The vermin of intrusive thoughts: Crystal Kershaw writes, “In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul uses battle language to describe the ongoing struggle taking place in believers’ lives. He describes bullets of “arguments” and “pretensions” that land in our internal dialogue. Our supernatural Enemy fires them with a clear, age-old motive; to undermine our faith.”
Just a little bit: Rachel Whisman says, “When have I tried softening sin to make it seem more comfortable, more approachable? Where are you willing to add “just a little bit” to something to make it seem okay? Where are you willing to cave in for “just a little bit” more?”
Don’t apply the Bible to your life. Do this instead. Wyatt Graham explains, “So rather than asking, "How do I apply this Bible passage to my life?" we might ask, "How does contemplating this truth transform how I see reality?" When we do this, the Bible doesn't become a manual for extracting principles; it becomes a lens through which we see the world as it truly is—created, fallen, and being redeemed by God.”
Visualizing the religious landscape in the US: The most important number probably remains the religiously unaffiliated number: currently at 30%.
The winning images from close-up photography of the year: I love the hummingbird all the way at the bottom taken by a 16 year old.

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash