Six-Pack (57)

Way too long away! I have missed every one of you, AND I’ve missed posting. Time to re-establish order in our post-sickness lives. Cheers to new days and new starts!

So let’s jump in: Here is the first Six-Pack of 2014 — the best pieces that have kicked off my year. As usual, selections are generally centered on faith or ministry, though we leave sufficient license to include who-knows-what as we discover it!

If six ever feels overwhelming, start with my two *Picks of the Week*, and move out from there.

For a steady stream of such links, follow me on Twitter to the right of this post.  Sharp quotes and solid articles are tweeted 3-4 times daily.

Today’s edition:

1) I Should Be Philip Seymour Hoffman (*PICK OF THE WEEK*)
Blaine Hogan provides this reflection on what others might learn from the too-soon passing of one of Hollywood’s finest actors.

2) Would You Convert to Islam?
This brief piece, from Geoff Surratt, nudges Christians to consider their approaches to evangelism from the other side.

3) Preaching as Reminding
Preachers often feel pressure to say something new. The point most of the time is simply to remind people of what they already know. Here’s what that might look like and why it matters.

4) How Christianity Gave Us Gay Marriage (*PICK OF THE WEEK*)
The eyebrow-furrowing-titled piece actually voices an observation of which I’ve long held some poorly expressed version.

5) Seven Things I Hate About Spiritual Formation
Can a pastor actually voice such a thing? John Ortberg does. And then he gives seven reasons why.

6) Donald Miller and The Culture of Contemporary Worship
At the start of the month, popular Christian writer and speaker Donald Miller ignited discussion with confession that going to church isn’t something he does much. Mike Cosper was one of many to respond.

May your week ahead be filled with life, as you seek the One from whom it flows!

leaveacommentYOUR TURN: Your input makes this post better!

  • Which link above was today’s best-of-the-best?
  • Why that one?

Direct others to the best of the bunch with a quick comment.

[You can subscribe to this blog via RSS or email, in the upper right corner of this page.]

Saturday Six-Pack (6)

Welcome to the weekend, and thanks for spending some time “Wandering & Wondering”.

Typically, the Saturday Six-Pack features articles that are faith-focused or ministry-geared, but I reserve the right to live up to the “disorderly pile of who-knows-what” tagline at the top of this page!  This particular edition covers everything from conflict, to creativity, from iPhone addictions to inbred elephants. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Without further delay:

1) Why Conflict in Life is Terrific
A better life can be found on the other side of conflict.  Donald Miller provides some guidance on how to navigate those potential-filled times of tension.

2) Creativity, Excellence,… and Patience
If you want to be great at whatever you do, then check this brief read out.  If you don’t want to be great at whatever you do, then find something else to do.

3) Our Hearts, Desperately Deceptive
If you can guess the connection between pears, prostitution, and the crookedness of the human heart, then don’t click on this one.  But if you can’t…

4) Quotes for Lent
The season of Lent is all but finished for another year, but this wonderful list of quotes might help you look back on the season that was and help you consider what God may have wanted to do in your life over the past forty days.

5) How Can I Stop Using My Phone all the Time and Actually Connect with Real People in the Real World?
After awarding this post with the longest-title-in-in-the-history-of-the-Saturday-Six-Pack trophy, I now direct any technology-trapped readers to rediscover the world that is NOT contained on that admittedly incredible screen in your pocket.  How to create a bit more freedom from the phone?  Read on.

6) Stop Inbreeding Innovation
Any article that begins with a paragraph about inbred elephants gets stuck in the Six-Pack; that is one of this blog’s founding principles.  That said, when the trunked beasts and their dangerously narrow family trees is set aside, what you’ll find here is a challenge to broaden your chances at fresh and creative ideas.  If you could use that, you could use a lesson in pachyderm sperm bank management first.

Have a great weekend, friends–renew yourself and reverence God.