A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

In college I got into the short stories of Ernest Hemingway through the influence of my English professor. One of my favorite stories, which continues to haunt me whenever I come across a similar place in the world (or a similar condition of my heart), is "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." It was also possibly the favorite short story of Hemingway and James Joyce said it's one of the best short stories ever written. The way Hemingway loads only 4 pages of text with so much weight is remarkable. This is a well-lit but dark story about loneliness, the fear of nothingness. It is one of the rare pieces of writing that has stayed with me over time. Here's how it begins...

It was very late and every one had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference...

I encourage you to pick up The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. You can read the rest of "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" online here. 

Keeping Pastors From Isolation

Another helpful list from Paul David Tripp's tremendous book, Dangerous Calling. We haven't had a day pass without at least one significant conversation between me and my wife, Molly, since we started reading this book. We talked about a few things from this list today (from pages 79-82 in the printed edition). This is for pastors and those who care for them, and it's about a better, more healthy way to keep Pastors from isolation.

1. Require your Pastor to attend a small group he doesn't lead
2. Pastor, seek out a spiritually mature person to mentor you at all times
3. Establish a Pastor's wives' small group
4. Pastor, be committed to appropriate self-disclosure in your preaching
5. Be sure that your Pastor and his family are regularly invited into the homes of families in your church
6. Make sure there is someone who is regularly mentoring your Pastor's wife
7. Make sure your Pastor and his wife have the means to be regularly out of the house and away for weekends with one another
8. Make sure counseling help is always available to the Pastor, his wife, and their family

A lot of helpful explanation of these points are in the book, so you should get it and read it. My wife read it in 1 1/2 days (she has her own copy) and God is using it mightily in our marriage. I can't recommend Dangerous Calling (Kindle) enough.