Remain

This one goes out to all our fellow fearful ones. We hear you. We see you. And Trina shares about how she is like you in this. This is another honest and vulnerable episode. We talk about our fears and then point out some Scripture passages that have been quite significant and helpful in the hardest of days.

Let's try this again. We recorded about 15 minute of the episode only to realize the microphone was not plugged in! But...here we talk more about the book by Thomas Boston called "The Crook in the Lot." Why is this happening and how should we respond? He gives about 8 or 9 possible reasons for us to consider but than talks about waiting and depending on the providence of God. Before starting, we prayed that this would encourage at least just one person.

Thomas Boston wrote a book based on Ecclesiastes 7:13-14. His writing on suffering, on this crook in the lot - came from his own life's experiences. Honestly, I read this book differently and carefully in light of the background - the immense suffering he and his family faced. He walked through suffering before he wrote about it. In this episode we consider five point on the nature and working of God in the area of suffering. We'll cover some other points from the book in next week's episode.

After another update on our vegetable garden, we talk about marriage expectations. We decided to read several quotes from Tripp's book on marriage and offer some personal reflections. Oh, and there is this one quote by pastor John Piper that has come up dozens of times over the years and has really ministered to us and has sustained us in the darkest of days.

We had written down notes for another episode but we started talking before recording - and before we knew it, we put those notes aside. And we just went with this one idea of lacking. We feel that we are lacking and if we are not careful - this takes over our perspective. In this episode we offer another honest approach to this. Why do we feel like we are lacking and how should we address that.

Our marriage started with a three year long distance relationship. Here we tell part of our story. Was it good? Yes of course. Was it hard? Most definitely. Those are not opposites, they are both part of our story. We need to give thanks for the good, and regarding the hard - to give thanks that God was good to us in the midst of all that. Oh, by the way - we ended up laughing more in this episode.

In this episode, we discuss the joys of missing socks as well as an article with a distasteful title. Really. But it does get your attention. In this article, JI Packer speaks on warped ideas about sickness but then offers some helpful reflections based on II Corinthians 12. Weakness is when and where God works maybe the most in our lives. It is not a waste, not something to be avoided. It will not be comfortable but we hope this will be encouraging to you.

Do we think too much and too highly about health? What happens when we lose our health? How much of our identity is rocked? Without realizing it, I wonder if we assume that our identity is wrapped up on our health. But, we need to guard ourselves from that. Here we mention and critique some wrong ideas about health, and then offer some counsel on how to help others in this regard. Look out for that final illustration about the appetizer.

This is not about fixing your prayer life. In trauma or long seasons of suffering or in the middle of anxiety - how can you pray to the Lord? Here we address those situations honestly but then point you to some good news. Something often forgotten but very much needed for those facing the hardest of days.

The Christian life is a tension, between the first and second coming of Christ. We already have life, but the fullness of life is still coming - and we have assurance of this because of the resurrection of Christ. This brings hope - especially in the hard seasons of suffering. Here we share some Scripture, point out some important doctrines, offer helpful illustrations and implications for daily life.

As our 20th episode we are discussing the first chapter from Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. We share about our honest struggle with rest and quiet; as well as talk about the good news of the heart of Christ which is better than good advice about Christ for those in hard seasons. We encourage you to buy the book and read the rest in the coming weeks as you prepare your heart for Passion Week.

In Psalm 42 we see a man very honest about the trouble he is facing, and at the same time - very hopeful in God. On the worst of days, He just longs for more of God. He even refers to God as his exceeding joy. How? How does he talk about his trouble and his God - in the same Psalm like that? In this episode we answer that how question. This has really changed the way that we handle hard seasons - and we hope this encourages you as well.

Singing is part of how Christians worship the Lord? But what about seasons of suffering, what then? Even on those days - we are called to sing to the Lord with faith. Why? Here we share a bit of our story, give examples of significant moments of singing, some special worship songs in our story - but also two key reasons to keep singing in times of suffering.

In this episode we continue making some comments and reflections on the book Dark Clouds Deep Mercy. The author talks bout the "how" of lament and from his studies in the Psalms, gives a few steps to take in lamenting. Here we are honest about the struggle with complaining, praying, and trusting in God. But we end with a phrase that we have remembered again and over the years.

In this episode we are starting to address this hard yet needed topic of lament for those in suffering. We're reading and reflecting on some quotes from Mark Vroegop's Dark Clouds Deep Mercy. After defining what lament is, we share about why this is so important and helpful for our faith. Maybe what the world needs, is for more Christians to learn the discipline of lament.

In light of our son's recent birthday, we wanted to take some time and share his story. Here we talk about loss and hope, the prayers of our firstborn, and the reasons behind our child's name. The key word for today is "and" - yup, you heard that right...this one is all about "and."

One way to remain during the hardest seasons of life - is to write. Writing - especially poetry - helps bridge the gap between our low-intensity weak hearts and the really big things in life. Writing helps connect the dots. Writings helps process the sorrow. Writing makes sure that you can look back and remember. Here we share a bit of our own writing but then turn to Psalm 77. Because when you feel that you can't write - go to the Psalms.

Since Remain is about encouraging those in hard seasons of life - that includes marriage. So what is faithfulness and where does it come from.

This is the story of something we faced one evening in the Spring of '15. A day that changed our lives. So why are we telling this story?

This Christian man faced deep life-long depression and yet he...remained. Here we are sharing a bit of his story and one of his hymns that we have listened to on repeat.

Honest reflections about sensing God's guidance in our lives. Proverbs says some wonderful things about this, but you have to read Job at the same time for some balance.

What does it look like to show kindness to those in hard seasons? How can you remain in kindness?

Ongoing disappointments can lead to a heart of cynicism. This is not an attempt to offer a few steps of fixing this issue. But an honest look and reflection of what this is all about.

Christmas is when we remember that God came near through Jesus, and yet in seasons of suffering we feel alone.

There are times when this verse doesn't feel good. But in this episode we cover five points from this verse that can help those in hard seasons - to remain.

This has been a year of much confusion. And yet, we see from church history and from Isaiah 46, that God is working.

This has been a hard season for many. Will we acknowledge that? Listen? Keep a right perspective? Here are some of our thoughts on this.

Thanksgiving is not easy nor shallow. It's hard and exhausting but it's grounded on the grace of God and leads to joy. It's a fight and it's worth it.

Before we start, we wanted to share a bit about who we are - just in case you were wondering.

Introduction to Remain Podcast - Aren and Trina discuss why this doesn't feel like the right time to start a podcast. However, after listing several reasons, they then talk about why this might be the right time after all.