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Friday Findings

August 17, 2018 By Shelly Durkee

Friday Findings

I’m a curious soul – with a wide range of nerdy and geeky interests, ranging from space exploration to theological concepts. I often find interesting items when stumbling about on the internet – and on Friday’s I like to share my findings with you!

Churches and Online Giving

This may seem to be an odd article – a bit out-of-the-ordinary for what I normally post here; however, Logos.com posted a great article recently for churches that are thinking about making the move to online giving. Having served a term on our church’s finance committee, I have even more respect for the individuals who give their time in that capacity and who seek God’s will in the stewardship of what the congregation gives financially to His work. Online giving is here to stay, so if your church is wrestling with how to make that transition, check this out: Transitioning to Online Giving

Hamilton

My youngest girl fell in love with the music from Hamilton. She dreams of seeing is some day on Broadway, but for now, she often satisfies that dream by filling our car with the tunes….and they have become permanently stuck in all of our minds. ….1776…New York City….Pardon me, Sir….

Sorry, I digress.

Moses L. Lee shared a post over at The Gospel Coalition, about Hamilton and the healing balm the story and songs can be to immigrants. While I had thought of the immigrant thread often, in contemplating Hamilton’s story, Lee captures it so poignantly and caused me to think deeper and further: Healing Balm for Immigrants

….and more Hamilton…

Reading the story above, led me to click on another Hamilton story at The Gospel Coalition site – this one relating the story of Hamilton to C.S. Lewis concept of the “Inner Ring”. Also well worth your time: C.S. Lewis and Hamilton

Ancient Roman Roads

I enjoyed this map, created by Sasha Trubetskoy, depicting the ancient Roman Roads in a Subway System style. All Roads Lead to…..

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

I’ll wrap up today’s Friday’s Findings, with this article about Aretha Franklin, who died today at the age of 76. What a beautiful singer. What a beautiful soul. I enjoyed this article about Aretha as a gospel singer, over at Christianity Today (don’t miss out watching the embedded video in the article, from Aretha’s performance of Carole King’s “Natural Woman” – stunning)…and I also leave you tonight with the video below, of Aretha and a choir singing “You’ve Got a Friend/Precious Lord, Take My Hand”: Queen of Soul

Friday Findings

January 12, 2018 By Shelly Durkee

I often file away interesting tidbits that I come across while meandering (um, wasting time) on the internet. Here are a few things I’ve come across lately, that I’ve found interesting or helpful.

The Antilibrary

Very interesting article from Inc.com – the idea is that those of us who buy more books than we can possibly ever read, shouldn’t feel guilty about it, because it will keep us intellectually hungry and curious, as those books stare “menacingly” at us.

I have mixed feelings about this – I pride myself on not being a hoarder – but the area of books is my downfall; and I’ve always felt guilty about that. So many books that I hope to get to, some day (thought really the percentage of books on my shelf that I’ve not read is quite less than those I have read – which, I guess, is also a terribly prideful sentence. Golly day, pride gets me every time.) I often think, “Maybe someone else needs that biography, or would benefit from that book about weather, or do I really need a second copy (ok, 3rd) copy of “Surprised by Joy”?

But I also see that there is a grain of truth in what the author says – seeing the books on myself creates an anticipation and eagerness in me – to learn more – to read more. So, read the article for yourself – what do you think? : Antilibrary

More Graphics

I enjoy visual graphics; particularly when they relate to scriptural and literary topics. Chris Harrison (along with a friend) has created some fascinating graphics – the one below depicts all of the cross-references found in the Bible. Visit his site to see some of the others he has designed: Graphical Representations

How Airlines Price Their Fares

Since I’m writing this from 30,000 feet this evening, after changing a flight today, to come home early, and also spending some time booking my next work trip, I found this article interesting, on how airlines arrive at their pricing: Fly the Friendly and Expensive Skies

18 in 18

Our pastoral staff at Seaford Baptist Church has challenged our church this year, to read 18 books in 2018. As a part of this, they put together a fantastic list of 40 book suggestions.

As a part of that, we’ve launched a Facebook Page to discuss these books (and others) throughout the year. We will be posting reviews, questions, polls, links to reference materials and other related items.

Are you a reader? Feel free to join in the fun! You can find the Facebook Page Link here: 18 in 18 Reading Challenge

Best Christmas Present

Goodness. This video.

I’m not sure what gets me more – the thought of this wife who, as a young girl, had to sell her beloved Cabbage Patch Kid when her family immigrated to the United States, or the fact that her husband searched high and low to find the same exact doll, to give it to her for Christmas. It brings so many thoughts to mind – of the thousands of children-now-adults who left behind so much in their escape from poverty, cruel governments, starvation and wars – to find their way to our shores, in hopes of not only a better life, but in some cases survival. Thoughts of the incredible kindness of the husband, to do this for his bride. Tears in watching her joy, tears and gratitude in having her doll back – she even called the doll by the name she had given her as a child.

