Good Reads – 4th Edition

2014 has been deemed by some as the “No Fear New Year,” and we are wholeheartedly in support! Here is a collection of some of our favorite, fearless blog posts from around the web this week: 

How to Move Forward into the New Year… when you feel like you failed the last year
by: Ann Voskamp

“Well…. do I tell you that this last year was the year I didn’t lose 10 pounds, forgot every morning for. a. year. to exercise, didn’t finish reading the Bible, failed to write what I really wanted, never got the basement backroom gutted, rammed about in the same ruts on rinse and repeat, only read half as many books to the kids as I’d planned, and missed living up to what I’d named this year?“ Read more>>

Don’t Waste Your Weaknesses in 2014
by: John Piper

In 2014, I encourage you to identify and exploit your weaknesses for the glory of Christ. I would like to give you an illustration from my own life, but first let me clarify what I mean.

Since 2007, millions of people have read books and taken inventories designed to find our strengths. These are useful for positioning people in places of maximum effectiveness. But I am calling you to give attention and effort in finding your weaknesses and maximizing their God-given purpose. Read more>>

A New Year. A New Word.
by: Rebekah Lyons

These measured moments stir something deep within all of us. Perhaps the reflection causes us to consider ways to start fresh. A chance to begin again.  I used to mask my perpetual longing for a clean slate, but the longer I know Jesus, I embrace this internal desire to be made new. Our time concluded with my favorite part, naming our year with a word. Three hundred sixty five days summarized in a single word. The art of writing has taught me the weight of words, how each one must count. That’s all editing is, really, deleting the words that don’t count. Read more>>

What It Takes to Free a Sex Slave
by: Matt and Laura Parker

Sarah, a native of a neighboring country, was 15 years old. Her mother had recently sold her to pay off a family debt. Sarah’s virginity had brought her trafficker $600 just three days earlier. Read more of Sarah’s story>>

A New Year, A New Time
by: Beth Moore

We must all be willing to exceed denominational boundaries. Revival is at stake. Nearsightedness will trip us and disunity will slay us in the perilous days to come. We can prioritize our denominations over the Scriptures if we want to but we will shrivel up and die on the vine if we do.We who are called to teach must teach the Scriptures even if – and especially when – they differ from our long-held stance. That we will answer for.

These are days for bravery. Read more>>