Sunspots 639

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

Christianity: Christianity Today reports that Perry Noble, recently fired as senior pastor of the largest church in South Carolina, NewSpring, is thinking strongly about starting another church.

A Relevant writer says that Jesus didn't need the approval of others.

Ed Stetser warns against overemphasizing patriotism in church services, here and here. He cites evidence that 53% of protestant pastors think that their congregations sometimes love America more than they love God.


Computing: I haven't used it yet, but Firefox Send is said to be a free, safe way to send large files to other users.

Wired has a thorough article on how the Russians are viewing and waging warfare. Scary, and it's doubtful if our government really understands.

The Guardian reports on a man who "married" a robot. CNN reports on a man who "married" a video game character.

Food: Listverse lists 10 ice cream flavors that are popular outside of the continental United States, but you probably can't find in the US at all.

Health: Scientific American reports that women with insomnia are more likely to give birth to premature babies.

History: (or botany) Listverse on the history of 10 commonly consumed fruits.

Humor: (or botany) Wired has posted a photo of a man trimming the world's largest hedge. It's really tall.


Politics: A Christianity Today writer argues that the use of nuclear weapons is inherently, and always, evil.

Listverse reminds us of times when the press made us aware of scandalous uses of power.

The Barna group reports on what Americans think makes America great. Different groups responded differently.

Science: A Clemson University professor has spent more time in the shadow of total solar eclipses than anyone else on earth.

FiveThirtyEight reminds us that there will be less solar-powered electricity during the upcoming solar eclipse.



Image source (public domain)

Sunspots 539

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:


Christianity: An orthodox Christian pastor says that many "conservative" Christians are not truly conservative enough.

Christianity Today reports that demographics, and male attitudes, prevent many single women from being able to find a suitable husband.

Education: Here's the difference between "whoever" and "whomever."

Health: National Public Radio says that research on fruit flies may help us treat insomnia.

NPR also reports that people on food stamps don't eat as healthily as other poor people, or the rest of us.

Politics: Two different essays, both brief, both good, and mostly different, giving 5 things Christians should remember during this election season.  Benjamin L. Corey wrote one, and here is Relevant Magazine's article.

Relevant also has a essay on reasons that Christians should welcome Muslim refugees.

Science: National Public Radio reports that an artificial sternum (breast bone) and parts of ribs, made of Titanium, have been produced by a 3-D printer (a very expensive one), and used in treatment.

The New York Times summarizes the evidence that autism is NOT caused by vaccination.

The New York Times reports on carnivorous plants -- the article includes a short video of a snail being caught by a Venus' Flytrap. One kind of pitcher plant has developed a mutually beneficial arrangement with a small bat.

The Times also reports that mothers retain fetal cells after giving birth, and that sometimes, maybe often, these cells remain throughout the mother's life. It is possible that they may influence her behavior.

Inside Climate News reports, here and here, that Exxon was well aware of climate change due to increased Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere as early as 1977.

Wired tells us that giraffes do make sounds, contrary to what we have believed.

Relevant reports that an invisibility cloak may be possible.

 

Image source (public domain)