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Walk This Road – Doobie Brothers
*** ½

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Doobie Brothers celebrate their 54th anniversary as a band with the release of Walk This Road, their sixteenth album, and their first of new material with Michael McDonald since 1980’s One Step Closer.  The album, which was produced by John Shanks, features ten new songs, including “Lahaina” featuring Mick Fleetwood and Jake Shimabukuru, which was released in 2023.
McDonald, who rejoined the band for their 50th anniversary tour, which we saw in Peoria June 24, 2023, makes his presence known from the beginning notes of the title song, which features Mavis Staples. He also sings lead on “Learn to Let Go”, “The Kind That Lasts”, and “Speed of Pain”. McDonald joins cofounders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons and guitarist John McFee, an on-and-off member since 1980.

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More of this reviewMusic NewsSong of the Week Lyrics ~ Oh, What High and Holy Privilege by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

The album contains a balance of rock, soul, pop and adult contemporary, and the band’s harmonies sound great. In addition to the title song, and McDonald’s songs, I enjoyed “New Orleans” (perhaps the song that sounds most like pre-McDonald Doobies), and “Angels and Mercy”

Quality Christian Music 2025: 15 Artists to Watch. Brett McCracken writes “Every summer for the last seven years, I’ve released a list of quality Christian artists who I think should be on your radar (and playlists), if they aren’t already.”Worship Leader, Tell the Whole Story. Kevin King writes “To convey the full story, worship leaders ought to aim for songs that convey (1) the glory of God, (2) our need for his grace, (3) his provision of that grace, and (4) our mission in response. Without each of these elements in your regular worship, your church will sing an incomplete gospel.”Wait. Here is the radio version of “Wait”, from Matt Maher.God Did It. Here is a new version of TobyMac’s “God Did It”, featuring Jamie MacDonald.

Oh, What High and Holy Privilege by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

This week’s song of the week is “Oh, What High and Holy Privilege, written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Bryan Fowler, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. Each verse of the song takes you through a different element of the worship service – from gathering, to prayer, singing, reading scripture and preaching, communion and benediction. Listen to the song here.

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Once again to gather here
In the name of our Lord Jesus
As we see His Day draw near
May we join in joyful rev’rence
With thanksgiving, faith and love
As He welcomes in His people
To the throne of grace above
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Voices raised in prayer and praise
Boldly bringing great petitions
Gladly singing hymns of faith
May His grace at work among us
Cleanse and heal us from our sin
That our prayers may not be hindered
And our praises honor Him
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Hearing from the word of God
Heaven speaks in perfect wisdom
Earth responds and stands in awe
Do our hearts not burn within us
As we see God’s promises
Find their final yes in Jesus
Leading us to righteousness!
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
This communion that we share
With the Father, Son, and Spirit
And His people everywhere
As we go with God’s great blessing
In the keeping of His grace
Go in peace to love and service
Till we join again in praise
As we go with God’s great blessing
In the keeping of His grace
Go in peace to love and service
Till we join again in praise
Till we join again in praise

How Should I Approach Suffering? by R.C. Sproul. Ligonier Ministries. 87 pages. 2025
*** ½

The Crucial Questions booklets by R.C. Sproul provide a quick introduction to definitive Christian truths. These booklets are adapted from previous writings and teachings by Sproul. All of the Crucial Questions booklets are free in the Kindle edition, and available for a small amount in the print edition. You can see all of the ebooks in the series here.
Sproul tells us that suffering is one of the most significant challenges to any believer’s faith. He tells us that the promise of God is that He will never put more on us than we can bear. What is difficult to bear without Christ is made far more bearable with Christ.
Scripture admonishes us not to think that it is a strange or unusual thing that we should suffer. Our suffering has a purpose. For the Christian, suffering is never an exercise in futility.

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BOOK REVIEWS ~ More of this review…
BOOK NEWS ~ Links to Interesting Articles
BOOK CLUB ~ Truths We Confess by  R.C. Sproul
I’M CURRENTLY READING….

Jesus Himself promises His people that they will have tribulation. They will have afflictions. Sproul tells us that God uses tribulation, He uses our pain, not simply to punish us but to polish us, to sanctify us. God doesn’t promise that we will never go through the valley of the shadow of death. What He does promise us is that He will go with us. Whatever God summons us to endure, will fall far short of what Jesus experienced.
Sproul writes that we are given both the duty and the privilege to participate in the suffering of Christ. Because we suffer with Him, we will also be raised with Him. Because of Christ, our suffering is not useless. It is part of the total plan of God, who has chosen to redeem the world through the pathway of suffering.
God has promised that all things that happen in this world—all pain, all suffering, all tragedies—are but for a moment, and that He works in and through these events for the good of those who love Him. Those who understand God’s sovereignty have joy even in the midst of suffering, a joy reflected on their very faces, for they see that their suffering is not without purpose.
Sproul tells us that God does not always will healing, and that ultimate healing comes through death and after death. His promise is not only that He will go with us into the valley. Even more important is His promise of what lies on the other side of the valley.
The book ends with a look at dying in faith and the final judgment. Sproul tells us that according to Christ, the worst possible thing that can befall us is to die in our sins. And the only possible way for an unjust person to stand in the presence of a just and holy God is to be justified. If we remain unjustified, we die in our sins. The only way that we can be justified is by the righteousness of Christ, and that righteousness is received by faith.
Sproul tells us that there are only two ways of dying. We can die in faith or we can die in our sins. There are no second chances after death, and the urgent focus of Scripture is on the necessity of repentance before we die.
I recommend the Crucial Questions booklets for a quick (two hours of less) look at many important topics from R.C. Sproul, who was known for communicating in a clear and easy to understand manner.

Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold. My wife Tammy has published a book about HOW to study the Bible. The book is available on Amazon in both a Kindle and paperback edition. She writes “Maybe you have read the Bible but want to dig deeper and know God and know yourself better. Throughout the book I use the analogy of making a quilt to show how the Bible is telling one big story about what God is doing in the world through Christ. Quilting takes much patience and precision, just like studying the Bible, but the end result is well worth it.”A Little Theology of Exercise. Tim Challies reviews A Little Theology of Exercise by David Mathis. He writes “There is lots I appreciate about A Little Theology of Exercise.”

Won’t you read along with us?

We are reading through Truths We Confess: A Systematic Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith by R.C. Sproul. From the Ligonier description:

“The Westminster Confession of Faith is one of the most precise and comprehensive statements of biblical Christianity, and it is treasured by believers around the world. R.C. Sproul has called it one of the most important confessions of faith ever penned, and it has helped generations of Christians understand and defend what they believe.

In Truths We Confess, Dr. Sproul introduces readers to this remarkable confession, explaining its insights and applying them to modern life. In his signature easy-to-understand style and with his conviction that everyone’s a theologian, he provides valuable commentary that will serve churches and individual Christians as they strive to better understand the eternal truths of Scripture. As he walks through the confession line by line, Dr. Sproul shows how the doctrines of the Bible—from creation to covenant, sin to salvation—fit together to the glory of God. This accessible volume is designed to help you deepen your knowledge of God’s Word and answer the question, What do you believe?”

This week we look at WCF 32: Of the State of Men after Death, and of the
Resurrection of the Dead. Here are a few helpful quotes from the chapter:

As we enter into glory, we enter into the state of sinlessness. There will be no sin there.The beatific vision is the ultimate joy and delight for which we were created in the first place.Some define hell as the absence of God. But the Bible teaches that the most tormenting thing for the sinner in hell is not the absence of God but His presence.All people will have their bodies raised in the last judgment. The redeemed will have their bodies raised so that they may enjoy the glorious, honorable resurrection for all eternity. The bodies of the unjust will also be raised by Christ, but to dishonor.Jesus warns that there will be a last judgment and that every human being will appear before the throne of God and be held accountable for his life. God will judge each one of us according to the standard of His own righteousness.

A membership interview is one of my favorite tasks as an elder. It is here that I get to hear people’s stories by asking them how the Lord has worked in their lives. In other words, how did the Lord draw them to Him.
I see the beauty of local church membership. Not all churches have formal membership. I believe that the Bible supports church membership, but that is not what this article is about. Perhaps we can address it at another time.
Our denomination, a conservative Presbyterian denomination, takes membership seriously. To become a member, you need to complete an interview with two elders. I have been an elder in our denomination for nearly thirty years. In short, elders shepherd and rule (or lead). Our other ordained office is deacon. Deacons focus on service and mercy.

To become a member, you don’t have to agree with every jot and tittle of doctrine of our church and denomination. Usually, those wanting to become members attend a membership class before agreeing to move forward with an interview. In the interview, to the best of our ability, we try to ascertain that the individual is a Christian, a true believer in Christ.
Our church has been blessed to see significant growth the past few years. This is due in no small part to a college ministry that has a presence on the campus of the two universities in our community. While not all of the recent membership interviews I’ve done recently can be connected to this college ministry, many can. It is amazing to hear how laborers in this ministry have impacted so many college students.
As I write this, I think of an interview I had yesterday. The young man’s brother, several years older than him, had been involved with the college ministry many years ago. When the younger brother reached out to his brother about groups to check out when he was new on campus last fall, his brother told him about the college ministry, and told him to look up a certain leader. The rest, as they say is history. The young man is now on fire for the Lord.
The man being interviewed mentioned another young man, who had been a good friend in his early days on campus. It turns out that I had interviewed his friend just two days earlier. That young man told us that he had met a leader from the college ministry his first day on campus.
What a joy it is to hear the stories of those who come seeking membership at our church. I always come away encouraged. And thank the Lord for those who are laboring for the Gospel on college campuses.

