Every once in a while on this blog I like to point out articles or videos that I consider neat or insightful. Here are a few I came across this week.

“They Feel ‘Blessed’” by Jessica Bennett: “There’s nothing quite like invoking holiness as a way to brag about your life. But calling something ‘blessed’ has become the go-to term for those who want to boast about an accomplishment while pretending to be humble, fish for a compliment, acknowledge a success (without sounding too conceited), or purposely elicit envy.” A good reminder for us to examine our motives anytime we use the term.

What to look for in a church, by Kurt Willems: After reflecting on five church types to avoid, Willems now provides a list of five church types to embrace.

“Why Did Methuselah Live So Long?” by Nathan Busenitz: I had never considered this answer before!

“Four Reasons Men Need Paternity Leave” by Christian Piatt: This article was written back in April in response to the flak received by New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy when he took off the first few games of the MLB season to be with wife during and after the birth of their son.

New recording of “It Is Well with My Soul”: This classic hymn by Horatio Spafford is featured on Jimmy Needham’s latest album, The Hymn Sessions. At the three-minute mark of the video below, John Piper tells the story of the tragic accident that prompted Spafford to write it.