Missing Discipline
This was an interesting article by Stephen Watkinson. But it is all the more helpful if you tune into our podcast because it forms the basis of our discussion in the next two episodes.
Why are pro-choice movies so rare?
‘However desirable it may be for the pro-choice cause to see more indie comedies like these being made—portraying abortion as an easy and empowering thing—it seems unlikely to happen. Why? Because making light of abortion just doesn’t work.’
On being had
On a similar note, there is this: ‘We have been had. The saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” And we have been fooled six ways from Sunday.’
The (Satanic) power of positive thinking
‘The man who approaches Paradise Lost expecting to find the same Satan venerated by Scandinavian black metal bands and Anton LaVey will turn the final page of the poem and suffer sore disappointment. Milton’s Satan never kills anyone, neither does he rape, steal, or utter vulgarities. He does not kidnap children, establish cults, teach magic, participate in Halloween, or teach teenagers to play Led Zeppelin records backwards. He is not even terribly interested in conning others into such foul activities. Rather, one could triangulate the personality of Milton’s Satan using just three figures from popular culture: singer Katy Perry, fictional boss Michael Scott, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins.’
Vikki Boynton – An Apology
Whatever you think of Peter Hitchens, you have to admire this (it is such a rarity these days). No caveats and no weasel words. Christians would do well to take note.
‘Mom, we have discussed this’
Apple Martin has publicly rebuked her mother, Gwyneth Paltrow, for posting pictures of her online without her consent. This Guardian report explains why there is going to be a lot of this kind of thing coming up in future. Beware sharing pictures of your children.
From the archive: How do you prep a sermon?
‘I am occasionally (very occasionally, I should stress) asked what my process is for preparing sermons. I’m never quite sure if that’s asked in the spirit of, ‘oh, that was good, how did you prepare that?’ or, ‘that was terrible, what process led to that rotter?’ More likely, I suspect, it is closer to, ‘I have no frame of reference at all, how do you prepare?’ with a subtext of, ‘I’ll probably ask a few people and see if some combination will work for me’. Well, regardless of why you’re asking, here is how I do it.’