Happy Friday, friends, and Happy December!

I got a little backed up on my posting, so today, let’s just knock out some of my “Friday Feed” backlog, huh? Here are a bunch of links I’ve been compiling over the last few months that I’ve been meaning to serve up for your weekend edu-tainment and encouragement. I think they’re pretty neat. Hope you do, too!

Let’s gooooooooooooo!

• Back in October, Jack Butler at the National Review looked at how 1984 and Brave New World both pointed to a similar possible future for our culture.
• Speaking of which: Denny Burk addresses the semi-recent “2+2=5” discussion.
• Jaybird at Ordinary Times posits what a “dystopian leftist culture” would be like. (It’s not what you’re thinking, and it’s MUCH closer to reality if you’re on social media much these days.)
• I’ll go out on this limb with Youtuber “Second Chance”: Josie and the Pussycats was a fantastic and misunderstood film. SC gives you a 30-minute breakdown as to why.
• Breaking news from the Department of Obvious Things: I’m pretty hyped about Seth Godin’s new book.
• Speaking of Seth: here’s a helpful reminder that we like what we choose to like.
• The eloquent Samuel Sey asks, “Are women too weak to overcome adversity?” His answer should be obvious, but it’s his application that really sings.
• My dude Michael Coughlin brings conviction about keeping your word and not using God’s sovereignty as a backdoor escape hatch in this excellent TAU piece.
• Here’s an excellent critical review of White Fragility by Denny Burk.
• Kevin DeYoung considers the question of preaching without notes. As a recently-converted “manuscript guy,” I can see both sides of the issue. Personally, I’m going to stick to manuscripting and just work on my delivery when I have the opportunity.
• This video by Youtuber “Savage Books” provides really insightful analysis of how the writer of John Wick used dialogue to establish his terrifying protagonist. (Strong language warning.)
• KC Proctor has some really important reminders for maintaining your mental and professional well-being if you get laid off.
• Back in March, Caleb Morell at 9 Marks gave some historical context about how churches responded to the Spanish Flu of 1918. Given how much things have morphed from March to December of 2020, this article may not be 100% applicable anymore, but we can use it as a datapoint for fleshing out our thinking, can’t we?
• Also back in March, Darryl Dash gave these exhortations to both pastors and parishoners about this challenging season. They still apply. (And I’ll co-sign his recommendation of Dane Ortlund’s Gentle and Lowly.)
• I found this Tim Challies article from August in my link folder, and my heart just ached for him anew. (For those who don’t know, the Challies’ son Nick, whom Tim mentions dropping off at school in the post, died suddenly a month ago of an undiagnosed heart condition [if memory serves].) If you haven’t read Tim Challies’ blog before, or haven’t read it lately, take some time to read through the posts related to Nick’s death. The reason I suggest this isn’t morbid curiosity or tacky onlooking, but to point you to Tim’s living example of how a rock-solid conviction of Biblical truth is an undeniable comfort and aid in even the darkest valleys of suffering. I can’t imagine what Tim and Aileen are going through–I shudder to even attempt such a mental exercise. But when I see them fighting tooth-and-claw to hold onto hope in the midst of such a tragedy, I can’t help but praise God for His mercy and comfort in our times of greatest need.

That’s all I have at the moment. Have a great weekend, my friends. See you back here next week!