Fridays seem to be the best time to collect random tidbits, so here are mine. Like my earlier post, it seems more fun to share those things that have provoked thought, laughter or... as referred to earlier today, lust. Have fun!
Erik Redmond at Irish Calvinist often has interesting or provocative posts, but I really enjoyed his brief reflection on the irony that he spent his single life being macho with his guy friends only to marry and have a woman for a best friend:-)
Good ole JT had another great post that led me to an online PDF about loving God with your heart AND your mind. I am looking forward to exploring this at greater length.
As if I didn't already have enough to read, Practicing Writer pointed me to an online community of readers and writers that looks like it should yield some interesting reads... Maybe I'll even comment if it is worth it...
Some of you know my passion for godly marriage--eventually my own , but mostly the support of marriage-mindedness in singles and marriage-committedness in my married friends. Boundless provides another interesting post about why they are so vocally in support of marriage.
JT had a post earlier on Nichols' book on the Blues and what an African-American pastor thinks of this exploration of a minority view of Christianity. Recently J and I were discussing what it feels like to be a minority when there are a very small number of Christians in a setting where there are systematic thought patterns that keep people from even seeing their prejudice. We discussed how it requires much grace, patience and genuine love to help someone see their faulty thought patterns and systematic beliefs for what they are.
It made me think of those unconscious prejudicial patterns in my own thinking that I rarely see because they seem so natural. I have been repenting daily since then. There is no way around it... my heart harbors prejudices, particularly racial and intellectual ones. Now I am struggling to change those patterns, but I can see it will take a lot of grace and patience on the part of those who are the objects of this prejudice and a great work of the Holy Spirit to redeem my thinking.
That leads me to Parchment and Pen's interesting post on one argument against atheism that may not be very effective.
Finally, I close with my friend April's ode to her beloved father. Her attitude, if not her specific examples could all be spoken about my own father. I don't know what I would do without his love and loving relationship with me. He has taught me much about what a man can be by the grace of God. In addition, my sisters and I experienced some of adventures in the company of April, Stacey and their incorrigible dad:-)
Enjoy the weekend! It should be beautiful weather here in the Chicagoland area, and hopefully good weather for the Marathon. May God be with anyone who thinks running 28 miles is a good thing:-D
Living in the midst of the material and cerebral and bringing it all into subjection to Christ.
4 comments:
My mom will be at the marathon. Not to run, but to volunteer with other SOMA graduates to give massages. *grin*
Thanks for the links.
Dear Rebecca...
I found your blog through our mutual friend, Tulip Girl. I have to tell you, I am adoring what you've written. I completely 'hear' you. If you would like to know the irony; I feel as if I'm an oxymoron myself:I am a big city girl living in rural, coastal Maine. I enjoy how pretty it is here, but honestly, I miss city life. So, it was fascinating to read your perspective. Ironically, I also look like a puritan (according to my teenaged daughter) but I think I have a Bohemian heart.
In any case, thank you for your blog...it was inspiring to me.
Ellen
Just two-ish weeks!
Your tribute to your Dad made me cry. Thanks for growing up to be a woman who appreciates the stumbling but loving efforts of parents.
Aunt Sherry
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