This 'n' That

It's been a quiet week here at Do Not Be Surprised. Every other realm of my life, however, has been extremely hectic, and so keeping up with posts here became the last priority. No need to worry — things hopefully should begin to settle down next week. *Hopefully.* For today, though, your This 'n' That may be a bit abbreviated.

With that then, a couple of announcements. First, it likely will continue to be a bit quiet for a few more days. While you're waiting, you can visit any one of my favorite blogs listed in the sidebar, or go to my Vimeo channel and catch up on all of the wonderful sermons preached by Pastor Don Green that are posted there.

On a note related to my unavailability, some of you may have noticed that I've turned off comments for recent posts. This is something that I've been considering doing for awhile, and now seemed like a good time to give it a try. With all that is going on right now, I have neither the time nor, quite honestly, the desire, to moderate and review comments. It is unlikely that this will be a permanent change, because I know that many people enjoy either participating in, or simply reading, the dialogue that takes place on some of these posts. Also, as of now, I will not turn off comments on the Friday 'This 'n' That.'  And don't forget to read the Comment Policy before leaving a comment on any post, especially those posts that have been archived for quite some time.

Source

Well, then, that was a boring introduction today, wasn't it? Let's see, while we're being boring, do you know what Beth Moore ate for lunch this past Tuesday? I do. It's tweets (or Facebook updates, etc.) like this that exemplify what is wrong with social media. Do I really need to know what you're eating for lunch? This may shock you, but no, I don't. Personally, I don't care. Just as I doubt that you care one iota what I am eating for lunch! And do I want to see a picture of the lunch in question? Nope. We all have sent our fair share of self-absorbed tweets, to be sure. But this is what social media has done—it has fed the narcissist in all of us, and we've been happy to indulge. Is it any wonder that the same egotistical attitude and approach to life has grossly invaded our churches?

Okay, while I go spread my peanut butter on my toast, please enjoy your week in review (kind of):

• The pope is now tweeting. I'm not sure where his tweets fall in that whole ex cathedra, infallibility thing.

• Carl Trueman notes that 'free speech' is kind of a joke.

• Great. Provocative clothing that helps so-called 'Christian' girls be 'playful' for Jesus.

• Baby on the way? Still deciding on a name? Try one of these. 'ESPN' is a nice name for a little boy, but only if his middle name is 'Sportscenter.'

• So, what do you think? Will Rick Warren change his ringtone?

• I'm liking Conrad Mbewe's blog. Here he asks the question, "Is preaching past its sell-by date?"

• Whoa, things are getting scandalous in the Mormon church! Some feminist Mormons are arranging a 'wear pants to church day' this coming Sunday. Look out!

• Wait, Illinois did something right? Seriously shocking. I guess there is a first time for everything.

• Newsweek's latest cover story features an article by Bart Ehrman, a scholar known for his belief that the New Testament is largely historical fiction. Al Mohler takes a look.

• Do you know what the gospel is? Don't miss Pastor Mike Abendroth's sermon when the gospel comes to sin city.

• So, I listened to this early on Wednesday morning, and by 7 AM, it was stuck in my  head and I was humming it incessantly. Enjoy.

• When I was in college, the store Urban Outfitters was the place to shop. Okay, it was one of the places to shop. It was bad then. It's really bad now. But what's worse is the attitude of indifference exhibited by the young people who spend their money (or their parents' money) there.

• Feeling depressed, guilty, self-absorbed and lost in your own grief? Have we got the 'Blue Christmas' service for you!

• Here's a great quote from Horatius Bonar.

• Short selling your house? Better wrap it up before the end of the year!

• I'm not usually a fan of the website SBC Voices, but this article, 'The Power of Negative Thinking,' is a decent read.

• Hm. Most of the people questioned in this survey think Christmas should be about Jesus and not Santa. What a thought!

• Here's this year's most popular Google Doodles.

• According to a recent survey, 1 in 3 Americans believes that the increase in natural disasters is a sign of the end times.

• Some kid wants Hasbro to make 'non-gender specific' Easy Bake ovens so her brother can cook. Really? Seems to me that the successful male chefs of today did just fine without a blue (as opposed to a pink) piece of plastic with a lightbulb inside (which is all those toys really are, anyway). And by the way, I don't think that 13-year old who started the petition is fooling anyone: with the way government education is today, there's no way she came up with those words on her own.

• Reformation 21 discusses some people's objections to celebrating Christmas because of its 'pagan roots.'

• I've been enjoying Ligonier's posts teaching through some of our favorite Christmas carols. Here's 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.'

• I love stuff like this: check out these photos from WWII.

• Ah, Seattle. You never cease to be predictable.

• Prosperity preachers and 'private jets for Jesus.'

• The real 'Saint Nicholas' worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ, and would have been "appalled at the way his legacy has been used to obscure the true meaning of Christmas."

• Kevin DeYoung has more about 'St. Nick.'

• Do you believe in a Santa Christ?

• We all know the song that is sung so often this time of year, 'Mary, Did You Know?' but what did Mary know?