Tuesdays on the blog mean that I have the pleasure of sharing some links to things that I have found interesting and thought provoking over the previous week with all of you. To help make sense of all that I have read, I have grouped these links by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Stewardship; Vocation; and Miscellaneous. I hope you enjoy these links!
This weekend the church celebrates the end of another church year with "Christ the King" or "Reign of Christ" Sunday. Friend and professor Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis offers some help for preachers and worship planners to tie it all together, offering, "A Year in Perspective." Also, I humbly offer these stewardship ideas, questions, and thoughts to keep in mind as you prepare to preach or lead worship.
For those of you planning ahead and looking forward to the start of a new year in the revised common lectionary, friend, advisor and professor Rev. Dr. Matt Skinner shared a two part series on "Preaching Mark in Times of Strife." Check out both part one and part two.
If you are still looking for some Advent and Christmas resources, check out these beautiful and moving ones from LEAD from 2015.
Are you in need for a timely hymn with a message of hope? If so, last year Marty Haugen wrote, "Choose to Hope." It seems as timely as ever, and Marty is again sharing it with anyone who would like to use it this year too.
My wife (who happens to be a pastor) Allison Siburg shared, "A Love Letter for Pastor-Moms," by Kelly Ladd Bishop over at the Junia Project.
Maya James wrote about, "The Importance of Forgiveness in the Professional World," over at Thin Difference.
Scott Savage asked an important question over at Thin Difference this week, "Are You Making an Impact?" In pondering this, Scott elaborates on the importance of linchpins.
Jon Mertz at Thin Difference writes that, "Leaders: Have a Sense of History." I especially appreciate Jon's insight that, "Without a sense of history, leaders arouse discouragement and divisiveness. Leaders with a sense of history think, lead, and aspire forward." Check out the whole post and give it some thought.
The proposed tax bills making their way through congress would disproportionately affect Millennials and all graduate students, as they "Would be hit by Massive Tax Under House GOP Plan," according to NPR. This is a terrible plan, and it's downright impossible to see how these moves, especially related to student debt would spur economic growth. It would seem it would actually lead to less purchasing, less spending, and that's generally a recipe for an economic downturn.
In a blast from the past post, check out these thoughts from two years ago originally shared on this blog about, "Cups, Refugees, and Neighbor Love in Action." It seems just about as relevant as ever.
Friend, blogger, and artist Vonda Drees shared some great beauty in, "Uncle Herman's Wow!" Check it out for a moment of joy.
In major neighbor love concerns, Leila Fadel and Ariana Figueroa report that a "New Study Finds that 4.2 Million Kids Experience Homelessness Each Year" in the United States. How do we respond to this? How can we all work together to end homelessness?
Senator Al Franken released this statement on a sexual harassment allegation from last week.
If you are looking for some beauty to listen to for Thanksgiving, Advent, or Christmas, check out the beauty of the holiday stream from Minnesota Public Radio.
Are you preaching this coming weekend? If so, check out these stewardship thoughts, ideas, and questions to keep in mind.
In news from my alma mater Pacific Lutheran University, PLU Football Head Coach Scott Westering stepped down last week.
Jim Dever shared a visit and tour he recently had with "Travel guru Rick Steves" as he welcomed him to his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, "through the back door." Check out this story.
As a lover of airplanes and flying, it's a sad day to read that "Delta announces 'farewell tour' for Boeing 747." The "Queen of the Skies," will soon no longer be flying for any United States airlines.
In other airline news, Alaska Airlines last week announced that it will be flying to Pittsburgh starting in 2018, and that it will be ending service to Cuba in January, due to a combination of demand and governmental constraints.
Image Credits: The Links; and Uncle Herman's Wow.