Tuesdays on the blog mean that I have the pleasure of sharing some links to things that I have found interesting and thought provoking over the previous week with all of you. To help make sense of all that I have read, I have grouped these links by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Neighbor Love; Stewardship;  and Miscellaneous. I hope you enjoy these links!

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice
Are you preaching this weekend? If so, I encourage you to check out “Witnessing,” by friend and professor Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis. Also, I humbly offer these stewardship thoughts, ideas, and questions to consider as you prepare this week.

Last week ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton responded to the decision to move the United States Embassy in Israel.

Maria Wiering shared this great story about Daniel Kantor, composer of the beautiful song, “Night of Silence,” in “Advent hymn’s composer aims to draw audience into the quiet of the season.”

Speaking of Advent, last year Laura Jean wrote this post that I came across in the past week entitled, “A Feminist Advent (or: that’s what Advent always is).”

My wife Allison Siburg shared this fun post from RevGalBlogPals, “December Clergy Bingo.” For you pastors and congregational leaders, you might enjoy this in the midst of the busy Advent and Christmas seasons.

In another humorous post from Allison, comes this satirical post from Young Clergy Women International in, “Young Clergy Women Tell All: The Real Reasons We Become Pastors.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration
Heather Long shared a rather sobering economic look at the potential results of the current tax plans that are being debated in, “Why these researchers think most Americans could end up losing under the GOP tax plan.”

Leadership Thought & Practice
Friend and colleague Pastor Paula Lawhead shared this article with me by Emma Seppala and Marissa King, “Burnout at Work isn’t just about Exhaustion. It’s also about loneliness.”

Scott Mautz shared a story about an “Others-oriented” leader in writing and asking at Thin Difference, “If you were fired, who would protest?”

Sara Saddington wrote about, “Graceful Failure: How to turn a mistake into an asset,” over at Thin Difference.

Have you ever wondered about inspiration? Molly Page over at Thin Difference shared some thoughts on the subject with insights for life, vocation, and leadership in, “Chasing Inspiration.”

Neighbor Love
In light of President Trump’s decision announced last week to move the United States embassy in Israel, there have been a number of responses written. These have included this from Marya Hannun, “Visions of Fire,” and Tom Gjelten’s article, “Religious Leaders Divided Over Trump’s Jerusalem Decision.”

Friend, blogger, and artist Vonda Drees shared a post in honor of Elizabeth Dickinson’s birthday in, “She who even God wouldn’t tame.”

Pastor and blogger Angela Denker shared a timely reflection in “The Steadying of Seasons.”

My wife Allison Siburg shared this post by Stephanie Sorge Wing over at Young Clergy Women International, titled, “I Believe the Women.” It’s an important reflection given all of the conversations and discussions in society right now, but also timely given this Advent season where we ponder with Mary the words of the Magnificat.

My journey through Advent reflecting on hymns and carols continued this past week. I reflected on: “As the Dark Awaits the Dawn,” “Comfort, Comfort Now My People,” “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness,” “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Unexpected and Mysterious,” and “Once in Royal David’s City.”

This journey was partly inspired by the “Hopes and Hymns for the Holidays” series over on the COMPASS blog. The latest post in that series comes from Daniel Hazel, who reflects on “Abide with Me.”

Stewardship
Are you preaching this weekend? If so, here are some stewardship thoughts, ideas, and questions to consider as you prepare. 

Friend and stewardship director Adam Copeland shared this look at The Index Card: Personal Finance for Generous Living. 

Relevant shared this important look at a study that found that “Christians donate less to their religion each year than Jews and Muslims.” Check out the results of the study here.

Miscellaneous
Alissa Wilkinson shared an exciting look at the new Star Wars movie being released in a couple of days, in, “The Last Jedi is a magnificent next step for the Star Wars universe.”

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That will conclude this week’s edition of the links. I hope you have enjoyed them! If you have any ideas for future editions, or types of articles or links you would like to see, please let me know. Thank you for reading and being a part of the conversation, and blessings on your week. -TS

Image Credits: The Links; and “She who even God wouldn’t tame.”