Faith to Believe God Enjoys My Prayers
John Starke:
I have lists and notes scattered around my desk, tempting me to start the day early. There’s a lot to do: people who need care, a sermon that needs some attention, and a few meetings that need some thought. But not yet. There’ll be time for that soon; not enough time, for sure, but time nonetheless. Since there’s never enough time I’m reminded that all I am, all I long for, all my hopes and plans can never be fulfilled and accomplished in time. Time always runs out and leaves me disappointed and my heart doesn’t accept the limitations that Time offers. It has eternity pumping all the way through to the bottom. I need something more than just enough time.
When Mother Reads Aloud
Kim Shay:
I can’t understate the value of reading aloud. It is possible today to have robotic teddy bears read to our kids, or to have them listen to audio books read by someone else, or to use a device that reads to them. You don’t even need mom or dad! Isn’t that handy? Maybe, but I think that is shortchanging everyone. By reading aloud, we gain a lot more.
Song Requests and Gospel Rest
Daniel Ross:
Music is powerful. It stirs the emotions in a good way. It’s also pretty subjective. What sounds beautiful to one listener can sound unbearable to another. The options are more or less endless.
In the midst of this cacophony of choices comes The Average Church-Goer with his or her request for your church to sing “The Best Song Ever.” This song means so much to them and may or may not induce tears for them.
What’s a worship leader to do?
Teachability
Nick Batzig:
One of the great goals, to which each of us should aspire in our short lives, is that of becoming a teachable person. That statement sounds, at one and the same time, both noble and straightforward. However, a careful consideration of this subject leads us to conclude that it is commonly mischaracterized and misunderstood. Many have wrongly implied that teachability is antithetical to voicing convictions or formed opinions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Teachability sweetly complies with thoughtful convictions and opinions. True teachability is actually one of the rarest of qualities in the hearts and lives of people. So, what is required in order for us to become teachable?
In Dialogue with a Contemporary Anabaptist
Trevin Wax shares a conversation with David Fitch.
Matt Smethurst on rap music and writing
This is such a great interview between Matt and Dan Darling:
Candidly, I’ve found most people who write aren’t very good at it. I don’t mean to be harsh; it’s simply that the Internet has democratized the opportunity to be read. There are benefits to this, of course, but drawbacks too. Just because your writing is true doesn’t make it good. Did you labor to make it beautiful? Does it sing? In Reformed circles we often elevate theology at the expense of humanity and truth at the expense of beauty. It’s a tendency that rarely yields stellar prose.
Why aren’t unknown pastors headlining Christian conferences?
A favorite from the archives—one that I love is being challenged with this year’s SBC pastor’s conference in June:
I’ve wondered about this for a while. We’re all equal in Christ, after all. Those who are more obscure in their ministry have as much to say (sometimes even more) than those who are extremely well known. So why do our conferences seem to focus primarily on the latter group? What’s the deal?
Why aren’t unknown pastors speaking at big events? The answer is actually pretty simple: it’s because you wouldn’t go if they did.
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