Wednesday Link List

Some great news and opinion pieces to end the month of May. The Wednesday List Lynx (pictured) welcomes you. If you follow me on Twitter, you know there’s always music playing on my computer. We have lots of ♫ this week for you!

• For ten years, the UK’s Justin Brierley has been moderating debates between Christians and atheists on a Christian radio network. And the atheists still haven’t converted him. In this 80-minute conference podcast, he shares his story in celebration of a book launch.
• First they came for the Jehovah’s Witnesses and I did nothing because I wasn’t a JW. That was my perspective reading this story of a Danish national arrested during a worship service in what Russia now considers an extremist organization.
• “For far too long, it was considered normal for white men to lead in areas like publishing, podcasting, mission agencies and apologetics, just to name a few.” Ain’t that the truth. This essay examines what it’s like to be a Black female Evangelical. 
• Investigative Article of the Week: Ever heard of The Founders? Founders Ministries? This article spells out who this group is and identifies their aims. (God help us when we have an agenda that’s not from Him.)  
• Hard to read: Michelle, wife of Nabeel Qureshi gives her perspective on her husband’s illness.
  
• Essay of the Week: Follow up on the pregnant Christian high school student who chose life over abortion but was denied the opportunity to graduate with her class…
• …Which is a good lead-in to Angie Weszely’s appearance on this week’s Phil Vischer Podcast offering at a non-political solution to the abortion debate…
• …Also, be sure not to miss the two minute video at ProGrace.org.
  
• When it comes to Bible translations, this translator humbly requests you stop using the word ‘literal’ or ‘literally.’
  
• Parenting Place: For parents of older children this time, a look at what to do when your daughter marries the person you considered the wrong guy. 
• Sermon of the Week: John Mark Comer on Intercessory Prayer (part 3 of a series.)
  
• Expensive Bibles (1): The Alabaster Bible, a four volume set of the four gospels in the NLT on thick, uncoated paper stock with a photo on every page. “Instead of avoiding visual distractions, Alabaster purposefully incorporates symbolic imagery in the form of fine art photography.” It’s only $100, but the writer of this piece is second-guessing the cost.
• Expensive Bibles (2): Not to miss out on all that’s trending (Bibliothecha, et al) Zondervan has set October 24th as the release date for the NIV Solo Scriptura Bible Project, a four volume hardcover set also priced at $100. (The name means, “This Bible alone; there is no more room on the shelf.”) 
• Christian Movies: In theaters August 25th, watch a 4-minute preview of All Saints.
  
• Leadership Lessons: This week, a book review. I think he really, really enjoyed this title… 
• …Another book review: Arguing that it’s the ascension of Christ which is the climax of the story.
  
• A Before and After Story: “I was always a staunch atheist – I loved R[eligious] E[ducation] at school because I could see the holes in every argument, I studied philosophy of religion and ethics at a-level and I was always the strongest of atheists.” That was then. Enjoy reading her testimony.
• “Child marriage? That’s what happens in Bangladesh or Tanzania, not America!” But it did. And it does. The New York Times story beings, “When she was a scrawny 11-year-old, Sherry Johnson found out one day that she was about to be married to a 20-year-old member of her church who had raped her.” (Note: Snopes.com has objected to this story as not being current.)
  
• A few weeks ago we did a piece on some of the ‘original’ Christian bloggers who inspired me, including one called FlowerDust. Today we learn that writer is stepping down, as Anne Marie Miller writes her final blog post.
• ♫ New Music: Kingdom Break Through by Nate Marialke. Be among the first to watch this!
• ♫ New Music: The title song from The War is Over by Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music.
• ♫ New Music: From Louisville, Kentucky; Belong to You (Enemy Can’t) by Iron Bell Music.
• ♫ New Music: From the land down under, Won My Heart by Emu Music. (Cue the dog.)
• ♫ Old Music: Chuck Girard sings Our Lives Are In Your Hands. Classic from CCM’s earliest days.
• Waterbrook Press author Boris Vujicic, father of Nick Vujicic has died.
• Corn Flakes. Yes, it’s a religion-based story. And really well written. And it’s got Millennials in it. But it’s mostly about Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and the Seventh Day Adventists.
• It’s just black and white. It’s not that visually interesting. But then again, if you think of the purpose of an infographic, it’s perfect. Gideon vs. Midian: A tale of two armies. 
• Travel (1): Normally it’s sad when a church closes, but this building was re-purposed in a manner consistent with its former use…
• …Travel (2) On the other hand, there’s nothing like showing up as a tourist in a church, but doing so during an actual worship service.
  
• This guy is right, things have been very quiet on the Russell Moore front lately.
• Another youth pastor abusing students, but this high profile church immediately contacted authorities.
• Finally, this premise: “There comes a time in every Christian’s life when you must prayerfully consider which CCM artists you could defeat in a street fight.”