“The Quiet and Crucial Work of Deacons” - Marshall Segal, Desiring God
Acts 6 is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. The early church runs into a problem; Greek widows are being skipped over in the distribution. So, what do they do? They appoint deacons to complement the leadership of the elders and continue serving the church. In today’s world, everyone means something different when they refer to deacons. Segal surveys the biblical descriptions and prescriptions to capture the heart of diaconal ministry.
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What do deacons do? In short, they assist the elders by meeting needs in the life of the church. They unleash the word of God by allowing the elders to focus on praying, teaching, and governing. And in doing so, the deacons guard and encourage the church’s love for one another.”
“The Leader of the Opposition” - Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review
Clever title. In Britain, the leader of the opposition is the head of the coalition in the minority or the biggest party not in the government. They oppose the PM with their shadow government and competing agenda. Florida governor Ron DeSantis is up to the task. Not only is he a fighter (the one quality David Drucker says the next GOP presidential candidate must have - if you haven’t read,
After Trump, it’s the best book on the realignment in Republican politics between now and 2024.), but he’s also learned to orchestrate conservative wins that build on one another. His political savvy and track record in a big state may be the qualities that set him apart in 2024.
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It’s also a testament to the fact that DeSantis can build one victory upon previous ones. He is reinforcing a victory for self-rule, and for social conservatism, by creating another victory for law and order. Just as a few months ago he took the win of legislating against indoctrination into gender ideology in primary school, and then reinforced it by boxing with the Disney corporation over certain legal privileges it enjoys.”
“Closeness Comes Through Fire: How Suffering Conforms Us to Christ” - Ed Welch, CCEF
Suffering sanctifies; it’s easy to say but often hard to believe, and even more difficult to explain as someone you love goes through suffering. But it is undeniably true. Sometimes God uses our most difficult seasons to draw us to himself. Welch brings a counselor’s eye not just to how we process our suffering, but how we talk to others about theirs.
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So, how does suffering sanctify? How does God sanctify us in the midst of suffering? In this way: with boundless compassion, God rushes to us. He comes close and enters into our burdens. He hears the cries of his people, which means that he will take action (Psalm 10:14).”
“If I Was the World’s Only Christian” - Tim Challies, Challies.com
Now here’s an interesting thought - what if you were the only Christian in the world? It would be easy to lose confidence, Challies writes. Not just because of the isolation, the diversity of the Christian world serves as a witness to the truth of the Christian faith. People from every culture, race, and socioeconomic class can find salvation in Christ. Being a worldwide faith brings difficulties, but those are outweighed by strengths.
“I Didn’t Want It to Be True, but the Medium Really Is the Message” - Ezra Klein, The New York Times
I read every column Ezra Klein writes. This is not because I always agree with him, but I’ve noticed since he was at Vox that he represents the smart and thoughtful progressive position. He is an ideologue and that comes out in every column. Notice how many times in this article he brings up a point you likely agree with and then applies or explains it with an example you totally disagree with. But that’s what I like about him. He’s transparent enough to show his worldview. It’s coherent, thoughtful, and challenging - exactly the kind of person to read to think around the other side of an issue.
On this topic, Klein is certainly right. Technology is changing us, rewiring our brains, and making them “hungry,” as he explains here, for quick hits and flashy social media entertainment. The key to social life in the coming generation will be limiting the damage of social media on our souls and psyches. Klein is onto the crucial points.
“It Was a Mistake to Let Kids Onto Social Media Sites. Here’s What to Do Now” - Yuval Levin, The New York Times
Now here’s the same argument from a different worldview. Yuval Levin looks at the effects of social media on children and teens. TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram are having devastating effects on the mental health of teenagers, specifically girls. How do we help them when they can’t resist the pressures of fitting in and not missing out?
Levin offers a legal answer, raise the age limit on social media sites and enforce it. I’m skeptical about this solution. Part of the problem with social media is that almost nothing is enforceable. Snapchat’s disappearing messages reinforce the idea that nothing gets out of the app. Empowering parents and raising awareness is a great first step. I agree with Levin here, “we are not powerless to correct that mistake.”
“Senate Passes Democrats’ Climate, Healthcare, and Tax Bill” - Andrew Duehren and Siobhan Hughes, The Wall Street Journal
With a tie-breaking vote from the VP, the Senate Democrats passed their latest reconciliation bill. Many of the provisions will look familiar, it’s a slimmed-down version of Biden’s Build Back Better bill that failed last year. With $80b to the IRS, enhanced ACA subsidies, incentives for reducing carbon emissions, increased corporate taxes, and EV credits, it’s what the Democrats have been pushing for since Biden took office.
Republicans have argued that the bill - titled the Inflation Reduction Act - will actually raise inflation, empower the IRS to go after middle-class Americans, and raise taxes for almost everyone.
To go deeper, here are some quick links:
“What’s in the Deal?” - Amara Omoekwe and Siobhan Hughes, The Wall Street Journal
“Why the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ Is No Such Thing” - Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post
Quick Links:
“Indiana Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban, the First State to Do So Post-Roe” - Amy Cheng, The Washington Post
“The Sermon of the Wolf” - Eleanore Parker, Plough
