September 11, 2015
A-Maze-ing Testimony
I mentioned a few weeks ago that we were starting to publish a
delightful testimony as a serial. But then, belatedly, we realized that
the narrative flow was lost in breaking the story into parts every other
day. We've now published the full version,
which reads much better, in part because the opening is a slow build
that only pays off as you get into the middle. The piece is much longer
than our usual fare—so this counts as this week's long read! Really
long. And well, well worth it. The author, Samantha Blythe, has a unique
voice and speaks frankly and vulnerably about the twists and turns in
our relationship with God, and the unexpected moments of grace that
startle us. As Samantha put it in her opening limerick:
There was a life, phase after phase, | ||
Enough of A_____ M______ Already
Too many of us were titillated by learning that hundreds of pastors
may have been on the hacked list of a certain website that encourages
affairs. Unfortunately, everyone reading this can fill in the blanks and
know exactly what website I'm talking about. Which may be precisely the
problem. As Leadership blogger Karl Vaters put it,
Where did all these pastors, and many other seemingly upright family men, first hear about a website for cheaters? I'm guessing most of them didn't suddenly decide to Google "website for married men who want to have an affair." Some of them must have heard about it like I did. Through blogs and news outlets warning us about this sleazy, but obscure website.
I admit the media (including CT) is part of the problem. While, yes, a
good news story should include verifiable details, there are times when
reporting a scandal in detail may do more harm than good.
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Is Kim Davis "Winning"?
We've read or overheard many a screed regarding county clerk Kim Davis's
refusal to issue marriage certificates to gay couples—whether this is
legitimate civil disobedience, whether she should have just quit her
job, whether she's doing more harm than good, and so forth. In such
moments, I'm on the lookout for articles that tell me what is actually
going on legally and politically. As is often the case, I find that
balanced view in The Atlantic. One is tempted to think that the
writer, Emma Green, holds a brief for the conservative cause, until you
read her other religious stories. So when she says, "Kim Davis Is Winning," it's not a "hurrah!" as much as it is her analysis of what may actually be happening.
The only journal that does a better job at this sort of thing is, well, Christianity Today! Here's our latest on the larger context of the Kim Davis story.
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Airport Rankings
Today is an anniversary that, among other things, reminds us how much
air travel has changed in 15 years. Hardly anyone agrees that air
travel is enjoyable these days, which may be the reason for this story
on "The Worst Airports in the World."
To be fair, it also talks about the best airports. The piece breaks
down airport experiences in three categories—waiting times, cleanliness,
and shopping opportunities—and then offers an overall rating. Only one
American airport made any of the "Best Major Airports by..." lists, and
at least three or four made each of the "Worst Major Airports by..."
lists. The lesson: Do what you can to get to that one American airport
before flying overseas!
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Grace and peace,
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