This week's Christian Carnival is taking a road trip! Enjoy!

The maps & tools for the road:

A road trip is always so much more pleasant if we remember the maps and tools for the trip - you know, the map, the compass (for people without a sense of direction) - or better yet, the GPS! And, as with any tools, knowing that they are actually accurate and up-to-date relieves most of you anxiety about the journey.

Holly Aho at Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho looks at archaeology, the Bible and it's accuracy in dealing with historical events. in God, Science and the Bible....Proof of What?

Team Hammer's musings explores the origins of the modern Bible in the most recent update to the discussion on Biblical Inerrancy in Biblical Inerrancy: Where We Got the Bible

Sven's Theology and Biblical Studies Page continues the series on Marks' Gospel. What was the significance of Jesus' refusal to fast like those around him? What was the meaning behind his cryptic statement about new wine and new wineskins? What might this mean for us today? Have a read a find out. Story of Jesus part 9: Mark 2:18-21

Rey at The Bible Archive gives us ESV Lovers Unite (and Answer Me). When describing the post, he says: I don't prefer the ESV. You do. I think I know why but I may be wrong so you tell me Why. Let me know, please.

The Road Less Traveled

Call me crazy, but, I think there is something terrific about choosing less Traveled roads in every journey. Not only do you get to find things that others may miss, but, there is something very free-ing about choosing the right path - the harder path - the path that is less Traveled The road less Traveled is not the path for everyone. Those people who are desperately following the crowd because they are caught up in everyone else's opinion shouldn't take this road without a help from their friends.

David at All Kinds of Time, gives us a single Christian's perspective on not worrying about getting coupled in Confidently Alone.

Bruce, at Sprucegoose, replies to a NY Times article written by John Danforth. He takes the moderate Christian stance and I have looked at some of the things he has said and show them to be more the words of a humanist than a Christian in Onward Moderate Christian Soldiers.

Faith Commons says if you're looking for progress, don't expect it from the mainstream—the inert coagulum—because little progress occurs there and nothing starts there. All change, whether good or bad, starts at the fringe in The Inert Coagulum.

J A Greer at the The Regulator contrasts Biblical revelation, the rejection of natural law and the failure of the modern/postmodern situation with suggestions on how Christians can influence society in Natural Law and post modernism.

Kim Bloomer, at Sharing Spirit, looks at our fast-paced, success driven society, and finds out how much better and exciting it is to be led in Driven or Led?

Between Sundays looks at the secret to writing as described by Heather Sellers--you can't ignore your muse in The Secret To A Happy Writing Life.

The Long, winding Road, full of unexpected Turns

The best roads that aren't Traveled are really those long windy roads, where you never know what's around the next corner. Learning to expect the unexpected, and trust God not only makes the journey more excited, but, also builds faith. Remember, particularly on the long, windy road of your journey - things are not always as they seem.

Steve at An accidental blog provides an overview of Rudolf Steiner's worldview to show it is incompatible with Christianity, stemming from a program on Channel 4 in the UK called 'The strangest village in Britain' as part of 'Only Human'. At one point in the documentary it suggested that Steiner's perspective was Christian. It is anything but. It was the story of Bottona village of handicapped people run along Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical philosophy in Botton and the anthroposophical worldview

Steve, at Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog, shares a long personal story of shifting philosophies in response to life events and recovery from a dark period in: The Meaning of Life: Intro

Over at Viewpoint, A writer raises the tocsin of impending theocracy if we don't do something to stop conservative "Christers" from getting involved in the political process. The essay is inane but apparently represents the thinking of a lot of blue-staters in The Christers Are Coming!

Stand Up and Walk wrestles with the various theologies of different denominations, and comes back to the basics for comfort, realizing that intellectualizing the gospel is not for everyone in The Message of the Cross.

J. Random American at Ideas In Progress looks at Shanghai adding the Bible to school reading lists. Is this the work of studious, rational, atheists or the subtle maneuvering of well-placed Chinese Christians? I don't know. in: Communists Promote Bible Study in the People's Republic?

David at A Physicist's Perspective points out that mostly we still think of lying as a bad thing. But there are several areas in our society where it's almost taken for granted. I give a couple examples and point out how the Bible exhorts us to speak the truth in:
Lies, advertising, and marriage.

Chad at PlaidBerry observes that everyone has some sort of opinion to offer. He's not sure how or why this is happening. Although he speculates that it is always easier to point the finger than it is to express or live out a proactive vision in.: Little Roger Eberts

Tim at Callmeteem shares his perspective about the reality that even the places generally seen as comfortable need God in The 'Burbs Need God Too.

Wendy at Just a Little Bit Odd wonders is she should get a t-shirt that says "Jesus Loves Me Better Than You in "Jesus Loves Me".

Gullyborg at Resistance is futile! ponders a news story about a girl rescued by lions -- is this the work of Jesus? in Nice kitties!

