Category: interesting stuff

The sun is out here and it seems as if we actually might have Spring this year. Of course, even here in the sunny South there is always the possibility of a late freeze just about the time the peach trees are budding. The Winter Olympics are winding down and it’s getting closer to the time of year college basketball fans look forward to all year. Yes, March Madness is just around the corner. Pray for the folks in Ukraine and Venezuala, as there is a lot of bad stuff going down in both countries.

Here are the links of the week:
In case you missed it, there’s been a big dust-up over Elevation Church Andrew way they do things. Here are a couple of posts with some balance:  from Slow Church, and from Daniel Wells.
A spring of water.
Excellent post from Dan Edelen.
Encouraging post from Bobby Auner.

Be vulnerable.
Another look at Philippians 4:13.
On banning “making a difference.”
The Bible’s vantage point.
A million moments.

M. Morford on prophets.
A good article on dumpster diving.
Kurt Willems on 5 church types to avoid.
John Frye on taking Jesus back for America.
This is interesting.

The least of God’s holy people.
Don’t just sit there!
Interesting facts about Martin Luther.
A sign of the Apocalypse?
Jesus doesn’t want to be a part of your life.

Have a blessed week!

It’s been a busy week. Last weekend we were involved in an event put on by a group of local artists that focused on truth as it is found in story and poetry. It was a wonderful weekend. Due to some wintry weather a while ago, I had three basketball games in four days. The girls played hard, and I’m sure they were exhausted by the end. The regular season wraps up this next week. It seems as if it has just flown by. In other news, the Winter Olympics have kicked off in Sochi, Russia. Everything seems to be going well, as long as you’re not a journalist with hotel reservations.

On to the good stuff:

It seems as if there are some things left undone.
The day the Beatles made history.
Playing catch in church.
Mr. Keshavan’s wild ride.
13 witty literary lines.

Invasion of the tumbleweeds!
A no frills airline.
For all my hipster friends.
1 Corinthians in PowerPoint.
Jason Elam on prayer.

Jesus first.
You have permission.
John Frye has a question.
The day Michelangelo doubted.
I can tell you, around here it’s not much.

Scot McKnight on leaders and honor.
Andy Stager on worship.
J.R. Miller has a good post.
Jared Wilson on remembering.
Chaplain Mike’s Super Church.

That’s all for this time. Have a blessed week!

Is it the weekend already? This week flew by, as the whole month has. This time next Saturday will be the first of February. The problems caused by the harder than normal winter continue around the country. Some school districts have cancelled enough days due to snow that the students will be going longer into the summer or giving up break days this semester. We have been fortunate here in the sunny South. It’s just been colder than normal.

Well, enough small talk about the weather. On to the links:

Praying in the midst of crisis.
Congratulations Coach K.
A love stronger than “Sirens”
Why Christians should create.
Remaking God.

Kansas Bob rants. He has a point.
Philip Yancey has a list of hip Christian books.
Chaplain Mike on developing pictures. (Sort of)
Andy Stager has 2 substitute evangelism questions.
Wayward Son has a tale of two Christians.

The hazards of sitting.
A long way from the lake.
A review of ” The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story.”
Old Erich proverb.
7 signs.

Would you ride this?
Daniel Wells has some thoughts on sports.
Good post from Keith Giles.
Zack Hunt on hope and peace.
Matt Appling on first world and real world.

Have a blessed week!

It’s time for another edition of Weekend Wanderings! *cue wild applause* It’s a long weekend for many of us as Monday is the holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The weather here in the sunny South is sunny, but colder than normal. Much of the country seems to be colder than usual as well. It’s been so wet here on the weekends that I haven’t been able to chop up the leaves in the back yard. Hopefully, it’ll stay dry this weekend so I can do that on Monday. Saturday, Jan and I went to the NASCAR Hall of Fame here in Charlotte with Josh and Jan’s dad. I’m not a huge fan but it was fascinating to see how racing has grown from a bunch of moonshine runners to the huge business it is today, and what goes into the process of having a successful team.

On to the links:

Tales of the New Creation.
There is no way this is right.
Good post from Meghan Tschanz.
Goodbye Metrodome.
Things are getting real down in Texas.

For the cat lover.
Dreaming.
Beautiful photography.
Nate Pruitt on creativity.
Yezzianity? Really?

Wayward Son is feeling the smile of God.
Preachers pulling stunts.
Melody says black is a good color.
Learning from atheists.
Chaplain Mike is drawn to the religionless.

Take a stand?
The power to love and forgive.
Grace is a funny thing.
Matthew Paul Turner’s thoughts on a t-shirt.
A lie that Cole Brown’s pastor told him.

Another week has gone into history. It was our first week back at school after Christmas break. It was hard getting up on Monday morning! The polar vortex has retreated back to where it belongs and the weather seems to be getting back to normal.

On to the real reason you’re here. The links:

A new type of addiction.
Something is wrong here.
Pretty cool.
Waiting on God.
Significant others.

