Mosaic (Jul 19)

Happy Friday!

We're enjoying another week at the lake, a blend of cold/rainy and hot/sunny days. Not always great paddling weather, but this view never gets old. Building memories one round of Phase 10 at a time.

During one particularly lucky round, the wind may have gusted on the deck, my umbrella may have tipped over, and I may have a permanently angled umbrella now. It was a little tough to swallow.

I'd read earlier in the day on Psalm 112, describing the righteous, verse 7 tells us, "he is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." I think about the many times I've received information I really didn't want to have. Bad news is usually scary and has grave consequences. I think about PICU team coming to tell me she was getting worse, the immunologist arriving in our hospital room carrying a chair; I remember being on the phone with our friend telling us his wife was in ICU after the birth of their first child; the news our dad had a heart attack and was in ICU.

The discouraging reality of my bent umbrella doesn't compare to the palpitations and trembling that came with hearing the other news. I'm reminded though hurt and grief and suffering fold us in, there isn't fear even in the worst news. The righteous firmly fit their feet in the faithfulness of God, even if that's just a desperate, willing my heart to believe it—a steadfast resolve that God is trustworthy and provident in all things.

Bad news comes but we always have the good news to guide us.

Grace & Peace,

Amber

Content: This Week…

On the Blog

On my Shelf

In Articles (curated content just for you)

Previously on Mosaic

On the Blog

On my Shelf

I'm almost finished this one on the Trinity. I'm really grateful for this resource, because I appreciate big theological topics written for the average believer, so we can know God a little more and therefore worship him. (Stay tuned for the book review)
Sale Alert!! I started this historical fiction, The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. (Because I found it on sale this week, and it wasn't in our public library). I've read, I think, all of her previous novels and I enjoy her storytelling and characters.

In Articles

How Sweet | Ashley Kim

A Hershey kiss, saskatoon pie, pavlova...oh the many delicious treats that melt in my mouth! Here, Ashley talks about her favourite Greek word, evocatively describing sweetness and our response to the word of God.

Theological Discernment is for Moms Too | Lara d'Entremont

Decision making as a parent can be so overwhelming, especially when we get fixated on doing it all "right." Becoming discerning is a slow growth founded in God's Word. We can take heart knowing that we are equipped for every good work!

A Precious Mystery | Melissa Edgington

Here's Melissa's reflection on grief after the passing of a friend and the sweetness of the body of Christ.

Hobbits and Third-Culture Kids: Befriending the Strangers Among Us | Seth Porch (Desiring God)

This is near to my heart, because I have TCKs and because they're such special people, often misunderstood. I hope this article encourages you to seek out missionary families in your midst, to encourage and get to know them and their kids.

All We Have Left Undone | Faith Chang (JourneyWomen)

When we look at the needs that surround us daily, with neighbours, friends, family, or volunteering at church, we can feel overwhelmed with all the ways we miss out on opportunities to love and care for others. She provides us three prayers to pray from Psalm 103 to help us reflect on our need for confession, to recognize our limits and for God's glory in our imperfections.