tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66212826038369404452024-03-27T16:41:10.995-04:00Ambassadors of ReconciliationHi! My name is Angie Velasquez Thornton. I'm a wife, mother, and disciple of Christ. After serving 10 years in Senegal, the Lord called my family to Montreal, where we have ministered since 2017. I have a passion for Christ, for His Word, and for making disciples who will make disciples. Like every believer, I am called to be his ambassador:
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:20)Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-47192124420953974332024-03-27T16:40:00.002-04:002024-03-27T16:40:30.726-04:00From the Archives: 17 Years Ago Today (Thanks, Facebook Memories!)Spring is Coming!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Part of my daily routine involves checking my Facebook memories. This allows me to take a walk down memory lane and thank the Lord for his faithfulness over the various turns our lives have taken since I joined social media roughly 18 years ago. I couldn't help but republish the following article for two reasons:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">1. When we were newlyweds living near Quebec City, where Dan was learning French in preparation for service in Senegal, I never would have imagined we would one day call this province home. Little did I know the Lord had plans beyond what I could fathom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">2. Although I was once an avid dog lover, I have since transferred my affection to cats. Or rather, to our cat. Sure, I still enjoy the site of a furry golden retriever taking a walk with his owner down our street. But as far as pet ownership goes, nothing compares to the calming, low-maintenance nature of having a cat, in my humble opinion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">So, if you'd like to talk a walk with me down memory lane, enjoy the following article:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">****************************************</span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Spring is Coming!</span></h1><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">In Quebec, spring is marked by the custom of visiting your favorite "Cabane a sucre" or Sugar Shack, where people consume as much maple syrup as humanly possible - pouring it not only over crepes and bread, but over their beans, sausages, and even eggs! The focus on maple syrup is due to the fact that Quebec is one of the only regions in the world where maple syrup is produced, and its cultivation begins in the spring. Spring, of course, is a term used loosely, since there are still huge piles of snow everywhere. But the temperature is now above freezing half the days of any given week, making it unsafe to store frozen foods on the porch. Speaking of which...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">This past winter I had the brilliant idea of taking advantage of the freezing temperatures by stocking up on beef and chicken when it was on sale. We have a big porch, therefore I figured we had an infinite amount of storage space, and since we live in the city and not out in the country, I assumed there would be no danger of possums and other wild creatures getting into our stash, especially since we live on the second floor. I soon learned my lesson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Chicken was on sale for $.99 a pound, and I bought 10 packages! My mom gave us a Foreman Rotisserie for our wedding, and it makes the best chicken in the world! Top sirloin was on sale as well, so I bought several steaks to cook up. Then, one day I came home to find that our stash had been pilfered! Two steaks were missing from their styrofoam packaging, and the creature had also taken a huge bite out of a chicken's butt! We were so disgusted at the thought of some nasty beast coming on our porch and violating our meat's privacy! But we didn't have room in our fridge and freezer to solve our huge problem that way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Fortunately, thinking on our feet, we piled some snow into some plastic bins and placed all our untouched meat in these. Our large Rubbermaid containers served us well until the weather started dipping below freezing. So, while the Quebecois welcome spring by running out the Sugar Shacks and binging on maple syrup, this spring in Quebec at the Thornton pad meant frantically feeding ourselves and our friends with all the food on our porch before it went bad. It wasn't too much of a problem, though, since I love cooking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Epilogue: Shortly after the missing meat fiasco, we saw a mangy, dirty cat in our driveway with a guilty (or smug!) look on its face. I think we discovered the culprit! As if I couldn't have had enough contempt for cats already (I'm allergic and a total dog person), this happens. For all you dog lovers, here's an exert from an email we received recently that we thought was pretty hilarious:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">***************************************</span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The Dog's Diary</span></h1><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">5:00 pm - Dinner! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hfjcJXYBqhrZ6Cbvu29n70v-wXkMA2H0qVo37iyzhw7xpMtNzT6viE-6Gd-zpqtjLNCAlquFQjfsYWktVhl25JE4ULSQctju-qrgHhr9w05Vd_fDN3G3uoFc5ZE5DnYhB5J10VpBA-_Fm2cDml2g3z2L9bYKeMvNtjns4KLcJ4WnnS0XQ-igE38G1o/s801/Screenshot%202024-03-27%20at%204.37.32%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="801" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hfjcJXYBqhrZ6Cbvu29n70v-wXkMA2H0qVo37iyzhw7xpMtNzT6viE-6Gd-zpqtjLNCAlquFQjfsYWktVhl25JE4ULSQctju-qrgHhr9w05Vd_fDN3G3uoFc5ZE5DnYhB5J10VpBA-_Fm2cDml2g3z2L9bYKeMvNtjns4KLcJ4WnnS0XQ-igE38G1o/w640-h484/Screenshot%202024-03-27%20at%204.37.32%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><i>Our sweet Aslan as a kitten falling asleep on me</i></span></div><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The Cat's Diary</span></h1><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Day 983 of my captivity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.....</span></p><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-67170625853724230622024-03-14T10:03:00.002-04:002024-03-14T10:03:45.546-04:00 A Very Happy Easter By Tim Thornborough and Illustrated by Jennifer Davison<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/livre-tres-joyeux-paques" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-cf48aacd-7fff-82a9-e220-c2165e8fd599"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Very Happy Easter opens like no children’s book I’ve ever read. Beyond inviting children to listen to the story and observe the pictures on the pages, it issues a special appeal: To notice the varying emotions of those taking part in the drama of Christ’s last week on earth and imitate what these characters are experiencing. What better way to get kids ages 2-4 to actively participate in a story? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Employing simple terms accessible for little ones, Thornborough walks his readers through Christ’s Passion Week. He begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the Great Commission. In light of the latter, he concludes by offering a final challenge and a question. The challenge: Will you also go tell your friends about the risen Saviour? What a powerful way to instill in children the value of their contributions as Christ’s ambassadors. And the question: Will you be very happy this Easter? He thus reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus is a subject of great joy for both young and old. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jennifer Davidon’s beautiful illustrations connect well with small children. Little ones will identify with the adorable, chubby faces of the characters that mirror their own. Yet adults may also notice that, unlike many children’s books we read which depicted Jesus as blue-eyed, blond-haired, and fair-skinned, these portray them as decidedly Mediterranean. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll find A Very Happy Easter </span><a href="https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/a-very-happy-easter#:~:text=As%20children%20aged%202%2D4,how%20they%20would%20have%20felt." style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #954f72; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYZ5wA75k7Pr1q4A1t7gU7VOKLrCJCq0F0u2_zEfx_WXtdDoOPyT7eNBrBfmfAlEhj-EbkAMGLmQFjw9CxEKf4qJtb4N5BXBJYwVq91wxADQQWN0W7rQ3uXy5mOgYXuV_bv3BC-aWVWq3MbR-2AmW4tUJ1E62APUJuPQzH1fp__oDq4G6r7dP7daxmIk/s615/Screenshot%202024-02-13%20at%207.47.04%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYZ5wA75k7Pr1q4A1t7gU7VOKLrCJCq0F0u2_zEfx_WXtdDoOPyT7eNBrBfmfAlEhj-EbkAMGLmQFjw9CxEKf4qJtb4N5BXBJYwVq91wxADQQWN0W7rQ3uXy5mOgYXuV_bv3BC-aWVWq3MbR-2AmW4tUJ1E62APUJuPQzH1fp__oDq4G6r7dP7daxmIk/w629-h640/Screenshot%202024-02-13%20at%207.47.04%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="629" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-16177256562247428622024-02-29T10:59:00.003-05:002024-02-29T10:59:35.155-05:00February 2024 Edition of What's Up With DAT?! 2 Big Writing Projects<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/f696d9239f60/connecting-on-the-road-9444454" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/f696d9239f60/connecting-on-the-road-9444454" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusl0W5BjrgTE6K6OF-FFndelqYfSONt84F3j1ueeqb9UaD6trUZfzK_9u5995Gm4G_On2fBBQsyg7WqGN_wzWIGwNr61Inu3hbHXPA5m5uPuUzkLfbNPFyNs0XD8kRo3o-aszIJISN0uj-lW8IkkOKAj8I1pXtI8GqZReOiiC_J1Hu7AOpgnz1wI1Z7M/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20at%2010.57.32%E2%80%AFAM.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-81753687192000986082024-02-16T11:19:00.004-05:002024-02-22T08:00:05.817-05:00Someone You Should Know: Phillis Wheatley (Black History Month)<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This article was published in its entirety in my column at <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/femmes-scriptura/phillis-wheatley-the-senegambian-slave-turned-poet/" target="_blank">The Gospel Coalition Canada</a> and in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/phillis-wheatley-esclave-devenue-poete" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;">Captured and shipped across the Middle Passage across the Atlantic Ocean at age 7, the young girl is purchased at a Boston auction in 1761 by John Wheatley for his wife Susanna. Her birth name is unknown to us, as the little girl is given the name of the vessel that tore her away from everything she’d ever known. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1bf66271-7fff-af8e-f796-df68190e3a7e" style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Genius in Bondage</span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phillis soon demonstrates such a capacity for languages that not only does she read fluent English by age 9, but she also reads and </span><a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-phillis-wheatley/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">translates Greek and Latin classics by age 10</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. As a young </span><a href="https://credomag.com/2019/11/women-every-christian-should-know-phillis-wheatley/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">teenager</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, she is composing poetry by which she demonstrates a remarkable grasp of literature, geography, history and politics. At the age of 13, she publishes her first poem in the </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230220-phillis-wheatley-the-unsung-black-poet-who-shaped-the-us" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Newport Mercury</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. David Waldstreicher, a biographer of Wheatley states, “She became fluent and culturally literate and able to write poems in English so quickly that we shouldn't hesitate to call her a genius.”</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div>To read the rest, click <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/femmes-scriptura/phillis-wheatley-the-senegambian-slave-turned-poet/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-58863413905201916252024-01-31T10:45:00.001-05:002024-01-31T10:53:57.144-05:00Femmes Scriptura: My New Column at The Gospel Coalition Canada<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">I have wonderful news! After writing occasionally for <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org" target="_blank">The Gospel Coalition Canada</a> for the past couple of years, Wyatt Graham, executive director of TGCC, has invited me to host my own column on their blog. Here's my <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/femmes-scriptura/femmes-scriptura-a-new-column-for-women-who-love-the-bible/" target="_blank">first official article as a columnist</a>, in which I introduce myself and my ministry to the TGC Canada readership.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">I'm humbled and honoured to join the team of pastors and theologians who currently write for TGCC. Through <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/femmes-scriptura/" target="_blank">Femmes Scriptura</a>, I hope to edify the body of Christ and inspire and equip my sisters as they seek to produce online content for the people of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/femmes-scriptura/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2876" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT52zOPPVkjYhMl9r1qeeij-UjM7Q_iexjcPaMHMXKPszoRwtJhxDv3v9bIenyVDfCVEnzlKphEX_EsjMf_K1SifUw-0FW_ZYpV6AsJHdu7PUMmIb7YJ4ZuYzdZNGER2a50TL9yKV8FMcsopC37Ctn7iKCCRJHr6zyd50gtfb821HTBYBNeFFHD_nqPpc/w640-h365/Screenshot%202023-12-19%20at%2010.43.10%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-89039635691726090542023-12-29T10:37:00.005-05:002023-12-29T10:37:39.736-05:00December 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/d4e9886843ac/connecting-on-the-road-9438702" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/d4e9886843ac/connecting-on-the-road-9438702" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK-lZJMzE0IQ9_mXnyBqrwPzM-UNsj_Uo30rw3ux4dXwariZOehFhScB2ZU8AvgHSd7Ae6w3N6_ZGOsbda48T0LlZWtiFATUkdf0Hfyhj1CerT7wS0l0EibMUXnAAvCGeiHNL0VXbrVGUKn7nzdmaAfDzdo5CHrixvnDWHtQCTWuP3Y35guuqf4EKUnA/s16000/Screenshot%202023-12-29%20at%2010.35.21%E2%80%AFAM.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-17032237757162950982023-12-14T14:41:00.000-05:002023-12-14T14:41:43.640-05:00Jesus: A Greater Ruth<p><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/jesus-un-plus-grand-ruth" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Anyone familiar with biblical typology has probably heard that Jesus is the greater Moses, the Greater David, and the Greater Abraham. All these are true statements. Some may also be familiar with the idea that Boaz (in the story of Ruth) typifies Christ as our kinsman redeemer. I affirm this as well. But some may not have considered that Ruth herself typifies the promised Deliverer in several ways. </span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Appalling Darkness Envelops</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">We find Ruth’s story nestled in the canon of Scripture right after the horrifying conclusion of Judges, in which a mob gang rapes a Levite’s concubine, and the nation retaliates by slaughtering most of the tribe of Benjamin. The darkness that envelops the nation during the period in which the judges ruled is appalling. The final words of that book offer a concluding explanation for the sickening turn of events, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Light Pierces Through</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Then, in the next scene of the unfolding drama of redemption, we discover a woman whose story pierces through that dark night in Israel’s history: “Ruth the Moabitess.” Her pedigree is a strike against her: Her people are the fruit of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter. The chronicler highlights the dissonance between her upright character and her origins by referencing her ancestry repeatedly when speaking of her. As the narrative unfolds, Ruth finds herself widowed and childless. In Ancient Near Eastern terms, she’s destitute, and her obvious next step is to return to her father’s household and find shelter and provision there. