Well, welcome back to another podcast of Struggling Well, and it's hard to believe that this podcast as you're listening to it, there just a couple more days in 2022 and then we turn the calendar, which is always weird to me. I mean, it's just another day and we're just passing another day at a time, but this is a big one because we changed the calendar from 2022 to 2023.
Well, and I and here's my problem is I'm just getting used to writing 2022. Every now and then I'll still write 2020, which is a little bizarre, but now I have to go to 2023, and I don't do well with odd numbers. So, this is going to be a stretch for me.
I think it's an impact of co everything else gets blamed on co so
hey so we often talk about resources that we in our conversations with each other that are important to us as we journey in our walk with Christ we would both agree that the number one resource we have is God's word.
Yes.
and I it's never wrong. It never is lacks in anything. But God's gifted other people to write. There's all different ways to get resources. One of the things we love to do is read.
We love to read.
And so, as we head into 2023, we thought we would just share with our listeners just some of the books that God has used in our life. And it spans a wide range of topics and material that we listen to.
And some of what we're going to share with you is older right some, you know, a couple of the authors have written a while ago. there's always something new coming out. Always. but as we've said often, there is really nothing new under the sun. It's just how people at the a certain time in their life, God allows them to interpret it. not interpret it, but see it in a different light and it helps us to get another perspective. So we just want to share with you some of the things that have helped us in the last few years. So you want to go first?
sure. And one of the things obviously for me as a pastor, I'm always conc concerned about books that are beneficial to pastors but also beneficial to their members of their congregation to understand what it's like to be a pastor. And this came out this past year, I believe. it's the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson of Burning in My Bones. Peterson was in my mind just a really influential person in his lifetime as a pastor in Maryland, but then as an author maybe most well known for the message that he put together. But Burning in My Bones is a great insight into pastoral ministry. So, I encourage people with that. Another book that was given to me this summer is by Scott Sauls. And Scott's a pastor in Nashville, Tennessee, and he writes about pastoral ministry, his own where he had seasons of regret and hurt and fear, battled depression and anxiety, and yet he understands what it's like for Christ to come along in merciful ways and redeem. And it the title of the book is beautiful people don't just happen. And those are two books that I have found to be very helpful. If you're looking for something maybe to give to your pastor, I would recommend either of those two books, but it's also good for you. And then Larry Crab is a huge influencer in our lives. And of the many, many books Larry wrote, one of the ones that has meant a lot to both you and me, and it's not a brand new book of his, but it's becoming a true spiritual community. And it's his vision of what the church could be. And I think it's important in this day and age because so many people out of co have left the church and don't intend to go back. Maybe they sit on their couch on Sunday morning with their coffee or their orange juice and they listen to whatever preacher they want to listen to. But Larry's book really gets to the heart of what the church could be if we really were a true community to each other. So those are just a couple books that for me are important books that I have found helpful.
I think there are a couple of other of Larry's that we have loved, he wrote 66 love letters and for each book in the Bible, he had a conversation with God and wrote all that down. So, what I love about that book is that you hear some of his struggle and his agony over trying to understand what the book is speaking about. And then it's cool because then the way he wrote it is, you know, having fictional eyes, of course, but God respond to him. And it's really fascinating. And then another one that we love is when God's ways don't make sense. And I would say right now in the world we're living in that would be something good to read. Again, these books are wonderful resources. Nothing can take the place of the Bible which is without error cover to cover. but I love the way these men and women have written things that we can read, get their perspective and maybe see the same truth from a different angle. a couple of books that I have loved or am loving is I'll talk about some devotional books as well, but there's a book that I've just begun, so I can't tell you fully, but there's a book by Russ Ramsay, and it's called Rembrandt is in the Wind. If you have any interest in art of any kind, this is an excellent read. Russ Ramsey, I met him once and, he's a delightful man. He pastored for many years, but he's got such a with words. He can craft a sentence that just draws you in. And I would recommend that. It's a really good read. It would be a nice New Year's gift for somebody, too.
Yeah,
we are not soliciting anything because we just don't know how to do that. If we did, we'd be incredibly wealthy, which we are not. The other thing that the other book that I love, and I we referred to it, I think a few podcasts ago, is a book by John Eldridge called Resilient. the subtitle says restoring your weary soul in these turbulent times. And I just did this with a bunch of girls. It took us 10 weeks to get through it. It's really really good. There are gems in every chapter. And I particularly enjoyed listening to John read the book. So I did it on audible as well as reading it. And he's got a very welcoming voice. and when you listen to the audible, you're going to get some other little goodies there. along the way that he sticks in there. So, that's a book that I really have loved and will I'll probably give this to numerous people just because I think it helps. It says on the back, I just want life to be good. And he goes on to say, "The longing for things to be wonderful is one of the deepest yearnings of the human heart." And after times of trial such as the COVID, pandemic, war, job loss, or grief, our desire rises to the surface demanding relief. And his book deals with that. whole idea of what we want, which is for life to be the way it was, even though the way it was might not have been so grand, but the good old days.
