Your weekly installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Articles of the Week
10 Myths About Africa Many Americans Believe, Amy Medina. Hopefully you avoid most of these blunders, but it never hurts to make sure you’ve got your facts straight. I (Chris) was savvy enough to know that Africa isn’t a country, that many Africans aren’t black, and that African cities are quickly overtaking villages. I was a touch more embarrassed with myself when I looked at #3, #4, and #10, though.
A Cancer Within Evangelical Christianity, Philip Monroe. Not everyone in the evangelical church falls prey to it, but Monroe is right that far too many churches are looking for King Saul and ignoring young David. We are drawn toward leaders that are self-promoting and powerful, often overlooking very real flaws. How do we know if that cancer is in us or our leaders? Watch for the warning sign of excusing away sins.
When They Say Parenting Gets Worse, Andrea Burke. It’s a peculiar habit, and one that every parent has experienced. Bring your cute daughter shopping with you: Enjoy it now, because when she’s a teen, it’s only gonna get worse. Announce you’re having baby #2 (or #3 or #4): Wow, it’s gonna get bad for you guys. A friend of mine, Sharon Hodde Miller, calls this the “Just You Wait” mantra—a warning that almost feels like a threat. Burke’s response here is beautiful. Does it get more complex and more challenging? Sure. But worse? Not so fast.
What Is Driving the Sermon? HB Charles. Preachers don’t have to march verse by verse through the book of Romans to be faithful teachers of the Word. A topical sermon (or sermon series) can be just as text-driven as a strictly expository series. But there’s a huge gap between a topical sermon that is driven by Scripture and an extended illustration that bumps into Scripture along the way.
You May Be Working Long Hours Because You’re Lazy, Andrew Wilson. Even though Wilson gives a caveat—this may not be true in other fields—we suspect that it’s a universal temptation. He gives three reasons that laziness can lead to longer hours. The first two are helpful reminders. The third is the most convicting of all.
On the Lighter Side
Why is a dollar called a “buck”? Today I Found Out. Here’s a Youtube channel dedicated to answering all of the nagging questions you once had (but have since disregarded). Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways? Do athletes really go to Disney World after they say, ‘I’m going to Disney World’? And maybe a few you didn’t know you had. As in, Just how much of the air above your house do you actually own? Or, Why is poop brown?
Wisdom For Your Weekend is presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from J.D. Greear. 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.”
