When we consider the ways God has interacted with literature for the good of His people, it becomes obvious that literature must be important to Christianity. Literature is the medium through which God chose to communicate with us. Through scripture, He has given us the gospel, His commands, and all we need to know about ourselves and the world. Literature, writing, and language are completely unique to humans and to God, which further implicates their importance. Literature, therefore, must be important to Christians.

One form of helpful literature for Christians is theological literature. Theologians write books to communicate thoughts and ideas to aid Christians in their understanding of scripture. The Bible is sufficient in itself but would be much more challenging to interpret without the understanding already gained by others. Fiction and other genres can also be helpful to Christians. They can provide us with enjoyment of God’s creation and craftsmanship even without direct relation to theology. Fiction can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world and can provide us with a richer appreciation of God’s good gifts.

In addition to the broad understanding that different genres can give us, reading books of various kinds provides us with tools to live the Christian life well. Literature encourages us to examine ourselves, to look more closely at our hidden assumptions and beliefs. For example, reading historical literature removes us from our current cultural context and the assumptions that come with it, freeing us to compare ourselves to God’s values rather than those imposed by our current society.

Literature also gives us a more discerning perspective of the world. Reading current fiction or observing what sorts of informational books line the shelves of libraries can provide us with insight into what the world (or current generation) deems important, strengthening our ability to reach others with the gospel. Literature can also increase our awareness of the beliefs and practices of different cultures, enabling us to better spread the gospel. We can also gain a clearer perspective on good and evil through literature. Reading forces us into the position of differentiating between good and evil. No matter the story, be it true or fiction, we are always discerning what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable. This practice can awaken us to undesirable qualities or evil actions we were unconscious of, in ourselves or in others.

Lastly, literature expands our minds and increases our capacity for knowledge, which God desires for us so that we can better know Him through his Word. Reading helps us to be better thinkers. It introduces and familiarizes us with logic, reasoning, themes, allegory, parables, metaphors, and symbolism. Each of these elements appear throughout God’s Word, so understanding them is pertinent to understanding God’s Word rightly. Reading literature even teaches us to consider authorial intent, the purpose a writer intends for his work. Understanding of authorial intent gives us further knowledge of God by establishing our belief that words have definite meaning, intended by the author. Understanding of authorial intent supports the Christian’s belief that objective truth exists.

Literature is of great importance to Christianity. It is valuable to Christians because it can clarify truths, increase our understanding of God and ourselves, and enable Christians to better spread the gospel.

What does welcome really mean? How do we welcome others—on Sunday morning and beyond? Answering these questions addresses the very first question asked above and what I hope Christ Church is continuing to grow in—welcoming others for the glory of God! Welcome, the word used in the ESV translation, means to receive or accept. Paul is using Romans 15 to encourage the church to accept all in the body—not to worry about the differences they faced, whether they were Jew or Gentile—and focus on their shared identity in Christ. This idea of 'receiving' goes beyond mere tolerance; it implies intentional love and hospitality.

Charles Spurgeon wrote the following about Romans 15:7, “Christ did not receive us because we were perfect, because he could see no fault in us, or because he hoped to gain somewhat at our hands. Ah, no! But, in loving condescension covering our faults, and seeking our good, he welcomed us to his heart; so, in the same way, and with the same purpose, let us receive one another.” If Christ welcomed us despite our faults, we too must actively welcome others—not because they are like us, but because they are loved by God. This reflects the grace we've received. Welcoming others is one of the ways we can truly live all of life in light of the gospel!

Understanding Paul’s Romans 15 charge provides depth and clarity surrounding the joy of welcoming others on Sunday morning. His charge moves beyond the perfunctory friendly hello and handshake that generally exists at nearly all churches today. Of course, we say good morning, but what else do we do? What else should we do? What does the way we welcome others tell them of what we believe about God? There are several things we aim to do on Sunday that reflects our commitment to welcoming everyone well. From the front door to the welcome table and the explanations in our order of worship, all aspects of Sunday morning are intended to make visitors and members feel welcomed and included. While the welcome team plays a key role in these efforts, every member of Christ Church contributes to creating a culture of hospitality by greeting those you meet, making meaningful connections, and guiding visitors to pastors or the Welcome Table for more information. We all help remove barriers that might distract visitors from hearing the sermon, understanding the gospel, and worshiping Christ. This is a shared effort of the church and truly is an act of worship.

