Good morning friends. As things ramp up for the launch of our fall ministries, I will be not be writing a formal blog post this week. But I wanted to give you something to chew on for your Thursday morning. Here is a selection of items from around the web I have enjoyed this week.

News

The other public health crisis killing Canadians

“Deaths from illicit drugs continue to eclipse deaths from homicides, suicides, car crashes and Covid-19, combined.”

Blogs and Articles

Prioritize Church, Even When There’s No Childcare

This article reminds us of the priority of corporate worship even when it is hard. I know this article doesn’t cover every concern parents are having in regard to returning to church, school, and extra-curricular activities, but it does place the worship of God and his goodness to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the top of our priority list. For a refresher on why we gather in-person for Church based on Scripture, you can check out my blog from May, Why We Gather.

The Quiet Power of Ordinary Devotions

So often, we get tired in our Christian walks because we think it is a sprint, not a marathon. If we expect to have a vision of Jesus on his throne surrounded by cherubim every morning we are going to be disappointed and discouraged. Most of our time with God turns out to be ordinary daily bread. “Just as most meals are ordinary, but still nourish, and just as most conversations with friends are ordinary, but still deepen affection, so most devotions are ordinary, but still grow us in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

Sermons

Godlust, Ben Merkle, All of Christ For All of Life Podcast

I really enjoyed this sermon from a past Grace Agenda conference. Dr. Merkle discusses how we “want” before God. God wants to hear our desires and wants to bring our desires in line with His. Often, our first response to disappointment is to say we didn’t really want it anyways. In this sermon, Ben argues that our response should be to come to God again in prayer.

Podcasts

Podcast Episode, 99% Invisible

I love this podcast that dives into the design choices that surround us in every day life. The most recent episode explores the Canadian origins of the “No Name” brand. Fascinating stuff.

Songs

All I Have is Christ

This song has delighted my soul for years. I love the music and the theology.

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:25-27