Why evangelical leaders love Pope Benedict XVI (and his resignation) – Christianity Today
“In some ways, Benedict’s resignation, the first in nearly 600 years, sends the most important message of his papacy, said Chris Castaldo, a director at the Billy Graham Center and author of Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus as a Former Catholic. Vatican I emphasized the divine character of the papal office and made it seem distant from average people. This resignation highlights the leader’s humanity, Castaldo said.” Read other evangelical leader’s thoughts, here.

Are Christians bad tippers? – The Blaze blog
The conservative blog “The Blaze” rounds up an argument American Christians have been having with themselves: Are Christians good tippers? In the US waitstaff rely on tips to get adequately paid. A pastor started the row by writing on his bill that if God only gets 10 per cent (a tithe) why should waitstaff get 18 per cent? Read full blog here.

Journey with cancer – surprisingly good news – Macarisms
Dave McDonald, pastor of Crossroads Church in Canberra was diagnosed with an “incurable lung cancer” in December 2011.  He’s been blogging life and what truly matters ever since. And this week, he got some “surprisingly good news”. Read here.

What I wish I had told my youth group about purity – The Church of No People blog
A youth pastor chimes in about virginity, purity and why we are all “Damaged Goods”.

“Virgins or not, each of us go to the altar as damaged goods.  We were born into sin, damaged from birth.  Then we picked up bad habits, negative experiences and harmful prejudices for years.  In other words, we all have a lot of baggage.  The purity of virginity is like a white thread in the scarlet of our sins and shortcomings, and does nothing to altar our need for the Savior.” Read full blog here.