In my home, my dad had his favourite chair. He spent many hours there praying, and reading. Whether it was his Bible, Pierre Berton, or a theological work, that chair was dad’s reading chair. 

Dad taught me to love reading. Whether it was David Wilkerson’s The Cross & The Switchblade or Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place, I grew in my love for books.

My mother, on the other hand, loved to play music on the piano. She would sit down, and having heard a song, would replicate it by ear on the piano.

This summer, I thought I’d pass on a couple of the books I’ll be reading as well as share a few of the songs that I’ve been enjoying.

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Untangling Emotions: “God’s Gift of Emotions”

by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith

From the back of the book: “Emotions punctuate every moment of our lives, and what’s more, they play a role in virtually every chapter of scripture. Yet what to do and how to feel about these sometimes random and volatile feelings remains a mystery to us. Untangling Emotions draws on decades of counseling experience and studying God’s Word to provide a masterclass in the mechanics of biblical soul care.”

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

by J. D. Vance

What has given rise to the populism in Western culture? In this memoir, a former marine and Yale Law School grad looks at the struggle of America’s white working class from his own experience growing up in a poor Rust Belt town. For 40 years, social, regional, and class decline has affected white Americans in fly-over country. Vance explores his story to offer an urgent and troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream and the struggle for upward mobility.

Worship: CityAlight

I recently came across this Australian Christian worship album. I was struck by the simplicity, theological robustness, and musical abilities of this group. On Sundays, we have sung their piece “All My Ways.” I especially love “Good and Gracious” and “God is For Us.”

Podcast: Five Minutes in Church History

This short, fast-paced podcast gives you little glimpses into the story of the church.  Stephen Nichols gives a lively and informative journey, capturing the richness of Christian history and revealing a record of God’s providence and faithfulness to His people. It’s a story to encourage, challenge, and even entertain. This is our story—our family history.

Podcast: Pray the Word

Pray the Word is daily podcast led by David Plat that guides you in praying specific verses of Scripture.  David Platt is a teaching pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C  Each podcast is 3-5 minutes long and includes a reading of a verse or two from the Bible, a brief explanation of the passage in its context, and a guided prayer that applies the verse to your life.  David tends to spend time in specific books of the Bible for several days in a row, but you’d be surprised at the variety of verses he uses as a basis for prayer. 

Take up some of these resources. Invest in your soul this summer. And as you sing, read, pray, or listen, may the Lord strengthen you to look more like Jesus!

Longing for Christ to be formed in us,

Andrew

As we gather for Sunday worship, we want you to meet with God and be transformed by the Word. Prepare your heart by reading the passage and listening to the songs for Sunday.
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