Disqus - Latest Comments for tangentrider

Re: The Best Jobs for All 16 Myers-Briggs Personality Types in One Infographic

tangentrider — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 14:08:15 -0000

I'm an INTJ and work as a Senior Research Analyst for Institutional Research. Nailed it.

Re: The Secret to Developing a Regular Writing Habit

tangentrider — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 19:20:56 -0000

I'm in. I need to knock out a 50-75 page literature review by the end of January and this kick in the pants will help.

Re: Daily Prep Episode 213: Should You Learn How To Slaughter Animals?

tangentrider — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:21:45 -0000

While I've not had the experience in quite a few decades, I am very thankful to parents who taught my brother and I to slaughter and dress rabbits. Now, they were home raised for the purpose, but I can say that I have in my mental and physical memory the capacity to dress and animal. I have know since childhood where my meat came from and it has made me a more thankful person.

Re: Sometimes What Sounds Deep is Merely Unintelligible

tangentrider — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 11:45:55 -0000

I think the proper response to true depth is, "Wow," not "Huh?"

Re: How to Read a Non-Fiction Book

tangentrider — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:09:25 -0000

I don't have any research evidence, but my experience since starting my doctoral program provides some anecdotal evidence. We learned about skimming last term--inspectional reading--and were encouraged (AKA nagged) into implementing it.
My recent post Journey to Health: From Pudgy to Primal

Re: How to Read a Non-Fiction Book

tangentrider — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:08:48 -0000

Here's my take on reading non-fiction books:

1. Don’t feel that you need to finish. => I'm working on this one.
2. Start with the author bio. => This is one of those things I know I should do, but forget.
3. Read the table of contents. => I do this as part of Adler's "inspectional reading," along with dust jacket/back cover, index scan, and your #4
4. Quickly scan the whole book. => yup
5. Highlight important passages. => I don't do highlighters (I had to go cold turkey, as I was, in my younger years, one of those who highlighted entirely too much).
6. Take notes in the front or the margins. => 3 types of notes prevail: summary/function notes, disagreement notes, connection elsewhere in book or in another work
7. Use a set of note-taking symbols. => I use symbols as well. I put a double vertical line next to book main claims, an asterisk next to chapter main claims, a vertical wavy line next to key points, a vertical line next to quotable sections, and a question mark next to points that need dialogue (usually disagreements)
8. Dog-ear pages you want to re-visit. => I am part of the anti-dogear crowd...
9. Review the book and transfer actions to my to-do list. => this is a great idea!!
10. Share the book’s message. => I have just started posting micro-reviews on one of my blogs and larger reviews on another (some of which will be booksneeze books, as I just joined and received my first book).

Great summary!
My recent post Journey to Health: From Pudgy to Primal

Re: Getting Ready for 2010: My Moleskine Setup

tangentrider — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:03:48 -0000

I've used a moleskine for years as a running journal of all my thoughts and projects. In order to organize the chaos, I put headers at the top of the page and page numbers at the bottom.

Headers
- category (outside edge)
- topic (middle)
- date code (inside edge)

I have intended to create an index for each moleskine, but have never done one, so I am eliminating it in the current format. I still like the idea, but need one that is dynamic--tough to do on paper--so I may ponder something for the Treo.

Index suggestions welcome.

I also use the pocket sized moleskine weekly datebook for projects. I'm a PhD student, among other things, so I need a project tracker. Weekly projects are listed (with due dates) on the right hand notes page and then scheduled on the left hand dates page. This is working well so far.

Re: Not Just for Theological Uber Geeks

tangentrider — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:55:40 -0000

A couple years (?) ago, I took Theology of the OT with Sailhamer (Intro to OT Theology was the text book and the book you mention above may be the final version of the draft we had the privilege of using). I've also read and loved Pentateuch as Narrative. I can't say enough about his insights: the class, the books, and the man himself changed how I look at the Torah and the whole of Scripture. I'm buying the new of for sure!

Re: Why the Fruitbowl is Empty

tangentrider — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:01 -0000

I am in agreement with Lewis: our true beliefs produce the fruit. Frankly, this is a terrifying and convicting notion, for all too often my behavior does not match what I say I believe. But then, this is the point: if our behavior does not match what we say we believe, then we do not believe what we say we believe.

The real wrench in the works is that we cannot directly change our deep beliefs. Can't be done. We can only change them indirectly, by increasing our understanding, confessing when our behaviors don't match up, and practicing disciplines that teach our hearts God's ways. It's a long, tough process.

Re: Why the Fruitbowl is Empty

tangentrider — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:01 -0000

Re: 2 Questions "The Church" Can't Agree On

tangentrider — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:16:52 -0000

Steven,

In the passage you referenced, 1 Tim 3:3, the word translated "not given to wine" in the KJV, is translated a bit differently in other translations:
ESV: not a drunkard
NASB: not addicted to wine
NIV: not given to drunkenness
HSCB: not addicted to wine

Similarly, the term in 1 Tim 3:8 (in reference to deacons) is variously translated:
ESV: not addicted to much wine
NASB: not addicted to much wine
NIV: not indulging in much wine
HSCB: not drinking a lot of wine

This variance in translations tells me that the passage is not saying elders should not drink at all, rather, it seems the two requirements are quite similar, if not the same: don't let alcohol control you; don't get drunk.

