1. There are tremendous opportunities available to learn and grow. For example, if you will look at iTunes U (you will find this in the iTunes Store), you will see numerous universities and some seminaries listed. There are literally scores of universities and seminaries that offer entire courses for free. Just the other day, I listened to an excellent lecture on C. S. Lewis. You might say, “Who has time to do something like that? I don’t have time to take a class.” Maybe not. But could you take 15 or 20 minutes out of the day to listen to a class?
Another fine resource is “The Great Courses” from The Teaching Company. I have ordered several courses here. The subjects are wide and varied. For example, this month (in the print catalog), they offer two entire courses by Luke Timothy Johnson (DVD or CD) for only $19.95 each.
2. Have you read Reggie McNeal’s The Present Future or viewed his DVD lectures? Just moments ago, I watched a lecture in which he discussed the generational differences in churches. I thought it was very well done both in terms of content and his ability to communicate well.
3. I really like these Labor Day reflections by NPR’s Scott Simon:
“Having no job does not mean having no work. Your children must still be fed, bathed, and ferried to school … But you have less money for food, gas, and the new shoes your children need for school. … Having no job means that things people talk about these days — iPads, android phones, 3-D movies, new music, or meeting friends over $4 coffee drinks — are just beyond reach. You worry about getting dull, having nothing to talk about, and losing friends. … You may blame politicians, brokers and bankers, but in the middle of the night you might turn your eyes to the sky and wonder what you did, didn’t do, or should have done. … This Labor Day we might salute the millions of Americans who don’t have jobs, but who in many ways work harder than ever.” http://n.pr/9GSS6I
4. I failed to mention “The Nines” which happens today and is sponsored by Leadership Network. There are 100 speakers making short talks on the subject of “Game Changers.” I have watched several of these today that were very good. You can register for free and see all of the videos or you can purchase the notes for $29.
Just their worry and anxiety is hard work.
Many of the Great Courses (and the Modern Scholar series, as well) are available at your local public library, either because they own the sets or because they can borrow them from other public libraries via Inter-Library Loan.
I also recommend The Institute for Christian Resources, where a lot of *high*-quality material is available for free.
Nick, thanks so much for these links. Great! So glad you posted this comment.