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What Bible study do you recommend?
Do you guys have a Bible study recommendation that I could look into? In a strange twist, I’m praying about serving the women in our church by leading a women’s study. Can’t really believe it–but there’s a need and I have a very quiet travel season this spring, so I’m praying about it. I’d love to know what studies you recommend if you have a moment. Thanks much! — Tara B.
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What happens when we lose these truths?
More encouragement from Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson’s wonderful book, Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ: “Because we are so familiar with the gospel message, it gets shoved out to the periphery of our spiritual consciousness and becomes nothing more than white noise, only to be remembered at Christmas and Easter … When we lose those truths, what takes center stage in our awareness? We do, of course. When we lose the centrality of the cross, Christianity morphs into a religion of self-improvement and becomes about us, about our accomplishments, about getting our own way … So, now we’re going to remember God’s…
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Change Can Actually Happen
I’m still working on my endorsement of Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson’s wonderful book, Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ, and I wanted to share a few more nuggets with you. Here’s what hooked me in the first few pages: “So why add one more counseling book to your local bookstore’s shelves? Because we want to lay before you a provocative claim: the cross of Christ and the gospel that proclaims it really is “the power of God for salvation–comprehensive rescue–to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). In that cross lie both the power to liberate hearts that have been caught in seemingly unbreakable cycles…
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Addendum to Previous Post re: Mean Church People
My morning Bible reading was SPOT ON re: my previous post, so I thought I’d share it with you too: “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have…
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Do you find it strange how mean some people can be re: church stuff?
In the last few days, I’ve visited with multiple women who are: 1. Generously giving of themselves to serve their churches (through volunteer prayer ministries, mercy ministries, etc.); and 2. Being yelled at (literally!) and treated incredibly disrespectfully by the very people they are sacrificing their personal and family time to bless. It’s just so strange. Understandable, of course, but strange too. I prayed for them and tried to encourage them by reminding them that we are all called to be in difficult relationships–lots of people are either unregenerate or very immature. And their selfishness, harsh and critical attitudes, and lack of love are really to be expected. But that…
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You Do Not Terrify Me
I was given a tremendous Christmas gift last month when Crossway Books sent me a manuscript for review and possible endorsement. The book (scheduled for publication in 2009) is Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ, by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson and it is wonderful. Reading through it, I had a similar experience to when I read How People Change (by Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane). Initially, I foolishly had the thought, “Another book on biblical counseling and the gospel, etc. etc.? Haven’t I read enough of these?” But then, just like with “How People Change,” I was challenged, encouraged, comforted, helped, drawn to…
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LIFE Photo Archive Hosted by Google
Wow. I had no idea this existed. Did you? The Life Photo Archive (Hosted by Google) (HT: CakeWrecks for giving me more than just a giggle today.)
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Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth–A Do It Yourself Marriage Retreat
Another thing I filed away for Fred and me to discuss and use personally (and to share at the marriage retreat weekend my pastor and I are leading this spring on the east coast) is from the wonderful men at IX Marks: Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth–A Do It Yourself Marriage Retreat Great stuff in the attached .pdf file! I hope you’ll check it out. It’s interesting to me that my attention would be drawn to both of these posts this morning because I was just remarking to Fred (on the drive home from the hospital last night) how I am beginning to catch even a glimpse of…
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Four Signs that Your Marriage May Be in Danger
Someone just put up a new comments on this discussion thread on PeaceGals and I was really blessed to re-read it. Is Your Marriage in Danger? (Honestly? I had forgotten about this discussion thread entirely, but I really would like to discuss it with Fred–Hi Fred!–when we get a chance.) Hope it’s a blessing to you all too! Happy Thursday– Yours, Tara B.
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Things Like This Make Me So Proud to Be An Attorney
Don’t you just LOVE friends? Like my dear sweet Finding Grace buddy (who has become a friend in real life too!). This is the email I woke up to. THANKS for making me laugh, Em. JUST what I needed to start a relatively stressful day. (Make me so proud to be a lawyer.) THANKS, everyone, for the prayers and encouraging words too. We’re all doing OK here. The unknown is a little challenging–but we have a sweet sense of the presence and care of God. And we’re SO grateful to have access to such world-renown medical care. (Oh, and no worries about hospitals and me, Martha. I’m kind of the…
