As some of you know, a few months back, I took some of the kids from the student ministry at NCF on an overnight trip to a concert featuring a number of Christian musicians. We had a great time at the concert, and the trip itself was a great time of fellowship and edification.

Like many people who come into contact with musicians, athletes, and other celebrity heroes, some of the kids at the concert (both from my church and others) wanted autographs from tobyMac, Jeremy Camp, and Matthew West. However, instead of signing glossy photos, ticket stubs, CDs, or whatever common things one might get signed, apparently it is somewhat of a custom at Christian events for the artists to sign the person’s Bible.

I had never seen that before, and honestly, it didn’t sit well with me. 

Now, to be clear, I’m not the kind of person who thinks that your personal Bible is a special book that must be kept perfectly pristine. If anything, the best Bible is a well-read one, and use results in wear and tear. The Word of God is inspired and holy, but the physical book you buy from Barnes and Noble isn’t divine. I have no problem writing in a Bible, and have notes all over the text of the Bible that I use to preach and teach from. My main Bible for the first few years of my Christian walk was covered in duct tape, and I only got rid of that when I switched to the ESV in 2004, so for me, it isn’t an issue of presentation or thinking that the book is sacred. And I’m certainly not a goofball who thinks that having tobyMac sign a Bible is a violation of the scripture in Revelation which says adding to scripture is sinful.

That said, I don’t know, maybe I’m just a legalist…but I just don’t like some random person signing the Bible. I’m not dogmatic about it, and I’m not going to scream at someone who gets his or her Bible signed by some Christilebrity. It just seems like there are better items to use for that. Am I the only who thinks this way?

My mom always told me so, but I didn’t know it until now!

No, but seriously, I won a contest at the hospital.  They are getting ready to unveil a new Intranet for employees, and needed a good name.  I submitted a few ideas, and as they picked one of mine, I won an 8GB iPod nano (3G).

I’ve been using a 4GB nano (2G) for a while.  I welcome the extra capacity and the video capabilities.  And Diana welcomes having an iPod of her own.  

Sweet!

Those of you who know me well know that I am fond of the work of Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I’ve often said that Driscoll is one of my “favorite Pastors I don’t know” as his ministry to me has been in the form of preaching podcasts, books, and articles he’s written.

In 2008 Driscoll will be publishing a number of new books. The first, Vintage Jesus, will be out in February, but is currently available for preorder. Driscoll co-authored this book with Dr. Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary. The first 1000 people to preorder get a 35% discount, autographed copy of the book, and most exciting, an advanced PDF copy.

I got in on the deal. You should too!