Easter and the Modern Calendar

We take our calendar for granted, even as we depend on it to plan our lives. Many elements of the calendar seem somewhat arbitrary, such as the division into seven-day weeks and twelve approximately 30-day months. (The latter has its origin in the lunar cycle, which is nearly 30 days long.) But the length of the calendar year is not arbitrary. 365 days is the approximate time needed for the Earth to make a complete orbit of the Sun. This means that from our perspective on the surface of the planet, it takes approximately 365 days for the Sun to return to the same position on the Celestial Sphere.

Injustice in the shadows, injustice in the broad daylight

At Farmville Baptist Church this morning, I found the call to worship responsive reading particularly moving:

Leader: Our world is hurting in every way:

People: Injustice in the shadows, injustice in the broad daylight,

Ancient Greek Astronomy

One of my astronomy classes this week focused on some of the highpoints of ancient thought about astronomy. It illustrated a fact often forgotten or never contemplated by modern people, that ancient peoples were just as intelligent, curious, and careful in their reasoning as modern thinkers.

One Nation Under Surveillance

At Mainstream Baptist, Bruce Prescott has posted a moving speech about Oklahoma’s reaction to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, and how the federal government has moved along a completely different track in response to 9/11. Follow this link to read the speech.

2007 Heart of Virginia Century

Saturday (9/15) I rode my first century with the Richmond Area Bicycle Club (RABA), in Hanover County near Richmond. A century is a 100-mile bicycle ride for recreational cyclists. It’s a rite of passage for first-time riders like me. For everyone, it’s the culmination of weeks of training.

On Remaining Protestant

At Inhabitatio Dei, Halden writes: “To my mind protestantism is always the question, the objection, the provisional mode of protest that takes place within the wider presupposition of the givenness of the Catholic church. It is always protestants that must justify their identity as non-Catholics rather than the other way round.”

Watching the Republican Primary Debate on Fox

Last night (9/5) Fox News Channel televised one of those primary debates that draws virtually no attention apart from the network that’s broadcasting it. Hosted by the University of New Hampshire, the debate featured eight candidates running for the Republican nomination. Follow this link for a complete transcript of the debate.

Even though I am a Democrat, I care about the Republican primary. Because if the Republicans nominate Ron Paul, we know the apocalypse is upon us.

Here are my random observations of the debate.

A Crowning Achievment: Appalachian State University

Today (9/1) my alma mater pulled off the biggest upset in sports history: Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. Actually, that should be: Appalachian State 34, 5th-ranked Michigan 32.

Absolutely unbelievable. Yes, ASU is the two-time defending national champion at the I-AA level, and yes those kids are used to winning every week, and yes they came prepared to play . . . but this was Michigan . . . at home. The Mountaineers are a great team, but upending the fifth-ranked, all-time most wins in college football, greatest helmet design in the game, Big Ten favorite Michigan . . . on their field? That’s crazy stuff.

The best part? All those shocked Michigan fans. All over that state, millions of people will never forget what they almost certainly didn’t know before today: Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC, and they have a football team than can, and did, kick your collective butt–on your field. That is way cool.

Follow this link to read SI writer Stuart Mandell try to explain the impossible.

You Tube videos of the miracle:

The key final plays.

The final blocked field goal and interview with ASU head coach.