THE GIFTS OF THIS AGE POINT US TO THE AGE STILL TO COME: Having been reminded in recent weeks of both the promises of eternity, and having a family wedding postponed several times, this article by Jared Wilson resonated with me much. “What Jesus is saying is that marriage is meant for this age to point us to the reality of that age. How does it do that? There are so many broken marriages, and always have been since the fall, but it was originally like that. And even the best marriages, even the ones that last until death do them part, are often fraught with conflict or hurts or just disappointments.”

OPEN DOOR: As we look forward to our mission-focused message this Sunday, I was encouraged by this engaging recount of a cross-cultural gospel conversation. “Over the years. In various cultures. Conversations over tea build friendships. And open doors. And our exchange moves from common everyday themes to the topic most essential. And dearest to my heart. Jesus.”

ON DIVISIONS AND THE KINGDOM: This challenge from Mike Leake is such an important lesson for us all! “Are you growing in righteousness, and peace, and joy? All the things which we are absorbing, all the debates we are throwing ourselves into, all of our stances, all of our focus and attention on the things which divide, all of our talking points….are these bringing about righteousness and peace and joy? Maybe, then, they aren’t the stuff the kingdom is made of.”

AFGHANISTAN, THE PULPIT, AND THE MYTH OF PROGRESS: Rhys Laverty writes well as he brings historical perspective to all that is happening around our world right now. “If we’re to truly remember the world’s tragedies in our ministries, what we need to retrieve isn’t simply what our Christian forebears taught in their ministries. We need to also retrieve their sense of the world which lay behind their ministries – a sense that the world is unstable, violent, and harsh.”

PAIN WILL NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD: As I read this post by Sarah Walton I was reminded again to pray for those in our church family living with ongoing pain. “No one lives this life untouched. We all experience the brokenness and frailty of this world in one way or another. Whether we face daily disappointments, an aging body, a life-altering illness, abuse, broken relationships, or loss, the pain we experience becomes woven into the fabric of our lives. It changes us, sometimes leaving us with scars or a limp.”