Hello Friends. Anthony here. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of writing on the side and looking at other blogs. It made me realize how I haven’t written a blog post on here in forever. Amy and I are back doing the podcasts, which we hope you’re getting something out of, but for a self-professed, “Christian blog and podcast” there hasn’t been much of the former. So, I thought a leisurely Sunday afternoon was a nice time to open my laptop and write to you. Sunday afternoons are a good time to reflect on things I’m appreciative of.
Appreciating the Seasons
By God’s grace, we’re doing well. The Lord blessed us with a great summer. I’ll include some highlight photos at the bottom of this, including volunteering at our church’s VBS and one of me replacing the starter in our van, which was a neat accomplishment since I don’t usually do my own car repairs.
Now we are looking forward to the change of season. I think it can be sinful of Christians to rush the change of seasons. We ought not to grumble and complain about the weather the Lord is kind to provide us with. So often I notice the world grumbles about winter’s cold only to grouse six months later about summer’s heat, and how now they can’t wait for fall! It makes sense. The world without Jesus is a restless place. We Christians can fall into that trap too, though. Instead, let’s look forward to the Lord’s splendor on display in autumn’s brilliant leaves, cider, pumpkins, and, yes, cooler temps, but let’s be grateful for today, too.
Appreciating a New Chapter
By now the academic year has started again, and this time I praise the Lord I’m not part of it! Having completed my M.Div after 10 long years of on-again/off-again studies this past May, it feels equal parts strange and exhilarating that my academic days are behind me at last. Now I get to read books because I want to, not because I have to. It’s a nice new chapter of life to be in.
Appreciating My Co-Host
Over the summer podcasting break Amy and I had time to reflect on where we want to go with the show. Having her on as a co-host has been a real shift for the show, which started out with just me. Back then it was much more of a “teaching” show, me studying for some topic and effectively delivering a monologue about it. Now, with Amy, it’s a conversation. Besides her thoughtful reflections (which really add to the show, I think), her cheerfulness really comes out in the recordings. The whole dynamic of Grace and Peace Radio has changed, and for the better.
Appreciating Jesus
As I mentioned in our first episode coming back, we want to capitalize on the new dynamic. Instead of being straight-up teaching on a subject, we want the shows to be engaging discipling conversations. That’s not to say that we think we’re, ahem, so wise and sanctified that we have so much to impart to you, feeble listener. God forbid!
Rather, we both have found that we genuinely enjoy coming to the microphones and sharing what the Lord has shown us, the same way someone who is really into collecting seashells or sea glass would lay out their collection and talk about each piece’s uniqueness. I don’t know about you, but when someone does that to me I find their enthusiasm contagious. I become excited by what excites them. That doesn’t mean I’m going to start collecting shells, just that my world is a little bigger and a little more informed than it was, and that much more enjoyable.
And that’s the point, really. We want listeners of Grace and Peace Radio to share in our enthusiasm about the Lord Jesus Christ, who saved us sinners. It’s like how the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:3-5,
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our [or “your”] joy complete.
1 John 1:3-5 NIV
Jesus changed our lives when He saved each of us. And then He changed them again when He brought us together. And He’s changed them several times over through the 14 years we’ve been married, through all the ups and downs and twists and turns. Yet every single step of the way He has shown Himself good and kind and faithful.
Appreciating You
And so, as I sit here imagining you, our listeners, some I know and some I won’t meet until Heaven, it’s my prayer that in some small way, our joy at the treasure of Jesus we have will be shared with you.
That will make our joy complete, too.
May the Lord glorify Himself and bless you,
