The Friday Update - Mishegoss

Happy Friday,

The Red Sea was a roaring, immovable wall until it saw the presence of God and fled like a frightened child. We would do well to rightly understand the true order of things and respond in kind to the All-Mighty God. Lord, give us eyes to see things as they really are.

WOTW

Honorable mention goes to death blades (a cat’s claws), popcorn brain (an unfocused and easily sidetracked — Hey look! A squirrel! — state of mind) and anec-data (a term designed to remind us that the plural of anecdote is not data). Full honors go to mishegoss (a Yiddish word meaning craziness, silliness, or senseless behavior. It’s a good word to have on hand these days.) BTW1: last week’s WOTW created two scuffles. One over whether to call conservative Catholics radtrads or tradcats. And one over whether to call the US’s 250^th anniversary a bisesquicentennial or a semiquincentennial. Thankfully, there were only minor injuries. BTW2: RIP to the always awkward bespoke, which is to be bespoken no more.

My Madness

Conclave may have made betting on which cardinal will ascend to the Bishopric of Rome inevitable, but it didn’t make it right. (Do note: the viral comment attributed to the late Pope —"The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches" — is fake news.)

Context AND Character

Researchers are now noting that our self-control is significantly shaped by our environment. I’m tempted to note that my parents knew as much 60 years ago, which is why they didn’t want me playing with Danny Stoffer (and Danny’s mom didn’t want her precious little boy playing with me). But I’ll save the snark and ask: are you encouraging your friends to love and good deeds? (If you need motivation to that end, Gary Haugen’s speech at the 2019 National Prayer B-fast is worth rewatching.)

Star Wars Day

I only recently learned that May 4^th was “Star Wars Day.” If you’re among those who celebrate it, I hope Tuesday exceeds your expectations. “May the fourth” be with you.

Overheard

1) Pastors need to help people parse between Jesus and Jordan Peterson.

2) Politicians no longer have constituents; they have “followers.”

3) We need to enter a room listening.

4) Singing lowers anxiety.

5) Societies that work well function as a “seamless web of deserved trust.”

6) Men are from X, and women are from Instagram.

Quote Worth Requoting

“Jesus is not just nice — he is brilliant. He is the smartest man who ever lived. He is the master of moral knowledge.” - Dallas Willard

Without Comment

1) The US birth rate rose 1% last year, but remains at historic lows. 

2) 20B videos are now live on YouTube, with 20M new ones being added every day.

3) Effective yesterday (May 1), the Chinese Communist Party banned missionary activity — prohibiting Christians from “preaching, sharing their faith, or establishing religious organizations without official government approval.”

4) The average American has $244 of unused gift cards sitting in a drawer. 

5) It’s estimated that 2% of US women (18-45) are posting content on OnlyFans.

6) Per the WSJ, it’s not just supercharged execs who now believe that 4 a.m. is the new 7 a.m.

Worth A Thousand Words

1) This map shows the state-by-state rise and (mostly) fall of Christ-followers

2) This chart shows that more sexual partners are correlated with lower marital satisfaction.

Resources

A few things to keep on your radar: Lakelight is offering a fellows program this upcoming fall devoted to Tim Keller’s life and work that is worth checking out. Also, by way of reminder, you are warmly welcomed to become a patron of TFU; your support will help us cover admin costs for the newsletter.

Closing Prayer

O most gracious God, enlighten our minds that we may know you, and let us not be unfruitful in that knowledge. Lord, work in our hearts a true faith, a purifying hope, and an unfeigned love for you. Give us full trust in you, zeal for you, reverence of all things that relate to you. Make us fearful to offend you, thankful for your mercies, humble under your corrections, devout in your service, and sorrowful for our sins. Help us, O Lord, to act towards our neighbor that we may never transgress your royal law, of loving him as ourselves. Finally, O Lord, sanctify us throughout, that our whole spirit, soul, and body, may be preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory forever.
Amen. (Thomas à Kempis - 1380 - 1471)