Take a minute to watch Voddie Baucham’s testimoney:  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CNQhDRNF2TY

Eleanor the Great, rated PG-13
****

Eleanor the Great is a powerful film about the importance of friendship in our lives. The film is directed by two-time Oscar nominee (Marriage Story, Jojo Rabbit), Scarlett Johansson in her directorial debut. It was written by Tory Kamen.
Eleanor Morgenstein, played by Oscar nominee June Squibb (Nebraska), is a 94-year-old woman living in Florida with her good friend and fellow widow Bessie Stern, played by Rita Zohar. Eleanor listens as Bessie recounts the horrors of surviving the Holocaust. When Bessie suddenly dies, Eleanor moves back to New York to live with her daughter Lisa, played by Emmy nominee Jessica Hecht (Special), and grandson Max, played by Will Price.
Eleanor is immediately seen as a burden by her daughter, who quickly looks for a place for her mother to move to. In the meantime, she tries to find things for Eleanor to do during the day.

***SPOILER ALERT***
Eleanor ends up sitting in a support group for Holocaust survivors, which she is not, but she begins telling Bessie’s story as if it were hers. Nina Davis, played by Erin Kellyman, is a nineteen-year-old college journalism student at New York University, doing research on Holocaust survivors. She lives with her father Roger Davis, played by Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), a popular news anchor. Both are grieving over their mother/wife’s death six months ago.
Although Eleanor initially rejects Nina’s request for an interview about her experience as a Holocaust survivor, she eventually agrees, and the two develop a close bond. This helps both of them – Nina as she is grieving the loss of her mother, and Eleanor who is grieving the loss of her good friend Bessie.
*********************
The film deals with the weighty themes of aging, loneliness, lies, suffering, Jewish identity, grief, and ultimately the importance of friendship. Squibb delivers a potentially Oscar-worthy performance as Eleanor. Zohar was excellent as Bessie, and Kellyman delivered a strong performance as Nina.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, rated PG-13
*** ½

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a pleasing ending to the television and film franchise about the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in England. The film was directed by Simon Curtis (Downton Abbey: A New Era), and was written by Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park). It is the sequel to 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, and is the third, and presumably final, Downton Abbey film.
The film takes place in 1930, a year after the stock market crash, in London and Yorkshire. Long-time fans of the television series will be pleased to see most of the loved characters from the series returning (Dame Maggie Smith, to whom the film is dedicated, died in 2024).

The film deals with the fallout from the public announcement of Lady Mary Talbot, played by Michelle Dockery, and Henry Talbot’s divorce. In addition, there are several changes taking place including the retirements of Charles Carson, played by Jim Carter, and Beryl Patmore, played by Lesley Nicol. Finances are also an issue, as Cora’s brother Harold, played by two-time Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers, Cinderella Man), from America deals with financial failure as a result of bad decisions by Gus Sambrook, played by Alessandro Nivola.
The sets and costumes in the film are excellent as always. There is an implied sexual encounter between Lady Mary and Gus Sambrook, and the homosexuality of Guy Dexter, played by Dominic West, Thomas Barrow, played by Robert James Collier, and Noël Coward, played by Arty Froushan is lightly touched on.
The film was well-made (acting, directing, sets), and is fitting end to the much-loved Downton Abbey television series and films.

As I write this, I’ve just watched the memorial service for John MacArthur. You can watch it here beginning at the 11-minute mark. I’ve written before about my appreciation for John MacArthur. You can read my article “Why I Love John MacArthur here.
The loss of MacArthur follows the recent loss of other giants in the Reformed/Evangelical camp. R.C. Sproul died in 2017 and Tim Keller in 2023. Sadly, there have also been men, who through their sin, have disqualified themselves from ministry. Among the giants still remaining are John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, and Alistair Begg, all of whom are in their 70’s.
As we considered the loss of MacArthur, I was talking to my long-time pastor about who the leaders of the future would be. With so many of the giants departing, who will take up the mantle? Who will be the next Charles Spurgeon, or Martyn Lloyd-Jones? His response was to look to the faithful pastors who labor in the local church.
The Bible has qualifications for pastors listed in two places – 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9. Those qualifications are primarily character related, rather than skills a man has to possess.
In 1 Timothy 3: 1-7, Paul tells us that if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. He then writes:
“Therefore, an overseer (or pastor, or elder), must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
In Titus 1: 5-9, Paul adds:
“If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
Those that faithfully meet these qualifications are true giants. They will likely never speak at a major conference, write a best-selling book, or have hundreds of thousands of social media followers.
In 1 Peter 5:2, Peter gives this charge to faithful pastors:
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

I am thankful for faithful pastors.

