In this episode Brooks and Laura each share a little from books they are currently reading. Laura’s book focuses on understanding the times, which is a nice segue into the discussion of Chapter 7 of Father Hunger: This chapter helped the men understand how the vacuum of fatherlessness has been eagerly filled by an overreaching government.

Also, the women looked at a wife’s faithful commitment to Christ versus the competition of idols. Finally, Brooks has a pastoral exhortation for the husband whose wife is wounded by a relational deficit.

How can a wrongheaded Yosemite hike be a parable for the rigors of family life? Why does God purpose marital frustration? And, why is it essential for a father to glory in creation, know the Scriptures, and understand the counter-catechisms the world is teaching his children?

These are a few of the things we hit on in our episode today.

In this episode Laura shares a bit of her tragedy 4 years ago and how that has impacted her even today. She encourages couples to resist the pull toward presumption that leads to ingratitude in your home and marriage.

As we transition into the book study discussion Brooks leads out explaining how a foggy understanding of the Trinity can promote a soft atheism in the home. Interestingly, the ladies also studied the characteristics of the Trinity as the model for the marital relationship.

In this episode we start by considering Job's initial response to intense grief. He just wanted God to forget about him. But God knew Job didn't need less of Him, He needed much, much more. 

Then we comb through some highlights from our book studies. Laura reflects on the courage and faith it takes women to embrace God's call to submit to their husbands. This can feel daunting. But what if one of the husband's chief callings was to delight in and honor his wife? How might this change that dynamic? Brooks reflects on that some, and considers how Jesus is the Archetype of masculine toughness and tenderness.

This past week an ever-wise Providence wrote some miraculous drama into our story, and we are glad to testify to the goodness of God through it. And, we reflect briefly on God's eagerness to show Himself faithful generationally. 

Last week we pushed out into our book studies through Father Hunger (Brooks) and The Excellent Wife (Laura), and this episode we do a flyover of some of the things that stood out.