By Stan Friedman

CHICAGO, IL (October 17, 2014) — 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 by the Covenant of any views expressed.

Houston Subpoenas Pastors’ Sermons
Whether it’s legal or not, it feels like retribution. One prominent pastor wrote an open letter to the mayor.  A law professor chimed in with a column in the Washington Post.

And after complaints, the mayor revised her request.

The End to Awkward Handshakes
I recently went to shake someone’s hand and they tried to give me the fist bump. So the next time, I went for the fist bump, but he went with the traditional handshake. Now we just say hi. The author recounts the history of the handshake, explains what happens to our oxytocin levels when we press the flesh, and offers a guide as to what handshake fits what occasion. Follow the guide and you’re less likely to feel foolish.

Use Hand Gestures: Look Like a Real Intellectual
So if you feel awkward after one of those handshakes gone awry, you can always use one of these gestures during the conversation to show you’re not as dumb as you feel. However, regardless of the situation, these hand gestures are completely ineffective when talking with your teenage children. It doesn’t matter what you do—they’ll still think you don’t have a clue about anything.

Praiseworthy Map: America’s Heavenly Place Names
A data artist plotted the coordinates of more than 3,000 places with holy-sounding names, which include God’s Bath, Holy Ghost Drive, and plenty of saints. He’s also plotted sites that sound more devilish. Is it any surprise that California has so many of both?

Jazz Belongs in Church
I don’t know. Trying to introduce jazz into a worship service could just create a lot of problems. Next thing you know, a church will have to offer a bebop jazz service for one group and a smooth jazz service for another. Of course, a congregation could always try a jazz fusion service.