Hello. It’s been a while since I did one of these, ten weeks in fact, which is a while isn’t it? The reason for that is that I am now on sabbatical but there felt like a lot to do to be able to be on sabbatical. I’ve never really treated this blog as part of my work but it sometimes feels like work, so when work has been busy the blog has been something I’ve not quite had energy for. But for the next few months I’m not working and I’m hoping my creative juices revive somewhat. Let’s see.

You should read these

Seven articles (plus a few sneaky bonuses) that might be worth you bookmarking, reading & thinking about

1. Map Explainer: Sudan We have a friend currently trying to leave Sudan, it’s messy & complicated as you can see.
2. The End of Screens? Sort of, not quite. But this could be the technology that hits us next.
3. What can we learn from a car designed for Madagascar? Say where now?
4. I left my party lifestyle behind for a week in a nunnery – and began to see the light. To be honest I think the author needed more than a week but still
5. The Freedom of Embracing My Weaknesses. As someone also decidedly middle-aged (how did that happen?) I related to this from Tim Challies.
6. Russian Family Isolated From Other People for 40 Years. Goodness.
7. Goahti: Traditional Scandinavian Turf Huts

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You should look at this

Winners of the 2023 Close-Up Photographer of the Year Challenge: Minimal

Photograph: Four Comatrichia Nigra. Shortlist. Four slime molds sit atop slender stalks. © Andy Sands / cupoty.com

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You should listen to this

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You should watch this

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This week’s posts

Absolutely none at all. Hope to rectify that next week.

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Reading Colossians Remixed

On the sabbatical to-do list.

• Read with me: Colossians Re:mixed
• Colossians Remixed: Placing ourselves
• Colossians Remixed: Hearing with Old Testament ears
• Colossians Remixed: Do we live under an empire?
• Colossians Remixed: Growing in the Empire’s shadow
• Colossians Remixed: Dealing with postmodernism

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From the archives

What happened to Judas?

“It was Judas’ own decision to betray Jesus encouraged by the devil (Jn 13:2), and God used the evil schemes of man and the devil to accomplish His own purposes.”