Comfort, Aesthetics, and Really Old Shopping Lists

Somebody I went to high school passed away this week. He was just 51 years old. I don't know the specifics because he was a year ahead of me and we just didn't run in the same circles, so we were never close, but hearing the news still hit me pretty hard.

It's hard not to contemplate James 4:14: "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." We are not promised tomorrow. Or even tonight. We can only count on having this moment, at least in the earthly sense. And this moment counts for eternity.

If you want to dig into this topic from a theological perspective, R.C. Sproul wrote this fantastic essay in 1977: Right Now Counts Forever.

Now, let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper:

• This article on the Christianity Today website about how a superficial understanding of comfort masks our deeper, truer need and fails to name our deeper, truer longings is so good. 

 

• Christians don't agree on the importance of aesthetics in the context of worship, but I love how this article points out that the Vatican is conducting a study about the existing training for artists in the church. It wants to know whether architects, painters, sculptors, and musicians are being equipped.

 

• When I was really young, my mom bought me a stuffed lamb that I carried around everywhere. Eventually, "Lamb" (yep, that was his name) lost his eyes, nose, and mouth. Mom sowed replacements onto Lamb's face and I was good to go. All these years later, she still has that little critter. That's why I love this story about a lost teddy bear that a newspaper is trying to return to its owner.

 

• Johnny Hekker, the punter for the Los Angeles Rams, wrote an article titled What You Don't Know About: Being a Punter. In it, he says this: "Being a punter isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. I’m sure you didn’t think it was all that glamorous to begin with, but the truth is, like anything, it has its upsides and downsides ... If anybody gets out of their seat when I’m on the field, it’s probably to grab a hot dog or a beer. I’m the bathroom-break song at a concert … but I’m O.K. with that." Most of us are punters. We don't have glamorous jobs. But we do those jobs to the best of our ability. That's not only O.K., but it's important. Keep going.

 

• Four years ago this month, I started a daily goal of 8,000 steps. In that span of time, I've taken 8,375,060 steps (or 4,210 miles). That breaks down to 2.88 miles per day, which means my average is closer to 6,000 steps than 8,000. But I've doubled down this year and am staying on schedule. If you have a Fitbit and want to connect so we can encourage one another in weekly walking challenges, I'd love to set one up. Just hit the reply button and let me know you're interested.

 

• Speaking of walking, you might find this article to be helpful: What's Your Walking Excuse?

 

• Want to know what people put on shopping lists in 1633? Archaeologists found one such list recently in Kent, England. Who even knew that people made shopping lists 384 years ago?

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Have a great weekend!