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Only Death Will Separate</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Instead, Ruth chooses to attach herself to an even more miserably helpless widow, her mother-in-law. She thus demonstrates an unfailing, never-giving up, above-and-beyond love for Naomi that can only be described as supernatural. Despite having every reason to secure a future among her people, she binds herself by a solemn oath to an old woman who has nothing to offer her but her needs: Need for protection, for provision, for companionship. Ruth is prepared to die before she allows herself to be separated from Naomi’s side. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Stop urging me to abandon you!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">For wherever you go, I will go.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Wherever you live, I will live.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Your people will become my people,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">and your God will become my God.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">17 Wherever you die, I will die - and there I will be buried.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">May the LORD punish me severely if I do not keep my promise!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only death will be able to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">separate</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> me from you!”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">(Ruth 1:16-17)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">That this text is quoted during wedding ceremonies serves to highlight just how significant this promise is: That kind of devotion is usually reserved for the covenant of marriage!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">A Woman of Valour</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Our protagonist, therefore, leaves her home, bound for a country that is not her own. She exchanges the security of the known for the unknown, giving up her family, her culture, and her language out of love for Naomi. She places herself in harm's way by undertaking a perilous journey from Moab to Bethlehem. Once she arrives in her adopted land, this foreigner integrates among the people of Naomi’s hometown, gaining a reputation for her devotion and courage. These are the words her future husband uses to describe her:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">I have been given a full report of all that you have done for your mother-in-law following the death of your husband - how you left your father and your mother, as well as your homeland, and came to live among people you did not know previously. (Ruth 2:11)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all my people in the city know that you are a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">woman of valour</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (Ruth. 3:11)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boaz calls the Moabitess “a woman of valour,” or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eshet chayil </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in Hebrew. This is the same term King Lemuel employs to describe the famous “Proverbs 31 Woman.” This is noteworthy, given that it only appears in these two places in the Scriptures. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Ruth protects, provides for, and cherishes Naomi. She also obeys the will of her adopted mother, and in so doing, secures an inheritance and a descendance for her among her people. As Naomi holds her grandchild on her lap, the women of Bethlehem praise the God of Israel for blessing her with a daughter-in-law who is more precious to her than seven sons. From beginning to end, Ruth shines as a model of courage, loyalty, virtue, and strength. But beyond her moral example, her life points us to a greater Ruth in the person of Jesus Christ.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><img alt="A depiction of Ruth gleaning in the fields with a backdrop of golden wheat Generative AI" class="js-search-result-thumbnail responsive-img container--focus" data-content-id="632542146" id="details-enlarged-image" itemprop="thumbnail" src="https://as2.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/06/32/54/21/1000_F_632542146_vqtMr1BeX7lLnHdbRA0O5lwfztuMsgfX.jpg" /></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">How Ruth Points Us to Christ</span></span></h1><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h3><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Death and Separation</span></span></h3></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Many are the ways in which the famous Moabitess typifies our Saviour. Like Ruth, our Lord attached himself to those who had nothing to offer him but our desperate need. We were powerless and utterly dependent upon him to rescue us from spiritual famine. Jesus bound himself to us in covenant love, vowing that nothing would ever separate us. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">35 Who will </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">separate</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> us from the love of Christ? …38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">separate</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Only, unlike Ruth, who was prepared to die before allowing herself to be wrent from Naomi’s side, Jesus did undergo that fate, for death itself was the price Christ paid to seal that promise. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Peril and Obedience</span></span></h2></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Another bridge between Naomi and the gospel is this: Jesus also left the security of the Father’s side to undertake a perilous journey for our sake. From the moment of his birth until the moment he gave up his spirit, the Son of God also endured danger and uncertainty. And in so doing, our Saviour fully obeyed the will of his Father as well. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h3><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Reputation and Wisdom</span></span></h3></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus, too, integrated into the world of human frailty. From the earliest days of his earthly ministry, the news of his goodness, wisdom, and power spread so far and wide that his reputation preceded him, too. And if we go back to Ruth 3:11 and Proverbs 31:10, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eshet chayil</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is not as much about the ideal wife as it is about lady wisdom whom all believers are called to emulate. And who else but Christ embodies all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3)?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Finding Christ in All of Scripture</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the idea of seeing Christ typified in a woman makes you uncomfortable, rest assured that this notion is both orthodox and </span><a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/females-foreshadow-christ/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">well-attested</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Consider that the God of the Bible chooses animals (like a lion or a lamb) or inanimate objects (like a tent or a lampstand) as types of Christ. Why would he therefore not also choose women made in his image? Once we understand that all of the Psalms, the Law, and the prophets point us to Christ, we are bound to see whispers of Jesus throughout the pages of the Old Testament. What a joy it was for me, and I hope for you, as well, to discover them in the story of Ruth. </span></span></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-29202587878121246392023-12-01T16:20:00.004-05:002023-12-01T16:20:30.581-05:00November 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/a42c59817cdd/connecting-on-the-road-9435698" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/a42c59817cdd/connecting-on-the-road-9435698" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVgznZD5P10UgPggjuQVexHuOIk0tyBSOG64fuuzDDuOMU_gKTgwdN_kPL63DXBEuf081qSOZEhnHNj2jL9lZWRRE0L5bsGU0vN65WhCW0oRoXOylccw5prdsgBR6Ep0xxVyfqWGlAFMUc1VJGHLBvd4hRmMPO2QnOT5uh2SLewtoL1SF_mE57YG-wzU/s16000/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20at%204.19.22%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-29252624302618529572023-11-30T11:27:00.002-05:002023-11-30T11:27:28.360-05:00 Keith Green: A Christian Singer Who Changed My Life<p><i style="font-family: Merriweather; white-space: pre-wrap;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/keith-green-le-chanteur-chretien-qui-a-change-ma-vie" target="_blank">TPSG</a>. </i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f77783c6-7fff-d45e-0576-ec4c88c944fb"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of us may think of music as an enjoyable accessory to our daily lives, like a good movie or an engrossing novel. For those of us who enjoy Christian music, certain artists may compose, sing, and play an instrument in a way that speaks to our hearts in profound ways. But the influence in my life of one Christian singer goes well beyond personal edification. I believe, without exaggeration, that he helped change the course of my life. His name is Keith Green, and if you have never heard of him, it’s high time you discover his life and legacy.</span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First Exposure: Wednesday Night Youth Group</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I came to faith in Christ at age 14 while attending a youth group near my home. Our Wednesday night meetings consisted of playing basketball, singing praise songs, and taking part in a Bible study taught by our 24-year-old youth pastor Doug. He often included quotes from some of his favourite books, including Keith Green's biography, “No Compromise.” Pastor Doug shared Green’s passion for Christ and his zeal for missions, and over time transmitted it to us. Together, these two brothers challenged me to consider the Lord’s calling on my life. Some of Keith Green’s most well-known quotes may explain why:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you don't have a definite call to stay here, you are called to go.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus commands us to go. It should be the exception if we stay.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't you see all the people sinking down? Don't you care? Are you gonna let them drown?</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God’s Heart for the Nations</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keith Green’s theology was imperfect. In fact, if he were alive today, we might not be comfortable in some of the venues where he performed. We would even label certain of his associates as prosperity gospel preachers, and with good reason. So, this is by no means a hagiography (meaning, a biography that treats its subject with undue reverence). But despite his flaws, this hippie-turned-disciple-of-Jesus had one magnificent obsession: To know Christ and to make him known. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZjGJw5xKbZsxXv0Tc8K1eLDArR9YValNi7jRJJ7425tyELHOvGSHPrVxiUar3nYIHG4d3_wOuZNVaeLR3Rb4SBQqppdij37W1dwj7gA969qZs7TaHGW4VzrBtU5Ztmq7c6tyCz0HWWvv4s83jcq4FVKb9Eeavmpg_h4H5JN87oewzVizTnwblDRLzSo/s1022/Screenshot%202023-11-28%20at%2011.25.42%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZjGJw5xKbZsxXv0Tc8K1eLDArR9YValNi7jRJJ7425tyELHOvGSHPrVxiUar3nYIHG4d3_wOuZNVaeLR3Rb4SBQqppdij37W1dwj7gA969qZs7TaHGW4VzrBtU5Ztmq7c6tyCz0HWWvv4s83jcq4FVKb9Eeavmpg_h4H5JN87oewzVizTnwblDRLzSo/w509-h640/Screenshot%202023-11-28%20at%2011.25.42%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="509" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A 20</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Century Revival Preacher through Song</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keith Green was already a successful singer and songwriter when he became a follower of Jesus. Playing in clubs throughout Southern California, he soon began to compose lyrics that brought to life the Scriptures that had come to mean so much to him. From his rendition of the Parables of the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0C6NtVwjLM" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good Samaritan</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and of the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3TYkAWRdU4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prodigal Son</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to his retelling of Israel’s wilderness wanderings in “</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foUH4No_SVU" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, You Want to Go Back to Egypt</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” his powerful storytelling transported his hearers into the world of the Bible. But his music didn’t merely entertain. The manner in which he articulated the costly call of discipleship and the terrible fate of those who rejected this invitation compelled many to action. His concerts were more than shows; they were evangelistic crusades, in which he dedicated a significant portion of his time to sharing the Gospel. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brother Keith came to understand early on in his ministry that the evangelical Church in America needed a wake-up call. He challenged those who claimed to follow Christ to examine themselves and see if they were in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). In an age in which cultural Christianity prevailed, he had little patience for those bathing in a tepid tub of blasé Christian comfort. His declarations spanned from amusing to offensive. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger!... Do you want to know what a Christian is? Someone who's bananas for Jesus!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world is sleeping in the dark that the Church just can’t fight, because it’s asleep in the light. How can you be so dead, when you’ve been so well-fed? Jesus rose from the dead, and you can’t even get out of bed!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To obey is better than sacrifice, I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights. So, if you can’t come to me every day, then don’t bother coming at all. </span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Money Should Never Be a Barrier</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While many would balk at such boldness and directness, few could question his sincerity and love. From his earliest days as a Christian, he and his wife Melody picked up hitchhikers and homeless people and brought them into their home. On one occasion, one such young woman was scheduled to have an abortion the following week, and the shelter she found with the Greens caused her to choose life instead. When Keith and Melody outgrew their home, they bought or rented another, then another, until their makeshift ministry filled half the block. They would eventually purchase a ranch in Texas which would allow them to expand their discipleship home into what came to bear the name “Last Days Ministries.