The Gift of People Is Greater Than Gifted People

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The Gift of People Is Greater Than Gifted People SCOTTY SMITH "Philemon, your love has given me great joy and encouragement" (Phlm.1:6). " Rufus' mother has been a mom to me too" (Rom.16:13). " Onesiphorus wasn't ashamed of my chains and refreshed me" (2Tim.1:16). " Phoebe has blessed many people, including me" (Rom.16:1-2). " Timothy cares for people, including me, like no one else" (pp Phil.2:20). " Titus was a conduit of your comfort at just the right time" (pp 2Cor.7:6)    Heavenly Father, Of all the good gifts you give us, the best come wrapped in human flesh—beginning with the gift of your beloved Son, Jesus. Thank you, for sending Jesus to us and for us. But you didn't stop with Jesus. We all know very gifted people, but your gift of certain people to us makes it so easy to be grateful during this Thanksgiving season.    The Apostle Paul listed many friends for whom he was grateful—sisters and brothers who became grace-in-the-flesh to him. Abba, thank you for our grace-friends as well. Their compassion-antenna and Spirit-sensitivity serve us in timely and uncanny ways. Their encouragement is life-giving, heart-refreshing, and perspective-restoring. Like Paul himself, they don't just give us the Gospel and verses, but their heart and lives as well (1Thess.2:8).    Their  vulnerability about their own struggles and weaknesses makes it easier for us to own ours. Their eye contact,  listening, and kindness "preach" the Gospel to us more clearly than most pulpiteers. They always seem to know when to pursue us, and when to push in without being " pushy."    As Alison Krauss sings, They "say it best when they say nothing at all"—for sometimes words get in the way of what we need the most—the quieting presence of your love. Father, thank you blessing us with such friends. Increasingly make us this kind of friend to our friends. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Don’t Superglue Your Cracks. It’s How Jesus Is Revealed

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Don't Superglue Your Cracks. It's How Jesus Is Revealed SCOTTY SMITH   "We showcase the treasure of the Gospel in our weak humanity—in fragile jars of clay. This gives God all the glory for what he is doing in us and through us. We feel pressure on every side, but we're not crushed. We're perplexed but not in despair. Though persecuted, we know God's abiding presence. Beaten down but not obliterated. We were crucified and raised with Christ, so his death is dear to us and his resurrection-life is now being revealed through us" (pp 2Cor.4:7-10).    Dear Jesus, comparing my challenges to the Apostle Paul's is like comparing my ukulele plucking to Phil Keagy's guitar playing; Kmart flip flops to German made Birkenstocks; canned asparagus to farm-fresh vegetables. In other words, there is no comparison. But I 100% relate to Paul's treasure imagery and weakness metaphor.    Indeed Jesus, you are the most glorious, exquisite, and eternal treasure. Free me and my friends to be 100 times more enthralled with you than we currently are. We love you but want to be utterly "smitten" with you" and "gobsmacked" adoring of you.    Though there are moments/seasons in life when throwing in the towel, running to a distant land, or numbing our pain in foolish ways seem incredibly  attractive—we know you well enough not to be as easily tricked by the devil's schemes (2Cor.2:11). We'd rather be weak Christ-bearers than "awesome" and Christless.    You didn't come into our world to be our masseur, concierge, butler—but our Savior, Lord, and very life. If being weak best reveals your magnificence, keep me/us weak. If the aroma of grace is most fully released through "cracks" in jar-of-clay-ness, don't patch up my/our cracks. Reveal more of yourself to us and through us, Jesus. Become even more our singular, incomparable treasure. There is no greater privilege, joy, and honor. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Serve God and Grow in Your Skill as a Writer

Sign Up for the TGC Writers' Cohort: From Pitch to Published

View in browser WRITE WELL REACH HEARTS AND MINDS SERVE GOD WITH YOUR WORDS In an age of vibes and videos, of AI and Instagram, is writing even worth it? We believe it is.    After all, God is a writer. He's written his glory into creation. Before time began, he wrote the story of redemption in his heavenly book. And in these last days, he's spoken to us by his written word and by his Son, the Word.    When Christian writers use and develop their God-given talents, when they think of their gifts as part of a Christian vocation, they can write in a way that both glorifies God and serves their neighbors.   At The Gospel Coalition, we want to help you grow in this calling. Back by popular demand, our 8-week cohort for Christian writers will help you think deeply about writing, develop your craft, and establish God-honoring writing habits. In our TGC Writers' Cohort, you'll sharpen your writing skills through practical training from professional writers and editors. The 8 sessions will cover all aspects of writing from the first draft to publication. WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP TODAY Develop a theological framework for the work of writing and see the value of writing well in our current age Receive practical guidance on the writing life from me and my colleagues at TGC, including Collin Hansen, Megan Hill, Matt Smethurst, and Sarah Zylstra Benefit from tips on how to develop a solid argument and craft a good article pitch Undertake workshop assignments to put what you learn into practice Special 8th session focused on book publishing FIND OUT MORE I hope to see you there! Brett McCracken Senior Editor YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205   Take control of your inbox Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Dearly Loved and Loving Dearly

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Dearly Loved and Loving Dearly SCOTTY SMITH "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Col. 3:12.   Heavenly Father, what to wear in Franklin, Tennessee is an ever-changing constant. Fortunately, you've made our heart-garment choices easy—no matter the temperature, humidity, and forecast. As your set-apart and "dearly loved" children, there are five articles we're to wear all the time. Compassion + Kindness + Humility + Gentleness + Patience    Like Birkenstocks, they're never out of style—though weather to wear socks with them changes every decade or so. These 5 garments of grace are  better than Gore-Tex when our relational context is raining, not cats and dogs, but angry pythons, biting monkeys, and squawking parrots. Father—all kidding aside, we know these matters to be quite serious, timely, and eternal. How we love matters now and forever; for you have told us that "the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love" (Gal. 5:6). You have also told us that—without love, we are like brash, irritating, melody-less, gongs being played at the worse time possible. Indeed, when we're not loving as Jesus loves us—not only do we gain nothing; we steal from people we love. Most graphically, when we default or choose to be loveless, we are nothing—zero, nada, zilch (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Therefore, Abba, there is one downpour we crave in response to which we'll keep our umbrellas folded, our Gore-Tex in the closet, and we will splash around like kids happy for the deluge—and that is an outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Love is a fruit of your Spirit, so send us a holy, healing hurricane—a tenderizing, transforming typhoon—a heaven-pouring, heart-flooding, inundation with your love (Rom.5:5). Yea, verily, and So Very Amen.       Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

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You're part of the story—even if you've never written a word.

View in browser Dear First,   Every day at The Gospel Coalition, our team of editors, pastors, and creators labor behind the scenes to bring you theologically-rich, biblically-faithful, and culturally-thoughtful content. But here's something many people don't know: none of it happens without the generosity of people like you.    When you give to TGC, you help: Commission gospel-centered articles reaching more than 30 million readers last year Produce and distribute podcasts listened to by over 2 million people worldwide Host conferences attended by more than 7,000 participants annually Strengthen a growing network of 30 TGC chapters across the U.S. and around the world, equipping pastors and leaders for faithful ministry Your gift is not just financial. It's formational. You help shape how the next generation of believers thinks about truth, discipleship, and hope. As we near the end of the year, would you help us continue this vital work? Give to TGC   We truly couldn't do this without you.   Gratefully, Mark Vroegop President, The Gospel Coalition   P.S. As we hold fast to the gospel, we're stepping boldly into the future God has prepared. Click here to see how your partnership helps anchor more lives in the truth of God's Word. The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO,65205   The Gospel Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.   Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.