Glorifying God with Our Bodies Isn’t About What We Don’t Do. David Mathis writes “Glorifying God in our bodies isn’t mainly about what we avoid and don’t do with them. It’s far more about what we do with them—where we go with our feet, what we do with our hands to help others, and what we say with our mouths to give meaning to the acts of our bodies.”When Weakness Overwhelms Us. Joni Eareckson Tada writes “Our call to suffer for the sake of Jesus comes from a God who is tender beyond description. In your pain and weakness, he is nearer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), he heeds your cry of affliction (Psalm 9:12), he treasures all your tears (Psalm 56:8), and he’ll reward your endurance with all the joy eternity can muster (2 Corinthians 4:17). Perhaps best of all, if we suffer with him, “we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Oh, the joy!”

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More interesting article linksFavorite Quotes of the Week

Living Pure in a Corrupting Screen Age. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the following question “I have been learning a lot about the conscience lately, and how some things affect me in varying degrees compared to other Christians. I know I cannot pass judgment on those who do not share my convictions of conscience on things that are not inherently sinful. But I do struggle to apply my convictions to group settings. Specifically, constantly watching television and playing video games as an adult weigh heavy on my conscience. These are the things my family, whom I still live with, and my friends maintain as part of their daily lifestyles. So, how do I live in a space that does not share my convictions with love and grace — and especially when it comes to screens?”Was My Pre-Faith Suffering Discipline or Justice? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast John Piper responds to the question “My question is about God’s fatherly chastening in Proverbs 3:11–12. How do we distinguish his chastening from the decay and difficulties that result from this sin-filled world?”Silent Women, Speaking Women. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, ‘I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.’ I’m trying to understand exactly what Paul is forbidding here. Does this mean women should never teach men, even in Bible studies or classrooms? Is he only referring to the formal role of pastors or elders? What about women sharing insights or asking questions in small-group discussions?”How Attractive Women Abuse Their Beauty. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the questions: “As a woman living in a culture that heavily emphasizes physical beauty, I find Proverbs 11:22striking and convicting. ‘Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.’ Could you explain the meaning behind this metaphor? And more personally, how can I discern whether I am prioritizing external beauty over godly character? What practical steps can I take to guard my heart against the temptation to focus on appearance at the expense of wisdom and discretion?”How Can I Correct Others Gently? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to a question that reads in part “Paul instructs us to correct opponents with gentleness, hoping that God may grant them repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). But when I look around — especially online — it seems like so much correction, even from Christians, is harsh, sarcastic, or aggressive.  How do we correct with gentleness without compromising truth?”We Can’t Endure on Our Own. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to a question that can be summarized as “I was reflecting on 1 Corinthians 10:13, which speaks of God providing a way out of temptation, and I began thinking about Jesus’s crucifixion, particularly the moment when Simon was made to carry Jesus’s cross. Could it be that in our lowest points, when we are tempted beyond our capacity to bear, God’s provision — whether through his direct help or through others — gives us what we need to keep going?”The High Price of Watching Nudity. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper addresses the question that reads in part “Lust fuels so much of Western media. So, Pastor John, what are your convictions here? How do you personally navigate this culture while honoring Christ’s call to purity?”How Much Church Can I Miss to Serve? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “Is it appropriate to miss the service if you’re serving in another area of the church, such as the nursery? I’ve heard one of my pastors suggest alternating weeks between attending the worship service and volunteering. While I understand that serving can be an act of worship, according to Romans 12:1, I am struggling to make peace with the idea of missing the service. Is attending the worship service and sitting under the teaching of the pastor, say, fifty percent of the time truly enough?”What Is the Gospel, Really? Responding to John Mark Comer and Scot McKnight. John Mark Comer and New Testament scholar Scot McKnight take issue with how the gospel is often articulated in evangelical circles. Michael Horton responds to these concerns and critiques and gives his own assessment of what they call the “King Jesus Gospel.”Glorifying God in 1,000 Decisions a Day. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “I’m curious about the balance between fate, hearing the voice of God, and our own power in decision-making. In Acts, the apostles drew lots to replace Judas (Acts 1:20–26), and we see God speaking to individuals in various ways (Acts 9:3–20). While God clearly speaks to people in different ways, there are also decisions he seems to leave to us, like whether to have turkey or chicken on a sandwich. Where do you see the balance between these elements, and how can a believer know which to follow when making decisions?”

One Pentecost Was Enough. Patrick Schreiner writes “Recently, Jesus Culture—a well-known worship group connected to Bethel Church in California—posted a clip on Xof a song they released today. The lyrics repeatedly declare, “We need another Pentecost.” This simple refrain raises an important theological question: Is this how we should think about Pentecost? Should Christians be praying for another one? Or has God already given us what we’re asking for?”Easing Comer’s Fears on Penal Substitution. John Mark Comer recently expressed his concerns about the core doctrine of penal substitution atonement. Derek Rishmawy tries to ease them here. “I want to review some good biblical and historic answers to these concerns, so we might rest more assured in the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit’s work to save us in Christ’s death in our place.”New Podcast on the Nicene Creed. ByFaith is launching a new podcast, “What Christians Believe,” examining the Nicene Creed. Each episode examines a different line of the creed to understand its meaning and ongoing significance for Christians. This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, from which the Nicene Creed emerged.The Worst Gospel Misunderstandings. Michael Horton joins Tim Keller and missiologist Alan Hirsch to discuss how today’s culture is redefining core doctrines in therapeutic terms. Sin, grace, and even salvation are recast as recovery or self-affirmation, rather than deliverance through Christ.

