Nephos 9

Tags

boycott, Daniel Wallace, footnotes, Martha Stewart, Russell Moore, Snoop Dogg, Starbucks, Timothy Paul Jones

For your weekend reading enjoyment . . .

1. In honor of April 1st, here’s the story of the greatest April 1 prank, ever.

2. Last week I commented on Kathy Keller’s article on raising children in the city. Jonathan McBride presents a different perspective in Why Do Cities Just Make Sense.

3. One word comes to mind here: Ouch!

4. Running + Life Lessons = Winning Combination. I really connected with Running Lessons from Trails from the Heart.

5. A national Christian organization called for a boycott of an international coffee chain.

6. Russell Moore responded with an explanation of “Why Christians shouldn’t boycott Starbucks.”

7. Being of the “Don’t boycott OR buy” mentality, MereOrthodoxy’s Starbucks, Boycotts, and (Not) Buying Coffee resonated more with me.

*Whatever your view and/or approach to this matter, it’s not going away. The number of corporations who are pro-actively working against our positions on social issues is going to increase. We need to be prepared to have a well-thought out ethical and Scriptural response.

8. Two prominent professors have recently begun blogs – both have been added to my regular reading list:
Timothy Paul Jones and Daniel B. Wallace.

9. Perceptively accurate!

Nephos 9

Tags

Bible Study, Christians and politics, church signs, crazy goats, laziness, Obama, same-sex marriage, Tebow

Here for your weekend reading enjoyment:

1. Believing in Tim Tebow

I know everyone’s “Tebowed” out, but this article focuses on what’s important about him.

2. 13 Pictures of Crazy Goats on Cliffs

Mountain goats have to either be the craziest or most fearless creature on four legs. You decide.

3. Let Me Tell You How to Vote

Dr. Kevin Bauder addresses Christians and voting.

4. Slay Your Dragons Before Breakfast

Michael Hyatt faces the same morning dragon I do: Lethargy! This is how he defeats him early.

5. More Than Enough

A conversation between Phillip and Andrew as imagined by Jon Bloom.

6. President Obama and Same-sex Marriage: The Dance Continues

Will the President’s “evolving” views on gay rights and same-sex marriage affect this year’s election?

7.

For those of us who are still trying to figure out primaries, caucuses, conventions and super-delegates, this video clears it all up.

8. Church Sign of the Week

Some have wondered if God cares about football. These churches seem to think so.

9.

Top 5 Posts – March, 2011

Tags

Top 5 Posts

Thanks to all who have visited and commented – March has been an interesting month! Site traffic has seen an increase of over 60% with average daily visits up nearly 50%. Not the big numbers like some of the heavy hitters, but pretty exciting for this little corner of the blogiverse!

Here are the top five posts for this month:

1. Wrath In a Classic Hymn Poll

2. A Picture That’s Worth a Trillion Dollars

3. In the Beginning

4. The Real Story is Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness

5. What Was Once Far From Me: How Patrick the Missionary Might Celebrate Today

Honorable mention to:
Book Review – Pujols: More Than The Game

(Despite being posted late in the month it nearly made the top 5.)

Top Five Posts – February, 2011

Tags

Top Posts

Top 5 Posts of February

1. A Picture That’s Worth a Trillion Dollars
2. Early Church Hymns: O Light That Knew No Dawn
3. What About the Others?
4. Discernment, TV, and the Fear of the Lord
5. Weekends Are For Worship: My Sunday Best

I think I’ve visited this church!

Dan Burrell has re-posted a classic post “A Church Name by Any Other Name . . .“over at Whirled Views.  It is hilariously dead-on and all-around a great read, so check it out.

It did make me wonder, however, which of the categories this church would fit into . . .

Insanity Abounds

Tags

black holes, insanity, men at work signs, News story, slain in the spirit

News stories that make me scratch my head.

Since you can’t sue God . . .

Man Sues Publisher for Bible Statements.

and . . .

Man Sues Church for Being “Slain in the Spirit”.

He did pray for “a real experience.” Be careful what you pray for.

Further insanity:
“Black Hole” Racist?

I don’t even know what to say about that one.

No More Men At Work

I’ve always questioned those signs, but for different reasons. But, hey, it’s only fair. I’m sure women can lean on their shovels just as efficiently as men.

A Nephos Sampler Platter

Tags

blogging, Blogroll, blogspotting, Politics, reading

Breaking a blogfast is hard.  You can get used to neither reading (with a few exceptions) nor writing blogs. To be honest, it is the flavor of some blogs that helped cause the fast to start with.  Some serve ingredients I just can’t swallow.  Others have healthy ingredients, but are way to spicy.

As I gradually reintroduce myself to a diet of blogging, I have enjoyed the flavor of several offerings from familiar chefs as well as new tastings.  Here’s a sampling of what has recently interested my mental palate:

Ray Van Neste of Oversight of Souls shares an excerpt from Bob Kaughlin’s new book on worship music. I especially appreciated the admonitions about distraction and “singability” in worship music.

Doug Phillips at the appropriately-named Doug’s Blog reports that the Constitution Party has named Chuck Baldwin as their third-party candidate for President. I’m curious as to the impact this will have on the election. I can certainly understand the draw a candidate with his views would have to conservative voters, but a vote for a third party is essentially a vote for the second party. Time will tell. Would you vote for a third-party candidate that more accurately reflected your views?

For a thought-provoking post on the “Heart of the Gospel,” check out Steve’s thoughts at Theological Musings.  Steve writes,

“The gospel is not a weapon with which to threaten people. It’s not a guilt trip to make people feel awful about their lives in ignorance of the good news. It’s not a call for behavior modification. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s not a way to build our own human empires. It’s the good news of a loving Father with whom mankind had a relationship that was severed, which relationship has now been restored!”

And while this last one isn’t a blog, it’s certainly worth taking a look at. Check out the gorgeous photography at a link my Dad sent me, God’s Handywork. Be sure and view some of the galleries at this site. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

And of course, from my blogroll, there is something for a variety of tastes.  Enjoy!