The Thin Place

The Bible calls us to take up the cause of the defenseless and to care deeply about the brokenness of the world. Social justice is one of the ways we join God in the work of redeeming creation and restoring it to what He intended in Eden. But while buzzwords fly and slacktivism becomes the norm, we need to make sure that we are approaching social justice from a Biblical perspective. 5 Critical Truths Christians Need To Remember When Fighting Injustice  We are commanded to take up the cause of the defenseless We need to invest personally, both financially and emotionally, in fighting injustice While fighting injustice, we must remain humble Remember that the world is broken, but God is still in control We must trust God to bring the results Read more at TheThinPlace.net!

When we set goals, it helps us avoid apathy and mediocrity.  Goals are helpful because they help train us. Spiritual goals are no different. St. Paul wrote on many occasions about the importance of training in faith, of devoting ourselves to the teachings of Christ and His apostles.  On today's episode, we look at why we need to be setting spiritual goals to grow our Christian faith, how to set effective SMART goals, and some key areas of goal setting Christians should explore. Here are a few tools that might help you achieve your goals:Grab your copy of Building a Bible Reading Habit: A 31 Day Gospel Reading Plan here! Use the code “PODCAST” for $5 off!   (Affiliate Link) The Daily Grace Co has some amazing products and verse cards to help with Bible memorization. For more on examination and confession of sin, check out 3 Powerful Ways to Encourage Self-Examination and Confession of Sin. 

Praying Lord's Prayer every day has become a regular part of my routine and prayer life this year. Whether it's a quick morning prayer, part of a rosary, or a moment at the end of the day I come before my Father, I've been intentionally trying each and every day, to pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray.  Praying the Lord's Prayer regularly has taught me 2 things:  1) Because of Jesus, I am a child of God 2) We are adopted into a family and need to pray for and with our community.  Read more here!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV What does that even look like? If you are like me, you spend some time praying (on a good day) but most of your brain energy is consumed throughout the way with the mundane, but oh so stressful, aspects of life.  We need to cultivate a habit of prayer by bringing the sacred into every moment of our lives.  Here are some practical ways to pray without ceasing.  Read more here. 

Christ's Resurrection from the grave is the high point of the Christian year - so why do we only celebrate it for a day?  We're going to look at clear ways to celebrate the entire season of Easter in your home and how to spread the hope of the Resurrection to your neighbors and friends.  Visit TheThinPlace.net for access to the Resource Library and the Easter printables I mentioned! Here's the Resurrection Cookie recipe I mentioned!

Today, we're going to look at the powerful prayers 5 women in the Old Testament prayed.  We're going to look at the words of: Miriam Deborah  Hannah Esther Hagar These 5 women have strengthened my prayer life and I know they will yours as well!  To read more on today's topic, click here!

All of the links mentioned in today's episode can be found here! If you're looking for a daily Holy Week devotional with activities for each day, you can download the free  Holy Week Devotional Guide in The Thin Place Resource Library! 

Want to go deeper? Read more here! Here are a few start questions to evaluate your media in light of Philippians 4:8: True – Is this factually true or speculation? Is it gossip? If it is factually true, is it being presented in an inflammatory or biased way to imply something that isn't factually true?  Honorable – Will this help or hinder the pursuit of righteousness? Is it encouraging the morals and virtues laid out in Scripture?  Pure – Is this free from impurity? Is it something that makes me fearful or confident in the Lord's work? Is the end goal focused on eternity and the coming Kingdom of God or temporal circumstances?  Pleasing – Is this something that brings me joy or angst? Commendable – Is this something I would share with others? If so, would I do so confident that this would further my Christian witness and the hope I have in Christ? Excellence – Is this well done? Has this been crafted with care and a proper stewarding of the gifts of God?  Worthy of Praise – Does this stir my affections for the Lord? Does it make me rejoice in His work and the giftings He has lavished upon the people He created? 

If you grew up in church (or even if you didn't), you've probably heard extensive exhortations about being a Proverbs 31 woman. Every Mother's Day, that famous line, the one about her children arising and calling her blessed, makes its way to the front of Hallmark cards and sappy Facebook shoutouts. Proverbs 31 has become such a common passage that we regularly overlook it and try to find something less mainstream to reference. But it is mainstream for a reason. There are principles and wisdom that deserve examination and application to our daily lives. 6 Habits of the Proverbs 31 Woman Rise Early (before you need to) “She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household” – Proverbs 31:15, ESV Get to Work “She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.” – Proverbs 31:13, ESV   Be Discerning and Willing to Search for the Best - “She considers a field and buys it; With the fruit of her hands she plans a vineyard.” – Proverbs 31:16   Remember the Poor - “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out to the needy” – Proverbs 31:20, ESV   Know Where You're Going - “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.” – Proverbs 31:21, ESV   Remember What Matters in Life - “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” – Proverbs 31:30-31, ESV   Want to go deeper? Learn more here!