by Jason Joyner | Oct 15, 2007 | Blog, miscellaneous
I got past one big hurdle today. I took my recertification test for my physician assistant license today. I suppose it is good that we have to test every six years to prove our competency. I just wish the test was written in a way that could be answered. The questions are so concise that it often seems to lack necessary information to make an educated answer. In the real world, I’d ask more questions, get more labs, or do more investigation. Oh well. That’s the price to pay.
Five hours sitting at a computer, and it is done. Phew. I just don’t know if I passed for a couple weeks.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 15, 2007 | Blog, miscellaneous
I got past one big hurdle today. I took my recertification test for my physician assistant license today. I suppose it is good that we have to test every six years to prove our competency. I just wish the test was written in a way that could be answered. The questions are so concise that it often seems to lack necessary information to make an educated answer. In the real world, I’d ask more questions, get more labs, or do more investigation. Oh well. That’s the price to pay.
Five hours sitting at a computer, and it is done. Phew. I just don’t know if I passed for a couple weeks.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 11, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Halo 3, ministry, youth
There has been an interesting discussion going on in the blogosphere due to this article from the New York Times, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Popular Video Game at Church. It concerns churches/youth leaders using the video game Halo 3 to reach out to kids.
Now’s the time for full disclosure – I play video games. I usually don’t like the first-person shooters (FPS) games, but I do like the Halo series, more for the multiplayer aspect with friends than the main story of the game.
Also, our youth leader does use Halo as one of diverse elements (a la the Spanish Inquisition) to reach out to the kids, it is only a small part of what he does. It is only a tool, but his desire is to pull kids into further discussion on real issues that matter, and disciple them.
I have said my piece already on the comments of these following links. This is an invitation to check out the dialogue and add your thoughts.
Mike Duran tackles it in a post today. He also links to an article entitled “How to Witness Using Halo 2.”
Dick Staub, author of The Culturally Savvy Christian, has perhaps a surprising take on this issue.
The Point, the blog of Breakpoint Ministries, has a plethora of links to explore concerning this. Some veer off into the ideas of masculinity and the church as well. You can find yours truly among the commenters opening my big mouth as usual.
Original post at The Point.
Point 1.
Point 2. (Wherein I quote Optimus Prime)
Point 3.
Point 4.
Point 5.
Point 6.
I’ve got my opinions out there, but I thought I’d collect some places that are discussing it for reference in this discussion.
Updated 10/12/07
by Jason Joyner | Oct 11, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, Halo 3, ministry, youth
There has been an interesting discussion going on in the blogosphere due to this article from the New York Times, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Popular Video Game at Church. It concerns churches/youth leaders using the video game Halo 3 to reach out to kids.
Now’s the time for full disclosure – I play video games. I usually don’t like the first-person shooters (FPS) games, but I do like the Halo series, more for the multiplayer aspect with friends than the main story of the game.
Also, our youth leader does use Halo as one of diverse elements (a la the Spanish Inquisition) to reach out to the kids, it is only a small part of what he does. It is only a tool, but his desire is to pull kids into further discussion on real issues that matter, and disciple them.
I have said my piece already on the comments of these following links. This is an invitation to check out the dialogue and add your thoughts.
Mike Duran tackles it in a post today. He also links to an article entitled “How to Witness Using Halo 2.”
Dick Staub, author of The Culturally Savvy Christian, has perhaps a surprising take on this issue.
The Point, the blog of Breakpoint Ministries, has a plethora of links to explore concerning this. Some veer off into the ideas of masculinity and the church as well. You can find yours truly among the commenters opening my big mouth as usual.
Original post at The Point.
Point 1.
Point 2. (Wherein I quote Optimus Prime)
Point 3.
Point 4.
Point 5.
Point 6.
I’ve got my opinions out there, but I thought I’d collect some places that are discussing it for reference in this discussion.
