The goodness of God
All my life you have been faithful
Thank you all for indulging my new zealand roadtrip <3 No doodles this week, but hello to the new friends who have joined! This week, we’re back to our regularly scheduled program of hodgepodge.
a book (or three)
Somewhere along the way, I developed a habit of reading multiple books at the same time. I like the options it affords. Of being able to amble into a children’s story or be in learning-mode. Light-hearted or serious. I’m currently enjoying these three books. The first two came highly recommended by two former-literature-teacher friends (hi zhen! hi kit! i like your recs!):
Fiction: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Non-fiction: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
Jesus-y: How Does Sanctification Work by David Powlison
a deep-dive
These are my favorite kinds of interviews. Ones that give the artist the space to share what inspired them. Where they got stuck. The collaboration and iterations and perfectionism and wildness that make up the creative process. I thoroughly enjoyed this 18-minute video of Billie Eilish and FINNEAS breaking down how they created the song What Was I Made For (featured in the Barbie movie which made it to my best of 2023).
a translation
My CG (community group) already knows how much I like incorporating different versions during Bible study. Especially for those of us who grew up in church, or find ourselves feeling over-familiar with Scripture. I’ve been following along to the Bible Project’s app playlists, and am a big fan of their translation of Matthew 5:
[The Nine-fold Good Life]
How good is life for the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies.
How good is life for those who grieve, because they will be comforted.
How good is life for the unimportant, because they will inherit the land.
How good is the life for those who hunger and thirst for right-relationships, because they will be satisfied.
How good is life for those who show mercy, because they will be shown mercy.
How good is life for the pure in heart, because they will see God
How good is life for the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God.
How good is life for those who have been persecuted on account of doing what is right, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies.
How good is life for you when they insult you and persecute and speak any evil lies against you on account of me.
Celebrate and shout for joy. Because your reward is great in the skies, because this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.
This snippet reminds me of one of my favorite books from 2022 called The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches About Finding True Happiness by Derwin L. Grey.
a crochet
I’m not the best gift-giver. But I do like making tiny things that are not completely useless, but also not quite practical either hehe. Here were some of the Christmas editions:
an ebenezer stone
Finances can be a rollercoaster. Over the weekend, I finalised a proposal for my 2024 Monthly Expenses. Super nerdy, I know. But it helps me to process the incoming factors (rent! cpf! gst!). To take stock of the surprise provisions (yay dental coverage!). And to propose to my CFO how I will attempt to steward what He’s given me.
Every tab on my finance spreadsheet, every miracle rental home, is like a stack of Ebenezer stones—each recounting how God has been so faithful to me. Year after year after year. My life is built upon a foundation of His faithfulness. I don’t want to forget this. I wrote this paragraph a few years ago and have pasted it at the top of every year’s spreadsheet since:
Gentle reminder for an easily forgetful Reb: God has ALWAYS provided exactly what you need and more. Take heart, Reb. Steward and cultivate this small corner of a garden that your heavenly Father has seen fit to give you. Be faithful. Be generous. Enjoy life. And He will take care of any fruitfulness.
a song
A dear friend got married this past weekend and chose Goodness of God as her march-in song. How fitting as it is the exact song Holy Spirit gave me whenever I’ve been feeling anxious about finances. Declaring it over myself. And praying it blesses you wherever you may be at this moment.
Thank you for reading!
love,
reb