The good old days,
the good old days.
So, one of the things that we go back and forth on, you hear people talking about their devotional life. And devotions are one of those places, at least for me, where you read something or you're using something to help you and then that gets stale after a while. So, there's some devotional books that we have found to be helpful seasons in our life that we want to share with you.
One of them is an old one, but it's one I've gone through several times. It's called Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith. there's 365 entries. There's dates at the top. I don't ever worry about the dates on the top. That feels like a lot of pressure to me. So, I might, you know, be behind, but I don't go back and read the ones I've missed. I just start where I am and go through it all again. But it's really excellent. And when you read it, You're going to say to yourself, "How did he know that about me? It feels like he was sitting next to me and listening to my inner thoughts and wrote this devotional." So, that's a great one. He's written another one. I don't recall the title of it, but Scott, if you're out there, tell everybody what the title of the other one is. Anyway, Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith. Then, we've also mentioned books written by a guy named Douglas McKelie. and they are called Every Moment Holy. And these books are lurggical prayers that you can use at different occasions. And the first one that he came out with is just volume one. And he does incredible liturgies like for finishing a book or beginning a book or feasting with friends, moving into a new home. he even he goes further a little bit and talks about for a husband and wife at the start of the day for inconsolable home. sickness. So many different subjects that he has these liturggical prayers for and they're excellent. I would say my favorite though is his second one which deals with death, grief, and hope. we've used this many times with people that are going through difficult se seasons in their lives and it again it's so timely and I've never met Douglas McKelie but his writing is so deep and profound and his words are all the things that I wish I could pray or wish I could say that I really don't have the gift to, but he puts it together and it's beautiful.
Yeah. So, what we're trying to say with this as you turn into 2023 is don't be afraid to get resources. Obviously, again, we go back to the number one resource any of us should have as a Christ follower is God's word. It's his inspired word to us. us. but then he has used men and women to provide further resources that can challenge, that can help us. And we would just encourage you to grab hold of those resources and use those to further your journey with Christ in 2023.
And let me just add this that when you're reading what even if the books that we're recommending, we're not are what we're saying today is not inspired like without error, but if you read something and it sits funny in your soul, then Check it against scripture which is always the same has been inspired by the Holy Spirit is without error. You want the Bible to be your final word not an author. And the other thing is we tend to as believing community we're even though we have a savior it seems like we're always looking for another one just in case somebody here that we can see their picture or listen to their voice. And I just would encourage you as you're listening to this podcast any podcast that make sure that what people are saying that you vet it against scripture. if it sounds off, it may be off. none of us as humans are perfect. We say sometimes things that come out of our own mind, out of our own grid. And we just want to urge you as you're listening to things and you're following an author just make sure that they are solidly based on the word of God.
Yeah. And not all resources oures are written down or spoken or even put on a video. one of the resources that we would want to recommend to those of you who have teenagers who may be struggling with your teenagers is a ministry out of Texas called Heartlight Ministries and it was founded years ago by a couple who were in Mark Gregston is his name. They were young life leaders and they have established this ministry in East Texas that is a wonderful resource tool for parents who are struggling with their teenagers and sometimes you don't know where to go and I would just recommend their ministry. Again, we just have found it to be something that's been very helpful to people.
Let me read a little blurb about them. they say, "For nearly 30 years, we've provided a safe heaven, I'm sorry, haven for positive change. Our 9 to 12 month residential counseling program offers struggling teens a relational atmosphere to develop healthier patterns. during their most troubling times. We've fully invested in our campus facilities in East Texas as well as a caring staff to more successfully create lasting change in the lives of teens. And I know so many of you are in that place where you don't know what to do with your kids. He also has a I think on YouTube I think he has a program there that he speaks to parents and grandparents about teens. And when I think back to my teen years, man, if there had been a resource like this, I would begged my parents to send me. and in today's culture, there's so much confusion. And so, kids are just they just can't figure out life. And, unfortunately, when we are confused, sometimes we make bad decisions. And so, what the Gregston's offer at Heartlight in East Texas is a place for kids to struggle. Well, it's hard. kids that have gone there will say, "Man, it's tough. I don't want to be here. but they get tools on how to deal with the things that come up in their lives. And so, a lot of you are in that place and you're wondering what to do with your kids or how to get offer them help. And if nothing else, they can help you and guide you with your kid.
And so, as you head into 2023, those are just some thoughts we have of resources that we believe would be beneficial to you as you walk with Christ this coming year. Have a great new year. Thanks for joining us. To learn more about the Struggling Well podcast, visit tandemspirituality. com.