A New Level of Horror in Haiti
Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald have been to Haiti, and some of their dispatches have shed light on a new level of horror in Haiti that includes sex trafficking and violence in the streets. Here's a reminder to expand our prayers just a little bit more for Haitians. It's also a reminder that a tragedy has a certain power to stir conversion for the better or for the worse.

Reflections from a Leading Haitian Theologian
In a recent interview with Christianity Today International, prominent Haitian theologian Dieumeme Noelliste offers reflection—especially with regard to theodicy—on the tragic events of two weeks ago.

What the Backlash Against Pat Robertson Teaches Us
By you've long since heard what Pat Robertson said about what happened in Haiti. And by now you've watched just about everyone offer commentary. My opinion? Ignore it so it won't distract us from the real work at hand. But if you don't want to ignore it, I suggest you check out this commentary for an altogether different angle on the matter. Jeffrey Weiss from Politics Daily pushes past the temptation to lambaste Robertson so that the reader can ponder a deeper issue—that "after several years of surveys that indicate that the tenets and dogmas of Christianity are less central to American culture than they once were, maybe the reaction to Robertson shows that 'less' is a long way from 'gone.'"

Converted by Ultrasound Imaging
In light of another anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision (January 22, 1973), a number of blogs and Twitter feeds have been pointing out this incredibly powerful story about the impact advances in ultrasound imaging have had on those who perform abortions. From the opening paragraph: "Most apparently have managed to reconcile their belief in the right to abortion with their revulsion at dying and dead fetuses, but a noteworthy number have found the conflict unbearable and have defected to the pro-life cause." There's no doubt this is a powerful illustration for dealing with the issue of abortion, but you could use it as a way to introduce the thought that if ever we could catch a glimpse of the true horror of some of our decisions, we would fall on our knees in shock, shame, and surrender.

Kate Gosselin and Pop Rebirth
Kate Gosselin, of Jon & Kate Plus Eight fame/shame, has decided it's time to start over. It's time for radical transformation. It's time to be reborn. And the best way to get things started? Hair extensions and a better use of make-up, of course. True, outside changes really can have an impact on the inside: more confidence, deeper determination, better self-esteem, even a stronger sense of self-worth. But in an article for Leadership journal, Gordon MacDonald warns us not to fall for the draw of what he calls "pop rebirth". MacDonald has done a great job of taking a cultural touchpoint to explore themes of change, repentance, sanctification, and countless other issues of the human heart and soul.

The Lord's Army?
ABC recently ran a story about Trijicon Inc., a company that makes advanced telescopic sights for military weapons. What's so special about these telescopic sites, you ask? Well, for years the company has placed small scriptural references near the model numbers on the sites. Examples include JN8:12 ("I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.") and 2COR4:6 ("For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."). The practice was started by its founder, who was a Christian. After the ABC story broke, it was soon announced that the company will no longer attach the Scriptural references to their products. Though most are using this story to debate Constitutional issues concerning religion, that's probably not the best use of your time in the pulpit. You could certainly use this one to debate the many ways we use and abuse Scripture. Or what about using this one creatively to show our tendency to use Scripture as a weapon—a way of tracking people down, before taking them down? What about the irony of our preaching Christ while holding a rather "violent," inconsistent posture in the way we act, speak, live?

Best App Ever? Worst App Ever?
Don't know why your baby is crying? Is she hungry? Is he in pain? Too cold? Too hot? Time for a diaper change? Well, now there is an iPhone app to help you interpret what the weeping and wailing means. Its creators "claim 96 percent accuracy." Right. The alternative, of course, is to get to know your child yourself. This one can be used several ways: a look at just how far we will go to soothe our uncertainties and fears as parents; a look at how fast we'll fall for the newest gadget or trend for parenting (as opposed to embracing proven wisdom); or you could explore how this is as silly as trying to get to know your child's hopes, dreams, and fears merely by exploring their Facebook page, blog, or text messages. (Thanks to David Slagle for the heads up on this story!)

A Slideshow from Unexpected Photographers
Over 30 blind and visually impaired adults from the UK, Mexico, and China were trained in sensory photography techniques so they could take pictures with a camera. Here is a slideshow of some of their work. Some of the shots are artistically rendered, but most of them are very simple pictures. In fact, that's the beauty of the slideshow, really. Notice the one that depicts a a squirrel perched atop a trashcan. I've passed similar scenes. But that's just it—I passed them. There's something so innocent and pure and convicting about someone sensing enough beauty in a moment like that to snap a picture. It makes me wonder who has the better eye when it comes to the simple beauties of others, the created world, the everyday. (Thanks to Preaching Today's Nate Johnson for pointing out this great collection.)

Now Hiring at Holiday Inn: Bed Warmers
If you're traveling to London anytime soon and plan on staying at a Holiday Inn, you don't have to settle for a cold bed at night. You can now request that a member of the hotel staff throw on a pair of fleece pajamas, hop in your bed, and warm it up just prior to your retiring for the night. I could share just how creepy and gross this is, but let's talk preaching angles. An obvious route is to use this as just one more sign of how lazy, how consumeristic, how diva-like we've become as a society. But here's what I thought first and foremost: It's terribly uncomfortable to read about this kind of thing as we weigh the situation in Haiti. Does this not show just how oblivious we are to global poverty? One country is devastated by an earthquake not only because of the power of the natural disaster itself, but because it was too poor to build well, while another country has enough money to burn that a major hotel chain can hire bed warmers.