I think it happens to most of us. We get an email notification that a new post has hit Substack. Then we think we will check it out a little later on the app. A few days later and with a lot more posts, we scramble to make our way through them. I’m sure in my haste I missed some treasures, but here are some that made my most appreciated reads lately. Hey, and while I’m thinking about it … like these articles freely and frequently. It’s an encouragement thing.
Patrick Ryan’s sermon on Practicing Joy has a lot to offer. “Joy isn’t something we can hold; joy holds us. There’s no way to grab onto joy. No way to own it. Trying to get your hands on joy is like trying to grab a hold of the ocean, stop a river, or keep a spring from flowing. We don’t hold onto water; water holds onto us. We do not hold onto joy; joy holds onto us.”
Heather Holland begins an ambitious project to offer a poem a day, and she invites poets to join her in that project. To read and/or contribute, subscribe to The Daily Rhyme.
How to Accept Feedback Gracefully is Nedra Glover Tawwab’s excellent reminder, “We need to come to the understanding that not everyone who shares feedback with us is trying to harm us.” Not all feedback is equal, though, so she gives some excellent guidelines.
Chris Martin says these are the Seven Best Articles he read in 2022. I don’t remember what I read last week, so I’m thankful to be able to save good articles like this one. It’s Chris’ last article of the year, so make sure to enjoy it.
Richard Myerscough is quickly becoming one of my favorite Stackers. His devotionals are richly written and encouraging. This one on The Deep Ways of God was a blessing to me. “His path leads - as he leads you - through the mighty waters, even through the choppy and chaotic seas that threaten to capsize your life. The God who is immortal and invisible, the only wise One, will not permit you to be swept away.” Also, another post he shared was called “Out of His Fullness.”
Will Soto explains, Why I Will Not Debate on Twitter. Twitter is such a controversial place these days - and it may not be getting better any time soon. I thought Will’s observations were helpful toward a better dialogue. “The most helpful conversations—those that lead to careful, critical thinking—are borne of mutual respect and dignity. They level the playing field and give equal value to each person’s thoughts, lived experience, and hard-earned wisdom.”
Charles Schifano’s writing is so beautiful. I love cardinals, so my eye was definitely drawn to his post, Some Thoughts About a Cardinal. There is something peaceful in the chaotic world when we focus in on the beauty of a cardinal. “To enjoy the pleasures of a cardinal isn’t to deny these realities—that should be clear—even though many people insist on having the problems of the time encompass every moment.”
Noel Jesse Heikkinen offers up some positive encouragements in Twelve Ways to Have a Joyful Christmas (and Life). I’m going to keep this one - will need to re-read from time to time! “When a friend is in need, show up. Just be there. Drop what you are doing, what you want to be doing, and be there. And usually talk less.”
When people write about grief, it is often uncomfortable and heartbreaking. I think those are two good descriptions of the profound grief expressed by a bereaved mother as Shaun Usher shares Kathleen Keyes’ haunting post Look For Me in the Trees. I’ll Be There in the Trees. “Eighteen years ago this Christmas, my first child of three, my daughter was very ill and she died early in the New Year. It was a meteorite falling on a family that was already rocked by loss and absence.”
And finally, Adsum Try Ravenhill seeks to revive how we we read the classics and gives some examples of themes running through books like Dracula and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde you may have missed by the Hollywood renderings. The Strange Case of Robert Louis Stevenson has his attention and we look forward to more. “This complex character, seen mostly through the eyes of others, presents the reader with human depravity and asks us to examine ourselves too, and so once the final scene plays out, and we find out what would become of this man, we’re forced to ask ourselves similar questions.”
It’s Christmas week and I hope you are finding some joy. If it is in abundance, be thankful. If you have to look a little harder, I hope you find all you need. Thanks for reading this far. As always, in the comments feel free to share a post you liked from somewhere in the stacks. Even if it was your own. Be blessed.
My other Substack consists of sermon notes, Bible class notes, and devotional writings, most of which are produced for the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, Louisiana. If you’d like to check that out, HERE is the link.
I think that’s what heaven will be...time for every interest.