Impossible as this future reality may seem from the vantage point of May 2020, there will come a day when the era of the COVID-19 pandemic feels like a distant memory. As with all memories, our recollections will fade, or our perspectives on this time will change as life progresses. As human beings, we do this all the time. Years after the experience, a mother’s memory softens about how incredibly difficult the labor and delivery of her baby was. By the time he has teenage sons, a father’s memory of how deeply self-conscious he felt in middle school has lost its edges. Even grandparents forget how to identify with the perpetually exhausting demands of caring for young children, day in and day out. Perhaps, this tendency is one of the reasons the Scripture regularly exhorts the people of God to actively choose to remember. This unique time in history affords us an opportunity to choose to remember—even before this current event is in our past. Even as we are in the throes of this season, we need to emblazon in our hearts and minds—with intentionality—what it feels like when one’s sense of purpose is undermined.
In the opening chapter of Genesis, we learn a lot about God’s purposes for humanity. The narrative calls us to remember who our Creator is, who we are and how we are wired as human beings. We are loved image-bearers of the living God; created to display his character in the world, through everything we do. Designed for living in relationship with God, self, others and nature—we are commissioned to apply our God-given gifts and abilities in ways that are creative, meaningful and beneficial. Deep purpose is to be found in participating in an interdependent, flourishing society where external human activity and engagement is internally directed by godly character. This is what we were made for.
Perhaps one of the many reasons this season of COVID-19 is so undoing to so many is because of how it has fractured our engagement with our divine purpose. Rather than living in interdependent relationships, we are isolated from almost all of the face-to-face relationships in our lives. Rather than exercising agency, we are limited by extreme amounts of uncertainty and highly limited resources. Rather than engaging in work that is creative, meaningful and beneficial many of us find ourselves unable to go to work, out of work, or unable to focus on work we do have available. Rather than moving about freely, we are restricted in our ability to enter into the world around us. As we squirm under these things, we begin to recognize, perhaps for the first time, how incredibly essential each of them is in fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. Access to relationships. Agency to make plans and act on them. Participation in fulfilling work. Freedom to go from place to place so that we might do all these things, and more.
Choose to remember. Remember what this feels like, because these same elements that you are most likely chafing against during the pandemic are everyday realities for many people with intellectual disabilities. Every. Single. Day. As the mom of an adult son with Down syndrome, I don’t say this in a snarky, sarcastic, “Welcome to my world!” kind of way. I say it gently. I say it with a sense of urgency. Everyone needs the opportunity to live a life of God-given purpose. Please. Remember what this feels like when purpose is undermined.
Someday, when this current crisis is past, and whatever your “new normal” is has a slightly worn and predictable cadence, please take time to circle back around to an individual with intellectual disabilities who you know. Ask them the following types of questions, and then think creatively and brainstorm with them about how you might support them in moving forward in some of these areas of their life.
Access to relationships: What do you need so that you will be able to spend time with those whose company you enjoy, those you’d like to learn from, those whom you can grow in your faith with, and those you’d like to help?
Agency in life: What do you need so that you can exercise God-given agency by having plans and goals and dreams for your life and acting on them?
Meaningful work: What do you need so that you can obtain regular work that is meaningful to you; where you are able to make your own unique contribution to God’s world? If you already have meaningful work, are there new skills you would like to learn or what new types of work would you like to try?
Freedom of movement: What do you need to get from place to place so that you might enjoy good relationships, act on your plans, and engage in the work that God has given you to do?
In closing, here’s one final thing to remember: that many people with intellectual disabilities are much better than those of us with “typical intelligence” at carrying God’s character into the world, to the degree that they have access to the world. Many people with intellectual disabilities know contentment, and possess gifts of encouragement, exercise trust freely, and continue to hope in the face of adversity. These are the very gifts they can offer to others, especially in fluid times such as these. Simple faith isn’t a lesser faith—it’s often a truer faith. My son who has Down syndrome, Tim, has a gift of praying in true faith through uncomplicated and beautiful prayers. At the dinner table one New Year’s Eve, he prayed: “Thank you for what you have done, and you bring the future to come alive tomorrow.” I think that prayer applies, more than ever, to those of us who are living through the COVID-19 pandemic right now. Let’s remember who God is, what he has done, and how the future is—and always has been—in his hands to “bring the future to come alive tomorrow.” The future will come alive again. And when it does, choose to remember. Circle back around to a friend with intellectual disabilities. Consider how you can offer support to expand their access to the world so that they might live out their divine purpose as well.
