What are you enjoying right now?
Sometimes, we need to step back and ask a question like that.
Philippians 4:8 challenges believers to think and dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.” So the Facts & Trends staff would like to regularly share our “Favorites” at the moment.
It might be a new book or podcast we’re enjoying or something going on in our lives we want to share. Hopefully, you’ll think about things that are your favorites right now and maybe find something else to add to that list.
Aaron Earls (@WardrobeDoor), online editor: To the joy of “Whovians” around the world, the iconic BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who returned to television screens recently for it’s ninth season since a 2005 reboot. First appearing in 1963, Doctor Who follows around the time-traveling alien called the Doctor from a race of people known as the time lords. He encounters monsters, forms friendships, and saves the day. It’s pretty standard fare in that regard, but there’s a spiritual depth to the show that sets it apart.
Respected theologians have written books on the religious nature of Doctor Who, as it wrestles with deep questions of life and meaning. One of my favorite episodes, Father’s Day, saw the Doctor and his friends running into a church to find safety and protection with the eventual solution being someone sacrificing themselves to set things right. My favorite this week is the return of Doctor Who to my TV screen and the opportunity to have significant conversations about spiritual topics with my sons as we watch the Doctor save the day again.
Matt Erickson (@_Matt_Erickson), managing editor: Tranquility. We could all use a little more of that. Life is so busy (or at least many of us experience it that way). So, when I saw a new book called Tranquility: Cultivating a Quiet Soul in a Busy World, I was immediately interested. Pastor and author David Henderson says he was first approached about writing a book on time, busyness, and hurry about 15 years ago. But he was too busy!
I’ve been enjoying the book . . . when I can find time to read it. It’s well written and wise. I especially appreciate the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Plenty of authors include a quote or two, but this book has five or six, and they’re good ones. They get you thinking and set the course for the chapter. So, if you could use a little more tranquility in your life, check out this book.
Lisa Green (@lisaccgreen), senior writer: My parents are dog people. My daughter is a cat person. Sandwiched in between, I am happily pet-free. This week I managed to visit both the canine and feline branches of my family.
My parents’ two Yorkshire terriers are round-bellied from treats and consummately spoiled, but they keep my doting mother and father active. My daughter’s two cats are opposite in temperament—the feisty one steals food from kitchen countertops, while the aloof one lounges atop her cat tower—but my twentysomething daughter adores them both. I understand the feeling.
Over the years my husband and I have had both cats and dogs, usually both at once. I’m thankful for the love and companionship pets can provide, but for now I enjoy the freedom to travel without worrying about pets at home. Like a visiting grandparent I can pop in, share the love, and then leave the responsibility in the hands of another generation.
Katie Shull (@KShull), graphic designer: My favorite for the week is a new church planting resource, called NewChurches.com. I’m not a church planter, but I think it will be an awesome tool for advancing the gospel.
I was reviewing some of the charts and a sampling of the completed survey. This is a huge survey. All the infographics are sleek and well done. The website lauches Monday, Oct. 5 and is offering a free trial until January. If you’re at all curious about church planting or in the midst of working in a church plant, you should check it out.
What has made you smile so far this week? What would be your favorite today?
