Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 62

Links I like (11/30)

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3 Things I’ve Learned from C. S. Lewis

Jared Wilson:

On this day in 1898 the world was given C. S. Lewis. (We lost him 54 years ago exactly one week previous from today.) Every year in this November week spanning Lewis’s day of departure and day of birth, I think of him even more fondly than I normally do. Perhaps no writer looms as largely over my life—and the lives of so many others I know and admire—than that of Jack’s. I typically try to run some variation of a tribute to him, and so thi...

The strange blessing of sleepless nights

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I’ve not been sleeping well lately. Saturday and Sunday nights were rough, with a grand total of 8 hours of sleep over two nights. I went to bed at a reasonable time, but couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing as I dealt with two separate anxiety attacks.1 I couldn’t will myself to sleep, so I did the only thing that made sense: I read my Bible and prayed.

This wasn’t the kind of prayer that was immediately answered. It wasn’t the kind of reading that was searching for a verse to answer my fears...

Links I like (11/28)

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What If God Takes It All Away? Trusting Him Through Financial Struggles

Sarah Walton:

Recently we drove past our old house for the first time since downsizing. Immediately, our four children began rehearsing memories, noting every part of the house that they missed. Once again, they struggled to understand why we had to give it all up.

As hard as I tried to respond with confidence that it was the right thing for our family to follow God’s leading — even at the cost of financial comfort and a...

When writing takes longer than it should (a lament and a prayer request)

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Today, I need to begin by sharing a brief lament:

I’ve spent the last several months trying to get a major project knocked out for work. It’s taken a long time, and I keep hitting block after block, with every word I’m writing like pulling teeth. I’ve never experienced a writing challenge like this before. Ever.

My two books were comparatively easy. The two documentaries I wrote were, relatively speaking, a breeze.

But there’s something about this project. I love what I’m writing, it’s just...

My 2017 Advent reading plans

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Thanksgiving is now behind us, which means my Instagram has been flooded with tree decorating photos.1 As a family, we’re not there yet. We’ve got a few weeks before the hardcore Christmas-ing happens in our apartment. But we are getting ready to prepare our hearts with Advent readings.

Last year, we read The Expected One by my friend Scott James together around the dinner table, and we loved the experience, so much so that we’ll undoubtedly do it again. I’m also likely to revisit Russ Ramse...

Weekend reading (11/25)

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A Revival Of The Public Reading of Scripture

Steve Burchett:

I risk sounding old-fashioned, uninventive, or the promoter of something that “just won’t work these days,” but here’s my conviction: We should read even large sections of Scripture when the church meets.

Goodbye Moral Majority. Let’s Be a Love-Driven Minority.

Scott Sauls:

If you’re a Christian leader, boss, or influencer, a time may come when your faith is costly to you and also to those you lead and serve. A time may come when c...

The one and many-ness of the church

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One of the things I love is the Bible’s descriptions of the church. The language used to describe the people of God is pretty incredible. Think about it:

The church is the body of Christ, living as Christ’s representatives here on earth, under His authority as the head of the body (Col. 1:18), and dependent upon one another as we grow in grace and live on mission (1 Cor. 12). The church is the bride of Christ, joyfully bound in a lasting covenant with Christ our redeemer, longing for the da...

Links I like (11/23)

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Church Plants Need Shepherds, Not Entrepreneurs

Matt McCullough:

As a church planter, you have to be willing to do whatever needs to be done. You can’t rely on a well-oiled machine in which you have a limited role to play, doing only what you’re good at while other specialists handle everything else. Because there are no systems in place, you have to be able to plan, to see the big picture, and to recognize what steps to take in what order to reach your goals. You have to deal with constant...

Six books I’m reading over Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, which means I have a bit of time off to have fun with my family, enjoy a delicious meal or two, and, of course, read. Here’s a look at what I’m reading this weekend:

Leading Change by John P. Kotter. I’m trying to grow as a leader, so I’m reading a lot of different books on this subject. This one comes recommended by Eric Geiger, who has shown himself to be quite adept at leading others through change well. Looking forward to seeing what I learn from it.

Batma...

Links I like (11/21)

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How to Regain Lost Momentum

Todd Wright:

During such times, leaders often wonder what happened. Why it happened. Most importantly we wonder how can we “get things moving” again? We are tempted to resign, believing God is finished with us at that church; but maybe He’s not.

Sometimes we need to look under the hood and see what happened to the power. Here are three steps that have proven helpful to me in regaining lost momentum.

5 Negative Influences on Pastors Who Leave Pastoring

Eric Geiger:...