Happy International Women's Day

Hello, ladies. 

My wife says it is almost never appropriate to say, "Hello, ladies" because it sounds creepy, but I think a strong case can be made that when one is writing a post for International Women's Day it is not only appropriate but expected.

International Women's Day was started in 1911 and a lot has changed since then.  Notice, for instance, the comic on the left.  Why, these days Lois would just use her cell phone to call Superman.

Harriet Beecher Stowe said that "Women are the real architects of society" and she should know, since she started the Civil War.  I am glad for the positive changes in women's roles over the years, and I know that many of the people who have had the most profound impact on my life have been women.  There's still work to be done, for sure, before there is true equality in our society, but I think we're still headed in the right direction.

As a little IWD treat, here's my first ever published article, written in a moment of anger when someone said something demeaning about the role of women in spiritual leadership.  Please enjoy "Estrogen Dampens the Holy Spirit."

And Happy International Women's Day to all the women out there.  We're thankful for you and appreciative of your many contributions to society and making life better.

Women In Ministry

Here's a conversation with my five-year-old daughter. I almost called this post "Out of the Mouth of Babes: Women in Ministry" but thought that people might get confused and think I meant "Babes" as a pun*.

A: What are you reading, Dad?

Me: It's called Two Views on Women In Ministry. It's for one of my classes.

A: What's it about?

Me: Some people disagree about what jobs women are allowed to have at church. In this book different people share about what they think is allowed.

A: Why don't they just ask their pastors?

* As you all know, I hate puns. I suppose if you cut off the entire left side of every pun they would be all right.

A Lesson I Learned In Spain

During our time in Spain, Krista and I went (together with a large contingent of friends, loved ones and miscreants) to two castles. We have an enormous number of pictures from these that I should upload somewhere but I am not going to right now. So just picture them in your mind. Okay, I see what you are picturing, and they're a little more Muslim looking... they are Moorish castles. yeah, more like that. Lots of colored patterns on the walls, fountains, arches, gardens, fruit trees. Nice. Good job. Okay, keep thinking about that.

One thing I learned while walking around castles in Spain is that men and women think about vastly different things when imagining life in medieval castles.

Things women think about: I imagine it was very beautiful here inside the castle in the spring, when all the roses and other flowers were in bloom.

1b) Things men think about: I imagine that the ability to grow crops inside the castle walls would make it much easier to live through a siege on the castle.

2a) Women: The fountains here are pretty and I shall take some photographs of them.

2b) Men: The fountains show that there is a large supply of fresh water. Which would make it easier to live through a siege. I will drink some to make sure it is potable.

3a) Women: The curved entrances to this section of the castle are beautiful. I should do something to remember them. Like take a photograph.

3b) Men: The curved hallway here would be an excellent place to make my stand. I would put my archers here and as the invaders came around the corner... WHAM! ARROWS IN THE GULLET! OW! Also, I could pour pitch on the floor and light it. Or I could have the archers shoot burning arrows. This place is good for killing people.

CONCLUSION: Castles are a great place to visit, regardless of gender.