For Your Consideration (02/15/17)

Here are a few of the things that have been meaningful to me (and my family) recently.

It occurs to me that posting these is sort of my effort to invite you in on my own journey. As I’ve mentioned before, I appreciate hearing from you as a reader!

As shall be my custom, I will list them in order of how much time they’ll require of you.

BROTHER (THE BRILLIANCE)

On the inspiration of a friend, I assembled a “Sunday Morning Mix” on Spotify. Another friend had just introduced me to The Brilliance, and a few of their songs were promptly included. They are wonderful; contemplative and rich without become too melancholic.

We had a birthday dance party for my 9-year-old, and she actually asked for us to play one of their songs.

Brother (video above) is the one the whole family keeps singing. Maybe you’ll want to start the video and listen to the song while you look down this list. Maybe it will get stuck in your head, too.

Should take exactly 3:34.

HAND-DRAWN INFOGRAPHICS BY W.E.B. Du BOIS

His name may prove hard to spell, but his beautiful hand-drawn infographics make information easy on the eyes. Makes me think (hope?) we would’ve been kindred spirits.

It is Black History Month, so here’s the first part of his bio from the site:

William Edward Burghardt “W. E. B.” Du Bois — sociologist, historian, activist, Pan-Africanist, and prolific author — had also, it turns out, a mighty fine eye for graphic design. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 1868, Du Bois studied at Fisk University, Humboldt University in Berlin, and Harvard (where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate), and in 1897 he became a professor of history, sociology and economics at Atlanta University.

LECRAE HUFPO PIECE ON #BLM

Grammy Award-Winning Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae wrote a piece about Black Lives Matter for the Huffington Post. Having spoken up about his passion for the issues represented in this movement, he went from paragon to pariah in the eyes of many. This piece was his response (back in October 2016). It’s sad and sobering.

I would encourage anyone with misgivings about the BLM sentiment and movement to dive deeper than soundbites or political point-scoring. As a Christian, I would say this is paramount at this point in our nation’s history.

It’ll just take about 10 minutes to read.

SCANDALIZING CHRISTIAN WRITING

Jessica Hooten Wilson is an English Professor at John Brown University, and she makes the following confession:

For three years, I judged Christian novels for Christianity Today’s Novel of the Year Award. One year it was almost unbearable. I found the contenders all but unreadable.

Her article on FathomMag.com goes on to address the dearth of scandal in Christian writing. I’m certain her article could be more broadly applied to Christian art in general.

Something I’ve been giving more thought to of late is a Christian value and understanding of art. I’m still not certain how I’d elucidate my view of art and its importance, but I remember with pangs those times I’ve brushed up against certain offerings of art done in the name of Jesus. To quote our president: “Not good.”

The page will tell you its a 6 minute read. I’m a slower reader, so we’ll go with 10.

GRACE, JUSTICE & MERCY (STEVENSON & KELLER)

After last week’s resource recommendation, a friend recommended this segment from Redeemer Presbyterian’s Center for Faith and Work Calling Series.

In this video, Tim Keller and Bryan Stevenson share on the Biblical concept of justice and what it looks like in practice. (On a separate note, I was surprised to see my friend Susan Nacorda moderating … so deftly, I might add.)

Tim Keller is the head pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC and is becoming a prolific author. I mentioned in a previous post that I’m currently reading his book Generous Justice. 

Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer and the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. His profile is rising after his TED Talk “We Need to Talk About an Injustice” and his  New York Times bestselling book (which I have yet to read) Just Mercy.

It’s just over an hour long.