Christian Carnival LXXX

This week's Christian Carnival promises something for everyone as we cover a wide range of interests and subjects. Thanks to everyone who submitted their posts. As always, it has been fascinating to discover each other's perspectives. Here are this week's submissions:

The recent bombings in London has several bloggers wrestling with terrorism and Islam. John at /musing/struggling/dreaming asks how we should respond to terrorism. Steve the Pirate, in his Rant O' the Week, offers his views on the persecution Christians face on account of hypocrites, while Islam gets a free pass. A Catholic and an atheist liberal discuss Islam and modern political philosophy at The Sharpener. Donald Sensing has some thoughts about Islam and the theology of martyrdom.

Susan at Sisters' Weblog says she admires the mission of the pastors of XXXchurch.com, but finds it is difficult, if not impossible, to support their methods.

Douglas at Apprehension examines Google's rejection of the ads of Christian Exodus and says it's the latest in a string of incidents of Google characterizing content with which it disagrees as "inappropriate".

Donna-Jean at Liberty and Lily talks about risk-taking, fear, and courage in "Ya Gotta Be Nuts".
Jonathan Witt of Wittingshire marks the recent anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial by pointing out that Inherit the Wind is more fiction than fact.

Speaking of the evolution debate, Orac at Respectful Insolence discusses Cardinal Schönborn's recent editorial in which he appears to embrace Intelligent Design.

Mr. Standfast has been meditating on Ephesians and focuses on the Pauline concept of fullness.

Shannon Woodward tells of a young girl's gift of love--and reminds us that life is fleeting, in "A Kiss of Kindness"

David at All Kinds of Time takes a look at trying to find purpose in such an easily-lived life.

Focusing on prayer: Donald Sensing has some thoughts on unanswered prayers. Richard at dokeo kago grapho soi kratistos Theophilosbe begins a series on the role of prayer in the Gosepl of Luke. Dan at Cerulean Sanctum says it is a far easier thing to call someone an Enemy of Christ than it is to pray for them. Jay at DeoOmnisGloria asks how often do you pray the Lord's Prayer? Dr. Bob from The Doctor Is In has some thoughts on prayer in a post entitled The Prayer of Java. Kevin at Technogypsy looks at prayer in a post entitled Serious Stuff in a non-serious manner.

Paula at Listen In had to read a particular book of the Bible threetimes in one week to find the best lesson for a single like her. Read about it in "My Best Lesson From the Book of Ruth."

Separation of Church and State in the Great White North: Angry in the Great White North reports on an op-ed broadcast by Canadian government funded broadcaster the CBC calling for churches to be subservient to the government.

There is a lot in our labels -- but we are not labels -- weare people, and we are people who are at our best when we findourselves in a proper relation with the triune God--according to John at Blogotional.

Jeanette at Oh How I Love Jesus shares about Fred and Verna Ludwig, two special Christians who were missionaries that influenced her life and probably many others while on earth, owning nothing of value for themselves.

Ales Raus examines the Catholic doctrine prohibiting the use of contraceptives and why so few Catholics adhere to it.

Martin at Sun and Shield examines the bioethics of C. S. Lewis.

Katy at Fallible.com asks: How often do I simply cast myself upon His tender mercies which--the Scripture assures me--are new every morning?

Louie at The Marshian Chronicles points out that questions are just as powerful as answers in many ways. After all if we didn’t wonder about things and ask the right questions how would we ever get the right answers?

Adrian Warnock is concerned that recent debates about the atonment and other crucial doctrines are a sign that the Evangelical movement is in its death throes. He has called for bloggers to highlight signs of hope by telling bloggers about their favorite preachers and offers papers from a recent UK debate involving Steve Chalke for the theobloggers to get their teeth into.

Lee at philithreten wonders whether in a world with no future does our understanding about God change?

Diane at Crossroads continues her series focusing on revivals. This week she focuses on the 1960s Indonesian revival.

Dadmanly, blogging at Gladmanly, reflects on Abraham Lincoln who led our country with deep conviction during a time of great tragedy and sacrifice. His words pointed back towards Truth and the Eternal he saw as directly guiding our Nation's destiny – if it would but survive.

Kim at Sharing Spirit says that the Fear Factor can become a Leap of Faith.

Wayne's World 2005 looks into the human side of peacekeeping and reconstruction in Iraq through the eyes and handsome smile of Sgt. Wayne West and his family.

The two Pastors and their wives over at Chapelccino use their blog to ask their people somequestions and get them thinking about what's coming in "Sunday - and Some Questions!"

A Firm Nail reflects on Harry Potter and how Christians should respond to the phenomenally successful book and movie series. Lance at Ragged Edges also adds his two cents to the discussion in a post entitled "There's Something About Harry".

DeputyHeadMistress at The Common Room reflects on a very rough day that reminds her that she is grateful God only asks her to live one day at a time.

JC encourages us when meditating on our relationship to God to focus on The Big Picture.

Irene wonders how involved God is in our day-to-day lives and "what all that believing is supposed to mean".

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is one of the bestselling books of all time. But Warren is not without his critics. Sharon Hughes of Changing Worldviews Talk Radio sits down with Richard Abanes to discuss his new book Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him.

More book blogging: Derek P. Gilbert talks to Patrick Heron about his new book "The Nephilim and the Pyramid of the Apocalypse" in which he contends that the Great Pyramid of Giza proves that it couldn’t possibly have been built by the Egyptians of 5,000 years ago. He made his case for the builders being the offspring of the "Sons of God", and explained what the pyramid can tell us about the end times.

Even more book blogging: Kevin at Collected Miscellany reviews Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory and has some thoughts on a modern parable about dinner with Jesus.

Edgar Allan Poe discovers the Roman road and the journey becomes a lesson in blogging and popularity - with the help of a bestselling book by a significant author. Confused? All is revealed in this post by Catez of AllThings2All.

Ed at Attention Span asks whether the Church is really doing what the Church is supposed to be doing, or have we lapsed into a comfortable version of what we feel like doing? Are we just fooling ourselves into thinking that this is the way Jesus wants us to speak, think, act and live?

Doug at CoffeeSwirls shares his incredible birth story and the sacrifices his parents had to make to have him in a post entitled Loving Children More than Convenience.

Abednego, blogging at Parableman, reflects on a Johnathan Edwards sermon on the preciousness of time and the importance of putting it to good use.

Barry at Wanderings of a Postmodern Pilgrim says that faith is about growing and maturing and - through constant use, i.e. practice, practice, practice - allowing the ways of God to become more natural in our lives.

Micahel at Tantalizing If True poses an interesting question: How many promises of the Bible can you really claim when your name isn't Timothy or Onesimus?

A Penitent Blogger has a post entitled That Day that reflects on consequences, grace, and the end of the world.

Thanks to everyone who participated and make this week's Carnival a tremendous success. Next week the Carnival will be hosted by Dunmoose the Ageless.