Podcast appearances and mentions of sarah eekhoff zylstra

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the rising popularity of “pickleball.” Invented in 1965, this sport combines tennis, table tennis and badminton and is attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. Capitalizing on its popularity are plenty of businesses, athletic associations and even churches. This discussion delves into the uniqueness of pickleball but then goes further to discuss the broader relationship between churches and sports. Dr. White riffs on sports ministries and how churches can and must navigate the increasingly demanding world of youth sports. He also dives into the individual Christian's relationship to sports and the priority we give them in our lives. Episode Links Today's conversation was sparked by an article by Religion News titled, “Churches hope to tap the power of pickleball”, but as mentioned in the podcast, the church's relationship with sports dates back much further. You can read more about the history of sports ministry, provided by GameDay Sports Ministries HERE, or by The Christian Athlete HERE. Alexis mentioned a handful of past podcast discussions she and Dr. White had on a few aspects of modern culture that provide some helpful cultural context, such as the current pandemic of loneliness (CCP76: On the Never Marrieds), the desire for religious experiences (CCP145: On Whether Churches Should be Churchy), and why men are looking for “manly” churches (CCP135: On Women Leaving the Church). Pertinent to today's conversation is an exploration of the role of athletics in the lives of families. For more on that topic, here are some links you might be interested in checking out: Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, “Youth Sports, Healthy Families, and the Future of the Church,” The Gospel Coalition. Melissa Steffan, “The Main Reason for Declining Church Attendance: Children's Sports?,” Christianity Today. More broadly, Dr. White discussed the way in which sports have become somewhat of a modern religion, with many attributing religious-like experiences to sports highlights or god-like statuses to athletes. To read more about that, here are some suggested resources: Kurt Streeter, “In Troubled Times, the Sports World Offers a Necessary Salve,” The New York Times. David Briggs, “The Final Four, travel teams and empty pews: Research on sports and religion,” The Association of Religion Data Archives. Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly, All Things Shining. David Brooks, “The Arena Culture,” The New York Times. While sports may seem to provide echoes of something truly transcendent, the real source can be found in the God of the Christian faith. Dr. White shares about C.S. Lewis' journey to God as captured in his autobiography, Surprised by Joy. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

"According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends." Join Dawn and Steve in the Morning for a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International about biblical friendship. The morning team continues the conversation about friendship and reaching people for Christ based on the article "An Unequally Yoked Small Group" by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this workshop from Rooted 2023 in Franklin, TN, TGC journalist Sarah Zylstra shares wisdom about video games gathered from Scripture, her research, and her experience as a mother of teenage boys. This thought-provoking workshop will help parents think about their sons' gaming from a biblical perspective. Resources:How to Help Your Child Faithfully Navigate Video Games (Rooted 2023 Workshop Preview) by Sarah Eekhoff ZylstraGaming Alone: Helping the Generation of Young Men Captivated and Isolated by Video Games by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, TGCAnxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington  Join us at the next Rooted Ministry Conference! Find the details at www.rootedministry.com/conference. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram.

Wie kommt es, dass Andrew Wilson nur drei Tage in der Woche in London verbringt, obwohl er dort Pastor einer Gemeinde ist? Und was tat er Jahre zuvor in einer U-Bahn-Station in Washington? Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra wirft einen Blick auf Wilsons Leben und dessen unerwarteten Wendungen.

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change.  “What do we do with Club Sports?” Over the last twenty years, club sports have come to replace many other activities that used to take place in the recreational life of a young person.  In this podcast, we consider the article “Why We Pulled Our Kids from Club Sports” by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra and Ross Douma for The Gospel Coalition.  What's the difference between club sports, rec. leagues, and Kiwanis Baseball for that matter?  What is the value of kids' sports programs?  How does all this fit into Christian faithfulness?  All these questions and more are considered on this episode.   https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pulled-kids-club-sports/ "The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

