Friday Linkage

Happy Friday! I am ecstatic about this coming weekend. I hope you have something equally wonderful to anticipate.

For the writers and readers, here is some eye-candy.

Joel Miller writes a gentle reminder about God's answers.

This letter on marriage from Reagan to his son is touching.

Leadership Freak offers some tips for those of us trying to be braver.

I love applying literature to life. This Wall Street Journal article featuring Atticus Finch does just that.

Finally, some laughs for anyone living or working in Washington, D.C.

Friday Linkage

The bibliography is done and this girl's love-hate relationship with grad school is on hold until June.

This weekend I am going to rest, sleep, read, take care of everything that piled up over the last couple of weeks, spend time with friends, and enjoy being momentarily free from the constraints of deadlines.

I hope your weekend outlook is equally bright. Here are some links for your weekend browsing.

As just another high-school age victim of the Scarlet Letter assignment, I found this author's article about the reward of reading good literature a poignant reminder of the world's need for books. She writes, "We rely, despite considerable counterevidence, on those who weave words into laws and sermons and stories, vesting them with our hopes for the sentence that can perform the sacramental task of imparting life and grace and faith in things not seen. The ancient Hebrews regarded utterance as a sacred gift: every spoken word was shaped and borne on the breath of life, each breath a gift of Spirit. A high view of language is essential..."

"Trusting God with My Story" makes me uncomfortable. In a good way. Read it. Then read it again. Then drink some coffee and think about your story.

This is a hilarious breathe of fresh air for anyone who has ever graded anything, but especially for the world's English composition teachers.

Here's a witty commentary from Mancredible on communication between men and women for which Halfway Down the Stairs provided plentiful if not always productive input.

Humility is one of those virtues that begs many hard lessons. It's a difficult path to tread in today's world, and especially in the fast-paced self-advertising environment through which today's young professionals slug. Here's some encouragement.

Is anxiety holding you back? Try acting naive.

Friday Linkage

I hope that your weekend is filled with good conversation and memories made, with the morning sunshine of spring, warm coffee, and the laughter of those you love.

A guest post on Donald Miller's blog reflects on the importance of reading in meaningful life.

Desiring God had a thought-stirring article on the statistical connection between race and the frequency of abortion.

An interesting collection of quotes marking the novelist Milan Kundera's birthday will inspire any writer.

Michael Hyatt wrote a convicting article for Christians and leaders about the importance of keeping one's word.

A slideshow of an enormous lodge in Park City, Utah, provided some fun eye-candy....this might be my dream kitchen.

Friday Linkage

It's not Friday. Not even remotely. I hope as you prepare yourself for the week ahead, though, these links provide you with encouragement and inspiration.

This article from The Atlantic provides  fascinating look at the psychological effects good intentions have on our physical senses.

Creative Commons License: Coffee Club by anthony_p_c on Flickr

Watch the High Calling's brief video (or read the transcript) on why your work matters to God.

World Magazine's commentary about the redemption stories buried beneath March Madness was inspiring, even in light of the demise of my bracket.

After a week filled with random and petty but frustrating mishaps, Jeff Goins' words were a comforting reminder that art must happen not in spite of, but in the midst of, the real sweaty business of life.

In the face of a constant barrage of stories, ads, and curiosity about online dating, the Wall Street Journal provides a sometimes overlooked side to the fascinating new trend.

Friday Linkage

Happy weekending friends! Here are lots of links to enjoy.

Enjoy this collage of city-scapes.

My friend and fellow blogger shared this wonderful article from Gospel Coalition earlier this week.

These recent shots of the Titanic wreckage are fascinating.....for those of us who are history nerds.

BonaVita shares a design blog.

Peter Leithart shares an inspirational perspective about the heroic potential of the modern business world.

Mancredible discusses the importance of seeking out high-interest-producing checking accounts.

Donald Miller and Robert Bruce share suggestions for improving one's written and spoken words.