Our church openly gathers several times a month outside of Sunday worship. Invitations to community groups and other church gatherings help visitors and members get connected. Their invitation and hopeful attendance allows them to experience further who we are and provides us with additional opportunities to welcome them well into the community. Outside of formal church events we can host people in our home, go out to dinner, call, and meet up at the park; there are many opportunities to welcome others well and practice our hospitality. Ultimately, welcoming others leads to deeper discipleship. As visitors learn more about our church through hospitality, they may feel called to pursue membership—a vital step in becoming an active part of the body of Christ.

Christ Church, let us strengthen our resolve to live all of life in light of the gospel. Greet someone you haven’t met. Open your home to someone new. Let your life reflect the gospel so that God is glorified in how we welcome and receive one another!

I really like Jesus for this so much. What a beautiful glimpse into how our Lord feels about little ones!

JoJo Thomas was my pastor from elementary school till he married Dan and I. Like Jesus, he made it obvious that he highly valued children. One Sunday, when I was young, he wasn’t in the pulpit, though I saw him after church. My mom explained that once a year he served in the nursery. Why? Because when our church hit a famine of nursery workers and no amount of asking was moving the people, he prayed and asked the Lord to change hearts. And the first heart to change was his! He felt the Lord was calling him to lead by example. And so he did. Hearing this deeply planted this truth in my heart: No one is too important to serve, and children are very valuable to God.

Years later I had moved away, married Dan, and was living in Virginia. Jacob, our oldest, was just toddling, and I was pregnant with Abby. My grandfather died, and we traveled to South Carolina for the funeral. We shook hands, hugged strangers before the service, and kept Jacob quiet and obedient as best we could. I was sad, and I was weary. Unexpectedly, a few couples from our church in Georgia arrived. They drove three hours to attend the funeral of someone they didn’t know to support our family. I was so touched that they loved us that much. JoJo, our pastor, and his wife, Debbie, were among them. That’s six hours in a car round trip! For us! And then we all sat in the tiny funeral home chapel and waited and waited for the service to begin. Dan and I continued to keep Jacob quiet and obedient as best we could. Just before the service began, my pastor walked up to our pew and said, “Let me take him.”

And so, he held Jacob’s hand and slowly walked the parking lot where I could see them occasionally out the windows. They picked up rocks and looked at weeds. And so, I grieved and participated in my beloved grandfather’s funeral, and my pastor watched my kid. Six hours in a car, and he missed the service. But I realize now, he didn’t come for the service. He came to love us. He came to show us how Jesus loves us all. And my faith in my living Lord Jesus was strengthened, because I saw a man who acted like Jesus toward a little child.

To me, one of the roles of children in the church is to reveal our hearts. The disciples wanted the children to go away. Jesus invited them close. Jesus said, “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42). Praying that God will make me, and all of us, at Christ Church, like JoJo. Which is to say, like Jesus.

Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World

A Brief Article

What does it look like to be a praying church? I think most importantly, it is a church choosing to reflect a deep commitment to prayer as a central part of the church’s life and ministry. Here are some key characteristics:

1. Leadership Committed to Prayer: The lead pastor and church leaders have a strong personal prayer life and model this commitment to the congregation.
2. Prayer-Infused Worship Services: Prayer is not just a formality but an integral part of worship services, with intentional and focused moments of prayer throughout the service.
3. Prayer in Small Groups: Small groups within the church learn God’s word together and facilitate meaningful prayer times, for each other, the church, and the world.
4. Dedicated Prayer Ministry: There is a person or team responsible for leading the prayer ministry, keeping prayer a priority in the church’s activities.
5. Prayer-Saturated Staff Meetings: Church staff meetings are deeply rooted in prayer, indicating a reliance on divine guidance rather than just human ability.
6. Intercession for Non-Believers: The church actively prays for non-believers by name, interceding for their salvation and breakthrough from spiritual darkness.
7. Teaching on Prayer: Opportunities are taken to teach not only the importance of prayer, but how to pray.

