This week has brought about some interesting news and helpful blog posts that you might find valuable.  The crazy Westboro Baptist Church no longer has just Christians and human rights activist as their opposition, but they now also will feel the wrath of One Direction fans.  As with any news, the George Zimmerman verdict regarding the death of Trayvon Martin has caused lots of controversy.  One of the best posts I've read about this has nothing to do with who's right and who's wrong, but instead with "weeping with those who weep."  And lastly I learned that indulgences didn't disappear after Martin Luther, they just aren't sold anymore… they are given away to twitter followers. 

Westboro Baptist Church to Picket One Direction Concert

"WBC will picket this perverted pop boy band from the UK who claim to be the world's #1 band. Indeed, they are a perfect representation of this filthy world and the sin-chasing...God-hating, Christ-rejecting UK who has banned WBC from preaching within her borders." - quoting WBC from Huffington Post

The George Zimmerman Verdict and the National Anthem

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (v. 13)

It is only through conversations with others that I:

• Began to feel the weight of what it would be like to talk with my son about the dangers that can come with how others may perceive you because of your race and the dangers that can come if you respond to their suspicion with frustration or aggression.
• Could feel the uncertainty that emerges from events like the Zimmerman trial when people of your ethnic background’s personal freedoms have changed radically in a single generation and court decisions were a major factor in those changes (sometimes for the better; other times for the worse).

The fact that my reaction to this case did not echo any highly-personal historical events or immediately draw me back to a formative conversation with my parents means I have work to do (in the form of listening) in order to “weep with those who weep.” - bradhambrick.com

How You Can Save Your Soul: In 140 Characters or Less

The indulgences, which Catholics believe can reduce the time a soul spends in purgatory, will be available to Francis' nearly 7.5 million Twitter followers in all languages — if they tune in to World Youth Day broadcasts or take other spiritual actions. To get an indulgence, Catholics must have already had their sins absolved by a priest.

Pope Francis issued a decree about indulgences and social media on July 9, according to the Rome-based Zenit news organization, which covers the Vatican. - USA Today