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, when it comes to reading, “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.”
Articles of the Week
The Least Politically Prejudiced Place in America, Amanda Ripley. The least politically prejudiced town in the United States is also one of the most politically diverse. Coincidence? Hardly. The residents of Watertown, NY, know how to disagree on politics but still treat each other with dignity and respect. In a political climate where nearly 20 percent of both Democrats and Republicans consider members of the other party to be “less than human,” this is a big deal. Let’s learn from our Watertown brethren. (For the locally curious, Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties are all squarely in the middle of the “political prejudice” survey. Alamance County is a shade better, though!)
Your Pastor Can’t Be More Practical Than You Are Honest, Brad Hambrick. Feeling like your pastor (or small group leader) isn’t great at making spiritual truths practical? Well, it’s certainly possible that your pastor isn’t great at connecting the dots between the biblical text and your day-to-day life. But as Hambrick points out, it’s also possible that you aren’t self-aware or honest enough about your own struggles. Start practicing vulnerability and the likelihood of hearing relevant teaching bounces upward.
12 Rules for the Bookish Life, Doug Sikkema. Of course, the truly bookish needs no rules. But perhaps you’re trying to become bookish. More power to you, my friend. Sikkema is here to help. I agree with all of this, but most heartily with #2, #4, #6, and #8. (Mind language alert.)
Biblical Principles for Ethnic Harmony, H.B. Charles. Wherever we fall regarding public policy or the latest debate, surely all Christians can agree on these seven principles. We’ve got miles to go in the struggle for ethnic harmony, but it’s worth it. And with a vision of Revelation 7 before us, we know that victory is assured.
Five Rules to Help You Fail Less Often with Social Media, Justin Taylor. Summarizing some of the work of Justin Whitmel Earley (in his new book, The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction), Taylor brings you five steps of sanity when it comes to social media. I’m good at #3–5. Not so good at #1 and #2.
On the Lighter Side
North American Churches, as Performed by Michael Scott, Sam Haist. This Twitter thread is both accurate and hilarious. (And don’t leave before you check out the first dozen or so replies, which bring their own brand of hilarity.)
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