New pod: The 4 dark laws of online engagement, according to psychologist Jay Van Bavel, PhD

1. Negativity bias drives headline clicks
2. Extreme opinions drive in-group sharing
3. Out-group animosity drives engagement
4. 'Moral-emotional' language goes viral

open.spotify.com/episode/5axHxi…

I've been told I need to read Wendell Berry, which I confess I have not. What are some works from him that you recommend I read first?

Jesus said, 'Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.'

But what if the children of God cannot agree on how to make peace, or even what is peace? From Israel/West Bank, I report on how the most challenging modern conflict affects local believers.

“Teach us to love our enemies. Show us what we can still do, because we sometimes feel that nothing can be done.”

Russian evangelicals respond to the horrible terrorist attack in Moscow that killed at least 139 so far.

Reporting by Jayson Casper: christianitytoday.com/news/2024/marc…

Great work, Michael Reneau

This didn't surprise me, given the current challenges both at the border & with not-work-authorized migrants in cities

But it's notable that evangelical views on policy solutions, including 75%+ support for a path to citizenship for the undocumented & Dreamers, remain steady

Good reference. Especially the last one.

ICYMI: I wrote about our national hanging out crisis. In the last 20 years, averaging face-to-face socializing has declined ~30% among adults and ~50% among teens.

We've never been so alone. And it's driving us crazy.

theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Joel Belz, founder of *World* magazine and former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America’s general assembly, died on Sunday, Feb. 4, at age 82, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Marvin Olasky reflects on his legacy today at The Arena: currentpub.com/2024/02/05/the…

First time dropping our son off at the daycare. He cried globs of tears. Tried to run after me. Reaching for me. I didn't cry, but smiled big so he knows everything is OK.

So I guess this is what parenting is like: Letting go, and saying everything is OK, when I'm not OK.

One of the truest things I’ve learned in life is the more you get to know people, the more you learn that there is a lot of suffering in the world beneath the surface. Be kind to everyone. Life is pretty difficult.

Asking for recommendations for a good devotional book. Something that challenges, convicts, and inspires deep, practical conversations.

As so many of us are praying for peace, Psalm 46 is good to hold onto:

'Come, see the works of the Lord, who brings devastation on the earth. He makes wars cease throughout the earth...
Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.'

Why I love my job: I get to meet my brothers and sisters in Christ from all over and learn what God is doing through them in that corner of the world.

Please support more reporting work and others at Christianity Today. We cover news and ideas that bring hope, not despair.

Typically, Bethlehem is jammed with more than 3 million visitors coming from all over the world to celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

This year, “the streets are dark and hushed.” Sophia Lee 소현 reports from the West Bank: christianitytoday.com/news/2023/dece…

New at Christianity Today: I profile Mike Kelsey, who will be installed this weekend as lead pastor at McLean Bible Church in DC.

The church has gone through a lot over the past few years, and Mike's commissioning represents a new chapter in multiethnic ministry.
christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/novemb…

Me on the phone w a customer rep, spelling out my email: “U as in urine, N as in…uh, N as in…omg why am I spacing out?”

Rep: “You’re clearly a mother currently changing your baby’s diaper.”

Busted.

New issue of Christianity Today dropped christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/novemb…

Time to bombard Harvest Prude w your good ideas! She's also such a fun, enjoyable person to interact with, so easy to love.