Friday Links Roundup: Not a Fun Week Edition

This has been one of “those” weeks. Sunday, while we were at Leah’s parents’ house, Mary Carol and I both were sick. Fortunately for her, Mary Carol’s went away by early Monday morning. Mine, however, has not. I worked Wednesday (feeling pretty good), but, by Wednesday night, I was feeling awful. Thursday, I didn’t come to work at all. I went to the doctor, and they really don’t know what’s going on. Today, I’m at work…for now. I’m only staying long enough to get the essentials done. I’m feeling better, but I’m still not well. It’s just good to be on the “upswing” of this, and hopefully there won’t be any more downswings.

I’m sure you wanted to know all that!

Now, on the links for the last two weeks (since I was away last Friday).

1. John Piper’s “Desiring God” blog has an eye-opening article about the opening of the Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, D.C. It has a lot of history, but nothing about God. Read “Writing Religion Our of Our History.”

2. What do we look for when we are looking for a local preacher? What types of attributes do we look for in our preaching “heroes.” Trent Wheeler gives us some “Intangibles” to notice (and cultivate in our own lives).

3. Prop 8 in California was a major “win” for those who oppose same-sex marriages. That Californians voted against this action should open the eyes of many who wish to sanction such “unions.” Albert Mohler gives a quote from the L.A. Times, and then some comments about the future of this debate.

4. Now that our gas is down to about $1.46/gallon where I buy it, it makes me think back to when we were told that we would never again see gas under $2/gallon. Stuart Yancy gives us a spiritual application from this (would make a great devotional, by the way).

5. Congregations are often looking for pointers when it is time to appoint new elders and/or deacons. Since this is a process that, in most congregations, doesn’t happen all that often, we need to make sure we are doing the best we possibly can when that time does come. Jeremiah Tatum gives some practical pointers for each member of a local congregation in his article “When Selecting Elders.”

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. We are looking forward to our annual Holiday Banquet at Lebanon Road tomorrow night. I’m just hoping to feel well enough to go. I don’t get sick often (in fact, in 6 1/2 years at 9th Avenue, I think I only missed 3 days due to illness), but when I do, it seems to last awhile. I really want to preach the sermons I have prepared for this Sunday, so we’re going to pray that I’ll feel “up to the task” by this Lord’s day. Preaching is such a joy and honor that I never want to miss an opportunity!

If you are near Nashville, come by and see us. No matter where you are, don’t forget the Lord on His day!