BGEA's Heaven: A Firefighter's Story and the Death of a Father

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Reviewing Curtis Allen's Does God Listen to Rap?: Christians and the World's Most Controversial Music

I became a fan of rap during my upper elementary years when I sported red parachute pants and wore out a breakdance cassette tape on my Toshiba boom box. You gotta love the 80s. Although I no longer wear pants with zippers all of over them, I still often listen to rap. My rap collection has changed quite a bit over the years. No longer do I listen to what I would now deem as controversial crap, but instead what many would have to respect for great theological depth and creative artistry.

Last year when I saw that Curtis Allen, one of my favorite rappers, released a book about rap, you know I dropped the paper, pronto! Does God Listen to Rap? taught me not only a great deal about how rap music came to be but about the differences between much of the rap music I listen to today. It really was a fascinating read. Below you can read the chapter contents. Perhaps many would not be interested in this book, but if you have ever enjoyed the music of Lecrae, Trip Lee, or Shai Linne, I highly recommend checking out Does God Listen to Rap? The book is easy to read, has received glowing reviews, and points you to the One who gave us music. Peace out.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Psalm 150:6

1. Reformed Rap? The Story Behind This Book
2. Dirty Roots - The Origins of Rap
3. Rotten Fruit - The Influence of Rap
4. The Indictment of Origin - What's Missing from Heaven's Playlist
5. The Acquittal of Conversion - God is a Redeemer
6. Rap and the Mission of the Church - Of Similarity and Sin

Reviewing Keith Mathison's A Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture

How old is the universe? R.C. Sproul, who provides the book's foreword, was asked this question at the 2012 Ligonier Ministries National Conference. Dr. Keith Mathison explores the question and more in this very short book. If you are a believer who has any interest in science, you might enjoy reading A Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture. I do believe some will expect a more in-depth analysis of the topic. Below are the titles and summaries of the seven chapters.

1. All Truth is God's Truth - A God-centered view of truth
2. General and Special Revelation - What is the Reformed distinction?
3. Interpreting General and Special Revelation - An examination of Martin Luther's and John Calvin's responses to new sixteenth-century astronomical theories
4. Luther, Calvin, and Copernicus - How can we learn from the mistakes of others?
5. Earthly Things and Heavenly Things - The fall's impact on human reasoning
6. When Science and Scripture Conflict - How should Christians respond?
7. The Age of the Universe and Genesis 1 - Dr. Sproul's answer

Reviewing Christie Reenders' Pockets Full of Popcorn

Pockets Full of Popcorn is a cute 20-page children's story that takes place where I live, the great city of Tianjin, China. As you read about a cold winter day adventure of two young girls and their mom, you're provided a glimpse of the unique Tianjin culture. An appropriate "Chinese" font is used throughout the book and Chinese translation is provided on every story page. At the back of the book, you're provided additional information about ten aspects of Chinese culture encountered on this fun popcorn outing. A glossary of eight Chinese words used in the story is also provided. These words are found in red throughout the story. The illustrations by Feng Ai Dong are in a folk art style and lend well to the story. Colors are bright, people are smiling, and different scenes of daily life are shown. I recommend this book to those who have children and an interest in Chinese culture. If you have any connection to Tianjin, perhaps this book would be of interest to you as well. I look forward to reading to my son more adventures from Christie in her "Seasons of Living in China" series.

The Names of the Wickersham Kids

Why Grace Noel?

A mini roller coaster in Tianjin

Megan and I had some difficulty agreeing on what name to select for our first child. We had difficulty agreeing upon the name until I mentioned Grace. I am a trophy of grace. I’ve committed countless sins over the course of my life yet the God of the universe is actually going to give me a child to raise up. Wow. That’s grace – a God-given gift that I, a wrath-deserving sinner, don’t deserve. And Noel? It’s a word meaning the birth of Christ. That’s the name of our first, Grace Noel. An interracial couple giving a Chinese nine-month-old names of Latin and French origins. Makes perfect sense to me.

Why Rosalie?

Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium

Our second and oldest child came to our family having already been named Rose. Great name. I’m so thankful I wasn’t introduced to a four-year-old Jezebel or Delilah back in 2006. I like stressing Rose’s name in verses and songs that state how Christ rose from the grave. Megan and I wanted to modify Rose’s name though since she was joining our forever family and becoming an official Wickersham. Sort of a Sarai to Sarah thing. We chose Rosalie since Lee is Megan’s middle name, and in honor of one of Megan’s aunts.

Why Josiah Lee?  

King Josiah, King of Judah from approximately 640 to 609 B.C. and an ancestor of the Son of Man, had great influence from an early age. You can read about him in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 and learn how he responded to God’s Word honorably by living obediently to God’s commands. King Josiah was a God-fearing leader of religious reform who restored the observance of the Passover, renewed the covenant, repaired the temple, removed witches and mediums from the land, and rediscovered the Book of the Law. I hope our Josiah can not only be like King Josiah but like the true and better Josiah, Jesus Christ.

So there you have it - Grace Noel, Rosalie, and Josiah. I’m floored our Heavenly Father has chosen me to be the father of these three amazing kiddos. They have been a tremendous blessing to us, and I look forward to seeing how their lives shape out.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Waiting for our food at the Waffle House in Avon, Indiana (June 2014)