thunked

Hey, lookee what I got!!

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Congratulations, you won a ! Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging. I thought it would be appropriate to include them with the meme. The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think, 2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme, 3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

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Jenn, thank you for the award! I suggest readers visit her site to see who else got one.

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Awards. Pretty, shiny things. They’re not essential or eternal, but very nice. I admit it made me smile, and I’m deeply grateful to Jenn for the honor.

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As I wondered how to make my five selections, I decided to narrow the options by carefully considering those whom I have known for a while who post regularly, consistently keep me on my toes, and who’s admirable intellect is not eclipsed by a lack of grace (mean streak). Plus, I tried to avoid choosing people who already won this award.

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1) Bluecollar is actually a team of folks (Bluecollar, Shiloh Guy, Gayla Baptist Girl, Gojira and Jazzycat) who desire to point people to Jesus through His Word. I already believe basically the same things they do, but they will try to be fair and decent if disagreed with. I’m glad it’s a group, because a few of these individuals deserve the award, and I can only give a total of five.

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2) Even So… is a gentleman blogger I must read every day. He is not my pastor, per se, but I still love finding a front row pew under his e-pulpit.

3) Making people laugh is not always easy. It is a wonderful talent that helps us manage the thoughts of our complicated lives and frame them in a humorous perspective. Martin Stickland is a twisted, twisted Brit who will make you laugh out loud and shoot your tea or coffee out your nostrils.

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4) The Suburban Christian is one of the best read, most fluid minds I have ever met. He will challenge you to apply your theology to your geography.

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5) Until now, I have purposely listed gents (although Bluecollar has a couple of ladies). It’s easy to find talented women in the blogosphere, but if I had only women in the sidebar, it would be creepy. Still, I cannot exclude women from this selection, because there has been a lot of brilliant exchange of ideas and encouragement from certain women. I think she might have been mentioned already (on April 2nd), but the most gifted blogger I know of is LL Barkat. She uses art to make you start thinking, and then the comment thread is also filled with edifying contributors.

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Thanks for how you each make me think! Dear reader, if you have not paid a visit to these award recipients yet, go ahead and check them out. You’re in for a real treat!

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Um Martin, you better tidy up… company’s coming.