Posted in encouragement, theology

Guest post from younger sister: The Amazing Exchange

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’d mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that some of the younger people were seeking answers to the mayhem that is everywhere today. They want to sort out what is happening. Their consciences are tender and their heart moves easily. So I’d compiled a list of theologically solid podcasts so that anyone seeking answers would hopefully be steered to good resources.

Yesterday I was contacted by one of the younger sisters in my church asking for a review of a post she intended to publish. She wanted it looked over to see if it contributed to the discussion, was absent any virtue signaling, and was faithful to scripture. She’d also listened to the recommended Just Thinking podcast. My heart immediately soared. There are still young people who care deeply about being a dew drop of grace in His name, and not a clamoring, shouting secular rioter, and who proceed with caution before speaking. Continue reading “Guest post from younger sister: The Amazing Exchange” →

Posted in theology

Current events podcasts discussing George Floyd, racism, social justice, and of course, books

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Yesterday was the watershed day for me. I try not to watch news, read news, or discuss news. A headline or two here and there just to see of the world is still spinning, and I’m good to go. Yesterday even the limited amounts of time I spent scrolling was too much. I came away with a darkened mood and a sad soul. So I decided that after today I’m going away from the current events for a while.

With that though, I know there are people, especially younger brothers and sisters, who have questions. They want to sort out what is happening. Their consciences are tender and their heart moves easily. Yet there is a quantity of material out there which is not edifying, and just adds to the clamor. There is also an encroaching wave of false liberal theologies infiltrating the church. So I put together a list of podcasts that in my opinion edifies and helps cut the Gordian knots of confusion and adds to one’s biblical understanding. The list below is intended to be helpful, and I hope it is. Continue reading “Current events podcasts discussing George Floyd, racism, social justice, and of course, books” →

Posted in prophecy, theology

America has lost its mind. Here’s why

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’m reading through Ezekiel. It’s rough. Chapter after chapter after chapter of doom, rebellion, threats, dire warnings, idolatry, profaning the pure, and more. The Israelites were a bunch of rebels, for sure. Even in exile in Babylon where Ezekiel prophesied, they refused to listen. (Ezekiel 2:5). What God promised to do to them if they refused to hear is very hard to read about, especially in these current days. But they kept right on, and on, and on.

I’d often stop reading and look away from my Bible with tears in my eyes, pleading for the long-gone Israelite rebels, “Why, why do they do such things?’ Then I’d ponder the nature of rebellion and the power of sin. I’d take a deep breath and return hesitatingly to the page to absorb more heartbreak. Continue reading “America has lost its mind. Here’s why” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Seeking His face as the solace for turbulent times

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We live in scary times. This isn’t anything new…the ’60s were scary, a civil & societal revolution took place between generations. Plus, there was the Viet Nam war. The 40’s were scary, WWII. The Great Depression and the Great Migration in the decade before that. And before that, the Great Influenza. And so on. Any times we have of peace and prosperity are illusions that exist between the turbulence. It’s the turbulence that’s normal. Continue reading “Seeking His face as the solace for turbulent times” →

Posted in Sunday martyr moment, theology

Sunday Martyr Moment: Persecution under Domitian

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. According to this summary from Christian Book Summaries,

Writing in the mid-1500s, John Foxe was living in the midst of intense religious persecution at the hands of the dominant Roman Catholic Church. In graphic detail, he offers accounts of Christians being martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ, describing how God gave them extraordinary courage and stamina to endure unthinkable torture.
Continue reading “Sunday Martyr Moment: Persecution under Domitian” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The other evening I was standing at the edge of the hayfield, and the blue cornflowers gave a wonderful tinge that mirrored the sky, and the burnt sienna hay tips rustled in the breeze, showing where the wind had been. The birds swooped over the field looking for insects and I thought, how peaceful, how peaceful. This is my life, and it is wonderful.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16) Continue reading “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace” →

Posted in books, theology

Top 5 books I’d recommend (plus 5 more)

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

quotes books

Yesterday a friend who is doing a project asked me to list top five books I would recommend every Christian to read. I asked, ‘modern or older’ and he said maybe make two lists, one for each. That’s great because I had a hard time excising my 6th book from the top 5 already, lol.

I spent some time pondering and then compiling, while browsing my own bookshelves to see what lifted my heart and mind as I scanned my titles. Continue reading “Top 5 books I’d recommend (plus 5 more)” →

Posted in theology

It’s the 1960s all over again. I hated the ’60s

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

On Twitter, an account named @backcreekpastor posted this:
“This sojourn into “online worship” has made me exceedingly glad we will not experience a disembodied eternity.”

Amen to that! A heartening reminder. We will experience the heavenly eternity on a physical world, bodily. All our experiences, emotions, spiritual feelings will be washed through a sinless, glorified BODY. We won’t be floating around on clouds, but instead be fully conscious, sentient, in a body, and worshiping and working (“ruling and reigning”) with Christ, who by the way is also in His body and will be present with us on our home, the New Earth. Continue reading “It’s the 1960s all over again. I hated the ’60s” →

Posted in theology

Living the Ecclesiastes life

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

ecclesiastes

By the 1990’s I wasn’t tempted by the American Dream anymore. My 90s decade, one in which I was thirty to forty years old were a reaction to the 1980s and 70s and 60s. See, I grew up being taught the American Dream, American exceptionalism, and nationalism. That I could attain anything I wanted, it was there for the taking because we lived in the best country and we were the best people. Continue reading “Living the Ecclesiastes life” →

Posted in summer reading, theology

Why you should read Pilgrim’s Progress, and Summer Book-A-Palooza sites

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I love the book The Pilgrim’s Progress. I have a hard time with allegory and symbolism, being so literal, but I love the book and many of its scenes stick with me in my mind. If you’ve been wanting to read the book but are unsure of which edition to choose, or are intimidated like I was for so long, here are some helps and guides to spur you in reading this marvelous book. Spurgeon read it over 100 times! That’s something, right?!

At the bottom I offer a list of fiction Christian books, too. Continue reading “Why you should read Pilgrim’s Progress, and Summer Book-A-Palooza sites” →