Watch this and try not to cry. I failed, miserably.

2015 Superlatives….2016 Thoughts

January 4, 2016 By Shelly Durkee

2015 is over. 2016 is 3 days in.

I always get squirrel-ly at the beginning of a new year. I shouldn’t; it’s really just another day on the calendar. But I was (am) also the kid who loved the first day of school, and adored new school supplies. Fresh start, and all that.

2015 was a good year.

I’m not sure what I mean by that, really. I’m not entirely sure how one quantifies a “good” year vs. a “challenging” or “difficult” year. In a sense, should we as Christ-followers evaluate our years based upon God’s grace, which is sufficient in both joyful events and tough events? Or, probably more than likely, I am overthinking. As I am prone to do.

Anyway, 2015 was a good year.

So, I thought I’d take a moment and do some reviewing, if you will so indulge me, dear reader. I’d like to share some stats, and then some fun Superlatives, and then a brief note on the year to come.

First, some stats:

This Website

I have, once again, thoroughly enjoyed throwing my thoughts here, and continue to be ever so grateful for those of you who read–whether you visit here occasionally, or you have happened upon here by accident. I’ve received several emails from you, and have met some new friends as a result. Thank you for your encouragement, thank you for your questions, and thank you, even, for your debates and differing viewpoints. It has been fun, is fun, and as of today, I foresee continuing to share my very imperfect and floundering attempts to define life in the shadow of the cross here on earth.

This little corner of the internet was viewed approximately 33,000 times in 2015, with visits from 155 countries. That amazes me. I know the vast majority stumbled upon this site while looking up information, but some of those stumbles have resulted in some very interesting conversations. I am grateful for each and every visit.

Fitness Goals

Another fun “end-of-the-year” stat email report I received had to do with fitness goals. I’ve worn a FitBit all year long, and have worked hard to achieve 10,000 steps most every day. Fitbit tells me that the following things were accomplished:

Number of Steps Taken: 2,857,208 steps
Number of Stairs Climbed: 978 floors
Number of Miles Walked: 1,237.24 miles

That’s crazy. We will see how things look at the end of 2016.

Family Highlights

Tim went to Navy Boot Camp, and graduated from “A” School (IT Specialist)
Bethany started violin lessons, and sang a few times with me (there is nothing like getting to sing with my girl)
Mark got his first “job”–as bagger at Kroger (the boy apparently knows all there is to know about the grocery business now)
Keli (with a friend) bought her first condo–and did an amazing job of renovating it and turning it into a perfect first “home”. They also are the proud parents of a new puppy, Baxter.
Me: I traveled quite a bit for work—Mostly to GA, LA and Northern VA. More travel is on the horizon, starting with Phoenix next week. I had articles published in a couple of journals (US and UK), and completed a children’s book.

And, now for some fun Superlatives….

What’s that? Well, remember in high school when the year book came out, there were things like “Best Cheerleader” and “Most likely to Succeed”? Well, I’ve captured some of the “Best’s” from 2016–at least, from where I’m standing. Here they are:

Best Movies

Star Wars (Ok, ok. So maybe that seems way too pop culture driven. But I’m telling you, when Han Solo and Chewie showed up on that big screen, on the Millennium Falcon, and Solo said “Chewie, we’re home….”; yeah, I got the feels. So, Star Wars it is.

Honorable Mentions:

Selma
The Good Lie
Avengers Age of Ultron
Everest

Best Documentary:

Finding Vivian Meier

Best New (to me) Words

Scripturient: Having a strong urge to write (this, my friends, is the me in a nutshell)

Honorable Mention:

Pluviophile – Lover of rain (I do love the rain; but really I love the sky more)

Best Sermons

Maybe it isn’t right to label a sermon as “best”. So, instead I’ll qualify this category as a list of sermons that I found to be particularly important and that I think others would find as helpful as I did (you can click on the titles to hear recordings of each of the sermons):

All Lives Matter (Preached by Michael Howard on 1/18/2015)
Preaching to the Heart (by Tim Keller on 4/14/2015–this is actually a workshop he taught, but I found it as impacting as a sermon)
Words That Restore (Preached by Gene Cornett on 7/26/2015, on James 5:13-18)
God’s Plan for Husbands and Wives (Preached by Michael Howard on 10/4/2015–best sermon I have ever heard on this subject, even though it absolutely wrecked my soul. Ephesians 5:19-21)

