Selected Reading, September 11, 2021

 

My suggestions for your weekend reading, and recipe to boot.

Looking Back

‘Vivid’ Memories Persist of Korean Air Flight 085 … .
An detailed look back at “Whitehorse’s scare on 9/11”:

Chaos filled the streets of New York City on Sept. 11 two decades ago, as people faced fear of the unknown when terrorists linked to al-Qaeda hijacked passenger jets and flew them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

The same day about 6,000 kilometres away, that fear was evident in Whitehorse when a Korean airliner, suspected of being hijacked, was reported to be heading its way.

I shared my personal recollection of this awful day here yesterday.

Christian History

Catherine Willoughby — An Outspoken Reformer
I always read Simonetta Carr’s biographical sketches of lesser known figures from Christian history. Lately she’s been featuring important women. This week’s piece is on the difficult life of Catherine Willoughby, which was “the subject of a ballad by Thomas Deloney, The Dutchesse of  Suffolkes Calamitie, telling how ‘for the love of Christ alone her landes and goodes she left behinde, seeking still for that precious stone, the word of God so rare to finde.’”

The Christian Creeds: An Introduction
Really, the title explains it all: “From the very beginning, creeds and creedal formulations have played a crucial role in the beliefs and practices of Christian churches.” 

Preserving the Garden

Homemade Nut-Free Pesto
I finally learned how to prune my basil properly, so it’s producing like crazy. I’ve used it by the cupsful in pasta sauces, salads, stir fries, and more, and my plants are bigger than ever. So I’m making  pesto, but without nuts because I’m allergic to them. I’m freezing my pesto according to her instructions, too.

Selected Reading, August 7, 2021

 

A few good reads for your weekend—or maybe your month.

Bible Study

What Does Hebrews 3:1-6 Mean?
I’m still slowing working through the book of Hebrews, so I enjoy seeing other people work through it, too. In this piece, Mike Leake explains Hebrews 3:1-6. (I posted two pieces on this passage a couple of years ago: Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant and Well Pleased, Beloved Son.)

History

A Woman for All Seasons
An essay on Sophie Scholl by Esther O’Reilly, who is always worth reading. 

Fiction

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I stayed up late too many nights this week finishing up the classic novel Jane Eyre. The story was just as compelling this time as it was when I read it as a teen. But this time, I think, I noticed the humour more.

I enjoyed Jane Eyre much more than Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, which I reread last month. Let’s just say Wuthering Heights didn’t get any less weird with the passage of time.

The link above it to the Folio Society edition, which is the one I read. It’s expensive, but it looks and feels like a classic book should. 

Next on my reading list is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. I’m making it a Bronte sisters summer.

Selected Reading, July 17, 2021

 

A few good reads for your weekend.

One Brave Woman

Helene Kottanner — Medieval Thriller
An exciting true story leading to an ethical question: “Besides leaving us a riveting account of a daring mission, Helene Kottamer brings to light a dilemma that has puzzled believers of all ages, from the Jewish midwives in Egypt to the Christians who hid Jews during World War II: is it right to deceive or break the law in order to fight injustice or prevent a greater evil?”

A Classic

J. I. Packer’s Famous Essay on Christ’s Death
Have you read J. I. Packers introduction to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ? I recommend it.

Some Definitions

General Revelation
Barry Cooper explains: Even if we had no Bibles, and no preachers, the psalmist says that God would still make his majestic beauty known to us through the skies, the stars and the sun.” 

Eventually I’ll add this link to the general revelation entry in the Theological Terms. But you might want to read it now.

The Difference Between ‘Disinformation’ and ‘Misinformation’
I’m linking to this mostly for the carrot story.

Two Hunters

Rabbit, run! Wolverine and raven tag team on a wild chase
I’ve written about how smart ravens are. Here’s a little proof.