Saturday Good Reads

I’m often a critic of the news media, and these days, I’m even more a critic of the news media, who don’t need Donald Trump to try to destroy the credibility of the press when they’re doing such a good job of it themselves. One small example: a genomics study in Sidon concluded that DNA from 99 living Lebanese people could be traced to a 3,700-year-old burial site in Sidon. The media’s conclusion: “SCIENCE DISPROVES THE BIBLE.” When even scientists began to push back on what the media were saying, corrections and retractions had to be made. John Collins at the Carl Henry Center has the story.

Several good posts about writing and literature were published this week. Aaron Earls lists six good reasons to read dead writers. Joseph Pearce has a perspective on Mary Shelley. Harvey Stanbrough lists the five kinds of writers. Ann Kroeker suggests using a writing pipeline. Mary Sayler has an easy way to assemble a poetry book.

Imagine a President – any President – having to lead during a time of almost grotesque political and cultural divisiveness – and fight a military civil war at the same time. Take a look at George Russell on Abraham Lincoln.

Scott Slayton has written a thoughtful post on why we struggle to pray in the digital age. Shaun Groves writes about heroic love. Tiger lilies and pumpkin blossoms. James McNeill Whistler did some wonderful drawings in the East End of London. And more.

Writing and Literature

6 Good Reasons to Read Dead Writers – Aaron Earls at The Wardrobe Door.

Little Miss Frankenstein: A Teenage Girl Caught in the Culture of Death – Joseph Pearce at The Imaginative Conservative.

In over my head (and the water’s fine) – K.D. Belmonte at All Nine.

Why Do You Write? – Harvey Stanbrough.

Make the Most of Your Time with a Writing Pipeline – Ann Kroeker.

Keeping records makes it easy to do a poetry book – Mary Harwell Sayler at The Poetry Editor.

The Lord of the Rings as Christian Fiction – Zak Schmoll at Entering the Public Square.

Faith

Why We Struggle to Pray in the Digital Age – Scott Slayton.

Matt Carpenter’s Tattoo Took on Deeper Meaning – Bruce Darnall at What Christians Want to Know.

Why Not Me – Sarah Rennicke at Altarwork.

12 Basic Principles for Faith and Work – Dan Doriani at The Gospel Coalition.

Heroic Love – Shaun Groves.

American Stuff

Lincoln’s Leadership in Factious Times – George Russell at The Imaginative Conservative.

Life and Culture

Breaking News: Science Disproves the Bible – C. John Collins at the Carl Henry Center.

Art and Photography

Pumpkin Blossoms – Tim Good.

Tiger Lily – Susan Etole.

James McNeill Whistler in The East End – Spitalfields Life.

This, Too (Bogota Colombia) – Thom Darin Liskey via Facebook.

Poetry

Halley’s Comet – Maureen Doallas at Writing Without Paper.

SkyglowProject.com: The Grand Canyon (Kaibab Elegy)

Painting: Farmer sitting at the fireside, reading, watercolor and charcoal by Vincent Van Gogh (1881).