This isn't the same old thing (really).
How you can give back. 2 Thoughts from me. 1 Thought from another.
When I converted my weekly blog post from a WordPress site (archived articles are still available) to this Substack newsletter about six months ago, I did it thinking of creating a small income through my writing. Substack encourages you to do this by offering free parts of your newsletter and some behind a paywall.
This just hasn’t felt right to me.
But I know my writing has value.
So last week I turned the payment setting on but with a twist. Instead of hiding some content, I will continue to make everything free. I may eventually lock some content, but I don’t have any specific plans. The perk of sending a monthly payment of $5 (or $50/year) is telling me you see value in what shows up in your inbox every week.
This is when I tell you that for less than the cost of a Starbucks flat white with honey (my drink of choice), you can thank me each month, but I won’t do that (see what I did there).
Instead, I’ll just ask you to be generous.
Now onto your weekly newsletter, where today I end a series on the promises of God with a 2 + 1 post.
2 Thoughts from Andy
(1)ONE
Last year, Kia and I celebrated the end of our older son’s high school soccer career. We attended a year-end banquet, we received news of him earning 1st Team League honors for the season, and then the further honor of being selected to 2nd team all-state. While I enjoyed the moment, it was also sobering.
The ending of a thing is usually a reminder of what God has entrusted to us.
What has God given to you? That’s a big question, but let me help you by narrowing it down by reframing the question: ‘What has God given to YOU?’ What is specifically yours?
Here are some ideas: your spouse/significant other, your children, your job/career, your home, your finances, your dreams/calling, a promise.
Timothy was a younger protege of the Apostle Paul. Timothy traveled throughout the world with Paul on their missionary journeys, but at some point, Timothy left to go to Ephesus on his own. He was sent by Paul to pastor and care for the young church there.
Paul writes to Timothy multiple times, and he concludes his first letter with this sentence,
“Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you.” -1 Timothy 6:20
Of course, for Timothy, it was the Ephesian church, but it was also to guard his family, his health, and his faith. What has God given to you? What is entrusted into YOUR care?
Guard it. Keep it safe.
And take heart, you are not alone. Paul ends both the above thought and the entire letter with this prayer of encouragement,
“May God’s grace be with you all.” -1 Timothy 6:21
What has God entrusted to you?
Guard it!
Don’t worry, God’s grace will be with you.
(2)TWO
My 2024 Word of the Year is CONTENT (as in contentment). One of the practices I learned last year was to search and find different devotionals about my word. Last year it was PEACE, so there were A LOT of different options. It’s been a little more challenging with this year’s word.
The biggest challenge I’ve found with these devotions is the focus on material wealth. I need to learn to be content with my stuff, but I’ve found it a bigger challenge to be content with my time.
In my heart, I know God’s promises to me are true. In my head, it’s not as easy. Here are two scriptures that I’ve been encouraged with just this week:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” -1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
As I learn to be content with the timing of God, and I continue to be obedient to him, I will grow as a follower and as a person.
“Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.” -Genesis 41:1 (NLT)
If you are familiar with the story of Joseph you might remember this is when he interpreted the dreams of the servants of Pharaoh correctly but was forgotten in prison. Joseph’s timing (“I want out of prison today!”) wasn’t the right time to save his family and the world. God’s timing was perfect.
I need to be content with God’s timing. It’s perfect.
1 Thought from Others
In the same way the sun never grows weary of shining, nor a stream of flowing, it is God's nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go immediately to His throne and say, 'Do as You promised.'
-Charles Spurgeon
Writing Playlist
I don’t know if we have the same taste in music, but here are some songs to explore. All the links go to Spotify. While writing this post, this is some of what I was listening to:
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Running up that Hill - Kate Bush
Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve