Author: Fred Shope

For some, this is the week we pause to give thanks for all of the blessings God has given us. Others commemorate the time by eating too much, and then watching football or battling the crowds at all the stores. Some have a hard time coming up with things to be thankful for. It can be the beginning of a hard season for some. If you know someone who is struggling this time of year, try to spend some time with them and let them know that someone does care about them.

Here are the links:

Excellent article from Bruce Hillman.
Yelling at God? Yes.
Some good news.
Speaking of the caravan.
Officials are trying to figure out a way to stop this.

What we have in common.
Thoughtful piece by Wesley Hill.
This looks like a good idea.
Interesting article.
The problem with being perfect.

Not so sure about this.
Long, interesting, and a bit disturbing article.
Good post from Karl Vaters.
Good post from Bob Edwards.
Trading brunch for the Eucharist.

The thing with feathers.
Helpful thing to know.
There is a difference.
Good question.
A Thanksgiving prayer.

Have a blessed week!

It has been a rough week in parts of the country. The hatred and vitriol that has marked the country the past couple of years has gotten worse in the months leading up to the midterm elections. The worst dialogue and actions are being carried out by a minority of folks on either side. I pray that enough people wake up to the damage that is being done and refuse to listen to those that would further divide us.

On to the good stuff:

Screen dangers.
Sinners and saints.
Don’t be a Stepford Wife.
Satire? Maybe.
Good post on Halloween.

A warning.
Classic iMonk post on Reformation Day.
This is unfortunate.
Have you ever seen anything like this?
Most people go up the inside of a skyscraper. Not this guy.

You know, we really are a rather unimpressive bunch.
Best nature photos.
Interesting take.
Lessons learned.
Funny post.

A bit of history.
Reflections on Eugene Peterson.
Good post from Karl Vaters.
Good post from Bob Edwards.
Linchpin of our faith.

Have a blessed week!

It has been a bit chilly here in the sunny South this past week. The political ads are getting more numerous and nastier. It’s rare these days when a candidate gives you positive reasons why you should vote for them rather than negative reasons why the other candidate is evil. I don’t know how the elections are going to turn out, but no matter what happens, my calling as a follower of Jesus doesn’t change.

On to the real reason you are here. The links:

Happy happy?
Are you haunted?
Here is a very touching article.
We need more of this.
This is a problem.

Leaving Facebook.
Good article from Michelle Van Loon.
A vanishing occupation.
Sad news.
This could be a problem.

Evidently, it might not be an insurmountable problem.
Here is one place where the right and left are coming together, sort of.
Humblebrags.
Is the neighborhood the answer?
Good things from the grave.

Failing the grieving.
Five terms to stop misusing.
Passing of a hero.
Hidden messages.
Taking love for granted.

Have a blessed week!

This is the time of year that sports fans have a number of games to choose from. There is professional and college football, baseball, and pro basketball. College basketball teams have begun to practice for the upcoming season. This year’s official political campaign season mercifully ends in about a month, although it doesn’t seem, that it really never ends these days.

On to the good stuff:

Serious article from McSweeney’s.
Don’t forget eternity.
Good post from Donavon Riley.
The dad joke.
This is a good story.

Lawnmower? Really?
Amy Hollingsworth remembers Mr. Rogers.
Sarah Condon on reconciliation.
This is interesting.
Free range kids.

A bit of a look back.
I think this is going a bit too far.
Be careful taking those selfies.
This is what happens when birds over indulge.
Little did they know.

What your snack says about you.
Thinking bigger.
Another approach to politics.
Less is more.
Good post by Fred Smith.

Have a blessed week!

Here in our little corner of the sunny South, we survived Hurricane Florence. We were just south of the circulation of the bands of high wind and rain, so we escaped. The folks to the east of us had a rough time and now face even more flooding as the water from upstream comes back down already swollen rivers as it returns to the sea. Please pray for the people in the eastern part of the Carolinas, and help if you are able.

On to the links:

Remembering Johnny Cash.
Drawing lines.
Hurricane prep.
Two lies.
Watch out for those houseplants.

Good question.
This is an amazing story.
A dangerous place to be.
Good article from Mark Galli.
Thought provoking post from Keith Giles.

Awkward album covers.
This is interesting.
She wrote the book, and then evidently lived it.
Backpacks.
Amazing photo, with a cool story.

A poem.
Good post.
Remembering a streak.
Called or not called?

Have a blessed week!

It’s a long weekend here in the sunny South, and I hope it is for you all as well. College football has kicked off the season, and the pros are getting ready to begin theirs. Political campaign signs are popping up like weeds, and we will soon be bombarded by media ads telling us why the other candidate is the scum of the earth.

On to better things:

Good post from Donavon Riley.
You don’t have to be good at everything.
I wouldn’t mess with this guy.
Now you know.
Back to school buying guide.

Good post from Steve Brown.
New book!
Taking things for granted.
Good question.
A Christian band?

What is worth fighting for?
Disappointed?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Good post for Labor Day.
Having joy.

Good post from Fred Smith.
Someone celebrity pastors need to meet.
Bob Edwards has a good one.
Shhh.
Shame.

Have a blessed week!

As you can tell, this month has been a busy one, so I haven’t had the chance to do much wanderings through the interwebs. I don’t know if it’s going to get a whole lot slower heading in to Fall, but I have some time this weekend to wander a bit, so here is some of the best out there.

Early Yelp reviews.
So, evidently there is a new shape.
Finally, realistic self-help books.
An excellent, must-read article.
Another good post.

This must have taken a while to put together.
This is interesting.
In case you you are something other than a “helicopter parent.”
Good post from Bob Edwards.
So much work.

Prosperity without happiness.
Steve Brown on grace.
Confession of a prodigal.
Good post from Jake Luhrs.
The wheel of justice.

Alan Bevere on evangelism.
Karl Vaters asks a good question.
A review of Rumors of Rain. Looks good.
Joe Puentes on eating.
Friendship.

Have a blessed week!

Summer is winding down here in the sunny South. It’s actually been a bit cooler here than normal. Football season is gearing up, and the major league baseball playoffs are getting closer. The silly season is upon us again, as politicians start pandering, er I mean jockeying for our votes.

On to the important stuff:

Grace never expires.
In case you’re thinking about deleting Facebook.
Slow learner.
Summer and eternity.
Good question.

Watch out for those extremist groups!
Interesting article.
The smell of rain.
Good article.
Good post from Bob Edwards. 

G-L-O-R-I-A.
More than you ever knew about water.
A warning about warnings.
Good post from Sammy Rhodes.
Identity politics.

The boat in the backyard.
Karl Vaters asks better questions.
Jesus’ questions.
Ties that bind.
Believing in the prosperity gospel.

Have a blessed week!