This Week’s Good Reads

Here are some interesting articles that I found this week, a few have a 4th of July connection. Perhaps you’ll find something here worth reading too:

1. “Beliefs Are Not Set In Stone, Except When They’re On Tablets” by Derek Rishmawy

My friend Derek has written a beautiful response to a recent post by Rachel Held Evans on the church’s relationship to homosexuality. It is both gracious and yet well argued. It is definitely worth your time.

2. “Debunking the Fourth: Top 10 Unsightly Facts about the American Revolution” by Carson T. Clark

I am by no means an anti-patriotic person, but this article by Clark is wroth a read. It’s always important to have perspective and Clark gives us that here.

3. “On July 4th, Celebrate America , But Don’t Worship It” by Ryan Hoselton

A beautiful reminder to celebrate the 4th with humility and with an eye towards the Kingdom of God. Favorite line: The belief that a nation singularly surpasses the standard and therefore must lead the world in politics, economics, culture, morality etc. is called exceptionalism. In our country, this mindset extends all the way back to our early settlers: the Puritans. You think America has got it great today? You should’ve seen it 400 years ago. It was paradise—no King, no Catholics, no Anglicans, no Baptists, and almost no sinners.

4. “Caring for Victims of Sexual Abuse” by Matt Smethurst

1 in 5 men and 1 in 4 women have been sexually abused! I have counseled, first hand, those within the church for whom this an ongoing pain. The need for the church to wake up to this reality and be prepared to loving help those hurting is huge! This video helps articulate some of the points that we need to consider more carefully.

5. “10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam” by Zane Pratt

There is a frustrating and evil stereotype that Christians continue to perpetuate about Muslims: namely, that they are all terrorists. Zane Pratt refutes that idea in his list here. I have known some very sweet Muslims and our call as Christians is to love them. Pratt writes: No Christian should be afraid to build a relationship with a Muslim.

6. “If You Want to Grow You Have to Work” by Matt Rawlings

My former colleague and pastor at Revolution Church in Portsmouth, OH has written a good piece here on the reality that Christians struggle with sin and on their need to take responsibility for change. Your struggle with sin does not necessarily mean you are not a believer. But true believers do have to work at fighting sin, it doesn’t just happen.

7. “Reminders for Motherhood” by Krista Dunham

I am biased, but my wife’s blog is definitely worth reading. Here, she reflects on several things to remember that can help with those moments of frustrated motherhood. Her words are good for all parents.