Praying Psalm 144 for you this New Year's Day - so much of it is relevant to all that you write in this post, but I especially pray that in 2025 you and your family will feel this truth deep in your hearts: "He is my steadfast love" (v. 2).
I am encouraged by your new connections - a sympathetic church, Brephos, strengthening from US allies to name but a few - whilst recognizing the pain involved in partings and transitions, especially if and when they impact those you love most. This is so often a hallmark of effective service to Christ.
I am praying that God will supply all your material needs too. Thank you for your service to his church in difficult times.
Thankyou so much. Yes, the Lord does move in mysterious ways and opens up new paths just as quickly as he closes off old ones. God bless you. And amen to Psalm 144. What a gem. I especially like Brian Sauve's version of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmCOpPFg1OY
Lots here resonates - especially around tensions - I think this is very true to the biblical experience however and the background of many of the letters. As we are aware more of the Holy Spirit, and understand the distinctiveness and bear the cost, it becomes very personal, as it should, and thus can separate us from those with equal spiritual ambition but having travelled different roads. Much easier to be united (or at least not in disagreement) when we're bland! But as you say we do unite over projects and plans and finally in the Lord, recognising the value of different perspectives and God's gifting.
The need to reach those who hold cultural perspectives they are not even aware of is so key - needing to develop the mind of Christ. Not least responding to articles in the Christian press and working out what words will help.
Thanks Jon, yes, very true indeed. Paul was indeed able to say, "it is good that there are divisions among you" in some circumstances. Time will tell what the outcomes will be. We do all yearn for the pleasantness of walking (and perhaps running) together with likeminded brothers in missional unity. And very often this will look different to what each of us may expect or think, precisely because as you rightly say, we *together* have the mind of Christ. God bless.
Thanks Ron. Good question! Yes. The priority is the book I'm working to complete within January; followed by next book which needs doing by end of April; amidst all that I will be prepping for some of the ministry trips, and seeing what can get off the ground with the college.
Also, good to hear you were there in the pulpit in its better Methodist days; they left the MCB in 2018 over the SSM issue on the horizon, then went through a but of an uneven time before a new breeze just over two years ago, so this latest iteration is still quite new, but a much needed blessing. Hope you and all are well.
Thanks Aaron, once again for your courage and grace through a difficult year. And what a great testament to the sustaining power of Jesus.
Praise be to the Lord of all mercies !
I am a beneficiary of the Lord’s work through your writing and podcasts. We brothers in India cant wait to host you and learn from you in May.
I am thinking on this sentence you wrote here-_I often find that what people believe about everyday life and society ends up being more influential upon what they believe theologically in the long run._
I always thought our hearts follow our heads. What we believe and think about based on what we are constantly exposed to (media, books, friendships, associates) and want to comform to (based on popular expectations, workplace regulations, easy route in a situation) is how our affections and convictions are forged.
I think John Piper will disagree with me on this !
Thankyou Dawn, yes I'm very much looking forward to being with you all later this year and hopefully being helpful! I'm not sure John Piper would necessarily disagree with you. He knew as well as anyone that the heart is sick and wants what it wants, so our ingratiation among media / culture / peers feeds the desires of our heart in subtle ways, leaning us to *want* to think that particular things are true or valuable when they are not. Perhaps it would be worth consulting Piper's *Think* book. I've certainly known many academics over the years who are entirely unaware of the way their heart shapes their thinking, supplemented by those apparently "mundane" opinions on all sorts of things. God bless.
You have been plodding abundantly throughout 2024! You should for sure be greatly encouraged as you reflect back. Keep up the good work in the year ahead Aaron, and may the Lord continue to bless you and your family in your ministry.
Praying Psalm 144 for you this New Year's Day - so much of it is relevant to all that you write in this post, but I especially pray that in 2025 you and your family will feel this truth deep in your hearts: "He is my steadfast love" (v. 2).
I am encouraged by your new connections - a sympathetic church, Brephos, strengthening from US allies to name but a few - whilst recognizing the pain involved in partings and transitions, especially if and when they impact those you love most. This is so often a hallmark of effective service to Christ.
I am praying that God will supply all your material needs too. Thank you for your service to his church in difficult times.
Thankyou so much. Yes, the Lord does move in mysterious ways and opens up new paths just as quickly as he closes off old ones. God bless you. And amen to Psalm 144. What a gem. I especially like Brian Sauve's version of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmCOpPFg1OY
A very interesting read. Thank you for posting this.
Thankyou
Lots here resonates - especially around tensions - I think this is very true to the biblical experience however and the background of many of the letters. As we are aware more of the Holy Spirit, and understand the distinctiveness and bear the cost, it becomes very personal, as it should, and thus can separate us from those with equal spiritual ambition but having travelled different roads. Much easier to be united (or at least not in disagreement) when we're bland! But as you say we do unite over projects and plans and finally in the Lord, recognising the value of different perspectives and God's gifting.
The need to reach those who hold cultural perspectives they are not even aware of is so key - needing to develop the mind of Christ. Not least responding to articles in the Christian press and working out what words will help.
Thanks Jon, yes, very true indeed. Paul was indeed able to say, "it is good that there are divisions among you" in some circumstances. Time will tell what the outcomes will be. We do all yearn for the pleasantness of walking (and perhaps running) together with likeminded brothers in missional unity. And very often this will look different to what each of us may expect or think, precisely because as you rightly say, we *together* have the mind of Christ. God bless.
2025 looks like a huge canvas of ministry thank you for what you are sharing . Do you have priorities?
I understand the background to Watchorn church having preached there in the 80,s.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks Ron. Good question! Yes. The priority is the book I'm working to complete within January; followed by next book which needs doing by end of April; amidst all that I will be prepping for some of the ministry trips, and seeing what can get off the ground with the college.
Also, good to hear you were there in the pulpit in its better Methodist days; they left the MCB in 2018 over the SSM issue on the horizon, then went through a but of an uneven time before a new breeze just over two years ago, so this latest iteration is still quite new, but a much needed blessing. Hope you and all are well.
Thanks Aaron, once again for your courage and grace through a difficult year. And what a great testament to the sustaining power of Jesus.
Praise be to the Lord of all mercies !
I am a beneficiary of the Lord’s work through your writing and podcasts. We brothers in India cant wait to host you and learn from you in May.
I am thinking on this sentence you wrote here-_I often find that what people believe about everyday life and society ends up being more influential upon what they believe theologically in the long run._
I always thought our hearts follow our heads. What we believe and think about based on what we are constantly exposed to (media, books, friendships, associates) and want to comform to (based on popular expectations, workplace regulations, easy route in a situation) is how our affections and convictions are forged.
I think John Piper will disagree with me on this !
What do you think ?
Thankyou Dawn, yes I'm very much looking forward to being with you all later this year and hopefully being helpful! I'm not sure John Piper would necessarily disagree with you. He knew as well as anyone that the heart is sick and wants what it wants, so our ingratiation among media / culture / peers feeds the desires of our heart in subtle ways, leaning us to *want* to think that particular things are true or valuable when they are not. Perhaps it would be worth consulting Piper's *Think* book. I've certainly known many academics over the years who are entirely unaware of the way their heart shapes their thinking, supplemented by those apparently "mundane" opinions on all sorts of things. God bless.
You have been plodding abundantly throughout 2024! You should for sure be greatly encouraged as you reflect back. Keep up the good work in the year ahead Aaron, and may the Lord continue to bless you and your family in your ministry.
Many thanks, Chris, much appreciated.