The Memorial Service for John MacArthur. Watch the memorial service for John MacArthur, which took place August 24. Alistair Begg, Joni Eareckson Tada, Keith and Kristyn Getty and Sinclair Ferguson, among others, participated in the service.

We should be careful about the words of the music we sing and ensure that those words communicate truth. R.C. Sproul A Christian has never finished his education till he stands before the golden throne of God. Charles SpurgeonHe that will play with Satan’s bait will quickly be taken with Satan’s hook. Thomas Brooks“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Charles SpurgeonGood friends help one another know, love, serve, and resemble Jesus. Tim KellerThe most miserable person in the world is the half committed Christian; just enough into God to be miserable in the world, but just enough into the world to be miserable in God. Charles SpurgeonThe gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. Tim KellerOf all the doctrines of the Bible none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. J.C. RyleIf the Lord wants to surprise his people, he has only at once to give an answer to their prayers. Charles Spurgeon

Faith and Work News ~ Links to Interesting Articles

Key Ways to Increase Our Awareness of God’s Presence at Work. Joshua Nangle writes “Proverbs 3:5-10provides timeless truths for raising our awareness of the presence of God in all of life, including in our work. Several principles can be gleaned from this passage, but there are three that call for attention here. When applied, these principles will help us work with God rather than only working for God. He is Lord, but he desires to work with us in our careers.”A Leader Worth Following. My new book A Leader Work Following: 40 Key Leadership Attributes and Applications to Masteris available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. Read a sample of the book (found under the book cover in the above link).Your Work Is an Apologetic. Jacqueline Isaacs shares the third installment in a series on work as an apologetic.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

More links to interesting articlesThe Top 10 Faith and Work Quotes of the WeekFaith and Work Book Review ~ Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom NelsonQuotes from the book Creation Regained: Biblical Basis for a Reformational Worldview by Albert Wolters

Is My Gen AI Work Responsible for Job Loss? Jacob Anderson responds to the question “Should I work on a job that involves generative artificial intelligence? I feel responsible for artists (e.g., graphic designers) losing their jobs.”What Do Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians Teach us About Work? In this article, Russ Gehrlein collates over 20 excerpts from nearly every chapter of his book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Professionthat highlight what the Apostle Paul teaches us about the theology of work in his two epistles to the Corinthians.Work Is Cursed. We Need the Gospel. Anton Ivanov writes “It doesn’t matter what work you do—if you’re a Christian, you’ll seek to do all things in a worthy manner.”3 Beautiful Benefits in the New Book Faith & Work. John Pletcher writes “Upon reading and contemplating  Faith & Work: Galvanizing Your Church for Everyday Impact , by Melissa Wallace and Lauren Gill, we discover three beautiful benefits that I’d like to explore.”Is AI Going to Take My Job? A Christian Response to Technological Disruption. Taylor Barkley writes ““We shouldn’t be naive about AI’s power or potential risks. But we can approach this technology with confidence rather than fear, wisdom rather than panic, and hope rather than despair.”Working and Abiding in the Presence of God. Joshua Nangle writes “The best way we can glorify God through our work is by seeking his presence in our work.”Called to Lead. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace is available in both a paperback and Kindle edition. Read a free sample (Introduction through Chapter 2).Biblical Guidelines for You and Your Boss. Russ Gehrlein writes “If Christian employers and employees make efforts to do and say what God commands his people to do and say at work, I think we would experience a lot less of the nasty thorns and thistlesthat naturally come with the territory in this time in which we live, in between Jesus’ first and second coming.”Scottie’s Secret. Dan Darling writes “The world’s best golfer isn’t saying his vocation is meaningless. He’s sharing a powerful (and ancient) lesson on how to order our loves.”

Top 10 Faith and Work Quotes of the Week

Christians have more in Jesus than just a spiritual leader; we have a practical and effective leadership model for all organizations, for all people, for all situations. Ken Blanchard and Phil HodgesGod does not need our good works, but our neighbor does. Martin Luther The only Christian work is good work well done. Dorothy SayersThere is wonderful hope beyond the weekend. It involves that very special assignment to which God has called us: our work. And it begins next Monday. John Beckett Not many of us claim to be God, but our unrealistic expectations for our work, our children, our bodies, our churches—for just about every aspect of our lives—show that we actually do imagine that we are God. We act as if we should never grow tired or weary, that we could and should always do more and be more. Kelly KapicEvery disciple of Jesus is called to be a minister of the gospel in his or her workplace. Wherever we are engaged in the efforts of his kingdom, we are acting as ministers administrating God’s goodwill on earth as it is in heaven. Dallas WillardDo not be discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position or your work, remain in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first concern be to glorify God to the best of your ability where you are. Charles SpurgeonOur leadership legacy is not just limited to what we accomplished, but it includes what we leave behind in the hearts and minds of those with whom we had a chance to teach and work. Ken Blanchard and Phil HodgesSabbatical is a way to structure time in early retirement to heal past wounds, seek God’s voice, and find God’s call for the next season of life. It’s the time to ask the honest question “God, what are You calling me to do in retirement?” Jeff Haanen