Prayer is not just an activity but the very fabric of its community life. It’s a place where every aspect, from leadership to lay members, is soaked in prayer, reflecting a deep dependence on God for guidance, strength, and mission.

“A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World” by Paul E. Miller is a compelling call to integrate prayer deeply into the life of the church. In his book he addresses why we should be a praying church. He discusses the following:

1. Why Pray Together? – When believers come together in prayer, they align themselves with God’s will and experience a unique communal power that individual prayer cannot replicate.
2. What Is the Church? – It’s a community. The church is not just a gathering of individuals but a body that prays together, supporting and strengthening each other in faith.
3. How the Spirit Reshapes a Praying Community – It is the Holy Spirit guiding and reshaping a community through prayer.
4. The Art of Praying Together – Miller offers practical advice on how to pray together effectively and how to foster an environment where every member feels comfortable and valued in their contributions.
5. Specialized Praying in Community – This final section provides a wealth of suggestions for incorporating prayer into various church activities.

Miller’s main point is that prayer should be at the heart of the church’s life. Our dependence must be on God, through His word and with much prayer. His book challenges churches to become places where prayer is not just an activity but the very heartbeat of the community.

Christ Church is our community. Let’s continue to live out all of life in light of the gospel “treasuring Christ, maturing in His love, and spreading His glory.” And let’s saturate this in prayer, for His glory and our good.

I have the privilege of being involved in a wonderful cohort group filled with women who love Jesus passionately and want to serve Him as well. I like to send Bible verses each morning to encourage and I enjoy hearing how He is speaking to others in similar ways. I love the bond of Christ that we share! Praying for each other allows us to see His power move in different areas of our lives. When we see the result of consistent prayer, our trust in Him builds individually as well as a group.

I also have the privilege of leading Restoring Your Heart women’s groups and working with teens one on one in this ministry. Restoring Your Heart allows a person to look at their life from birth to present and to seek the Lord in healing areas that have been hidden or stuck in wounding.

The Lord always transforms our minds through His Word and allows us to reset patterns that have been damaging to us and those around us. This form of discipleship has allowed me to work with others in ministry across the world, as well as starting local neighborhood groups.

In working with neighbors, Restoring Your Heart has also been used as an evangelical tool. After all, Jesus is the only Healer! I am always the one who benefits the most. God always blesses us when we join Him in disciple building.

I believe the most important form of discipleship happens in our homes and families. While we are doing real life in real time, there are constant opportunities to be discipled and to disciple as well. Do we always get it right? Of course not! But His grace propels us forward and the beauty of Jesus shines.

Who will God have us speak to today that needs a warm reflection of His truth and grace? He is worthy.

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19)

I chose to begin with this quote as I believe it well summarizes the conclusion I hope to lead us to. As humans, we are born with a certain inclination towards the desire to create. To originate. To bring to life. Understanding this desire, on its face for the Christian, may seem fairly obvious. Man, made in God’s image, would naturally take on the characteristics of God - one of which is that of creativity. Of course we have that desire! However, despite this fairly logical statement, there is a distinct difference between the creativity of the Created and the Creator. We will first map out these differences and finally provide a logical overview of the conclusion such definitions must lead us to.

First, what does it mean for humanity, the Created, when we apply the word “create” to our actions? My own induction into the arts may help to define. As a young kid, I remember watching Swiss Family Robinson, my mind swirling with ideas of the life I could create in the woods behind my parents’ home. Myself and several of my young comrades spent hundreds of hours digging trenches, fashioning spears, and conquering the unknown acres. When we weren’t outside, we spent our time reading books or watching movies, encountering the weight of loss, romantic love, vengeance, forgiveness, and all the new discoveries that come with young age. All of these introductions to the arts began to craft my understanding of what could be. These discoveries and inspirations endeared my young mind to the new, the original, and self expression. I then began to try my own hand at filming short movies or plucking at the piano. My mind raced with possibilities, reordering of structures, new camera angles, varied rhythms of the strikes on the piano keys. All of these joys fueled my love for “creativity.” There was a common thread in all my creative endeavors: all of my ideas could be traced back to a source of inspiration. I was not originating technically. We might better define my creative efforts as recreating or reimagining. This is true of all human creation.

