Back to the Basics: Practicing the Rhythms of God's Grace
“The gospel assures us that we are kept and held and secured in Christ (that is unchanging and forever), but these rhythms of grace help us to press all the more deeply into him—again and again and again. We don’t pursue deeper holiness through the spiritual disciplines in order to achieve or earn anything before God; rather we grow into richer knowledge of him by weaving these rhythms into the fabric of our lives. We will always (even in heaven!) be growing into deeper understanding of and love for God. And with the Spirit’s help, day by day we can work to grow in this knowledge of God by practicing the rhythms of God’s grace so that we might 1. love God more, 2. train ourselves for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7), and 3. teach, disciple, and grow alongside other brothers and sisters in the faith (Col. 3:16).” Back to the Basics: Practicing the Rhythms of God's Grace by Lauren Bowerman
The Church: Essential to Our Endurance
“These brothers and sisters whose lives have been woven into mine have encouraged me, prayed for me, welcomed me to their tables, and adopted me as “auntie” to their kids. We’ve lived through high highs and low lows together, prayed for God’s provision and lifted up our longings and laments to him, pointed one another back to Jesus and the good news of the gospel time and again, and seen God at work in many ways. Church has always been part of my life, part of my week, and often part of my work. But it’s taken a pandemic and a sabbatical to reveal to me that church is not just important, it is essential to faithfully following Jesus.” - The Church: Essential to Our Endurance by Jenilyn Swett
The Life-Giving Joy of a Hobby
“When I was a kid, my grandfather taught me how to use a camera. I enjoyed it enough to even take a photography class in college, but once I graduated and started my first ‘real’ job, I no longer had time for it. But, one evening in the middle of the 2020 lockdown, I decided to get my camera out and go out and take pictures of the sunset—just to have a reason to get out of the house. And that was it. I found something I had forgotten I enjoyed, and it helped me make it through the worst of the pandemic. I think you should have a hobby too. And I know you think you’re too busy; I get it. But if you’ve read this far, perhaps you’ll be willing to consider these four reasons why I think you should not only have a hobby, but also protect time for it on a regular basis:” - The Life-Giving Joy of a Hobby by Matt Lantz
Uprooting the Weeds of False Beliefs
“Sin affects every area of our lives, including how we think and what we think. However, we’re not without hope, and we’re not without help as we address deeply rooted thoughts and beliefs. Second Peter 1:3 tells us God’s “divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” and in John 14-16, Jesus teaches that the Holy Spirit works to help us, teach us, convict us, and guide us into all truth.” - Uprooting the Weeds of False Beliefs by Ashley Chestnut
How to Pray for Older Saints
“God loves the generations—they’re part of his good design! As you intercede for the older saints in your life, don’t forget to praise God for them and thank him for the ways they have encouraged you and sharpened you in your faith. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). Amen!” - How to Pray for Older Saints by Chelsea Stanley
Dear College Student: 4 Encouragements to Live on Mission
"For four years, you have the opportunity to reach those from the other side of the globe with the gospel by simply walking across the hall. If we are called to go and “proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15), this is the most risk-free step of obedience we can take. We have the privilege of fulfilling the Great Commission right here on our campuses.” - Dear College Student: 4 Encouragements to Live on Mission, by Ellie Sauder
Storytellers and Disciple-Makers: Stewarding Our Creativity for a Watching World
"I cannot always tie a bow of finality on my stories. Most of them are still being lived, still being learned. But whether I write with humor, or with a homesickness that shows all I long for Jesus to make right, I do write with the assurance of my true home in mind. There is not an honest soul on earth who does not in some way resonate with things that make us laugh, or with this distant hum of a feeling that this life cannot be all there is. Our stories may just be the thing God uses to show the world the origin and hope of all of our lives.” - Storytellers and Disciple-Makers: Stewarding Our Creativity for a Watching World, by Katie Blackburn
Where is God When Life Changes?
"We know change is inevitable. To be human is to experience the ebbs and flows of life. Some changes are planned and are accompanied with minimal strain; others are so life-altering we sometimes refer to them as death and rebirth. We know our lives will change, but the inevitable is still shocking. Even when change is good, it’s hard. Yet with every change, we have an opportunity to learn with greater conviction that God is good.” - Where is God When Life Changes, by Shar Walker
Fighting Relational Fear by Cultivating Delight
"Our natural bent in relationships is to seek safety by trusting our own wisdom: we fight back, run away, endeavor to please people, judge others, or compete against them. This dark side of self-protection is really a form of fear, and even for those of us who are in Christ, it can still be a visceral response that rules us. So how do we learn to be ruled by something better than our own wisdom?” - Fighting Relational Fear by Cultivating Delight, by Aylin Merck
Three Things Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew
"You probably know her from afar. Ask anyone from your church and they could point her out to you, that woman your pastor is married to. And you might be curious about her. What does life look like in her family day to day? Is there any way you could get to know her better? As a pastor’s wife for almost 50 years, let me share three insights into what it’s like for her to be married to your pastor--three peeks into her life that could help you build a bridge to her heart.” - Three Things Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew, by Jani Ortlund
Friendship Around God’s Table
"We ordered the largest U-haul truck available, passed out the inadequate “thank you” treats of coffee and donuts to our box-loading friends, and drove off to a new everything… Now we’re here. The moving truck has long since been returned, and the emptied boxes recycled. Even the first new school year has been completed. But our still-undecorated walls reflect the newness that remains. We still need to learn new roads and new favorite takeout places. Yet the most daunting task of all is establishing new friendships.” - Friendship Around God's Table, by Myra Dempsey