Growth Requires Intentional Effort
Challenging Convictions
Yesterday I wrote about the challenge of writing daily for an entire year on Substack, and earlier this week I wrote how Jess had challenged me to play my electric guitar for worship last Sunday.
Challenging ourselves is a good thing. Even in spiritual matters, growth requires intentional effort (2 Peter 1:5–8). When we challenge ourselves, supplement our faith, and seek to grow stronger in Christ, we allow for deeper and better ways to worship God.
Even if you don’t meet the challenge, or if you don’t succeed in the way you’d like, God can still be glorified. Even in our failures, God can use them to encourage and strengthen our faith. For when we are weak, God gets to be strong.
Owen Among the Theologians: Conversations Across the Christian Tradition
27% off at Westminster Bookstore! The perfect gift for pastor appreciation month this October. Use my code DIVEINDIGDEEP to save an extra 5% off your entire order always.
Owen Among the Theologians invites readers to examine the writings of Owen alongside those of other Christian thinkers from various eras and traditions. By putting Owen in fresh conversation with significant theologians who lived before and after him, this unique study offers a thorough theological study of specific themes such as the glory of Christ, communion with God, justification by faith, the perseverance of the saints, and much more. This compelling work not only helps readers gain a deeper understanding of Owen’s theology but, ultimately, a greater love of the triune God.
Deep Theological Insights: Articulates Owen’s thoughts on topics such as the glory of Christ, communion with God, justification by faith, and perseverance of the saints, not only describing Owen’s view but also retrieving his thought for the good of the church today
Comparative Framework: Uses techniques including comparison, complement, consensus, consequence, and contrast to help readers gain a nuanced viewpoint
Diverse Perspectives: Includes thoughts from many well-known and influential thinkers from a wide range of eras and traditions, but also includes some lesser-known voices and unexpected topics
Historical: Explores Owen’s theological and pastoral contributions and assesses their impact on the life and ministry of the church
More: Best Study Bibles
DIVEINDIGDEEP Weekly
In case you missed it, I recently sent out my flagship Weekly Newsletter, and I invite you to connect with me there!
Our end of summer giveaway is The Pursuit of Holy Leisure. Our free resources included Unfixable Suffering: Psalm 10 on Suffering and Our Savior by David Powlison, The Story of SermonAudio documentary on YouTube, and The Pleasures of God by John Piper. My featured article was The Influence of Time, which I shared an earlier version here first on Substack!
More: Free eBooks
Endnotes
Giveaway and review: Gathered Today helps families grow stronger through simple, Scripture-centered tools for meaningful conversation and connection. These conversation cards from Gathered Today are a simple, strong, and strategic way to build up your family. They are excellent, refreshing, analog tools that helped me connect with my kids and connect them to Christ.
Dive In Dig Deep Weekly: A weekly digest of my book reviews and ministry news.
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