In contrast to the way humans are introduced to creating, God was given no introduction; there was no source material. He fully expressed himself with no outside influence. His original ideas were original. This is baffling. It is important for the Christian to grasp this truth. Your source for creativity can all be traced back to the original Creator. This implies that our creativity is ultimately not original but a retelling of the known.

If God is the true Creator and we as the Created are reimagining His handiwork, what would it look like for the Christian to properly create? It would mean to honor or reflect the intent of the Creator with our recreation of His original work. We must know our God to be able to create in a way that honors Him. In knowing Him, we are able to bring to light what contradicts His character and make what He calls beautiful shine even brighter. Further, it is not enough to simply regurgitate facts about right and wrong, but it is our privilege to present reality, through the arts, in a way that stirs our minds and hearts to marvel at God.

When thinking about one’s calling to create, I hope that the Christian feels a deep longing to use those giftings to honor the original Creator. Our understanding of our creative abilities and the source of those abilities should propel us to create excellent art and in so doing, magnify the Originator.

Fresh out of college, I packed my bags in the fall of 2008, made my rounds of farewells, and headed overseas. I lived in South Asia for two years as a missionary among Muslims. After returning to the States, my love for cross-cultural work continued unabated! While no longer overseas, I’m thankful for the many opportunities the Lord has provided to continue supporting, encouraging, and praying for international missions, including a new opportunity for me to work part-time with Reaching and Teaching, a missions organization that comes alongside churches to help send out their members for three essential tasks of making mature disciples, establishing healthy churches, and training local leaders. It is a privilege I do not take lightly. Sadly, it took living on the field as a missionary for me to fully see and grasp the beauty of the role of the local church in sending well-equipped missionaries who plant healthy churches in global contexts. Because missions methods and strategies matter, the local church should be active in the task of assessing, setting apart, and equipping its members to the work of cross-cultural missions.

The New Testament makes it clear that as believers, we are “sent ones” that are called to share the gospel and disciple others wherever we are (Matt. 28:16-20; Rom. 10:13-15; 1 Cor. 12:7,11; Col. 3:12-17) . At the same time, we recognize that Scripture depicts those within the early church who were sent out for specific ministry, and we continue this “missionary endeavor” today for the sake of God’s glory and the salvation of people from all nations (Acts 13:2; 1 Pet.4:10; Rev. 5:9; 7:9). Discerning the opportunity for gospel-saturated and Christ-exalting cross-cultural ministry is an act of using sober judgment, prayer, and wisdom from within Christian community. My encouragement for those interested in missions is to seek out godly counsel within Christ Church as an initial step. Ask questions, pray, learn. There is a deep well of resources from which to draw.

Brothers and Sisters, the Lord has providentially set before us in his wisdom and kindness a global task that we all participate in — as those who send and those who are sent. The glorious and good news of the gospel is one of joyful proclamation that should be spread to every corner of the earth and lead to worship of our Triune God. What joy! What an honor! Pray that from within Christ Church we will send and send well for the glory of God among the nations.

At my best, I approach my profession as a ministry and look to Jesus, the Great Physician, as an example on how to engage my patients. Illness is what makes us vulnerable and brings us to realize we need help. It strips us of pride and self-reliance. In Matthew 9, Jesus looked on the crowds and had compassion for them. He healed the paralytic man but more importantly he addressed the condition of his soul, forgiving his sin. I understand that I am a participant in his healing and redemptive plan. My wisdom and knowledge come through him. I can sew the edges of the wound together, but it is by his power and design that the wound is mended. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit leads, I share my faith and hope in Christ through my everyday conversations with patients. I pray with my patients as opportunity presents itself and attempt to show that Christ-like empathy that he shows us every day.

