By Stan Friedman

CHICAGO, IL (February 7, 2013) — Many Covenanters routinely share links to social media articles and videos with one another that Covenant News Service believes may be of interest to others. Each Friday we post five of them. Following is a sample of those submissions—their inclusion does not represent an endorsement of any views expressed.

Cannabis-based Christian Compassion

Steve Rabey, a highly regarded journalist who is on the adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary, has written a thoughtful piece on a Christian family in Denver who grows marijuana for medical use. “While many Colorado growers concentrated on increasing levels of THC, the chemical that gives marijuana its ‘buzz,’ the Stanley brothers were trying to dial down the THC and dial up levels of cannabidiol, a chemical compound that has shown promise in a variety of medical applications.”

Of course, the family has drawn plenty of criticism from Christians, but that is changing. The article also examines four views Christians hold about legalizing marijuana.

“In God We Trust—But We Have Put Our Faith in Our Guns”

Instead of extending the gun debate, check out the last several answers in this interview with a mother whose son was murdered. Despite continued racist remarks made by the killer, the woman’s answers reveal that the headline writer completely missed the point.

Six Ways to Shift Responsibility

In Genesis 3:12, Adam executes the “them” approach perfectly. Eve was pretty good at it too. Unfortunately it didn’t work out so well. And yet it’s pretty easy to slip into the “blame game” in our work with others, whether at the office or in the church. Just remember: It’s all their fault.

Do We Really Need More Worship Songs?

Stuart Townend, who wrote the song “In Christ Alone,” authored this excellent piece on writing good worship music. In answer to the title’s question, of course we do. We just need good ones. I recently attended worship services at two different churches. They played pretty much the same songs, all of which had pretty much the same lyrics as all the others—and none of them were very good. While I recognize there are plenty of good popular worship songs, do we really need to limit ourselves to the Top 20 of the CCLI chart? So I am begging on bended knee: for the love of God—as well as to show mercy on the rest of us in the pews and folding chairs—please, please, please can we declare a moratorium on “Our God Is Greater”? (I really did get down on my knees to type that. Just because we don’t kneel in church anymore doesn’t mean I can’t do it while writing this.)

A Different Take on the School-closing Message

There is really nothing spiritual in this, but several Covenanters shared it on Facebook. Besides, people in snowbound areas of the country could use a little humor.