Daniel Darling's Blog, page 8

Passing The Plate In a Digital Age

I saw an offering plate before I was even old enough to attend church. My father was a lay elder and church treasurer. This usually meant I got to stay and play with my friends long after the services were finished, because Dad was counting the offering. The offering plate is as indelible in my mind as any image from over four decades of attending church—that smooth wooden bowl with a felt liner that got passed down the row every time we gathered for worship. I also remember watching my father help pass the plate on Sundays and hearing my mother write a check, trying to write fast enough to beat the plate to the row while also muffling the tearing sound as she tore her tithe from the checkbook.

These rhythms of giving—the passing of the plate, the invitations to generosity, the scriptural texts that urge us toward holding our treasures loosely (Matt. 6:19–20)—gradually worked their way into my own life as habits. They started as dropping a few quarters into the Sunday school offering as a child and developed throughout college and into family life as a married man with children. The opportunity to serve as an usher allowed me to exercise my gifts in the church early on, hinting toward my future calling as a minister of God’s people.

It’s hard to imagine Sundays without the Sunday offering. And yet this is not just an act of imagination, but a reality. The physical act of giving is a tradition that’s quickly falling out of fashion, especially in more contemporary church settings. There are good reasons for this, of course. We live in an increasingly cashless society, where fewer people have physical money in their wallet. Many churches have begun skipping the plate-passing in favor of drop boxes or baskets toward the back of the sanctuary.

Read the whole thing here:

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

The Way Home: Rebekah Lyons on rest and rhythms

Today, Rebekah Lyons joins me again on The Way Home podcast. Over the last several year, Lyons has developed a ministry talking about rest, renewal, and how to find good rhythms in work and life. How do we take time to care for ourselves in a way that acknowledges that we’re human and need good healthy rhythms of Sabbath rest alongside work? Lyons’s writings on this have been a great gift to the church. In this episode, we talk about her new book “A Surrendered Yes.”

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Rebekah Lyons Biography: Rebekah Lyons is a national speaker, host of the Rhythms for Life podcast, and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal, You Are Free, and Freefall to Fly. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression—and invites others to discover and boldly pursue their God-given purpose. Alongside her husband, Gabe, Rebekah finds joy in raising four children, two of whom have Down syndrome. She wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. Her work has been featured on the TODAY show, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX News, Publishers Weekly Starred Reviews,and more.

Website: rebekahlyons.com
Book: A Surrendered Yes
Twitter: @rebekahlyons
Facebook: Rebekah Lyons
Instagram: @rebekahlyons

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Kara Powell on parenting and discipling teenagers

Today, my good friend Kara Powell, Executive Director the of the Fuller Youth Institute, joins me on The Way Home podcast. Fuller Youth Institute is a great resource, and Kara has been such a great voice in helping us think through spiritual formation in our kids. Her brand new book, “3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager,” looks at some of the questions that teens ask. Kara is a mom, and she talks about some of her experiences as a parent raising children. She also talks about the research around evangelical teens, what drives behavior, and how to raise kids who love the Lord and are ready to make a difference in the world.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Kara Powell Biography: Kara Powell, PhD, is the Chief of Leadership Formation and Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange and speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences. Kara has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family and the entire Sticky Faith series, and Can I Ask That? Kara and her husband, Dave, are regularly inspired by the learning and laughter that comes from their three teenage and young adult children.

Website: karapowell.com
Book: 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager
Twitter: @KPowellFYI
Facebook: Kara Powell
Instagram: @KPowellFYI

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Dana Perino on politics and media

Today, Fox News host Dana Perino joins me on The Way Home podcast. Perino has been in the journalism space for the last decade or so, and before that she worked in the White House as the Press Secretary to George W. Bush. She has a lot of insight and perspective on the nature of politics today. In this episode, Perino gives insights into the Bush Family and what it was like working with them. She also gives advice for anyone who wants to work in media and politics.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Dana Perino Biography: Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino is anchor of “The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino,” and a co-host of “The Five” on Fox News Channel.  She also appears as part of the political and election coverage teams on the Fox News Channel, and has a weekly political podcast, “I’ll Tell You What,” with Chris Stirewalt.  Prior to this, Dana served for seven years in the administration of President George W. Bush and became the first Republican woman to be named as the White House Press Secretary.  Dana joined the Bush Administration following the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001 as a spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Twitter: @DanaPerino
Facebook: Dana Perino
Instagram: @danaperino
Website: danaperino.com
Book: And the Good News Is

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Shai Linne on ethnic unity

Today I am joined by my friend Shai Linne, popular Christian rap artist and pastor of Risen Church in Philadelphia. He loves the Lord and Scripture and is a great Christian voice speaking to a variety of topics. He has a new book out called “The New Reformation,” and he is working to bring people together around racial and ethnic reconciliation. I believe that the Bible calls us to work for reconciliation and unity, and Shai Linne is one of the leaders in the Church who is trying to do that.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Shai Linne Biography: Shai Linne is a recording artist who has released numerous acclaimed Christian hip-hop albums, including Jesus Kids. He is the author of God Made Me and You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity and coauthor of It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God. After completing a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., Linne cofounded Risen Christ Fellowship, an inner-city church in his hometown of Philadelphia. Linne, his wife, and three children live in Philadelphia.

