
We continue our scintillating series of Christian author photos with this dinnerware shot by Matthew Paul Turner
Welcome back to classic format Wednesday Link List…
- Recalling 25 years ago, “that most wonderful night when people who had been divided for decades were suddenly reunited, and thousands danced on the symbolic grave of separation, celebrating the death of division.” The Berlin Wall falls down “and one of the most remarkable nights of the 20th century happened with a completely non-violent revolution.”
- Author Ann Voskamp, Ambrose University’s Mark Buchanan, and Regent University’s Bruce Hindmarsh discuss the subject of elevating the idea of sabbath in a busy, stressful world. The link is to a 55 minute video.
- Pope Francis is driving the money changers out of the temple. The move to stop selling Papal blessings is based on a 2010 decision, but could cost up to 500 jobs.
- The blog A Life Overseas deals with many behind-the-scenes aspect of mission work that many of us might not consider. For example, a recent post dealt with the challenge for both single and married people in maintaining long distance relationships while on the field.
- The Proverbs 31 Woman: She considereth a tattoo and she getteth it. Actually, there’s a bit more to the story.
- A statistical analysis of the human verbs used in hymns versus choruses reflects changes taking place in the lyrical composition of Christian worship in the last 150 years.
- Jean Vanier received an international award two weeks ago in recognition of his work with L’Arche, a community founded to assist disabled, disadvantaged and challenged adults. Many people know the community more for one of its members, Henri Nouwen.
- Well, that didn’t take long. Mark Driscoll is considering returning to ministry. (What’s it been…a week?)
- After over 100 years, the Assemblies of God denom is scrapping the print edition of their Pentecostal Evangel magazine in favor of digital delivery. At the same time they’re introducing Vital, a new publication
- I hope I’m proved wrong on this one by the morning, but has CNN stopped posting to its Religion page, Belief Blog? The last thing posted as of last night was October 22nd.
- At C201 last week, an A. W. Tozer excerpt on which part of the Trinity is responsible for what, followed by links to 9 other Tozer things we’ve run on the blog. Tozer would have loved blogging and social media in general. On the other hand, he might think it a waste of time. Either/or.
- Though he won’t be part of the actual performances, Gospel artists CeCe Winans, Marvin Winans, Israel Houghton, Rance Allen and jazz artist Gerald Albright will pay tribute to music legend Andraé Crouch in the forthcoming Let The Church Say Amen tour.
- What they’re looking for in a church: The latest Barna Research study had people looking at pictures of seating, windows and altars. Millennials want a quiet, not loud, service.
- Essay of the Week: From a quiet suburban street, Tim Challies contemplates a rather wacky neighbor.
- Justin Bieber on Saturday night attended Bible study with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Two roads diverged: Brett and Alex, the twin younger brothers of Joshua Harris seemed to be following a similar education and career track, but today find themselves in strikingly different circumstances.
- A search engine analysis of the term “Youth Pastor” during the month of October turned up some disturbing results. This is not how you want your church to make the news.
- A street preacher gets only a small fine after crashing the largest annual parade in Calgary, Canada in 2012.
- Podcast of the Week: Actually, we kept listening and it wasn’t all that good. No link!
- Western society is now divided over the value of getting married and having kids…
- …Try before you buy: Increasingly, marriage is not the dominant operating system.
- People wanting to share their faith have not necessarily moved to the comfort of doing so online. Face-to-face interaction is alive and well, and Roman Catholics score surprising high.
- First Impressions: Making the first eleven minutes of arrival at your church more welcoming using seven checkpoints. (First…eleven…seven… got it!)
- ‘I’m not only the company president, I’m also a customer.’ Okay he didn’t use that line, but Mark Altrogge doesn’t like to be called ‘Pastor Mark.’
- Wacky Website of the Week: There’s something unsettling about the name, WordPress Ministries.
- Another Young Influencers list.
- Does your church budget have a line, distinct from conferences, for coaching?
- Many denominations have peaked or are in rapid decline. A look at the contrasting growth of Pentecostalism.
- Shhhhh! [whispers] The next Secret Church simulcast with David Platt is April 15th.
- Groundwire, the company responsible for those short think pieces on Christian radio stations is getting ready for the Jesus Cares campaign targeting Colorado Springs with billboards and “non-traditional media.”
- Sometimes on my own blog, we get an inexplicable stats burst for an old post and aren’t sure why. Like on the weekend with The Congregation as Seen By The Worship Leader (which was re-posted here two days ago).
- Twitterites: If you’re not already tuned in and don’t mind a little poking fun at the Calvinistas, check out The Gospel Corp.
- No end of praise for Matthew Paul Turner’s book, God Made Light in the Christian blogosphere. “I love how it’s like Dr. Seuss meets Genesis,” says this reviewer. Wonder if the publishers who turned it down have regrets?
Here’s a cartoon left over from our weekend look at Beetle Bailey: