Monthly Archives: April 2011

Counting The Days

Posted on April 25, 2011 by nathanalbright

[Note:  This sermonette was given on the afternoon service of the Last Day of Unleavened Bread in Tampa, Florida on April 25, 2011.] Introduction In only a few hours the Days of Unleavened Bread for 2011 will be over and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Sermonettes | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Somaliland Update: The United Arab Emerites Enter

Posted on April 24, 2011 by nathanalbright

In the past few days Somaliland has been working on its long-term goal of international recognition, and has sought to gain a closer relationship with another important nation in the region–the United Arab Emirates.  It would appear that Somaliland and … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, History, Somaliland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Moveable Feast

Posted on April 24, 2011 by nathanalbright

Since the heathen festival of Easter depends partly on the lunar calendar rather than solely on the solar calendar, it is a moveable feast.  In fact, some historians claim that the calendar calculations required for Easter are what kept literacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church of God, History, Musings | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Your Children Like Olive Plants: A Reflection On Psalm 127 and 128

Posted on April 23, 2011 by nathanalbright

While I have already reflected on Psalm 127 as it relates to military affairs as part of my series on the biblical way of war [1], I would like to comment today on the symbolism of Psalm 127 and 128 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Music History, Psalms | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Exodus 22:1-4: The Thief Has No Blood

Posted on April 23, 2011 by nathanalbright

I cannot claim any originality in commenting upon this law–it forms the basis of a very learned and somewhat lengthy analysis on the topic of godly self-defense by a friend of mine, Steve Martens.  That said, I would like to … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Bible, Christianity, Church of God, History, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Book Review: A Walk In The Woods

Posted on April 23, 2011 by nathanalbright

This book is a pleasant, mock-heroic account of two middle aged men against nature, trying to hike the Appalachian Trail despite no apparent love for hiking.  Indeed, the whole set-up seems clearly artificial, as the author, one dryly humorous Bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

An Exercise In Ethnology

Posted on April 22, 2011 by nathanalbright

Longtime readers of my blog will be well aware of my blog’s interest in questions of ethnicity, which at their basis are studies in identity.  In our nationalistic world we tend to think of “nations” or “peoples” as the fundamental … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Ridesharer’s Dilemma

Posted on April 22, 2011 by nathanalbright

A classic ethical dilemma in mathematics is the prisoner’s dilemma, which is set-up so that the best solution for two people is to both refuse to confess, but the best individual solution is to confess and seek to throw the … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Overcoming The Culture of Shame

Posted on April 21, 2011 by nathanalbright

Recently I have become familiar with a couple of celebrity memoirs that deal with a delicate subject of considerable personal importance.  Both Ashley Judd [1] [2] and Kara Dioguardi [3] have published recent memoirs detailing very dark personal struggles that … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church of God, Love & Marriage, Musings | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Good Help Is Hard For A Tyrant To Find

Posted on April 21, 2011 by nathanalbright

For despotic rulers, good help has always been hard to find.  There seems to be a fundamental tension (even to the level of a paradox) between the existence of despotic regimes where the lives and happiness of people were dependent … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Musings | Tagged , , | 1 Comment