Below are various articles/videos/podcasts that are interesting, thought-provoking, and worthy of consideration. We hope they will be encouraging to you and invite you to read them. “Whose Story Will You Follow” podcast by Karen Ellis, published on April 1, 2022 on The Gospel Coalition. “Bonhoeffer in China: An Interview” by Yu Jie, originally published on […]
Continue ReadingThe following is an address Karen Ellis gave regarding the story of scripture vs. the stories of everything from the populist right to the progressive left. Her aim is to ground our efforts in the culture of the Ancient Story. That is all I am going to say. “Whose Story Will You Follow?” by Karen Ellis […]
Continue ReadingDear Saints, Ed Welch’s article “God Scares Me To Death,” gives helpful thoughts and ideas to consider in the presence of grief. Whether in the midst of your own grief or if witnessing grief in another, I recommend this article to you for consideration. Blessings! “God Scares Me To Death,” by Ed Welch. (Published through […]
Continue ReadingMaybe it’s cliche to talk about being thankful at this time of year, but while having a day set aside every year to be thankful and express that thankfulness is a good thing, gratitude should be part of our conversations and prayers year round. Gratitude should be expressed every day, multiple times a day. Far […]
Continue ReadingThis past Sunday I stated I believe I Thess 4:11-12 is a statement of God’s goal for the poor. In it Paul states “But we urge you, brothers (and sisters) …to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may […]
Continue ReadingI used to think I was not a talented person. Sure, I had some skills and I was strong and clever at times, but I wouldn’t have said I was talented. I was friends with talented people, but I was the loyal one of the group. I thought I’d go through life doing things well […]
Continue ReadingDear Saints, I just talked with someone this morning about how Eastern religious practices are making their way into the church. Why would that happen? Perhaps it is because as Burk Parsons writes, people are looking for the “fresh and new.” Today’s entry is short and may not be profound. Or is it? A reminder to stand […]
Continue ReadingDear Saints, There is a struggle we all have between biblical joy and circumstantial happiness. How do we respond to circumstances that are dry, hard and/or traumatic and seem to never end? This entry on true joy speaks into this challenge. Certainly there are situations of clinical depression or situations that make us cry out […]
Continue ReadingDear Saints, This week’s devotion comes from Rosaria Butterfield regarding the evangelistic value of fellowship meals. I am not attempting to guilt trip people (for I too would be guilt tripped), but it serves as a reminder just how powerful breaking bread with even our enemies can be. I commend it to you. “In […]
Continue Reading“It (love) does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-8a What do you do when someone loves you in a way that you did not expect? Do you shrug it off, chalking it up […]
Continue ReadingDear Saints, Perhaps you have felt like this about God – that He is scary. Yet He is supposed to be good, approachable and loving. I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis comment that goes – “Safe? Of course, He is not safe, but He is good.” Ed Welch in his article, “God Scares […]
Continue ReadingI recently started a photography job that includes showing and selling the finished sessions to clients. I have done better at sales than I expected; it helps that I believe in what I am selling. I rarely see my coworkers, so we use a virtual workspace platform where we can share tips and successes, ask […]
Continue Reading