matt's words/pictures

dude...

2011-12-17T10:25:00.001-06:00

2011-11-18T17:40:00.001-06:00

sfmoma

2011-11-18T17:19:00.000-06:00

2011-11-12T18:00:00.001-06:00

Alister McGrath, Why God Won't Go Away

2011-11-08T09:18:00.001-06:00

Alister McGrath's workintroduces us to the New Atheism, engaging the ideas of its four leadingrepresentatives—Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and ChristopherHitchens. McGrath's goal seems to be to place the New Atheism in its historicalcontext, to provide a way of dialoging with it, and to provide a trajectory ofthe future of the New Atheism.

McGrath has developeda work that is both accessible and challenging. His ideas are plainly laid outand thoroughly explained without being wordy and unapproachable. If you havebeen curious about what the New Atheism is all about, certainly this book willfind you well. One of the features that might be overlooked but is extremelyvaluable is the “Further Reading” section in which McGrath provides excellentresources in order to engage in the debate further. Overall, McGrath’s work isconvincing and a great stepping off point to the New Atheism.

onions for dinner

2011-10-28T16:52:00.001-06:00

2011-09-20T08:37:00.000-06:00

now i just have to commit all this to memory in a week...

2011-07-27T18:56:00.001-06:00

Cream Tea It's 4 O'Clock Somewhere...

2011-07-22T19:37:00.001-06:00

Oh How Time Flies...

2011-07-07T14:42:00.003-06:00

Here are some highlights from the last few days. Notice how amazing this paper presentation is going...

The Last Few Days...

2011-07-03T14:08:00.002-06:00

Here's some highlights... Notice Dr. Warren's enjoyment of a huge cup of joe:

The Strike Can't Keep Us from Having a Good Time!

2011-06-30T15:53:00.003-06:00

Well, our plan for much of the day was thwarted by the public workers' strike--most of the British Museum was closed. Did that stop us? Nope. Here's the proof:

London 2011

2011-06-29T13:38:00.006-06:00

We've been awake for a loonnggg time now...but we're having fun so far! (until public workers go on strike tomorrow...) Here's some preliminary pics:

Bayou Boogaloo is Playing Along!

2011-05-21T16:25:00.002-06:00

2011-05-15T17:11:00.001-06:00

A Little Something We Prepared for Our Boss for His 20th Anniversary

2011-05-13T09:27:00.000-06:00

2011-05-05T21:53:00.001-06:00

checkout my obstacle course for when i wake up...

2011-05-05T13:28:00.001-06:00

2011-05-04T16:09:00.001-06:00

Jesus Manifesto

2011-04-04T09:35:00.003-06:00

Claiming that the church is at a pivotal crossroad, Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola have captured the essence of what it means to have a faith centered around Jesus Christ. What is lacking, they say, is the groundbreaking revelation of Christ that boggles the mind and enraptures the heart.

Sweet and Viola provide much to digest, but quotations from poets and philosophers break up the text and help readers grasp somewhat complicated abstract concepts. Though some might suggest that the work is aimed at pastors and seminarians, all Christian readers will discover a new perspective and deeper purpose.

The authors make what are seemingly broad claims about the “church” in general throughout the work, yet they do not spend time developing their case for the lack of focus on Christ in specific situations. In this regard, the authors seem to be stating universal claims in hopes that sentiment is shared among other unsatisfied Christians.

The book claims to be a manifesto, and it serves such a role. It is a public proclamation of the need for the church to focus on Christ as the central figure of the faith and the impetus for religious practice. But as a manifesto, the work does not venture very deep into the subject matter. As such, Sweet and Viola’s work provides an excellent starting point in returning to the sovereignty and supremacy of Christ in the life of the church. The practical and pragmatic aspects will need to be further explored in other areas.

2011-03-19T11:23:00.001-06:00

Our Best Pizza Yet

2011-03-13T16:28:00.001-06:00

just killed a burger from the @MVBurger @stjamescheese Lundi Gras Cookout

2011-03-07T13:42:00.001-06:00

sleepy time...