Tom at Uncle Tom's Blog Cabin shares his views on hypocrisy in judgment in "Here's Mud in Your Eye"

Kipling's Recessional, with its biblical allusions of the end, was a provocative, prophetic piece of poetry when it was published for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee on June 22, 1897. Is it any less so for America today as we approach our 229th birthday as a free nation? See Recessional Redux? at JD Wetterling’s Midweekly Reality Check.

Jeremy Pierce at Parableman asks...Just what is John Piper's Christian hedonism supposed to amount to? Some complain that it's not really hedonism, and that's right, but not for the reasons they often say...in Christian Hedonism

Often we think that God only uses those who are His children to bring blessings to others. Responding to a post by Mike McLoughlin of Faith at Work blog regarding Apple's Steve Jobs' live, ...In the Outer... raises the question whether this is necessarily true, and wonders if it is appropriate to celebrate his life as one that has liven up to his potential as a member of God's creation in "Who God Uses to Bless Others".

Brian at Reasons Why was motivated to look at Hebrews 12 because someone was using it as support for physical discipline of children. What I found was that it had far richer meaning than that in Hebrews 12 and Discipline.

At DawnXianaMoon.com: Randomness, Dawn ponders "Is it possible to have true happiness without first surviving trials,
without suffering?" in Kafka and Art

Clinging to the Edge

Sometimes, we find the curve in the road takes us dangerously close the edge....where we cling to the road and pray we don't fall off the cliff. But, somewhere in that prayer - we find some of the most beautiful things.

Lance at Ragged Edges reflects on his first Father's day as a father - a day of conflicted emotions, as his new role of dad only forced him to face the pain of his relationship (or lack thereof) with his own dad in Reflections On my First Father's Day.

The Gad(d)about sees much criticism of the experiential today that reduces all experience in Christian practice as of the flesh, at best, and demonic activity at worst. What worries him is this criticism is not coming from the mouths of cessationists, rather, from people who otherwise agree the Spirit is capable of operating in great power today in Surprised by the challenge of experience.

DeputyHeadmistress at The Common Room looks at how guilt can act as locusts in our lives, until we deal with it, and use it to repair what is broken. The comes the honey in the appropriately titled: Locusts and Honey.

Beneath The Dirty Hood asks the question....Have you ever put up with something from someone for so long, and one day you lash out at someone else who doesn't’t have anything to do with it?...in The little things can really get you.

The Upward Call reflects on the dangers of allowing bitterness take root in our hearts, and offers an encouragement that we can let go of our bitterness...ending with an example of someone whom I know that refused to allow bitterness to control him in Letting Go of Bitterness.

Mr. Standfast looks at The Consequences of Under-estimating the Love of Christ.

Enjoying the Scenery

Every good road trip requires that we stop and really enjoy the scenery that God has provided us along our journey - and, those long, windy roads provide the best scenery around!

The Northern 'burbs blog Continues a series on the environment and talks about God's purposes in creating the environment in Environmental Purpose

Semicolon responds to the Human Events article listing the 10 Most Dangerous Books of the Last Two Centuries is this list. These are not the BEST books of the last two centuries, although most of them are very well-written, and they’re not the most influential books, but only those fiction books that have had the most influence for GOOD in 10 Most Helpful Fiction Books of the Last Two Centuries

Beyond The Rim... Reflects on the one year anniversary of my blog, Beyond The Rim... in A Blog's Life

Back of the Envelope shares a work of fiction, in a genre best described as horror with Christian themes. When Ryan meets Emily, a girl who claims to have visions, his first impression is that she must be crazy. His skepticism is shaken when he meets the man who is after her. Whether this man they dub Red-eyes really is some psychotic mutant demon or not, his intentions are deadly, and he seems to be able to track them wherever they run. Whether they fight or flee, they are on their own, as no one else seems able to see him in Resolution, Chapter 16 of Eyes in the Shadow .

At Horn+Swoggled, David Brazeal asks: Joel Osteen: Corporate Raider? in Lakewood Launches Scientology Takeover Bid

Better Bibles Blog excerpts and discusses the literary qualities of passages from two pieces of great literature, the novel of Tale of Two Cities, and Shakespeare's Macbeth. Then I point out why two passages from two English versions strike me as being of good literary style in Literary style -- Part 7.

Promptings has a treat for you....If you're a My Utmost for His Highest fan, this biography will help you discover more about the man (and woman) behind this famous devotional in Book review: Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

And, sometimes, when we are enjoying the scenery so much, we forget to watch the road, we end up wondering how we got stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Wallo World explores the idea of the Big Bang and creation in "nothing" in God and the Singularity.

Adrian Warnock continues his ESV interview this week, and questions if doctrine affects bible translation. He calls for people from different backgrounds and in particular Catholics to evaluate whether we feel doctrine has influenced the ESV translation of the bible. He calls for any specific examples where the ESV, which aims to be a "literel" translation may betray its Evangelical routes. If you comment or trackback to his post you are eligible to win a free ESV worth up to $100 in Calling all catholic bloggers: lets interact!

