Each week I scour Twitter and spend hours reading blog posts. It has been utterly transformational in my spiritual journey. Some articles challenge me, and some just initiate great conversations. Each week I will compile my favorite posts here. You can click the link to read the entire original post. I hope you enjoy and grow as much as I have!
This week I was shocked to hear that there are more slaves today than any other time in history. Sixty thousand students gathered at Passion 2013 and vowed to end slavery, giving over three million dollars to the cause. You can check your own slavery footprint here.
I also really appreciated a post I read over at A Deeper Story about how It’s Okay to be Mad at God Sometimes. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and He is strong enough to handle our questions, doubts, and anger. We don’t need to live in shame as we seek to know and understand Him more. I appreciate the wisdom and vulnerability offered in this statement:
“Until that telephone conversation, my anger towards the Lord caused me so much good old fashioned Christian guilt…and if I’m honest with myself, it still does sometimes. But I’ve also felt a sense of freedom and a closer connection to Abba Father than ever before.
In the past, I assumed my anger put me at a distance from Him…but I know His love does not fade and that He is steadfast in His relentless pursuit of my heart. And it makes me want to be and do the same.”
How have your doubts, questions and anger drawn you closer to God?
I was challenged by the call to action offered on Slactivist this week in response to the lighthearted predictions for Christianity via Tony Jones in 2013. The post ends with this challenge:
“Everyone who could have the power will have the power; can stand up, will stand up. Maybe 2013 is too soon, but eventually this will happen. Right now you’re asking yourself, ‘What makes this different?’ But Tony is right — the old generation of leaders is dying out and the old model of leadership is dying with them. The days of competing fiefdoms and tribal gatekeepers are finally ending. It’s time to try something new. So here’s the part where you make a choice: Are you ready to be strong?”
You can read the rest of the post here. What do you think? What should we try next? Do you have any additional insight about how the culture of Christianity is changing?
Ten days into the new year, I am motivated by this infographic about Why Most People Never Do Things found on Church Mag:
What keeps you from being creative or keeping on track with your resolutions?
Lastly, for all of the parents with adult children, I stumbled across this challenging article by Germaine Copeland about Praying for Your Adult Children:
“When we see our adult children under attack, we immediately begin fighting the devil. Satan becomes the focus of our prayers, and we fail to realize that each individual has to walk his own spiritual journey by his own free will. If our children are to mature and develop character, we can’t walk their paths for them. We have to allow each child to develop character and wait on God to direct our prayers.”
I know that is a difficult paragraph to read! Can anyone share their experiences with this?