The Christian Outlook – December 30, 2023 Greg Seltz talks with Jerry Newcom, director of Providence Forum, about a classic musical masterpiece of Christian worship that has stood the test of time, Handel's Messiah. Brian From and Pastor Steve Coble, of “The Common Good” on AM1160 Hope for Your Life in Chicago, talk with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, of The Gospel Coalition, talk about how our young people have been transformed by social media. John and Kathy, the Ride Home, talk to Doug Bursch, writer and former pastor, about cherishing and nurturing your marriage and your spouse. Jim Daly and John Fuller, Focus on the Family, talk to Shaunti Feldhahn about her research on marriage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This crash courses  discusses the history of technology and considers how technology shapes us with practical tools to become people of virtue in a tech-saturated world.  Taught by Nick Harsh with Alanna Sellinger.More Resources:"God, Technology, and the Christian Life," book by Tony Reinke"Analog Christian," book by Jay Kim"Competing Spectacles," book by Tony Reinke"Social Sanity in an Insta World," book by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, et al."12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You," book by Tony Reinke and John Piper"The Social Dilemma," documentary 

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra—co-author (with Collin Hansen) of the new book Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age—discusses some of the reasons anxiety is on the rise. She explains how Christians can find peace in two seemingly contradictory ways: by thinking big, and by thinking small.

Girls and Social Media  With more girls than ever reporting that they feel sad or hopeless, The Gospel Coalition's Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra talks with Martha Manikas-Foster about social media's impact on girls. They also talk about the precautions adults might put in place before approaching social media as a mission field.   More girls than ever feel sad or hopeless. Social media may be the reason why. “In 2009, we know about a third of American high school girls had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness,” reports Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. “But by last year, so this is about 10 years later, it was up to 57 percent. Which is the highest recorded level of teenage sadness ever.” Zylstra observes that the increase in sadness tracks with the rise of smartphones and social media. Smartphones make it possible to check on your internet friends more often than when you had to wait until you opened your laptop to get connected. How we spend our time makes its mark on us, and girls are averaging five hours a day on social media. During those hours girls are comparing themselves with others--often people they don't know in person—and they repeatedly feel that they fall short. Disembodied online relationships impact us differently from in-person friendships, Zylstra says, in part because when you walk alongside a friend, you see them on both their good days and bad days. Online you see only the best snapshots of a person's day. “And if you have 500 friends,” Zylstra says, “every day somebody's having a good day somewhere. But you're constantly feeling like, ‘My day never measures up.'” Listen in on our 18-minute conversation about the impact this is having. You'll also hear Zylstra's suggestions for how adults who feel called to on-line ministry might wisely approach social media as a mission field. Listen to the podcast that inspired this conversation here and read some of her other writings here. 

John Hall and Kathy Emmons talk with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, senior writer and faith-&-work editor for The Gospel Coalition, about the 1 year anniversary of the Ukraine-Russian war. Zylstra shares encouraging stories of how God is at work in Ukraine, Poland and Russia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christian Outlook – January 7, 2023 Kevin McCullough and Bryce Eddy, of the Liberty Station podcast, and Bob Burney talk about the crisis on our southern border. Brian From and Pastor Steve Coble, of “The Common Good” on AM1160 Hope for Your Life in Chicago, talk with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, of The Gospel Coalition, talk about how our young people have been transformed by social media. John and Kathy, the Ride Home, talk to Doug Bursch, writer and former pastor, about cherishing and nurturing you marriage and your partner. Jim Daly and John Fuller, Focus on the Family, talk to Shaunti Feldhahn about her research on marriage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly all American teenage boys—97 percent of them—play video games. On average, they spend more than two hours a day maneuvering in digital worlds. For two out of five teen boys, that feels like too much time.They're probably right. Though  it's impossible to draw a direct link, it's hard not to notice that as gaming grows, males are falling farther behind girls in school, in joining the work force, and in starting families. As Reformed Christians, we aren't ready to give up on video games yet. In this episode of Recorded, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra examines why boys are more likely than girls to be addicted to video games, why playing with people online doesn't mean you have more friends, and what it looks like to bring video games under the lordship of Jesus Christ.Learn more about The Defender Way mentioned in this episode. 

