— Links from other authors, shared to make you think. No agreement implied. Tim —
World Relief: We Must Help Refugees
Almost every day I hear about a church, neighborhood, or community opening their arms to a refugee family. These people are heroes. Why? Because they have chosen to open their hearts, their minds, and even their homes to refugees. As they do, the language of “refugee” quickly fades away to become “friend” and eventually, we hope, “brother” or “sister.” As our world faces the worst refugee crisis in recorded history, I believe that our country ought to do more, not less, and I am confident that local churches throughout the country will step up to welcome these carefully-screened individuals who have fled persecution and reached our shores.
How to Survive An Election Year
The good old days were those few days before Eve ate the fruit. We weren’t there. We don’t remember. Every moment of time since has been filled with sorrow for someone. Maybe you’ve had a pretty good life but we shouldn’t forget that while we were enjoying the good times our neighbor was mistreated, sick and hurting. The good old days are a myth and we need to stop pining for something that never existed.
I’m tired of pastors coming to San Francisco, posting pictures of bridges and crooked streets and declaring how much they love this city without actually understanding any of it, without being hurt by it, without any scars to show or dirt on their shoes or callouses on their hands. I’m tired of people acting like this is an AMAZING city because we have a waterfront and burritos, but—be careful—it’s also a demonic city because oh, we have gay people. What a perfect mix of yuppie fun and evangelistic intrigue; of course this city needs saving, doesn’t it?
Encouraging Women to Do Biblical Studies at the Graduate Level
I want to conclude by saying I have failed miserably at purposefully encouraging women to study at a deeper level. When I was a pastor I remember my focus being so intently on the men of the churches. I never once thought of starting an intensive training regimen for any women in the church. I left that to the community bible studies, a less intensive and more relational time people would gather together. I was wrong to do so. Maybe more complementarian pastors can learn from my mistake and push women to formalized study, whether in a school or in the many church-based training options now available.
Background Checks For Guns Could Save Many Lives: Study
The study looked at how deaths in 2010 were influenced by gun laws put into place in 25 states the year before.
It found that closing loopholes allowing gun buyers to avoid background checks when purchasing guns was the most effective way of reducing gun-related deaths.
Other regulations, including requiring more stringent record-keeping by gun dealers or mandating gun locks, had no measurable effect on gun-related deaths.
These Are The Long-Term Effects Of Multitasking
A study at the University Of London found that subjects who multitasked experienced drops in their IQ comparable to someone who missed a night of sleep. Even if multitaskers feel like they’re getting more done, they’re working at a much lower cognitive level and costing companies billions of dollars in lost productivity.
He Rescued A Dog. Then The Dog Rescued Him
Sure, stories are nice, but do pets really improve human health? No less an authority than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says yes. Having a pet can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and feelings of loneliness, the CDC says, while increasing opportunities for exercise and socializing with other humans. And there’s increasing evidence that interaction with pets helps people cope with challenges including PTSD, Alzheimer’s and the end of life.
9 People Who Definitely Went to Your Childhood Church
- The Peppermint Guy
- The Acoustic Guitar Teen
- The Greeter for Life
- The Lady Who Works With Kids, But Doesn’t Like Kids
- The Bathed in Perfume Lady
- The Guy Who Started Coming to Church Two Weeks Ago and Already Works in Every Department
- The Converted Rocker/Biker
- The Oil-Slinging Pastor
- The Over-Sharer