Best Books

2015 wasn’t a great year for me in the realm of reading. I didn’t read nearly as much as I usually do, and I wasn’t as thrilled with the selection of books that I did read. Still, of course, there were some gems that I read. Here they are:

Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine
Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior
Lila by Marilynne Robinson (My Top Pick)
The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. Tozer

Best Music

O My Soul, Arise by Sovereign Grace captured into words so much of what my mind and soul ached to express this year. It was a huge gift to be able to sing this for my church family earlier in 2015:

O my soul, arise
Behold the risen Christ
Your Great High Priest
Your spotless sacrifice
O my soul, arise
God owns you as His child
Shake off your guilty fears
My soul, arise

My God is reconciled
His pard’ning voice I hear
He owns me as His child
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh
With confidence I now draw nigh
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry

Honorable Mentions:

What Wondrous Love is This by King’s Kalaidoscope
Chris Stapleton: Ok, this guy’s music is excellent. It’s old-time Country stuff. It’s gritty, it’s real. His song “Tennessee Whiskey“, sung at this year’s CMAs, was my first introduction to his music. Since then, I’ve had his album “Traveler” on replay. A bunch.

Travel Superlatives

Best Restaurants (’cause I love food):

Create Your Own Cheesesteak and Cheesecake (I found this place in Chicago. Oh, my goodness. Create your own cheesecake. MMMM)
Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza (also in Chicago, cause you can’t go to Chicago and not eat deep dish)
Hook and Plow (Hermosa Beach, CA–definitely wins for the best food and atmosphere)
Tin Roof Bistro (Manhattan Beach, CA–another fun place with great atmosphere)

Best Hotel

The Beach House in Hermosa Beach, CA (what’s not to love about an oceanside hotel with quaint rooms that have fireplaces? This is where my work team meets each year for our team meeting. Great fun.)

Looking ahead to 2016

I don’t know quite what to think. I’m oddly uneasy about the year ahead. A bit unsettled. 2015 was so good; that I am irrationally a bit fearful of the 12 months that lay before us. That’s silly, I know. And I don’t much like this odd sensation. Surely it is unfounded. But, what I do know for sure is this: There will be many joys, and some sorrows. There will be successes and failures and challenges. We do not know what tomorrow morning holds. But what is truth, what has to be truth, what I pray is truth, is this: there is enough grace from God, our father, for all of it.

Every. Single. Second.

Good Stuff, v. 7

November 24, 2015 By Shelly Durkee

linking

Usually I post the next installment of “Good Stuff” on Sunday evenings, but last night I opted to write about my favorite author, C.S. Lewis. So, I’m posting v. 7 tonight.

I don’t know about you, but my Monday has been a beast. It’s 7:33 pm here on the East Coast, and my to-do list remains very long, before I can put this day to bed. This will be a short list tonight, folks.

But I just took a break from work and my computer, and walked down my street to our local market: Seaford Country Market. Once again, the nicest family ever has set up their Christmas Tree Lot, so I walked down there and bought our annual fresh wreath for our front door. Mmmm, smells so good. They have the most adorable trees there, too–from itty bitty baby trees to huge 7 and 8 footers. If you live in Seaford, VA, or in the York County area, I can not recommend them high enough. And, after Thanksgiving, they will be blowing up there huge, huge snowman inflatable. My kids love it, and they are teens! I’m sure yours will, too….

From Gordon-Conwell Seminary: Journey to the Manger Devotional

I am not very good–at all–at using “daily devotionals”. Most I find to be trite, or cliché’, or not well-written. I have enjoyed Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Annual Christmas devotional email before. You can sign up even if you have no affiliation with the school, and the devotional material will be delivered to your email in-box through the month of December.

From Open Culture: Get to Know Socrates, Camus, Kierkegaard & Other Great Philosophers with the BBC’s Intelligent Radio Show, In Our Time

The website “Open Culture” continues to churn out interesting stuff. This article provides a link to a BBC Radio show that teaches about different philosophers. I’ve listened in to a couple of episodes–good stuff.

From Mark Neal: 4 Works of C.S. Lewis You Aren’t Reading, but Should Be

I really enjoyed this post from Mark Neal, on 4 works of C.S. Lewis that maybe folks aren’t as familiar with, but should be. I’ve only read one of these–the preface to Paradise Lost–but I intend to remedy that and pick up the other three on his list. Soon.

From LifeHacker.org: The Uber Airport Rules for 11 Major Cities in the U.S.

I so much like Uber. So much. As do all my colleagues. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it is interesting. But we’ve run into a couple of issues in different cities who have decided that Uber cannot operate on airport properties. Here is an article about some such rules; surely there is more information out there. Anyway, if you’ve not tried Uber, do it. So much better than cab service.