All Things Bright and Beautiful

In the final session of a 3 part series through Psalm 23, Jenna DiPrima considers the Shepherd who not only leads us through green pastures and the valley of the shadow of death, but faithfully leads us all the way home.

David describes a God who welcomes us to His table, whose goodness and steadfast love relentlessly pursue us, and who promises that we will dwell with Him forever. In Christ, our cups overflow with grace, our enemies will ultimately be defeated, and our Shepherd will never abandon us.

As we look toward the eternal home Christ has prepared for His people, we are reminded that every valley has an end and every step of the journey is under the care of our faithful Shepherd. The Christian life begins with following Him, continues with trusting Him through every season, and ends in the presence of God forever.

The Shepherd is with us in the pastures. He is with us in the valley. And He will faithfully lead us home.

In the second message of this three part series, Jenna DiPrima turns to Psalm 23:4 and consider the comfort of knowing that the Good Shepherd is with us in the darkest and most difficult seasons of life. Like Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress, we may find ourselves walking through a dark valley surrounded by dangers we cannot see—but we are never alone. The Shepherd who leads us through green pastures also faithfully leads us through valleys.

Jenna considers three ways the Shepherd cares for His sheep: His path, His presence, and His protection. The valleys of suffering are not evidence that God has abandoned us; they are part of the path He sovereignly ordains for His people. And our greatest comfort is not that we will avoid suffering, but that Christ Himself is with us in it.

Whether you are currently walking through a difficult trial or enjoying a season of green pastures, this message encourages us to trust the Shepherd, rest in His presence, and find confidence in His unfailing protection. Because we belong to Christ, we can say with David, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

The Shepherd will not abandon His sheep. He will lead us safely through the valley and ultimately bring us home.

In the first talk of this three-part series on Psalm 23 that Jenna DiPrima recently did for a women’s conference, she explores the opening verses of one of Scripture’s most beloved psalms. What does it really mean to say, “The Lord is my shepherd”? And why is this psalm such a source of comfort for God’s people?

Looking at Psalm 23:1–3, we consider three truths about our Good Shepherd: He provides all that His sheep need, He restores weary souls, and He faithfully leads His people in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Along the way, we see how the hope of Psalm 23 is rooted in the suffering Shepherd of Psalm 22, where Christ laid down His life for His sheep.

Whether you’re walking through a season of abundance, spiritual weariness, or uncertainty, this passage reminds us that our confidence is never in ourselves but in the Shepherd who lovingly cares for His flock.

In this episode:

* The significance of Psalm 23 and its connection to Psalm 22

* What it means that “The Lord is my shepherd”

* How God provides, restores, and leads His people

* Finding hope in seasons of spiritual dryness

* Why the Good Shepherd can always be trusted

Carl Trueman argues that the modern world hasn't merely changed how we think about sex, reproduction, and death—it has stripped these realities of their sacred meaning. In this episode, we unpack the central themes of The Desecration of Man, exploring how expressive individualism, technology, and the pursuit of self-creation have reshaped our moral imagination.

Along the way, we discuss why the modern vision of autonomy ultimately fails, the surprising cultural role of the artist, and what Trueman sees as the deepest crisis of our age. More importantly, we consider the distinctly Christian hope that speaks to a culture searching for identity, meaning, and human dignity.

The Desecration of Man by Carl Trueman

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

Episode 47: Technology, Power, and What It Means to Be Human: That Hideous Strength

Strange New World by Carl Trueman

Episode 20: Expressive Individualism and Strange New World

Episode 34: Feminism and The Genesis of Gender

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Case Against Perfection by Michael Sandel

Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman

In this episode, we revisit the topic of biblical hospitality with a focus on practical application. We discuss simple ways to make hospitality a regular part of life, how to practice it in different seasons, how to include children in welcoming others, and how to steward our time and homes to create space for meaningful relationships.

Hospitality does not require a perfect home, elaborate meals, or endless free time. It begins with a willingness to make room for others and use what God has given us for the good of those around us.

Resources

Episode 9: The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality

Defined Dish

Half Baked Harvest

Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow

Ina Garten Memoir: Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Few novels have shaped readers' hearts and imaginations like Les Misérables. In this episode, we discuss why Victor Hugo's masterpiece has endured for generations and why we believe it remains one of the greatest works of fiction ever written. We explore Hugo's remarkable insight into the human condition, the beauty and richness of his prose, and the unforgettable characters that have made this novel an immortal classic.

Along the way, we reflect on the tensions between Hugo's own life and the themes of his work, the social issues woven throughout the story, and the profound truths about justice, mercy, suffering, redemption, and hope that continue to resonate today. We also make the case for reading great fiction—especially the classics—and consider why these timeless stories are essential for cultivating wisdom, empathy, and a deeper understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.

Resources

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

In this episode we talk about the oft misunderstood doctrine of the fear of the Lord. We reference Michael Reeves book, Rejoice and Tremble as a helpful guide in understanding this necessary and stabilizing truth. We discuss how rightly fearing God humbles us and calms our anxieties, and the unique, comforting knowledge of God that Christians have with a God who is both transcendent and imminent.

Resources

Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

The Loveliest Place by Dustin Benge

What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord? by Michael Reeves

The Heart of Christ by Thomas Goodwin

Friendship with God by Mike McKinley

Communion with God by John Owen

The Fear of God by John Bunyan

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones by Iain Murray

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

In this episode, we explore how Christians can faithfully and wisely respond to criticism. We distinguish between godly, constructive correction rooted in truth and criticism that is unhelpful, sinful, or distorted. Along the way, we consider how to evaluate the feedback we receive with discernment—learning not to dismiss valuable correction on one hand or be crushed by unfair critique on the other. The goal is to grow in humility and wisdom so that we can receive truth without being shaped by what is false.

Resources:

Pastors and Their Critics by Joel Beeke

In this episode, we discuss That Hideous Strength, the final installment of C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy. Lewis’s prophetic novel explores the corruption of power, the nature of true humanity, the beauty of marriage, and the dangers of severing science from moral truth. Along the way, we consider why this decades-old story feels surprisingly relevant in an age of artificial intelligence, technological advancement, and competing visions of what it means to flourish as human beings.

Resources:

The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

1984 by George Orwell

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Episode 4: The Screwtape Letters

Episode 38: Digital Liturgies

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

Episode 20: Strange New World

In this episode, we explore the gift of friendship through a biblical lens. We discuss how Scripture's vision of friendship differs from the world's, the common obstacles that keep us from cultivating deep relationships, and the close connection between friendship and discipleship. We also talk about maintaining meaningful long-distance friendships and why these relationships have lasting, even eternal, significance. Whether you're longing for deeper community or seeking to be a better friend, we hope this conversation encourages you to pursue friendship as one of God's good gifts.

Resources:

The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

Discipleship by Mark Dever