Hogg’s Pearls of Wisdom  for September 2018

Passing on to you the pearls of wisdom gleaned from what I read, watch and listen to each month.  If a particular pearl appeals to you, click the link and enjoy.  Like God’s Word says: “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20 NIV).  I pray these pearls help each of us to be counted among the wise and live a more beautiful life.

“Taking at least 3 weeks vacation from the office each year can extend your life expectancy”  Phoebe Weston.  A 40 year study shows that taking all of your annual vacation can help you live longer.  It also shows that the benefits of healthy eating and exercise are overruled by our failure to get away from the day-to-day stress of work.  These finding mesh with other research that proves not getting adequate sleep also has numerous negative consequences.  Since our American culture does not encourage rest and retreat, a wise person will learn to take control of his or her life by making time for rest and retreat.  Link:  https://www-dailymail-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6103121/amp/Taking-3-weeks-vacation-office-year-extend-life-expectancy.html?amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQGCAEoATgA#origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&prerenderSize=1&visibilityState=visible&paddingTop=54&p2r=0&horizontalScrolling=0&csi=1&aoh=15355403604132&viewerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Famp%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fsciencetech%2Farticle-6103121%2Famp%2FTaking-3-weeks-vacation-office-year-extend-life-expectancy.html&history=1&storage=1&cid=1&cap=swipe%2CnavigateTo%2Ccid%2Cfragment%2CreplaceUrl

“The ‘Protestant Work Ethic’ Really Does Fight Poverty”  Lincoln Lau and Bruce Wydick.  A trial study among 320 villages and 6,276 low-income families in the Philippines revealed a positive causal relationship between Christian beliefs and economic outcomes.  The results seem to confirm that the Protestant work ethic causes positive economic change.  Given the current debate between capitalism and socialism, the research is informative and timely.  Scholars have long noted the positive correlations between religion and a higher quality of life.  New research like this is showing there is more than mere correlation.  There is causation. Link:  https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/july-august/protestant-ethic-fights-poverty.html

Persecution in the Early Church: Did You Know?  Everett Ferguson.  This article provides a really good overview of the persecution Christians faced during the first 300 years of the church’s existence.  I encourage you to read it, not just because you will learn something, but because it can strengthen your commitment and loyalty to Jesus Christ.  Link:  https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-27/persecution-in-early-church-did-you-know.html?share=gAYrp1CjwPqV8T1LBiMvbT7ZzEF80N2h

Here’s a Useful Survey on Americans’ Abortion Views.  Michael New.  We hear a lot of statistics saying Americans feel one way or another about abortion.  Usually the research behind those statistics is not very nuanced, leading many to think that a majority of Americans support abortion in almost all circumstances.  At least that’s what the headlines say.  The results a record survey indicate that most Americans believe there should be restrictions on abortion.  For a better understanding of how people really think, this article is an informative read.  Link:  https://www.christianpost.com/voice/heres-a-useful-survey-on-americans-abortion-views.html

Eager Conversationalists: Meet Today’s Most Vocal Christians.  Barna Group.  This brief article highlights the characteristics of believers who regularly discuss their faith and have spiritual conversations.  It may prove helpful for each of us to examine ourselves against the list of characteristics identified in the research.  Link:  https://www.barna.com/research/eager-conversationalists/

10 Romantic Fall Dates to Enjoy with Your Spouse.  Les and Leslie Parrott.  This brief article may generate some ideas for you and your spouse.  Give it a read and plan some dates.  Link:  https://www.symbis.com/blog/10-romantic-fall-dates-enjoy-spouse/?utm_source=Devotion+by+Les+and+Leslie&utm_campaign=666235777e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e61eb22cfc-666235777e-137569073&mc_cid=666235777e&mc_eid=ae4a008254