Last Monday of January. I know it will be much colder Friday when February arrives, but February brings the hope that January has passed. Here are this week’s articles I’d like to share (links) and some thoughts of my own you’ll find below (bullets). As always, be challenged and enjoy! I’ll be along Friday with the article that got the most attention. Here we go . . .
WEEKLY LINKS
Link of the Week
Here is a good read by a local Akron columnist. This attacks a problem of the information age – often we think that whatever we read is true. Read this article and challenge yourself with how you think.
Free Music
Here is a link to a free set of songs I found enjoyable. I’d never heard of the Gray Havens, but these songs are enjoyable (in my taste, anyway!). They sound like someone very famous in my opinion. I’d love to know if they caught your ear in a similar way or not.
Also, hearitfirst.com has a free new song every Tuesday. Can’t beat the price!
Roe vs. Wade
What if January 22, 1973 could speak?
“I’ll take this burden to my grave.” Both women in the landmark cases that legalized abortion now want it reversed. This is worth your time.
Identity
Your identity is NOT found in your marriage.
BULLET THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
Family:
- It was an honor to do the funeral for my wife’s grandfather. He lived a notable Christian life and lived Mark 12:28-34 very well.
- The days keep flying by, don’t they? We are trying our best to schedule some important dates for the calendar year.
- We are going to try something new beginning in February. We want to get ahead on grocery shopping, instead of always feeling behind. So, we’re planning a big bomb of a trip the first week of every month for the staples that we know we’ll need. Hopefully, this way we won’t run out of things as often. Can less trips to the store be a bad thing?
Faith:
- I was recently challenged by a friend regarding the idea of church. He compared church to marriage. In marriage, you don’t want every day to be a performance in order to keep the relationship together. You need space to find what works, and you need the assurance that at every mis-step, your spouse is not going to leave you. His view of church was much the same, that church leaders and members should agree to live in supporting, challenging, maturing covenant. That really challenged me.
- I preached the passage yesterday which commands us to love God and love neighbor. It seems almost impossible for me to have this right, but I’m asking God for the grace to keep improving. I just know how quickly I can consider my own needs and wants ahead of others. I can’t describe how challenged I felt trying to preach that. Wow.
- God is really with us in times of trial. Please don’t ever forget that.
Sports:
- My call for the Super Bowl: Baltimore 28, SF 27 in an epic game. I like a lot of what both teams are doing, and I’ll be excited to see the result.
- Pitchers and catchers report soon. Can baseball ever start soon enough?
- If you are hoping for someone to beat the Heat for the NBA championship this year, don’t. I think they’re going to win it easily.
Miscellaneous:
- I am praying for the violence in Akron to stop.
- I am curious at how religious leaders are portrayed in the local paper. Last week, a very influential man at Akron’s Haven of Rest (Rev. Curt Thomas) passed away. His life and funeral received good press. I wonder if he was directly linked to comments opposing evolution and gay marriage if the events would have been covered as much. I think our media wants the fruit of the Christian life without the Bible that drives it. What I wish they understand is that the deeds they laud so much are only the humble fruit of the realization of sin and what Christ can accomplish through us as we repent.
- Money challenge: be your own credit card. If you save enough money, you won’t have to go into debt for unexpected expenses.
Have a great week everyone!