“Teens and twentysomethings are no less pro-life than their elders, even though they're more socially liberal [on] most other fronts. The deeper question, of course, is why this should be so -Why are social conservatives holding their ground (and maybe gaining some) on abortion even as the country moves leftward on the nest of issues surrounding sexual orientation?” Ross Douthat in The Atlantic suggests an answer.
“What differentiates a zoo in Louisiana from other zoos? The Louisiana zoo has a description of the animal on the front of the cage, along with a recipe.” (This, and 49 other jokes at “50 Jokes for 50 States.”)
Once in a blue moon? Cold turkey? The bees knees? Neatorama explains the scientific basis of our strange phrases.
“My teen wants a computer in his room. I say no. Here's why.” Moms of teenagers, especially sons, should read this.
“A cup of strong coffee might make you feel wide awake, but a small study suggests that for improved physical and mental performance, an afternoon nap works better.” (For a pick-me-up, lie down)
“I’ve been musing recently about how we express our musical opinions. Why do we feel so strongly about songs, bands, and styles? And why do we draw conclusions so quickly? Nope. Don’t like it. That stinks. I can’t stand that kind of music. You like that stuff? Is there anything wrong with raving about the music/artists we love and and being swift to trash those we despise? If we’re Christians, yes. Let me suggest ten reasons why musical forbearance might be good for our souls.” (Read Bob Kauflin’s 10 Reasons at Worship Matters. HT: Pure Church)
Memo to thieves: Before snatching offering money, don’t complete a visitor’s card
“The same digital dynamics that drove the irrational exuberance—and marketed the loans to help it happen—are now driving the downside in unprecedented ways." In any given morning, Carr braves televisions in taxi cabs and elevators, news tickers in Times Square, email alerts, online advertisements, and instant messages that all feed the fear.” (David Carr, “Stoking Fear Everywhere You Look”)
“We might consider this current economic disaster as first and foremost a spiritual disaster. And a spiritual opportunity. That sort of talk would not make sense if we didn't know God's mad method of working in and through things like crucifixions. But he does. He is even said to bring on disasters, economic and spiritual, so that people will return to him.” (Mark Galli at CT discusses what the old prophet Amos said about economic trouble)
“Help! I am a hip, young New Yorker. I am not supposed to have a crush on Mike Huckabee.” (Cute article…in Slate?!)
78 Ways for Your Small Business to Save Money in this Economy
RESOUNDworship - On Christmas Day by Matt Osgood, Free Worship Song
RESOUNDworship.org is a UK based site features brand new worship songs, with free-to-download mp3s, lead sheets and chord charts. Each song started life in a local church context, and has been honed in peer critique to ensure strong biblical lyrics, usable themes and engaging, singable music. (HT: Martha)
“There are 50,000 people who are living in the jungles rather than going back and becoming Hindus….That is something that really speaks to us.” That’s from an unnamed retired pastor in the World magazine article, “When Religions of Peace Aren’t,” regarding the atrocious violence against Indian Christians who refuse to convert to Hinduism. Observers fear that more killings will take place before Christmas. Some younger Christians, fed up with the persecution, are joining Maoist ranks on the promise of guns and retaliatory strikes. This trend would severely complicate matters. The article says that the violence is funded in part by supporters of Hindu nationalism who live in Western countries. If so, is there anything Austin believers can do to build bridges to Indian expatriates and immigrants in our area who financially support Indian nationalistic movements that are revealed to be tied to this persecution?
“Ever wonder whether happy people have something you don't, something that keeps them cheerful, chipper and able to see the good in everything? It turns out they do — they have happy friends” (story). Research shows that cheer spreads.
“University of Virginia moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who coined the term elevation, writes, "Powerful moments of elevation sometimes seem to push a mental 'reset button,' wiping out feelings of cynicism and replacing them with feelings of hope, love, and optimism, and a sense of moral inspiration." …But uplifting rhetoric came to sound anachronistic, except as practiced by the occasional master like Martin Luther King Jr. or Ronald Reagan. And now Obama….We come to elevation, Haidt writes, through observing others—their strength of character, virtue, or "moral beauty." Elevation evokes in us "a desire to become a better person, or to lead a better life."… Haidt's research shows that elevation is good at provoking a desire to make a difference but not so good at motivating real action. But he says the elevation effect is powerful nonetheless. "It does appear to change people cognitively; it opens hearts and minds to new possibilities….Haidt acknowledges that in "calling the group to greatness," elevation can be used for murderous ends. He says: "Anything that takes us out of ourselves and makes us feel we are listening to something larger is part of morality. It's about pressing the buttons that turn off 'I' and turn on 'we.' " (Slate story)
“The smell of fear, one of the most terrible cliches of pulp fiction, is founded in fact, scientists claim today. People can unconsciously detect whether someone is stressed or scared by smelling a chemical pheromone released in their sweat…The research suggests that like many animal species, humans can detect and subconsciously respond to pheromones released by other people.” (Guardian)
“Two-thirds of women said they felt their mothers-in-law were jealous of their relationships with the sons, while two-thirds of mothers-in-law said they felt excluded by their sons' wives.” (“Why Mother-in-Law Problems Are Worse for Women”)
“Prayer has found a home on the Web….The sites are not all Christian, but most share a belief that if more people pray for something, it has a better chance of happening” (“If You Post It, They Will Pray”)
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the challenges that the North American Church is facing. What keeps you encouraged? “Prayer. Meeting God in prayer. Sorry to sound so trite. Prayer and meditation brings joy. God is on His throne—everything's going to be fine in the end. The new heavens and new Earth are coming in which "everything sad is going to come untrue." Don't get too bent out of shape because your church didn't grow this year.” (From an interview with one of my favorite church leaders, Tim Keller)
The sweetest--(sniffle)--news bit from this week. Watch and then pray for our troops away from home this Christmas:
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