Many good physicians, nurses and other medical professionals have come before me, and at some point, my generation will have to pass the torch to the next. My advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career in the medical field is to do it for the right reason. Make the choice with your heart, having a desire to bring hope to the weary and heavy laden. It’s a hard road to walk. The educational aspect is challenging, the training can be physically and mentally exhausting. Realize that you can often find careers that compensate you more for less rigorous effort. Do it as an apprentice to the Great Physician—who is both the healer, and most importantly, the eternal cure—for his glory and not your own.

A hazy summer mist, Can cool a thirsty glade

More so, to me does Christ , Than any grassy blade

As rain flows down the mount, And streams into the sea

His living water flows, And sets my spirit free

A rushing forest brook, Can polish any stone

So did that blood He shed, For all my sins atone

There’s water in that well, O kind Samaritan

But if you drink from His, You’ll never thirst again

Someone has said that the Bible is God talking to man - except for the Psalms, which is man talking to God. I’ve noticed that in most hymns and praise songs, God is grammatically in the second person; in other words, man is the speaker and God is the addressee. Sometimes God can be in the third person (the one being talked about). But I’m finding it more satisfying to address God directly. It’s like praying.

One way to structure the verses is to tell a story with a beginning, middle and end. Another way is to tie the verses together with a common theme. For the theme of the Living Water song, I focused on the ways in which God provides us with water in nature, in verses one through three. Then for the final verse I brought home the main point - Christ’s living water is all we need.

I have technical preferences regarding perfect rhymes, and matching syllables and cadences; but rather than going into all that, I’ll leave you with a word about inspiration. I think it’s a mistake to wait for inspiration before you write. Think of the professional songwriters of yesteryear at Tin Pan Alley and The Brill Building, who wrote hundreds of standards. They showed up at the office every morning, made a pot of coffee, rolled up their sleeves, and started writing. They couldn’t afford to wait for inspiration!

Most of what they wrote probably never got published, but some did, and some occasionally paid off. I’ve found that the best way to get inspired is simply to grab a theme and write it down, and go from there. The main thing is - don’t wait for a bolt of lightning. Just get started. Write!

There should be considerable intentionality in fellowshipping with other believers, primarily among those who attend church together, because we share a core interest – Christ. We have been “adopted through Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:5), and therefore we are “one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Rom. 12:5). Christ redeemed us and continually conforms us to His image “that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:29). We are those who have believed and thus have everything in common, possessing one heart and soul (Acts 4:32). We must surround ourselves with our adopted family, our co-heirs, for we are united through our Savior.

Fellowship events provide the space and opportunity outside of ministry and service for friendships to be established, for love for one another to increase, and for bonds to be strengthened. And this is accomplished through the avenue of mutual experiences. To illustrate, close friendships exist in part because of shared experiences. Think of friends that do activities together simply to enjoy one another’s company, in contrast to those friends who rarely spend time together. When fellowship is devalued, tightly knit friendships dwindle, iron fails to sharpen iron, and biblical companionship weakens. But when fellowship is present, brotherly affection and love grows, and unity of heart and spirit deepens. And to our Lord, unity among brothers and sisters is a good and pleasant thing (Ps. 133:1).

One of the most beautiful ways fellowship events can affect our church family is the way in which fellowship stirs in us a reminder of and desire for the joyful rest that awaits God’s people. When we enjoy God’s gifts of each other and His creation, and ultimately Himself, we are experiencing a foretaste of the eternal, worshipful fellowship before us. Gathering with our brothers and sisters to rest, laugh, play, and delight in God portrays a shadow of the approaching great gathering before the throne of our God. We will one day enter a never ending event of fellowship, walking with the nations in the light of God’s glory (Rev. 21:23-24), in perfect joy, peace, and rest. Until then, may Christ Church be a church that fellowships together, increasingly knitting ourselves to each other in love and unity, and stirring eager anticipation for the final fellowship to come!