Once or twice a month, I gather up links to some of my favourite reading and resources from the past fortnight. I’d love to know what you’ve been reading in the comments too.
Articles
Love Your Neighbor in the New Year: Answer Their Emails and Texts
Whoops, I’m not very good at doing this promptly. This was a fresh and useful perspective among the conversations about how to use technology well.
Tolkien, Great Reversals, and Hobbit-like Humility
There’s nothing I love more than a good Tolkien illustration. “God treasures humble-hearted servants. Therefore, pastor, be a hobbit.”
When All That Remains Is Ash
And here’s another one! Chris Thomas uses the language of Middle Earth to reflect on the devastating bushfires that are still raging across our country.
The Slowness of Sanctification
A comforting read for anyone discouraged by their slow progress in the Christian life: “Don’t lose heart—press on dear friend. He’s the workman, you’re the recipient of grace.”
More Than the Sparrows
“Being an introvert and a relatively melancholy person, my bent is toward isolation.” Macy gets me! She encourages us that even in the midst of loneliness, God sees, knows, and loves us.
Podcasts
The Decision-Making Episode (Age of Minority)
This podcast is targeted at teenagers, but I found their discussion on decision-making and the will of God to be really helpful. As a bonus, the banter is always spot-on.
Of Reviewing Many Books There Is No End (TGC podcast)
I enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at how TGC puts together their book content.
Tim Challies Interview (Redeeming Productivity Show)
I’ll listen to any Christian talk about blogging and productivity, but especially Tim!
Plus two more writing-related podcast episodes: Justin Taylor on Writing Advice from C.S. Lewis (Home Row) and Christopher Ash on writing, marriage, and advice for young pastors (Pastor Well with Hershael York).
Tweets
Yesterday, a close friend asked me probing questions about an area of my life where she knows I'm vulnerable to sin.
You know what I felt? Loved.
Often, we're so afraid friends will think we're judging or criticizing them that we don't ask hard questions.
And we all miss out.
— Rebecca McLaughlin (@RebeccMcLaugh) January 14, 2020
"The eminently humble Christian thinks he wants help from everybody,
whereas he that is spiritually proud thinks that everybody wants his help."
–Jonathan Edwards
— Drew Hunter (@DrewFHunter) January 12, 2020
Marks of loving Christ:
A. We like to think about Him
B. We like to hear about Him
C. We like to read about Him
D. We like to please Him
E. We like His friends
F. We are jealous about His name & honour
G. We like to talk to Him
H. We like to always be with HimJC Ryle, Holiness
— Nate Pickowicz (@NatePickowicz) January 8, 2020
Let us remember, that this life is a state of infinite importance, a point between two eternities, and that after these few days are ended, there will remain no more sacrifice for sin; let us be often asking ourselves, how we shall wish we had lived when we leave the world?
— George Whitefield (@WhitefieldG) January 13, 2020
Great questions to answer:
– Who can I encourage today? (1 Thess 5:11)
– Who can I show grace to? (Eph. 4:32)
– Who can I pray for? (Eph. 6:18)
– Who can I speak up for? (Proverbs 31:8)
– Who can I serve? (Mark 10:43)
– Whose needs can I put before my own? (Phil 2:3-4)
— Isaac Adams (@isickadams) January 13, 2020