Brian > Recent Status Updates

Slow going so far

Cute. The childish names are a little off putting, but the story is very engaging and fun. Great book so far. And my kids LOVE them.

This book calls to something deeper and less-specific than a plain explanation of pastor from the scripture. Instead, it seeks to unlock the mystical natures of truly serving a holy God and administering blessing to an unholy people as a fellow broken and unholy person. It’s beautiful and complicated.

So good. So deep. Convicting in really amazing ways. Every pastor should read this.

Good. Working out how some of this applies to youth small groups as opposed to adults. Some things don't translate the same. But the five purposes bring integrated into every group is a good challenge to think through.

Good insights on belonging. The mention of how we perceive spaces is still great even though it comes from the 60s. Good stuff to think about on the topic of community and how it’s more than a small group.

The chapter on childhood depression and anhedonia is both horrifying and enlightening. There is too much coming at us these days. But with simple moments of unplugging and stepping into simple pleasures and times of rest, we can avoid being overstressed and depressed.

Amazing devotions and thoughts through the Lord's Prayer.

Ressentiment ... Didn't even know the term until this, but I can relate... "Oh, I didn't want that anyway" or "she's not good enough for you." We revalue things to fit our situation or hide feelings we aren't proud of. This book is great and insightful. Read it!

There are some great moments of calls to purity and hypocrisy. But there are some very Pharisaical issues presented here. There is Grace. There is purity and holiness, but by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, not our own self-hatred.

Great insights into self-talk and the powerful subtleties of how we receive ourselves.

Really good motivation to explore the deeper reasons in our souls for giving in to the dangerous and dark self talk that floods our minds. Takes us back to the garden and helps us see that we need Jesus in every moment if we are going to win the inner battle.

The section on mystical over moral leadership is giving me a lot to think about. God is calling me to know him deeper, not to do more. I need to pray and think on this before moving forward.

Amazing insights into our brains and the overstimulation inherent in our modern technology culture. It's making me think about how I can create more balance to allow for deep feeling and enjoyment from something that isn't solely an adrenaline rush. Spiritually, as well, it's good motivation to make room for quiet moments and meaning as well as the big ones.