Why You Don’t Have to Fear in the Valley
JD Greear:
The “valley of the shadow of death” does not sound like a great place to live. For some people, their whole life strategy can be summed up as, “Stay out of the valley.” But that won’t work, because it’s inevitable that at some point you’re going to go through it. Your goal should be to say instead, “I can live there for a while, if I must, because God is with me, and he is stronger than anything in this valley.”
What the People of God Will Be (and Are!)
Jared C. Wilson:
Psalm 48 is a wonderful exultation in God and ought to serve as a kind of master anthem for the community of faith. The city mentioned is a foreshadow of the church, the body of Christ made up of all sinner-saints, and just as in these precious lyrics, the hallowed renown of God is to begin and rise up from the worship gathering of our sacred assembly and spread out in our daily missional presence in the world. The influence of the church upon the world is first and foremost to be about the worship and magnification of God, the heralding with passion of his glory and splendor, and the proclamation that he reigns and rules forevermore in Christ.
Can We Please Stop Saying ‘My Truth’?
Eric Geiger:
“My truth” is one of those phrases that should be reconsidered. You’ve likely heard “That is my truth,” or “Know your truth.” We should stop saying that phrase. You may have to catch yourself, since it’s one of the phrases that has caught on, one of those phrases people use without even knowing why they’re doing so.
How dare I suggest that someone not speak “their truth”? But what if this is mytruth? Shouldn’t I be able to speak my truth? See, your truth (and my truth) may not the be the truth—and that’s not just my truth but the truth.
The Worship Song I Can’t Bring Myself to Sing
Trevin Wax:
Psalm 137 is just one of many similar sentiments we find in Scripture. In reading the psalms every month, I’m struck by how many times the psalmist includes feelings of deep disappointment in the same song that offers praise. The psalms of lament express disappointment with God, ask questions about his plan, and display the wondering and wandering heart of a sojourner on earth. But in most of these songs, the psalmist claws his way back to the God he chooses to believe is still there, still good, and still able to fulfill his promises. Unlike some contemporary songs, the psalmist doesn’t say, “God, you’re good because you’ll never let me down,” but “God, even though I feel like you’ve let me down, I still believe you’re good.”
Godly Leaders Welcome Correction
Phillip Holmes:
Whether God has entrusted you with two thousand employees or two children, your posture towards correction is too important to overlook. Consider a biblical view of correction as you evaluate your posture towards correction and its implications for your success, family, and spiritual health.
