Another impromptu roundtable of two as we reflect on the happenings in our corner of the Kingdom.

We've had the wonderful joy of attending the Grace Agenda in Moscow, ID and share a few takeaways from our time in this episode. And, there's a special treat that involves a collision of Davey Jones and the prophet Isaiah if you make it all the way to the end.

In this episode Brooks reads through the manuscript from Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship's first core group meeting.

We're back and have missed you much! In this episode we catch everyone up to speed with the happenings, including life as a family of 7 and the announcement of our church plant. Also, Laura and I share from our common place books –her, That Hideous Strength, and him, A Quest for Godliness. Then, we share a long overdue conversation we recorded with some dear friends who journeyed with us through the book studies last year.

Also, here's the link to that All of Christ for All of Life podcast, on That Hideous Strength: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jjsobLLTiJjlUhbJwDNTv?si=En93thg3SDqQMiI20YxjGw

And, here's an incisive article from Desiring God on this theme from the same book: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-future-of-masculinity

On this episode of Grit and Gladness, Brooks and Laura are bedside with a new baby, whose lungs needed a little extra care adjusting to life outside the womb.  Tune in to hear their happy update, to further the discussion of The Excellent Wife and as Brooks issues a charge to Husbands to be the priest in their homes.

In this episode Laura and Brooks shake off the rust, after having postponed the podcast for severals weeks because of a whirlwind in their world. They read from That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis and mull the connection between obedience and love. Laura then takes that discussion into her chapter From The Excellent Wife, and Brooks reads a survey of the Gospel of John, with an eye for the Father.

In this episode Brooks and Laura briefly process the strangeness of facing an anniversary of deep loss, coupled with the prospect of new life. In the book studies Laura continues on in thinking through biblical submission, whilst Brooks reflects on the calling to model the gracious character of the Father. 

After a Tennessee Safari Park experience for Fall Break, Brooks and Laura return to share about two more commitments of the Excellent Wife: Respect and Intimacy.  Laura explains that it is the calling of the excellent wife to establish honor in the home and to understand the importance of valuing intimacy.  Brooks discusses the importance of aspiring to be an example in the church and why challenging truths need not lead to shame.  

In Corinthians 13 we are told that "love keeps no record of wrong." Does this mean we never bring up hurts we experience in marriage? Certainly not. This is not a call for amnesia. In this episode Laura unpacks this thought further, and Brooks highlights the need for men to courageously speak with a prophetic vision (Proverbs 29:18).

This episode fell on Brooks and Laura's anniversary, so they took some time to unpack the poems they wrote in remembrance. Also, Laura helps the women think through 3 A's for home management. And Brooks exhorts men to remember they are all brothers of Bezalel. Tune in to find out what in the world that means!