Of interest this week (at least to me)

I’m always keeping my eye out for good resources to help people who write to me about various issues.

THIS is one of the BIGGIE issues I hear about pretty often.

What drew me to this video when I first came across it on YouTube was the straightforward title – and the hope it conveys. Then I noticed it was from Craig Groeschel, who by and large, I have a good deal of respect for. In case you don’t know, he and a team of people started LifeChurch.tv and the corresponding ministries that have come out of it. One of the most significant (in my opinion) is the YouVersion Bible app.

The video is good, Craig focuses on solid biblical truth with practical steps of application. And he throws in some scientific research to boot.

And in case you don’t know what to make of that last sentence, here’s how I look at it… God created things as they are, so the study of science is an endeavor to understand those things and how they work. So I don’t ever sees science as an “opponent” to faith. It’s the exact opposite when done properly, it’s complementary to faith.

Resources you can use

A few casseroles ago I linked to a bunch of articles Doug Wilson cranked out that gave advice to his fiction nephew, Dawson, about women, dating, and the road toward marriage.

Wouldn’t you know it, Doug has a fictional niece as well. Her name is Darla.

She (fictionally) asked him to give her some advice similar to what he gave her cousin Dawson, only geared for the female young women among us.

So he did. Here is the list of articles so far… (as of 10/18/2022)

And as with anyone’s writing, I likely don’t agree with everything you’ll read, but the 98-ish other percent is worth sharing the list with you.

And At Least Six With Chubby Cheeks

The Fraught Topic of Modesty

On Guarding Your Heart

Understanding Guys

On Not Being Catty About It

On Avoiding Romantic Reverie

Staying Out of Cartoon World

Laws of Attraction

The Art of Attraction

Transactions and Covenants

Compared to What?

The Right Kind of Beauty Treatment

No RomCom Ending

The Rosetta Stone of the Sexes

The Kill Switch and the Steering Wheel

Love, Honor, and Obey

Courtship and Sexual Baggage

A Different Kind of Daddy Issue

Wedding as Adornment

What I’m reading

I’m still slowly working my way through an oldie but a goodie, “With Christ in the School of Prayer” (affiliate link). I  don’t think I mentioned WHY I’m re-reading this one. It’s a bit of a story, but here goes…

Over the past few years I’ve been honored to spend a significant portion of time among some of my elders, getting a close-up look at the aging process first-hand. It’s given me reason to think about what MY life will be like should I grow old (I’m 55 as I write this). I’ve come to some conclusions based on what I’ve witnessed…

• I don’t want to be the typical “grumpy old man” — which I very well could be given my particular versions of sinful tendencies.

So… I’m working hard on killing those tendencies now, while I still have time to make a habit of living under the control of the Holy Spirit in those areas. That way, hopefully, I’ll be a Spirit-controlled old man, not a sin-and-flesh-controlled old man.

• I don’t want the lost of my faculties to overcome me in a feeling of uselessness or depression.

So, I’m taking stock of what I could do when I’m old, should I lose my ability to get around, be active, or even converse with others.

That’s where the subject of prayer comes in…

In most situations, even if I lose my ability to teach/preach, write, or record podcasts, I’ll still be able to contribute significantly to God’s Kingdom work — through prayer.

But if that’s going to be the case, I’ve got to gain knowledge and experience in prayer NOW, so the habit of prayer will be there already when that time comes.

So… there’s the story.

What I’m listening to (podcasts, usually)

If you are a writer or are interested in writing, you will probably enjoy the podcast, “Pastor Writer.” It’s hosted by a guy named Chase Relogle, who is himself a pastor and writer. He talks with other writers who happen to be pastors about their writing, ministry, and related topics.

I find it very interesting most of the time.

The Bible is not ebbing with power just sitting on your shelf or bedside table. It’s got to be used. And… contrary to what many people think… even when it’s used, it won’t always transform the one who reads it. The Bible’s power comes to life when you apply what it says. That means you have to let it shape the way you think, the way you feel, and the way you behave. You have to commit yourself to putting into practice what it teaches you to do.

From my book, “Recharge,” – Devotional Bible Study Methods to Recharge Your Spiritual Growth, Improve Your Spiritual Health, and Grow Your Intimacy With God.

Wow, that’s quite a subtitle.

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