Category: interesting stuff

This weekend, we here in the United States remember the sacrifices made by members of the military who have died, especially those who lost their lives due to war. It is also the beginning of the patriotic season in many American churches. I believe we should honor those who have died serving this country, whether or not the wars they fought in were “justified.” I do disagree with taking time out from a service (or the entire service) in which we are supposed to be focused on God and his kingdom, and putting the focus on a kingdom of this world. America is a great nation, and always been. But it is not the kingdom of God, and never will be.

It’s time to get down from my soapbox and give you the links:

Let’s kick the list off with a Memorial Day post.

One thing Jesus is not.

Playing dangerously.

Michael Card is obsessed.

Chaplain Mike has a vision.

The birds of Israel.

Something to think about if you fly this summer.

Good for him!

Think we need a little more of this?

Good boss.

This is sad.

A good reminder for us.

Don’t you hate when that happens?

This is interesting.

The Sunday Scaries.

Classic post from Michael Spencer.

Don’t hurry.

Good post from Fred Smith.

Words from Wendell Berry.

This weekend, we celebrate Mother’s Day. I am thankful to have had a wonderful mother. While she wasn’t perfect, she was loving and had a great influence on me. As we celebrate mothers, let us not forget those who have lost their moms, those who are unable to have children, and those who have lost their children. Mother’s Day can be a tough time for them.

Here are the links of the week:

Random thoughts that I think many can relate to.

Church small groups and the 12 Steps.

Good Mother’s Day post.

Encouraging post from Jessica Thompson.

The problem with happiness.

This is funny!

Reflections on Jean Vanier’s passing.

Brandon Hanson on forgiveness.

Casey Tygrett on wisdom.

Good post from Fred Smith.

Thoughts on the passing of Rachel Held Evans.

Patience.

Would you ride this?

Have a blessed week!

The days continue to get warmer here in the sunny South, while other parts of the country are having a hard time shaking winter. Both the weather and politics have been crazy this year. I’m not sure which is going to straighten out first, if at all. For you sports fans, the NFL draft has given hope to many fans, baseball is in full swing, Tiger seems to be back, and the NBA playoffs are moving along.

Here are the links:

Teaching critical thinking.

Struggle and strength.

Divine drama.

Ice cream.

A sad report.

Changes on Instagram.

White noise.

Evidently there is a problem with happiness?

The trouble with God.

This is a growing problem.

This looks like an interesting read.

Living as Easter people.

Rebranding Christianity.

This would be a good idea.

This is not really surprising.

Keith Giles invites us to join the revolution.

Have a blessed week!

This is the weekend when many Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and celebrate his resurrection. Those of the Orthodox tradition do so during the coming week. There’s a lot of stuff in the news about a certain report and what it means. It doesn’t seem to have changed the minds of very many people. I’m grateful that, no matter what happens, the resurrected King is in charge and his kingdom is now and will come fully in the future.

On to the links:

Why Good Friday is good.

Good question.

Good op-ed in the NY Times.

Living in-between.

This is disconcerting for some of us.

Five lies.

The four hundred pound day.

Good Friday meditation.

Justice? Or something else?

Good post from Scot McKnight.

Surely, not me.

Good article from Jeff Hual.

Have a blessed Easter!

It seems that Spring has sprung here in the sunny South. The trees are almost completely leafed out and the yearly pollen plague is almost over. Flowers are blooming and the days are getting warmer and longer. Along with all this, the thunderstorms have returned, just to keep life interesting. Thankfully we don’t have snow storms like the unfortunate folks across the middle and north of the country.

On to the good stuff:

Messy indeed.

I, for one, am thankful for this.

Yes. He is.

Maybe we should stop asking this question.

Just in case you’ve ever thought you might want to go back in time and live here.

Ladders.

Excellent post on praying for others.

Fred Smith on his little town.

What a good idea!

A good article, whether or not you are a college basketball fan.

Alan Jacobs wants to be an idiot.

Sneakers and self righteousness.

Living into the what.

Distraction.

Good post on patience in ministry..

What to do when you can’t outrun the pain.

Making a difference.

Have a blessed week!

It’s the end of March. It hasn’t been very windy here this month, but it has been a bit chilly. This has been the second year in a row where March has been colder than February.

Here are the links of the week:

That explains it!

So, this is a thing.

Bottling tears.

Drinking sand?

Funny post from the Onion.

Would this be considered easy money?

Evidently it doesn’t stop at admissions.

Baseball as spiritual discipline.

Bad generals.

Interesting article on feedback.

Things we cannot say.

Myth of generosity.

Classic post from iMonk.

KC Bob on marriage.

Watering dry bones.

Karl Vaters on anger.

Seductive status.

Telling stories.

Have a blessed week!

It’s finally getting warmer here in the sunny South. I’ve been able to get out in the yard and get some things done. I do have a bit of extra free time these days, so maybe I can win a “Best Yard” award. Or not. The madness continues in arenas and offices across the country. If I had filled out a bracket, it would have been busted after the first round.

On to the good stuff:

Jesus did say this would happen, but it is sad to see nevertheless.

Don’t get distracted.

What is your heart saying?

Stay away from sugary drinks.

Peggy Noonan nails it.

Parenting as religion.

This is very disconcerting.

Good post from KC Bob.

I guess it was bound to happen.

Admissions scandal at a community college?

Good question.

A successful pastor.

Good post from Jared Wilson.

The rich.

Believing in the prosperity gospel.

In case you haven’t had enough madness.

The evolution of baseball.

I’m not so sure about this.

Have a blessed week!

The madness has begun. All over the country, there are people rejoicing and people mourning. No, I’m not talking about politics. It’s college basketball! For some of us, it’s one of the best times of the year. If you’re not a fan, that’s okay. I won’t hold it against you, for long.

Moving right along, here are the links:

Just stop.

Does it really matter?

Principals?

This has some disturbing potential.

KC Bob on forgiveness.

Now, that’s loyalty!

What about the students?

Four good questions from Karl Vaters.

The shadow of anger.

Sad news.

Good post from Fred Smith.

Not on social media? No problem!

Interesting article.

Fasting for Lent, with a twist.

Sometimes you just don’t need to fight.

The non-diet diet.

Have a blessed week!

March is coming in. In some places it’s a lion, in others it’s a lamb. Here in the sunny (I us the word loosely) South March has come in more like a wet dog. Our area has had the wettest fall and winter on record. The other day, I though I saw a large number of animals marching by in pairs.

Enough lame attempts at humor. Here are the links of the week:

Do you need an advocate?

Swimming against the current.

This is a good story.

What is in a name after all?

Funny signs.

It’s not our perfection.

Roots.

The age of anxiety.

What Jesus promises.

Interesting post for Lent.

Opinion piece from David Brooks.

He’s a rare one.

Here’s one for all the Pete Rose fans out there.

And, another one is gone.

Provocative article.

The reef.

Chaplain Mike on worship.

Wendell Berry.

God’s dream.

Have a blessed week!

After a three month hiatus, everyone’s favorite blog post is back! It’s time to take a look ate some of the best of the web. Enjoy.

New discoveries in Pompeii.

RIP Peter Tork.

What do you think? Are we?

Mad at God.

Broadway musicals.

The key to living, etc.

Small churches are hard to get rid of.

Do we really need 10,000?

Yeah, I think I’ll be skipping this one.

God and the architect.

Jason Thompson on love.

Geoff Holsclaw on twelve lies.

Keeping our eyes where they belong.

Good post from Fred Smith.

Michael Spencer on being a poor player.

Good post from Bob Edwards.

Have a blessed week!