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early in his walk of faith, Keith funded these projects from the proceeds of his concerts. This changed, however, when he decided that as a minister of the Gospel, he could no more charge for a concert than a pastor could charge admission to a worship service. He simply requested voluntary donations for both his concert tickets and his records and cassettes. And what’s amazing is that God not only allowed the Greens to cover their expenses this way, but he also raised up generous financial partners who enabled them to take this message of God’s love all over the world. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gone Too Soon, Yet Still Bearing Fruit</span></h1><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you wonder why you haven’t heard of such a man of conviction, it may be because he died tragically in 1982 in a small plane crash at the age of 28. When I first learned of his life at age 14, that number didn’t strike me the way it does 35 years later. He was only 28 when he died! Yet with time, I came to understand that Keith Green had managed to cram many decades of fruitful service for the Master into less than three. Completing it only days before his homegoing, he issued a clarion call that would echo into eternity. His short booklet “</span><a href="https://lastdaysministries.org/Articles/1000008651/Last_Days_Ministries/LDM/Discipleship_Teachings/Keith_Green/Why_YOU_Should.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why YOU Should Go to the Mission Field</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” challenged God’s children to walk in obedience to Christ to carry his cross to the very ends of the earth. </span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s no wonder, therefore, that at the age of 16, while on a summer mission trip in France, I consecrated my life to cross-cultural ministry on the Old Port of Marseille. Thanks to the contagious passion of Keith Green for the lost, the last, and the least, thousands of other believers since have answered that call to be his ambassadors to the ends of the earth. If you sense the Lord nudging your heart towards missions, add Keith’ Green’s biography “</span><a href="https://blfstore.com/products/sans-compromis?_pos=1&_sid=c50002977&_ss=r" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No Compromise</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” to your reading list today. And if you don’t have any interest in reaching the nations, I dare you to read his book and remain unchanged.</span></p></span></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-91216796657789810442023-11-23T05:05:00.000-05:002023-11-23T05:05:27.094-05:00 My European Adventure<p><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/aventure-europeenne-2023" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From October 9-24, 2023, I had the joy and privilege of undertaking an unforgettable journey to Europe. My original purpose was to speak at the </span><a href="https://coeurdefemme.meaf.fr/mediatheque/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coeur de femme women’s conference</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Corbas, near Lyon, on Saturday, October 14. But having already flown all the way across the Atlantic, I decided to extend my visit and see several friends. And who better to do so with than my precious 14-year-old daughter, Isabella. </span></span></p><h1 style="font-family: Merriweather;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discovering Lyon & Its Surrounding Areas</span></h1><span id="docs-internal-guid-ed170be0-7fff-f889-c6de-eb6b888183de"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following a layover in London, we landed in Lyon, where we were welcomed by Cheryl Daily and Kevin and Lucy Heater, church planters with the MAEF in Corbas. We visited the little towns of Mions and Vienne with our hosts before meeting up with Florent Varak for a fascinating tour of the Christian sites of Lyon, including the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fouvière, the Cathedral of St. Jean Baptiste, and the </span><a href="https://www.antiquaille.fr/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">l’Antiquaille</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The highlight of the day, however, was finally meeting Florent in person, after having corresponded with him for years. And for those who haven’t met him in the flesh, he’s just as cool as he seems in his podcasts and articles!:)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSOe9sqLfIAiNw9uZcw5VzeYwg5qDeFpAzn7NVWZxgngCKHtaeWyGTCSOZTaaF23WjT6nZ23veAwB4iJSYF6YS_2ybeYDUkbB86p17YSANz37Eu8bafj9MFlzUmu9sAan7z-Pj5ppSPQ8W1PwFW_ac1p2PmS8JFiQkk6NJlMiMb0Ur1SPYPr64g7tg8c/s1833/IMG_1626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1833" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSOe9sqLfIAiNw9uZcw5VzeYwg5qDeFpAzn7NVWZxgngCKHtaeWyGTCSOZTaaF23WjT6nZ23veAwB4iJSYF6YS_2ybeYDUkbB86p17YSANz37Eu8bafj9MFlzUmu9sAan7z-Pj5ppSPQ8W1PwFW_ac1p2PmS8JFiQkk6NJlMiMb0Ur1SPYPr64g7tg8c/w400-h268/IMG_1626.jpeg" title="With Florent Varak" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring Lyon with Florent</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That same day, I got to meet another virtual friend, pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader Suzanne Sarron, with whom Isabella and I enjoyed our first taste of Lyonnais gastronomy and a visit to Maison de la Bible, where she volunteers. </span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coeur de Femme Conference</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Held at the restaurant </span><a href="https://cavatello.fr/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Le Cavatello</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the program for the day included a morning message on Psalms 42 & 43 followed by discussion in small groups. Then, we shared an amazing meal together - French people know how to do conferences right! The wonderful day of fellowship concluded with a message from Psalm 16, followed again by discussion time. But the highlight of my day was when I spotted a familiar face walking across the room: It was Aurélie, who had come to surprise me! We’d never met in person, so it was a delight to share the day with her along with the 130 women in attendance.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continuing on to Switzerland</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Immediately following the conference, my new friend Suzanne gave us a ride to the airport, where we picked up our rental car and made our way to Bons-en-Chablais, outside of Geneva, where we lodged with mission colleagues and church planters Bob & Heidi Winslow. It was there that I secured a very special gift for my husband Dan: raclette boards engraved with the names of the four great ones of the French Reformation - Calvin, Favel, Beze, and Knox. (Bob makes these himself and raises funds for an evangelistic youth camp. So, check them out!)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning, we attended </span><a href="https://eeig.ch/orateurs/franck-segonne" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Église Évangélique Internationale de Genève</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where we received the warmest of welcomes and took part in a wonderful worship service. That afternoon, we had the pleasure of touring the sites of the Reformation with Fabien De Lucia, our energetic and engaging guide with </span><a href="https://calvintours.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Calvin Tours</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A faithful listener of Chrétienne, he not only offered us the tour of Old Geneva, but also hosted us for lunch beforehand with his lovely family and gave us a ride back to Bons-en-Chablais afterward! If you’re ever in Geneva, I highly recommend you book Fabien for a tour.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSra9j1jPsYrcJFpSxaFm7RHVVg2j2OGnCuMmCDUukAD4t7m94SfxKvfStSBJh5G3fZn7ESbw6qmXKiS-iCMX4ltNxtuJ_O56UrgXzpdYEF1e3yfZufbR183gied1fWKnZG5yT55VSgiqo_6XzjnV_-RPPQwWJSFLScSYU0uLBxAHCO5V-HfglIhC2-7Y/s4032/IMG_1655.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSra9j1jPsYrcJFpSxaFm7RHVVg2j2OGnCuMmCDUukAD4t7m94SfxKvfStSBJh5G3fZn7ESbw6qmXKiS-iCMX4ltNxtuJ_O56UrgXzpdYEF1e3yfZufbR183gied1fWKnZG5yT55VSgiqo_6XzjnV_-RPPQwWJSFLScSYU0uLBxAHCO5V-HfglIhC2-7Y/s320/IMG_1655.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabien of Calvin Tours</td></tr></tbody></table></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grenoble</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following a pleasant evening with our friends, the Winslows, we made a pit stop the next morning literally 500 meters from their house to pay a visit to Franck and Sandrine Segonne. The former baristas served us the best coffee (and hot chocolate) as we engaged in a lively discussion about our common passion for Christ and his Word. Then, we were off to Grenoble, where I was reunited with old friends Nick and Annie Van Wingerden. Nick and I did our studies together at Moody Theological Seminary, where we also served on the worship and leadership team at an urban church plant in Chicago. What a treat to see them again after 20 years! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That day, Aurélie drove down from Hermon for us to film some in-person episodes together. But first, food! We partook of a raclette supper that night with Marion Charron and Magali Laroche, our trusty camerawoman. And the next day, we enjoyed a delicious lunch with Rachel Yates and Chloé Lang of Évangile21. Only after enjoying yet another taste of French gastronomy did we get down to business, filming an episode with our EV21 sisters, and another two with Nick V. on relationships. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vAiSfLGbf5zCYK7A9Hz8BkemhGFNf0s7MXD0XK4iK6h3w8IejW0f6rwg-g1-obk6PbSdXMsuEAA-4Bjq8fvjQRQ7vDEZEreUn2Y-4VVi9-cJQrpexM9vl_EAHZweTmPlUeyZ4cT5POohOCYD5sEMVbXDszbA9HGqGOwrpuiZ3HR0ovnlhPVc8ZxP0ZU/s4032/IMG_1667.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vAiSfLGbf5zCYK7A9Hz8BkemhGFNf0s7MXD0XK4iK6h3w8IejW0f6rwg-g1-obk6PbSdXMsuEAA-4Bjq8fvjQRQ7vDEZEreUn2Y-4VVi9-cJQrpexM9vl_EAHZweTmPlUeyZ4cT5POohOCYD5sEMVbXDszbA9HGqGOwrpuiZ3HR0ovnlhPVc8ZxP0ZU/s320/IMG_1667.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Nick</td></tr></tbody></table></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Off to Teen Ranch</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning, Isabella and I hopped into Aurélie’s chariot in the direction of Teen Ranch Hermon. Two women of action, we had to take advantage of the opportunity to film two more episodes that day in Aurélie’s minuscule recording studio, which doubles as her laundry room most of the time! The next morning, Isabella tasted of the French educational system as she spent the day at school with Aurélie’s mini-me, Marilyne. The next morning, once I’d finished doing our laundry, we filmed two more episodes before we had to bid Aurélie a tearful farewell at the St. Étienne train station.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez_B6PmamrXSzZhNmXhbnHNky6ErzRIzq3ghss_Mcsk57RviZQPHsX8dKy-1XYNrlZ_i0bgY2GvyVqU0J2O2r_By2NSivgc6YoEPr6c6Q26KPc-UtFRw_Wv6_8hcudnQ7_r2pEJmnyfidKwB_tOY-fAnfxLJD4g01x8yglwfL4CjFI1_hujwiPjrzfgA/s4032/IMG_1683.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez_B6PmamrXSzZhNmXhbnHNky6ErzRIzq3ghss_Mcsk57RviZQPHsX8dKy-1XYNrlZ_i0bgY2GvyVqU0J2O2r_By2NSivgc6YoEPr6c6Q26KPc-UtFRw_Wv6_8hcudnQ7_r2pEJmnyfidKwB_tOY-fAnfxLJD4g01x8yglwfL4CjFI1_hujwiPjrzfgA/w400-h300/IMG_1683.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurélie</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><h1><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificent Paris</span></h1><div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My sweetheart and I boarded a TGV nonstop to Gare de Lyon in Paris, where our final hostess on our European odyssey awaited us. Deborah Prisk is a missionary leading women’s ministry at </span><a href="https://eglise-connexion.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Église Connexion</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Paris, and she was generous enough to allow us to crash on her pull-out couch. For four glorious days, Isabella and I wandered through the streets of Paris, taking in sites like Notre Dame, Sacré Coeur, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysée, the Arc of Triumph, and many more. We took the obligatory Seine River cruise. I practiced my Wolof with the ubiquitous Senegalese street vendors. We splurged on a special meal at a bistro, but the rest of the time snacked on fresh figs and Medjool dates when we were up for a healthy treat, and millefeuilles and macarons when we were craving a treat. </span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99u4bU-1itXjwhUgnW9Tp7LSk9CeJkWV587R3OAryi71W65e0Ftl6AC1xxB2koutU4FoQI_QTqtbVUFOIuD_5qOb1tOL2sDja4vMuDxQEoEi7_oygW1pJaOFlkUQ0VvRbqnKMYQZ2kX6sp3-kxWa4cra86svtfLmrD0jRkjhfWlIC4MV7JLs4StoxSLw/s4032/IMG_1756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99u4bU-1itXjwhUgnW9Tp7LSk9CeJkWV587R3OAryi71W65e0Ftl6AC1xxB2koutU4FoQI_QTqtbVUFOIuD_5qOb1tOL2sDja4vMuDxQEoEi7_oygW1pJaOFlkUQ0VvRbqnKMYQZ2kX6sp3-kxWa4cra86svtfLmrD0jRkjhfWlIC4MV7JLs4StoxSLw/w400-h300/IMG_1756.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Deborah</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h1><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Love That Unites Us</span></h1><div>One highlight of our days in the City of Love was worshipping with the brothers and sisters at Deborah’s church and going out for crepes afterward with her women’s ministry team. There’s just something so special about being a child of God: we may have never met in person before, we may come from different lands and speak different mother tongues, but when Christ unites us, we share a love that the world cannot comprehend. That is what Isabella and I experienced not only that day over a creps with our sisters from Église Connexion but throughout our two-week European adventure. Everywhere we went, we enjoyed hospitality and attention that is but a foretaste of what awaits us all in eternity. I can’t wait! In the meantime, I’m already looking forward to my next trip over the pond with my daughter Evangeline. I hope to see many of you then!</div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ2_ObBjKm3yZ-DAMiMN8Dg3PP7eCwXlkePhmx0gfgCtLnjhXAzZ4iQXd50N0yTz0U1ph_AJAUXfVw8NNkS9QSv0PG36TY72cu3EnqdVH5i9GpZNFj5byhKdfny2isWW8UFj1XOFWF5Fz4cvGKTi0qnyZGUdsPhODECewlBoBHZMNITqv41P3syVOrrk/s3088/IMG_1740.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ2_ObBjKm3yZ-DAMiMN8Dg3PP7eCwXlkePhmx0gfgCtLnjhXAzZ4iQXd50N0yTz0U1ph_AJAUXfVw8NNkS9QSv0PG36TY72cu3EnqdVH5i9GpZNFj5byhKdfny2isWW8UFj1XOFWF5Fz4cvGKTi0qnyZGUdsPhODECewlBoBHZMNITqv41P3syVOrrk/w300-h400/IMG_1740.