This is the same instruction given to the church in Eph 5:18: do not get drunk with wine.

Drunkenness is prohibited for all Christ followers. It appears the consumption of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom, tempered by care for the other, as seen in Rom 14:21 "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble."

Despite the public nature of the ministry of elders and deacons, I still contend that all believers are bound by the same requirement.

Re: 2 Questions "The Church" Can't Agree On

tangentrider — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:22:03 -0000

As to the first question, I'd like to take it out of the pastor realm and into the Christian realm: Should Christians drink in public? It depends. Keeping in mind Paul's admonition that we should never allow our freedom to cause another to stumble, we should refrain from drinking alcohol in public when a fellow believer, who has a problem with alcohol, will be tempted to think it's okay to drink. Do note that merely "offending" someone is insufficient reason to refrain in my opinion. The proper response to the easily offended is confrontation and instruction.

As to the second question, if the purpose of the gathering is worship and the secular song furthers that worship, then it is appropriate. This same rule applies to so-called "worship" songs, for too many of the songs we sing have more to do with how we feel than about what we need to be declaring about our great God.

Re: Do We Need A Perfect Bible?

tangentrider — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:25:09 -0000

The video is certainly provocative, causing one to hold beliefs with humility rather than arrogance, but I do wonder: cannot the stories also be historically true, not just ideologically true?

If God is God, not only of ideas, but also of reality and if the Bible is in any way his Word, then the historical reality recorded in the Bible must carry some weight. I am not arguing here for inerrancy and infallibility (though I hold to them), but I am concerned with the parsing out of truth, holding the idea of grace, but not the history that reveals that very grace.

Re: It’s Not About You

tangentrider — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:29:28 -0000

Jonathan,

Agreed. If we assume it's all about God, then our warm worship fuzzies become sufficient and we can live however we like. He's doing a pendulum swing from it's-all-about-me to it's-all-about-God: these are never safe.

- Laura

Re: It’s Not About You

tangentrider — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:37:31 -0000

I'm leaning towards not agreeing with McNeal.

I would prefer to say, "It is not all about us" or "It is not about us alone." From the beginning, when God created, the message of the Scripture has been about God and us. He inspired Scripture for us and through us. It is the story of his redeeming us. He is the primary actor, but we are essential to the story.

Re: The Wisdom Of Crowds

tangentrider — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:02:50 -0000

I just found out my Crowdsourcing CD is on its way. I'm excited to listen. Thanks for the recommend.

Re: The Wisdom Of Crowds

tangentrider — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:44:16 -0000

As I recall, Dillon makes this point as well. From experience in a small group I've been part of for quite some time, I agree with your prediction. When the study started, the participants most often saw me as teacher and themselves as students. Over years of studying together, the playing field has leveled and free discussion--and disagreement--frequently occur. (I'm still the only one with seminary degrees, but they realize God gives us all something to bring to the discussion.)

Re: The Wisdom Of Crowds

tangentrider — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:18:42 -0000

That would be an interesting bit of research. From what I've experienced (and read in some educational tomes), if the expert is known to be present, the crowd will likely defer. For example, the book, Questioning and Teaching, by J. T. Dillon, talks about the tendency for the teachers to be the hub in classroom discussions: whether they like it or not, all questions seem to pass through the teacher, even if directed to another student.

Re: The Wisdom Of Crowds

tangentrider — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:07:20 -0000

I'm finding myself torn by this issue. I am a firm believer in the idea of crowdsourcing (I'm putting the book on my read list), but as one considered by some to be an expert (albeit wet behind the ears, truth be told, for degrees are not as powerful as experience), I find when I am in the conversation, sometimes the other defer too quickly. (I also have a hard time being quiet sometimes; I'm working on that.)

I wonder if sometimes experts need to step out for the crowd to do its work.

Re: Social Mojo: What Kind of Twitter User Are You?

tangentrider — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:46:03 -0000

As Tangentrider, I'm a concierge and as LauraSpringer, I'm a matchmaker.

Re: Why is it so hard to find a church

tangentrider — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:45:33 -0000

I think the difference between selfishness and discernment might be in the criteria. For example, if I were church hunting, I would look for one that needed the skill set God has given me to help build his church. I don't think that's a selfishness-generating criterion.

On the other hand, too many are looking for a perfect church that tickles their ears, entertains their minds, and has sufficient programming (and maybe a coffee house). They may need to plant somewhere.

Re: Simply…

tangentrider — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:14:05 -0000

Agreed. Integrity demands it and we ought to expect it from one another (and hold each other responsible).

Re: When The Thing Becomes The Thing

tangentrider — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:47:32 -0000

oops. trouble with Twitter.

Re: When The Thing Becomes The Thing

tangentrider — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:46:49 -0000

I wonder, what does it look like to love in such a way that the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing? That'll take some thought.

Re: Which Is Better: Grow Fast? or Grow Far?

tangentrider — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:38:09 -0000

"Remember that God prepares leaders in a crock pot, not a microwave."

I like this one especially. Too often our impatience gets the better of us and we put ourselves or others into positions of leadership before their time. Sometimes God uses the situation; other times, he lets us fail. Oh that we could wait and let God's low and slow preparation form us.