NorthWest

NorthWest

The Grandeur and Grief in Losing Tyler

In the span of a few short hours, I felt the tension of Christianity: God is good, but life is hard. I marveled at God’s grandeur and mourned the presence of grief. When my heart is overwhelmed with this uncomfortable paradox, I’m grateful the Bible has a language I can use: lament. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/may-his-cancer-heal-millions

What Made “#TylerStrong” ?

“The gravitational pull of Tyler’s winsome spirit, his interest in others, and his unflappable courage attracted fans from all walks of life. …People marveled at his attitude and wondered, How is he so strong?  As Tyler’s pastor for 10 years, I can tell you. It’s simple but profound: Tyler loved Jesus. That’s it. And it made him #TylerStrong.”

“I Was Far Too Easily Pleased”

From Desiring God and John Piper — “…These felt like competing motives. I could aim to make God look great, or I could aim at my own satisfaction. I did not have a framework of thought where these two motives fit together. They seemed like alternatives….” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/i-was-far-too-easily-pleased

When the Future You Planned for Never Comes

Here is a mature Christian perspective, dealing with Real People having to deal with the brokenness of our Real World, in utter dependence upon the Real Jesus.  No pablum here… https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/when-the-future-you-planned-for-never-comes  

The Psalms: Real Feelings About The Real World…

“The Psalms keep us from being naïve, from having a naïve optimism about the emotional possibilities of fallen people. And they help us navigate the seas of embattled emotions…  The Psalms, more than any other book in the Bible, illustrate the sobering fact that our vision of God is often obscured. The psalmists’ joy in God is often conflicted and embattled….” https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/your-emotions-matter-to-god/excerpts/the-bible-never-ignores-our-feelings  

3 Things American Citizens Could Learn from Christian Missionaries

A Christian missionary typically moves overseas to minister among a group of people who differ from him or her linguistically, religiously, socially, culturally, and politically. …But in spite of—even because of—these deep differences, good missionaries are known for refusing to caricature the people’s religion, mock their culture, or impugn their motives. Instead, missionaries generally do three things that we—everyday Americans—ought to imitate in our coffee shop conversations… 3 Things American Citizens Could Learn from Christian Missionaries  

If You Hate Jews, You Hate Jesus

“As Christians, we should have a clear message of rejection of every kind of bigotry and hatred, but we should especially note what anti-Semitism means for people who are followers of Jesus Christ.”…  Below is a link to an article this morning from Russell Moore: https://www.russellmoore.com/2018/10/28/if-you-hate-jews-you-hate-jesus/

Useful Approaches to Reading Through the Bible (Reprinted from TGC)

The link below is to a TGC article which first appeared in December of 2015.  If you are interested in reading through the Bible on a consistent basis and at a pace that is appropriate for your daily life, this article provides a choice of reading plans, some of which  may prove particularly well adapted to your rhythms: . . Reading the Whole Bible in 2016: An FAQ

Memento Mori (Reprinted from TGC)

On some of the stones you’d probably find two Latin words etched among the images: memento mori. Roughly translated, the phrase means “remember death.” As we experience its sting everywhere, we’re also experiencing the relevance of Jesus’s promise of victory. In other words, recognizing the relevance of death every day is how we recognize the relevance of Jesus every day, too. Memento Mori: What It Means and Why It Should Matter to You    

What Netflix Cannot Give — and Death Cannot Take. (Reprinted from “Desiring God”)

The article below, published on John Piper’s Desiring God website, convicted me on several levels.  Perhaps you may find it valuable as well… “…the struggle in our souls is not the struggle to want to be happy. We are born with that desire, and we die with it. The struggle is to see the true worth of everything, and in seeing, to give ourselves headlong to what is supremely worthy and satisfying:  God…” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-netflix-cannot-give-and-death-cannot-take What Netflix Cannot Give — and…