the eLife

Earth: In this opinion piece a self-described secular atheist kind of guy lays out some reasons he's rethinking the abortion issue, not because of religion, but because of reason. To use language from the book, he's beginning to think valuing all life might be "intuitively obvious to the most casual observer." - Joe Burnham from Bookmarklet

Water: Money already spent doesn't matter, just ask Seth Godin in the link. The same is true when it comes to past mistakes. To let prior failures define you don't do you any good today. Part of the beauty of grace and forgiveness is that you've been told you're now free to move forward. - Joe Burnham

Wind: "The Tangible Kingdom" is a great book on Christian living that is both missional and incarnational. Now the authors have put together a 7-week primer full of activities to help Christian transition from Christianity as we typically see it, to a faith that's lived out in the community. - Joe Burnham from Bookmarklet

Water and Wind: Questions around the element of "water" appear early as Chris admits frustration with his religious leaders, but his solution turns to a life that blends strikingly well with the element of "wind". The one "wind" difference between the wisdom here and in Scripture, Chris advises you to move on when the struggle becomes too great, while the New Testament invites you to look forward with hope at a day where the struggle will be no more. - Joe Burnham from Bookmarklet

Earth: the elemental life opens with a chapter that simply says, "Look around, things are broken." If you have 20-minutes and want to laugh, check out Seth Godin as he points out things that are broken. Personally, I'd add one more reason to his list, it's the reason Jesus offered when he heard of Lazarus' illness in John 11, “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” - Joe Burnham from Bookmarklet

Wind: I've seen what Seth Godin describes here many times, and I've been in the middle of the name calling on multiple occasions. However, as the wind element heading this would suggest, Jesus calls us to avoid such name calling. This doesn't mean we disagree, just that we handle disagreement in healthy ways. Thankfully, this is what I'm experiencing now as I promote a green program within my church. While some people don't get it or like it, rather than name calling, we're discussing and learning to live in the tension of our disagreement. - Joe Burnham