FAITH AND WORK BOOK REVIEW:

Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom Nelson. Brazos Press. 210 pages. 2025
****

I have enjoyed each of the author’s books, including his 2011 book Work Matters. The author, a pastor and founder of the Made to Flourish organization, writes that much has changed in the world and in the world of work since the publication of that book which needs thoughtful reflection. In this new edition of Work Matters, the author has added some additional wisdom he has gained as a result of being immersed in, and having a voice in, the broader faith and work conversation.
The book is organized as follows:
Chapters 1-5 – The author explores God’s work story.
Chapters 6-10 – The author explores how your Monday world is a primary place of worship, meaning, and growth.
Each chapter closes with “A Prayer for Our Work” and helpful “Questions for Reflection and Discussion”.  Throughout the book, the author shares illustrations from his experiences as a pastor and leader of the Made to Flourish organization.
Among the many topics addressed in the book are God as a worker, sabbath, work dualism, vocation, loving our neighbors, burnout, sleep, career formation, calling, giftedness, career maturation, retirement, unemployment, technology, artificial intelligence, and remote work.
Like Work Matters, Why Work Matters is a helpful book about our work and how to integrate it with our faith. The questions for reflection and discussion will enhance your experience when reading and discussing the book with others.

Below are 15 helpful quotes from the book:

God could have initially revealed himself in Scripture in any number of ways, but he chose to reveal himself first as a worker, a creator of the heavens and earth.Our work, whatever God has called us to do, whatever it is, wherever it is done, whether or not we are paid for it, is our God-honoring, loving, beauty-making contribution to others and to the world.Work undertaken as God designed it is a form of worship.Sabbath is a space for delight and celebration, restoring the soul and fostering intimacy with God and others.When we wrongly distinguish one type of work from another, placing value on some types of work at the expense of others, we fall into the distortion of work dualism.There is no more sacred space than the workplace where God has called you to serve him as you love your neighbor and serve the common good.A large part of stewarding our vocational callings in the workplace is faithfully showing up every day and living out the gospel by doing good work and being exemplary workers.Your skills and abilities will not be wasted; they will be utilized and further developed in the future work God has for you to do in the new heavens and new earth.Having an audience of one means we practice the presence of God as we go about our day and enjoy an ongoing conversation with him in our workplaces.It is in our ordinary day-to-day lives of work, rest, and play that we are to flourish, to be salt and light, to be spiritually formed, and to be God’s redemptive agents in the world.Your workplace is holy ground because God is with you and because the work you do unto him and for the good of others is itself a beautiful act of worship.Your work is one of God’s greatest gifts for your spiritual formation and maturity.The most important place of your spiritual growth is where God has already placed you on Monday.The weekly Sabbath rhythm is an unhurried and undistracted time for nurturing relationships with God and others.Retirement is not about self-absorption; it is about God-honoring stewardship.

Faith and Work Book Club – Won’t you read along with us?

Creation Regained: Biblical Basis for a Reformational Worldview by Albert Wolters

This book is recommended by the Center for Faith & Work. They write:

“Few contemporary books have been cited as often by those who are writing about taking up callings and vocations faithfully. This serious little book walks us through the key Biblical themes of the goodness of creation, the seriousness of the fall into sin, the decisive redemption gained by Christ, and the implications of working out the promised hope for a creation-wide restoration. With the keen eye of a philosopher and the passion of a Bible scholar, Wolter’s offers one of the definitive, concise books about a Christian worldview.  One of the most important books for those of us in CFW and highly recommended to understand a uniquely Christian view of cultural and vocational engagement.”

As we read this through this book, we now look at Chapter 1: What Is a Worldview? Here are a few highlights from the chapter:

This book is an attempt to spell out the content of a biblical worldview and its significance for our lives as we seek to be obedient to the Scriptures.For our purposes, worldview will be defined as “the comprehensive framework of one’s basic beliefs about things.”Everyone has a worldview; however inarticulate he or she may be in expressing it. Having a worldview is simply part of being an adult human being.Our worldview functions as a guide to our life.Our worldview shapes, to a significant degree, the way we assess the events, issues, and structures of our civilization and our times.Our worldview must be shaped and tested by Scripture. It can legitimately guide our lives only if it is scriptural.A good part of the purpose of this book is to offer help in the process of reforming our worldview to conform more closely to the teaching of Scripture.Testing our worldview against Scripture and revising it accordingly is part of the renewal of the mind.The plea being made here for a biblical worldview is simply an appeal to the believer to take the Bible and its teaching seriously for the totality of our civilization right now and not to relegate it to some optional area called “religion.”