Your life is probably not too busy to fit in prayer, Bible reading, or another of the disciplines that draw us closer to God.    “We all the time think: ‘Oh well, at the end of the day I just didn't have time to read my Bible today,' or, ‘I just didn't have time to pray today.' And we thought, ‘I wonder how much time it actually takes to do those things?'”  The “we” Megan Evans Hill is referring to is Hill and her co-author Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, who pulled out their stopwatches and reported what they learned in the Gospel Coalition article “Build Spiritual Habits in Just a Few Minutes.”    “We timed ourselves to see exactly how long that thing would take, so that then, when we were planning our days, we would have a realistic sense of, ‘You know, actually I do have five minutes. I could do one of these things,'” Hill says in our six-minute podcast.  So we actually can include what we say are our priorities in our day-to-day lives.   “For example,” the book author and managing editor for The Gospel Coalition says, “there are something like 10 books of the Bible that you can read in 10 minutes, which is the same amount of time that it takes to make a cup of tea or take a shower.”  And today is as good a day to start as any.  “You can start with some things that take very little time. Praying for someone can take as little as 30 seconds. Or reading one Bible verse can take less than 30 seconds. So start with those little things,” she says.  What's stayed with Hill most significantly after writing the article is not how much she can include in her days, but how much she can be used to add to the lives of others.  “Part of what has really stuck with me is how little time it takes to do good to someone else, as well. And so, not just me reading the Bible, me praying, but going, ‘Hey, if I've got time to do a few things for myself, I probably have time to do a few things that would encourage others also.'”   Read the article that inspired our conversation here. 

Do you need wisdom when it comes to social media? Discover biblical principles to help you honor the Lord online in this episode of Grounded.

In the final part of our interview, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra describes the effects of social media on younger generations. Plus, we dive into the best ways forward for the Church's digital presence. Learn more about Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/sarah-eekhoff-zylstra/ 

In 2009, around 25 percent of American high school students said they had “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.” By 2021, it was up to 44 percent, the highest level of teenage sadness ever recorded. For girls, the number was even higher: 57 percent.What could account for such a dramatic change between 2009 and today?If you looked at a group of teenagers then and now, the main difference you'd see is the modern teens hunched over their smartphones.These stats come from an episode of TGC's Recorded podcast, in which Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra shares the stories of young women being shaped by social media. She talks directly to Gen Z about what they think, feel, and believe.Sarah has also edited a book, Social Sanity in an Insta World (TGC, 2022) that brings biblical and theological perspectives to bear on our social media use. Contributors include Melissa Kruger, Jen Wilkin, Ruth Chou Simons, and Laura Wifler. Sarah is senior writer for The Gospel Coalition and coauthor with me of the book Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age. She lives with her husband and sons outside Chicago.Sarah joined me on Gospelbound to discuss influencers, fasting, and taking advice from strangers.

Join our conversation with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra—senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition—as we discuss the role and influence of the digital space on Christian life. Plus, we dive into the collaboration and research that went into Sarah's latest book, “Social Sanity in an Insta World.”Learn more about Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/sarah-eekhoff-zylstra/ 

It was the late great media theorist Marshall McLuhan who said that first we shape our tools and then our tools shapes us. He went on and said, we become what we behold. Any of us who have used social media know that McLuhan was spot on. . . and if we don't know it, we need to. Today, we take a look at how social media is shaping and misshaping us as moms, dads, kids, and youth workers. Listen in as we chat with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra about her own story and her practical and Gospel centered book, Social Sanity in an Insta World, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Ever look around your home, apartment, or dorm room and wish it was different because then you'd feel ready to host friends or neighbors? Listen in as Ruth and Eve discuss what it looks like to practice hospitality with the space you have, even if it doesn't match your Pinterest board!Resources mentioned:Social Sanity in an Insta World by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Melissa Kruger, Jen Wilkin, Emily Jensen, Laura Wifler, Ruth Chou Simons, Gretchen Saffles, Stephanie Greer, Ana Ávila The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria ButterfieldEmmanuel by Ruth Chou SimonsAdditional resource:The Nesting Place / The Cozy MinimalistIf this conversation has you looking for ways to cozy up your home, we'd be so honored for you to consider GraceLaced art. Our online shoppe is full of scripture art as well as fine art pieces available in print and canvas sizing. Each one is a reproduction of original art painted by Ruth. We've heard from so many customers that GraceLaced art in their home has stirred great conversations with friends-we hope it would do the same for you! Learn more at Gracelaced.comSeason 3 | Start Where You AreHear more from Ruth and GraceLacedFind Ruth Chou Simons: Instagram | WebsiteFind GraceLaced: Instagram | Facebook | Website

