There is a certain weariness that comes when we suddenly realize half the year is gone. Through the power of the gospel, we can find hope and strength to continue. For your mid-year push, read 5 Resolutions for the Weary and Worn Out.
Our giveaway this week is Out of the Shadow World by Colleen Chao — a wonderful story for young readers about childhood cancer, suffering, and joy. Enter to win and read my review.
This newsletter is one of the many ways you can keep in touch with us. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more, check out my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group and TGIF Playlist on Spotify. You can reach me on Twitter and Instagram.
Aaron Lee, Editorial Curator
Enter to win this wonderful book! Thanks to Moody Publishers for providing this book for our giveaway, in partnership with my newsletters for @diveindigdeep and FCBC Walnut. How can kids cope and encourage those with cancer? In Out of the Shadow World, Colleen Chao shares a story for young readers about childhood cancer, suffering, and joy. Read my review.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Daniel Jung: Recognizing Revelation 7 in American Born Chinese
With redemptive imagination, the Disney Plus series reconciles the tension felt by ‘third-culture kids.’
Related: An Asian American Christian Reflection on “Everything Everywhere All at Once” by Lisa Wong
2. Lianna Davis: Why Seminary Is Worth It for Women
“Worlds have been opened to me at seminary.”
Related: Why I Chose Seminary Even Though I’m Not Going To Be A Pastor by Yvonne Cha
3. Tim Challies: Let God Prove Himself
“He will prove that he will provide not despite your generosity, but because of it. Because when it comes to God, the normal, accepted, and seemingly common-sense principles of finance just don’t add up.”
Related: God or Money: Detangling a Complicated Relationship by Renee Zou
Asian American Leadership Conference 2024: “Writing the Next Chapter.” April 23-24, 2024, Orange County, CA. Registration opens on August 28! More info can be found on the conference website: aalc.network.
The vision of this conference is to equip Asian-American leaders with gospel centered, contextual resources that will empower men and women for local church ministry. Our conference strategy is to equip leaders, platform voices, and connect with one another for life-giving relationships.
The theme of our conference is “Writing the Next Chapter: Empowering Asian American Voices for Gospel Ministry”. The Asian American church today is at a unique inflection point with leaders in diverse stations across multiple generations. This conference will be an opportunity to learn from these voices for the sake of continued and future Gospel work together.
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. Ask Pastor John: Ten Criticisms of John Piper’s Preaching
“Anyone who preaches for long will find his preaching criticized — sometimes unfairly, but often wisely. Pastor John shares ten criticisms that have shaped him.”
Related: Preaching that Pleases God: Three Lessons I’ve Learned as a Beginner Preacher by Aaron Lee
2. Pastors Talk Podcast: On Staffing Titles
“In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark and Jonathan chat about staffing titles in the church.”
Related: Four Sustaining Principles: Letters to a Young Pastor at a Multilingual Church by Steven Chin
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Book Review: Out of the Shadow World by Colleen Chao. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
Our new Books and Reviews page is your one-stop resource for all of your reading needs. It features Asian American authors and issues, book recommendations, and interviews.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Alice Kim: From Dread to Doxology: Being Married to an Unbelieving Spouse
“Understanding the role of the believing wife in its fuller context invites us to consider how God sees her. She is called to a greater kingdom purpose because of Jesus.”
2. Aaron Lee: 5 Resolutions for the Weary and Worn Out
There is a certain weariness that comes when we suddenly realize half the year has flown by and things aren’t better than it was in January—or have gotten worse. Through the power of the gospel, we can find hope and strength to continue.
3. E.L Sherene Joseph: Three Lessons We Can Learn From the Immigrant Church
“Like all churches, they are not perfect, but I believe there is much that White-majority and multiethnic churches can learn from them, especially about community and discipleship.”
4. Cory Ishida: Letters from Grandpa: Ten Things I Have Learned About Conflict
“No one ever said that it was easy being a Christian. In fact, in today’s world, it is the road less traveled.”
5. TGIF: Roundup for August 18, 2023
Make Time to Pray in College / Spurgeon on Building a Culture of Evangelism / The Need for ‘No Theology’ / What’s Happening in the Korean Church? / Administrative Responsibilities in Youth Ministry
6. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
Get our TGIF installments delivered straight to your inbox for free every Friday. Join today so you never miss out.
General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.