This Threads for You - Take Two
A couple of weeks ago I attempted this because I have seen it done on other folks blogs which brought some good discussion. I realize that sometimes what I write about may not have much relevance to you, or if it does, you might not have a comment. Furthermore, I like to know what is going on in the minds of others, that is, what they are thinking about, interested in, etc. CONSEQUENTLY, I have decided to give this a second try. This thread/post is for anything and everything you want to talk about (that is of course for civil discussion). Do you have anything that you want to discuss or talk about? Do you have any possible questions that you would like to ask me (or others)? Feel free to chime in. And please do not think it has to do with theological, philosophical, or ecclesiological matters (it doesn't have to have -ical or -ology either). While I rarely take the time to write about the various idiosyncratic ways that constitute my life outside these few sentences, I assure you I have a life outside this computer screen. :) If any of you choose to comment, I hope to answer any questions or reply in the next couple of days. I will be leaving Sunday for a week long family vacation (at the beach), so I will not have my computer with me. Therefore, if you would like me to respond, please know that I will be able to until Sunday. Thank you, and come join the conversation!
posted by Timmy Brister at 6/30/2006 07:01:00 PM
7 Comments:
Glad to know you will be enjoying your "life outside this computer screen" this week...don't get in an accident on the way home on account of your anxiousness to get back to her;-P
All is well here...composed a letter today with a couple other interns to the House and Senate citing our support of renewing the Voting Rights Act so that minorities, (especially Iranian immigrants and terrorist president look-alikes:) can vote without discrimination. Here's something that might interest you, and I could use your ideas. I have to compose a reading list on a Theology of Human Freedom. I need both contemporary and original sources, and anything in between. This is a broad topic, but it doesn't seem that there's been a whole lot of comprehensive writing done on it. Please let me know if any leads come to mind or if you run across anything relevant to the topic. Thanks so much, pal! You're great and your wife's even better;) I love y'all and miss you TOONNSS!!
Give my love to Dusti and Hershy.
6/30/2006 09:36:00 PM
Timmy:
How about digital photography? Have you read any books on it? Do you have any recommendations? I have been reading through Ben Long's Complete Digital Photography (3rd edition). Any advice for the more novice photographers?
Do you always have your camera with you? Do you think Canon makes the best camera? I like my Canon S2 IS (I cannot afford an SLR at this time - probably never), but I would love to have more flexibility. It is an expensive hobby.
What editing software do you use? I have Paint Shop Pro X. Again I would love to have Adobe Photoshop but cannot afford (or justify) spending $500+ on the program.
I don't know if anyone else would be interested but I would be if you would occassionally do a post discussing some of the ins and outs of photography. Given the Friday fanfare over photos this may garner some interest. Just some thoughts since you left it open.
Will
www.theologiaviatorum.com
7/01/2006 12:38:00 AM
Terri,
Great to hear that you are already workin't it at the ERLC! We miss you not being here in Louisville (especially my wife!).
Concerning theology of human freedom, I am not sure what exactly you are looking for. Do you want research on the definition or aspects of human freedom (say compatiblism vs. libertarianism) or social and political freedom (more like the Consitutional freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)? That would clarify what I could assist you in. On a side note, I believe there is a counterpoint book coming out on the relationship of Christianity to the founding of America. In other words, to what degree can we say that America is "a Christian nation." Two contributors I am aware of is Greg Thornbury of Union University and David Barton from Wallbuilders. I am quite sure that Dr. Richard Land is aware of this work, so I don't the profitability of this information!
Theologically speaking, classic treatments of the freedom of the will include Jonathan Edwards' Freedom of the Will and Martin Luthers' Bondage of the Will. You might also want to check out John Calvin's The Bondage and Liberation of the Will.
If you are looking for the dignity and autonomy of humanity apart from oppression and tyranny, I would check out books that deal with the nature of man with relation to being created in the image of God. Alex Hokema's book Created in God's Image comes to my mind.
