Hello my friends! Here are some things you can dig into in this month’s email:
Notable Faith & Culture links
Book Review: Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Favorite Instagram Faith Follows
Two fabulous new “Worth Your Time” podcast episodes
Exclusive Substack Essay: Why Church Matters for Your Kids
Monthly Book Giveaways Announcement
Notable Faith & Culture Links
Women of Welcome interview with Bethany Christian Services President Chris Palusky about fostering & helping unaccompanied children at the border.
Pastor Jailed in Canada. Pastor James Coates was jailed after holding church services that exceeded the number of people allowed (due to COVID restrictions) He is out now, but the story is rather incredible, and he talks about how he was able to share the gospel in prison.
The Talk my Chinese Parents Never Had With Me. Like many of you, I’ve taken time to really listen to Asian voices in the past several weeks. In the aftermath of the horrific shooting, the best thing we can do is hear people. I found this piece particularly insightful.
Attending Church is Good for Your Mental Health. Humblebrag time — I got to write this piece for USA Today last week in honor of Easter. I believe so deeply in the research showcasing the personal, communal & societal value of faith community!
Book Review: Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
If you are like me, you’ve never felt like you needed convincing that Jesus lived or that the Bible is God’s word. But there are plenty of times when evidence, clarity and foundational knowledge about matters of Christianity will matter in conversation. In Tactics, Greg Koukl sets you up for success when speaking with those who might challenge your Christian beliefs.
You’d be shocked at how many straw man arguments — or just plain nonsensical pushback — there are when it comes to conversations about religion. But if you aren’t prepared, you could still come out “losing” the conversation. Some may find Koukl’s tactics a little aggressive, and they may even make you uncomfortable to think about. However, the points he makes about the foundation of our beliefs — and the ways in which we can better engage in debate or banter about the most meaningful thing in our lives — matter deeply.
You may not come away wanting to join the debate team, but you will learn some helpful talking tools next time someone challenges your beliefs or simply has a curious question you’d like to be able to answer.
Top 3 Favorite New Instagram Follows
@JBrittanyEstes: Bring JOY to the internet while helping women find hope and freedom.
@SarahWoodWrites: Encouraging women to embrace grace and know Him. Writing as worship.
@A.Generous.Life: Giver, reader, author, teacher, friend of Jesus. Inspiration to GIVE BIG!
Worth Your Time Podcast Episodes
— How Mops is Reaching Moms in Crisis with Michelle Cowan
— Katharine Hayhoe: Christian Climate Scientist
Why Church Matters For Your Kids
*exclusive essay for Substack subscribers
I began to understand God in a new dimension after becoming a parent, finally comprehending the tender way in which He loves me unconditionally no matter how many bad choices I make. I also realized quickly how little control I have over them, especially in matters of how they ultimately choose to live out faith in their lives. That said, I want to deliver the best opportunity to for choosing Jesus that I can, and that starts now.
If endowing the Christian faith to your kids is something you’d like offer them, you’re in luck. You can have a dramatic impact on the rest of their life by how you guide them in things related to church and faith when they are very young. The choice about how to proceed with children’s faith upbringing is far from benign. A National Association of Evangelicals poll finds that 63% of people became Christians before the age of 14, and Barna found that after parents, guidance for spiritual formation falls on the Church. Childhood is a critical time for shaping faith for a lifetime, and most people need that foundation if they are to practice faith when they are older.
In other words, putting your kids before yourself when it comes to faith is important right now. Even if you aren’t “feeling” it all the time, remembering the way it will shape them now and later is worth the effort. Just as we carefully consider childcare, education, nutrition and personal development, faith-care for our children is no small decision. Leaving your child’s faith to the wind may blow them where you don’t want them to go. And there are so many great reasons — even secular ones — to be pro-active here.
A firm faith foundation contributes to a happier, more grounded life. Some parents are worried about feeding faith to their children before they can make a real choice, but studies show a faith foundation is better than hoping they make the “right” decision later on in life. Psychologist Erica Komisar wrote in the Wall Street Journalabout how she has instructed parent-clients to lie to their children about the existence of God because of the benefits to their long-term mental health. Now this isn’t a problem you, as a Christian have, but it goes to show you the value of being pro-active about instilling your faith in your children.
And then there’s this: Children who believe in God are also far less anxious and more hopeful for the course of their lives. Both a 2018 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology and a Harvard study of religious involvement among children found that children who attended a religious service at least once per week scored higher on psychological well being measurements and had lower risks of mental illness. Talking about making a difference in the lives of children!
If you’re thinking about if it matters now — it does. Don’t delay!
Monthly Book Giveaway
Each month, I’ll be giving away ONE incredible book of my choosing to a lucky email subscriber! I’m kicking things off with a book 4-BOOK-BUNDLE! Just enter here & you could win the bundle, including books by Annie Downs, Jen Wilkin, Christine Caine & Beth Moore! LINK TO ENTER (feel free to pass along to friends!)
And guys…this slayed me last night:
“Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” — Acts 5:38-39
Love ya,
Ericka
P.S. Wrote this piece for Christianity Today and holy goodness, this girl is incredible!