Books to Help You Engage a Changing World ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

Be Ready to Give an Answer Find resources to help you understand our changing world, engage its biggest questions, and share the hope of Christ. Making Sense of Us: Explore six stories that shape Western culture and discover how the gospel offers the better story that fulfills our deepest longings. AI Apocalypse: Evaluate AI through a Christian worldview and gain a theological and ethical framework for navigating technology with wisdom. EXPLORE MORE KELLER CENTER RESOURCES Equip yourself. Equip others. Whether you’re preparing for gospel conversations or equipping your church to share Christ, these limited-time offers can help. Plus, shipping is just $4.99, no matter the size of your order. SHOP THE BUNDLE GET 200 COPIES When you purchase from the TGC Store, you help support The Gospel Coalition’s mission to help renew and unify the contemporary church in the ancient gospel.   We’re grateful for your partnership. The Gospel Coalition, 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN, 46250 Take control of your inbox Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

When An Animal Tears Open Your Amazon Bag and Has a Snack

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When An Animal Tears Open Your Amazon Bag and Has a Snack SCOTTY SMITH    “Be truly glad, for there is wonderful joy ahead—even though you must endure many trials for a little while. Trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being purified just like fire purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” (pp 1Pet.2:6-7)      Heavenly Father, I’m embarrassed to even speak of my irritants as “trials,” because I didn’t go to sleep hungry or thirsty last night. Unlike 50% of the world, I don’t have to live on $2.50 a day. I’m not among 40% of the world’s population without indoor plumbing. My “trials” are more walking in a wading pool of non-eternal, circumstantial-piranha nibbling away at my joy, energy, and peace.    Even among my creature comforts, I still need your grace, Father. Help me and my friends honor you in the daily-ness of life in bodies with aging joints, leaky memories, and limitations that need to be honored. May we love well among fellow sinner-saints who, like us, have common stressors and irritation-triggering stories.    Free us to keep a core of peace and an attitude of kindness: When air-conditioners break, flights are delayed/canceled, and animals tear into our Amazon delivery bag and eat our favorite cereal. (That happened to me last night). When pets pee on the carpet, black mold spores find a home in our home, and dear friends move several states away. When our exercise routine gets interrupted by plantar fasciitis (me), and our “peaceful, easy, feeling” gets interrupted by world leaders who act like history is a global game of Monopoly with real money.    Father, in all the ordinary disappointments and to-be-expected inconveniences of life—as well as in the crazy-making events and anger-worthy stuff, we want to honor you, reveal the beauty of Jesus, live our lives consistent with the great truths and riches of the Gospel. 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 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

No Epidural But Real Hope

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH No Epidural But Real Hope SCOTTY SMITH    “Every place in creation and every one of us is really hurting and really longing with the pains of childbirth pulsating inside of us. We have the firstfruits of the Spirit inside us, so this makes us ‘pregnant with glory’. We groan inwardly and wait eagerly for the completion and fullness of our salvation—including the redemption of our bodies and all creation being made new”. (Paraphrase of Rom. 8:22-24 + Rev.21:5)   Lord Jesus, thank you. Your Word gives us the understanding and voice we otherwise would not have. We live as an aching people in a longing world. Though you don’t give us an epidural or anesthesia, you do give us yourself, the Gospel, and real hope. Hallelujah, and thank you. These things break our hearts, fuel our ire, and intensify our birth pains:  The horror of watching people and villages in Napal disappear in seconds. The idolatrous greed of American and international politics. Human trafficking is on the increase and common kindness is on the decrease. Departments of justice are becoming factories of injustice. Your church is being persecuted in the world, but in our country Christians spend more time fighting among themselves than loving our neighbors well. How long, O, Jesus? Hasten the Day of all things new, wiped tears, and redeemed pain—the wedding Day of your every-nation Bride. Please, Jesus get back here and bring with you the promised eternity of no more sin, no more death, no more illness, and no more evil—no more knowing you in part and loving each other in part. Thank you for not despising our consternation, despair, and impatience. Jesus, keep telling us and convincing us of this Gospel Trifecta: Love will never fail (1Cor.13:8). Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Grace will have the last word (Rev.22:21). Our labors in you, with you, and for you are not in vain, Jesus. These labor pains inside us are temporary and the guarantee the full-term delivery of the new creation world and a perfected us. Hallelujah! Soon? And So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

What Comes to Mind? What Do We Call to Mind?

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH What Comes to Mind? What Do We Call to Mind? SCOTTY SMITH    “I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:19–23    Dear Jesus, every day, every hour—things come to mind. Some of us woke up today knee-deep in a rising river of anxious, fearful, worrisome thoughts. Others went to bed angry, dreamed angry dreams, had angry thoughts for breakfast are still angry 2 1/2 cups of coffee later. Long before Dolly Parton’s death yesterday, many of us were thinking 87% sad thoughts—as everything wrong and broken in the world claims more of our mental and emotional life.    This was the season of life and state of mind Jeremiah was in when he penned the beloved verses above—referring to himself as having an arrow pierced heart (Lam.3:13), a diet of bitter herbs and liquid gall (3:15), lost splendor and lost hope in the Lord (3:18). Jesus, thank you for giving us the freedom to be just as honest as Jeremiah. And thank you for grace to follow Jermiah’s discipline of not just living by whatever “comes to mind,” but by also “calling to mind” the hope fueling realities of the Gospel.    As I begin this August 2026 Wednesday, here are 7 of my favorite things I call to mind today, Jesus—all ours because of who you are and what you have done for us. These riches of grace don’t negate the painful, broken, sad realities of life, but they inhabit and transform them: We are totally seen, known, and forgiven We are 100% righteous in you, Jesus We have been adopted by our Father We are citizens of heaven We are beloved in the present We are sealed for eternity We are destined be 100% like you, Jesus This isn’t mind over matter; it’s grace over all things. Hallelujah, thank you, and So Very Amen Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

Fall Planning: Preparing Your Church for Cultural Discernment

A 7-week study to help your church answer cultural narratives with the gospel story. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser Making Sense of Us: Equip Your Church for Cultural Clarity Your students are already hearing powerful stories  about identity, freedom, and justice. Are they equipped to respond?   Every week, they encounter narratives that shape how they see themselves, truth, and the world around them—through classrooms, TikTok, podcasts, and peer conversations. Those stories are capturing their imaginations. Introducing a Resource for This Cultural Moment Making Sense of Us is a 7-week video group study developed by the fellows of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. It helps churches: Identify the key narratives shaping Western culture Understand why they resonate so deeply Discern where they fall short Articulate how the gospel fulfills our deepest longings Download a Sample Lesson Now Taught by leading voices in cultural apologetics For individuals, groups, or church-wide study Written by Fellows of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics: Rebecca McLaughlin | John Starke | Sam Chan | Trevin Wax | Rachel Gilson | Glen Scrivener | Bob Thune   If you’re planning your fall study, now is the time to secure your copies.   Only at the TGC Store:  Bulk Discounts + $4.99 Flat Shipping Order for Fall Study Now The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN, 46250 Unsubscribe