This week’s author interview is with Esther Smith. She is the author of Chronic Illness: Walking by Faith in the 31-Day Devotionals for Life series. It releases May 6th.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania and now live near Baltimore, MD. The first question people often ask me when I reveal this fact is if I’m a Steeler’s fan or a Raven’s fan. No and no. Fortunately for me, I don’t watch football.
I’m married to my husband, Ian, and we live with our two Italian mastiffs, Bug and Bella. I’m an unapologetic dog person. My dogs are my constant shadows and faithful stress relievers. I suggest only asking me about my dogs if you want to see pictures and hear anecdotes.
For work, I divide my days between counseling and writing. I work as a biblical counselor at Life Counseling Center Ministries, and also do some freelance writing for a company that focuses on wellness and preventative care for mental health. It truly feels like a privilege to spend my days in this way.
When I’m not spending time with my dogs, I enjoy all things food, coffee, and nature. Physical health problems have derailed my ability to be active outside in the ways I would like, so I live vicariously through shows like River Monsters and Man vs. Wild. If life had turned out differently, I might have been a culinary chef, an entomologist, or an adventure-based counselor, but some twists and turns have led me to where I am today, and I know this is where I am meant to be.
What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?
This book was definitely inspired by my personal experience with chronic illness. I first started writing about six years ago because I needed a way to process everything I was thinking and feeling as I adjusted to life with chronic health problems. I turned to Christian books on suffering and found I was not fully satisfied by their conclusions. Many books seemed to assume that suffering is always seasonal. This wasn’t my experience. What about suffering that remains for a lifetime?
This question and others led me to start a blog about some of the unique challenges of living with chronic illness. Thoughts I first processed on that blog eventually led to thoughts you will find in this book. I write because I want people who live with chronic illnesses to feel less alone and because I want to challenge the mentality that worth is gained through ability and productivity. I hope that comes across in this book.
What book are you reading now?
Right now I am reading Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzaptrick and Eric Schumacher. I’m three chapters in and very impressed!
At what time of day do you write most?
I do most of my writing in the morning, ideally before starting other types of work. Coffee first. Some time for reading and reflecting. Then, I try to start writing before checking my email, looking at social media, or reading the news. I’m not always successful at this, but I’m most productive when I start writing before my mind drifts to other things.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would give the same advice many other people have already given. Write a lot and read a lot. Becoming a better writer happens through lots of practice and through exposing yourself to other peoples’ great writing over and over again.
What is your favorite food?
I love ramen, and I’m not talking about instant ramen. Fresh ramen noodles dowsed with a salty, spicy, garlicy sauce. Topped with stir-fried vegetables and a fried egg. Garnished with green onions, chili peppers, and lots of Sriracha. Bon appetite!
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
The Larger Catechism, so rich in biblical teaching, has been long
neglected, even by conservative Presbyterians who embrace it as one of
their three standards. This commentary, written in the mid-twentieth
century, is being published in book-form for the first time, to
encourage the catechism’s increased use and study.
Because the Larger Catechism supplements the Shorter Catechism on
such topics as the church and the means of grace, Presbyterians will
find it a rewarding resource.
G. I. Williamson, author of books on the Westminster Confession and
Shorter Catechism for study classes, has edited Vos’s commentary on the
Larger Catechism. Supplementing the commentary are the following:
W. Robert Godfrey’s introduction to the history and theology of the Larger Catechism.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is unrivaled as a concise and faithful summary of the central teachings of Scripture. For decades G. I. Williamson’s study manuals on the Shorter Catechism have served as invaluable tools for instructing young and old in the Reformed system of doctrine.