Apartment Therapy offers some creative options for cooking eggs.

Giveaway: TrimGoTrix

I like to think I am good at a number of things, like alphabetizing and finding comma errors. There are certain things, however, to which I can't even aspire. I'm not very artistic.....not like some. 

Monica, a dear friend of mine, for instance, makes beautiful pendants. She takes raw ivory and bone and wood and transforms them into works of art. 

You can see some of her lovely creations at TrimGoTrix, her Etsy shop. She's doing a giveaway, by the way, in conjunction with this site. To enter, simply leave a comment below. You can receive credit for an additional entry by linking to this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, or blog and sharing the link below in a a second comment. 

 

The deadline for entering the giveaway is Saturday, March 10 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be awarded the pendant of his or her choice from the TrimGoTrix store and will be announced on Wednesday, March 14.

Friday Linkage

Only a sliver of Friday is left. I watch the snow sift rapidly from the dark sky. I hope your week, like mine, brimmed with life, the the soul-strengthening plodding alongside the breath-catching good. And I hope your weekend and mine holds rest and peace and time with those you love. Happy weekending, friends! Here's some reading for your travels.

Alpha Consumer reveals what happy people know about money that the rest of us don't.

Inc.com presents a fascinating look at an explosive new trend in business and one of the world's oldest traditions: eating together.

Cardus presents a convicting call to action to young Christians, English majors and non-English majors alike.

101 Books is a lovely blog I've recently discovered.

Lindsey Frederick, a friend of mine, writes on the importance of confession in New Identity.

GodHungry presents four simple ways to pursue wisdom. 

Friday Linkage

After being granted a tantalizing taste of spring, the D.C. metro area has again been blasted with chilly weather. (I know I shouldn't complain and that 45 degrees is hardly brutal, but I am ready for some consistent sunshine and warmth by this time of year.)

It's not really Friday anymore, but here are some links for your weekend browsing.

Creative Commons: "Coffee for One"  © 2010 J. Ronald Lee on Flickr.

Tim Challies has made some beautiful desktop wallpapers available.

The Quest for Me on Humane Pursuits raises some thought-provoking questions on the purpose of community, the nature of our culture's craze with self-development, and my generation's obsessive avoidance of anything resembling commitment.

Christianity Today published an article that provided a unique perspective on Lent.

For those interested in breaking free of the traditional cubicle career, Leaving Work Behind is an interesting blog that contains a variety of rich resources.

Finally, my sister shared the beautiful Wayfare Magazine with me. I can't wait to explore it.

Friday Linkage

Happy Friday! Here are some links for your weekend browsing:

750 Words is an interesting site built on a genius idea.

I need to pin this prayer somewhere where I can see it regularly.

Creative Commons License: "True" by Joel Olives on Flickr

I thoroughly enjoy Lists of Note but this list of Henry Miller's 11 Commandments gives particularly wise advice.

Mancredible had a clear and helpful article about the basics of investing.

Here's some eye candy for bibliophiles.

Friday Linkage

Fun links this week include a variety of new blog finds:

• Itstartswith is an intriguing blog about productivity and life
• The Virginia House, an interior design blog, made me want to drop my work and paint something
• How About Orange is as whimsical as it is charming.

Dream Small was a timely, inspiring reminder from Cardus that God is in the little things. The author, James Smith K.A. Smith, poignantly writes, "You don't need me to tell you to dream big. But I do hope you'll hear me when I encourage you to also dream small. Because that might be what really matters."

In the same vein, this article for the Ligonier blog reminds readers that, in a world focused on the self, real purpose and peace can only be found in one place.

If you needed a reason to be grateful, The New York Times provides several.

Finally, in light of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, The Washington Post provides some surprising insight as it profiles some of the most influential members of the pro-life moment.

Friday Linkage

For your reading pleasure, here are some links....again, not posted on Friday.

For anyone who needs justification for their love of all things Disney, this article in Scriptorium provides some fodder.

