Your weekly roundup of insights and resources to help you get more done for the glory of God.
In Today’s Issue:
- Roombas in Heaven
- Train Your Body in Light of Eternity
- The Rise of Hyperpleasures
- My Favorite Pencil
- Listen to the Bible on Dwell
Dear steward,
I spent the weekend teaching on the topic of life stewardship at the Christ Our Hope family camp in Northern Michigan. It was a wonderful time being in creation with God’s people and meditating on His purposes for us.
Afterward, Kim and I took the kids over to Mackinac Island. There are no cars permitted on the entire island, just horse-drawn carriages and bikes. Like going back in time. Worth the trip if you ever get the chance!
Let’s dive into this week’s roundup. But first a brief word from the creators of my favorite app for listening to the Bible, Dwell!
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THE ROUNDUP
The best links I found this week
Roombas in Heaven? (10 mins)
John Dyer / Word by Word
This was the most thought-provoking article I read this week.
It’s a reflection on what work will be like on the new earth, and how that should impact the way we think about the tools we use in this life.
What technology do you think will—or won’t—be in heaven? More specifically, why (or why not) would there be Roombas in heaven? And what does our answer tell us about our relationships today with technology, work, and time?
Even the idea of time-saving—so integral to our conception of productivity—is a result of the fall shortening our time on this earth.
before sin and death, Adam and Eve had an infinite number of weeks, making the length of time that a task takes less insignificant than it might be to us. . . . In response to the fleeting nature of time, we create devices that we believe will “give me more time.” Yet, while our robots and AI tools often do shorten the length of a task, it’s not always clear what we do with that additional time. Do we truly rest? Do we use it to cultivate a skill that may take a decade to master? Or do we fill that void with more accomplishments, entertainment, or leisure that leaves us devoid of that for which we truly longed?
Train Your Body in Light of Eternity (6 mins)
Stacy Reaoch / The Gospel Coalition
Your theology should impact your mindset about exercise.
We often approach fitness and health from two extremes: apathy or obsession with our bodies. But the gospel of Christ frees us from either extreme and helps us focus our eyes on eternity instead of our waistlines.
The Rise of Hyperpleasures (11 mins)
Samuel C. Heard / Publication
During our camp this past weekend, I held a Q&A session with the youth about video games, social media, and wisely navigating the digital world as a believer.
One topic that kept coming up was addiction. So many of the apps on our devices are ingeniously designed to keep us scrolling, even when we don’t want to. Why can’t we just stop? One explanation is what’s been termed “hyperpleasures.”
Ordinary pleasures have given way to hyperpleasures — especially as companies and media platforms become more adept at identifying our discomforts and rooting them out.
SOMETHING I LIKE
My Favorite Mechanical Pencil Is on Sale
A couple of years ago, I got tired of having dozens of half-working, low-quality pens and pencils around my office. So, I dumped the cheap junk and invested in just a few higher-quality writing instruments that I could use for years.
Since that time, the Kuru Toga Roulette from Uni-Ball has become my go-to mechanical pencil. I like the size, weight, and feel in my hand. It’s just a nice writing instrument, and it doesn’t break the bank.
This week, I went to buy some refills for it on Amazon and noticed the pencils are 47% off right now. So, I ordered a spare to keep in my bag. If you’re looking for a decent mechanical pencil, this is the one I recommend, and right now you can get one for under $8.
WHAT’S NEW
On Redeeming Productivity
The Blessings & Temptations of Remote Work (6 mins)
Working from home provides greater flexibility, but it also comes with its fair share of temptations. How can Christians best glorify God through remote work?
A DOSE OF WISDOM
Quote of the Week
“I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.“
William Shakespeare, Richard II