2011-02-24T22:50:00.001-06:00

30 Rock ftw

2011-02-24T21:29:00.001-06:00

cookies post juan's amazing...

2011-02-24T19:48:00.000-06:00

vanhorn going at it

2011-02-24T18:36:00.001-06:00

Yay Elise is home...

2011-02-24T17:26:00.002-06:00

we're planning a slumber party!

2011-02-24T17:17:00.001-06:00

i always disrobe as soon as i get home...

2011-02-24T17:13:00.001-06:00

Craig Keener the man who got me interested in BS

2011-02-24T15:06:00.001-06:00

it wouldn't be baptist without a buffet...

2011-02-24T14:58:00.001-06:00

coffee time again...

2011-02-24T14:05:00.001-06:00

quinoa salad boom healthy

2011-02-24T12:45:00.001-06:00

Satsuma Cafe

2011-02-24T12:39:00.001-06:00

Ridin' with the Daves!

2011-02-24T12:18:00.002-06:00

It Took a Methodist to Get Me to Chapel BW3...

2011-02-24T11:23:00.001-06:00

On My Semi-Annual Pilgrimage to Chapel

2011-02-24T11:07:00.001-06:00

Back to Work

2011-02-24T10:15:00.001-06:00

Picture Time!

2011-02-24T10:10:00.000-06:00

He'll Never Suspect a Thing

2011-02-24T09:15:00.001-06:00

9 a.m. Nap

2011-02-24T09:00:00.001-06:00

Checked the Blog at Work Turns Out I'm a Cult

2011-02-24T08:13:00.001-06:00

Time to Solve all of the Textual Problems of the NT

2011-02-24T08:08:00.001-06:00

Another Day

2011-02-24T08:01:00.001-06:00

Coffee and SportsCenter

2011-02-24T07:44:00.001-06:00

Shower!

2011-02-24T07:28:00.002-06:00

Getting Some Serious Reading Done

2011-02-24T07:13:00.001-06:00

A Nutritious Breakfast is Key

2011-02-24T06:56:00.002-06:00

The Day Begins

2011-02-24T06:46:00.001-06:00

Eulogized

2011-02-18T13:50:00.002-06:00

Farewell, Mr. Coffee, king of $30 coffee makers, whose long and faithful friendship those who knew you won't forget! Though your carafe will decay, your spirit lingers on in the quiet, well-brewed places of your office home. May your office supply counterparts ever flourish and your human friends find solace for the loss they have sustained.

"It is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes, than to own the whole state of Ohio"

2011-02-13T21:36:00.004-06:00

Tonight, Elise and I enjoyed one of the best burgers ever with friends. The establishment is not really established yet. MVB (Most Valuable Burger) serves burgers on Sunday nights in Slim Goodies until they run out. We were the second to the last table. Next to our table sat Steven Vaughn, who plays Davis Rogan on the HBO show Treme. Not too long ago, I had an awesome conversation with the real Davis Rogan, who was super wasted. Among other things, Davis has been influence by Randy Newman and butter. After a rousing chorus of "Sweet Caroline," Elise, Alexis, Dan, and I left. It was a special moment in a special city.

Our evening reminds me of an excellent quote in a story in the TP today: "Lafcadio Hearn got it [what it means to be New Orleans]. The Ohio native moved to New Orleans more than 100 years ago and famously chronicled its happenings for a newspaper called the Daily City Item. He wrote about the good, the bad and the ugly of New Orleans, and loved all of it.

"'Times are not good here,' Hearn wrote to a California friend in 1879. 'The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under a lava flood of taxes and frauds and maladministrations so that it has become only a study for archaeologists. Its condition is so bad that when I write about it, as I intend to do soon, nobody will believe I am telling the truth. But it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes, than to own the whole state of Ohio.'"

Look at Who Got the Baby...Pig?!

2011-02-02T19:31:00.001-06:00

2011-02-02T17:21:00.001-06:00

What Better Way to Class Up the Joint?