Now newly typeset in one volume, this illustrated manual offers clear exposition of each of the 107 questions in the Shorter Catechism. Each lesson includes Scripture proofs, as well as questions for review or discussion. A valuable aid for group instruction or private study, this volume has been used successfully by homeschoolers, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and parents.
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the finest creeds of the reformation period. A faithful teacher of millions, it has stood the test of time and is still, today, one of the best tools available for learning what it means to be a Christian. This study guide to the Catechism includes 129 questions and answers, along with clear exposition and questions for review, further study, and discussion.
Does your child know the key biblical teachings about God the Father,
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? What about salvation,
Scripture, and the sacraments? Can he or she recite the Ten Commandments
and the Lord’s Prayer?
Catechisms were once used as instructional guides to help children
memorize basic Christian doctrines. In them, children had a concise
handbook of important truths they could call upon at any time in
confidence. Today, however, the church focuses on teaching Bible
stories, which are often used to moralize children and equip them to win
Bible trivia contests!
Recognizing this deficit, Starr Meade has provided Christian parents and churches with a tool for imparting doctrinal instruction to their children.Training Hearts, Teaching Minds guides families through the questions and answers in The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English. Each question and answer of the catechism has six days’ worth of devotional readings for families to share together. The readings are simply written, with elementary and junior-high children in mind. They are also brief, out of consideration for children’s short attention spans and for the busy schedules of contemporary families. Teaching the Shorter Catechism has never been easier!
Q. How do you have meaningful family devotions that memorably cover the scope of Christian belief?
A. Traditionally, by using a catechism!
One of the church’s most acclaimed and best beloved catechisms is the
Heidelberg Catechism. Now teaching its comforts to children has never
been easier.
This book of daily readings:
provides a year—or more—of family devotions
aids study by devoting six to twelve days to the questions of each Lord’s Day section
explains the catechism in simple language
provides six to twelve meditations on the main points of each section
takes just a few minutes each day, allowing time for discussion and review
Traces the theme of Holy Spirit empowerment from Genesis to Revelation, giving special attention to the Spirit’s involvement in the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus Christ.
A collection of short, pointed essays from John Frame stating some of his teachings in theological method, apologetics, and the Christian life. Includes an introduction to his signature concept of “perspectivalism.”
Frame’s short, pointed essays give insights into battles within the Reformed camp, clarify theological concepts, and introduce some of his main ideas in theological method, apologetics, and the Christian life.
This project focuses on the two competing positions rooted in the Reformed tradition: neo-Calvinism, a nineteenth-century school of thought associated with the Calvinist polymath Abraham Kuyper, and the Two Kingdoms perspective.
Life Everlasting is about heaven—our final salvation. In looking forward to our participation in the new heavens and new earth, we often seek information in the wrong places, so what does the Bible actually say?
Christianity is unique because of the intimate nature of the relationship between God and his people. Develops the Christ-centeredness throughout Scripture by keynoting the Son’s incarnation in John’s gospel.
Leder demonstrates how the Israelites’ waiting for their Promised Land should reshape our reading of the Pentateuch as a coherent and progressive story and should affect our waiting for heaven.
An artful introduction to creational theology, the discovery and celebration of God’s glory through what he has made. Helps us to develop skills for doing theology with the world around us.
Keep Going offers practical help to Christians struggling with their beliefs. It deals frankly, thoroughly, sympathetically, and biblically with questions about assurance, judgment, biblical authenticity, and the existence of God.
Ash examines what the conscience is, what a guilty conscience tells us, the choice our conscience presents us, and the conscience’s role as a guide, to offer us the pure joy of a clear conscience day after day.
We all “domesticate” Jesus by letting him into our lives only until we feel threatened. Kraus provides a hard-hitting look at this atrocity, challenging us to see Jesus as the treasure he truly is.
A collection of the best of Carl Trueman’s articles on church and culture. This is a compelling, challenging, and sometimes uproarious look at how the world and the church intersect.
