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

Calvin and Hobbes, charity, entitlement, Greg Howlett, Politics, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, sound man, Tim Challies, Tim Hawkins

1. With advance apologies to my Paul-supporting friends (I’m sure he’s a fine man), this just makes me laugh – it’s the mental image I get every time I see him:

2. Greg Howlett draws attention to one of the church’s unsung heroes: About the Person Hiding in Your Church’s Back Closet.

3. Tim Challies discusses this generation’s sense of entitlement: Entitlement.

4. Southern Gospel Yankee shares Tim Hawkin’s view on long songs. I tend to agree: Tim Hawkins on Overly Long Songs.

5. Apologia and the Occident addresses who’s at fault for the Dark Ages in this intriguing book recommendation: So who is at fault?

6. This is so true:

via Escaworks

7. Denny Burk shares a perceptive article about the double standard in politics: Sex Lies and Rick Santorum.

8. Christians want to help the poor, but what are the best ways? Bruce Wydick evaluates the most effective: Cost-Effective Compassion: The 10 Most Popular Strategies for Helping the Poor.

9. This is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen in a while. Pure genius: How plastic bottles are lighting homes in the Philippines.

Some blogs (not this one of course) are this way:

Nephos 9

Tags

Bible translation, fasting, Humor, self-love, sharks

1. Self Love and Loving Others by Barnabas Piper.

2. They Will Fast in Those Days by Kansas Bob.

3-5. The Value of Bible Translation Part 1

The Value of Bible Translation Part 2

and

The Value of Bible Translation Part 3 by Ken Fielder.

All three are worth taking the time to read.

6. It’s lonely at the top:

by kraalomega on flickr

via Unlikely Words

7. A Warning for Pastors against Gazing after Popularity by Thabiti Anyabwile.

8. Drat.

9. Not sure this is a accurate use of “parsimonious,” but still funny . . .

Nephos 9

Tags

e-mail, Humor, Martyrs, Theology

For your weekend reading, the Nephos 9:

1. Burmese Christians cautious but hopeful – Flickers of Hope for Some of the World’s Longest Running Persecuted.

2. Jonathan McBride addresses the State of the Christian Union. He’s not the president, but I’d probably vote for him if he ran.

3. This insightful piece from Kevin DeYoung struck a chord with me, especially point 6. What the debates say about America.

4. Surprisingly, Europe’s courts have recently made several pro-life decisions. Europe’s Top Courts Are On a Pro-Life Roll.

5. Asics. Apparently I’ve been pronouncing it incorrectly. At least I’m not alone. Asics Rhymes with Classics?

6. The Wardrobe Door looks at the importance of ecclesiastical context (past and present) to our understanding of scripture. Do we need more than the Holy Spirit and our Bible for our theology?

7. This has happened to most of us. Maybe that’s why it made me laugh. And You Thought I was Perfect.

8. Ok. I am officially creeped out by this. Millions of Spiders Overrunning trees to Escape Floodwater.

9. Should have listened to those warnings!

Nephos IX

Tags

abortion, Brian Regan, dinosaurs, Hobby Lobby, Jon Acuff, King, Martin Luther, Twitter, Wal-Martfree book

1. Jon Acuff proves Solomon invented Twitter. Well, maybe “proves” is a little strong, but see what you think . . .

Solomon invented Twitter

2. This bit of MLK history from Owen Strachan illustrates that spiritual and theological convictions can motivate great change.

Christopher Hitchens was Wrong: Martin Luther King Jr. on Cosmic Companionship

3. Ever wondered why dinosaurs don’t talk? Brian Regan’s son has the answer.

4. Weddings are a blessed part of pastoral ministry. They also raise questions and can provide headaches. Brian Croft helps with the questions.

What are the boundary lines to determine whether a pastor can/should conduct a wedding?

5. This is one of the most chilling, sobering things I’ve ever seen. Justin Taylor shares the trailer It’s a Girl! The Three Deadliest Words in the World.

The 200 Million Missing Girls.

6. Desiring God offers a free e-book on abortion and asks you to “Please feel free to download it, print it, copy it, and share it with as many people as you like.”

Exposing the Dark Work of Abortion

7. Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby has an extraordinary collection of Bible artifacts. Here he discusses a few items from the collection, including a recently recovered papyrus fragment of Romans – estimated to be the earliest (2nd century) extant manuscript of the book.

Hobby Lobby president’s rare collection.

8. Increased religious freedom in China? Christianity Today reports that increasingly the Chinese have legal access to Christian literature.

Discipling the Dragon: Christian Publishing Finds Success in China.

9. Abraham Piper has found his favorite Wal-Mart in the Dominican Republic. I think I agree.

HT: 22 Words.

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.

Nephos 9

Tags

Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Graham, Dave Ramsey, E-sword, Jon Acuff, Rick Santorum, Russell Moore, Shane Vander Hart, The Birds

1. Russell Moore considers the possibility that the next Billy Graham Might be drunk right now. Christianity is NOT genetic.

2. I love Jon Acuff’s warning about post-mission trip pretentiousness. I also enjoyed using the word “pretentiousness.” (Was that too pretentious?)

3. Greg Howlett’s application of Dave Ramsey’s formula is true for finances, music, and other areas of life as well.

4. If, like me, you use the E-Sword Bible program you will appreciate these links to commentary modules from A ‘Goula Blogger. If you are not using it, you should check it out – it’s free! I’ve used it for some years now and highly recommend it.

5. Those who are familiar with Southern Gospel will recognize the name Ken Turner. Aaron Swain reports that for the first time in some years Ken is singing full-time. The videos there demonstrate what I’ve always thought: Bass singers just get better with age!

6. Many are blogging about their resolution for Bible reading in 2012. Aaron Armstrong explains why he’s not using a Bible reading plan this year.

7. Iowan Shane Vander Hart shares his thoughts about Rick Santorum’s near-win in the Iowa Caucuses.

8. Are biographies good for the soul? Jason Helopoulus thinks so. Having just finished an excellent biography of Patrick Henry, and having enjoyed quite a few in my life, I concur!

9. This just speaks for itself. A new take on an old classic: