A few reasonable words to start your weekend conversations. 03
Happy weekend, all! We're looking forward to a couple of get-togethers with dear people this weekend (including our kids - yay!) What are your plans?
A dose of conversation-starters for all your weekend conversations. And if you and I happen to bump into each other in the next couple of days, I'd love to hear what you think after these reads! (or, you could always leave me a comment below!)
• In our house, we've been talking about Beyonce's powerful new video, and I loved the the celebration and insight this blogger exudes. via Austin Channing blog
• I'm sorry to share this with you on a Saturday, when you may very likely be sitting in some uncomfortable setting watching your prodigy participate in sporting-type events, but my brother wrote it and he's really smart about parenting, sports and Jesus so I think it'll be worth your time and reflection. via The Gospel Coalition blog
• Read this during the last couple weeks of Lent. If you ever consider yourself "blessed" or proclaim yourself "blessed", this is an essential reminder of its true meaning. via Faith & Leadership blog
• For reasons that are probably not very holy, I usually shy away from these sorts of videos, but I watched this one and was truly inspired: "I am an unlikely success — a kid with bad grades from a Nashville suburb, who despite the odds, was crazy enough to believe “impossible” means “I’m possible.” via Jeremy Cowart blog
• Two recent works on my frenemy Wendell Berry: a newly published short story (which I devoured and found to be Very Good) and a documentary film premiering at SXSW (which I may try to crash somehow next Wednesday)
* I needed to read this fresh, pastoral perspective on distressing political campaigns. (and somehow the reference to Ferdinand Marcos made me feel better) via Emotionally Healthy Spirituality newsletter
• More apologies if you happen to follow this link on the same day you ran a few errands at the local Wal-Mart. I'm sorry, but not really because that place is not good for us, friends! And while we're on the subject of bad city decisions, bet you'll never look at your sidewalks the same way again after reading this. via Strong Towns blog
• I was searching for something on an old external hard drive a while back, and stumbled on the reviews I wrote for our local chapter of the IAM Readers Guild. I've been gradually uploading the reviews of the books, and fondly recalling that whole era. Books have a way of doing that, you know? Silence by Shusaku Endo & Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
If all else fails, here's the "Prevent Small Talk Question of the Week":
“We cry for lots of reasons: sadness, pain, fear . . . and happiness. When was the last time you shed tears of joy?”