Darryl Dash's Blog, page 62
March 30, 2021
Character Matters
I’d set up and tested the recording gear. I phoned my podcast guest and listened through my headphones. Nothing. I picked up my phone and put it to my ear.
“Sorry. Technical difficulties.” I adjusted a few buttons, and asked if I could call back.
I did. Problems persisted. I began to feel flustered, trying to solve what was wrong as quickly as I could so I didn’t waste my guest’s time.
“Darryl,” my guest said. “It’s no problem. Take your time.”
He exuded calm. He wasn’t just bein...
March 27, 2021
Saturday Links
Podcast: I enjoyed interviewing Brett McCracken about his book The Wisdom Pyramid on the Gospel for Life Podcast.
Curated links for your weekend reading:
An Indispensable Habit to Leading
“I’m not a reader” – I’ve heard this from a fair number of pastors and those training to be pastors over the years. My response is, “You should become one for the sake of your call, the care of those you’re leading and for the lost culture God has placed you in.”
March 23, 2021
Slow Reading, Fast Reading
I generally read the Bible once a year. Last year, I tried something different: I read the Bible in 40 days. I decided to take a slower approach this year and read it over 90 days instead. God-willing, I finish in a couple of weeks.
Now I’m going the other way. I’m planning to read the Bible in — get this — seven years, give or take. Here’s why and how.
Big Idea BibleI’ve always wanted to complete a big idea Bible.
If you know Haddon Robinson’s book Biblical Preaching, you know ...
March 20, 2021
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Growing My Faith in the Face of Death
The less we attempt to make this world into a heaven, the more we are able to enjoy it.
Deconversion Is Not as Countercultural as You Think
In a post-Christian and rapidly secularizing culture, deconstructing isn’t a radical act. It’s just a normal thing that more and more people do.
Don’t Throw Away Encouragement
So, set up an encouragement file and fill it up with hope-infusions from the saints who ...
March 16, 2021
About Writing
Since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to write. Other more accomplished authors have lots to say about writing — these articles (one and two) by Jared C. Wilson are a good place to start — but, even with my limited experience, I do have some advice to offer.
If you feel the nudge to write, you probably have something to say. Barbara Ueland is right: “Everybody is talented, original and has something important to say” (If You Want to Write). Even if a topic has been covered before, you have a...
March 13, 2021
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Why Reformed Evangelicalism Has Splintered: Four Approaches to Race, Politics, and Gender
Why is it that by knowing what someone thinks about, say, mask wearing that you probably have a pretty good idea what they think about Christian Nationalism and systemic racism?
How to Be More Than a Gospel Spammer
Gospel spam isn’t much more effective than the other spam that we receive. How can you be more than a gospel spammer?
March 9, 2021
Being Nice Is Overrated, but Kindness Is Essential
I follow good people on Twitter, and I’m quick to unfollow to keep it that way. When I open my Twitter feed, it’s usually a pleasant experience, because I’m careful about who I follow.
I made the mistake the other day, though, of reading responses to a couple of good tweets. I was disappointed by what I read: accusations, assumptions about motive, and the least charitable reading of the original tweet possible. All of these were written by people who, from the context of their comments, c...
March 6, 2021
Saturday Links
Podcast: I enjoyed interviewing Nate Pickowicz about his new book How to Eat Your Bible on the Gospel for Life Podcast.
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Christian Freedom and the Sin of Silence
Tolerance is not enough anymore. Now, we must affirm someone else’s position and identity or be guilty of transgressing a social law code…
Surprisingly, however, Christians have begun to make similar arguments.
Joy will come in the morning.
And then a whol...
March 2, 2021
So Many Great Books
In the acknowledgments of A Habit Called Faith, Jen Pollock Michel writes, “This book was seeded by an inconspicuous Pascal reference in Kent Annan’s Slow Kingdom Coming. In the margin, I wrote, ‘Book idea?’ I tracked down the reference and tucked it away for several years.”
Books are like that. A book references a second book written centuries before. The idea from that earlier book lays dormant. Eventually, it becomes its own book. The idea contained in a book is like a seed: one is eno...
February 27, 2021
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Don’t Be Too Hasty in Your Take on the Post-Pandemic Church
Let’s do what it takes to consider our current cultural context and to adapt to this missionary moment. But don’t assume that all trends are inevitable or that ministry philosophies that focus on in-person gatherings will fade.
It’s Time to Remove Unrepentant Bullies from Church Leadership
An autocratic leader seeks to advance themself at the expense of others. A gospel leader seeks to...
