Random Thoughts

I just found this Bible utility for Windows. You can read the Bible in many different formats (a few are missing like the NIV) -- you can download the various formats as modules and compare them side by side (I've already got about 5 installed, but I'll probably use the ESV most).

You can also download additional commentaries, dictionaries, maps, studies, and even classical Christian texts by Calvin, Bunyan, and Spurgeon. As your reading a passage you just need to click on a word or verse and a little symbol pops up on the commentary and dictionary tabs. I've just started using it, but so far I think it's great.

Go to http://www.e-sword.net/ to check it out!

Here's a link to a shockwave movie about the real meaning of Christmas: click here

Thanks to Laila at Blogshares for that one

I've been busy and haven't been able to post much lately. I've been trying to get some things working in the lab and haven't been able to. It appears I will move on to a new project, so that I can finish up my degree next year. I'm at work today working on a presentation that I'm giving in January at my alma mater North Central College. If I finish that up, I can read up on the new work I'll be doing.

I'm ushering at Church tonight for our Candelight service, which should be very good. Anita and I will go out to dinner and open our gifts afterward. Anita has to work tomorrow, so I'll be spending the day relaxing and preparing our Christmas dinner.

Once Again

Merry Christmas!

Australia Christians found guilty of "hate"

"In the landmark ruling, Catch the Fire Ministries pastors Daniel Nalliah and Daniel Scot were found guilty of religious vilification, making them the first under Victoria's new race and religion hate laws.

Pastor Scot told a congregation in a 2002 seminar that Muslims were training to take over Australia and encouraged domestic violence, and that Islam was an inherently violent religion.

Shortly after, the Islamic Council of Victoria filed legal action against Catch the Fire Ministries and the two pastors.

Yesterday in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Judge Michael Higgins found that throughout the seminar Pastor Scot had made fun of Muslim beliefs and conduct."

I'm not sure what exactly these guys said or what their ministry is all about, but these types of laws are certain to be abused by those against Christianity.

This obviously is my new laptop. It was an early Christmas present from Anita that I picked out and ordered myself :-)

I haven't had time to post anything for a few days. Just too busy with the semester winding down. I have to finish up my teaching duties -- grading, review session, more grading. I also need to try and get my research progressing. I've been having some problems getting things to work and some things just take a lot of time. I may end up changing my current project, so that I can finish next year.

Good news is that my Archives of Biochemistry & Biophysics paper is finally in print!

The roles of the essential Asp-48 and highly conserved His-43 elucidated by the pH dependence of the pseudouridine synthase TruB



C.S. Hamilton, C.J. Spedaliere, J.M. Ginter, M.V. Johnston, E.G. Mueller pp 322-334



Full text via ScienceDirect (if you have access): here

From Worldnet Daily

Christmastime event is no-Christian zone: Santa, 'holy homosexuals' OK for parade, but no floats with direct religious themes.

In the latest skirmish over Christmas in America, a Christian group is not allowed to participate in Denver's annual Parade of Lights, because church members sought to sing yuletide hymns and proclaim a "Merry Christmas" message on their float.

However, the event, now in its 30th year, will include homosexual American Indians, Kung Fu artisans, belly dancers and, of course, Santa Claus.

What is this world coming to! A religious Holiday has gotten so watered down that now people are not allowed to express their religious beliefs at a public event. We are guaranteed freedom of religion and speech, but somehow it's okay to be silenced? Yet another reason I support the Alliance Defense Fund. Next thing you know people will try to ban the Declaration of Independece. Oh wait, they already are...

It's been a while longer than I would have liked since my last post. Been busy with teaching and research. I have a lot to get done before I head back to Illinois at the end of the month. Anita and I aren't leaving until Dec. 30, since she has to work and we are going to stay out to go to my cousin Vicki's wedding the first weekend in January.

Anita and I are going to a Christmas party this Friday at our Church's Associate Pastors house, so that should be a lot of fun. We have been going to a married couples Study this fall and have gotten to know him and others in our Church a lot better. So it should be a lot of fun, I just hope I can get done with my work early so I won't have to be late.