In our series on leadership attributes, we now look at how leaders empower others. John Maxwell writes about the Law of Empowerment in his classic book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, indicating that if leaders want to be successful, they have to be willing to empower others. He tells us that only secure leaders give power to others. One reason this is so is that secure leaders are not worried about team members achieving more, or going further in their career than they do. In fact, that’s exactly what a servant leader wants to happen.
Maxwell tells us that to lead others well, leaders in all areas – business, church, sports, non-profits, government, education, etc. – must help others to reach their potential. In other words, lifting others up, lifts you up.
But how do leaders go about empowering others? There’s a lot that we could say about this, but in this article, we’ll look at just three thoughts. They are:

Maxwell writes that the main ingredient for empowering others is a high belief in people. If you believe in others, they will believe in themselves. This will give them confidence as they take on the additional responsibilities that you have given them. Knowing that a leader believes in them can help make the difference between success and failure.Stretch Assignments. Where I worked, we would give emerging leaders what we called “stretch assignments”. This was work that was above and beyond what they were currently doing. The work was challenging enough that success was not guaranteed, and at times the emerging leader would fail. Assigning the emerging leaders this work demonstrated that leaders believed they could complete it successfully, but it would be a stretch for them. A good leader will not only empower an emerging leader by assigning a stretch effort, but be there to provide direction, answer questions and provide feedback throughout the duration of the stretch assignment.Delegation, not Dumping. A way in which leaders can maximize their effectiveness for their organization, as well as develop future leaders is through effective delegation. When a leader sees leadership potential in an individual, they look for work to take off of their own plate and delegate it to others. I’ve seen a leader in our church do this effectively. During a time in which we were short-staffed, they approached others to see if they would be willing to step up to take on important work that needed to be done. They demonstrated their belief in the individuals to take on this work, which for them would be a stretch assignment. The leader was there to provide direction, correction and feedback as well, not just dumping the work on others to get it off of their own plate. This resulted in not only empowering others within the church, helping them to grow in their own leadership, but actually maximized the leaders’ own leadership. This ties in with the Law of Explosive Growth, in which Maxwell writes that if you want to maximize your leadership, help your organization reach its potential, and do that as quickly as possible, you must develop leaders. One way to do that is to empower emerging leaders.

Effectively empowering emerging leaders is an important trait for leaders. What else would you add to what I’ve written?

Heaven on My Mind – TobyMac
****

Heaven on My Mind is TobyMac’s ninth studio album, following 2022’s Life After Death, my favorite album of that year. It is another strong effort featuring twelve new songs, five of which were released in advance of the full albums. Toby co-wrote all of the songs and worked with a number of writers and producers. He was joined by guest artists Juan Winans and Terrian, and a choir providing backing vocals.
Heaven on My Mind features Toby’s hook-driven songs with themes of loss and trusting God, and will certainly find its way onto my best albums of 2025. Here are a few comments about each song:

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:
 More of this review
 Music News
 Song of the Week Lyrics ~ Homesick for Heaven by Phil Wickham

Heaven On My Mind – This song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski, and Jess Cates, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. This is an easygoing song with a good beat about looking forward to heaven. He has people waiting for him there, likely a reference to his son Truett, who died in 2020 and former band member Gabriel Patillo, who died in 2024.
Key lyric:
Life ain’t bad down here, but I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind

Lord It Feels Good – This joyful song was written by TobyMac, Kyle Williams, and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac, Williams and Micah Kuiper. The song is about being loved by God.
Key lyric:
I’m feelin’ loved when the walls shake
Love when my heart breaks
In arms that are open wide (Wide, wide, wide)
I’m feelin’ loved in the chaos
When I’m feelin’ anxious
A river when my heart runs dry

Rearview – This song was written by TobyMac, Josiah Bell, Juan Winans, and Justin Gray (Christian), and produced by Bell and Winans. The song features Juan Winans. The song is about putting trouble in the rearview and features some excellent percussion.
Key lyric:
There’s only One I can turn to
King of today and the King of my rearview 

God Did It – This upbeat song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. The song is about how God is working behind the scenes. We may not love His timing, but we still believe in the story He’s writing. The song features a joyful choir.
Key lyric:
Ain’t nobody but God did it
There’s no way around
Some things you can’t explain away
Too good for me to doubt

a lil Church (nobody’s too lost) – This song was written by TobyMac, Benji Cowart and Kyle Williams, and produced by TobyMac and Williams. The song is about the fellowship of the local church. The song opens with a church organ and features a good beat and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I could use a little church right now
Love to have a little family around
I’ve been feelin’ so overwhelmed
I could use a little church right now.

