Daily Links 1-15-14

In today's roundup: a place where it's okay to draw on the walls, new vending machines, some bookish baby gear, and more.

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Moore's Deli in Burbank, CA is known as a place where animators love to go to eat. That's because the walls of their back room is decorated with drawings done by their clientele. It's the only restaurant I've heard of where they encourage customers to draw on the walls.

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The implications of applying Ephesians 4:12 to congregational mobilization and the role of the pastor. Some great insights on what pastoral ministry should look like. Unfortunately, too many churches do not follow this model.

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The University of California Press has made over 700 of its e-book titles available for public use. While they tend to skew towards academic interests there are a wide range of titles available. The only drawback is that you can't load them to an e-reader or tablet. But it is an interesting place to go especially if you are doing research for a school-related project. (Hat tip: Open Culture)

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Speaking of e-books, this may be the future of libraries. The first all-digital library has opened in Texas.  The problem with this is that it takes away from the primary reason to visit the library which is a chance to walk through and pick up and browse through books.

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Cute alert: a collection of bookish baby onesies.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 onesies inspired by The Cat in the Hat.

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Not satisfied with selling Kindles on their website, Amazon is starting to put Kindle vending machines in airports. 

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Popular Science has decided to no longer allow comments on their website. I typically don't read comments on articles because the discussions can become rather uncivil very fast. I expect we will see more of this i n the future.

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This is helpful: a cheat sheet on how to stay gluten free when you are eating out. (Hat tip: Food Riot)

Daily Links 11-20-13

Stories of amazing photographs, American Girl dolls, objects that made America, the guitar as an American icon, and more in today's link roundup.

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The story behind Dorothea Lange's iconic Migrant Mother photograph and how she almost didn't take it.

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Tracing the history of an American icon which is also a work of art: C. F. Martin Guitars.

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The Smithsonian has selected 101 Objects that made America. Which ones would make your list?

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American Girl dolls are changing and it's not for the better.

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This photograph may not look like much. It was taken in the South Pacific in the early days of World War II.

The photo was the result of a team effort of nine men. It is arguably the most decorated photograph in history. Read the fascinating story here.

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Aaron Armstrong has an excellent review of John Piper's new book on Calvinism. It looks like a great read.

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Amazon to start delivering packages on Sundays utilizing the U. S. Postal Service. Could this help the Post Office make its way back to solvency?

Daily Links 10-25-13

In today's roundup of links: origins of Star Trek, pitfalls of our celebrity culture, why restarting your computer is the easiest way to fix problems, and more.

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Willie Nelson once sang "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys." Now it might be more appropriate to say, "Don't let your babies grow up to be celebrities."

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Star Trek only ran for three years on television but became an instant legend. The irony is that it wouldn't have made it on air at all if it hadn't been for a rather unlikely producer: Lucille Ball.

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Most people know that performing a complete restart on your computer or other electronic device is often the easiest way to fix a problem. Why is that?

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Why we overestimate the power of technology and underestimate the power of words:

Many experts assume that Amazon’s social recommender system is its killer feature. But what exactly about this feature makes it a killer? 

What — in fact — is the magic sauce of Amazon? 

Sure, there is some predictive value in keeping track of many different variables. There always is. It’s probably Amazon’s best kept secret. But I am guessing it’s not only a secret for people outside of Amazon.

If you would ask me what the most persuasive ingredient is of the sauce, I would say it’s copy.
The smartest algorithms make sure you get to see products that you love (to buy). A recommendation engine knows what you really want, what you really really want. Computing thousands of variables is the key to predicting consumer behavior. Right? 

Nah, I don’t buy it. The black box probably does have an impact, but I know for sure that the copy does.

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Play with your food! Some amazing food art:

More here.

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Daily Links 10-10-13

Build your own beverage station, whether testing measures educational accomplishment, Amazon destroying literature, and more in today's roundup of links.

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This is a cool idea:

The best part? The materials all came from Target.

Hat tip: Food Riot

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Is Amazon destroying serious literature? One novelist thinks so. I'm not so sure about that.

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10 Old English words you should be using. Personally, I'm fond of mugwump.

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What if Disney characters had Instagram accounts?

One common critique I hear of education reform is its heavy reliance on standardized tests to measure outcomes. But does testing really accomplish anything? I don't think so.

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Making the case for engaging the culture:

We, you and me and everyone else alive, do theological thinking every day. It’s just that some people do it more consciously than others. That doesn’t mean they do it better, but they are at least more intentional and aware of it.

We’re also all affected by culture, and unless you’re Amish and therefore I’m not entirely sure how or why you’re reading this right now, you interact with pop culture every single day of your life. Thus, it makes great sense for us to take these two everyday realties and acknowledge their deep and important connection. Notice I didn’t say bring them together. That’s important here. These are not two realities that need to be brought together. They already are overlapping, interacting, and informing each other all the time. Theology, spirituality, culture….they mingle as one. 

