tolle lege.

faith as fashion by almohler

• "The American population still self-identifies as predominantly Christian but Americans are slowly becoming less Christian."
  
• "When it comes to religion, the USA is now land of the freelancers."
• "The fact that millions of Americans no longer identify themselves as Christians of any description means that these millions know that they are not Christians -- as distinct from millions of other Americans who think they are Christians simply by family identification or other superficial consideration.
• "Evangelism takes on a new urgency in an age marked by people who see faith as little more than a 'fashion statement.'
• In any event, the ARIS report draws our attention to one great and undeniable fact -- we are living in the midst of a vast mission field for the Gospel. Of course, we should have known that all along."

avoiders anonymous by route 5:9

• "Conflict is neither bad nor good, but how we choose to respond to it can either produce closeness or distance between us and the ones we love, as well as our Papa God."
• "As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend" --Proverbs 27:17
• "The next time you are confronted by a friend, be thankful that you have a friend that loves you enough to confront you on the journey."

WATCHMEN - i donut recommend

• ( i went to the theaters to watch this movie. i covered my eyes for 90% of the time that i was watching it and finally walked out. i was with tim + my parents and it was unanimous - we will heartily recommend all our friends NOT to watch this movie. )
• disclaimer: the review, while honest + telling, is graphic. i say it's an indicator of just how bad this movie was for the soul that the review was just as difficult to read as actually watching it. i'd read just the "conclusion" part of the article, and you'll get the gist.
  
• "As a book, Watchmen is messy. As a movie, Watchmen is a mess. In fact, I'll go so far as to call it dispirited, depressing schlock—both as a work of art and as a mode of message. Fanboys may be enthralled, but I'd imagine the uninitiated will walk away appalled, confused and even strangely bored. At the advance screening I attended, where folks generally stay glued to their seats, I saw a number of people leave the theater. Some never came back. This isn't a movie as much as an assault."
• the boundless article that linked to pluggedin.

AB-12 california bill

• was forwarded this article by a friend. i'm praying for this bill to pass! i've been encouraged by the olive crest thp+ ministry at cornerstone and this bill would not only practically help older foster children but open up opportunities to share Christ + the hope of the gospel with them.