Bits & Pieces (3/20/13)

The Great Commission is Both Obligation and Gift – “While not detracting from the importance of measuring strategies and goals in seeking to fulfill Christ’s commands, we must not lose sight of the fact that far more important than having a plan is relying on a Person.”

Domino’s Founder Gets Contraceptive Mandate Blocked – I’m not a legal scholar but this seems like an important development in regards to the concerns that many organizations have with President Obama’s Affordable Care Act and the accompanying contraceptive mandate.

Five Myths About Bible Translation – This post looks at five things people are prone to think regarding how the Bible is translated, and reveals the truth about each of them.

The ‘Work’ of Marriage Revisited – Is marriage supposed to constitute hard work? This post makes the persuasive point that, especially as years and busyness increase. intentionality is required to ensure that the bonds of intimacy deepen. Whether you want to call that work or something else is up to you.

Dying to Myself – “Jesus said we have to die to ourselves to follow him (Mark 8:34-37). Sometimes it’s dramatic. Sometimes it comes at great cost, and sometimes people are encouraged. Most of the time, though, we die to ourselves quite privately. So privately, in fact, that even those closest to us don’t know. We die to ourselves by keeping our mouths shut, forgiving others when they slight us, and moving on.”

Rushing & Pausing – “The bottom line is that oftentimes I create an atmosphere of stress and perceived need when there is none. I’m really feeling like there’s not a positive outcome by insisting that every moment in life serves to make you feel like you’re late for the next one.”