Lori Ventola resolves to be shameless.
Linda Brendle wishes you a messy new year.
Michelle Van Loon on community.
Zack Hunt on grace.
Damaris Zehner asks us to consider the dogs.

What kids say.
In what way?
50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.
The baptism of Jesus.
Some winter comic relief.

Scot McKnight on the best age for leaders.
Circuses, monkeys and the new year.
Could the Bible be written today?
When Niagara Falls freezes over.
Good question from Jared Wilson.

Have a blessed week!

It’s the weekend again! During this Christmas break, the weekends haven’t seemed quite as important. School begins again on Monday, so they will once again be greatly anticipated. The whole country, with just a couple of exceptions, is in the grips of some very frosty weather. My heart goes out to those who are facing negative double digit temperatures and dangerous wind chills. It is getting down into the teens at night here in the sunny South, but that doesn’t begin to compare with what others are facing. Pray for protection and provision for those folks.

On to the links:

You know you wanted this bit of information.
Make sure you keep your coffee straight.
What is the church’s biggest problem?
Grace or hamster wheel?
A tree for each of the twelve days of Christmas.

A reject tree.
Eric Carpenter on love.
The new creation.
Encouragement from Jon Acuff.
Kryptonite.

Len has a recipe for clearing snow.
Pam has one word.
Keith Giles pledges allegiance.
Zack Hunt’s struggle.
Melody on confidence.

Cold but beautiful.
Listening.

Have a blessed week! May your year ahead be full of grace.

This past Thursday, Americans took a day off and gave thanks for their many blessings, then went out and trampled one another in an attempt to spend money on stuff. We had a wonderful time with family and have so far successfully avoided the crowds. Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. For me, celebrating Advent is a good antidote to the bustle and stress of this time of year.

On to the links:

A sign of things to come.
Meghan Tschanz on Thanksgiving.
Action alert.
Shannan Martin on love that swerves.
Ruth Wilson has some confessions.

Christmas is for worship.
How much does your life weigh?
Len on Advent.
Grace applied.
John Frye on the curtain.

Gratitude.
Good idea.
Daniel A. Siedell thinks outside the pew.
Morgan Guyton writes about the three “family values” of Black Friday.
Tradition!

Chaplain Mike has a taxing question.
God sees you.
I can sleep better now that this mystery has been solved.
Friends.
For that person who’s impossible to shop for.

Have a blessed first Sunday of Advent and a great week!

It’s getting colder here in the sunny South. We’ve had a few days of warmer weather, but it’s supposed to be quite a bit colder than usual the next few days. Friday was the 50th anniversary of the deaths of John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley. It’s been a long time, and lives and works of each of them are still having an impact on many. Basketball has begun, and the balls are bouncing in gyms all around the world. Players from peewee teams to the NBA are practicing and putting their skills on display before fans, friends, and family. Thanksgiving Day is this coming Thursday, and many will be traveling to spend time with their loved ones and give thanks for the bounties given by a gracious God. A great deal of food will be consumed, and hopefully those of us who are partaking will remember those who are less well off.

On to the real reason you are here:

The decisions of poor people.
Ruth Wilson passes on some tough words.
Pope Francis on the over commercialism of athletes.
Eric Carpenter reflects on C.S. Lewis.
Thanks for godly examples.

Brant Hansen answers a question.
You could get this for me for Christmas.
Mensch on a Bench.
Where the wind still sings.
Scot McKnight reflects on C.S. Lewis.

#Godtalk.
Rachel Barnette on redefining beauty.
Messy Bible, clean lives.
Christ the King.
Keith Giles has an unbelievable truth.

Zach Hoag on niceness.
On being thankful.
Heather writes about armistice.
Soft difference.
Jeff Dunn on being vulnerable.

More gracious than God?
Eric Carpenter has a series on women of the church. The intro. is here.
Shameful, ridiculous, and cruel.
Scot McKnight on some no comments.
Hard times and free sandwiches, and a bonus.

The Philippines are beginning to pick up the pieces after a massive storm slammed into the islands. Vietnam looks to be next. The total picture of the devastation is not yet clear. Pray for the folks there as they mourn losses and begin to try and rebuild their lives. It’s a bit chilly here in the sunny South and there is even a possibility of some snow flurries in the next few days. It looks like we may be in for a colder than normal winter. Basketball has started, and I am looking forward to a good season.

Here are the links for the past week:

Len on the church.
Vulnerability leads to love.
Pam Hogeweide on being true.
Interesting idea.
Not too sure about this idea.

This is interesting. Odd but interesting.
Second chance.
Religious tattoos.
Jamie Calloway-Hanauer says the time to love is now.
Five traits of a false prophet.

When a leader is not a leader.
Tiffany Handley asks a question.
Winners and losers.
Chaplain Mike is simply living.
Ann’s wisdom.

Once upon a text.
Matt Appling on finding yourself.

That’s it for this week. Hope your week ahead is a blessed one.