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 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.”
While we do not always agree with everything these authors post, we share these resources because we find them challenging and enriching. As we often say around the Summit, “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.”
Articles of the Week
Not Pregnant, Just Fat, Sarah Cottrell. This is a haunting and important story about an issue that affects many in our churches—eating disorders. For Christians, it can be far too easy to pursue unhealthy dieting habits with a pseudo-Christian motivation. “I’m just honoring God with my body,” right? But as Cottrell points out, we honor our bodies by acknowledging their God-given limits and difficulties. Physical perfection is not holiness.
On Court Prophets and Wilderness Prophets, Timothy Dalrymple. In Scripture, we see two main types of prophets—those who ministered within the halls of power, and those who prophesied from the margins. Both were necessary. Both were incredibly risky. In political life today, we will find the same two groups. Dalrymple argues that as we consider engaging with current political leaders, we could use a good deal more wilderness, and a bit less court.
What You Should Know About Purity Culture, Joe Carter. Purity culture is back in the news after Josh Harris recently announced that he and his wife are separating. Carter provides a helpful Q&A format so you’ll know some of the key terms, people, and common criticisms.
Busyness and Rest, Kevin DeYoung. “Jesus was busy, but never in a way that made Him frantic, anxious, irritable, proud, envious, or distracted by lesser things. When all Capernaum waited for His healing touch, He left for a desolate place to pray. And when the disciples urged Him to get back to work, He left for another town to preach. Jesus knew the difference between urgent and important. He understood that all the good things He could do were not necessarily the things He ought to do.”
Four Reasons Leaders Need Large Blocks of Time, Eric Geiger. If you want large blocks of time in which to work, you’ll need to work hard for it. Circumstances will conspire against you. Your own habits will conspire against you. But if you want your work to be fruitful, big blocks are the way to go. And as Geiger points out, it’s not just good for your work. It’s good for those around you, too.
On the Lighter Side
Christian Moms Be Like…, John Crist. Okay, so maaaaaaybe I’ve said a few of these things.