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p></span></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-56357527003627643662023-11-20T11:34:00.000-05:002023-11-20T11:34:07.777-05:00 Why and How Women Should Teach, Write, and Podcast for the Church<p><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/pourquoi-comment-femmes-devraient-enseigner-ecrire-podcaster-pour-eglise" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On November 16, 2023, I gave a workshop at The Gospel Coalition’s National Conference on </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How Can Women Teach, Write, and Podcast for the Church? </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In that talk, I shared the following reasons, as well as some tips for those interested in developing a writing, podcast, or teaching ministry.</span></span></p><h1><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">1. Perspective</span></span></h1><span id="docs-internal-guid-798646ef-7fff-04d9-8be7-dc8bda5ec9f8"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women should teach, write, and podcast because the Church of Jesus Christ around the globe has much to gain from hearing from gifted women through these platforms. After all, we are over half the Church! And while we are not a monolith, women do wear a different set of lenses through which we view the world and the Scripture. And we bring a different perspective to theology and the Christian life, one that not only other women but also our brothers would benefit from hearing. I should mention as a side note that the our statistics indicate that 1/3 of the listeners of our podcast Chrétienne are men. And I get the impression that my articles are also of interest to my brothers as well as my sisters.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me give you an example of how we as women can bring a much-needed perspective to our brothers. Last year, my partner-in-crime Aurélie and I did a </span><a href="https://ambassadorofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2023/01/this-article-was-published-in-french-at.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">two-part</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://ambassadorofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2023/01/jesus-and-periods.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">series</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on our podcast on what the Bible had to say about menstruation. Sound risky? I thought so, too! But I believed it was worth discussing! Well, fast-forward several months: I recently returned from a ministry trip to France and Switzerland. And while I was there, I met a brother who is an avid follower of our podcast. He’s listened to every episode! And do you want to know which were his favourite ones? The ones we did on menstruation! He said they helped him to see not only how Scripture speaks to these practical matters, but also how to better understand and love his wife. What a privilege to encourage and bless my brothers in Christ in this way. And think of this: What’s the likelihood of a TPSG podcast hosted by men addressing such a topic? Slim to none, I’m guessing.</span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Platform</span></h1><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another reason why I believe women should be writing and podcasting is that while teaching opportunities in the local church are sometimes limited, you have access to countless women (and men) through online platforms. The advent of the World Wide Web has led to a democratization in the decimation of information. And that has allowed for a lot of garbage to get out there, both from a theologian’s and a writer’s standpoint. But it also has allowed us to discover some great Bible teachers and writers that we never would have known about if it weren’t for the Internet. It also means that if you produce good content and it resonates with people, you’ll be able to edify the church of Christ well outside the four walls of the congregation you attend. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be clear, I’m not suggesting we abandon our local churches. They should be our home, or family, our community of faith and the primary place where we live out the “one anothers” of the Christian life. That being said, through writing and podcasting we </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> serve the broader Christian church as well. These two don’t have to be at odds with one another. And if you are a gifted evangelist or apologist, you’re far more likely to find your audience in the marketplace than in the four walls of your church. </span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spiritual Principles</span></h1><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To those who would like to develop an online ministry I offer the following spiritual principles. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1) Seek counsel</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Include your pastors, mentors, and trusted friends on your journey. Ask them to hold you accountable. Even better, have them proofread your first articles or lessons before you put them out there for public consumption. Especially early on. Every single one of you will not necessarily want to write and podcast on theology. And that’s fine! But if you do, there’s wisdom in running things by a friend with a good theological mind who can catch any errors you may not see. I’ve often thought that contemporary Christian music would be so much more theologically sound if some of those dear people had a pastor checking their lyrics before they put them to song for the Christian masses! Let’s make sure we put the best quality content out there. </span></div></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(2) Don't be afraid to make mistakes</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Any long-time preacher, Bible teacher or author will tell you that their first articles, books, or messages were flawed, to say the least. They might have even changed theological positions over time. We’re not static creatures, after all, but rather dynamic ones. It’s only natural that our convictions evolve as we grow. Especially when it comes to secondary issues. A professor in seminary once told us, “Date secondary doctrines. Marry the primary ones.” I couldn’t agree more. The Bible contains important teachings concerning salvation, which are presented so clearly in Scripture that both the educated and the less educated can grasp their meaning adequately. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The reason I mention this is that in the context of teaching, writing, and podcasting, I myself have taught things I no longer agree with. And that’s OK. Because I didn’t teach any heresy. But in regard to a secondary matter, I studied something anew and my convictions evolved as I came to a better understanding of Scripture. And I think it’s important for you to feel that freedom, too. Because if you feel like you have to have all the answers now, and that everything you put out there has to be perfect, then you’ll never take the plunge. </span></div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Biblical character who inspires me the most on this topic is Apollos. I wrote an article on this very subject, which you will find </span><a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/enseignants-bible-erreurs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(3) Be grounded in the local church</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The local church should be the home base for your ministry. If you aren’t serving in some capacity there, get involved. If they don’t have teaching or writing opportunities for you there, that’s okay. Serve where you can. But love and invest in the lives of real, in-the-flesh people. Because it’s the relationships that you build with the people who know you and walk with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly that will ground you as you venture into the virtual world. Faithful, real-life friends will give you honest feedback and will call you out if your public persona starts looking like a completely different person than the unfiltered you that they see in person. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(4) Bring others along! </span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“L’union fait la force!”- i.e. there's strength in numbers. I wouldn’t have gotten far the past few years without the support of Aurélie at TPSG and Debbie, Valerie, and Karine at SOLA. They are good at stuff I suck at and compensate for so many of my weaknesses! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only that, as the Lord opens doors of ministry for us, we can open doors for those following down a similar path as us. One big reason I love teaching, podcasting, and writing is that I get to highlight the work of other amazing women. Many are personal friends of mine who have experienced profound suffering and have gained tremendous wisdom through their trials. I want as many people as possible to learn from them. That’s what’s so great about podcasting in particular. I’ve interviewed several of my friends on Chrétienne. They have shared testimonies ranging from how to raise a child on the autism spectrum to how to endure the loss of a spouse, and from how to battle depression to how to minister to the homeless. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(5) Seek God’s Glory</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>When my daughter Isabella was in 4th grade, she told us that several her classmates’ dream job was to become a YouTube star. Nowadays, with the explosion of Tik Tok and other such platforms, so many people want to make it big as influencers. It could be easy to get caught up in numbers, in views, in shares. </div><div><br /></div><div>My family and I love the movie “Nacho Libre” with Jack Black. It’s about a Catholic brother who cares for orphans by day and is a luchador, or wrestler by night. In one scene, after being defeated in yet another wrestling match, he turns in frustration to his partner Esqueleto, “Don't you want a little taste of the glory? See what it tastes like?”</div><div><br /></div><div>We quote this line all the time in my family! Because we all have to fight that temptation. And this can be tough because we will always have mixed motives. But we should make it a regular practice to prayerfully examine our hearts and submit our hopes and plans to the Lord.</div></span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Practical Suggestions</span></h1><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, allow me to offer you some very practical ones:</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1) Write Daily</span></h2><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been keeping a journal since I was 10 years old. No joke, somewhere in a box in our basement is the Hello Kitty diary I began writing in when I was in the 6</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> grade! I didn’t realize it at the time, but that habit of writing my thoughts, my dreams, and my aspirations helped shape me into the writer I am today. It’s never too late to start. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2) Read Daily</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They say that the best writers are the best readers. And I know many of us are super busy and that it’s hard to find time to read. And maybe some of us think that unless it’s a theological tome, we shouldn’t waste time reading it. At least, that’s what I have often felt. But you don’t have to choose John Calvin’s Institutes as the first book you read. It can be something short and accessible. Select something that will capture your imagination. Even if I read for only 20 minutes a day, right before bed or after lunch, I will have read many more books in a year than if I scrolled mindlessly on Facebook (which I am often guilty of doing as well, so no shame there!). </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>(3) </b></span><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Out Loud</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I love reading to my daughters. I believe reading out loud activates different parts of our brain and our imagination than reading in our heads, and when we share that with others, especially our children, they benefit from the experience as we invest in our relationship with them. And, honestly, I also believe it can help us become more articulate speakers, as we learn to pronounce and enunciate words that we don’t commonly draw from in our own active lexicon. Plus, it can also help us develop greater inflection as public speakers. After all, in the same way that kids like us to read them stories in a dynamic tone, our hearers will also want us to teach them in a way that engages them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGIij9zgK51FdqvVBvuPOtaVv2lqERuCrKMlLlN54is4dAhYpNG0DmS7k6lGg1USCyX3UhkSxN1FwpCi0lMZotvATs97GAdf7dNd9gYhR-qt5JPcviY4QNnNRoYnU2FB0GzuCC3sX-dMvpX2ZX8oqq9wBCmbm22dFV0_UlDzKpc_ZNX4V_emY38EVB1U/s1920/soundtrap-n30_i7mx62o-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGIij9zgK51FdqvVBvuPOtaVv2lqERuCrKMlLlN54is4dAhYpNG0DmS7k6lGg1USCyX3UhkSxN1FwpCi0lMZotvATs97GAdf7dNd9gYhR-qt5JPcviY4QNnNRoYnU2FB0GzuCC3sX-dMvpX2ZX8oqq9wBCmbm22dFV0_UlDzKpc_ZNX4V_emY38EVB1U/w640-h426/soundtrap-n30_i7mx62o-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>(4) </b><span style="font-weight: 700;">Start or Join a Writing Group</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Full disclosure: I never was part of a writing group. I wasn’t aware that such groups existed until a few years ago. But after hearing testimonies from women who have been a part of one, I’m sold. I wish I’d had access to one early on in my writing journey. Although I can’t say more due to lack of personal experience, I do suggest exploring this option in order to sharpen your skills as a writer. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>(5) </b><span style="font-weight: 700;">Fill the Gaps</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we relocated to Quebec, I found a huge gap in the literature and decided to fill it by providing sound Bible teaching via YouTube. For some, that could mean doing research to discover the terrain. Examine where the needs may be greatest and consider how you can help meet those needs while employing the gifts God’s given you.</span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>(6) </b><span style="font-weight: 700;">Write Collaboratively</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Partner with some friends who share similar passions and start a collective blog. I'm convinced that working with a team of like-minded bloggers will usually result in a higher quality product than going it alone. And a team of writers can ensure that you produce content on a regular basis. Plus, if you gather a group of friends and launch a collective blog, your total number of readers will include people from all of your spheres of influence and not just one person's. Your group blog could even be the natural evolution of your writing group, if you choose to go that route. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>(7) </b><span style="font-weight: 700;">Expect Writers’ Block</span></span></h2><p></p><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing requires hard work. Heavy lifting. It’s like a muscle. You can’t expect to get ripped overnight. So, give yourself grace. Write even when you don’t feel like it. And when you have nothing to say, give yourself a break. Ruminate. Rest. Read. Repeat. But don’t give up. