Wisdom for Your Weekend is your regular installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web. Presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from Pastor J.D., this is our attempt to reflect Proverbs 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
Articles of the Week
God’s Grace for Foster Parents, James Williams. This is a crucial perspective for all of us in the church to know well, whether we are actively fostering children or not. Foster parents are not superheroes, but faithful believers exercising bold faith in a big God. How else could they endure the helplessness and weakness thrust upon them by their demanding role? “When you engage in foster care, you get a front-row view of the depravity of man. You get a glimpse into the darkness. But it’s in the darkest places that the church’s light can shine the brightest.” Amen and amen!
I Sold the Babylon Bee, Adam Ford. So, first of all, I (Chris) didn’t realize Adam Ford was the genius behind the Babylon Bee—though I’m not surprised. Second of all, this is a stark and sobering reflection on the state of the internet today. It doesn’t take much for a technophobe like me to conclude that there are demons in them there webernets, but what Ford points out here should be a warning to all of us who rely on the internet (which is to say, all of us).
A Word About Criticism from Anonymous Sources, Denny Burk. Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “Never write what you dare not sign. An anonymous letter-writer is a sort of assassin, who wears a mask, and stabs in the dark. Such a man is a fiend with a pen. If discovered, the wretch will be steeped in the blackest infamy.” Not one to mince words, that Spurgeon! While there are always benefits to criticism, we should be cautious of criticism that comes from the dark places of the anonymous web. If you have a platform, listen deeply to criticism … but throw the anonymous letters away.
A Normal Week in the Life of a Pastor, Jared Wilson. We would love to see other pastors outline what their “normal” week looks like, as Wilson has done here. Interestingly, we recognize some of our own patterns in this schedule. (On a related note, you may find this article of Pastor J.D.’s relevant: ‘Pastor J.D., How Do You Prepare Your Sermons?’)
Four Ways Brothers Can Encourage Their Sisters in Ministry, Melissa Kruger. A few weeks ago, Beth Moore posted an open letter to “her brothers” on many of the challenges she has faced, as a woman, throughout her ministry. Most women can resonate with her experience. And many Christian men are eager to know, “How can we help eliminate the negative experiences of women in ministry?” Kruger to the rescue. If you’re looking to encourage and equip women in ministry, start here.
On the Lighter Side
Pre-meal Prayer: The Official Rules, John Crist. So do you pray for the appetizers? Does it depend on how big the appetizers are? How about salads? Dessert? Finally someone has stepped up to offer the comprehensive guide to pre-meal prayers. “If it comes in a cup, there’s no need to lift up.”
