Welcome to my weekly digest for July 2, 2022.
If you’re a new reader of Think Twice, the weekend roundup is a short digest of the best content and resources I share from the week to sharpen our minds, tenderize our hearts, and strengthen our homes.
quote
This week’s quote is from one of my favorite present-day writers, Chad Bird:
“Like so many of the hardships in life, it is only in hindsight that we realize the hidden hand of God at work in our deepest woes. He is not making us stronger but is making us dead, that we might truly live in the strength that he provides. He is not making us better people but unveiling how bad we are that we may find in Christ the riches of our Father’s goodness.” Chad Bird on Suffering.
sharpen our minds
Darryl and I have benefitted greatly from Tim Keller’s ministry, his church planting framework, and his pastoral heart and love for God. At the same time, the last few years of cultural and political tensions have highlighted some limitations to the framework of “winsomeness”. I cannot recommend this video by James Wood enough. It carefully considers how the winsome framework has left Christians vulnerable to false narratives and how this cultural moment calls for greater clarity and compassion. (let me know what you think in the comments)
tenderize our hearts
They Fled Ukraine, and Ukraine Followed: “For her boys, Sachenko tried to pretend like they were on a road adventure. But she could barely see the road through her tears. A staff member riding with her read Psalm 91 over and over: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ”
strengthen our homes
This week my kids and I covered another chapter in Questions Women Asked: Historical Issues, Timeless Answers by Simonetta Carr. Each chapter highlights a woman in church history and how God used them to shape culture and share His love and truth. The discussion questions at the end stirred up a lot of commentary from the teens on monastic communities, foster care, and more! We were challenged by the witness of many women to give up convenience, riches, title, and even safety to love their neighbors, speak the truth, and live (and die!) as salt and light in their communities. I highly recommend the book to read with your teens - the challenge is to stay quiet in the discussion section and first hear what they’re really thinking. :)
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On a personal note, our family is loving the summer months in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s the time of year we can bring Calvin outside and expand his world! We enjoyed a night out a Rockford, getting delicious burgers from “The Burger Shack” and sitting next to the dam with my parents. Don’t miss the pic of the loving goat at the end!! ;)
~Kara Dedert