One of the most notable features of American evangelicalism in the last generation has been a powerful surge toward “social justice.” At times it is no different than the old-fashioned social gospel, at times it simply catches up to mainline Protestantism — and most of the time evangelicals have completely ignored the rigorous and comprehensive thinking on “social justice” on the part of Roman Catholics. Whatever one makes of it — and I’m both deeply appreciative of the commitment to... Read more

SI.com If you’re one of the lucky individuals who will be in the stands at Super Bowl 50, be prepared shell out more than a few bucks to get your drank on. If beer is your drink of choice, get ready to pay $13 for a Coors Light. And if you’re looking for something a little fancier, a glass of wine will cost you $25. Yup, $25 for a single glass. You can also pair your $25 glass of wine... Read more

Matt Bonesteel: The study found three possible reasons for the increase in flu deaths because of the Super Bowl: 1. “An increase in large gatherings increases the frequency of human contact and probability of transmission.” 2. “Postseason play alters travel patterns and increases the contact or mixing rate between possible susceptible and infected groups via fan mobility.” 3. “Postseason play may affect local economies in areas with participating teams, through increased tourism from outside or increased local expenditures. Changes in... Read more

O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP Read more

Grandma and grandpa, mom and dad — read to ’em: (CNN)When parents read to their children the difference shows in children’s behavior and academic performance. And according to a new study, the difference also shows in their brain activity. Researchers looked at children ages 3 to 5 who underwent brain scans called functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) while listening to a pre-recorded story. The parents answered questions about how much they read to, and communicated with, their children. The researchers saw that,... Read more

Amy Cuddy, by Elsa Vulliamy: People who struggle with a lack of confidence or are naturally shy are often the same people who sit bunched up, make themselves small and occupy as little space as possible. The Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy has a simple piece of advice to make such people feel more confident and assertive. Dr Cuddy is known for a TED talk she gave in 2012 about the significance of body language on confidence and success in the workplace or classroom. Her... Read more

The Bread Winner, by John Frye “He has done everything well” (Mark 7:37). We are currently following Jesus into “unclean” territories. Jesus had radically redefined “unclean” and his definition is so big, it was hard for the church to wrap it arms around (see, for example, Acts 10 with Peter thrust by the Spirit into Cornelius’ house).  Jesus has gone into the region of Tyre and Sidon and is now hanging around in Decapolis. Notorious Gentile (unclean) regions. Robert H.... Read more

Perhaps the most interesting book I’ve read in a long time about the LGBTQ community is Caleb Kaltenbach‘s Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others without Sacrificing Conviction. He opens — and then suspends the conclusion — with a sermon he was about to preach on homosexuality but the whole emerges out of his unique story: I first need to tell you about some of the formative events I experienced over the many years leading up... Read more

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt. 28:18-20 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given... Read more