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>(If you'd like to find women who share a passion for the Word of God and for passing it on to others, please join our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/602114440619016/" target="_blank">Women Bible Expositors</a> and start a discussion!). </div></span></span></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-58445880340378980022023-11-09T07:51:00.002-05:002023-11-09T07:51:50.988-05:00 Let’s Recover the Term “Marriage”<p><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in <a href="https://www.coalicionporelevangelio.org/articulo/preservemos-definicion-matrimonio/" target="_blank">Spanish</a> at Coalición por el evangelio and in <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/recuperons-le-terme-mariage" target="_blank">French</a> at TPSG. </span></i></p><div><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The encyclopedia </span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/marriage" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britannica</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> gives the following definition of marriage: </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">A legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring (if any).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Notice that a secular dictionary acknowledges that marriage usually takes place between a man and a woman. Some may argue that Christians should adapt to the times and embrace a more modern definition. Yet many theologians have argued that when marriage comes to mean a binding contract between any two consensual adults, such a redefinition of marriage can lead to the legalization of polygamy and other aberrant practices.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JdR636mfUk4pmbrthXXeG5ZIfwhnSTloqVEcpg2kyXe5HuiGTI0Scqs8yInHwvb1Tr9oodP3lCL_mO7fQDLIzaDKX_oGJTaGNuObyvROZs1i4uq_PWURBgkz2ySrvlehSIHpxeGGhrh3e_7r-80UTBGAwc28LYQvFyXv_3puokDyh6WVg-fEO_0_j0E/s5184/sandy-millar-YeJWDWeIZho-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JdR636mfUk4pmbrthXXeG5ZIfwhnSTloqVEcpg2kyXe5HuiGTI0Scqs8yInHwvb1Tr9oodP3lCL_mO7fQDLIzaDKX_oGJTaGNuObyvROZs1i4uq_PWURBgkz2ySrvlehSIHpxeGGhrh3e_7r-80UTBGAwc28LYQvFyXv_3puokDyh6WVg-fEO_0_j0E/w640-h426/sandy-millar-YeJWDWeIZho-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></p>Nothing New Under the Sun</span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">The mention of polygamy should alert us to the fact that there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Throughout recorded history and throughout the history of redemption, humanity has deviated from God’s design for marriage. Beginning in the days of Lamech, the first polygamist in the Bible (Gn 4:23), when the Scriptures record stories that involve polygamy, they highlight what a disaster results from it. From Abraham’s taking Hagar as a concubine to Jacob's wedding sisters and from David marrying multiple women to his son Solomon taking 1000 wives and concubines, these accounts and countless others teach us the folly of departing from God’s intended path for marriage. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Going Back to the Beginning</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">If we want to understand God’s blueprint for marriage, we must go back to the beginning. Genesis 1-2 together paint a portrait of the kind of union God desired for his image bearers. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Genesis 1 paints with broad strokes, as we discover the manner in which God makes all things and calls them good. In this opening chapter of Scripture, God creates humanity in his image and gives them a common task: To be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and to subdue the earth and have dominion over every living thing (Gn 1:26-28). Theologians call this the Cultural Mandate. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">No Suitable Companion</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Genesis 2 is in some ways a retelling of the creation account but with a focus on the creation of humanity. In this chapter, we read that everything God creates is good, except for one thing - man's solitude: “The Lord God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper like him.'” (Gn 2:18).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">So, God brings all the animals before Adam in order that he may name them. Then the text adds, “But no suitable companion was found for the man.” This is comical if you think about it: God seems to parade all the animals before Adam in order that the man might recognize that none of them makes a suitable life partner for him. Not even that loyal, lovable golden retriever. :)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">The reason is that none of these creatures bears the image of God. None corresponds to him. God, therefore, makes Adam take a deep nap, and when he wakes up, presents him with a wonderful surprise: Someone who, unlike the animals, is just like him! So great is his joy at the site of this beautiful woman, that he composes the first love song. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Oneness in Marriage</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">God’s concluding commentary on the event, his epilogue on the crown of his creation, is this: </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Can you think of anything more intimate than this one-flesh union? This oneness speaks of unity, not singularity - the man and woman who covenant together in marriage live in unity while retaining their personhood. That’s the beauty of unity in diversity. It characterizes the union of man and woman, and it also characterizes the unity in diversity of Christ’s bride, the Church. After all, such was the essence of Christ’s prayer in the Upper Room Discourse, “Let them be one, as we are one.” (Jn 17:22). </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Marriage: Pointing to a Greater Union</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Paul picks up on the imagery of a bride in Ephesians 5, as he speaks of the mystery of Christ and his Church (v. 32), in both wives’ loving submission to their husbands and husbands’ sacrificial love of their wives. In fact, the entire passage and its instructions for husbands and wives make clear that the shadow is human marriage, and the substance is the heavenly one. For those of us called to matrimony, the way we live out our relationship with one another indicates to a watching world what’s to come. A greater marriage is coming, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, one that will include every redeemed saint regardless of their marital status on earth. What a privilege to embody the gospel through our one-flesh unions!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Singleness: Pointing to Christ’s Sufficiency</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But there’s more. Single believers, too, have a unique opportunity to point the world to Christ as they live pure and holy lives in the present age. As </span><a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/7-myths-singleness/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sam Allberry</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> puts it, “If marriage shows us the shape of the gospel, singleness shows us its sufficiency.” In other words, singleness declares that the future reality of our eternal union to our Bridegroom is so certain and so good that we can embrace it, declaring to a world obsessed with sexual and romantic intimacy that these are not ultimate and that in Christ we possess what is.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Let us Shine!</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">So, how do we recover the term marriage? By fighting the culture wars? By going on the offensive on social media to confront those who don’t share our traditional definition of marriage? I propose a different approach. If we want our loved ones to cherish a biblical view of marriage, let our love for one another be so winsome that they long for the kind of marriages made possible by our union with Christ. In so doing, we will point them to the substance, the ultimate wedding day we all eagerly await.</span></span></p><br /></div>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-22273626288669647942023-11-02T14:09:00.004-04:002024-02-15T09:59:02.788-05:00A Beautiful Storybook to Help Our Kids Understand Life After Death<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/fete-mega-fantastique" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life beyond the grave holds great mystery to most people. But it shouldn’t for the believer. Or at least not entirely. The Bible has much to tell us about what awaits us beyond this mortal life, and who better to teach our children and us than Joni Erickson Tada. If you are not familiar with her testimony, I highly recommend her autobiography </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Joni-Unforgettable-Story-Eareckson-Tada/dp/0310364191/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GEDQWF3FN9MR&keywords=joni+autobiography&qid=1698948411&s=books&sprefix=joni+autiobiography%2Cstripbooks%2C67&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Joni</a>, </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in which she recounts the events preceding and following a diving accident at age 17 that left her paraplegic. </span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2a2d62f2-7fff-4c44-135f-36ae91fe8863"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With beauty and simplicity, Joni gives a mini-course on eschatology (what the Bible teaches about last things) destined to fill readers young and old with great hope. For we will not be simply disembodied spirits, floating on clouds, playing harps. We will be glorified versions of ourselves, with healthy and whole bodies. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGsAcu34WRARN_INhf7O3f4o_XsUt-Kp_3VDYPrXVBHyJFQWkVN2SuuHkbuWWE4j2qc-GVdXVWaUt50A4dANf8n-KvJJ2qJCY-iJtmVkeXI1Kov9vSOkQ7KIEu2Kb_SseHs59kGWU8jXmgd4sueRmri1sHi6CV6pTh1lfIl5ejgi6zZm5B8zZrd5IGZg/s800/Screenshot%202023-11-02%20at%202.05.50%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="723" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGsAcu34WRARN_INhf7O3f4o_XsUt-Kp_3VDYPrXVBHyJFQWkVN2SuuHkbuWWE4j2qc-GVdXVWaUt50A4dANf8n-KvJJ2qJCY-iJtmVkeXI1Kov9vSOkQ7KIEu2Kb_SseHs59kGWU8jXmgd4sueRmri1sHi6CV6pTh1lfIl5ejgi6zZm5B8zZrd5IGZg/s16000/Screenshot%202023-11-02%20at%202.05.50%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To give these theological truths life, Catalina Echeverri offers her usual quality of drawings that engage young readers and spark their imagination. The wheelchair-bound woman: Free! The boy on crutches: Lame no more! The blind: He sees! The deaf: She hears! We all may not suffer from such outwardly physical afflictions, but we all experience pain of some sort in this world. And the promise of Scripture and of this precious little book is this: When this life ends, we'll get to party in heaven forever! Hallelujah!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that’s not all! The most precious promise of this awesome super fantastic forever party is that we’ll be with Jesus, worshipping him alongside all the friends he invited to his party! What better way to spend eternity than getting to know and love Jesus more, and doing so in the company of our family in Christ. This book makes an excellent gift on any occasion, but perhaps especially following the homegoing of a child’s cherished loved one. </span></p></span></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-61693519343825342852023-10-27T18:33:00.002-04:002023-10-27T18:33:22.174-04:00October 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/d583fec70eb8/connecting-on-the-road-9432286" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/d583fec70eb8/connecting-on-the-road-9432286" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bAMmrAAXiwecVSCjnVLvsjHeS3Ns3At1GPZOliqIQ2HpfnzZsWnYjIHo1f0ffRWWWBP5FHNZnrbf9FWSNpoMJ8a_W1764exwQ2CQd_GSF5S9nmRt3fbfI2REHlf8dQkqEFqcn5SJJf_iG4BG0QyU73Rd3N5jQ22lOfcBtTOj5cbJrk2bsaA19X7ZzbM/s16000/Screenshot%202023-10-27%20at%206.31.51%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-14801917786686807252023-10-07T21:10:00.000-04:002023-10-07T21:10:00.984-04:00September 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/9f9151ca80d7/connecting-on-the-road-9415914" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/9f9151ca80d7/connecting-on-the-road-9415914" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="1186" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsCt94m80TCDJqPXS0nNe7Jb88_RENElDz-uCowA3Kz5dDg9JfforWnfXNqoZhQdd3sQ16TWC25pk3YXNPPcWfyKkCEk-j4bAZ41B-0VcTsLAgXBQctOYvVylx7zeP_6d78VYk3JnN9GmEKX3HQhdjGXFbtCYDQ-eop9UAZoURMj67tVFoE5iACcIs9I/w482-h640/Screenshot%202023-10-07%20at%209.07.54%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="482" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-29282713434699672952023-09-15T10:16:00.002-04:002023-09-15T10:16:20.290-04:00 Christ's Ambassador of Zumba<p><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/ambassadrice-christ-zumba" target="_blank">TPSG</a>. </span></i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cdffedb-7fff-0b2c-7ebb-96567c5b054a"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“God is milking the cows through the vocation of the milkmaid.” Martin Luther</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The German Reformer is famous for reviving the teaching of the priesthood of all believers. In fact, he argues that the vocation of the baker or the milkmaid is just as important as that of the preacher. Through our work, we glorify God and love our neighbour. In Luther’s days, this brings a much-needed corrective in a society in which a huge divide exists between the secular and the sacred, between the religious leaders who teach that they serve God with their lives while everyday women and men merely accomplish worldly tasks. </span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heroes of the Faith</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My family recently hosted my friend Annie* and her husband Ben. He's a trial attorney and she's is a stay-at-home mom who homeschooled her children and volunteers in her community. She has told me more than once that she wishes she could be a missionary like me. Yet while you may never read a missionary biography of this godly couple, I assure you that they are heroes of the faith. If this sounds like an overstatement, allow me to convince you otherwise.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaching Zumba to Build Intentional Relationships</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Annie loves fitness, and several years ago the Lord opened doors for her to teach Zumba classes at a university near her home. Eager to reach international students, she discovers that teaching women-only dance classes provides the ideal setting to develop intentional relationships with women, many of whom will never otherwise hear the gospel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over time, she builds a rapport with her students, who hail from Ethiopia and Argentina to China and Libya. Annie regularly hosts them for meals in her home. She offers them driving lessons, English lessons, fitness and nutrition seminars, and parenting classes. She even teaches a Bible study with those interested. In so doing, she develops a deep friendship with Khadija, a Middle Eastern woman whose husband studies at the university.