Preaching Standard provides news of particular relevance to those serving in ministry. Interesting quotes, trends, and new things happening that could impact the church and Christians around the world.

Here’s a sample of the Seen & Heard you will see gathered for you on Preaching Standard.

If you have a difficult decision to make, stop thinking about it. Literally.
That may be the advice from studies by Dutch researchers suggesting that people who face a decision with many considerations, such as what house to buy, often do not choose wisely if they spend a lot of time consciously weighing the pros and cons. Instead, the scientists concluded, the best strategy is to gather the relevant information and then put the decision out of mind for a while. Then, when the time comes to decide, go with what feels right.
“It is much better to follow your gut,” said Ap Dijksterhuis, a professor of psychology at the University of Amsterdam, who led the research, which was published in the journal Science in February. For relatively simple decisions, he said, it is better to use the rational approach. But because the conscious mind can consider only a few facts at a time, the unconscious appears to do a better job of weighing factors and arriving at a sound conclusion in complex decisions. Researchers termed this the “deliberation-without-attention effect.” Researchers say more work needs to be done to solidify the conclusions.
—Boston Globe, February 17

“The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists in the circulation of their blood.”
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946), American author, Afterthoughts

“It’s so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit.”
—Anna Quindlen, American journalist and author, A Short Guide to a Happy Life

“Silent gratitude isn’t very much use to anyone.”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946), American author/feminist