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An interesting list of 10 things you should know about goals.

Daily Links 9-4-13

Identifying your calling/vocation, Amazon hates PowerPoint and writing effective e-mails are the topics in today's links.

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Ten questions to help you identify your calling/vocation

Every Christian has a unique Calling/Vocation. But, how do we know what it is? Most people do not really understand how God uses them on in daily life and we do not spend much time trying to figure it out. We just go from one thing to the next and then begin to despise our work and spend our time trying to get to the weekend or holidays so we can enjoy ourselves again. But, there is purpose and dignity in our work at our jobs, as husbands/wives/fathers/mothers, in our church, and in our community. We all have a calling and a role to play in many spheres of life - wherever God places us.

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This is interesting: Amazon's Jeff Bezos doesn't allow his employees to use PowerPoint:

More than a decade ago, it was estimated that 30 million PowerPoint presentations were given each day—the number must be much higher today. Just think of how many millions of hours are spent every day sitting through truly terrible PowerPoint presentations.

So it’s noteworthy that Amazon founder—and new Washington Post owner­­—Jeff Bezos’ proscribes PowerPoint presentations at Amazon.

Bezos instead requires that employees compose 6-page narrative memos, and he starts meetings with quiet reading periods—“study halls”—in which everyone reads the memo from beginning to end.

So the company that is devoted to helping customers do things quick-quick-quick—“1-click ordering,” same-day delivery, the instant download—creates an environment where employees take the time to write and think slowly.

Hat tip: Blogging Theologically

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5 tips to write better informational e-mails. (Hat tip The Wardrobe Door)

Friday Tweet Roundup 8-23-13

Happy Friday everyone!  I continue to be amazed at what I find on Twitter. Here is a roundup of this week's links. Please follow me on Twitter if you are so inclined.

About three years prior to writing 1984, George Orwell wrote a letter detailing the theories that would shape the novel.

This is a great question: "What will be the cost to the church if young men continue to give themselves to pornography?"

Settling the important questions: when grilling is it better to marinade or rub? Go for the rub. Related: my favorite way to prepare steaks only involves using salt and pepper.

I didn't really understand the appeal of Duck Dynasty until I saw a couple of episodes. Here's an explanation as to why it's so popular (and that's a good thing). It's become one of our favorite shows.

Marian McPartland, hostess of NPR's Piano Jazz passed away this week at 95. An appreciation of her remarkable career.

A young man gets stranded at the airport with no money and nothing to eat. What one restaurant did really shows what great customer service is all about.

Legendary Disney songwriters Richard Sherman and Alan Menken recently appeared in concert together at the D23 Expo and it was as magical as you would expect it to be.

The late Elmore Leonard had some great rules for writers.

Baseball's National Hall of Fame should be about those who played the game with honor. This is an interesting case for one such player who is not currently enshrined in the Hall (but should be).

A 911 operator comes to a bride's rescue. Then they become friends.

15 companies that started out selling something else than what they became famous for.

TIME finally reports on a story that a lot of parents already know about: Public schools are hostile to boys.

It's always tough when you're facing the prospect of leaving your church. Here are 10 questions you should ask yourself if you're considering such a step. It's a serious decision and is worth careful thought and prayer.

What Disney taught one person about leadership.

According to Dr. Albert Mohler, the antidote to anemic worship is expository preaching.

An American POW's prized gold ring returns home after he gave it away for food during World War II.

Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching ace Clayton Kershaw would rather talk about what he's doing off the field. Key quote: "Kershaw said he wants to be known as a Christian who happens to play baseball, not as a baseball player who happens to be a Christian."

There are some that say e-books will be the death of the publishing industry. But one publisher is starting to reward customers with free e-book copies of physical books that they buy. This makes sense to me. Amazon had already done this with CDs purchased through their site so it makes sense that publishers will want to do the same.

From Art of Manliness, five traits of true leadership.

Five habits of highly effective communicators.

How to go from being a good leader to a great manager.

This is amazing: historical black and white photographs are colorized. The results are incredible.

A brief history of everyone's favorite summertime memory: the ice cream truck.

The plucky investigative reporter who got herself committed to an insane asylum. On purpose.

Did you know before she became a famous television chef Julia Child was a spy? The stories of five unlikely spies.

Let's call this your bookstore bucket list. 16 bookstores to see before you die. Judging by the pictures, I'd say they were right.

An interesting interview with the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Convention, Russell Moore. His observations on the role of Christians in culture today are right on the mark.

That's it. Have a great weekend.