Ryan Slabach

The Kingdom of Jesus (feat. Sandra McCracken) by The Porter's Gate & Jon Guerra on Apple Music Song · 2024 · Duration 4:16

Many thanks to The Porter’s Gate, McCracken and Guerra. Also to @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social, Curtis Chang and @drmoore.bsky.social for their good work at @theafterparty2024.bsky.social. This song has been nourishing my soul, stoking hope and stirring joy this past weekend.

This

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Welcome!

These realities were on my mind this morning as well. I’m so grateful for the kindness and faithfulness of God.

He is mindful of us, even as we walk in darkness. He draws near, giving hope not only to us but through us.

In our helplessness he leans in, and we are helped and made helpful.

As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
- Psalm 40:17

Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.
- Isaiah 50:10

Here is rest for weary souls: the kindness and goodness of God.

"God takes a more special care of the poor than of others, since they are most exposed to injuries and violence."

— John Calvin, on Psalm 72:4

Vulnerable humans need protection in every human system, and there is no system so godly that misuse of power is not possible.

It makes us the sort of people who can meet rage with meekness, injustice with courage, brokenness with mercy, despair with hope, brutality with beauty. It gives us the roots to stand the storm, not be twisted by it and offer shelter in it.

Blessed are the
meek
merciful
ridiculed
pure in heart

We aren’t made for a diet of constant panic, or doom scrolling, or incessant outrage, or political gloating, or what ifs, or what-aboutism.

Our souls need to drink deeply from Psalm 37 if we’re to face our moment with grace, courage, wisdom and hope.

This doesn’t mean we disengage. Not at all.

Find the beautiful and soak your soul in it.
- a good cup of coffee
- a deep conversation with a friend
- drinking in what nature you find around you
- a simple job done well
- an afternoon invested for the good of another
- honing a new hobby
- reading a good piece of classic literature

Life flows from the throne of heaven not the steps of the Capitol. Thankful to be a citizen of an unshakable kingdom of grace & peace. Let us pray.

There is only one true Priest through whom and with whom we draw near to God our Father. There is only one Mediator between God and humanity. There is only one offering which is truly acceptable to God, and it is not ours.

—J.B. Torrance (on Christ’s priesthood in our worship)

“Look at him! A friend of sinners!” (Luke 7:34).

In an angry, adversarial world like this, a Friend like that is priceless.

Resolute kindness
Humble strength
Quiet tenderness
Welcome of the other
Loyalty to truth
Joyful self-sacrifice
Love of neighbor
Winsome wisdom
Fidelity in friendship
Attentiveness to beauty

Qualities worth admiring and aspiring to.

Christian leader, do you want to be a safe and holy shepherd who feeds God's sheep? Then feed on Him only – not the position, applause, growth or fame. Feed on Him so you can teach HIS sheep to do the same as they go out to minister in HIS name, in keeping with HIS character.

For us mortals, humility is both virtuous and logical.

It is virtuous because it is not self-absorbed—beyond one’s self it recognizes the beautiful, the worthy, the weighty.

It is logical because it is self-aware—within one’s self it recognizes the limited, the broken, the absurd.

Pulisic is having himself a season for Milan. And Jedi Robinson is arguably the best left back in the EPM. Plus McKennie, Musah, Pepi, Weah…such a fun time to root for USMNT!

In today's certification of the election result, no Capitol Hill Police Officers were harmed. #neverforget

Worship for Workers by The Porter's Gate on Apple Music Album · 2023 · 13 Songs

Love this album. Theologically rich, musically tasteful, vocally singable—teasing out implications of Christian vocation into songs of prayer, praise and trust.

My son (6) is amazed that I was born “last century!” When he learns what millenniums are, I’m gonna be a legend.

Driver rams New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 10. FBI investigating as 'act of terrorism' Law enforcement officials have told The Associated Press that the suspect in the New Orleans crash that killed 10 people and injured 30 was killed after a firefight with police.

Lord, have mercy.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. Ps 103:2

The older I get, things like Jimmy Carter's unfaltering, lifelong devotion to his wife Rosalynn count as the true measure of personal integrity and public leadership and trustworthiness more than just about anything else.

Dude, yes. We just picked up an N64 with Mario Kart and Golden Eye for Christmas this year, introducing our children to unparalleled, pixelated glory. They are properly in awe.

I’m going to pick it up. Thanks!

The Daily Office Lectionary is worth its weight in gold. Such a helpful devotional resource. Very grateful for it this morning.

My cup of coffee in the morning is genuinely, truly good. The giggles of my children are beautiful and meaningful. A sunset with my wife is a touch of glory.

He has made it all good, and he is making all things new.

If Christ has come in the flesh—and he has—then the ordinary, mundane, routine things of life on earth are not meaningless indignities, but are loaded with potential transcendence. Humanity and creation alike were reaffirmed in their inherent goodness and worth by the Creator inhabiting them both.