Miscellanies: Reads and Songs for Your Soul
A Scattering of Things to Savor
Many authors in ages past had their own miscellanies—a collection of random, miscellaneous, disconnected thoughts, observations, quotes, and writings. Welcome to the my miscellanies.
But mine will be a little different. I will share other articles, books, and songs that are serving my soul. I may provide the miscellaneous meditation as well.
Persevere in Prayer: Because No, It’s Not Easy by Trevin Wax
These are great insights and encouragements from Trevin.
“One of the best ways to introduce people to spiritual practices like prayer, Bible reading, and churchgoing is not by overselling how easy it is to adopt these habits but by reminding people of just how challenging they can be. Spiritual habits are hard. They require effort and discipline.”
Spiritual Exercises and the Life of Grace by Luke Stamps
“The spiritual disciplines are best understood as spiritual exercises (a term common in Ignatian spirituality) that connect us to the life of God. Spiritual disciplines, then, are conduits of divine participation, sharing in the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). Again I ask, what would it look like to participate in the divine life that has been given to us freely as a gift. Consider what a day of spiritual exercises might look like in the experience of a believer seeking to grow in God’s grace. I suggest seven Rs:”
Spiritual Appetites Need No Bounds by Jonathan Edwards (via Sam Storms)
If you’ve followed this newsletter for a bit, you know my doctoral work is in Spurgeon and the Song of Solomon. I found these quotes from Jonathan Edwards on the Song 5:1 to just as delectable:
“There is no such thing as any inordinateness in holy affections; there is no such thing as excess in longings after the discoveries of the beauty of Christ Jesus, or greater degrees of holiness, or the enjoyment of communion with God.”
Talk to God in His Own Language: Learning to Pray the Bible by Donald S. Whitney
No one has taught me more about prayer than my doctoral advisor, and friend, Dr. Whitney. His book, Praying the Bible, is in a league of its own. This article gives you a taste:
“One of the most common and problematic prayer habits is the tendency to say the same old things about the same old things. For many, this results in boredom in prayer. Words without variety tend to become words without meaning. Jesus himself warned about the problem of heaping up ‘empty phrases”’in prayer (Matthew 6:7). When we do, we usually suffer from wandering minds and cold hearts more than benefit from communion with God.”
A Song for the Soul
“I See the Birds” by Jon Guerra. This is a beautiful song with biblical encouragement on anxiety, worry, and looking to God. It’s a great song with great encouragement.
Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Praying the Bible have had a huge impact on me. I’d say Spiritual Disciplines is in my top ten for books that influenced me. I’m jealous he’s your advisor.