tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post115075504906732004..comments2023-05-14T07:51:18.017-05:00Comments on The Suburban Christian: A theology of Lost, Rent, Les Miz and suburbiaAl Hsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1152279324608734682006-07-07T08:35:00.000-05:002006-07-07T08:35:00.000-05:00Yep, the fascination with Lost is not merely the m...Yep, the fascination with Lost is not merely the mystery-puzzle of the island, but the psychological (and spiritual) intrigue of the characters' backstories. Some years ago I had the startling realization that every car that I saw on the road was not just an anonymous vehicle, but a person with his or her own problems, challenges, loves, dreams, etc. I made up little backstories for the cars I saw - the black Lincoln Continental was a businessman worrying about his company's future and how to afford his kids' college tuitions, the yellow Ford Escort was a teenager whose boyfriend has started to get abusive, etc. It was the kind of exercise that helped me think of all these anonymous cars as real people with real issues. That way I'd get less frustrated with traffic and more inclined to pray for folks.Al Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1152252854487959042006-07-07T01:14:00.000-05:002006-07-07T01:14:00.000-05:00Another suburban-theological theme from the "LOST"...Another suburban-theological theme from the "LOST" show, which I have been addicted to myself since I found the DVD last year and was glued to my set each Wednesday night this past year: <BR/><BR/>In "LOST," everyone has a story. No matter how seemingly unimportant these characters are, everyone has an important story that we, the audience, should see. In the same way, in suburbia, the land of anonomity, the truth God wants us to know is that we all have a story and that story is important no matter what. Suburbia, as you noted, is an island where we are "stranded" but we all have a God-given story behind us, making us unique in this interesting landscape.Jarzembowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11863084729816480992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1151004355930853972006-06-22T14:25:00.000-05:002006-06-22T14:25:00.000-05:00Folks who know me personally can contact me direct...Folks who know me personally can contact me directly about how to get signed copies from me. For the general public, to have copies ordered directly from IVP and signed, here's a message from IVP's customer service department about the best way to make it happen: <BR/><BR/>We would be happy to accommodate the request for an autographed copy of your book. Here is how we can do it:<BR/><BR/>The order can be placed by phone, in which case there is no discount, unless they have an account.<BR/><BR/>Or, if the order is placed via the Web store, they will receive a confirmation number. The customer would call our contact center and press option 2 for customer service. We can add a comment to the order and bring the invoice to your desk.<BR/><BR/>At that point, you would take the invoice to the DC, sign the book, and attach it with a rubberband (or whatever they do) and your customer gets an autographed copy.<BR/><BR/>The important thing is that the contact center is immediately notifed and process the special request before the invoices print.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps.<BR/><BR/>Blessings.<BR/>IVP Customer ServiceAl Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1150947786656416262006-06-21T22:43:00.000-05:002006-06-21T22:43:00.000-05:00Al, I want to buy a copy of your book, but I want ...Al, I want to buy a copy of your book, but I want you to sign it! How can I make that happen? If I buy it directly from IVP, can you sign it and then have them ship it down? Are you doing any signings in Kansas City? I can't WAIT to read it.Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07374475280948723551noreply@blogger.com