</span></p><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span><img alt="women dancing near mirror" class="tB6UZ a5VGX" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 910px) min(100%, 870px), (max-height: 755px) min(100%, 870px), (min-aspect-ratio: 4272/2848) calc((calc(100vh - 175px)) * 1.5), calc(100vw - 40px)" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1000&q=80" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=870&q=80 870w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1170&q=80 1170w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1470&q=80 1470w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1740&q=80 1740w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1770&q=80 1770w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2070&q=80 2070w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80 2340w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2370&q=80 2370w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2670&q=80 2670w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2940&q=80 2940w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2970&q=80 2970w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3270&q=80 3270w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3540&q=80 3540w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3570&q=80 3570w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3870&q=80 3870w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4140&q=80 4140w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4170&q=80 4170w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524594152303-9fd13543fe6e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4272&q=80 4272w" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; aspect-ratio: 4272 / 2848;" /><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Khadija’s Unimaginable Situation</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During one of her Bible studies, Khadija opens up to Annie about the abuse she and her children are enduring at the hands of her husband. The frightened wife and mother even goes so far as to send Annie pictures documenting the beatings, in case anything ever happens to her. When the abuse escalates, Khadija resolves to return to her home country. Her husband allows her to take their daughter, Fatimata, having no use for her. He refuses, however, to let their sons Moussa and Ibrahima out of his sight. While there, Khadija files for divorce and miraculously receives custody of her children (Islamic law normally grants custody to the father). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mohammed does not accept this verdict. Believing himself to be invulnerable, he returns to his homeland with their boys to celebrate Ramadan. He is shocked and enraged when local authorities require him to return his sons to their mother. Under the pretense of taking them to visit their uncles, he abducts the boys and manages to return with them to the United States by paying off an immigration officer.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Khadija is powerless to pursue them, her ex has stolen her passport, making it impossible for her to leave the country. Plus, this occurs during the height of the pandemic, which adds another layer of complication to her already unimaginable situation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With no mother to shield the boys, the abuse intensifies. Moussa and Ibrahima’s frequent beatings and prolonged neglect leave them scarred and traumatized. Khadija seeks counsel from Ben and Annie. With his legal expertise, Ben advises her of her rights and suggests she alert local authorities of her sons’ plight. When police pay a visit to investigate, however, Mohammed threatens the boys, who remain silent out of fear for their lives.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Plea for Help</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the meantime, Mohammed’s family finds him a second wife and arranges for her to join him in the U.S. Sadly, she, too, soon finds herself on the receiving end of his blows. After an especially severe episode, Moussa and Ibrahima finally overcome their fear of their father and report him to their school counselor. He is arrested and detained. The question then arises as to who will take custody of them. Having no close family in the U.S., Khadija has one hope: Ben and Annie, who live hundreds of miles away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following a call from Child Protective Services (CPS), my friends discover that they have 24 hours to recover the boys, or they will be put in foster care. Ben and Annie drop everything and purchase expensive, last-minute flights to extricate Moussa and Ibrahima. Sympathetic to the boys’ condition, child protective services release them into the care of this loving couple. Their first step is to stop by their apartment to search for the boys’ passports. As Ben and Annie step foot in the dark, half-empty apartment, the stench of dirty dishes mingled with that of filthy laundry overwhelms them. With little of worth to recover, they begin their search for the one thing they need for the boys to escape this nightmare. Miraculously, they find the passports easily in a desk drawer. Soon, they are safe aboard a flight and outside of the grip of their violent father. </span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who is the Kidnapper?</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The overnight foster parents must next begin to make arrangements for the boys to be reunited with their mother. This, however, proves to be a challenge. Because of the limited number of flights due to COVID, tickets to the Persian Gulf cost $15,000 per person. My friends lack the means to pay such a price, and they reach out to the embassy to see what they can do. They explain that a citizen of their country abducted his sons and that they intend to return them to their mother. That’s when they learn that Mohammed has also contacted them claiming that two Americans have kidnapped his children!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the most respectful yet firm terms possible, Mamabear Annie describes the injustice Moussa and Ibrahima have faced, promising that she will not rest until they return securely into their mother’s care. A trail of photographs and paperwork brings to light who the true kidnapper is. With no further doubt in their minds, diplomats move to action. The oil-rich nation has a policy that they will repatriate any national stranded abroad at the government’s expense. Within two weeks, not only does the embassy purchase tickets for the boys, but their vice-consul personally escorts them home. A harrowing journey that lasts two years ends in joy as the boys run into the welcome arms of Khadija.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why Would You Do Such a Thing?</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The story doesn’t end there. Twelve months after the reunification, Ben, Annie, and Emma fly half-way around the world to pay a special visit to Khadija and her family. They expect to spend a quiet seven days with her and her children. Instead, Khadija’s extended family invites them to several feasts in their honour. Their recurring question is, “Why would you do such a thing? Our own extended family members in the U.S. refused to do anything for the boys. Why did you?” With such clear open doors, this godly couple proclaims over and over again the glorious good news of a Saviour who loves the weak and the helpless and who gave his life to ransom a people for himself. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a country with few churches or known believers, their witness for Christ truly epitomizes what it means to shine his light in the darkness. A follow-up trip is already in the works. Would you pray for the Lord to speak through his son and daughter so that lives will be transformed by the power of the gospel? And would you also pray that Annie's ministry as an “ambassador of Zumba” among international students would bear much fruit for eternity?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* All names have been changed.</span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-33816962951636503462023-09-07T10:37:00.000-04:002023-09-07T10:37:51.273-04:00 4 Leaders Who Had an Impact On My Life<p><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href=" 4 Leaders Who Had an Impact On Me" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0cc07dc9-7fff-3570-673c-985ec2ae6073"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back on the nearly five decades of life the Lord has granted me so far, I am taken aback by the way the Lord has used key brothers throughout my journey to shepherd me, train me, and advocate for me as a woman in ministry. I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for these allies. And I am certain that this is true for many sisters in leadership today.</span><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mind turns first to Dr. Trevor Craigen, a mentor at university who recommended I pursue formal theological education. I think of Dr. Daniel Green, my favourite seminary professor, who oversaw my internship in an inner-city church plant and who introduced me to the wonderful world of homiletics through my first two preaching courses. I graduated twenty years ago this May, and we still keep in touch, pray for one another, and get together when my family visits Chicago. And along the way, Dr. Green has become a trusted friend to my husband as well. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I could fill countless pages enumerating all the brothers who have invested in me and supported me over the years, I want to mention four in particular.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dan Thornton: An Exemplary Husband</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soon after my husband and I </span><a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ten-tips-for-discerning-digital-dating/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">met on a Christian singles site</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I learned that a top quality he was looking for in a partner was intelligence. Well, I’ve often teased him since that he should have been careful of what he prayed for because he might not have bargained for all that this package included!:) Seriously, though, from the moment we met in 2004, Dan has seen my strengths as a blessing to our partnership and calling to carry out our part in the Great Commission through leadership training. He has given me wings to soar in the exercise of my gifts when a lesser man would have clipped them. For the life companion God has graciously granted me I am eternally grateful.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nicolas Cotnoir: A Humble Shepherd</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the Lord led Dan and me to transition from Senegal to Montreal, he placed us in a family at Église Baptiste Évangélique Emmanuel. Our first impressions of pastor Nick and his wife Martha were promising, but the past five years have only confirmed that we made the right choice. No church is perfect, nor is any pastor. But more than a pastor, Nick has been a dear friend and sounding board for theological reflection. Much like my own husband, Nick has not seen me as a threat to his leadership, but as an asset, enlisting me to help lead the women’s ministry at our church and publicly acknowledging my contributions from the pulpit. And as my ministry and influence have grown beyond the four walls of Emmanuel, Nick has cheered me on and generously opened the doors of our church building so that we could hold SOLA: Femmes Scriptura events. What a joy to serve under a humble shepherd like Nick.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="silhouette of people on hill" class="tB6UZ a5VGX" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 910px) min(100%, 870px), (max-height: 755px) min(100%, 870px), (min-aspect-ratio: 4272/2848) calc((calc(100vh - 175px)) * 1.5), calc(100vw - 40px)" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1000&q=80" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=870&q=80 870w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1170&q=80 1170w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1470&q=80 1470w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1740&q=80 1740w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1770&q=80 1770w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2070&q=80 2070w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80 2340w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2370&q=80 2370w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2670&q=80 2670w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2940&q=80 2940w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2970&q=80 2970w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3270&q=80 3270w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3540&q=80 3540w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3570&q=80 3570w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3870&q=80 3870w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4140&q=80 4140w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4170&q=80 4170w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513759565286-20e9c5fad06b?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4272&q=80 4272w" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; aspect-ratio: 4272 / 2848; white-space: normal;" /></span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Florent Varak: An Influential Advocate</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not long after I began following the ministry of TPSG, I learned that Florent Varak and I had served at the same church in Los Angeles at the same time. I reached out to him and discovered that we shared a common mentor, Dr. Craigen. As we exchanged emails, I sought Florent’s counsel about growing in the exercise of my gifts through writing. It didn’t take long for him to suggest to Matt Giralt and Stéphane Kapitaniuk that they consider having me write for the blog. These brothers welcomed me warmly and took the time to integrate me into the family at TPSG. The rest, as they say, is history. If I have blessed anyone on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s thanks to the doors Florent opened for me. </span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yanick Ethier: A Visionary Leader</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Yanick approached me in May 2021 to offer me a position at SOLA, I could hardly believe it. I’d been training women Bible teachers on my own for the previous year or two, and the Lord had allowed me to network with like-minded sisters to create online Bible studies through my YouTube channel. The scope of my ministry, however, was limited by the small network of people I had access to as someone relatively new to the province. That’s when I learned of Yanick’s heart to strengthen the church in Quebec by raising up Christian women to serve alongside their brothers in Word work. As a result, SOLA: Femmes Scriptura was born. Since then, the Lord has allowed my team and me to equip countless women to unearth the treasures of God’s Word and transmit that truth to others throughout Quebec and beyond. And this is all possible thanks to the Lord giving Yanick a vision for the flourishing of his church through the partnership between brothers and sisters.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why share my personal stories in this fashion? Firstly, because I want to commend worthy men of God, giving honour where honour is due (Ro. 13:7). And, secondly, because some of you are husbands, fathers, pastors, and leaders. Your wives, daughters, sisters, and friends have gifts and callings with which they long to serve the church and the world. If you are in a position to do so, I want to invite you to encourage, counsel, equip, advocate for, and cheer them along in their calling. In return, you will find them to be your greatest fans and supporters in your own callings. May the Lord of the harvest grant us to partner together as brothers and sisters until he returns.