This week's links - 23/11/11

Jacarandas and Remembering - a nice reflection by Sarah on the memories triggered by the magnificent Jacaranda trees in Sydney in November.

Puritanism: a Piety of Joy - Jean linked to this article of hers from over ten years ago, which has recently been made available online. She argues that the Puritans have been misrepresented as kill-joys, and that, in fact, Puritan piety was a 'piety of joy' in God and His creation.

Book Review - "Grieving Hope and Solace" - a good review of a new Christian book on grief. It's good to hear a perspective on a book like this from someone who has experienced significant grief in their life.

Violence against women is endemic to our sick culture - Melinda Tankard Reist's thoughts on White Ribbon Day and the way our society views women: "Of course it’s good that men stand up and pledge not to be violent and put white ribbons on their shirt collars. We need men to be engaged in the issue. But since the inception of White Ribbon Day, violence against women and children has continued unabated. And the culture that helps to makes violence against women permissible, even something to be celebrated, remains unaddressed."


Pokies Petition.  From Get Up: "To Prime Minister Gillard/To the Chairman of Woolworths:

We urge you to take action to tackle problem gambling on poker machines in Australia. Requiring problem gamblers to pre-commit how much they are willing to lose will help problem gamblers kick a habit that's hurting far too many Australian families."  You can sign it here.