Jonathan Shradar

The other day I saw someone tweet that they were hesitant to take on a new fitness challenge into the new year, something they needed, because people would essentially make fun of them for setting resolutions. After all, no one keeps resolutions. The opposite is true. People do keep resolutions. All the time in fact and not just at New Years. If people could not keep the determination to make changes in life, there would never be any and we would all be dead. But the social backlash or fun-making at the crowds at the gym at the beginning of the year is perhaps a coping mechanism with our own inability to live a resolved life. Spiritually, we rejoice that salvation is not kept by our ability. It is secure, kept, and brought all the way home by Christ himself. Then in the natural we realize that Jesus won't eat less sugar for us. While we are helped by the Holy Spirit we still have to shut the pie hole, run the miles, read the books, enjoy the out-of-doors, build relationships with f

Tomorrow my oldest child turns nine. Next week I turn forty-one. Clearly I have much to learn of both being a parent and being an adult. So take everything I say with a grain of salt, or sugar, whichever is your preference. Or maybe you should kill your preferences...  This week's worthwhile is short because I found myself scheduling appointments for vehicle maintenance, replacing a windshield, and shopping at thrift stores for new soccer cleats for Junior.  All abuzz in the Twittersphere was Andrew Sullivan's column on America's New Religions . He takes swipes at yoga, progress, and Trump. Still, it is important to think through the ways idolatry has become religion. Even those that claim faith in Christ but means really just right-leaning politics etc. Sullivan uses more words than necessary but brings up some important points for all sides to consider. And we can all pray for a resurgence of vital Christianity in our day.  Speaking of vital Christianity, Sunday in China

This year I had the joy of reading some wonderful books and the bulk of them were of a similar genre, theology or Christian living. I guess that is to be expected but I did mix in some good fiction and social science along the way.  You can get a snapshot of what I read here from Goodreads but there a few books I want to highlight and encourage you to read.  My best book of 2018 was by far Gospel Humility from Andrew McCullough. While would could all use a dose or two of plain old humility, this book focused on the mission of the church to spread the gospel across the globe. It faithfully attacks presuppositions and gives us a bigger vision for the work every Christian is commissioned to. Here is what I said in my review:  "Phenomenal and challenging look into setting aside some culturally defined views for the advance of the gospel. This is going to become a vital book for those doing cross-cultural work which is an increasingly real thing in the West as new groups move in and

This week I have been thinking through my year-end post about which book(s) were most meaningful to me. I set a goal for the number of books I wanted to read and while I came close I think I will end a bit shy of the 50 goal. While there are a number of reasons for not meeting my goal I think the speed of reading is a big part of it. So in the next year, I want to try some techniques to increase speed while maintaining comprehension. Who wouldn't want that?! Here are some suggestions from Tim Ferris that I am going to implement right away. What are the techniques you use to read faster or better? https://youtu.be/CZU6G8EMUE4

It has been a busy week. Our youngest had surgery on Tuesday to take some hardware out of her reconstructed hips so we have been caring for her as priority. The surgery went great and she is recovering like a champ.  Also this week I have been reading Advent from Fleming Rutledge. I have been intrigued by the liturgical history having been raised in a low church context. Rutledge's correct view of the posture of Advent has been helpful, not shying away from the sorrow, darkness, and pain in the waiting. Here is an article that might give you a flavor.  Across the internet this week people have begun the tradition of publishing their best books of 2018 lists. One list that is worthwhile is Andrew Wilson's if for no other reason than to motivate us to read more next year!