Best of the Week for June 5
In Best of the Week we link to a handful of the best articles, videos, books, etc. that we have come across in the last week. We hope this will point you to some of the right places and give you gospel-rich tools and thoughts for life and mission.
A 93-Million-Mile Love
“If your love reaches all the way to Berea and Ephesus and other churches across your region, I can only imagine how strong that love is right there in your church.”
This is a great perspective on why partnership in the gospel showing love for one another matters. Something that can be seen and felt from 93 million miles away is white hot at its center.
The Word of God Abides in You, and You Have Overcome the Evil One
“That is the main point I want to emphasize today: Our strength to triumph over the evil one comes from the word of God abiding in us.”
This is a sermon from 1 John 2. You can watch, listen, or read. I was moved and reminded of the depth of all that God does in us as we constantly put his word into our hearts and minds. I know it can be hard sometimes, but the consistency of this effort pays off.
Mistakes We Make in Friendship
“When I recently got to chat with Jen Wilkin about friendship, I put that question to her, along with some other complicated issues regarding relationships, such as…”
I’m not going to tell you what all the questions are. You’ll just have to check it out. But it’s worth your time. This is from Christine Hoover’s blog.
Two U.S. Senators Apply an Anti-Christian Religious Test for Government Officials
“In a confirmation hearing of an executive branch nominee, two U.S. senators imply that those who believe Jesus is the only way to salvation are “Islamophobic” and not fit for public office.”
This story is ludicrous, but not unexpected on this slippery slope (and it doesn’t have anything to do with Islam). These senators cunningly imply that holding a particular belief is synonymous with discriminating against anyone who does not hold the same belief. Pay special attention to how self-contradictory the ACLU’s statement on religious freedom is. The logic is absurd.
Six words to Say Through Tears
“When the grief is fresh and intense, we might take some wild ideas for a test drive, but to move toward healing and return to joy requires that we press this one idea deeply into our souls until it begins to impact us at the level of our feelings.”
Speaking the truth to ourselves in times of doubt, trouble, suffering, and loss is massively important to our healing, our faith, and our joy. When we can hear the truth (even softly) through the chaos of pain and lies, we can actually be people who are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” That’s what Jesus gives us.
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