Wednesday Interesting

I read a lot of things every day--both print and online. I click licks on facebook, I browse on all kinds of topics, occasionally a search turns up not just what I'm looking for but something fun as well. Probably the majority of my days are generally spent reading and writing, with a generous side of talking to people.

But it's also super common for me to go "I read something about that....where was it?" So I decided to follow the example of some of my other favorite bloggers, and post some links I've found interesting in the past week or so. The document where I'm saving them all us is titled "things worth sharing" but could just as easily be titled "things I want to be able to find again," except then I'd have to figure out how to make it searchable. One of the beauties of a blog: searchable.

So, today: some things I've found interesting lately, and you may or may not also find interesting...

I super want one of these at church. Because I am not kidding when I say that I roast The Best marshmallow out of anyone ever.

I'm generally a fan of technology--I use a lot of it, though nowhere near to its potential. As someone who lives far away from most of my family and friends, it's pretty much indispensable. As someone who likes to know things before I forget what question I had about them, it's useful. And as someone who really values the time spent face to face, it can be frustrating. So this was timely for me.

Simone Weil wrote, “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” By this definition, our relationships to the world, and to one another, and to ourselves, are becoming increasingly miserly.
… We often use technology to save time, but increasingly, it either takes the saved time along with it, or makes the saved time less present, intimate and rich.

This made the rounds on Facebook, as does *everything* this pope does. Protestants have a serious pope crush going on. When I read it, all I could think was "It is not good for the human to be alone." Which makes us wonder whether this pope might be laying some groundwork for some major change in the Catholic Church....though change at anything like the pace we who are not part of that tradition would like to see is unlikely. (Also, it's not our tradition to change, so there's that...)

Za'atar is one of my favorite spice blends. I started making it myself recently but it's just nowhere near as good as what I first discovered in Damascus, much like this person did....

Speaking of the Middle East, a place close to my heart if far in miles, this story of a Palestinian Christian was both heartrending and hopeful. Thanks, Ruth.

Daoud says: “There is a way for a better future, this future will not be a gift from others.” And so they continue to work. They plant and harvest, they collect rainwater, and they run summer camps for children, focused on the creative arts. They believe Jesus’ message of peace. They live Jesus’ message of peace. Love your neighbor as yourself.

This made me laugh out loud. And nod my head in recognition. heehee.

This, however, made me cringe and tear up a little with both frustration and sadness. I've been involved in several conversations in the past couple of weeks that both highlighted how blind we often are to our own privilege and assumptions and highlighted my own privilege (in a really bizarre way, but still).


On the other end of the video spectrum, though, this is SUPER COOL. You'll probably want to heed the volume warning, though! Science is so interesting. Also, it's fun to note what must be the frequency of Celtic artists, near the end. :-)

This is probably my favorite open letter of the week. So much strength, so much potential, so much awesome...why aren't we figuring out how to empower and tap into that? Thanks, Queen Rania.

If one girl with courage is a revolution, imagine what feats we can achieve together.

Parker Palmer is an incredibly gifted writer, teacher, speaker, and thinker. I appreciate his work so much. This is a great discussion of the importance of vulnerability, of speaking truth even when it's hard, of being honest about who we are so we can fully receive who others are too. I would add that when we're fully honest about who we are, we also find ourselves open to God...Unfortunately, too many churches are places where this level of vulnerability is frowned upon. How do we create a community that is trusting and safe and sacred enough to allow one another to be fully human?  I wish I knew the answer to that, because I watch too many people get hurt by betrayed trust, by thoughtless replies, and by subtle shunning and shaming.

Last but not least, What is Church for anyway? Is it just an institution that meets our social needs, an outlet for volunteerism, or something more? And for those of us who know the institution is in a change-or-die moment (though the Body of Christ will always exist), what does all that mean?

“this is what church is supposed to be. Not comfortable gatherings for self-improvement, not a means to enjoy feel-good sentiments, but equipped communities mobilizing together in Jesus' name to serve in real and loving ways in this world of need.”

That should be enough interesting to keep you going through the rest of the week!