The following are links to posts that I found particularly interesting this week. Maybe you will see something that interests you.

Everything New

Check out this video by Jeff Cook that Scot McKnight posted. It is very good. I look forward to reading the book. You might enjoy his website.

On writing

Have you been reading Jeff Goins’ series: 15 habits of Great Writers? It is very well done. I especially enjoyed one recent post in this series entitled: “Great Writers Share Other’s Work.”

Also be sure to see this letter to a writer who is losing confidence.

Particularly for men

Have you seen Patrick Morley’s new book Man Alive? You might enjoy the website as well.

On ministry and identity

Some ministers are perceived by others to be important. Meanwhile other ministers feel self-conscious and believe they have little, if anything, to offer. I reflect on this kind of self-perception in this post which begins with this sentence: “When I first began preaching and serving as a “full-time minister,” I soon realized that some preachers were considered to be important people.”

Regarding e-books

Be sure to see Wade Hodges’ post “Thirteen Lessons I’ve Learned From the Ebook Business.”

I’ll take one of these offices!

“The Libraries, Studies and Writing Rooms of 15 Famous Men.”

Hopefully one or more of these links will be helpful to you. I am so grateful that you come here each Monday.

Glad to see this changing.

I was glad to read this post! I’ve been concerned about this characterization for quite some time. “No more dumb old dad: changing the bumbling father stereotype.”

Fathers and sons: Do I ever relate!

Be sure to read this piece from Canda’s Globe and Mail. Do I ever relate! I once put a huge dent in the door of my father’s driver’s side car door (on a car that was practically new) as I put the car in neutral and tried to push it out of the garage. Unfortunately, as I was pushing it out of the garage, the door I had failed to close adequately got jammed against the door facing of the garage. Not good.

The future.

I found this post interesting: “6 Tech Concepts Changing the World.” I find it helpful to occasionally read such posts so I can keep up with changing technology.

One.

Check out this post from my friend Allan Stanglin’s blog regarding a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal regarding “sheep stealing.” Very interesting.

Tony Evans and his dad.

What a great post! Tony Evans talks about the transformation of his dad.

Reflecting on Pastoral Ministry.

Ron Edmondson has written a good post: “7 Ways I Want to Improve as a Pastor.” A good post with insights worth thinking about.

Inspiring stories

Don’t miss this inspiring story. A small community and school rallies behind a homeless girl. Now she is on her way to Harvard! Also, make sure you see the video about the high school runner in Ohio who helps a member of the opposing team across the finish line.

An outstanding book

I just finished N.T. Wright’s Simply Jesus. It is thought provoking and well written. Perhaps most helpful is Wright’s attempt to tell the story of Jesus in light of the larger biblical story.

Does a person have to go to seminary?

Does a person have to go to seminary in order to be an effective minister? Not necessarily. However, Scot McKnight, in an excellent post, gives ten reasons why such study might be very, very helpful.

Now this is interesting

“10 Ways Airplane Travel Taught Me to be a More Productive Writer” by John Saddington.

Serious about growing?

Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Ministry Inside series featuring habits that can be useful for any church leader who is serious about growing, learning and developing.

Preparing messages

You might enjoy these videos featuring Tim Keller talking about sermon preparation.

An interview with Walter Brueggemann (part 2)

Brueggemann reflects on “success through conformity,” the seduction of prestige, drawing the “prophet card,” and doubting our own work. This is an excellent interview!

Announcement

Pete Scazzero (The Emotionally Healthy Church author) announces transition. Read about it here.

Tweet

I love this powerful tweet by Mark Batterson (June 3, 2012) “if you are LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE you will ALWAYS find one. quit making excuses and start making choices.”

Interview

Lee Camp interviews Walter Brueggemann as he reflects upon his life.

Encouraging

“Stop Looking for Excuses not to be Awesome” by Jeff Goins. A very good post!

Standing up!

Ernest Hemingway at his standing desk.

Twitter

Evangelical leaders on Twitter (New York Times).

A must read

“Five Secrets Pastors Refuse to Tell” by Thom Rainer.

Writing

I found this post by Mike Martel helpful: “Ten Ways to Make Your Writing Quick and Easy.” I am not sure if the suggestions necessarily make writing quick and easy. However, these are excellent suggestions for anyone who is challenged to be creative.

Regarding the Truth

Don’t miss this excellent article from the Wall Street Journal (appeared in the print edition on Saturday, May 26, 2012). Dan Ariely has written a thoughtful piece entitled “Why We Lie.”

Jesus Creed

You might enjoy reading “Before You Quit.” It appears on Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight’s blog. I wrote this after seeing my youngest daughter graduate with her Master’s degree which caused me to reflect on a time when I almost quit.

Reading

I just read Alyce McKenzie’s very fine book Novel Preaching. Each year, I read several books on preaching which help me in evaluating where I need to grow in my own preaching. McKenzie’s book offered some very good suggestions.

Commencement Speech

In his column on CNN online, William J. Bennett featured the commencement speech of former Navy Seal, Eric Greitens who spoke at Tufts University. The speech is featured in the column and is excellent. Greitens is a 38 year old Rhodes scholar and humanitarian worker. (Thanks Mark M. for calling my attention to this.)

Are you a blogger or do you use any form of social networking?

Check out Michael Hyatt’s new book Platform. You might notice the freebies that you get if you purchase the book this week. I just finished the book. I wish I had read this book eight years ago when I began this blog! Very helpful.

Are you stuck in your thinking?

Margaret Marcuson has written a fine post: “Ten Ways Church Leaders Can Get More New Ideas.” Even reading through her list gave me a couple of good ideas.

I found this fascinating.

Check out this video with Ken Burns. Burns reflects on what it means to tell stories about history. Interesting.

A call to the church.

Karen Spears Zacharias has written an excellent post regarding child abuse and the opportunity for the church to make a difference. One of my daughters is a social worker in an abuse shelter. Through her I have become especially sensitive to this heartbreaking reality.

Good Theology, Good Ministry?

Skylar Thomas reflects on a new book entitled The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry by Andrew Root and Kendra Creasy Dean. Very interesting! (Appeared on Scot McKnight’s blog.)