What’s new on the Web? Here are some goodies we think you will find worthwhile.
1) Free Coldplay
Coldplay wants to thank its fans for its support, so the band is offering a free download of a new album, Left Right Left Right Left at www.coldplay.com.
2) “Children of the Recession” series on CBS
For a month, the “CBS Evening News” has been offering news segments showing how the economic meltdown is impacting children, teens and young adults. Check out some of the segments. You may want to share some of the segments with your group to see if members can come up with ways to respond to hurting families and kids in your community.
3) How Green is ‘Green’
Many companies are promoting their products and services as “green,” but GoodGuide, a new Web site and iPhone application, can help you cut through the confusion and find out facts about a product’s health and environmental impacts.
4) Get Your Simpson’s Stamps Here!
Once upon a time, folks (including many church folks) said “The Simpsons” animated TV show was proof if the decline of Western civilization. Now, the U.S. Postal Service has honored Bart et al with their own line of postage stamps.
By the way, this year “The Simpsons” celebrates its 20th season on TV, which ties it with “Gunsmoke,” TV’s only other 20-year scripted prime-time series. When “The Simpsons” starts its 21st season this fall, the show will claim the crown as the longest-running TV series.
5) Listen to Music for More than 30 Seconds
If you’re frustrated with the short snippets of songs you can hear at the iTunes store, visit www.lala.com to hear the full song before you buy from their library of 6 million tunes.
6) Deafening Worship Music
While we’re talking about music, check out John Stackhouse’s editorial in Christianity Today about high-volume worship music.
Don’t worry. The piece isn’t an old fart’s rant against young people and their music. Stackhouse has played in worship bands for years himself. Among his criticisms: that some worship bands use loudness to cover up for a lack of musical ability or a lack of true spiritual energy. Read it and think about it before your next time of worship.