Resist (Keep The Devil Away) – This hard driving song was written by TobyMac, Micah Kuiper, Bryan Fowler, and Terrian Woods, and features Terrian. The song features a choir and is inspired by James 4:7: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Key lyric:
Give me the feet to walk on water
Keep me from the deep (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the faith to move that mountain
Give me the eyes to see (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the lungs to shout Your praises
Give me a song to sing (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the feet to walk on water (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
And keep the Devil away from me

Been Through It – This song was written by TobyMac, Jeff Pardo and Matthew West, and produced by TobyMac and Pardo. It is a prayer of thanksgiving. He has been through difficult times but somehow the Lord has been with him through it all.
Key lyric:
‘Cause You’ve been through it
The blood, the Cross; Your life, You chose to lose it
A sacrifice that goes beyond the bruises and the scars
This old world can be so hard
Yeah, I’ve been through it
But I know You’ve with me through it all

Can’t Stop Me – This song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac, Mohilowski and Tommee Profitt. Doubts and fears can’t stop him from believing. Despite hardships, his faith remains strong. The song is hard hitting and features good backing vocals.
Key lyric:
The coldest of the seasons
That break my heart to pieces
Can’t stop me from believin’

Nothin’ Sweeter – This joyful song was written by TobyMac, Benji Cowart, and Jordan Mohilowski, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. He has seen the view from the top of the world and the sorrow by the bitter graveside, but there isn’t anything sweeter than God’s love. The song features some excellent backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I’ve been uptown, I’ve been downtown
In the spotlight, I’ve been broken down
I’ve seen so much, might not know much
But there ain’t nothin’ sweeter than His love

Oh My Soul (Psalm 103) – This mid-tempo worship song was written by TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Micah Kuiper and Shawn Newby and produced by TobyMac and Kuiper. The song features an excellent choir. Till his days are done he is going to bless the Lord’s name.
Key lyric:
Praise the Lord, my soul
And all that is within me
Bless His holy name

Campfire (That Very Love) – This song was written by TobyMac, Kyle Williams and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac and Williams. This folk-oriented song is a plea for healing from cancer for his friend Gabriel Patillo.
Key lyric:
But even if that mountain doesn’t move
God’s already made a way for you.

Goodbye (For Gabe) – This song was written and produced by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski, and was written for Toby’s friend Gabriel Patillo, who he described as his “right-hand man on stage and in life.” The two of them had worked together and grown in their faith in God together for 25 years. Patillo died on April 12, 2024, after a battle with cancer.
Key lyric:
You said, “Save your words, don’t say goodbye
Just say a prayer for me tonight
If this is the road, I’ll walk it.

Favorite songs:

Heaven on My Minda lil Church (nobody’s too lost)Resist (Keep The Devil Away)Nothin’ SweeterOh My Soul (Psalm 103)

Goodbye (For Gabe). Here is a touching video for “Goodbye (For Gabe)” by TobyMac, a tribute to Gabriel Patillo, a founding member of TobyMac’s Diversecity Band, who toured with Toby for 25 years. Patillo died on April 12, 2024, after a battle with cancer.Hand of the Healer, Pt. 1. Here “Hand of the Healer, Pt. 1”, new music from Sandra McCracken and Ben Shive.

Homesick for Heaven by Phil Wickham

This week’s song of the week is “Homesick for Heaven” by Phil Wickham. The song was written by Wickham and Jonathan Smith, and produced by Smith. Here is the official performance video for the song.

[Verse 1]
My heart belongs to a country and a King
Of a land I’ve always known but I’ve never seen
Some call it paradise or the land of the living
Well I call it home and I’m homesick for Heaven
[Chorus]
I want to walk with Moses on streets of gold
And dance with David before your throne
To thank You face to face for the grace You’ve given
I want to see my children run into Your arms
And worship the Savior who wears my scars
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for Heaven
[Verse 2]
In my Father’s house there are many rooms
Enough for everyone, enough for you
I know it takes some faith but today you can know without question
Believe in the power of Jesus’ name and you’re going to Heaven
Hallelujah, in Jesus’ name we’re going to Heaven
[Chorus]
I want to walk with Moses on streets of gold
And dance with David before Your throne
To thank You face to face for the grace You’ve given
I want to see my children run into Your arms
And worship the Savior who wears my scars
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for Heaven
[Bridge]
No more fear, no more pain
Every tear wiped away
Crying Holy, Holy
Every knee on the floor
Every voice evermore
Crying Holy, Holy
Oh I want to go home
Oh I want to go home
To see the ones I love, who’ve gone before
When death is a memory and tears are no more
To hear the angels praise, can you even imagine
[Chorus]
I’ll run as fast as I can into Your arms
‘Cause I was created to be where You are
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for Heaven
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for Heaven
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for Heaven