For those of you joining us for the first time, welcome to Random Acts of Linking, AKA the Wednesday Link List from Thinking Out Loud. Links included here may not be new, but they're new to us. We aim for content from the last 30 days. Linkage does not imply endorsement. Your mileage may vary. Professional stunt blogger; do not attempt at home. And now, on the with the show...

• Truth be told, most of us would rather the truth not be told. Finally, the case against transparency.
• The IKEA retail chain launches a new store in Winnipeg, Canada with advertising informing people that each year nearly three times more IKEA catalogs are printed than Bibles. That'll impress Manitoba Mennonites.
• A Wisconsin elementary school has a "Gender Bender Day." Yes, elementary school. Just when you thought it was safe to... oh wait, you didn't.
• Citing an Associated Press report from exactly one year ago, Scot McKnight's blog documents a foreshadowing of last month's shutdown of Exodus International.
• Essay of the Week: Steve DeWitt's sermon text from Father's day last month; written under the title 'The Almost Father,' but updated when the baby came early.