HEM·ology: noun: somewhere between zoology and theology.
In the last few months God has been calling me back to foundational parts of the faith, namely the implications of the gospel, the character of Jesus, and Bible interpretation. Through these 5 books, I feel a great desire to slow down in my relationships, area of ministry, and thought life.
"Conversion" by Michael Lawrence
"How Does Sanctification Work" by David Powlison
"In All the Scripture" by Nicholas Piotrowski
"You're Not Crazy" by Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry
"Impossible Christianity" by Kevin DeYoung
Honestly, none of these are niche areas of Christianity, so they are not anything I would naturally gravitate towards. Makes me realize I need help choosing books more regularly. But—they have become good friends and guides in this pilgrim journey.
I feel as if this book is another tool to combat legalism (along with Sinclair Ferguson's "The Whole Christ"). Additionally, I realized that I think about and wield scripture in ways that it is already been interpreted for me.
One example from Kevin DeYoung's "Impossible Christianity": Staple disciplines like quiet times and evangelism have left me feeling either proud or guilty when I consider the time spent, but DeYoung looks at what Scripture offers about these two. He draws out the context of the Lord's Prayer and the Great Commission, showing the application for followers 2,000 years later. We can easily turn our heads towards with the wrong means, even in good practices of Bible reading and prayer.
Mark Sayers is an Australian pastor and writer. He is also the host of the podcast, Red Church. Truly, I have heard no one speak about world affairs like him. His ability to take in information and synthesize it through a gospel lens is remarkable.
Here is a video (with excellent production) of him in Melbourne talking about how to be a modern Christian in this current climate. I know the word "anxiety" can make people either roll their eyes or look for the next fix—he offers reasons of its source and how it came to be so prevalent, ending with great hope for this generation.
I'm only mildly dramatic in saying that Souper Cubes have changed my kitchen life.
When I make a pot of soup, I immediately fill one or two cubes up to freeze for a later meal. Also! I do this with shredded meat. There have been a few nights this month where I'll make a loaf of bread, and then everyone gets a different bowl of soup. Ha! And lunches have become a breeze!
Basically, if it'll freeze then it'll cube.
I read "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck this past week. I'm not giving anything away here, but it is just nice to read classic fiction—and in a book with about 100 pages. Most contemporary novels have such a frenetic pace without actually accomplishing anything; maybe that's to match the anxiety running through the veins of modern life. Either way, Steinbeck's focus of style and cyclical imagery of songs floating in and out of our minds carries the reader on a lovely ride.
This month I have written 2,200 words towards the book. That's really not very much, BUT it's more than I did in the previous 3 months. Hurrah! I finished a *rough* draft of a first chapter, talking of how we naturally have bad taste. Encouraging, huh?
“For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.”
― John Steinbeck, "The Pearl"
Prayer the church's banquet, angel's age,
God's breath in man returning to his birth,
The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,
The Christian plummet sounding heav'n and earth
Engine against th' Almighty, sinner's tow'r,
Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,
The six-days world transposing in an hour,
A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;
Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,
Exalted manna, gladness of the best,
Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,
The milky way, the bird of Paradise,
Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul's blood,
The land of spices; something understood.
—George Herbert
What are your great things from the week?
Worshiper, wife, mom—with the help of the Lord, this is my hierarchy of work. Beyond this I homeschool the girls and hold down a staff position at Zionsville Fellowship in Zionsville, Indiana. I read, write, do yoga, cook, and practice thinking pure and lovely things.
Somewhere between zoology and theology.