Ever look around your home, apartment, or dorm room and wish it was different because then you'd feel ready to host friends or neighbors? Listen in as Ruth and Eve discuss what it looks like to practice hospitality with the space you have, even if it doesn't match your Pinterest board!Resources mentioned:Social Sanity in an Insta World by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Melissa Kruger, Jen Wilkin, Emily Jensen, Laura Wifler, Ruth Chou Simons, Gretchen Saffles, Stephanie Greer, Ana Ávila The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria ButterfieldEmmanuel by Ruth Chou SimonsAdditional resources:The Nesting Place / The Cozy MinimalistFind Ruth Chou Simons on Instagram & onlineFind GraceLaced on Instagram, Facebook, & onlineIf this conversation has you looking for ways to cozy up your home, we'd be so honored for you to consider GraceLaced art. Our online shoppe is full of scripture art as well as fine art pieces available in print and canvas sizing. Each one is a reproduction of original art painted by Ruth. We've heard from so many customers that GraceLaced art in their home has stirred great conversations with friends—we hope it would do the same for you! Learn more at Gracelaced.comSeason 3 | Start Where You Are

PRODUCER'S NOTE: Due to technical problems with recording this episode, we had to utilize the internet backup files. The conversation isn't affected, but the audio and video quality is lower than usual. Apologies! Can I be a woman born in a man's body? Is it possible that God could have made a mistake when he made me? Is the idea of gender merely a social construct that I should reject in order to be my authentic self? These questions are the kind of thoughts that many teenagers and young adults in our culture are considering. Many people find it shocking to discover that those who identify as LGBTQ+ are on a sharp increase in Gen Z. Discerning Christian ask why, how can we respond, and what do we do to protect our children from gender confusion. My guest on today's show is Sarah Zylstra, a writer at The Gospel Coalition, who has done excellent work investigating this topic to answer these questions. Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is a senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the co-author of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age and editor of Social Sanity in an Insta World. Before that, she wrote for Christianity Today, homeschooled her children, freelanced for a local daily paper, and taught at Trinity Christian College. She earned a BA in English and communication from Dordt University and an MSJ from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and two sons in the suburbs of Chicago, where they are active members of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church. Check out the full show notes for this episode: https://tinyurl.com/bdhsy6ve SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://www.aaronshamp.com/support –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Track: Perseverance — Land of Fire [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filterpodcast/message

Difficult conversations, but needed. Sarah Zylstra will help us engage with the next generation. She will also share her article "Transformation of a Transgender Teen." Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the co-author of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age and editor of Social Sanity in an Insta World. Before that, she wrote for Christianity Today, homeschooled her children, freelanced for a local daily paper, and taught at Trinity Christian College. She earned a BA in English and communication from Dordt University and an MSJ from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and two sons in the suburbs of Chicago, where they are active members of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church. You can reach her at sarah@tgc.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a recent article at The Gospel Coalition, writer Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra tells the story of a Christian family with a teen who once identified as transgender.   “I started to associate womanhood with being sexualized,” says Grace, now age 16. Peers, teachers, counselors, and—above all—social media circles guided Grace towards a strong case of rapid onset gender dysphoria. She stopped wearing feminine clothing and asked her parents to refer to her as “they/them.”   This is the moment that many parents fear. These parents prayed hard, stayed true, and remembered the long game. “They built their relationships with her,” writes Zylstra. “They drew boundaries around how she could express herself. They took her to counseling and to church.”  Eventually, Grace began to feel comfortable as a girl again.   In a culture where nearly 1 in 5 of Gen Z calls themselves “LGBT,” the story of Grace and her family is worth reading. At a time when so many are tempted to despair, it does not offer a quick fix. But it does offer truth, love, and hope. 

