RTB Blogs: Take Two

Why Do We Have So Much (Cosmic) Stuff

take-two — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:03:08 -0800

They say the top three most stressful life events are death, divorce, and….moving. Recent experience tells me why the latter makes the list.

Personality Profile

take-two — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:58:45 -0800

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.” —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
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Serving up Sweet FAQs

take-two — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:52:58 -0800

A casual dinner with my sister reminded me of one of her endearing (and enduring) traits—a penchant for sweets.

Past Watchful Dragons

take-two — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:21:38 -0800

This month’s Chinese New Year celebrations will usher in 2012 as the year of the dragon. These legendary beasties have been a favorite fairytale and mythology staple for eons. But are dragons really just figments of our imaginations? Or are they evidence of ancient humans’ encounters with living dinosaurs?

Filing for Spiritual Chapter 11 Protection

take-two — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:18:11 -0800

Animals in the Spotlight

take-two — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:31:42 -0800

In early elementary school I developed distaste for reading. To remedy the situation, my parents bought books suited to my interests—principally, animals. I willingly devoured Zoobooks magazines, curled up with girl-and-her-horse novels, and thumbed through a well-loved copy of a mammal encyclopedia.

Christmas Thoughts from Take Two

take-two — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:10:20 -0800

What Was the Christmas Star?

take-two — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:46:51 -0800

A couple of weeks ago Take Two discussed 5 common myths about Christmas. Last week, we looked at the significance of the wise men. This week, we glimpse at another key “figure” in the Christmas story—the star of Bethlehem.

We Three Kings

take-two — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:39:21 -0800

One Christmastime, Dad surprised the family with a new Nativity scene. The set featured a stylized cherry-wood stable and a host of beautiful porcelain figurines. There was the angel with golden wings and a trumpet held aloft, Mary clad in lavender and blue as she kneeled over Baby Jesus, surrounded by animals galore.

Top 5 Common Christmas Myths

take-two — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:04:34 -0800

Christmastime is here! For many of us, the holiday brings happiness and cheer and longstanding traditions. One that my family and neighbors participated in when I was a kid was Las Posadas (the inn). Basically a procession of “pilgrims” (neighborhood families) goes house to house asking for lodging.

Top 10 Science-Faith Conversation Starters

take-two — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:20:57 -0800

Tens of thousands of people are affected every day by this latest epidemic: the ironic hipster mustache. What may have begun as nothing more than a hairy badge for hipsters has transformed into a movement (fittingly called Movember) to “change the face of men’s health.” And it serves as a fine example of giving purpose to a trivial trend.

Scientific Fusion

take-two — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:08:30 -0800

My husband and I love watching Iron Chef America, the Food Network show where top-notch chefs go toe-to-toe in an read more

Holiday Signs and Signs of Design

take-two — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:41:23 -0800

The holidays are here and the countdown to December 25 has begun.

What's Your Favorite Animal?

take-two — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:29:14 -0700

This Monday, Halloween ushered in the holidays.

Hallelujah, Harvest, and Halloween Alternatives

take-two — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:29:38 -0700

Say you receive an invitation in the mail for a party on October 31. This party will include candy, costumes, and “illusion” (insert picture of a top hat, wand, and sparkly star). Would you assume you were just invited to a Hallelujah party? Probably not.

Spreading the Good News--With Love

take-two — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:28:12 -0700

Vibrant foliage colors, exciting festivities, and Starbucks’ pumpkin

Evil, Suffering, and Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job

take-two — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:49:59 -0700

“My friends cautioned me not to write this book. They warned me, ‘No one who attempts to write any kind of commentary on Job can escape without some new experience in suffering.’ They had a point.”

-Hugh Ross, Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job

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Let There Be Light!

take-two — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:38:21 -0700

Southern California may not be for everyone, but I love living here. Yeah, it can get a little smoggy at times. But when the wind or rain clears the air, we get breathtaking evening skies streaked with pearly white or neon pink clouds.

A Look Back at RTB's Cruise Conference, Part 4

take-two — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:39:51 -0700

Over the last few weeks RTB scholars Fazale Rana, Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, and Kenneth Samples have taken us on a virtual journey through the events that took place on the ms Zuiderdam.

The Benefits of Fantasy

take-two — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:28:34 -0700

Earlier this week, RTB philosopher/theologian Kenneth Samples invited me, Sandra, and other RTB staffers to participate in a recording of his podcast, Straight Thinking.