February Favorites
February… the shortest month in the year, and yet the one the Lord seemed to cram in so many lessons for me. It also marked the beginning of a season of fasting and quiet reflection.
How was February for you?
Here are a few things I’ve enjoyed or that have encouraged me this month…
On theological diversity in the local church: “Wise leaders discern what matters most when differences slide from genuine differences into corruptions. Those who turn differences into vendettas block the possibility of realization of error, reformation of ideas, and restoration to the people of God.” YES!
I really enjoyed this article on Junia (from Romans 16).
Are you preparing for your season?
Absolutely loved this essay on taking back your life in 2023: “Take back your life and your time not from dreams—-for without dreams we die—-but from distractions, from useless hours on Youtube, Twitter, Tik-Tok, from passive voyeurism into others’ lives, as if you too have not been given a remarkable life. Shut down the phone. Give your own miraculous life the rapt attention it deserves.”
Also loved this one on unlearning.
I’m saving this article on 13 ways to become more creative so I can start practicing some of them. They’re all really great ideas!
And here are 99 creative writing prompts for overcoming writer’s block. I’m going to try some of these and see how far I can get.
Life advice: “Do it before you sit down.”
On being obedient to time: “The seasonality of this world, as long as the earth endures, is his promise to us. It is his way of instilling stability and his way of endorsing eternal rhythms of rest. It is his way of calling us close to his heart and showing us the way that he moves—the slow, deep way that he works.”
I’m checking out these resources for a discussion on 1 Timothy 2.
My brother introduced me to Malcolm Guite’s work and I’ve been drawn into everything I’ve read or listened to by him. Here are a few links to get started:
The Christian Plummet (The first - and so far my favorite - of his poems I’ve read.)
Here’s why secular Lent misses the point.
And here’s a catch-22: how to protect abusers every time. “But again and again, I watch as women and men who speak out against abuse in evangelical spaces are slandered, mocked, and denounced.”
While we’re on the topic, this story on a woman who survived abuse and is now standing in the gap for other women was so inspiring.
I’ll be honest and say I’ve never read anything by Stephen King but his 20 rules for writers are golden. Taking notes!
Maybe I should preface this with #nerdalert, but a friend I’ve known since my teens sent me the link to this podcast and I’m dying. Smallville was The. Show. back in the day, and my friend and I used to watch it and talk about it all the time. I haven’t had a chance to listen yet but I can’t wait to reminisce and hear behind-the-scenes stories from my favorite episodes!
Making me think:
This month I wrote about observing Lent. (And if you’d like to catch up on the blog, check out: simple joys and slow seasons and my top ten books of 2022.)
Currently on my nightstand: The Normal Christian Life and The Cost of Discipleship. And just for fun, I’ve started reading some classic fiction before bed. My current selection is The Scarlet Pimpernel and even though I already know what’s going to happen, I can’t put it down!
Speaking of books, here’s my winter reading list. What’s on yours?
Disclaimer: I am not in any way affiliated with anyone or anything on this list. Just sharing a few of my favorite things!
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