Favorite Finds Friday – 10/9/15
By Melissa Kruger
My favorite Bible study, a handful of articles, a book recommendation, and a quote for your weekend:
Romans Bible Study
Without a doubt, this is the best Bible study I’ve ever attended. It’s on the book of Romans and it will challenge your mind, encourage your heart, and minister to your soul. And here’s the best part: It’s completely free. The videos are online, as well as the handouts. Grab some friends and enjoy.
I Don’t Want Your Good Vibes. I Want Prayer.
Megan Hill unpacks the importance of prayer and the problem of equating it with happy thoughts or good vibes: “We communicate that happy thoughts are a legitimate alternative to prayer. We incidentally equate the two. I doubt most of us would be satisfied if the boss chose to pay us in Monopoly money or the waitress delivered plates of plastic play food to our table. This kind of indifference—prayer or good wishes, take your pick—denies before our unbelieving friends the Bible’s rich teaching on what prayer really is.”
The Undercurrent of Temptation in Ministry
Christina Hoover directs us to consider a particular temptation as we minister to others: “The very real truth is that we are not able to ease the suffering of others, we are entirely unable to produce spiritual change in others, and we cannot be the Spirit of God to others. We are not the Christ.”
In Praise of Facebook
Laura Trimble offers a positive assessment of the relational connectedness that Facebook allows: “Or showing up at a small group meeting to find we’d all read the same blog post, along with three others on that theme, and could build our ideas on a common foundation, an intellectual community we thought we’d never replicate after college. I’ve never been half so well-read, or so aware of what keeps the people around me awake at night.”
The Spiritual Gift of Physical Exercise
Trillia Newbell shares the blessings of exercise and its positive effect on other parts of life: “Through exercise, I find myself more alert—more attentive to my work and daily life. I have more energy to serve my family. My mind is clearer for ministry. I’m able to get away and pray. I strengthen my muscles for service as well as for general health benefits. And like Olympian Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire, I sense the pleasure of God.”
Book Recommendation:
Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings Edited by Richard Rushing
This devotional offers a wealth of wisdom in daily portions. We read it as a family each morning, discussing the insights of Richard Baxter, John Flavel, John Bunyan, Richard Sibbes, Jeremiah Burroughes, William Gurnall and a host of other Puritans. As editor Richard Rushing says, “How thrilling it has been for me to read the Puritans on the glory and attributes of God, divine providence, fellowship with God, holiness of life and the mortification of indwelling sin, heavenly mindedness, prayer, evangelistic zeal, and trust in the Lord during times of affliction. At every turn these truths are eloquently taught, faithfully applied, and kindly offered as the subject of sweet spiritual meditation.”
Quote for the week:
