Some poweful links

I'm not shirking my duties here - but there are a couple things I'd rather have you read than me right now.

First are two links from my digital pal Rick at a new life emerging. First - and most powerfully - is his retrospective on his seminary studies, which ought to be required reading for every ministry candidacy committee and every seminarian. Rick is one of the most compassionate Jesus-followers I've never met - and I believe he's going to be an amazing, church-transforming pastor.

Second is this post by Rick about clutter - which is one of my major enemies, right now. I know I do OK as a writer, but Rick has a powerful gift for asking cut-to-the-heart questions, and painting powerful images. (Every image he encountered in what he read for his $50K seems to have stuck in his mind, too...) This has been a convicting study in getting rid of the dross and baggage in my life. Thanks for giving me another sharp tack to sit on, Rick ol' buddy...and a belated thanks to [rwk] for the gentle boot in the butt a couple days ago...

If you've ever been accosted by panhandlers, you'll find this entry by [rhymes with kerouac] to be an eye-opening one. In fact, there isn't much he writes that won't both kick your butt and open your mind. But this post and this one are both big keepers...

Next is this blog. It's one side of a rapidly deteriorating two-fold battle, at it's very simplest, over both parenting rights and religious-practice vs. medical-treatment rights. Basically, Michele and Edward Wernecke have a 12-year old daughter, Katie, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. While allowing her to be treated, the parents balked at transfusions (on religious grounds) and radiation (because Katie is so young, and the effects of radiation are profound at that age). I'd encourage you to read their blog, because this has all the makings of another Schiavo-like situation being tried in the media. Listen to the parents' side - and Katie's side - first, please.

An interesting discussion on a Dallas Theological Seminary student's encounter with a lesbian at a religious conference. Is it the model of acceptance I'd wish for? No...but it's a damn sight closer to tolerance than many GLBT folks I know have experienced from DTS grads. I can't remember whose blog I got the hat-tip from - but thank you. A ray of hope...

Read...think...pray.