How to Read the Wisdom Books of the Bible

“His Passion, Who this day poured out His most precious Blood, as the only sufficient price of the dear purchase of all our redemptions.” Lancelot Andrewes on Good Friday. 17th century Anglicans had such a way with words…

In 2005, we started weekly prayer meetings for a church plant in Hollywood. The years that followed were some of the most remarkable years of ministry that I've experienced. In this podcast I reflect on the story of planting @realityla which is a testimony of the power of prayer.

Church planting for almost 20 years has been a massive learning journey for me. I was grateful to chat about my experiences in LA and London with @edstetzer on the Stetzer Church Leaders Podcast this week. @ChurchLead https://t.co/wKDANAsK7b

And, of course, a highlight for me was visiting @realitychurchlondon with my whole family for the first time since we moved back to the States. It was a joy to preach to a congregation that will always be in our hearts, meet so many people who have joined the church in the past

We also learned about what God is doing today through the ministry of local churches and outreaches whose impact extends beyond London to the nations represented in its diverse population. Pastor Girma Bishaw, the previous pastor of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church in

“We owe much to many whom we have never met.” This has been said about the history of the church, and this past week a large group of 70 people from our church had the chance to learn from many we have never met and explore the history of the church in the UK. We learned about

“When I was young, I admired intelligent people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people” Abraham Herschel We often praise people who are successful, creative, or educated. But what about their character? In these times, we need to receive and reflect the kindness of Christ.

What are yours?

My Top Five Podcasts of 2022 • Bandsplain with Yasi Salek • 60 Songs That Explain the '90s with Rob Harvilla • Theology in the Raw with Preston Sprinkle • Rivals: Music’s Greatest Feuds • The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill with Mike Cosper

My Top Five Albums of 2022 • Turnstile - Glow On • Alvvays - Blue Rev • Beach Bunny - Emotional Creature • The Weeknd - Dawn FM • The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention

• Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore by Dan Ozzi • Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World by Tara Isabella Burton • The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

And now for some lists nobody asked for. My Top Five Books of 2022 • The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World by Brett McCracken • Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution by Carl Trueman

3 Resolutions to Consider for 2023: 1. Discipline Over Distraction - Choosing wisely what I read and watch 2. Vulnerability Over Veneer - Not faking it or managing appearances 3. Community Over Comparison - Blessing those I’m tempted to envy and being grateful for what I have