Interesting reading from over the weekend:

Stephen Milliken writes in The Craftsman and Her Environment.  Stephen is an old friend and has very interesting views on the relationship between material, tactile work (with the hands), and fulfillment.  Highly recommended!

Scott Alexander writes at the Slate Star Codex about The Parable of the Talents.  Scott, in his usual thoroughness, investigates natural talent and ability and, perhaps more importantly, what you say to someone who has none.  I always thought telling everyone they’re good at something was dangerous (for the obvious reason that there’s bound to be someone who really isn’t!) and that self-valuation shouldn’t have to come from one’s contribution to society (though certainly that helps).

C Michael Patton writes about legalism in I Can’t Live According to Your Lists.  His list pretty much matches mine from the first sermon of the Myopia series, and he gets a special shout-out for listing “starting a church in a bar” as a major “don’t” for many legalists.  Church on Tap, I imagine, would disagree!