Someone suggested to me that I make a disclaimer a regular part of my “Links To Go” posts. I might do that. For now, let me just point out that I include things that I’ve read that I found interesting and think others may find interesting. I often agree with the views stated; sometimes I strongly disagree. I intend no endorsement of websites, authors, nor opinions expressed. Here’s some links…
Andy Stanley: Surviving Your Appetite for Being Known
Now with social media we know that everyone, including your grandmother, has an appetite to be known.
One thing about an appetite is that if you feed it, it grows; and, it is never fully satisfied.
As the ranks of older Americans continue to swell, we who are young must reject the cultural narratives equating aging with decline and increasing irrelevance. We must resist the falsehood that it’s our generation that really “gets” it and realize how much older people have to teach us.
Why should a pastor take his children to visit the elderly in his church?
Two years ago, I buried our beloved 106 year old widow, Ms. Tillie Roberts. There are many lessons I learned from shepherding this woman for 8 years, but I was reminded of another when I conducted the funeral that still sticks with me. That is, the fruitful effect that children can have on the lives of the elderly, and likewise, the influence they can have on our children. When I brought my family to the visitation to see Tillie’s body and say goodbye, something unexpected happened.
Willfulness Versus Willingness
A common saying is, “God helps those who help themselves.” I think the phrase can be understood wisely; but in most spiritual situations it is not completely true. Scripture clearly says, in many ways, that God helps those who trust in God, not those who help themselves.
Failure to Live on Mission Is a Worship Problem
Lack of mission is rarely a knowledge problem; it’s a worship problem. We don’t have any trouble talking about the things we love most. Whenever we find something worthy of attention, we talk about it.
The same is true of our relationship with Christ. The more we are in awe of his worthiness, the more likely we are to speak of him to others and serve others in his name.
Uzzah Was Only Trying To Help!
It has been human nature, in the name of efficient responsibility, to pitch in. We criticize those who seem indifferent or even lazy for just standing by. Yet in the kingdom, we must leave the God-matters to God.
And I’m thinking. It’s a weird thing, this following Jesus. You find yourself in some pretty interesting places.
Like on your knees hiding soda under a bed in an assisted-living facility for your friend who is blind and in a wheelchair.
Senate Chaplain Shows His Disapproval During Morning Prayer
“We acknowledge our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness and our pride,” he went on, his baritone voice filling the room. “Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable.”
So it has gone every day for the last week when Mr. Black, who has been the Senate’s official man of the cloth for 10 years, has taken one of the more rote rituals on Capitol Hill — the morning invocation — and turned it into a daily conscience check for the 100 men and women of the United States Senate.
Actually, you do need to share your passwords
No one stays healthy forever. At some point, your loved ones will need access to all of your accounts. You can make that job easier for them.
No reader questions today. Instead, I’m answering a question that someone should ask: In our password-protected digital world, how do you prepare for that inevitable day when you die or otherwise become incapacitated?
Something like, “In a Kitchen of Half-Baked Thoughts, one thing that’s required is food. Can’t bake without it. So, here’s some food for thought — some articles that made me think. Sometimes I agreed, sometimes I disagreed, but the key thing is: food for thought.”