Tim at Broken Masterpieces ponders, out loud, the word affirm and what it means to him as a father of 2 sons in Word to Ponder - Affirm.

A Penitent Blogger reflects on the easy, popular path and on the path of God in Broad is the way

Getting Lost

Alright, I admit it - I get lost more often than I should - on my road trips AND in my spiritual journey. Sometimes you find yourself wondering which way you are supposed to go next - faced with all sorts of options, and no real answers. I think all of us know what it's like to be lost at some time. The first thing to do, when you are lost, of course, it to realize you are lost. Then, you must find your way again.

Sharing Life questions why there is sometimes no change in our lives as Christians and no desire to grow more mature in our walk with Christ. Our hearts need to be changed through the application of the milk of the gospel. It draws strongly on a sermon by John Piper in "A question of the heart".

Another Man's Meat shares some Sunday morning thoughts/laments about the state of education in America, using C.S. Lewis's "The Abolition of Man" as my catalyst in The Great Need of Our Generation - "Men With Chests".

Blogotional realizes that parts of America are now so poorly churched that they are better designated as mission fields rather than home church territory in Been To The Bay...

Jordan's View mixes John Lennon, a discussion of why hunger for truth draws people to conservative churches (mentioned in a recent book by Dave Shifflett), and a conclusion about how to proceed with the challenge of pursuing truth in the postmodern world in Gimme Some Truth.

Dadmanly reminds us that when we hear the word of God and don’t respond with Obedience, we are as the children of Israel. We consume that which does not satisfy, and seek after gain that does not enrich in A Call to Obedience.

A Journey With Friends

But, really, none of the journey is that bad if we have our friends along - and help a few strangers on the way (which, interestingly, makes them friends too!) There's nothing like a great reminder that we are all on this journey together - no matter where we are at on the journey, to keep us focused on helping each other get through it! Our friends and the "strangers" we meet can show us the way - whether directly or indirectly - and generally make the journey much more enjoyable and easy to manage.

Martin, at Sun and Shield, shares about his father, father-in-law mostly, but, also about his son-in-law, and about God, and being a father in "Four Fathers."

Richard at dokeo kago grapho soi kratistos Theophilos continues a series explaining the phenomenal growth of Christianity in the first four centuries of the common era by looking at the success of blogs as a possible model in What have I been Silently Reflecting?

Brutally Honest shares what he's learned over the years with his boys and hopes some of it they'll take with them to collage in A Father's advice to his sons

Crossroads examines the first great revival in America was in the colonies
in the middle 18th century. What was going on in the society and the church to bring this great revival about? (This post is one of many in a continuing series on revival history in America and elsewhere) in The First Great Awakening: Milieux

Katy at Fallible.com shares as a mother reluctantly coaxes the final bird from the nest in My Baby's Leaving.

The Marshian Chronicles looks at the phenomena that there seems to be two kinds of people - introspective and non-introspective, some thoughts on this from a confirmed introspective in Two Kinds of People, Pt. 1.

Mrs. Dadmanly from Dadmanly, gracious agrees to share her own series of "growth experiences" for readers who read Dadmanly's accounts of the tragedy they experienced (here, here, here, and here), in A Witness of Mrs. Dadmanly.

Attention Span wonders what is our responsibility as pastors and as Christians when a stranger shows up at church with a need? What kind of help should we give personally and as a church? in Frank.

Brad Huston at http://brokenmessenger.blogspot.com is moved that the righteous respond here in contrition and humility. The general response appears as: "Who me, Lord?" It is almost as if they ask: "Why are we worthy?" in Sheep & Goats.

End of the Journey

None of us want to think about it really - but, every good road trip, every good journey, must eventually come to an end. That destination may be one of grand splendor, or may be one that is not where you expected to end up - but, every journey must come to an end. May all of us end in the most beautiful of places with the Most High.

Neil Uchitel at Digitus, Finger & Co. revisits Christians’ visible involvment with the Terri Schiavo case, in light of the recent autopsy report in Christians & Terri Schiavo Redux.

Cindy Swanson at Notes in the Key of Life reflects on Terri Schiavo's autopsy results, and calls for Christians to have a renewed heart of compassion for "the least of these" in her post: My interview with Schindler family attorney David Gibbs III

Mark Olson, at Pseudo-Polymath, reviews and discusses a First Things article on ethics of end of life in Review and Discussion: Living Life's End

At Ales Rarus, Eric has been thinking about some issues surrounding the autopsy results, the post mortem diagnose, and the various medical examinations during Terri's life, after his out loud wondering if the results of Terri Schiavo's autopsy might mean that Michael is owed an apology in Terri Schiavo's Autopsy Results.

And, this is really the end of the road for this week's Christian Carnival! I pray that you will read the posts generously contributed this week, comment, and take them into your heart - and may your journey always be filled with an ever constant knowledge that God is guiding your way.

Dei gratia,

Dee