Time magazine's cover story on the current level of vitriol and fear in political and social circles is worth a read. The article targets Fox's Glenn Beck, but let's be honest—MSNBC's Keith Olbermann is the other side of the coin. Both provide opportunities to play with a very dangerous, divisive fire.

In a recent article for ChristianityToday.com, Marilyn McEntyre explains why the care of language is more important than ever. A good lesson for us as preachers, for sure. But a good lesson for us as followers of Christ, first and foremost.

In last week's Intersections, I linked to a Wall Street Journal article that featured a Richard Dawkins-Karen Armstrong discussion about where evolution leaves God. NPR recently did a story on Karen Armstrong and her newest book, A Case for God. Check it out.

More and more manufacturers are focusing their efforts on making the perfect bed for today's man. Early models have featured "built-in TVs, iPod docking stations, wine coolers, safes, and other guy-friendly gadgetry." When interviewed about the bed, one happy male customer offered his favorite part: "The best thing is the TV. You don't have to get up." I love this line in the article soon after the man's testimony: "His wife declined to comment."

The folks behind Twitter recently held a conference to discuss how they can make the world a better place. The news article had a pretty funny title: "Actual people physically gather to talk Twitter". Isn't it funny that we now have to say "actual people" to denote "real" human beings, and whenever we mention any kind of "gathering," we have to offer a special note as to whether or not it was a physical one? And I suppose it's not that far of a leap to conclude from this story that even the makers of social media realize that in order to address the most important matters, you might need to leave your basement to meet with "actual people" face to face.

Did you catch this year's basketball hall of fame induction ceremony? Michael Jordan made it in (as if there was ever a doubt). Some of my fondest memories from growing up are watching Jordan and the Bulls tear through the NBA to capture six championship rings. He was a sports hero for me, without a doubt. But even I have to admit his speech at the induction ceremony was disgusting. Tons of people have been offering opinions about it—from average Joe bloggers to ESPN analysts (check out the harsh words offered by columnist Rick Reilly, who concludes that no one should want to be like Mike now). Pastor Voddie Baucham even got in on the mix to offer his own reflections. Voddie points out that the nature of Jordan's speech was made all the worse by the speech given by fellow inductee, David Robinson—a speech that was about as humble and Christ-honoring as it gets.

Get this: one in seven Germans want the Berlin Wall back.

For two years, John Manley had been miserable. Always coughing. Constantly tired. Prone to bouts of pneumonia. Well, that's going to happen when you have a 1-inch piece of plastic from a Wendy's fork in your lung.

Ummmm—some people take Star Wars way too seriously.