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
Beware of Friendship Idealism
Christine Hoover writes: “Until heaven, our community will never be perfect. Not even close. It’s inevitable that we will experience hurt and disappointment in our relationships. But it’s worth the risk.”
Untainted Eyes
Chris Thomas invites us to lay aside our skepticism and come to Jesus with childlike trust: “Maybe [Jesus’] willingness to swing a child up onto his knee, mixing generously his laughter with their high-pitched giggles, should infectiously invite us to lean in a little closer as well. Maybe we have grown up too much.”
Is There Still a Place for Blogs in 2020?
I always appreciate what Tim contributes to discussions about the Christian blogosphere. Here he proposes four reasons why blogs have been so valuable and will continue to be (even with the popularity of social media).
Six marks of maturity to look for in your life
These six marks helps us to evaluate ourselves to see how we might need to grow in Christ, but they’re also encouraging when we notice that God’s grace has indeed been at work in us.
Tweets
‘Hard’ and ‘Good’ aren’t mutually exclusive. Parenting can be both hard and good. Marriage can be both hard and good. Singleness can be both hard and good. Childlessness can be both hard and good. Following Jesus can be both hard and good. Don’t pit these two against each other.
— Chris Thomas (@cbthomas76) November 28, 2019
'The role of pastoral ministry is feeding, not fixing. Your role is not to find a solution to every problem people face…but to properly apply the word of God that people might discern the hand & love of God in the problems they face' @PastorColinS #FIECLC
— Graham Thomson (@goldenpthomson) November 12, 2019
A most encouraging part of our church service is when we sing.
As a pastor, I know the stories of many lifting their voices.
They’ve endured…
Adultery
Cancer
Death
Divorce
Infertility
Loneliness
Miscarriage
Poverty
SicknessYet they keep trusting
Their faith stirs my faith
— Garrett Kell ن (@pastorjgkell) November 18, 2019