Wisdom For Your Weekend: your weekly installment of things we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Articles of the Week
Ashley Madison & Who You Are Online, Tim Challies. I (Chris) remember hearing about AshleyMadison.com a few years ago, and being disgusted that a site existed to foster adulterous affairs. It seemed like a sick joke. But this week, as some hackers released more of Ashley Madison’s data—36 million email addresses—it’s obvious just how big of a market they had. And all that prompts Challies to issue an important reminder: when you go online, you expose who and what you really are.
Why We Can’t Just Blame Planned Parenthood, Camille Cates. Many Christian outlets—and, encouragingly, a growing number of non-Christian ones—have raised their voice in response to the Planned Parenthood videos to say, “Let’s stop this violence.” (And not a word of that protest needs to be un-said.) But what Cates offers here is a timely and gracious word for the many men and women who have abortion in their past. There is no secret, no sin, no piece of our past that God cannot take and transform from ashes to beauty. There is hope and healing in the gospel.
Nine Ways Pastors Let Ministry Harm Their Marriage, Chuck Lawless. Ministry doesn’t have to happen at the expense of family. But far too often, the two do seem at odds—and the family loses. If you’re in ministry, Lawless’ article offers some potholes to avoid. And if you’re not in ministry, this should give you a few ways to pray for your pastors.
Why Is It Hard to Make Friends Over 30? Alex Williams, NYTimes. Forging new adult friendships is difficult (and often exasperating), so it’s slightly encouraging to know that there are reasons it’s so tough. This article reveals the problem extremely well: close friendships form, so say sociologists, when three crucial conditions are met—(1) proximity, (2) repeated, unplanned interactions, and (3) a setting that encourages vulnerability. (Seriously, think of your closest friends. Not bad, sociologists, not bad.) But the article ends with a whimper, not offering any viable way of overcoming the difficulty. For Christians, however, one application is obvious: community in the church should meet all three conditions.
Seven Types of People You Meet in Sunday Worship, Stephen Altrogge. We’ve got a lot of energy in our worship services at the Summit, but even we don’t have a “Tambourine Tom.” Where are you, Tambourine Tom?
On The Lighter Side
Teaching Center, Key & Peele. This is simultaneously a flawless parody of SportsCenter and a stinging critique of our cultural values. (Don’t miss the commercial at the end.)
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.”
