Illustration: Worship

Craig Brian Larson reminds us of the time that, "Not long ago, the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice. Their only hope: somehow to be transported five miles past the ice pack to open sea. Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about 20 yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice.

Illustration: Forgiveness

In his book Taking the Risk Out of Dying, Lee Griess reminds us of the cartoon strip, Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin is a little boy with an overactive imagination and a stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who comes to life as his imaginary friend. In one cartoon strip, Calvin turns to his friend Hobbes and says, "I feel bad I called Susie names and hurt her feelings. I'm sorry I did that."

Who Will Lead Smaller Churches?

Although there are more Protestant ministers than churches, many ministers don't want to work for those congregations, especially smaller ones, according to a study by Duke University. The study was reported in a March 16, 2010, Associated Baptist Press report.

More Video, but Sermon Length Stays the Same

A newly released study by Ellison Research shows the typical Protestant church worship service has grown more contemporary and diversified during the past five years. The greatest increases have been in the proportion of churches using video clips and graphic presentations such as PowerPoint. Results of the study were published in the March-April issue of Facts and Trends.

The Heavenly City

In today's economy, new contruction nearly has stopped; but there's one job site still underway made with materials far exceeding concrete and lumber. A massive city can be our eternal city. Listen as Dr. David Jeremiah describes what could be your future home.

The End of Christianity: Finding a Good God in an Evil World

William A. Dembski's The End of Christianity (B&H) wrestles with the problem of pain and evil, weaving together insights from science, philosophy and theology. Chuck Colson says the book "offers readers an original way of dealing with the problem which fits with an orthodox view of God's good creation and fits with scientific facts."

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

In the past, we strongly recommended Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath as a book with insights that will help any pastor or church leader. Now the Heaths have produced a new book, Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard (Broadway Books) in which they draw on psychological research, sociological evidence and more to show how you can accomplish change in your own organization.