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I wrote the following to a friend today--an update on the dog bit and more details about the Toronto conference of Christians for Biblical Equality:

I went to my doctor yesterday regarding the dog bite. He is very concerned and put me on a very strong antibiotic. I will see him again tomorrow. He may have to dig into it and if that doesn't work, the next step is admitting me for IV antibiotics.

Along with 19 others, I was honored with a Life-time Achievement Award. If you're over 50, clothed and in your right mind, you get one! Everyone gave a little speech. One gentleman told how people sometimes tell him how his books have transformed their lives. So when my turn came I said that someone said to me the previous evening that my book transformed her life. When I asked her which one it was, she said "Gender and Grace." True story. Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen [the actual author] was in the crowd so it added to the humorous touch.

I gave my plenary session on Friday night. My best lines were as follows, on Anne Marie Javouhey, b. 1779.

When her Bishop appealed to the Archbishop, Anne-Marie fought back:

"I am not only the Superior General of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Cluny; I did not merely cooperate in the foundation of that Order; I am its sole and solitary foundress. I am its Mother General as God is its Father, since it is I who created and have developed it." So just get your fat ass out of my domain! No. Strike that from your notes. I’m getting a little carried away. “I am its Mother,” she said, “as God is its Father, since I created it.” Strong words, nevertheless.

Hey, I'll do anything for a laugh.

Now here's something for your grandkids. Give them a little math problem: The farmer has twenty-sick sheep one one dies, how many did he have left. They'll answer 25 every time (especially if you slur your words a bit).

BACK HOME AGAIN

We arrived home this afternoon from Toronto where I addressed the annual convention of Christians for Biblical Equality in both a plenary and workshop session. I met some wonderful people for the first time and caught up with acquaintances from years ago, including Ron Sider and Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen.

The previous week we were in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, where I was the featured speaker of the week for InterVarsity's Cedar Campus SLT (Student Leadership Training) program. It was a beautiful setting and a great week, speaking on the difficult and most challenging Book of Job. Now it's back to the church history text, full speed ahead, 1000 words/day or else!