Bits & Pieces (3/25/13)

From a Symbol of Fear to a Symbol of Faith – “If you want to know the true perspective on the seriousness of sin, however, look to the cross. Look at the extreme nature of the solution to this problem. If sin were ‘no big deal,’ would God have sent His only begotten Son to die a shameful death on a cross to deal with it? And what kind of love is this? What kind of love is displayed when God sends His only begotten Son to die for the sins we commit against Him? This is love of a kind and degree that we can hardly fathom. This is what changed the cross from a symbol of fear to a symbol of faith.

Is it True That “If You Don’t Have a Conversion Story You Don’t Have a Conversion”? – I really appreciated this article, and although I suspect many will disagree with it, I think it adds an important element in the discussion around conversion stories.

Put Down The Cheetos, Read This Post, and Stop Being So Lazy! – “….laziness isn’t defined by mere lack of activity. Laziness is not doing the tasksGod has given you to do. It doesn’t matter whether you fill the void with hours of Star Trek reruns or with answering work-related emails. If it’s not what God has called you to do, then it’s laziness. So you can be perpetually busy and chronically lazy.”

Only 57 Churches Left in Iraq; From 300 in 2003 – “Iraq had 300 churches and 1.4 million Christians in 2003, but now only 57 churches and about half a million Christians remain with members of the minority fleeing Islamist attacks, according to local reports.”

March Madness Explained…Star Wars Style – Just in case you need a laugh this Monday morning, check out this video. I would guess, however, that Star War fans and March Madness fans often fall into two different camps.