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This week I have a variety of resources to share that revolve around the theme of friendship. If you have an article or link to share, reach me on Twitter or Instagram.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Lynne M. Baab: Yes, Jesus Told Us to Pray in Secret. But He Also Prayed with His Friends.
“As we pray with others, together we affirm that God is good, Jesus walks with us in our sorrow, and the Holy Spirit is guiding and encouraging us.”
2. William Boekestein: Husbands, 8 Admonitions to Love Your Wife
“Outside of the home, develop an interest in her friends. Help her to focus on friends that are best for her.”
3. Stephen Witmer: Loneliness Limits Ministry — Why Pastors Need Good Friends
“Our Christ-centered friendships are one of the best ways of embodying and expressing the very gospel we proclaim.”
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. John Piper: Faith Won’t Survive Without Friends
“We all need people who will remind us that Christ is far better than sin, and that unrepentant sin destroys. Without friends, our faith won’t survive.”
2. Christine Hoover: The Hard Work of Lifelong Friendships
“Speaking from her own experiences building friendships—first as a child, then as an adult—Hoover discussed the ‘wish dream’: the idealized vision of a perfect friendship that too many women embrace. She compared this to the reality of mature, biblical friendship that, despite all its flaws and blemishes, is a priceless gift from God.”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Book reviews: Changed into His Likeness by J. Gary Millar, Luke (Alabaster Guided Meditations) by IVP. Like our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Scott Sauls: The Top 3 Virtues of Christianity: Humility, Humility, and Humility
“At my best, I’m much more like a prostitute than I am like Jesus Christ, which is why I need him so much, which is why I never outgrow my need for his grace, for his mercy, for his tenderness, for his care.”
2. Hannan Chao: Asian American Sisters, Demand More
“I think we should ask for and receive more opportunities, especially to be equipped.”
3. Hanley Liu: The Cultural and Global Future of the Chinese Heritage Church
“Relational trust is built over time. If that can happen, then those churches will thrive going forward. Churches who aren’t able to do that will see their English congregation members or their youth eventually grow up and assimilate into other churches.”
4. Ben Pun: The Importance of Youth Workers in the Chinese Heritage Church
“If you take all the young adults and they go plant a church, then you’re left with no youth workers — no big brothers, big sisters, and mentors.”
5. TGIF: Roundup for July 9, 2021
3 Signs Your Church Is in a Bubble (and 3 Tips for Popping It) / How COVID-19 Reshaped Campus Ministry / The Depressing Dead End of ‘Your Truth’
5. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
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General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.