Thank God it’s Friday
This is excerpted from my TGIF column at SOLA Network.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Heidi Tai: Unmasking the Prodigal Daughter
“God knows the reasons for our shame, but instead of condemning us, he demonstrates at the cross a love that is unfailing, unconditional, unwavering and undeserved. This gospel, if truly understood, will free us from both crushing worthlessness and defensive self-righteousness—attitudes that prevent us from true repentance and showing up before God and others as we truly are.”
2. Blake Glosson: Break Shame’s Chains Through Christ
“Satan wants to use shame to drive you away from Jesus. He knows that in Christ’s presence, shame is released. But if you take one thing from this article, let it be this: Jesus is the remedy to your shame, not the cause. He is who you need most in your brokenness and sin.”
3. Ashley Anthony: Redeeming the Sunday Morning Struggle
Long before we step through the sanctuary’s threshold our worship begins. This Sunday, we’ll probably face the same struggles and temptations to believe that our efforts are fruitless. We’ll probably still face spilled milk, failed attempts to squeeze tiny feet into shoes, and the last-minute rush to get everyone in the car. But we can face every inconvenience and temptation knowing that our efforts and our heart attitudes are a sacrifice of worship on the Lord’s altar.
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. 9Marks: A Storm in the Desert
In 1972, at the base of a Swiss mountain, God saved a man named Mack Stiles. Two decades later, John Folmar “accepted Jesus as his personal Savior”; he doesn’t know even where he first heard that phrase. What happens in the next quarter-century is a testament to God’s commitment to use faithful, ordinary ministry to effect fruitful, extraordinary change. A Storm in the Desert tells this story.
2. John Piper: Living with Gospel-Sized Ambition
“Acts 20:24 has encouraged and challenged Christians throughout the centuries. How, in particular, has it shaped the life and ministry of John Piper?”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Ashley Kim: AI for Good: Meet the Founders of Esslo
Editorial Intern Ashley Kim from SOLA Network sat down with Hadassah Betapudi and Elijah Kim, Stanford students and co-founders of Esslo. Launched in 2024, Esslo utilizes AI to close gaps in the college admission process. Hadassah and Elijah discuss their journey from being students to bringing Esslo to life. They emphasize the tool’s role in enhancing human interaction and personalized feedback, as well as the importance of stewarding academic gifts to serve others.
2. Pan Xihong: How Global Believers Can Pray for China
“There are no coincidences. This is God’s wonderful work. He wants to expand his territory – to bless more churches, and revive more cities. Praise the Lord! This is all the result of prayer.”
3. TGIF: Roundup for February 7, 2025
God Forms Us Through Failure / Serving Teenagers from Immigrant Families / Theology Should Be the Primary Language of Your Kids / On Pastoring in Japan / Gen Z, Fight ‘Brain Rot’ by Reading Books
4. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
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