Weekend Wanderings

Summer is slipping away here in the sunny South. Not temperature wise, as it still remains hot and humid. The calendar n the wall says that it's almost time for school to begin for another term. After three years away from a school setting, I can say with confidence that I really like what I am doing now. The news from Washington keeps getting curioser and curioser. It's beginning to look like a DC version of The Apprentice. That's all I'm going to say about that.

On to the good stuff:

Good idea.
Life goals.
Big or small? Check this out.
Interesting.
Forest bathing. Really.

More enemies.
Funny post.
This could have all sorts of implications.
This is not good.
Excellent article by Bruce Hillman.

For all the dads out there.
Deep waters and parking lots.
Encouragement from Bob Edwards.
The George Option.
Good post from Keith Giles.

Some things to remember.
Remembering Rich Mullins.
This is pretty cool.
I'm not so sure I would want to do this.

Have a blessed week!

Some Things I Don't Understand

A young teenage girl died this week. She left behind family and friends who loved her dearly. I know all the things that are true. She lived far longer than expected. She is no longer in pain. God is good and kind and he is in control. I know all that and I believe all that. Still, there are some things I don't understand.

Last night some of us sat with two friends of the young lady. Most of that time was spent in silence. We grieved with them. At this time, it's the only thing we could do. I spent some time wondering about the brokenness of this world and the pain that we humans have to endure. Jan and I have lost both of our parents in the last few years. That kind of thing is more normal. Children are "supposed" to outlive their parents.

This is different. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Teenagers are not supposed to spend evenings grieving for other teenagers. People are not supposed to die that young. This world is not supposed to be the way it is. Even though I know the creation is broken and groaning because of sin, I still don't understand why it sometimes works out the way it does. Even though I know God is good and compassionate, I still don't understand why this compassion sometimes plays out the way it does.

I know and believe that my Father is loving. I know and believe that his love extends to the young lady and the family and friends she left behind. Having said that, I still have to admit that I don't understand. The only thing I can do is try to trust my Father's heart. I have to trust that Romans 8 is right, that God works in everything for the good of those who love him. I have to believe, not only for me, but in some way for my friends who lost a loved one. 

I  have to trust my Father because I can't trust my own understanding.

Weekend Wanderings

Our little town here in the sunny South is filled with folks from various countries around the world. We are hosting the BMX World Championships. There was a kickoff celebration downtown last night and our artists group opened a show with a bike theme. Fun times. In other news, our grandson is one month old and growing like a weed. I'll leave the unimportant stuff like politics to those of you who like that sort of thing.

Here are the links:

A theology of play.
Funny wildlife photos.
Good story.
How do you say it?
What not to play at a wedding.

100 greatest movie props.
Not sure this is a good thing.
The path of the cross.
Perfect love.
In case you were wondering.

R.I.P Mike Erich.
Good question.
Good post from Keith Giles.
Greatness.
Good post on Eugene Peterson.

Partnering with uncertainty.
Christian ghosting.
Is there an optimal church size?
Pastor/poets.
Fairy tale travel.

Have a blessed week!

Weekend Wanderings

I hope you enjoyed your Fourth of July. Mine was good. I worked on Monday and then went with Jan to a celebration that our fair city holds every year. We got rained on, but still were able to see fireworks. On Tuesday our neighborhood had a parade and then a picnic. In the evening we went to a friend's farm where we celebrated our freedom to eat, drink, and watch rockets shoot into the air and blow up. On Wednesday Jan and I celebrated our thirty-seventh anniversary. Now that the holiday is over, life has settled down a bit. Our new grandson is at home and his parents are settling into life with a newborn.

On to the good stuff:

Key to future jobs?
Looking to have a diverse church?
Searching for safety.
Are you fueling extremism?
Hated? Make sure it's for the right reasons.

Just in case you need a sermon in a hurry.
Are you one of the elite? I hope not.
The ultimate 4th of July menu.
Are therapy animals really good?
Lies!

CJ Green on love.
Excellent article. I hope she's successful.
Len on vision.
Good post on identity.
Peter principles.

Good post from John Frye.
Chaplain Mike on civil religion.
Next exit.
A success story.
Good article from Plough Magazine.

Have a blessed week!

Weekend Wanderings

I wasn't able to post any links last weekend because we were I Georgia with our son and daughter-in-law, who were waiting for the child they are adopting to be born. After some frustration and a bit of worrying, a beautiful baby boy was born. He was a few weeks early, so he is having to spend some time in the NICU. His new parents hope to be able to take him home in a week or so. We are so grateful for the ways we have seen God work in this whole thing, and we are excited to be grandparents. One down, one to go!

Here are the links:

The United States of Xanax.
Good question.
Good story.
Do you have to be happy?
Are you a liturgical snob?

Some vegetarians are not to be messed with.
Finally, a good definition of fake news.
Maybe this self esteem thing has gone a bit too far?
A history of church pews.
Defensive giving.

A story for losers.
God knows.
Good post from Keith Giles.
Spiritual gardens.
The myth of autonomy.

Spelling is important.
Chaplain Mike has some pictures that bring back some good memories for me.
Creepy abandoned cities.
A long strange trip.

Have a blessed week!

Weekend Wanderings

It's heating up a bit here in the sunny South. The last couple of days we've been going around our county and the county directly south of us to visit different farms and see some art and crafts. It's called the Ag & Art Tour and this year it has been expanded to eleven counties throughout the month of June. Today, I ate some peach ice cream in a waffle cone, so summer is officially here. We hope to do a little bit of traveling this summer, and see some friends that we haven't seen in a while.

Here are the links for the week, specially curated for your reading pleasure:

Erring and admitting it. 
Another Dust Bowl?
Beware the fearmonger.
Moving in with  prophet.
Once in a lifetime.

Keith Giles on love.
I don't think I'm brave enough to ride one of these.
Jared C. Wilson on dying.
Senate Intelligence Committee and Hamlet.
Help for social media users.

Now for some fake news!
Prayer and grace.
Good questions.
Good post from Chaplain Mike.

Have a blessed week!

Weekend Wanderings

Another week has slid by. The NBA Finals have started and it is a little reminiscent of the Lakers / Celtics rivalry back in the day. It looks like it may go seven games and should be a lot of fun to watch. The political scene continues to be interesting. I might have some commentary on that in the not too distant future. For now, here are the links:

Is the internet broken?
This is a problem.
Good article.
I think this could be called overreach.
Millennials get accused of all sorts of things.

Cool pictures.
One of my favorite authors has a new book out!
Then there's this.
Isn't technology wonderful?
A free drink.

Some good words from Brennan Manning.
Honest words from a former student.
Sin spanx?
Scot McKnight on the Bible.
The gospel according to Gandalf.

Too much to ask?
Good words from Bob Edwards.
One human being.
Part 1 of what looks to be an interesting series from Chaplain Mike.
Good post from Keith Giles.

Have a blessed week!