Humility, while essential for conversion and sanctification, may be the least emphasized virtue. Farley shows how ours is a humbling gospel, stressing the need for a ministry that promotes humility.
When the church downplays the gospel, it breeds its own assassins: moralists who yawn at the notion of free grace in Christ alone. Sounding the alarm, Bond offers encouragement and biblical solutions.
Do you lack a personal prayer routine? Structured around the mnemonic PRAYERS, Westlund’s guide uses eternal biblical truth, timeless wisdom from sages, and practical tools to inspire you to succeed.
These essays tackle questions raised by God’s common grace: Do moral non-Christians really need the gospel? How do we respond to impressive non-Christian contributions to culture and society?
Milton takes you on a journey through experiences, events, relationships, and private recollections—all pursuing the goal of finding God’s grace at work in everyday life.
A warm, pastoral, and personal guide to seeking the God of all comfort in the midst of our pain. Learn how painful experiences can bring us hope, togetherness, and salvation.
Reveals the need for a more biblical, Christian philosophy of education in a country that has become secular. A look at the basic truths that should mold our educational endeavors.
Whitlock explores God’s desire for Christian unity—a true ecumenism. He overviews the history of Christianity, particularly its schisms and agreements, and points us toward the necessity of God-honoring fellowship.
Tested, biblical ideas to get everyone in the church involved in helping the congregation to grow. Each chapter develops an awareness, provides questions for review, and includes prayers by elders and ministers.
O’Donnell examines the significance of Old Testament songs and shows, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, how the lyrics of God’s Word apply to congregational singing today.
Preachers speak for God. Do they do so faithfully and clearly? Scharf gives diagnoses, strategies, and exercises for overcoming eight common bottlenecks that (humanly speaking) can clog a sermon’s message.
Pastors and church leaders, are you physically exhausted and mentally and spiritually spent? Are you ready to throw in the towel and sit on the sidelines?
Presents the Apostles’ Creed in a fresh and appealing manner that speaks to our postmodern culture. The perfect tool for membership classes, small groups, and Sunday school.
An anthology of 18 sermons preached in American pulpits between 1630 and 2001 from Cotton to Keller. These sermons possess historical significance and spiritual power.
A concise critique of the view that the institutional church, guilty of apostasy, should disband, ceasing its clerical ministries and its administration of the sacraments.
Th is book examines how churches differ in their size, structure, and purpose, but they also differ in ministry style. They differ in the same way that two people do.
God’s Servant Job tells the story of God’s faithful servant Job in verse. This beautifully illustrated book explains foundational theology for younger children as it points to a glorious Redeemer.
Educational devotionals based on historical people and events, with insightful questions at the end of each. They encourage families to talk about what God has done in their lives and in the lives of historical Christians.
The Huddle comprehensively prepares and equips high-school and college-level athletes to be successful on the field and, using the metaphor of a team huddle, in their relationships and all of life.
Using Luke’s Gospel, Jimmy Agan demonstrates that we can—and must—follow Christ’s example if we embrace him as savior, and anchors this teaching to a sound, Reformed, biblical interpretation.
Paul Yeulett examines the opposition Jesus encountered—demonic, political, religious, emotional, physical, and spiritual—and helps us understand why it faced him and continues to face us today.
#832-1, paperback, $12.99, SALE $1.50
Bible Study
Living Story Series by ELIZABETH REYNOLDS TURNAGE
A meaningful and encouraging study of God’s grand story of grace helps you to see where your own story fits. Engaging questions allow you to apply not only the study, but the entire story itself, to your own life. Unique sections help you to engage Scripture and live out the gospel in your own story.
In this devotional exposition of nineteen select psalms. Beisner explores what the Psalms tell us about the character of God and his relationship with his people—his covenant of grace.
This book reveals how the American news media shifted from a Christian worldview to secular humanism, radically altering what the media covers and how it is reported.
Helps us understand popular culture, which confronts and challenges us daily. Fosters an appreciation of this phenomenon without compromising our calling to seek first the kingdom of God.
