Shielded by Grace

We introduce ourselves for new listeners and catch up a little on our Summer. We introduce this coming series. 

In this episode Charley shares some of her experience's as a thirty something singleton.

We talk about how the Christian's view of singleness as a gift from God is different from that of the world's and maybe different from our heart's.

Then we talk about some of the Myths of Singleness that Sam Allberry highlight's in his book '7 Myths of Singleness.'

We think about how Churches and Friends can best look out for those who are single before ending with a section about how to do singleness well.

Note: This episode is not addressing the issue of dating.

Verse of the Episode;
1 Corinthians 732-35

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 

Resources; 
Sam Allberry '7 Myths of Singleness'
Marshall Segal 'Not yet Married'

Our amazing friends Doreen and James talk about their story of adoption. They also remind us of the amazing picture of God adopting us and encourage us to all rejoice on this amazing truth. Practical hints and tips for supporting families adopting in the church too. 

This episode was recorded in April, so Anna talks about snow! 

What is Self Care?
Hot topic at the moment as lots of us are struggling to transition back to ‘normal life’ after pandemic lockdown, especially with navigating the increased demands on time with outside commitments.  How can we look after ourselves?

We go through the positives of Self Care and look at a few examples of it in the Bible before thinking about how we can expand our definition to include soul care.

We start to examine some of the potential problems Christians might have with self care if it tips over into self indulgence. As well as the dangers of self denial and a saviour complex.

We finish by trying to draw out some principles for finding a middle way by following Jesus' example and offer some questions to help us all examine where our own hearts are in this issue.

Only God’s care can help sustain us and help make us more like Christ with or without self care strategies.

We recorded this just after Easter so our encouragements are from a few weeks ago. 

We interview Charley's friend Salome Laschinger who is a counsellor therapist who works with children and young people in schools as well as adults in private work. She shares her tips on how to keep mentally well and how to help others who might need counselling and how to choose one. She shares how her faith impacts her work.  In the episode Salome mentions her favourite scripture for counselling as The Serenity Prayer, whilst this is based on biblical principles it is not actually found in scripture.

Anna and Charley share something of their story of long term sickness and how God has helped us to sing his praises through it all.

We talk about how suffering has deepened our Christian life by; 
Pointing us to the gospel, softening our hearts and humbling us, testing our faith, growing in patience and dependency on God.

How we can support others in suffering, role of church family and walking alongside others.

We also reviewed a few resources to help us in this. Including;
Dale Ralph Davies books on the Psalms, 'The way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life', 'Slogging along in the paths of righteousness' and 'In the Presence of mine Enemies'
Matt Searles 'Tumbling Sky; Psalm devotion for Weary Souls'
Nancy Guthrie 'I'm Praying for you'

Songs; Laura Story 'Blessing',  Stuart Townend, 'There is a Hope'

Verses for this episode;
1 Peter 1: 6-7

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Psalm 91:4 
He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Whether you've been doing a quiet time for years or you have no idea what on earth one is Anna and Charley seek to debunk some myths and encourage one another with some truths about what we do and why we do it as well as thinking about some of the challenges that we face and recommend some resources.

Our verse(s) for the episode come from Psalm 19;

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

    refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

    making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right,

    giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

    giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure,

    enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

    and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,

    than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

    than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By them your servant is warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 But who can discern their own errors?

    Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

    may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

    be pleasing in your sight,

    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Some of the recommended resources include;
Bible notes/books to help read through the Bible : Tim Keller’s 'My Rock My Refuge'
Dale Ralph Davis 'The way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life', Glen Scrivener 'Reading between the Lines', Don Carson, 'For the Love of God,' 'Explore by the Book, 90 days in….. ' (from the Good Book Company) Good Book Company series: James for You/Acts for You

Topic Books: 'Joy', 'Contentment' by Lydia Brownback, Keswick: 'Food for the Journey.' 

Prayer Books: 'Praying through the Bible for your Kids' Nancy Guthrie, 'Prayers of an excellent wife' Andrew Case. 'Piercing Heaven, Prayers of the Puritans', 'The Valley of Vision' Puritan prayers. 

Apps: Bible in a Year, Desiring God, Prayer Mate (Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Prayer) NIV audio bible 

In this episode we talk about how comparing ourselves to others rob us of joy and contentment.

We've been reading 'Compared to Her' by Sophie de Witt in which she talks about two types of comaprisons;
Looking up, where we think i wish i had her......
and Looking down, I'm so glad i don't have her...

We talk about different areas we are tempted to compare ourselves to others in, both worldly ways and 'spiritual' ways.

We briefly think about some unhelpful advice that is often given before looking at what right thinking would look like; sticking in our lane with the Lord, what he is working on in us and how he has been at work in us.

Leading us to three things we are often looking for when we do comparisons;
Significance
Satisfaction
Security
and seeing how looking to God to fulfil these things instead will be so much better for us.

We finish with our verse for the episode;
Phil 4:12-13: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Join us as we think about life in Lockdown and what lessons we can learn.  We answer some of your questions,  and listen to some of your advice.

We talk about good habit setting, boundaries, coping with homeschooling, fears, hunkering down and how to look to others.

We end by thinking about how we can love God more through lockdown, and how we can love neighbours.
Our verse(s) for the episode;
Psalm  46 ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.. Be still and know that i am God.’
and 
Romans 8 v38-40
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here is the website Charley mentioned for donating laptops;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3yrtgmkfHBbsXfQfYkJp7CF/make-a-difference

Using the end of one year and the start of another to think about things we might like to work on as we explore the idea of Change.

Book of the episode: 'You can Change' by Tim Chester

We talk about choosing a change project, one that is specific and about you (watch out for comparisons and discontentment.)
How accountability can help our progress and goal setting.

We also begin to think about what is behind some of our bad habits, asking questions that reveal our hearts in those moments and what biblical truths can speak into them.

Our verse of the episode is 2 Corinthians 12v9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What happens when we don't match up to our hopes/goals and how we need to find a way to rest in God's grace in those moments.