What month is it again? Pastor Courtney on loving our neighbors, lifting up our performers and encouraging our families. We introduce our first Q&A segment with a wonderful, thoughtful question on Matthew 1, Luke 3, and why Jesus' family lineage was so important (and so radically different in these two Gospels!).

A reading from Matthew 1, Alfred Lansing's great book "Endurance," a new podcast Q and A section (send me your questions!), an invitation to a Bible study, and staying connected across the miles.

Praying for those who are on the other end of the isolation or overwhelm spectrum. Setting ourselves up for Scriptural study success. Pastor Jackson's sermon text (Matthew 1:1-17). And a story about Pastor Courtney's 20-month-old daughter, who has decided she is invincible.

Jesus tells a story about a kid who asks for his inheritance then splits. You may have heard it before. 

Books on Prayer

Prayer: Living with God by Simon Tugwell

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Podcasts

Rev. John Ortberg - Menlo Church Sermons

Rev. Tim Keller – Gospel in Life Sermons

Woven Podcast

The Leader’s Journey Podcast

Fiction Recommendations

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

This Week's Sermon Scriptures

Galatians 3:26-29

1 Corinthians 11:17-26

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker

Andy Crouch's March article on ministering in the long haul

Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

51 Questions to start conversations around race and justice by Alicia Akins

John 19

1 Corinthians 6

Pastor Jackson shares the story behind his love of reading (it involves dishes and Little House on the Prairie!) and how narratives can help us through rocky seasons. Plus, he and Pastor Courtney each share five recommended reads from their favorites lists. And we wrap it all up with Psalm 91 and praying for our pastors and those in leadership in this stretching season.

Psalm 91

Pastor Jackson's list:

Under the Unpredictable Plant by Eugene Peterson

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene

Crime and Punishment by Fedor Doestoevsky 

The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren

Father Elijah by Michael D. O'Brien

Pastor Courtney's list:

Silence by Shusako Endo

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Jeff shares a story about his fears out in the wild while his gracious father, Dean Given reads from Psalm 27. 

"The object of our waiting is always God."

We wrap up Mental Health awareness week on the PCOM podcast with brilliant and lovely author and therapist KJ Ramsey sharing the story of her new book "This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers," describing how trauma can steal our tongues, and reveling in the hope of the Psalms.

Associate Dean of the Baylor School of Social Work, Dr. Holly Oxhandler, on pandemic coping strategies, the pressures of this uncertain season, and what to do if we or someone we love is feeling suicidal. 

COVID Mental Health Support

The Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (or text HOME to 741741)

Email Pastor Courtney for a mental health referral

Contact The Bridge Ministry for confidential spiritual care and prayer

Perfectly Hidden Depression by Margaret Robinson Rutherford