A multicontributor work with chapters covering Warfield’s life, his view of biblical inspiration, relations to Machen and the fundamentalists, his supposed rationalism, racial attitudes, and the Briggs trial.
An anthology that promotes “a warm personal grasp” of Calvin. Collectively shows the Christian life as Calvin understood it by including his prayers, poetry, prose, and music for his psalms.
Over 375 entries cover the ideas, events, people, movements, practices, institutions, and denominations that have made up this tradition from the earliest days to now.
With a special focus on the New Testament corpus, The Essential Trinity explores this vital doctrine and shows how it leads to useful, practical application in life and ministry.
J. Alan Groves was a pioneer of modern biblical studies who used computers to analyze the Hebrew Old Testament. Th ese articles have been collected to honor his work.
Covers theological topics at the core of the Westminster Confession’s theology, such as justification, adoption, the kingship of Christ, the doctrine of Scripture, covenant theology, the atonement, and Christian liberty.
This volume in honor of Richard broadly covers his lifelong themes of biblical studies, theological studies, hermeneutics, the kingdom of God, ministry training, missions, evangelism, and biblical education for the world.
A concise overview of the life and writings of preacher and missionary George Whitefield. Includes excerpts from Whitefield’s personal correspondence with John Wesley as well as three full-length sermons.
Does the gospel of Christ have a future in our increasingly secular world? J. Gresham Machen pondered that question in the writings that comprise this thought-provoking booklet.
In World War I, J. Gresham Machen left his teaching position to work with the YMCA behind the trenches. Read transcriptions of his correspondence with family.
Geerhardus Vos was a pioneer in biblical theology. Dennison, a well-known Vos scholar, collects for the first time all of Vos’s extant letters, many written to such luminaries as Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, B. B. Warfield, and J. Gresham Machen.
A festschrift honoring Frame’s career in seminary teaching that analyzes his work in the fields of theology, apologetics, ethics, worship, the church, and others.
#164-3, hardcover, $59.99, SALE $8.00
*Free domestic USPS shipping on orders over $49 is only applicable for individual customers. It is also not applicable to orders containing Super Bargain Books.
This week’s author interview is with Steve Hoppe. He is the author of Marriage Conflict: Talking as Teammates in the 31-Day Devotionals for Life series. It releases May 6th.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m a born-and-raised Midwesterner from Glen Ellyn, Illinois—a suburb just outside of Chicago. I have an identical twin brother, Bryan, and a big sister, Michelle, who both live in the Chicago area. My dad passed away about five years ago and my mom Gail and stepdad Phil live in the house that I grew up in. I’m married to my best friend, Abby, and we live in New York City (the Upper West Side of Manhattan, to be exact) in a tiny-yet-quaint apartment with our puppy Mabel (a 4-lb. ball of fur). For work, I’m the Executive Director of Crosstown Counseling—a brand new biblical counseling practice in Midtown Manhattan. Abby and I are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, where Abby serves as a deaconess and I do a bit of teaching and serving in a range of capacities. As far as hobbies go, my #1 passion is running. I’ve run a couple of marathons, but those days are long over, as my body (and schedule) are no longer able to handle a 26.2-mile race. I now run about 3-4 times a week in my favorite place in the world, Central Park. I’m also a huge sports nut, rooting for all Chicago teams (minus the Cubs!) as well as Notre Dame football (don’t hate!). I love going to the gym, studying the Bible, writing, playing with Mabel, hanging out with Abby, and obsessively checking ESPN on my phone.
When did you first want to write a book?
2012. It was my first year as a full-time biblical counselor. I had zero clients, a ton of time on my hands, and a sufficient level of naivete as to how hard writing a book would be. So I decided to give it a shot. I had an idea from a sermon that I wrote while attending seminary, so I started writing. When I was 100 pages in, I pitched the manuscript to a publisher. They liked it, and after a year-long, back-and-forth editing process, Sipping Saltwater, my first book, was published!
