One Little Word newsletter - January 10, 2023
Implications of Ukraine support, the war on energy, finding joy during a culture war, and America's true divide
Hello friends,
I trust you are, like me, emerging from the Christmas season and starting to get back into a rhythm of work and school and everything else that might be on your plate. For me, it started a bit sooner as I’m currently teaching a winter ethics class here at Texas Baptist College. I’m enjoying the interaction with the students as we discuss what it means to take seriously Jesus’ words that “if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).
This is a full season for me, with teaching and several upcoming projects and events at The Land Center. I’m also excited about my new writing cohort, a partnership with my friend Chad Poe at Through Line Cohort. If you are interested in improving your craft or are just wondering how to take the next step to get published, I’d love for you to join us. There are still some slots open. I’m also in the proofing stage for my book, Agents of Grace which will release from Zondervan in May. Stay tuned for this.
And if you missed it, I have two recent articles that might interest you. First, I wrote a column for USA Today on the reaction to Damar Hamlin and our instinct toward prayer:
What is it that causes us to reach for prayer in these moments? What is it about the power of faith to help us make sense of tragedy, loss and fear? Perhaps it is because we are forced to acknowledge that even in a modern age, even with the wonder of technology and the promises of cutting-edge medicine, human life is fragile. We are often helpless and hopeless. The Christian story says that our instinct to gasp at the fragility of human life is natural. The Apostle James wrote that life is but a “vapor” that is here quickly and then vanishes (James 4:14).
And here is a column for World in which I try to debunk the idea that you can’t legislate morality:
Every piece of legislation reflects someone’s morality, from anti-human trafficking laws to laws against murder and sexual assault. Every law reflects our collective judgment on what is moral and immoral.
And I had my good friend, Collin Hansen, on the The Way Home podcast last week where we discussed his newest book Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation.
What I’m reading:
Richard Land has a compelling case for supporting Ukraine.
Patti Davis, daughter of Ronald Reagan, writes a good word on truth, silence, and Harry’s revenge tour.
This is an excellent and important piece by John Shelton on the impact of high energy prices on the poor.
Trevin Wax writes about joy we find in Christ in the midst of a decaying world:
"Resentment will not heal an ailing society; it only adds salt to the wound. The world needs the church to embody serious joy, a rock-ribbed assurance that the truth has set us free in a world that falls for falsehood."
Ben Sasse’s article on civic pluralists vs political zealots is worth the read.
Trillia J. Newbell’s 52 Weeks In The Word: A Companion For Reading Through The Bible In A Year is a great book. Go get it and jumpstart your Bible reading.
Books I’m reading:
Gospel People by Michael Reeves
The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, The Cold War, and The World on the Brink By William Inboden