Hello, friends!
Summer is almost overācan you believe it? School is back in session or beginning soon. Temperatures are starting to cool downāexcept, not the case here in Oklahoma. Weāre still melting, but I understand itās cooling down up north. Hopefully, weāll catch up soon and get a little fall weather.
I want to say thank you for understanding my need to take time off from writing this summer. Soon, Iāll be back to releasing newsletters on a more regular basis. Look for The Free Newsletter to resume in September!
This edition of The Fast 5 is going out FREE to all subscribers!
This morning, I received word that a friend had passed away. I first met Ma Aye Aye Mon on one of my trips to the country of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. She was a student in a course I taught in a Bible school there.
Ma Aye Aye Mon was a bright light with a beautiful smile. Mostly, though, I remember her as a young woman of great faith, and one who had an exuberance to share that faith with others.
Over the years, our paths would cross when I returned to Asia. In person, she would call me Teacher (a great honor in her culture). Even when she messaged me on Facebook, she would greet me with the words: āHello, Teacherā¦ā
My friend Ma Aye Aye Mon contracted tuberculosis (TB), the disease that would eventually take her life. Today, TB is largely controlled here in the US. Sadly, in developing countries around the world, it is still much too common and often results in death due to a lack of access to proper treatment or inability to catch the TB case before it is too late.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in all we have going on in life that we fail to think about what others may be going through. I felt this when I learned of my sweet friendās passing. I wished I had checked on her more and taken the opportunity to let her know how proud I wasāof her faith, willingness to serve her church tirelessly, and boldness to go out into the community to share Jesus.
Now she is resting in the Lord, healed from all disease and pain. My dear Ma Aye Aye Mon, I will see you again one day. Until then, rest in peace.
And now, here are a few of my favorite thingsā¦
The Fast 5 š
The Solitude of Slow: Why Iām Ditching My Smart Phone for a Dumb One ā In this essay, Josh Nadeau shares the story of his decision behind laying aside his smart phone (for the most part) and embracing an archiac model for most of his daily living. I must confess I would like to join him. What about you?
INSPIRING BLOG POST ā āš¼ Entering Empty Nest If you are in the season of āsending offā or āmoving inā a college-aged child, you need this post by DiAnn Brown. She is living it now, and says, āBut I have also learned that God is in this season, working in me and in [my son].ā Friend, Iāve been through this twice and remember well the āempty nestā phase. If youāre struggling with this major change to the household (and life), I can tell you itās gonna be okay. It will be different, but it will be okay.
FAVORITE BOOK ā š 66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God that Invites You into His Story by Dr. Larry Crabb ā āA dialogue between one man and Godā¦ā is the format of 66 Love Letters. This has been a favorite resource of mine over the years. The book is for anyone, really, but would make a great gift for new believers or those struggling to understand the meaning behind Scripture.
FAV RECIPE ā š² Sharing one of my favorite crockpot recipes with you. 3 Ingredient Crockpot Taco Chicken is one of the easiest-to-throw-together dishes I make. We usually eat it on flour tortillas, but itās also delish on slider or hamburger buns. Also, hereās another version called Crockpot Ranch Chicken Tacos that uses chicken broth instead of salsa.
MUSIC I LOVE ā ā āÆ Worship Session 019 with Garett & Kate Serban ā Daughter just introduced me to this YouTube account and Iāve been so blessed by their music. If you sometimes like music playing in the background while you work, during devotion and prayer time, or to simply be encouraged, these worship sessions are worth checking out. Worshipful, genuine, heartfelt, and calming are words that come to mind to describe these recordings. Enjoy and be blessed.
Currently Reading š
Friend, I am currently reading three excellent books that Iāve been working on for months. Yes, focusing on one book at a time might prove more productive, but I just cannot do it.
I can report, however, that I finally finished The End of the World as You Know It: What the Bible Really Says about the End Times (And Why Itās Good News)āby Matthew L. Halsted. My head is spinning (itās all good) and I am continuing to process what I have read. May share more about this in a future newsletter.
Quotable š
āYou are a jealous God, and Your perfect love will not stand to see us on bended knees before any throne but Your own.ā
āLiturgies for Hope by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore
Quick Links š
When God Gave Me More Thank I Could Handle Years ago, I began following Dr. Michelle Bengtsonās blog and her words never fail to encourage me. This article is for any of us who are wondering if itās all just too muchāthat we just cannot handle one more hard thing. I believe her words will bless you, friend.
Interruptions = Sanctification I can seriously relate to this article by Michele Morin. Her words, āā¦this summer isnāt my first tango with a disastrous summer scheduleā could be my story. If you feel youāve lost all control of your time and plans this summer, you may also relate, and can join in relishing that it has turned into a āmuch better summer.ā
Talk soon,