Updated 10/12/07
by Jason Joyner | Oct 11, 2007 | Blog, speculative fiction
There is a new resource for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction from a Christian perspective. Marcher Lord Press is the brainchild of Jeff Gerke of Where the Map Ends fame. He’s a former acquisitions editor who saw a big gap when it came to Christian speculative fiction.
Even though there is a slowly growing publication of spec fic novels in the CBA, Jeff realized that the main audience of Christian fiction was not really interested in fantastical stories.
Thus Marcher Lord Press was born.
The target date for releasing books through MLP isn’t until 10/1/2008, but you may be a client for writing one of their books – there is a submission form for interested writers on the site. However, you can sign up now for updates from Jeff here. You can be eligible for prizes, (and if you mention me as a referrer, I can be entered as well!)
Check out the site to learn more about it. One of the cool things is the story for what a marcher lord is.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 11, 2007 | Blog, speculative fiction
There is a new resource for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction from a Christian perspective. Marcher Lord Press is the brainchild of Jeff Gerke of Where the Map Ends fame. He’s a former acquisitions editor who saw a big gap when it came to Christian speculative fiction.
Even though there is a slowly growing publication of spec fic novels in the CBA, Jeff realized that the main audience of Christian fiction was not really interested in fantastical stories.
Thus Marcher Lord Press was born.
The target date for releasing books through MLP isn’t until 10/1/2008, but you may be a client for writing one of their books – there is a submission form for interested writers on the site. However, you can sign up now for updates from Jeff here. You can be eligible for prizes, (and if you mention me as a referrer, I can be entered as well!)
Check out the site to learn more about it. One of the cool things is the story for what a marcher lord is.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 9, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Two people I admire very much in blogdom and Christian fiction circles are J. Mark Bertrand and Becky Miller. It is a quality week when the two of them get together to discuss the realities wrestled by those of us attempting to write great Christian fiction.
Check out the great discussion in the posts over 2 days. Don’t forget to check out the comments, where further good dialogue continues, (yes, some of the comments are from me).
Day 1
Day 2
by Jason Joyner | Oct 9, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Two people I admire very much in blogdom and Christian fiction circles are J. Mark Bertrand and Becky Miller. It is a quality week when the two of them get together to discuss the realities wrestled by those of us attempting to write great Christian fiction.
Check out the great discussion in the posts over 2 days. Don’t forget to check out the comments, where further good dialogue continues, (yes, some of the comments are from me).
Day 1
Day 2
by Jason Joyner | Oct 5, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck.
My wife and her good friend Cindy Lemon read this book, and this was what they had to say after discussing the book:
“The Trophy Wives Club is a spin on being a trophy wife. Actually, it becomes a comparison of what we settle for in life, when in reality we are meant to be the bride of Christ. The book continues Kristin’s skill for humor. She truly has her own voice and doesn’t parallel other writers. She’s good at description and lets the reader truly know her characters’ thoughts. The style of writing is fresh, different, and unique.”
You can read more about this new book below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing. She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit. Her last three books were:
Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April 17, 2007)
She’s Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (Nov 13, 2007)
Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (Oct 1, 2006)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps “was” is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.
When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity.
With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay’s financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he’s nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can’t deny that there’s a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she’s never experienced in a man before.
But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what’s on the outside.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 5, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck.
My wife and her good friend Cindy Lemon read this book, and this was what they had to say after discussing the book:
“The Trophy Wives Club is a spin on being a trophy wife. Actually, it becomes a comparison of what we settle for in life, when in reality we are meant to be the bride of Christ. The book continues Kristin’s skill for humor. She truly has her own voice and doesn’t parallel other writers. She’s good at description and lets the reader truly know her characters’ thoughts. The style of writing is fresh, different, and unique.”
You can read more about this new book below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing. She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit. Her last three books were:
Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April 17, 2007)
She’s Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (Nov 13, 2007)
Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (Oct 1, 2006)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps “was” is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.
When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity.
With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay’s financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he’s nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can’t deny that there’s a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she’s never experienced in a man before.
But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what’s on the outside.
