not so random reads from the interwebs

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

This week features the theological and the technological, food for thought in both areas! Before we get to those posts, here's encouragement for all those struggling to persevere in your Lenten disciplines. Not only do spiritual disciplines draw us closer to Christ and make us more like him, they serve to benefit other areas of our lives:

Regularly doing hard things increases your willpower and mental resilience.

— Nicole Vignola, neuroscientist

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

The things that resonated most with me this week were seemingly unrelated: the state of the faith in America and two pieces about keeping the 'main thing' the main thing. On the surface, they may seem unrelated, but I think the exact opposite is true.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

Only one quote and one article this week...I've let both simmer for a while but would like to share them.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

It's been a long while since I posted any miscellanies...until recently, it had been a long time since I posted anything. Miscellanies are back as a list of the most interesting things I came across in the previous week that I think are worth reading and considering, as informed, historic Christians. With pithy re-introductions aside, here is this week's list.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

It's been awhile since I noted anything truly worth sharing, but this week is truly an exception. I'm going to share a single article in hopes that you will read and re-read it. It is pointed, thought-provoking, and spot on (in my opinion). Pr. Peters has done the church another great service with this piece.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

Real Worship. This is a reposting of an article originally written in 2011. In my opinion, as a retired Air Force chaplain, it is one of the best short pieces I've ever read that focuses us on the realities and importance of worship in an ultimate sense—think about gathering to worship this Sunday after our building had been bombed into oblivion. Would you bother getting out of bed to do it? If you truly believe that we meet our Lord in a real, unique way that is unlike any other time of the week you definitely would. Unfortunately, many American Christians don't have this understanding of worship, and we are impoverished as a result.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

The Screwtape Election. If you've not read C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, you should. It's a funny piece of fiction describing an experienced demon, Screwtape, offering advice to his bumbling idiot relation, Wormwood, on how to be a better demon. It's hilarious. It's light, but it also reveals a lot about humanity and the ways of the world.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

As election season gets into high gear, there is more and more ink spilled (and electrons rearranged) on political topics. Instead of just linking article after article after article on politics, which is wearying—at best—I'm linking broader articles that are older than just this week to keep it interesting!

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

An Embassy In an Alien Land. As always, Pr. Peters has some well-thought out reflections on the relationship of the Church to the world. The Orthodox often use the metaphor of the Church as a “hospital” insofar as we are made up of fatally flawed, sinful individuals which will continue to struggle with sin until their dying day.

not so random reads from the interwebs

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

Igniting Holy Fire: Lessons from the Ancient Church. “For some time, church growth was predicated on the notion of making the church feel welcoming and comfortable. Contemporary music, good coffee, a casual atmosphere, a great children’s program, and the absence of 'religious' rituals brought people in the door. Once they were in, so this line of thinking went, they could hear the message of the Gospel, get to know other Christians, join a small group, and thereby grow in the knowledge and love of God. The problem was, while the crowds were large, large numbers didn’t necessarily translate into individual personal growth in Christ. The Willow Creek Reveal study, for example, indicated a disconnect between attendance and transformation. As it turns out, making church as comfortable and easy as possible isn’t the best way forward. Rather, it makes the church simply one more consumeristic commodity.”