</span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-77892365964119922242023-08-31T13:58:00.002-04:002023-08-31T13:58:15.064-04:00 7 Tips for Using Illustrations in Teaching<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/7-pistes-utilisation-illustrations-enseignement" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-56a8254b-7fff-a2c4-1c7e-63f0a428ffa0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">While preparing to serve in Senegal, I often heard it said that Africans loved stories and that I was, therefore, to use them often in teaching. I have since come to believe that this is not unique to Africans, nor to Latinos, nor to children, nor to non-literate people. Everyone loves a good story! And as I have grown over the years as a Bible teacher, I have come to believe that good illustrations make up an essential part of effective, faithful communication.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">The purpose of illustrations is not to entertain or to vary the rhythm of our teaching. It is to further the main point of our message in two ways: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By explaining, clarifying, and building understanding</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By stirring emotion.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This second one can sound shady, right? In a day and age when sermons in general and women’s ministry in particular are often focused on appealing to our emotions and felt needs, we may want to react by staying away from any appeal to our hearers' emotions. Yet that’s not what the Bible does. It often stirs the passions of its recipients. But it does so not to manipulate but to inspire both virtue and affection for Christ. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Think of your illustrations in two categories: Explanation that appeals to the mind, and emotion that appeals to the heart. Both are found in Scripture and God intends for us to wield them for the good of our hearers. The Psalms are full of both. The Psalter appeals to our emotions more than any other book of the Bible.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">For example, Psalm 19 opens with the stirring image of the heavens preaching a sermon to God’s people about the glory of God, in v. 1-6. Then, beginning in v. 7, David describes God’s law so as to inspire obedience.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Examples of Illustration</span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Here are some examples of Illustrations:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Stories</b> – Personal or from world history or current events.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Quotes</b> – Usually by an expert or someone with credibility on a subject.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Statistics</b> – Boring to some, but persuasive to others.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Jokes</b> – The Word of God is not a joke, and we shouldn’t trivialize it with our demeanour, but a good joke that makes a point from the text could help our hearers remember the point of our message.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Poems</b> - A long poem might be distracting, but a line or two could make a meaningful connection for our hearers.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Similes and metaphors</b> – Short and poignant, they paint a word picture. And, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!</span></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Advice on Using Illustration</span></span></h1><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Check your story.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Have you ever heard someone use an illustration that you knew was not factual? I have. It detracts from our credibility if we repeat urban legends as facts. If we’re going to recount a story that is not our own, we should make sure that it’s accurate. Let others do the fact-checking for you on sites such as <a href="http://Snopes.com">Snopes.com</a>. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Avoid complicated stories.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">If your illustration requires extensive explanation, it defeats the purpose. One example would be using a quote full of archaic language and theological terms that are beyond the grasp of our hearers. Or it could be employing a highly technical scientific or historical illustration that would take longer to set up and explain and could confuse more than clarify.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">3. </span></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be sensitive to your demographics.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">If all your illustrations are about marriage and parenting, your single and childless women and men will feel excluded. If all your illustrations are about your professional life, you’ll overlook your retired hearers, adolescents, or stay-at-home moms. The women and men in our churches are walking through a variety of ages and stages of life. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Teenagers are often facing tremendous peer pressure at school. University students are approaching a crossroads. Many parents of young children are investing much time and energy into their little ones. The parents of teens are seeing their kids deal with challenges they themselves never experienced. Empty nesters are longing to hear from their kids more often. Retired woman and men may be eager to invest in the lives of younger believers in the church. Widows and widowers wisened through suffering and loss may be your greatest prayer warriors. And the list goes on. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Also keep in mind that in our increasingly diverse church culture, we would do well to include stories that make our brothers and sisters of other cultures feel seen and heard. Whether they are ethnically French, autochthones, Canadian-born/European-born people of colour, immigrants who have recently arrived, or whether they are children of immigrants, they are part of the stunning tapestry of the family of God, and we want to make sure that we are sensitive to their realities as well. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Include vivid details.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">When we mention the time of day, the city, the temperature, etc., we transport people. We take them with us on location to the scene of our story. Here’s an example of what not to do:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">There was once a woman, I don’t remember her name, who was sick. I don’t remember with what, and she prayed. I don’t remember how long, and she got better. And I don’t remember how. God hears the cries of the afflicted (Ps 34).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This, of course, is ridiculous. But it’s easy to tell boring, insipid stories. Here’s a better example:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">My college roommate Jaime was 21 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It was our third year of university, final exams were approaching, and her radiation treatment couldn’t be delayed. She chose to pray, remain in school, and trust the Lord for her academic outcome and healing. Her treatment was successful, and she remains cancer-free 27 years later. God hears the cries of the afflicted (Ps 34).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><img alt="man near monitor" class="tB6UZ a5VGX" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 427px) min(100%, 387px), (max-height: 756px) min(100%, 387px), (min-aspect-ratio: 4000/6000) calc((calc(100vh - 175px)) * 0.666667), calc(100vw - 40px)" src="https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1000&q=80" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=387&q=80 387w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=687&q=80 687w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=774&q=80 774w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=987&q=80 987w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1287&q=80 1287w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1374&q=80 1374w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1587&q=80 1587w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1887&q=80 1887w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1974&q=80 1974w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2187&q=80 2187w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2487&q=80 2487w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2574&q=80 2574w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2787&q=80 2787w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3087&q=80 3087w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3174&q=80 3174w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3387&q=80 3387w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3687&q=80 3687w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3774&q=80 3774w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3987&q=80 3987w, https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1557896279-080cb03b9ca6?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=4000&q=80 4000w" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; aspect-ratio: 4000 / 6000; font-weight: 400;" /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Employ variety.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Personal stories are often the easiest to come up with because they don’t require any fact-checking and we can usually recount them from memory. But while such illustrations help us build rapport with our hearers, they can become predictable if it’s all we ever use. That having been said, I would distinguish between a story about my own life and that of someone I met whose story I then recount. I love telling stories about my years in Senegal and introducing my hearers to friends there because I find these accounts interesting, but I also believe that they help broaden my hearers’ worldview.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Avoid shining the spotlight on your loved ones.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">In my final year of seminary, I took an advanced preaching class in which I was the only woman. One brother’s sermon gave a message in which he depicted his wife in a mildly negative light. During the feedback time, I gently appealed to him to avoid any illustration that would give ammunition to those who would criticize a pastor’s wife. She already has a target on her back. I graduated twenty years ago, and I still keep in touch with this brother over Facebook. He recently told me that he thinks of my words every time he prepares a sermon, and his wife is all the more thankful for it.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Pastors’ kids also deserve to grow up without sermons shining the spotlight on them. Even if you ask them for permission, children don’t have the agency or maturity to refuse their parents. They will be the subject of great scrutiny by many who judge grown-ups’ ministry based on the behaviour of their kids. I’m told that some pastors have caused the relationship with their children long-term harm by divulging private matters about them from the pulpit.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. Avoid making yourself the hero.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Using personal illustrations is one thing. Always making ourselves look good when we do so is another. Self-deprecating stories in which God teaches us through our mistakes are far more edifying than those in which we come out on top by our own wit or strength. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><br /></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-23299015803471299692023-08-31T13:05:00.000-04:002023-08-31T13:05:07.821-04:00Summer 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/61af62c8bfa4/connecting-on-the-road-9390513" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/61af62c8bfa4/connecting-on-the-road-9390513" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="1194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZyPUPkpvhD-207XwNr9LpoxRbN91qohAuWYgG2Ag4Z0xCbkpoCgPU38NPtiSuNFVEV7qzY4hMfFna1ofFd5kb7BfMudtKfw-t-LsGA5jlrZvaz717K_beCXCM2y6_qv6b1JTHkMa9oX7pbkd0M24mue3Ql0eSXDAzLUeRl2-3DTqliA9Z8glegOn5AY/s16000/Screenshot%202023-08-31%20at%2012.57.44%20PM.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-79971423665003144742023-07-14T12:17:00.003-04:002023-11-02T14:13:39.965-04:00The Friend Who Forgives Written by Dan DeWitt and Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/recension-livre-ami-qui-pardonne" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This book designed for children ages 3-6 retells in simple, relatable terms, the story of Peter’s friendship with Jesus. Dan DeWitt, professor of Apologetics at Cedarville University, opens with Peter’s calling to make fishers of men and takes us all the way to his post-resurrection, fish-on-the-beach breakfast with Jesus. But the primary account he focuses on is the well-known story of Peter denying three times that he knows Jesus. This powerful lesson of grace, forgiveness, and restoration is something every disciple, young and old, will benefit from meditating upon.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDAYyOntOHYvLVkQBEBkZUg9jf6o4d2Gh0F2rRCGsVnExfwi278OJfq_Ru7bb2hKZTjaM3tTRYMo8i6BomejlPbxP2ZS9MIxkg63xlNKKSFFGW26UuVSbz9Rf1IqW8DJDJwtH01MIXDf6wuyD-plT9vZ1x7pjoxZowGhSdRD0INMvH02A8hP4xzQ1/s400/w400h392f1d.ad0e921d.b7bd07a2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDAYyOntOHYvLVkQBEBkZUg9jf6o4d2Gh0F2rRCGsVnExfwi278OJfq_Ru7bb2hKZTjaM3tTRYMo8i6BomejlPbxP2ZS9MIxkg63xlNKKSFFGW26UuVSbz9Rf1IqW8DJDJwtH01MIXDf6wuyD-plT9vZ1x7pjoxZowGhSdRD0INMvH02A8hP4xzQ1/w640-h628/w400h392f1d.ad0e921d.b7bd07a2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>To offer you a child’s perspective, here are some thoughts on the book from Evangeline, my 10 year-old daughter:</span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How would you summarize the story in your own words?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter was a sinner like us. He denied that he knew Jesus, his friend. He wondered if Jesus would forgive him. When Jesus forgave him, Peter went out into the world to preach the gospel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What did you like most about the story?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two things: </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I liked that every time Peter was asked if he knew Jesus, the author asks us, “Do you know what he said?” I like that because it’s asking a question that we should reflect on and ask ourselves.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like when it says in the story “Peter didn’t stay sad very long because Jesus didn’t stay dead very long.” I like that because it reflects us. We’re like Peter. We are going to be happy when Jesus returns.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What one lesson does this story teach you?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That we are like Peter, and some of us are shy to say that we know Jesus. But Jesus will always forgive us no matter what we do.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would you recommend this book to others?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, because it’s very encouraging to know that there’s someone out there who knows you and that cares for you.