Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 72

Links I like (8/22)

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When It Comes to Spiritual Growth, Don’t Confuse Difficulty with Complexity

Michael Kelley:

When we think about growing in Christ, it’s important that we draw this distinction. Is growing in Christ difficult? Yes it is. And Jesus wants us to know that it is. You can point to any number of times when the crowds were gathering around Him that He taught them to give second thought to what exactly they were signing up for.

The Bible’s centrality to the Civil Rights Movement

Kevin L. Smith:

A pri...

On being The Chosen One

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August 21st 2017 is an earth-shatteringly important day, one that will be remembered in for generations. Millions of people are traveling all over to key locations in America, to witness this event, so they might be able to pass down the tale to their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren (who will then do the same).

I get this. I mean, after all, it’s my 38th birthday. Of course it’s going to be a big deal. But it’s actually an even bigger deal, because today there is also a to...

Never be afraid of your Bibles

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I always get a little nervous when people bring the Bible into conversations about hate speech. Not because I’m afraid of what people will find in the Bible, but because of the increased tendency to weaponize anything that doesn’t fit with the prevailing worldview.

Let’s be honest: The Bible says some pretty strong things about homosexuality, lying, adultery, disobedience to parents and authorities, gluttony, idolatry, pride, and more. And because of that, as we look around at the world and...

Weekend reading (8/19)

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There Will Be More Tears

Craig Thompson:

“I don’t know.” That is the only answer I could muster, choking back tears, as I sat in the newly vacant office down the hall from mine. The Tolberts had just finished packing and organizing, Luke’s office was empty and he had turned in his keys (Luke Tolbert was our student and discipleship pastor for the last 7 years. He and his family left this week for appointment through the International Mission Board to Latvia. Caroline is his middle daughter.)...

If I were to write a memoir

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I’ve lived in the United States for more than a year now. It’s weird, but kind of great. A friend of mine has been asking me for a while now to write about the differences between living in Canada and the US. I’ve been hesitant, though.

I mean, where do you start?

I could go on a Canada vs America rant, which, depending on your political persuasion and understanding of Canada’s healthcare system, could be entertaining. Or I could get serious about everything I wish I knew a year ago (and pro...

Links I like (8/17)

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Lessons Tara Taught Me

Devin Cornelius:

Our family has been grieving the loss of my sister-in-law to cancer. Tara was only 36. Along with my brother, she leaves behind two children, aged eight and six. I didn’t know how—or even if—I could write a story about her.

But instead of telling a sad story about what we’ll miss, I thought it better to share the lessons she unknowingly taught through her life.

Why Does It Take an Eclipse to Get Us to Look Up to the Heavens?

Trevin Wax:

I’m going to wa...

The “center” in gospel-centered is really important

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I’ve been thinking about the term “gospel-centered” of late. It’s one that sometimes gets overused, admittedly. Gospel-centered discipleship strategies and churches and curriculum and publishers and conferences… That no one has unironically described a roast of coffee as gospel-centered is nothing short of a miracle.

All teasing aside, I actually do like the term. I think it’s helpful, and I think it’s necessary, if for no other reason than how it serves as a reminder for me. That there is s...

Links I like (8/15)

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6 Prayers to Pray for Your Children as School Begins

Michael Kelley:

Like many other families, we are trudging back into school this week after a great summer. For our part, our kids seem neither despondent nor over the moon, but somewhere in the middle. They’ve had a great summer, but they’re also ready for a change, and ready to get onto the new possibilities this year in school will bring. So here they come – a rising 7th grader, 5th grader, and 2nd grader.

Here are some of the prayers we...

Set your mind on Christ

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One of my favorite books of the Bible is Colossians. Every time I read it, I’m overwhelmed. Paul was dealing with a peculiar bit of false teaching in Colossians, a synthesis of Jewish and pagan folk belief. What some scholars believe happened at Colossae was that a shaman-like figure was presenting himself as a Christian spiritual guide; a mystic likely claiming to have superior insight into the spiritual realm and therefore advising the Christians there to perform certain rites and rituals...

What’s the first step?

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I’m tired of evil. That sounds a little silly, I’m sure. But here’s what I mean. I’m tired of seeing news stories about events like what happened in Charlottesville. I’m tired of violence and death. Of people being dehumanized again and again. I’m tired of people excusing it.

It’s mind-boggling to me that anyone could, especially if they’re a Christian.

Regardless of what we believe about politics, secondary theological issues, and everything else we wind up butting heads over, we should agr...