An eyewitness account of the cyclone and its aftermath in Burma. It’s long, but hard to stop reading once you start. Via Metafilter.

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama faced tough questions at the Compassion Forum held at Messiah College Sunday. John Meacham, Newsweek editor, and Campbell Brown of CNN asked such questions as “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”
Senator Clinton answered, “I don’t know. I can’t wait to ask Him.” She added, “For whatever [...]

Did you get a chance to see this last night’s American Idol results show? The producers decided to open the show with “Shout To The Lord” again. This time when the final 8 sang it it had the correct word in the first line (My Jesus, My Savior). I, for one, applaud their willingness to [...]

Did you watch Idol Gives Back last night? Wow, did you miss a shocker, if you didn’t?
Imagine all 8 final contestants, backed up with a choir and confetti flying everywhere, singing… Shout To The Lord. It was so cool to see.

Of all the messages that the producers of Idol Gives Back could have sent as [...]

Well, now the internet is telling me that Gorbachev is claiming to still be an atheist, and that rumors of his undercover faith are greatly exaggerated. That’ll teach me to believe what I read online, and then blog about it. Next time I’ll try to follow my own advice.

A very insightful reflection from The Suburban Christian, Albert Hsu, about Gary Gygax’s (co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons who died on March 4) effect on culture.
Mr. Hsu used to role play himself until a Bill Gothard rally convinced him to rid himself of his D&D paraphernalia. Reading this post makes me think [...]

Larry Norman passed away yesterday at age 60. In his farewell message on his website, he said, “I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up…I am ready to fly home.”
“Dubbed by the media as ‘the father of Christian rock,’ Norman recorded three albums [...]

Some in the religious press are pointing out an obvious trend of major motion pictures with a decidedly pro-life bent. I certainly saw that in the ribald Knocked Up (nominated for the dirtiest movie with a good, final message), but hadn’t considered it in other movies, like Children of Men. Of course, the incredible success [...]

The Westboro Baptist Church has “graced” the pages of Think Xian before. But I was sent the following and wanted to pass it on…not that I think there are any sympathizers here. (Although some may agree with their beliefs but not their methods.)
Apparently WBC was “inspired” by the soap operish murder scenario of the pregnant [...]

Dominating the headlines for 2007: the never-ending parade of celebrities in and out of rehab (and jail), the never-ending 2008 presidential campaign, and, of course, the never-ending war in Iraq. Fortunately, the never-ending grace of God held the planet together for another year despite the meltdown of the Artic ice cap and Britney Spears.
So, here’s [...]