Category: interesting stuff

Football season is upon us. The NFL has begun the preseason, colleges are getting ready to play, and the high schools have had their jamboree scrimmages. If it seems as if it’s too hot for football, it is. But that’s the way it goes.Parts of the country continue to suffer because of drought, and California is pretty much on fire. Pray for those folks. In China, explosions and fires continue in Tianjin, while the government denies that they have ordered evacuations, even as people evacuate. Schools go back into session this week here in the sunny South, increasing the morning traffic.

Now for the news you can use, or at least enjoy:

This is good news.
As is this.
How to lose your freedom.
Why church history matters.
A list worth checking out.

The heart of a slave.
Who’s your father?
A review of The Fellowship.
Portraits of forgiveness in film.
Homework.

Sounds like an interesting time.
Odd and fascinating houses.
Classic post from Michael Spencer.
Are you bored?
Oikonomia.

A man’s world?
Good post by Allan Bevere.
Good article from Jonathan Storment.
Good question from Dan Edelen.
Vocation as holy ground.

Have a blessed week!

Another week has zipped by. The Republican candidate circus had its first performance this week. Not exactly must see TV, but parts of what I saw were interesting. The summer days are waning, and school will soon resume. This will be the second year in a row that I will not be returning to a school, and to be honest, I don’t miss it.

Enough about me. Let’s get to the good stuff:

You know those polls about religion? Turns out they are not all that accurate.
This might be interesting.
Saving the bees.
Not funny!
New and different video game starring one of the Mario Bros.

St. Francis on Instagram.
Hopelessly devoted.
The reports of grace’s death are greatly exaggerated.
Fear and trust.
Why is this not surprising?

Beautiful pictures!
Are office buildings too cold? It depends.
Zack Hunt on Puddlegum.
Jesus or Nietzsche?
Some Irish proverbs from Kansas City Bob.

Jared Wilson on the gospel.
Matt Appling on Millennials and faith.
Depression and delight.
Broken people.
Michael Spencer on arguing.

Stats.
This is friendship!
Sound familiar?
Going into the wilderness.
Thoughtful post from Arthur Sido.

Have a blessed week!

Happy first weekend of August! The summer break is winding down for students and teachers, and the long break called the school year is gearing up for the parents. It is still warm here in the sunny South, and we may break the record for most days with temps in the 90s. Baseball is heading toward the postseason and football is getting ready for the start of the season. I believe we went a whole week without another candidate entering the presidential race that’s over an year away. Amazing.

On to the good stuff:

Abandoned, yet sacred.
Letting go of our baggage.
Learning social skills starts early.
Re-directed art.
That’s one mean turkey!

I don’t think this qualifies as “heritage.”
The list.
Good news, not good advice.
Bullies.
A to-do list.

Good question from John Frye.
Damaris Zehner on rights.
Curve balls.
Lines.
Kingdom at the table.

Nothing.
Dan Edelen on plans.
Two robberies, two responses.
Good post from Keith Giles.
Community.

Have a blessed week!

It’s a beautiful weekend here in the sunny South. After a couple days with temps near triple digits, it is a bit cooler. The race for president is heating up and looks like it’s going to be quite the circus. That’s my political statement for the week.

On to the good stuff:

Body by God.
Good post from Jared Wilson.
This is interesting.
Damaris Zehner shares a poem.
Good post from Mike Erich.

“A cohort of wonder.”
A letter from Matt Appling.
Sabur.
Four things we can learn from heartbreak.
Humility.

Radical freedom.
This is an excellent post.
I know a couple of folks who would like this.
John Henryism.
Is Harper Lee a prophet?

Good article for church leaders.
I bet there are a few folks who are nervous about this.
You think you dread going to the dentist?
We should all see our marriage vows this way.
Chaplain Mike on Kansas and Oz.

Have a blessed week!

Welcome to July! It has been pretty warm here in the sunny South here the past couple of weeks , although the temperatures have moderated a bit over the last three days. Next week they are predicting highs near triple digits. I am thankful for air conditioning. Does anyone remember the days before central AC and AC in cars? I do. It seems like the message of grace and forgiveness that was proclaimed by the survivors of the Charleston 9 has been quickly forgotten as people on both sides are showing what really amounts to hate. This weekend the kkk (and yes I put it in lower case on purpose) is having a rally at the SC statehouse. A lot of folks are saying everyone, including the media, should just stay away and not give the tantrum any attention. I think I agree.

On to the links:

10 reasons for pastors to avoid politics. 
Ahh, memories.
The smell of rain.
Gifts of the Puritans.
Crowdpounding.

This could be interesting.
This. Just because.
God’s favor? Really?
This is good.
Chaplain Mike takes another look.

Steve Brown on freedom.
John Frye on comfort.
Oh, good gracious!
I think I’ll see if our town will put this in place.
Daniel Jepsen on grace.

