On this day in history: In 1836, Alonzo D. Phillips received a patent for the phosphorous friction safety match. In 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. And in 1939, nylon stockings were sold to the public for the first time in Wilmington, DE.
The Barista: Not Just A Job Anymore – One of the best opportunities for social interaction is coffee. And there are people who have set aside other career opportunities to pursue this industry. And the results are very interesting. It will be intriguing to see where this trend leads.
Genie, The Feral Child – This is both fascinating and very disheartening. The fact that this girl lived like this for any amount of time at all is not good at all. And it reinforces the fact that we are broken people, in need of a Savior.
The Sound So Loud It Circled The Earth Four Times – Have you ever wondered what the loudest sound on earth could possibly be? Over a hundred years ago, a volcano erupted and what resulted is truly mind boggling.
Does Grammar Matter? – I have become more and more a fan of the TED Talks. These brief bits of education are often very enlightening, and you can find just about every topic covered. This one is on grammar, and why it matters.
Today In Church History
On October 24, 1778, Sarah Hale was born in Newport, New Hampshire. The author of Mary Had A Little Lamb, her most important achievement was to make Thanksgiving a holiday in the United States, advocating for a day of gratitude to God in her writings. Read more about her here.
Jonathan Edwards: God Permits Evil, But Does Not Cause It – This is a very common question among new believers, and even those who do not believe. And the classic text on this topic is the book of Job. But it is often helpful to gain the perspective of others, and not always those contemporary with ourselves. This article gives some teaching from the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards. It is definitely worth reading.
How To Highlight A Book Like A Bible Nerd – I found this somewhat amusing as well as very helpful. I have a very intentional way that I highlight books as I read them. This article, though written with Logos software in mind, has given me a few ideas to add into my own routine, whether I’m reading a paper book, or an ebook.
What Shall I Preach On Next? – I am a planner. I have my preaching schedule planned out months in advance. But I also build in open weeks, allowing for flexibility, and of course, if the Holy Spirit leads in a different direction, I am more than willing to follow Him. But how do I pick what to preach? Here are a few good guidelines.