This is one of my resolutions for 2012.

Here are some concrete tips from Mancredible for those of us whose workout routines require a bit of a kick-start.

Donald Miller explores the (often unexpected) tension between character and reputation.

Here is some inspiration for those of us sometimes disillusioned by standard career paths.

Friday Linkage

Enjoy these links while you're keeping warm on this brilliant cool autumn weekend!

• In a world of narcissism, this woman's tale of her birthday provided a refreshing contrast.
• One quote from Relevant's recent article on inevitable failure particularly resounded with me: "Because of my failures, I don’t deserve anything good. But good keeps coming my way. That’s not a reflection of my character or timing or anything else. But it is a reflection of the character of God."

• Andree Seu's recent post on rejecting emotional baggage was a gentle, yet convicting, reminder.
• I discovered some simple tips for eliminating excess spending.
• In a world cynical about relationships, this lovely tale of unlikely love was an encouragement.
• Between Blue Rocks offers a lovely reminder to acknowledge the beauty around us.
• The product of an idealistic liberal-arts education, I related to this author's experience.

Friday Linkage

Friday nights in October are for bonfires and friends, for hints of cozy winter evenings, and for piles of good books. And October Saturdays are for long hours in the golden sunlight. So this week's blog post wasn't published until Sunday night.

Here is a thought-provoking post on the difference between a hero and a celebrity.Which one are you aspiring to be?

New blog finds of the week include Keitharsis. There were so many wonderful posts that I could barely pick one to share. But this post on last moments is a good place to start.

It's been a while before I've shared an article by Seth Godin.  Read this post. And then decide: what are you going to do next?

Relevant Magazine recently published a thoughtful article on the wanderlust epidemic.

A recent article from Image Journal was a poignant reminder that grace resides in the everyday:

"But inside that little nothing is, of course, everything. Inside that smallness is an immensity beyond our ability to imagine. It is an offer of grace.Grace may be a gift, but the question we always have to ask is whether we are prepared to receive it."

Friday Linkage

It's 1:30 a.m. here, which means it's technically no longer Friday. It's been one of those weeks. Productive and challenging, exciting and stressful, I can't say that I'm sad to leave it behind. Now I'm spending the long weekend with my family in the woods, grateful for some time to catch my breath.

While you're enjoying the fall weather that's sweeping the nation, here's some weekend reading to peruse.

• Some tips for decision making. 
• A related article by The Happiness Project. Are you a satisficer or a maximizer? 
• Another article on happiness in the usual irreverent tone of Lifehacker.
• This article and this article, both published in Relevant Magazine, ask some revealing questions. They are definitely worth a read. And probably a second one.
• Anne Jackson's writing is provocative and convicting. Take some time to savor this blog post of hers this weekend. Favorite quote from the article: "What I am realizing is the extent I let my expectations control me."
• Along with the author of this post in the Cardus blog, I am learning what it means to love the revision process in writing and in life.

Friday Linkage

Today's linkage includes a rather wide-ranging smattering.

Would you rather spend money on tangible items or an experience? This article in Time Magazine weighs in on this dilemma.

How About Orange is a delightful blog. This personality test is especially fun.

William Deresiewicz wrote a sobering post on the concept of love fed to today's young women and the dire consequences of its false idealism. He also wrote a thoughtful post on the consequences of our perceptions of ourselves.

Image Journal published a lovely reflection on unattained plans. 

Christianity Today's article on happiness take a convicting look at our common definitions of happiness.

My favorite quotes from the article were the following:

"True virtue is personal, but it is never merely private. It involves a commitment to civic duty and the common good."

"We must challenge the tyranny of relativism not only in theory but also in our daily lives, families, communities, and businesses. We must show that true happiness comes only from being rightly related to God, the source of truth and virtue."

