Time for a Coffee Break! On this day in history: In 330, Constantinople, previously the town of Byzantium, was founded. In 1858, Minnesota, my wife’s home state, was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state. And in 1934, the first of many dust storms swept across the Great Plains, sending dust and topsoil flying as far east as New York, Boston and Atlanta.

Today Is National Twilight Zone Day!
Catch an episode or two of this classic show!

Turkish Coffee – Have you ever tried Turkish coffee? It’s really an excellent way to brew yourself a cup of coffee. And it pairs well with figs. Mmmm….

The Cactus That Crawls Across The Desert – I kind of like most cacti, and this one is especially interesting. Cut out the evolution language and realize that God designed it, and you have a unique part of the ecosystem that inspires a little awe.

The Longest Straight Line Land And Sea Route – A burning question that keeps you up at night is finally answered. What’s the longest straight line in the world? Here you go.

Why This Lake Is The Deadliest In The World – Have you ever heard of a lake that explodes? It’s a real thing apparently.

Today In Church History
On May 11, in 1816, the American Bible Society came into being in New York, to “encourage the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world.” Read more about it here.

Three Reasons Why We Can Trust The Old Testament – I’m getting a little tired of hearing people spout some variation of the old argument, “We’re New Testament people, so the Old Testament doesn’t matter/isn’t as valuable.” Yes. It does matter. It is valuable. And here are a few reasons why.

How Did We Get The Old Testament? – After you read the link above, read this. It explains a lot about how the Old Testament came about and gives more background about why it matters.

Jesus: The Perfect Burnt, Sin, And Guilt Offering – One reason the Old Testament is so vital is that the New Testament fulfills it in so many ways. Here’s an excellent comparison of OT sacrifices and how Jesus fulfilled them all.

How Do We Explain Talking Donkeys And Burning Bushes? – I suspect that the author of this letter isn’t the only one who struggles with questions like these. DeWitt’s response is insightful.

Why Preaching? – Whether you’re in the Old or in the New Testament, preaching is essential. I agree with Allen’s assessment that, of all my different responsibilities, preaching ranks at the very top.

Coffee Break is over. Time to get back to work! 🙂