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.”
Video of the Week
You’re Not God, So Get Some Rest Today, Courtney Reissig. There’s actually a neat symmetry that Reissig points out here. We rest because we are like God, but we also rest because we aren’t like God. As Pastor J.D. says, “I don’t rest because the work is done. I rest because I’m not God.” There’s an ironically freeing ring to that.
Podcast of the Week
Can I Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Confess Wronging Me? John Piper. We see this question come up rather often, and there are always rather dogged advocates on both sides. What we love about Piper—and it’s evident here as much as ever—is how candidly he makes his arguments based on the text of Scripture. You may not agree with his conclusion (though we do), but he forces you to offer similarly biblical reasons for your stance.
Articles of the Week
3 Reasons Why Asking for Forgiveness Is So Difficult, Michael Kelley. Speaking of forgiveness, here’s Michael Kelley giving us the straight dope about why it’s such a tough task. If you find yourself qualifying your apologies with “I would have been there if only…” or “I didn’t really mean to say that …” then you could use a dose of Kelley’s wisdom here. I (Chris) think that #2 is the hardest one for me.
Why Do We Lie? Ryan Reeves. Let’s keep it in the “why is bad so easy and good so hard” category, shall we? I’ve often said that people lie for two main reasons—to avoid something they don’t like or to get something they do like. That’s not wrong, but it’s a bit over-simplified, as Reeves shows here. Using research data from a recent National Geographic article, Reeves would like you to know that, well, you’re a liar. In fact, you most likely lie about the fact that you’re a liar. And not the little white lie, polite, saving face, yes-that-rumpled-hat-looks-great-on-you-grandma kind of liar, either. Bold and needed truth here.
9 Things You Should Know About Ramadan, Joe Carter. Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, began a couple weeks ago, and will run through June 24. Most of us don’t know much more about Ramadan than that. Well, Joe Carter is here to help. (And if you know any Muslims personally, this would be a great time to ask them more about what they believe. It’s a unique chance to start spiritual conversations, and we guarantee they’ll be eager to share.)
On the Lighter Side
A Day in the Life of an American, Nathan Yau. Super cool graphic that shows what typical Americans do throughout the day, using tiny colored dots that bounce around the page. It looks way better than I’m making it sound. Just try it.