"The church of Jesus Christ has a special role to play in this moment: to speak the truth in love and to demonstrate our love to the world in acts of service and mercy. This is what Carl F. H. Henry had in mind when he wrote in 1947, 'We must confront the world now with an ethics to make it tremble and with a dynamic to give it hope.'"

The Cardus blog provided a sobering but optimistic perspective on the recent rioting around the world.

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Friday Linkage

It's Friday. For some, the week has been a bright summer week, full of sunshine and activity. For others, it has been a long week, a hard week, a week after which the weekend is not a goal reached as much as a mere extension of labor and emotion and waiting.

For those of us in the second group, Ann Voskamp's post on patience is a gentle reminder to focus on the most important things.

I'll admit that Ann Ryand's Atlas Shrugged is on my book list, although I haven't read it yet. I have heard conflicting reviews of the book and appreciated Marvin Olasky's insight.

I appreciate the thoughtful essay on Image Journal. As someone who has moved frequently and traveled often, I have always thought myself an expert at the art of (and avoidance of) goodbyes. Gregory Wolfe's essay was a convicting reminder that such markers of time should not be taken lightly.

I can't wait to explore this newly discovered blog.

Friday Linkage

It has been a long week, a busy week, but a good week as well. I hope your weekends are full of rich times and rest. Here are some links to browse as you enjoy the changed pace.

We all know we modify our tones as we switch between, for example, a conversation with a close friend and a conversation with our boss. Michael's Hyatt's thoughtful article inspired me to more closely examine the tone of my thinking, though.

I love the use of color in this post by Eat, Drink, Chic. Who knew red and pink could look so...well, so chic?

On a recent post by Leadership Freak, I learned about Colin Powell's 40/70 rule. The gist of the rule is that one should never take action if there is less than 40% chance of success. On the other hand, if one has 70% chance of success, then one should just go ahead and take action, assuming that the results will outweigh the risk.

I really enjoy the practical and creative tips provided by The Nesting Place. The photos are beautiful and the style is crisp, yet the perspective is practical.

I can't wait to explore this food blog.

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway before July 30!

Friday Linkage

This weekend holds friends and laughter, cleaning blitzes, clean laundry, coffee slowly sipped on the back deck, reading unrelated to work, and time passing unheeded.

Here are some links....even though today isn't Friday.

John Maxwell's system for filing quotes is fascinating and inspiring. Perhaps this weekend also holds time for tackling my quote collections.

Leadership inspiration often includes a lot of conversation about confidence, knowledge, and integrity. This week, though, Leadership Freak had a post on the importance of vulnerability.

Seth Godin wrote a convicting post about the role of fear in decision-making.

(In)courage has a wonderful post about the lasting impact of hand-written notes. I definitely admit to being a word-hoarder. I even have trouble deleting e-mails.

I also adore these items from Citta Design posted by Eat, Drink, Chic.

Friday Linkage

The end of a long - but good - week is upon me. I am looking forward to a weekend full of friends, books, coffee, and much-needed rest. Enjoy the following links!

 

Leadership Freak's "Fighting the Enemy that Blocks Success" was a well-written post about the dangers of trying to stand alone and the importance of strong teams. One notable quote from the post says, "Aloneness is the enemy of long-term success. It takes more than one to get it done. The greater the challenge the more people you need."

 

These hand-painted water-color cards on Oh So Beautiful Paper are a wonderful idea! 

Incourage had an inspiring list of ways to rest.

Have a restful weekend!

Friday Linkage

Happy Friday!

Laura Miller of Salon wrote an provacative response to an article I shared a few weeks ago.

One of the book reviews over at Cardus was also an insightful commentary on the problem of beauty in a fallen world. I think I'm going to have to add these books to my reading list!

I'm completely enchanted by the writing of William Deresiewicz at the moment. His article "Solitude and Leadership" made my week and possibly my month.

Seth Godin wrote a pithy post on excuses this week.

Simple + Pretty and Lemon and Lavendar are my recent blog finds.

This list from Hula Seventy was inspiring.