Remain

Our marriage started with a three year long distance relationship. Here we tell part of our story. Was it good? Yes of course. Was it hard? Most definitely. Those are not opposites, they are both part of our story. We need to give thanks for the good, and regarding the hard - to give thanks that God was good to us in the midst of all that. Oh, by the way - we ended up laughing more in this episode. 

In this episode, we discuss the joys of missing socks as well as an article with a distasteful title. Really. But it does get your attention. In this article, JI Packer speaks on warped ideas about sickness but then offers some helpful reflections based on II Corinthians 12. Weakness is when and where God works maybe the most in our lives. It is not a waste, not something to be avoided. It will not be comfortable but we hope this will be encouraging to you. 

Do we think too much and too highly about health? What happens when we lose our health? How much of our identity is rocked? Without realizing it, I wonder if we assume that our identity is wrapped up on our health. But, we need to guard ourselves from that. Here we mention and critique some wrong ideas about health, and then offer some counsel on how to help others in this regard. Look out for that final illustration about the appetizer. 

This is not about fixing your prayer life. In trauma or long seasons of suffering or in the middle of anxiety - how can you pray to the Lord? Here we address those situations honestly but then point you to some good news. Something often forgotten but very much needed for those facing the hardest of days. 

The Christian life is a tension, between the first and second coming of Christ. We already have life, but the fullness of life is still coming - and we have assurance of this because of the resurrection of Christ. This brings hope - especially in the hard seasons of suffering. Here we share some Scripture, point out some important doctrines, offer helpful illustrations and implications for daily life. 

As our 20th episode we are discussing the first chapter from Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. We share about our honest struggle with rest and quiet; as well as talk about the good news of the heart of Christ which is better than good advice about Christ for those in hard seasons. We encourage you to buy the book and read the rest in the coming weeks as you prepare your heart for Passion Week. 

In Psalm 42 we see a man very honest about the trouble he is facing, and at the same time - very hopeful in God. On the worst of days, He just longs for more of God. He even refers to God as his exceeding joy. How? How does he talk about his trouble and his God - in the same Psalm like that? In this episode we answer that how question. This has really changed the way that we handle hard seasons - and we hope this encourages you as well. 

Singing is part of how Christians worship the Lord? But what about seasons of suffering, what then? Even on those days - we are called to sing to the Lord with faith. Why? Here we share a bit of our story, give examples of significant moments of singing, some special worship songs in our story - but also two key reasons to keep singing in times of suffering. 

In this episode we continue making some comments and reflections on the book Dark Clouds Deep Mercy. The author talks bout the "how" of lament and from his studies in the Psalms, gives a few steps to take in lamenting. Here we are honest about the struggle with complaining, praying, and trusting in God. But we end with a phrase that we have remembered again and over the years. 

In this episode we are starting to address this hard yet needed topic of lament for those in suffering. We're reading and reflecting on some quotes from Mark Vroegop's Dark Clouds Deep Mercy. After defining what lament is, we share about why this is so important and helpful for our faith. Maybe what the world needs, is for more Christians to learn the discipline of lament.