I guess that might be a start. I will think about this some more over the weekend. As you mentioned, the "Theology of Human Freedom" is a broad topic. If you state "human freedom" in relation to _________, that would clarify some direction in research--at least for me. :)
Oh, and Hershey told me shed loved you too.
7/01/2006 04:19:00 AM
William,
Thanks for bringing up photography! This has become my hobby and outlet while at seminary. I actually picked this up with the intentional goal to use it as my creative outlet away from my studies. I bought my first camera in January 2005 and have been lovin' photography since then.
I personally have never read any photography manuals. That is not to say that they are bad. I just have had the great privilege of shooting with some excellent photographers who have taught me on the go. I do read some photograpy mags such as Popular Photography, the Digital Photographer, and ShutterBug regularly.
My advice is to find some folks who you can go shoot with that can teach you the mechanics of photography and answer your questions as they arise. Also, I would look to develop your own style. One fellow photographer who has taught me a lot (thanks Dan Canales!) shoots a lot of angles (called "dan-gles") and night photography. Therefore, he got me into loving long exposure and night landscapes. Another friend is a professional wedding photographer whom I have shot about 10 weddings with. I learned photo journalism and excellent portraiture from him. Also, being in a photo community such as Flickr can give you some new ideas as well as some constructive criticism. I guess that would be my initial advice. Of course, there is much more that could be said, but for starters that will suffice. :)
Usually, I do always have my camera with me. Lately I haven't because I am pouting about my lenses screwing up on me! Let me say something here and be transparent. If you love photography as I do, you must be careful with how and when you decide to shoot. For instance, there have been some amazing sunsets while on a date with my wife, and I so wanted to grab my camera and capture the moment. But I realized that every moment with my wife is better than the greatest sunset offered to me. I guess what I am trying to say is to not let your hobbies and passions take away from your relationships and priorities. Therefore, I do have my camera with me but do not use it most of the time.
Yes, I believe Canon makes the best cameras, period. Nikon is good, but Canon makes the best glass for lenses and offers more than any other manufacturer out there. Photography can be an expensive hobby, and if you choose to go DSLR, I would plan your purchases over a period of time. For instance, buy the body and a lens with a decent memory card. Over the next 6-12 months, you could look at getting an external flash, tripod, or a second lens. Over the past year, the price of DSLR bodies, lenses, and memory has decreased dramatically, and I think the possiblity of getting a DSLR body, 2 lenses, a flash, and 4GB of memory under $2000 is very good.
Concerning software, you might want to check out Photoshop Elements 3.0 which is under $100 in most places (I prefer shopping at B&H Photo Video or Adorama online). I purchased the Adobe Creative Suite Bundle in an Academic Version which was extremely cheap. You have to be a student to qualify. I can give you the website if you are interested.
Thanks for expressing an interest in some posts on photography. I have actually been wanting to do that but didn't think anyone would really be interested. I will look to start that when I get back next week.
I hope that this has helped a little bit. Of course, I am learning photography and am no pro in any sense of the word. It just that whatever I do, I am all-out with it. If you are in Louisville and want to go shoot sometime, let me know. I need to get out and shoot more this summer!
Thanks again for your questions.
7/01/2006 04:41:00 AM
Who was Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas from Star Wars Episode 2?
7/01/2006 08:41:00 PM
Tony,
That's not fair! I must say that I am not up to par on my Star Wars knowledge. I must plead the fifth on this one - the fifth in the American Constitution, not the fifth resolution on alcohol!
7/01/2006 09:11:00 PM
I've been thinking some more on the alcohol thing, and I think a unifying word could be the word, "temperence". In its original meaning, it was merely anti- drunkenness, but it later came to be associated with teetotaling. I think I can firmly state my support for temperence, and not seem soft on alcohol abuse. How does that seem to you?
7/02/2006 10:59:00 PM
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