2011-01-30T10:14:00.000-06:00

Fancy Dinner = Commence Operation Groom

2011-01-29T17:17:00.001-06:00

Seminary Hawk

2011-01-21T08:49:00.002-06:00

It looks as though the resident bird of prey at the Seminary has procreated! A beautiful juvenile hawk and I crossed paths this morning. This is the second time I've interacted with a hawk on campus. The first encounter was with a larger bird. It was so beautiful and surprisingly not shy. It let me get about 6-7 feet away from it.

2011-01-16T21:01:00.001-06:00

first king cake!

2011-01-06T20:22:00.001-06:00

working on my third roll!

2011-01-02T16:45:00.002-06:00

Winner!

2010-12-29T23:45:00.001-06:00

Check Out What @ringl Just Burned for Me!

2010-12-29T20:51:00.002-06:00

The Light Was Just Right

2010-12-12T16:46:00.002-06:00

Life Group

2010-12-10T20:28:00.001-06:00

2010-11-30T20:49:00.001-06:00

Happy X-mas

2010-11-30T20:46:00.001-06:00

Cowboys Stadium

2010-11-27T10:46:00.000-06:00

Turkey Day!

2010-11-25T13:12:00.000-06:00

Heaven

2010-11-25T07:36:00.000-06:00

2010-11-05T11:57:00.000-06:00

VooDoo Fest

2010-10-31T10:21:00.001-06:00

2010-10-19T20:24:00.001-06:00

2010-10-03T14:39:00.001-06:00

2010-10-03T14:25:00.002-06:00

2010-10-03T11:21:00.001-06:00

Break time!

2010-09-29T10:14:00.001-06:00

2010-09-04T18:04:00.000-06:00

2010-09-04T16:49:00.000-06:00

2010-09-04T14:59:00.000-06:00

2010-08-31T22:27:00.000-06:00

2010-07-23T12:24:00.001-06:00

2010-07-04T16:50:00.000-06:00

2010-07-03T21:23:00.000-06:00

2010-07-01T16:51:00.001-06:00

I don't care what they're made of...they're good.

2010-06-28T14:18:00.002-06:00

tropical season is here...

hamper monster...

2010-06-07T21:22:00.001-06:00

Veggies!

2010-06-01T17:22:00.001-06:00

Texas' independence is celebrated by this monument; they really like big stuff.

2010-05-28T15:09:00.002-06:00

2010-05-27T20:53:00.001-06:00

aaahhhhh....

2010-05-26T17:53:00.001-06:00

2010-05-23T13:28:00.001-06:00

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Chalres Stanley

2010-05-18T09:53:00.000-06:00

Charles Stanley lays out seven essentials to an abundant life in his book How to Reach Your Full Potential for God. God wants you to have a life full of purpose that he has specifically planned out for you—“You are not here by accident...You are here to accomplish a job that God assigned to you from eternity past.”

The world will lose out on your contribution should you settle for less than God’s best in your life. You will also miss out on the exhilaration of reaching your full potential. In each chapter, Stanley provides a clear biblical path to fulfilling your potential. You would do well to follow this path to experience the joy, peace, and love that God has waiting for you.

For the most part, Stanley is successful in challenging the Christian to go further in his or her walk. One of the major positive notes of the book is his emphasis on taking risks and continuing the on-going task, because truly, the best is yet to come.

well there's your problem right there...

2010-05-17T12:26:00.001-06:00

2010-05-10T18:36:00.000-06:00

this is me locked out on my balcony!

2010-05-06T07:41:00.001-06:00

it's official we're cajun! made our first batch of etouffee w/ just our hearts!

2010-04-30T17:36:00.001-06:00

2010-04-23T19:29:00.001-06:00

what?!

2010-04-21T20:07:00.000-06:00

we get it! don't park in the grass!

2010-04-20T17:07:00.000-06:00

Using @drkoine 's Method For Prolonging the Life of Paperback Books!

2010-04-19T19:44:00.001-06:00