Pretty cool tattoos.
Good post from Frank Viola.
Four reasons for contextualizing.
Good book review by Scot McKnight.
Great question!

Have a blessed week!

Gosh, it’s been a long time! It’s amazing how quickly a month can go by. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Jan and I celebrated our 35th anniversary. The US women won the World Cup. South Carolina removed the Confederate battle flag from the statehouse grounds. Kanye West is now the greatest rock artist. All of the above statements are true except one. Can you guess which one?

On to the links:

Historic day in South Carolina.
Church in bed.
Good post from Sarah Condon.
A different kind of World Cup.
Good post from Steve Brown.

He loved first.
A different look at Independence Day.
Tree church.
This is interesting.
Is it the culture?

Interesting article on aging.
Redefining greatness.
I’ve never seen anything like this before.
Crossroads.
Daring to forgive.

This is unbelievable!
Dan Edelen on fear.
Zack Hunt on the Church.
Putting on the new man.
Eight elements of creative people.

Have a blessed week!

Happy first weekend of June! This has been a busy week but I was able to put together a few links for your viewing pleasure. Next weekend, Jan and I are heading to New York City for a week so the wanderings will take a couple weeks off. In the meantime, enjoy these slices of the internet:

Very good post from Michael Spencer.
Interesting post from Scot McKnight.
Trinity Sunday post from Chaplain Mike.
Thoughtful post from Lisa Dye.
Thought provoking post from Mike Erich.

A Christian response to Caitlyn Jenner.
The Jesus slingshot. Yep.
Really?
Again, really?
Stage two exile.

This is bad.
This is a sad state of affairs.
P. T. Barnum was right.
Michael Hidalgo on judging.
Sin boldly?

Beggar to beggar.
The big reveal.
Life after retirement.
Wow.
Again, wow.

Have a blessed couple of weeks!

This is the last weekend in May. Some schools are out, some will go into the middle of June, and the annual debate about year round schools will commence. I don’t see any wholesale chamnges because there are too many people with a vested interest in the summer break. But, that’s just my opinion. It is beautiful here in then sunny South, but they say that the hot, humid days are coming. Tuesday is the first day of hurricane season and we have already seen one named storm on the East coast.

Enough small talk. On to the good stuff:

Kellie McGann says change is possible.
Aaron Cline Hanbury says you should read Chesterton.
When your dreams don’t work out.
He’s baaaack.
Here’s a good story.

The benefits of nature.
Interesting.
Do you think they’ll take him up on this offer?
Somehow this doesn’t surprise me.
Some folks will do anything.

Yep. Bacon.
 But evidently not for Ben & Jerry’s.
Christian T-shirts, etc.
3 chains.
Scot McKnight on sloth.

Charlie Marquez on our glitch.
This is a good thing.
Good post from Dan Edelen.
Thoughtful post from Zack Hunt.
Memorial Day meditation.

Have a blessed first week of June!

It’s a beautiful weekend here in the sunny South. I’m spending a lot of time outside working in the yard, trying to make it look halfway decent. Continue to pray for Nepal. I can’t imagine having to deal with a major disaster like that on the heels of the first one. If you can give to any of the organizations that are helping there, please do so.

Here are the links:

The royal law.
Carly Marin on tragedy.
What really happened?
Martin Marty on a rash of suicides among the Sioux.
Being hurt.

10 sacred sites destroyed in the last decade.
Good post from Arthur Sido.
Putting an end to sweatshop labor.
What is grace?
Lindsey Holcomb on the church and women at risk.

Freedom, joy, and dancing.
This probably won’t be a smoke filled room.
Avengers, anthropology, and awareness.
Rushing or dragging?
Don’t do it!

Mark Moore on Ascension Day.
Christian bill of rights.
Orlando Patterson on America’s cities.
Glittering vices.
Good article from Jonathan Storment.

Have a blessed week!

Allergy season has kicked into high gear here in the sunny South. It has been hard to get a good night’s sleep lately, with all the stuffiness and coughing. This too shall pass. The NBA playoffs continue and it looks as if the storylines this year will be different than those of the previous season. We are still three weeks from hurricane season and Tropical Storm Ana is making some noise off the east coast. It could be an interesting summer.

Enough small talk. On to the links:

Open letter to Tom Brady.
Allan Bevere on the church.
Christian American horror story.
Scot McKnight on holiness.
The E-word.

Making a difference?
That is a serious wave!
Walking as Jesus walked.
Chaplain Mike on the Table.
Great news for Liberia!

Good news for moms.
Good article from Donavon Riley.
How to miss out.
10 most polluted cities in the United States.
Jesus as the new Adam.

Steve Brown on God.
Is constant entertainment a good thing?
A faith worth losing?
A post about parenting from Matt Appling.
One source.

Have a blessed week!