Favorite Finds Friday – 9/25/15

A few articles, a book recommendation, and a podcast you might enjoy:

Just a Little Bit More
Gloria Furman unpacks consumerism by shining the light on our cultural hunger for more: “The dark irony of consumerism is that we are the ones who are being consumed.”

Love Your Neighbor
Lauren’s shoe drive to help Syrian refugees is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ in action. “And I know shoes may seem small, but God is big, and my prayer is that meeting this basic need will help encourage and heal broken hearts and show them the love of Jesus.”

Misfit Mantra: I Just Don’t Fit In
Lindsay Carlson is full of helpful truths when we feel like we don’t belong: “The more we look to find our fit, the more we isolate ourselves right out of communion with other believers. We convince ourselves other believers in the Body of Christ aren’t able to relate to us and therefore can’t offer us valuable and meaningful relationships.”

Adoption: Becoming Kulps
Pro-choice advocates often make the claim that Christians are only worried about children in the womb, not those in need of homes. I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. Our friends, Dave and Mary, adopted out of the foster care system. Now that the official adoption papers are signed, Mary is sharing their two-year journey (tissues might be needed). And, for those of you who know of a family choosing to adopt, Christina Fox offers some helpful ideas in her article: 5 Things Adoptive Families Wish Their Churches Knew

Partially Hydrogenated Bible Study
Before choosing your next Bible study, take a moment to read this article from Jen Wilkin. “Look for studies that hone your own skills as a student and that teach the beauty of the Word undiluted by sentimentality. Develop a taste for inductive Bible study. Treat yourself to a topical study for dessert after you’ve had a healthy meal of line-by-line instruction.”

ICYMI:  Five Ways to Minister to Women in Crisis
TGC is offering a series addressing specific questions related to ministry among women through the local church. In this article Kristie Anyabwile shares how we can care for those who are suffering among us.  If you have a question on the subject of women’s ministry, send an email to Mallie Taylor (mallie.taylor [@] thegospelcoalition.org).

Book Recommendation for the Week: God Made All of Me
This book is a helpful resource for talking to your children about private parts of their bodies, the difference between secrets and surprises, and how to respond when they feel uncomfortable around someone. To learn more, here’s an interview with the authors.

Podcast – Angry on the Internet
Conflicts among Christians aren’t new, but the Internet gives us a new place to engage in them.  Is this the best space for conflict to be resolved? Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson discuss the pros and cons. I left this podcast with this question in my mind, “Will the words I write today matter tomorrow?”