Around the Web:
How to Plan Neglect

Randy Alcorn writes on Ann Voskamp's blog about saying no to some things. It's awesome.

• There are times when I’m overwhelmed with seemingly endless opportunities to do good things.

  I have to weigh what I can or should say yes to against what I need to say no to.

  Seems like every year of my life I have to say no to more good things. (Young mothers and fathers may relate to this, as those children need a lot of attention, and so does your marriage, and there’s no end to the things, both bad and good, that could distract you from either or both.)

  I take my commitments very seriously, but on a few occasions I’ve had to back out of things I’d said a year ago I could do,  back before I knew I would be physically exhausted and ill and my wife would be scheduled for a knee surgery.

  I hate to disappoint people, but in those times it becomes clear that I have to be carve out time to fulfill my most basic commitments and do what I believe God wants me to (e.g. be with my wife when she needs me).

  I have to make sure I am living to please God, not everyone else.

These are good words. Read them.

Growing Up in a World Like This

Tim Challies interviews Dr. Chris Richards about raising kids these days.

• A Short time ago I shared some resources meant to help parents as they prepare to have “The Talk” with their children. But even after looking at those resources I had some questions I wanted to ask, so I spoke to Dr. Chris Richards, who together with Liz Jones has authored Growing Up God’s Way, a book with editions for both boys and girls, that helps prepare young people and their parents for adolescence and adulthood. Dr Chris Richards is a Consultant Paediatrician in Newcastle upon Tyne. He is the Director of Lovewise, which produces material for teaching about marriage and relationships from a Christian perspective in schools and church groups. He is married and has four children. He is a deacon at Gateshead Presbyterian Church. Here is what he had to say about preparing children to grow up in a world like this.

Helpful stuff. Parenting is harder than I thought. Read more.

How Stewarding Wealth Impacts Studying the Bible

Jennifer Wilkin talks about the Bible and the West.  

• American Christians certainly enjoy greater material wealth than much of the world, but we also enjoy less tangible forms of wealth as well. We aren’t always aware of just how wealthy we truly are. And because of this, we may not remember that to whom much is given, much is required: with great wealth comes great responsibility.

  In the parable of the talents, three men are given an opportunity to show a return on investments of varying sizes. We are like these men, each given a measure of wealth with which we are to work to yield a return. I wonder if we recognize the responsibility associated with the wealth God grants. With regard to Bible study, I believe American Christians have been given three “talents” not all believers have been given. These three forms of wealth, if properly valued, would transform the way we think about the precious gift and joyful responsibility of studying the Bible.

It's a good challenge. Read more.
 

For the Life of the World

The Gospel Coalition people are working with the Acton Institute to present a summer film series:

• Most of us have trouble understanding how the gospel applies to all of life. As a result, we are constantly tempted to limit the scope of Christ's lordship. "Again and again, Al Wolters writes, "Christians find ways of excluding certain areas or dimensions of their lives and the life of their culture from the need for reform for Christ's sake."

  Perhaps we don't have a big enough picture of salvation; we don't understand God's plan for the whole of his creation and how our various callings fit into it. 

  This summer, we're delighted to share with you a seven-episode film series, For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exiles, that seeks to answer the question, "What is our salvation for?" 

It looks good. It's free on Mondays. Read more. 

 

Around the Warren:

Playing Your Own Role

James Witmer started the week talking about the roles we play.

• From an early age, we understand people by the roles they play. This can be a good way to learn. It can expand our imaginations, and help us aspire to virtues we might not otherwise think about.

  Filling the role of father, for example, has motivated me to pursue gentleness. No other circumstance had made me consider whether or not I was gentle. But I believe a good father is both strong and gentle. So now that I’m trying to fill that role, my imagination supplies a goal I strive for.

  But sometimes thinking in terms of roles is not helpful; if our imaginations are too weak to envision filling a role EXCEPT in the way we have seen others do it.

Read more!

Of What Story Do I Find Myself A Part?

Words by Alasdair MacIntyre, beauty by Paul Boekell. It's good:

• 

Zoom in.

My Mama Had A Dancing Heart

Helena Sorensen reviews Libby Moore Gray's My Mama Had A Dancing Heart.

• Let me begin by saying that I am thankful for Sarah Clarkson. Her book recommendations (see Read for the Heart) have given me opportunities to present truth and beauty to my children in a thousand delightful ways. One of my favorite “Sarah” recommendations is a book called My Mama Had a Dancing Heart (written by Libba Moore Gray, illustrated by Raul Colon). I checked it out from the library and read it to my daughter exactly one time before deciding that we needed to own it.

  One glance at the cover will lull you into a sense of joyful contentment. Colon’s illustrations are bright and warm, the colors bleeding gently into one another. He depicts the mother and daughter in a way that makes my heart ache. They wear breezy dresses and glamorous hats, and sometimes they weave flowers into their hair.

Helena's description is great. Read more.

Why the Ocean Is Salty

Alan Howell shares some Pourquoi Tales he wrote for his kids

• Why the Ocean is Salty

  Long, long ago, before most people remember, there were two children, sisters actually, named Mara and Areia. And for a time they lived on opposite sides of the ocean.

  Now way back then, the ocean was not salty. Oh, no! It was full of clean, fresh water. So, whenever they got thirsty swimming around in the glorious sun, one of them would dip her mouth into the sweet water and drink up.

  On a certain day, Mara decided to take a picnic lunch across the sea to share with her sister. She stuffed her backpack full of their favorite foods. There was fried chicken, fresh pickles, French fries, cherry pie and pigs-in-a-blanket. She also put in bottles of lemonade and grape juice, cups, plates and a colorful picnic blanket.

  Mara carried the backpack to the boat and set it carefully inside. Then she remembered – she’d forgotten the salt! She ran back to the kitchen and grabbed the salt shaker. Returning to the boat, Mara tried putting the salt in the backpack, but there was no room – the bag was just too full. So, she rested it gently on top.

  Mara got in the boat and began to row. And as she rowed, the boat rocked from side to side. It rocked back and forth more and more, and swayed so much that eventually the salt shaker tumbled off the top of the pack falling down into the ocean.

  And that’s why the ocean became salty.

There are two more over in the post. Read more.
 

Something to Do with Your Kids:

Ilene Jacobs at Care.com has 101 fun summer activities. 

• Bake cookies for ice cream sandwiches.
  Volunteer at a nature center.
  Make a photo journal or a family yearbook.
  Have a luau in the backyard.
  Visit the beach and collect shells.
  Make a fort out of cardboard boxes.

95 to go. Check it out!

 

And Something Funny to Watch

Though bogus, it was fun and well put-together.

Thank you for reading. We're on your side.