the brain and creativity

You might want to check this out.

an increase of humility and collaboration

This article by Alan Jacobs makes the observation that many scholars are badly-placed to pick-up on biblical allusions in non-biblical texts (the case in point being Oscar Wilde's Portait of Dorian Gray). It's worth a read and so, too, are the comments, in which one reader advocates "increased humility and collaboration" which seems a fine thing to me.

Beautiful photos of Llyn

Check out this collection by Martin Turtle.

And if you're ever in Abersoch, the gallery is well worth a visit.

For some strange reason

my family say this ad reminds them of me.......

On Mynydd Mawr

Pwllheli: The marina beach, towards Abererch sands

Pwllheli: from Gimlet Rock towards West End

Atop Gimlet Rock (2)

Atop Gimlet Rock

Towards Morfa Bychan

Between Carreg Y Defaid and Pwllheli

can you be so certain?

Tony Schwarz writes of Ten Principles to Live by in Fiercely Complex Times. They all bear considering but I liked the first in particular:

Always challenge certainty, especially your own.When you think you're undeniably right, ask yourself "What might I be missing here?" If we could truly figure it all out, what else would there be left to do?

the arctic light

The Arctic Light from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Do you want to work in an office?

Here's some interesting thoughts on the topic.

Me? I'd love to, but keep the home-based study, too, for when I want space and silence.

If you're a boring preacher....

why not share these rules with your congregation?

aurora borealis

The Aurora from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Do you read journals?

The case is made here for pastors doing so (and not just journals, I guess).

Is mission your idol?

While a vision for serving God is needed, and the desperate condition of our world cannot be ignored, there is a higher calling that is going unanswered in many Christian communities. As shepherds of God’s people, we must not allow our fears of insignificance to drive us into an unrelenting pursuit of church growth, cultural impact, or missional activism. Instead, we must model for our people a first-class commitment to a first-class purpose—living in perpetual communion with God himself. As we embrace the call to live with God, only then will we be capable of illuminating such a life for our people.

Skye Jethani, Has Mission Become Our Idol?

so, so cool

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Using Desire Properly

Sometimes you'll listen to communicators who are really effective because they're great at playing on longings and producing emotional responses in people. And that can make a talk really successful, and it can make a communicator really popular. But it can actually damage the spiritual formation because people become dependent on a story or a lofty experience during a sermon to have deep emotions about God. And then when they're removed from that setting, they find themselves not feeling much about God. And part of what spiritual formation involves is the reformation of my desire so that I am freed from desires that lead me away from God, and I am increasingly motivated by desires that lead me toward God and the life God wants me to live.

John Ortberg, Redeeming Authority