Saturday Good Reads

It was a dark week. Writer Ann Voskamp issued (wept may be a better word) a plea for the young girls who have come under ISIS’s control in Iraq, and the Christian community responded. Meanwhile, Washington military and Administration officials kept saying the American strategy for ISIS was still working in the Middle East, while ISIS captured the Iraqi city of Ramadi and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and Iraq looks like it’s on the verge of a civil war between Sunnis and Shiites.

Still, there are good things happening in our world. Writers like John Bloom at Desiring God are helping us to understand that our ministry is our vocation. David Rupert recognizes the fundamental importance of the trials we experience. Maureen Doallas writes a beautiful poem, and Seth Haines writes a poem to his sons.

ISIS and Iraq

Into Iraq #2: What the News Isn’t Telling You & Why We Can’t Afford to Pretend It’s Not Happening – Ann Voskamp. And the update.

The Boy Who Woke Up (or, How Ann Voskamp Ruined My Evening) – Shawn Smucker.

#TellHisStory: A Story That We Don’t Want to Read — But We Have To – Jennifer Dukes-Lee.

Why Boko Haram and ISIS Target Women – Christianity Today.

We Must Not Do Nothing – Jon Bloom at Desiring God.

Faith

In the Marrow of Depression and Anxiety – Tania Runyan at Image Journal.

Is God A Rewarder of Dogged Determination and Holy Chutzpah? – Margaret Feinberg

Christian, Your Job is a Ministry Job – Jon Bloom at Desiring God.

Some Thoughts on Vocation – Lanier Ivester at The Rabbit Room.

Bent and Tender – Winn Collier.

The Evangelical Advantage – Rod Dreher at American Conservative.

Religious Freedom is Our Most Dangerous Idol – Matt Appling at The Church of No People.

Don’t Waste Your Trial: 6 Truths That Can Change Your Life – David Rupert at Outside the City Gate.

Laughing at the Fire – Sandra Heska King.

Poetry

The World’s Problem – Maureen Doallas at Writing Without Paper.

To My Sons #2 – Seth Haines.

Passing Through – Brendan MacOdrum at Oran’s Well.

Sometimes Loving God is Hard – John Blase at The Beautiful Due.

Writing

Write to Stay Connected – Mick Silva.

While My Pen Gently Weeps – Vic Sizemore at Image Journal.

Work

Self-pity: on a leader, we can smell it from a mile away – David Murray at Writing Boots.

Photography and Art

Spring Showers – Timothy Good at Photography by Tiwago.

Artist Watch: Kay Juricek – Maureen Doallas at Escape into Life.

People

The Science Behind Why Introverts Struggle to Speak – Jenn Granneman at Introvert, Dear.

Everything Hinges on Your Ability to Do This One Thing – Margaret Feinberg.

Why Men are Retweeted More than Women – Jessica Bennett at The Atlantic.

Photograph of the Roman ruins at Palmyra by Arian Wegers via Wikipedia Commons; sourced via Flickr.