Book: The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity
Twitter: @shailinne
Facebook: Shai Linne
Website: shailinnemusic.com

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Todd Nettleton on Afghanistan and Christian persecution

Today, Todd Nettleton, the voice of Voice of the Martyrs Radio, joins me on The Way Home podcast to talk about the church in Afghanistan and the persecuted church around the world. Todd appeared with me on a special webinar I did at NRB last week. The content was so good that I wanted to be sure to share it with you today. Voice of the Martyrs is an incredible ministry, and I’m grateful for their work and for the resources that they provide for the church.

Read the prayer I wrote for Afghanistan here.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Todd Nettleton Biography: Todd Nettleton is Chief of Media Relations and Message Integration for The Voice of the Martyrs and hosts The Voice of the Martyrs Radio. Todd serves as a voice for persecuted Christians through writing, speaking and working with the media to tell people in the United States about the faithfulness of Christ’s followers in 70+ nations where they face persecution. Todd’s newest book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, was published by Moody Publishers in 2021. In the book, Todd invites readers to travel with him and hear 40 powerful stories from persecuted Christians.

Book: When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians
Twitter:  @todd_nett
Facebook:  @PToddNettleton
Website: persecution.com

Click here to support Voice of the Martyrs and receive a free copy of Todd’s book “When Faith is Forbidden”: https://www.persecution.com/forbidden/

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Michael W. Smith on his story and “The Way of the Father”

Michael W. Smith joins me today on The Way Home podcast. Smith is a Grammy Award winning artist. He has had enormous success, yet has never carried himself as if he’s a big deal. He is humble, loves Jesus, and loves serving the church. He has a great story, and today he joins me to talk about his new book “The Way of the Father,” moving to Nashville, getting his start in music, and how God redeemed his bad choices.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Michael W. Smith Biography: Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35+ years. During his storied career, he’s written and recorded over 36 No. 1 songs, been honored with three GRAMMY® Awards and 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. Amassing an in-depth catalog of achievements, Smith was also recently honored with a star-studded tribute concert in Nashville, TN to celebrate his 35 No. 1s, by a myriad of legendary performers.

Book: The Way of the Father: Lessons from My Dad, Truths About God
Twitter: @michaelwsmith
Instagram: @mwsmithofficial
Facebook: Michael W. Smith
Website: michaelwsmith.com
YouTube: MichaelWSmithVEVO
Spotify: Michael W. Smith
Apple Music: Michael W. Smith

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Governor Bill Haslam on faith and public service

Today, former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam joins me again on The Way Home podcast. He’s a very strong Christen. When he was governor, he demonstrated what it looks like to be an apologetic conservative but also lead in a way that is compassionate and in a way that shows wisdom and maturity in a time of division. He has a new book out called “A Faithful Presence,” which outlines his visual for leadership. It’s a really helpful book not just for leaders in the public square but also for leaders in any sphere. In this episode we talk about his faith and leadership, his calling to public service, and encouragement for believers engaging in the public square.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Bill Haslam Biography: Bill Haslam is the former two-term mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, and former two-term governor of Tennessee, reelected in 2014 with the largest victory margin of any gubernatorial election in Tennessee history. During his tenure, Tennessee became the fastest improving state in the country in K-12 education and the first state to provide free community college or technical school for all of its citizens, in addition to adding 475,000 net new jobs. Haslam serves on the boards of Teach for America and Young Life. In the fall of 2019, Haslam became a visiting professor of political science at Vanderbilt University. He and his wife of thirty-eight years, Crissy, have three children and nine grandchildren.

Book: Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square
Twitter: @BillHaslam
Instagram: @billhaslamtn
Facebook: @TeamHaslam

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Michael Kelley on family devotionals

Today, my good friend Michael Kelley joins me again on the podcast. Michael is a gifted pastor and author. He has written quite a few books. He’s a gifted speaker and teacher of the Bible. We talk about his new resource “The Whole Story for the Whole Family: A Year of Jesus-Centered Family Devotions.” It not only has devotions, but it has activities and object lessons to serve you in your family devotional time. Michael talks about he does family devotions with his kids and how he leads his family spiritually.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Michael Kelley Biography: Michael Kelley is a husband and father of three who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he serves as the Sr. Vice President of Church Ministries for LifeWay Christian Resources. He is also the author of “Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God”, “Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life”, and “Growing Down.”

Book: The Whole Story for the Whole Family: A Year of Jesus-Centered Family Devotions
Website:  michaelkelley.co
Twitter:  @_michaelkelley
Facebook:  @michaelkelleyministries

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.

The Way Home: Dr. Michael Kruger on keeping the faith in college

Have you ever thought about what a college experience will do for your kids—how will it shape them and form them? Today Dr. Michael Kruger, President of the Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins me on The Way Home podcast. He is the author of the new book  Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College. In the book he walks through some of the arguments a Christian student will face in college. Join us as we talk about students keeping the faith through college, what parents should be thinking about as they send their children to college, and more.

This episode of The Way Home is sponsored by Canopy. How do you protect your kids online without compromising speed and accessibility? Canopy is a great resource to help families find this balance. Go to canopy.us/wayhome for 30 days free and 20% off forever.

Show Notes

Michael Kruger Biography: Michael J. Kruger (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is the president and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a leading scholar on the origins and development of the New Testament canon. He is married to Melissa Kruger, Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and author of numerous books. They have three children, Emma, John, and Kate.

Book:   S urviving Religion 101:  Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College
Website: www.michaeljkruger.com
Twitter:  @michaeljkruger
Facebook:  Michael J. Kruger

This episode is sponsored by Canopy.