Since yesterday was Labor Day, this may be the first day of the work week for many of you. Three day weekends are nice, but you can’t really skip that first day back. I always thought those Tuesdays had a Mondayish feel to them.
Chin up, chest out – Happy Tuesday!
In lieu of Happy Monday, Happy Labor Day!
Labor Day, in the Untied States anyway, is the unofficial end of summer. Memorial Day is the first 3-day-weekend of summer (a.k.a. opening day of grill season) and Labor Day is the last. So if you’re grilling out, lounging by the lake or taking one last cruise, you really don’t need any extra encouragement. If you do happen to be at work today, you must have one of those jobs that affords you the opportunity to read blogs on the Internet. So, you know, it could be worse.
Labor Day “celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers” and has been a federal holiday since 1894. (source) If you’re at work right now, then you have been blessed with health, knowledge, skills etc. that allow you to do that job. We are warned in scripture not to think we have made anything of ourselves. If you have a job and are off today, then you have been doubly blessed. I’m actually unemployed (yeah I said it) but will be grilling hamburgers and enjoying the long weekend my brother and his family have.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:11-13
Happy Monday Holiday
It’s Happy Monday time!
In case you missed it…
While homeowners in Florida are covering windows with plywood, thousands of people were still living in tents in Haiti when Tropical Storm Isaac came through. The most recent numbers are six dead, but 30,000 have nowhere to go. Pray for all those affected in the gulf coast states, as Isaac continues to track further and further west than expected.
The American most famous for taking “one small step for man” has crossed over into eternity. Neil Armstrong was 82. His death may have been the result of complications following a recent heart surgery. Continue reading
The American Bible Challenge premiered tonight on GSN. I’m actually watching it right now. I recommend this review from Catholic Online. The GSN page for Bible Challenge is here.
If you watched it, I want to know what you thought. Fair warning though; if you didn’t watch it, do not presume to tell me what’s wrong with it.
Russell Crowe will play Noah. This “first look” pic was Tweeted by director Mark Morning. This film is set to be released spring 2014. (Russell looks good, but he’s no Steve Carell.)
It is no longer illegal for women in North Korea to ride bicycles. The law was about 20 years old, and truth be told was probably not enforced outside of Pyongyang. But still… progress?
Many states in the South are enjoying the “cold front” that came through this weekend. By cold I mean daytime highs are in the upper 80’s. School has started, the weather is almost fall-like, and my wife wants high-school football to start. Continue reading
A lone gunman entered the Family Research Council in Washington D.C. and shot an unarmed security guard before being subdued. The only thing he said before opening fire was “I do not like your politics.” There have been a lot of accusations from both sides, conservative and liberal, about who is at fault. The most sensible thing I’ve read all week is a statement from Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission: “”We need to lift the level of civil discourse where we can disagree without demonizing our opponents.” Ed Stetzer wrote on his blog “We must be able to disagree without demonizing or labeling as ‘haters’ those with whom we disagree.” Continue reading
It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to share. Here’s what this writer has been reading:
9 Marks offers tips on leading the church in a healthy direction. Read them here.
Tim Challies is doing a series on the holiness of God.
Ray Ortland suggests that small talk has a place in ministry. While I agree, I’m not totally sure that’s what happened in Acts 10:27. Read The Astonishing Amiability and see what you think.
We hear a lot these days about texting and driving, but there’s a million ways to not pay attention to the road. You could be talking to a person in the car with you, changing the radio dial, reading; I saw a guy on I-75 in Atlanta shaving with a cordless razor. Have you ever driven on auto pilot? Perhaps you’re deep in thought or just daydreaming, then suddenly realize where you are. If you drive a route routinely you do it without really thinking about it. That will become a problem if something non-routine happens, like a car suddenly breaking or kids running out in the road. Drivers don’t have to be drunk or texting to be zoned out.
1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Not living in a drunken stupor is not enough, we have to watchful. We must be vigilant. In chapter 1 Peter tells us to prepare our minds for action. Riding a motorcycle requires more presence of thought driving a car; a few seconds on autopilot could be the end of your trip. Riders are trained to watch further down the road in order to anticipate problems, as well as be aware of what’s going on behind them on the road.
The Church can’t function on auto pilot. Continue reading
The 2012 Summer Olympics are over in London, closing ceremonies were last night. The United States finished with 104 medals, 46 of them gold. Opening ceremonies for the 2014 winter games will be held February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
One of my pet peeves is everything that gets forwarded, reposted, retweeted etc. that was never true in the first place. It started with email in the late 90’s and has only gotten worse with social media and 24/7 connectivity. Neither Pepsi nor Coca-Cola are releasing a patriotic can which leaves “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Continue reading
The Ichthus (also Christian fish, Jesus fish) is a symbol of Christianity from the early days of the church. In short, “ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) is an acronym for ‘Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ’, (Iēsous Christos,Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates into English as ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior’ “. -Wikipedia; more here. The symbolism is still used today on everything from youth group t-shirts to church websites. A common usage is the auto decal ichthus, and it is the pro’s and con’s of this phenomenon I wish to examine here.
Some Christian leaders do not believe a public declaration of faith is necessary. If we live our lives as “people of the book” then others will see there is a difference in us. If you arrive early for work, aren’t stealing the office supplies, and take responsibility for your own mistakes, then you may very well stick out like a sore thumb. The argument is that if we as Christians conform to the image of Christ, and walk circumspectly of the world, then we don’t need Christian t-shirts, auto emblems nor anything else to announce our presence. If we need to wear signs identifying ourselves as Christian, maybe there’s a problem. Continue reading
The Master's Table 