Greetings!
Another week, another DHD!
I’m always appreciative of those who take the time to read my weekly writings. Here’s six thoughts I want to share with you.
- God’s recent action
If you’re like me, you come on Facebook to see what your friends and acquaintances are discussing. Sometimes the content is frustrating and aggravating. You didn’t necessarily expect people to wear you down this way. You even consider taking a break from social media, which can be a healthy approach.
This week, I decided to post a question to my Facebook friends: “What have you seen God do recently?”
I wasn’t sure what kind of a responses I would get, but I was encouraged by what was shared.
A friend I’ve known a long time opened up how God worked through his wife’s death. He said, while his wife was hospitalized, God used him to minister to an insurance representative.
My friend said God resolved a difficult situation for him. When facing the possibility to decide whether or not to take his wife off a ventilator, God went ahead and took her home. And my friend said God continues to provide goodness and grace in the strength He has provided my friend, their children and his wife’s family as they proceed through this season of grief.
That was the first response I received soon after I posted my inquiry on Facebook. Currently, I have about 13 more responses, and I may share them in future DHDs.
I wanted to reflect on what God is doing in people’s lives, which is much more encouraging to read on Facebook.
- A review on ‘Trusting God’
I’ve mentioned in previous DHDs about the Bible study I led during this pandemic, using the book “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts” by Jerry Bridges. I’m still convinced this is the best thing I’ve experienced since the pandemic began, and I’m thankful God led me to do this study.
My friend Karen Kinnaird attended the study that met through Zoom for 12 weeks. It was mostly offered to members of my church, but I also opened up the offer to other friends on Facebook. Karen took up the offer.
This week, Karen wrote a book review on Trusting God. I was encouraged when I read it.
“God knew that in this season,” Karen wrote, “my family would be thrust into a season of uncertainty concerning the future. I needed this book. I needed to anchor myself in the truths that God is completely sovereign, infinite in wisdom and perfect in love.”
I concur Karen’s conclusions.
- Yancey’s objective approach to end racism
“How can we work past such mistrust? How do we find a solution that serves everyone? It is both simple and difficult. We have to work with each other to find win-win solutions instead of relying on win-lose scenarios. I need to hear from whites about their concerns, and they need to listen to me about mine. Only then can we work toward mutually beneficial solutions to our racialized problems.”
This passage is from George Yancey’s article “Not White Fragility—Mutual Responsibility.”
I’ve mentioned Yancey previously. He’s a sociology professor at Baylor University, and I believe he is the most sensible expert when it comes to implementing racial reconciliation.
Yancey’s article is a heavy read with an academic flavor. However, he has powerful conclusions that make sense and could bring effective results in the cause to end racism in America.
- Zylstra’s adoption story
Favorite Christian writer Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra presented another powerful, moving article this week. “As Adoption Ages: How Parents Are Handling Teen Challenges” is lengthy but full of great details about what Christian adoption families are experiencing, especially as adopted children age.
If you want to be inspired, regardless of your interest level of adoption, take the time to read this article. It’s an education but also a great example of mercy and grace that God bestows to us in our sinful conditions. God bless these families Zylstra highlights, as well as the many other adoption families who face difficult hurdles in their life journeys.
- Be a Berean
I remember during my college years, and friend of mine challenged me to study the Scriptures on certain topics that seemed to draw difference conclusions. She would tell me, “Be a Berean.” At first I thought she was telling me to be a burrito.
After laughing about the incident, I knew my friend was using the Bereans mentioned in Acts 17, as a good example of how to use the Bible to understand what pastors and teachers were teaching to see if what they said held firm to the teachings of Scripture.
Alastair Roberts elaborated further on what the Bereans did. His article “Reading Scripture ‘Like a Berean’ May Look Different Than You Think” gives a far richer explanation, comparing how Bereans practiced searching Scripture to how it would be implemented today.
I definitely learned more about being a Berean after reading Roberts’ article.
- Thunder restart
I have watched the first few NBA games that opened the season restart. It’s different, for sure, but it’s still competitive.
I’m really excited to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder this weekend. I’m also a little apprehensive because, right now, my favorite team is riding high. OKC has been winning their last string of contests, including all three of their exhibition games. I don’t want to come down from my cloud.
Make no mistake, I am looking forward to the Thunder facing the Utah Jazz. The restart begins exactly where it was suspended for the Thunder, as they were moments away from tipping off against the Jazz on March 11 before the Thunder medical staff sprinted on the floor to make the dramatic halt.
It’s a different locale and definitely a different atmosphere, but I’m expecting the Thunder to be equally motivated to stop the pause and get back to playing like they were before.
