May 24, 2021
This month's odds + ends
May 24
I don’t imagine you subscribe to Post Script for insightful Internet finds. At least I hope you don’t! That’s too much pressure for this Enneagram 1, who must remind herself to read the daily headlines.
Still, I’m happy to share a few things I’ve read or listened to—and also happy to share work I’m doing in other places.
John Stott Would Want Us to Stop, Study, and Struggle. Earlier this year, I was using a John Stott commentary on The Sermon on the Mount for a writing assignment. I was struck once again by the clarity and insight of Stott’s work, and when I read this article by one of his study assistants, I began to understand how Stott achieved these. For one, Stott was committed to the habit of deep study. Once he told his assistant, “JY, there are certain tasks which cannot be done without acute pain in the mind. They are rarely fun, but always worthwhile.” Stott was also committed to what he called balanced biblical Christianity. Yates, his assistant, writes: “John was not afraid of taking an unpopular stance if Scripture required it. But he never rushed into an opinion. In his quest for a balanced and biblical Christianity, he worked tirelessly to understand every perspective on a topic before coming to a carefully considered judgment rooted in Scripture.”
The Pandemic Helped Me Realize How Essential My Routines Are. As you know, I’ve been beating the drum of habit for quite some time now. I think habit formation is essential to our spiritual lives, our physical health, even our relationships. This article, written by someone facing a variety of mental health challenges, illumines how good habits are essential to our mental well-being. “Life is a series of routines. We go to sleep, we wake, we work, we play. But for some, routines and rituals help us function against the chaos of the world, and in many cases, our minds. Some minds just aren’t made for routines; that’s why I’ve had to work extra hard and discipline myself to live and work a certain way.”
How to Cultivate a Life with Jesus through “A Habit Called Faith.” “In a world where there is unprecedented competition for our attention and for our habits, Michel shows her reader (and invites them to practice) what it takes to stay on the narrow way with Jesus: the practice of putting one intentional foot in front of the other habitually, day by day.” This was an interview I did for The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, where Russell Moore formerly served as president. This is my chance to tell you the good news that Dr. Moore has been newly appointed to lead the new Public Theology Project for Christianity Today. Dr. Moore has been a courageously sane voice in the beleaguered (American) evangelical world as it relates to politics. If you don’t know his work, I’d suggest listening to this interview or buying this book. You can also subscribe to his weekly newsletter.
Where I’ve made the podcast rounds:
· On making faith a habit (and a short discussion on religious differences between Canada and the US): Faith School with Leah Rempel
· On faith and the importance of story: “The Bible re-stories us.” The Collected Podcast with Jes Biondo
· On finding God in the wilderness: In the Word, On the Go with Champ Thornton
· On the secrets of a centered soul: The Open Door Sisterhood with Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall
· On finding life and relationship with God through daily habits: Susie Larson Live
· On habit formation and faith: Gospel for Life with Darryl Dash
One article I’ve written: “A Regime of Small Kindnesses” — Ekstasis Magazine
Happy Monday!
Jen