have thus interceded for me accordingly, that I have been preaching regularly for some months at First Reformed Church in South Holland, Illinois. This very old church dates back to the pre-Civil … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church | 1 Comment

Posted on May 24, 2008 by John Armstrong

Songcatcher (2001) PG-13Running Time: 1:52Trimark Pictures Songcatcher is a surprisingly lyrical and deeply moving independent film that I discovered last week. It is well cast and brings the viewer into a great story with powerful effect. I loved it. Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | 1 Comment

The Purpose and Mission of ACT 3

Posted on May 23, 2008 by John Armstrong

As some of you know we recently held our annual three-day ACT 3 Board of Directors meeting. One of the items that we addressed was the need to revise our out-dated Constitution. We drafted the original constitution for this ministry … Continue reading →

Posted in ACT 3 | 4 Comments

Barack Obama Begins the Fall Campaign

Posted on May 22, 2008 by John Armstrong

After all the back and forth of the primaries it now appears that Barack Obama will secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency. His supporters and campaign staff surely think so as they have now begun the first stages … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 3 Comments