miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items
2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book

Given our recent experience with Hurricane Beryl, I thought this quote from Amma Theodora of the Desert quote appropriate: “If trees have not stood up against trial, winter’s storms, they cannot bear fruit. It is much the same with us. This present age is a storm, and it is only through many trials and temptations that we can obtain an inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

IVF and the incarnation. Here's a pointed and eloquent argument against IVF in all circumstances from a conservative Roman Catholic. She argues that, even if no embryos were destroyed as a result (which is certainly not the normal practice), our understanding of the incarnation and the image of God should steer us away from it. "We are created as embodied beings made in the imago Dei, but something in the inner logic of IVF is injurious to our embodied nature. When we take conception out of the marriage bed and into the lab, the child’s embodiment is manipulated, objectified—dishonored, even."You may or may not agree with her, but it's worth a read.

Worship Style Doesn't Matter. I'm not trying to throw hand grenades today, these were just published in the same week...I promise. This is a short read that includes both Scripture and some tongue-in-cheek humor to make the point. Seriously, worship style does matter.

The Buffett Formula: Going to Bed Smarter Than When You Woke Up. This is a brilliant and convicting little piece about the benefit and importance of not wasting away our days with amusement (in the literal sense of a-musement, meaning not thinking). It's great stuff. "Most people go through life not really getting any smarter. Why? They simply won’t do the work required. It’s easy to come home, sit on the couch, watch TV, and zone out until bedtime rolls around. But that’s not going to help you get smarter. Sure, you can go into the office the next day and discuss the details of last night’s episode of Mad Men or Game of Thrones. And yes, you know what happened on Survivor. But that’s not knowledge accumulation; that’s a mind-numbing sedative. You can acquire knowledge if you want it. In fact, there is a simple formula, which if followed is almost certain to make you smarter over time. Simple but not easy."