Veggie Tales The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Movie

There is a lot of excitement brewing around my house this evening as a long awaited movie premieres tomorrow. The movie is none other than the latest big screen release from Big Idea, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. My family will be at the first showing in our area tomorrow. Veggie fans should unite and support this latest project from the folks at big idea. Chances are there really isn't much else at the theater your kids should be watching anyway. Find out more at http://www.veggiepirates.com.

Which degree should I get?

Seminary Survival Guide has some suggestions on things to ponder when you're trying to decide which degree to get. Here's a short preview of the post:

Since planning your study is your responsibility (not your seminary’s), then the first level of planning is to choose your degree program wisely.

The M. Div. is the standard ministry degree, but it also takes 3 ½ - 4 years or more to complete. By comparison, many seminaries offer shorter Master of Arts in biblical studies, theology or Christian education. Think very strategically about this: Is the value of the M. Div. sufficiently high that you want to spend and extra 1-2 years of your life to get it?

A seminary degree is valuable in two ways: 1. in how it prepares you for ministry, and 2. in providing you with a credential that testifies to your qualification for ministry work...........

Click here to go to Seminary Survival Guide to read the rest.

Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House?

Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House? Helping Your Child Understand the Stay-At-Home Server

In an attempt to market Windows Home Server, Microsoft has released a book for children. Go check it out over at Gizmodo. I'm a windows fan boy, but this seems like it's a bit much. Good for a few laughs though. You can also see the Microsoft's Stay At Home Server site, which has some funny videos and the full book. LINK

Back in the saddle again....

It's has been a little over two years since I departed from Wheaton College and I'm happy to say that I'm back in graduate school again. My acceptance letter for Reformed Theological Seminary arrived today. I'm very much looking forward to continuing my studies.

Hebrew & Greek - First Textbooks

Thinking back on my undergraduate days, I can't but help remember my first encounters with Greek & Hebrew. I can't believe how many additional books and resources have become available since I began my language studies in 1995. My first Greek textbook was New Testament Greek For Beginners - by J.Gresham Machen. My first Hebrew textbook was A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew by J. Weingreen. I'm curious to learn which textbooks gave the rest of the biblioblogging community their first taste of Greek & Hebrew studies.

5 Favorite Authors

I'm sitting down in my office surrounded by books and I was wondering who would make the cut if I were to make a top 5 list of my favorite authors. Here's what I come up with:

5 Favorite Authors

• Paul L. Maier - I have nearly every book he's written.
  
• Louis L'Amour - I've read at least 60 of his western novels. I'm a big fan of the Sacketts.
• Frank Peretti - I thoroughly enjoyed The Visitation.
• John Piper - I'm reading more of John Piper's work all the time. I'm currently reading Don't Waste Your Life.
• Ben Witherington III - My first exposure to Ben Witherington was in The Brother of Jesus.

Honorable Mentions

• Hank Hanegraaff - I catch his radio show every now and then. I have quite a few of his books.
• Sigmund Brouwer - I enjoyed The Weeping Chamber, The Last Disciple & The Last Sacrifice.
  
• Roger E. Olson - Roger Olson taught a church history class I was in during my undergraduate studies. I had the privilege to see him lecture again at the 2005 Evangelical Theological Society conference in Valley Forge, PA.
  
• Gregory A. Boyd - Greg Boyd was my advisor while I was at Bethel College. He taught one of the theology classes I attended there. I've read a number of his books. While I don't agree with everything he writes, I do appreciate that his work often challenges me to think a little harder than normal.
  

Book Review: They Wrote on Clay: The Babylonian Tablets Speak Today

They Wrote on Clay: The Babylonian Tablets Speak Today

• Author: Edward Chiera, Edited by George G. Cameron
  
• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (February 15, 1956)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226104257
• ISBN-13: 978-0226104256

When I was living in Florida back in 2004, I came across this book in the library at our church. I'm very much interested in ancient languages, paleography, etc., so I thought I'd give it a try. Much to my delight, it was a very enjoyable read. The reader is given a glimpse into the life work and passion of the author. This is the final work of Edward Chiera and was actually completed after his death. One of my favorite features of this book is the many pictures and illustrations that are contained throughout. The pictures and illustrations allow the author to clearly communicate with the reader. Personally, the two most useful pieces of information I gleaned from this book were:

• A basic understanding of how clay tablets were made
  
• Insight into how a written language moves from a pictograph to a more formal written script

If you have even a moderate level of interest in cuneiform, clay tablets and language development, I think you'll enjoy this book. Happy reading!

Cool Jobs at Logos Bible Software

The Logos Bible Software Blog today has a post about their continued growth. They have some interesting jobs listed on their jobs page. Although I'm not in a position to move anytime soon, if I were, I'd jump at the chance to work as a Book Designer or Book Developer (with ancient language skills). In the meantime, I'll be sticking with the educational software company I work for in the Minneapolis area.