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Not at all. In fact, English was my least favorite subject in school. I even majored in engineering in college to avoid having to read and write for my classes. I only started enjoying writing when I became a Christian at 21 and found something that I was passionate to write about—my faith.
Which writers inspire you?
Tim Keller, C.S. Lewis, and really any clear, succinct, humble, transparent, down-to-earth, Gospel-centered author speaking about matters of the heart.
What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?
I’ve counseled hundreds of married couples and done hundreds of premarital counseling sessions. The one common denominator to every couple? They struggle with conflict—and specifically how to communicate through it in a holy and helpful manner. I figured that if marriage conflict was so prevalent, and godly conflict management was so rare, I should write a Scripture-based book to help couples grow in this area.
Do you have a favorite author? Who is it and why?
Tim Keller. I love his ability be an apologist, theologian, pastor, historian, and cultural guru all in one. Plus, he was my pastor for years and my mentor for one of them, so I’m kind of biased.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
Toughest criticism: “Your writing is too simple.” Best compliment: “Your writing is too simple.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ―C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
I love this quote particularly because it has helped me in my greatest moments of grief in life—my father’s death, my mom’s cancer diagnosis, the death of my dog Beatrice, etc. Whenever I am crushed by the reality of sickness and death in the world, I am tempted to shut down and harden my heart, lest it become broken again. But Lewis reminds me that love requires vulnerability to the loss of that love. It’s a part of life on this side of paradise. The alternative is a life without love. And who wants that?
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t write to make money. Unless you write a book in the top 0.001% in terms of sales, you probably won’t make enough money to make the effort worthwhile. Instead, write because you love it, and write about things that you’re passionate about.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I go running in Central Park. It clears my head and often opens up a floodgate of ideas
What book are you reading now?
I’m taking this unique time in quarantine to immerse myself in Scripture, not books. So at this precise moment I’m studying Daniel, James, 1-3 John, and Psalm 119. I’ll get back to books in June, at which point I plan on reading a few academic books on Old Testament theology (yes, I’m a nerd).
Do you have a specific spot where you enjoy writing most?
I love to transition between the couch in my office (where I write by hand onto a large yellow legal pad), and my office desk (where I type what I wrote on my couch). I rarely start with a keyboard—I almost always start with a pen and paper.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
I do. I like to use alliteration. If you’ve read either of my two books, you’ll see that many of my lists contain words starting with the same letter. That’s intentional. I think it adds a poetic/artistic touch.
What famous person (living or dead) would you like to meet and why?
I feel like not answering this question “Jesus” would be idolatrous. So I’ll just go with Jesus. Plus, ya know, he is the Savior of the World who performed miracles regularly . . . so there’s that.
At what time of day do you write most?
First thing in the morning. My mind is clear. My thoughts are fresh. My body is calm. It only goes downhill from 8am until my head hits the pillow at night.
What is your favorite food?
Kugelis. It’s a Lithuanian potato-based dish that my family makes for holidays. Yum.
The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia?
Books—Narnia. Movies—Lord of the Rings.
If you have a favorite book of the Bible, what is it and why?
Genesis. It’s a book filled with screwed-up people who screw up consistently, yet are saved by grace through faith in the promised Redeemer.
Favorite sport to watch? Favorite sport’s team?
Favorite sport to watch: college football. By far the most exciting (and unfortunately anxiety-inducing) televised or in-person sporting event on the planet. Favorite sports team: the Chicago White Sox—the “second team in the second city.” Notre Dame football is right behind the White Sox.
Favorite animal?
A puppy. They’re cute, clumsy, rambunctious, rebellious, innocent, and unconditionally loving. We just got a new one who sleeps on her momma’s face. Love ya, Mabel!
Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Vanilla with chunks of Rice Krispies Treats mixed in. That’s a flavor, right?
Do you have a favorite movie? What is it and why?
The 2005 World Series, an epic DVD walking through the greatest team of any sport in the history of the world, the 2005 Chicago White Sox. And I’m not biased at all ;)
Tea or coffee?
Coffee. Black. French Roast. Freshly brewed. The more it tastes like dirt, the better.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
