Here’s a list of articles, blog posts, and music from around the web. Everything listed here was encouraging, helpful, or informative to me during the month of November. I hope it blesses you!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
– Philippians 4:8
Rachel and I have discussed this topic several times throughout the years. Sometimes, it feels like hobbies such as riding my bicycle, running, or watching baseball falls short of what I should be doing with my God-given time. In this article, Randy Alcorn helpfully describes how we as Christians “should thank God for all of life’s joys, large and small, and allow them to draw us to Him.”
Our family loves Ben Rector! We also love the Christmas season. The older I get, the more I become a “Christmas begins on November 1st” kind of guy. The first track is a song about Thanksgiving. It’s the only piece of original music on the album. The remainder of the songs are holiday favorites. Merry Christmas!
Favorite song: The Thanksgiving Song
3. How Anxiety Has Grown My Faith
Anxiety is no joke. Many of us deal with it on a day-to-day basis. In this article, Josh Weidmann claims “being overwhelmed is the new normal. The feeling that we are in over our heads affects one in five of us to a paralyzing degree.” Weidmann stresses the importance of trusting God’s sovereignty in the midst of our anxiety.
4. God Cannot Be Tamed… and That’s Good News!
Lots of truth in this one. I’m sometimes tempted to water down God’s wrathful nature so that He would appear more palatable to my non-Christian friends. In this piece, Amy DiMarcangelo explains why ignoring God’s wrath on sin misrepresents Him and promotes a false gospel.
Periodically, a collection of songs get released that heavily shape my heart posture toward Jesus. Such music, with its powerful instrumentals and spiritually rich lyrics, draw me closer to the Lord. Citizens has accomplished that with their latest album, The Joy Of Being. Although it was released in October, I’m adding it to the list this month because it’s been playing nonstop.
Favorite song: All I Need
6. Recovering The Lost Art of Encouragement
Oftentimes, our friends who are wrapped up in sin need an encouraging word more than a judgmental lecture; after all, Jesus saved his harshest criticism for those who thought highly of their spiritual performance, not those who were being wrecked by sin. In this article, Scott Sauls says “if we want to really reflect Jesus to the world and also amongst ourselves, let’s not be known for what we’re against, but for loving as we have been loved.”
Daniel Seabaugh 