It’s a snowy Wednesday and I had an idea:
From time to time I’ll collect some random things floating in my mind and ask others to contribute, and share them all with you. Notes, verses, podcasts, videos, books, etc.
They say sharing is caring.
Without further adieu, our first edition of “Lately” - February 2023
You know when a verse just “sticks” and you can’t shake it? In teaching through the letters to the seven churches of Revelation, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians has been frequently meditated on and prayed for the Union Church family…It’s haunting me in the best kind of way.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Maybe that’s a little long for you. Another random thought bouncing in my brain about prayer is this:
“If you only have 3 words, all you need to pray is “Help, Thanks, Wow.””
Samuel James wrote a thought provoking article about tossing out beliefs when they don’t spark joy.
Here’s an excerpt:
“This is crucial to understand. What we believe about God, the Bible, salvation, and our world matters not primarily because it might make us happier or better at what we do but because of God. There are right and wrong answers to the biggest questions in the universe because there is a real God who really is sovereign and really has revealed himself and his truth. We need to know what he has said.”
A song I’ve been enjoying:
”Hymn of the Ages” by Maverick City Music
A book I’m thrilled to have started: Timothy Keller - His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin Hansen
If you’ve been around Union Church for any amount of time, you know we’ve been helped and influenced by Tim Keller. This book released last week and gives a glimpse into the life of one of our current spiritual mentors. Click below to check it out.
Finally, for fun - “A Baby Hippo Raised by Rhinos” - Who knew hippos could sunburn?!