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find The Friend Who Forgives <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/the-friend-who-forgives-storybook" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-9205729422689760532023-07-03T11:44:00.001-04:002023-07-03T11:44:05.238-04:00The Big Wide WelcomeWritten by Trillia Newbell and Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/recension-livre-grand-accueil-formidable" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">In this book designed for children ages 3-6, the authors walk us through a story penned by James, the brother of Jesus. Juxtaposing how a church would welcome a rich man versus a poor man, we learn a powerful lesson about hospitality: At the feet of the cross, all are welcome!</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fc7f53de-7fff-b804-c386-74fd657c2a6a"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a soft spot for children’s books by the dynamic duo of Newbell and Echeverri. (See my review of their teamwork on God’s Very Good Idea.) They carefully craft both words and illustrations to tell one united story, employing allusions to historic moments or figures: from a bus with African Americans sitting in the back during the segregation era, to Pharaoh building his empire on the back of enslaved Hebrews. In one illustration highlighting the diversity of the body of Christ, they even include a drawing of a surfer with a missing arm, whom my daughter identified right away as Bethany Hamilton, a disciple of Jesus and world champion surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an age of such polarization, this refreshing short story will give parents tools to teach their kids the beauty of Christ’s multicultural, multilingual, multifaceted Church. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeFx_iSZiER73s0JNZldSZWkb2zEql3yyoG_eAYN62hF28OoEtJEr9DuIm8F08tzTdxP4jvq5aZoxIm5G367vAaD0C8aDWNbIqwvmehasDt7yV-6CjzxQyjBLLXSBP2Ym7i3-XuC7LpVUC3wm0y-6EjxZE-7VDT0P1V1LWgHgYuyIR37oHlfcn98i/s400/w400h392f1d.fbc39587.5238e7c2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeFx_iSZiER73s0JNZldSZWkb2zEql3yyoG_eAYN62hF28OoEtJEr9DuIm8F08tzTdxP4jvq5aZoxIm5G367vAaD0C8aDWNbIqwvmehasDt7yV-6CjzxQyjBLLXSBP2Ym7i3-XuC7LpVUC3wm0y-6EjxZE-7VDT0P1V1LWgHgYuyIR37oHlfcn98i/w640-h628/w400h392f1d.fbc39587.5238e7c2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>To offer you a child’s perspective, here are some thoughts on the book from Evangeline, my 10-year-old daughter:</span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How would you summarize the story in your own words?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never exclude people, even though they’re different or have a disability or don’t look the same. Because everyone deserves to be loved and cared for and we should be kind to everyone, even though they’re not always kind to us. We should act this way because Jesus could have let us die in our sin, but instead, he let us live in eternal life with him. Jesus taught us to love others and care for them even though they don’t look, act, or talk like us. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What did you like most about the story?</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like that they include people of different races, who speak different languages, who want and deserve to be loved. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like the drawings that show the rich man coming into the church and being able to sit in the front and being treated like a king and then a poor man coming in and being told to sit in the back and being treated like a stinky, worthless person. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like how they compared the heart of the rich man to the heart of the poor man. </span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What one lesson did this story teach you?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be kind and encouraging to people of different colours and who don’t have the same abilities as us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would you recommend this book to others?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, especially to people who are mean to those who are different, to help them maybe be nicer to those who are different colour or have a disability or come from a different country.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find it <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/the-big-wide-welcome-storybook" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-13429080760884673282023-06-26T15:09:00.001-04:002023-06-26T15:09:28.915-04:00June 2023 Edition of What's Up With DAT?!<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/6ec5ff453b0b/connecting-on-the-road-9359181" target="_blank">Here</a> it is!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/6ec5ff453b0b/connecting-on-the-road-9359181" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zgaVAuxUmFCkX2-Kv7JBMOTtFAV4eNc5iYEYQ0p8SH1ZgJc53YjA6V7eVgk7ylFmewENBXLH8rTTgyA6B1ia23ANCXV_MTgedp5jFxuF-N7UPl-xGMA99GqdtYnfhHd9rXlRDOVZqLJ5TOtcLEj5NnSdXIA4BURSHm3FSbX4jmlsCNFvDAVwrEDxjpA/w506-h640/Screenshot%202023-06-26%20at%203.08.14%20PM.png" width="506" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-49406872382546416562023-06-22T10:24:00.000-04:002023-06-22T10:24:51.365-04:00Polly and the Screen Time OverloadWritten by Betsy Childs Howard and Illustrated by Samara Hardy<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/recension-livre-emma-ecran" target="_blank">TPSG</a>. </i></span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d2b250bb-7fff-8444-0483-8ee5c0cd8352"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Betsy Howard Child, an editor for The Gospel Coalition, broaches a topic every Christian parent needs to discuss with their children. In the opening scene of this story designed for children ages 3-7, we learn that every year Polly spends the last week of July at her grandparents’ farm. She especially looks forward to moments with Grandma and Grandpa, her cousins Tom and Zoe, and the farm animals. And the opening event is a birthday celebration in her honour. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a slice of chocolate cake in hand, Polly opens the gift her Aunt Patty has sent: A tablet! She can hardly believe her eyes! Unable to contain her excitement over having access to her own device, Polly amuses herself on her screen all day and late into the night, ignoring her cousins and forgetting all about her promise to help feed the animals. She finally comes to her senses when her screen goes black because the battery is dead. She realizes how much she cherishes playing in the barn with Tom and Zoe and enjoying her grandparents' company over meals or while helping with chores around the farm. In the process, she learns that investing in relationships with loved ones brings far more joy than isolating herself indoors on a screen.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVc86w3ZEF4JCd75pbOuNDfCfhbInxqdCBDMlhBwt0rGcogoviu-WtH0rhyGNbpsClV_fyQGnrVF3WmyPWf3XJ1gxXnbpZ_stDSbBHP0Y99nsT0QBjAnppJ4jAh8I2lQ66dwChRJuAZ3mWZ32GkAiGQzmZV-NQb2H6UVpHT_hIOzmaRB3nkFmj4EE/s984/Screenshot%202023-06-03%20at%2012.36.21%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="984" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVc86w3ZEF4JCd75pbOuNDfCfhbInxqdCBDMlhBwt0rGcogoviu-WtH0rhyGNbpsClV_fyQGnrVF3WmyPWf3XJ1gxXnbpZ_stDSbBHP0Y99nsT0QBjAnppJ4jAh8I2lQ66dwChRJuAZ3mWZ32GkAiGQzmZV-NQb2H6UVpHT_hIOzmaRB3nkFmj4EE/w640-h512/Screenshot%202023-06-03%20at%2012.36.21%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The book concludes with a note from the author containing advice for parents to help kids develop wise use of screens. These two pages alone are worth the price of the book! They provide moms and dads with practical suggestions on how to model and discuss screen use in a way that equips our little ones to make good choices so that they have control over their devices rather than being controlled by them. You’ll find it <a href="https://www.crossway.org/books/polly-and-the-screen-time-overload-case/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-24453813633111034472023-06-15T10:20:00.001-04:002023-06-15T10:20:46.434-04:00His Grace is EnoughWritten by Melissa Krueger and Illustrated by Isobel Lundie<p><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/grace-dieu-suffit-melissa-krueger" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</span></i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1a9f746f-7fff-bdc8-08bd-8498d27fd29a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this story designed for children ages 3-7 by Melissa Krueger, vice president of discipleship programming at The Gospel Coalition. Its title summarizes its message succinctly – God’s grace truly is enough! To the invisible little Pharisee living inside every single one of us, young and old, this is a refreshing, life-giving message that will strengthen the faith of all who read it. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">To offer you a child’s perspective, here are some thoughts on the book from Evangeline, my 10 year-old daughter:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">How would you summarize the story in your own words?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">When you do something wrong, God always knows and sometimes your parents do. You shouldn’t run away. You should tell them and say sorry, and hopefully, that will help. You shouldn’t try to get good grades to try to cover everything up. Your parents will teach you about the Lord and help you get far away from sin. Even though you disobey your parents, which means you disobey God, God still forgives you. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyh9vQoz5sICa9qkN6O6cz7UvLEPBB7nocP738kbTo1gw7Jruidq01V3X2LvT52upfFGFAuO0vNAuT5MppzU7XwVaxiegpeptDXNmlZj6iHqgoTAazjlQZHaYnxQ0hgTOXqevDLvzervaPz5D5faNeHOQEgVLdXPD-8dfvLry9fL5aB7TlSj0U5zd/s812/Screenshot%202023-06-03%20at%2012.29.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="608" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyh9vQoz5sICa9qkN6O6cz7UvLEPBB7nocP738kbTo1gw7Jruidq01V3X2LvT52upfFGFAuO0vNAuT5MppzU7XwVaxiegpeptDXNmlZj6iHqgoTAazjlQZHaYnxQ0hgTOXqevDLvzervaPz5D5faNeHOQEgVLdXPD-8dfvLry9fL5aB7TlSj0U5zd/w480-h640/Screenshot%202023-06-03%20at%2012.29.52%20PM.png" width="480" /></a></div></span><p></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">What did you like most about the story?</span></span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">That it repeats one phrase several times: Wherever you go, whatever you do, repeat again and again, God’s grace is enough. It’s so big and so free.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">That even if we disobey our parents, we’re still able to say sorry and turn back from our sins. It’s encouraging for kids to know that because we usually sin.</span></span></p></li></ol><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">What one lesson does this story teach you?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">That even though we sin a lot, we are forgiven through Jesus. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Would you recommend this book to others?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Yes, I would recommend it to kids to know that their parents and God are able to forgive them if they sin.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">You can find it <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/his-grace-is-enough" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></p><br />Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621282603836940445.post-59248907259402104192023-06-08T13:00:00.001-04:002023-06-08T13:00:23.424-04:00 God’s Very Colorful CreationBy Tim Thornborough and Illustrated by Jennifer Davison<span id="docs-internal-guid-287eb947-7fff-1929-2a91-dc41d6de20d3"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><i>This article was first published in French at <a href="https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/creation-couleurs-dieu" target="_blank">TPSG</a>.</i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s your favorite colour?” I must have heard this question a hundred times from the lips of my daughters when they were little. Like most children, they loved to colour and enjoyed having a great variety of markers, so that they could fill their sketchbooks with all the diversity their minds could imagine.</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God Loves to Colour!</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God, too, loves to colour! And he demonstrates this in the way he splashes his canvas with every colour conceivable. Aren’t we glad God doesn’t create the world in black and white? He fills the universe with vibrant colours of every shade of the rainbow!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this storybook written for children ages 2-4, Tim Thornborough and Jennifer Davison bring to life the creation account by focusing on all the colours with which God paints the heavens and the earth.</span></p><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><img alt="God's Very Colourful Creation" data-large="https://files.thegoodbook.com/img/1PDmIkQLPwdcBV680-DbkGqkvopZHpfB9/w600.f09bfc70.e9a44566.jpg" height="627" src="https://files.thegoodbook.com/img/1PDmIkQLPwdcBV680-DbkGqkvopZHpfB9/w400h392f1d.f09bfc70.c36c1c5e.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; cursor: pointer;" width="640" /></span></span></div><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lessons Beyond Language Acquisition</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For any parent wanting to teach their little ones their colours, the descriptive range of colours named on its pages allows kids to learn far more than the seven colours of the rainbow. As I read this book in French, I learned some new terms myself! But beyond serving as a language lesson, this dazzling display of every hue imaginable highlights the glory of God’s design in creation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walking the reader through each of the seven days of creation, Thornborough and Davison hone in on the bright and beautiful work of God’s hands, from sky and oceans and mountains and trees, to a panoply of birds, fish, and land animals. Each one displaying the wonder of God’s good work. </span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Colorful Crown of His Creation</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God saves the best for last, creating man and woman in his image. He calls them to multiply and fill the earth. And in so doing, God creates humans with many skin tones and hair colours. And he declares that it is good, very good!</span></p><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diversity is God’s Idea</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The central message of this beautifully illustrated children’s book is that diversity is God’s idea. He makes every colour of the rainbow, and he makes every shade of skin tone known to humanity. What an important way to introduce our little ones to the wonderful diversity of God’s creation and of humanity in simple terms. Find "God’s Very Colorful Creation" <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/gods-very-colorful-creation" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Speaking of which, try not to cry as you watch </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSD7-TgUmUY" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this</span></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> video of a grandpa seeing colours for the first time in his life).</span></p></span></span>Angie Velasquez Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15770379099839751865noreply@blogger.com0