In this episode, I am joined by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra who is the editor of a new book from The Gospel Coalition entitled Social Sanity in an Insta World. Today, we talk about cultivating grace and discernment in our age of social media.Meet Sarah: Sarah is senior writer and the faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the co-author of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age. Before that, she wrote for Christianity Today, homeschooled her children, freelanced for a local daily paper, and taught at Trinity Christian College. She earned a BA in English and communication from Dordt University and a masters in from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and two sons in the suburbs of Chicago, where they are active members of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church.Resources:Social Sanity in an Insta-World edited by Sarak Eekhoff ZylstraSocialSanityBook.comTech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony ReinkeRisen Motherhood Podcast series “Social Media”Recorded by TGC “Scrolling Alone: How Instagram Is Making a Generation of Girls Lonely, Anxious, and Sad”The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

The topic of transgenderism is hitting home for many in different ways. How are we to respond? And what do we do if it affects our home personally? Increasingly, Christian pastors, youth pastors, and parents are fielding questions and declarations from young people examining their own gender or sexual orientation. On Friday’s Mornings with Eric and Brigitte, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra from the Gospel Coalition shares a story about a mom and a dad and a daughter named Grace (names changed), who walked this journey together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2009, about a quarter of American high school students said they had “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.” By last year it was up to 44 percent, the highest level of teenage sadness ever recorded.For girls, the rate rose to 57 percent. That means more than half of teenage girls feel persistently sad or hopeless. If you stood a teen from 2009 next to a teen from 2022, what would be the most noticeable difference between them? One of them would be on her phone.In this episode of Recorded, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra shares the stories of young women who are being shaped by social media and explores what Gen Z thinks, feels, and believes.

(00:00-10:01): A 2-year-old in Highland Parks is now left to grow up without either of his parents after both were victims of the shooting on the 4th of July. A GoFundMe page has raised over $2.5 million to help his grandparents raise him. (10:01-18:10): Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green has already said the shooting was a “False Flag” operation. Brian shared his reaction. (18:10-26:55): Bruce Arians has a strict rule for his coaches on staff for maintaining work/life balance. Brian shared his reaction as a dad who balances multiple roles. (26:55-34:27): Pastor Creflo Dollar has reversed his stance on the “Prosperity Gospel.” Brian reacted to the change and Dollar's reasoning. (34:27-44:40): Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the coauthor of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age and editor of Social Sanity in an Insta World. She joined Brian to talk about how the church is dealing with the transgender issue. (44:40-53:00): Brian wrapped up the show by sharing some inspirational words from Duke women's basketball coach Kara Lawson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you drifted from God? Join Dawn and Steve in the Morning for a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International to learn how important it is to return to God's powerful presence. Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, ''and I will return to you." Zechariah 1:3 In addition, Dawn shares an informative article written by Paul Poteat and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra titled "Social Media Should Come with a Warning Label."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-11:26): Activists supporting abortion rights demonstrated outside the homes of conservative Supreme Court justices and at churches over the weekend. Brian and Aubrey shared their reaction. (11:26- 19:57): Christian authors Jen Hatmaker and Mary Katherine Backstrom have said they back Roe v. Wade. Brain and Aubrey talked about how to navigate issues with different and potentially controversial points of view. (19:57-27:29): Grinds My Gears: Brian has a problem with people who name their cars. Meanwhile, Aubrey is taking aim at people who fail to respond to text messages. (27:29-37:22): The war in Ukraine continues. Over the weekend, First Lady Jill Biden visited the war-torn region. Meanwhile, U2 performed in one of the subway stations that has turned into a bomb shelter. (37:22-45:06): Over the weekend Aubrey dealt with the happiness of graduation but also the sadness of ending that chapter in her life. Brian and Aubrey talked about how to practice gratitude when times seem to be hard.  (45:06-54:10): Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is a Senior Writer, and Faith and Work Editor for The Gospel Coalition. She joined Brian and Aubrey to talk about “Escape from Kabul” on the Gospel Coalition podcast Recorded. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gospel Coalition's Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra unpacks the growth of Christianity in the world's first Atheist country and how an unlikely church is reaching refugees. Political scientist Daniel Bennett talks about what we could see next in the ever evolving Ukraine-Russia situation and the consistent pursuit for medical freedoms.

Jordan Raynor sits down with Collin Hansen & Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Editors at The Gospel Coalition, to talk about the debate about what the “whole self” movement will mean for Christians in the workplace, the incredibly practical implications of the theological truth of “inaugurated eschatology,” and 3 problems with “following your passions” in your career.Links Mentioned:Gospel BoundThe Gospel CoalitionJohn HanfordMalcolm GladwellMaster of OneCalled to CreateJordan RaynorJordan's Bookshelf

I used to talk to God like He was my friend or therapist, then I got freaked out that I was being inappropriate. How should I approach Him? (12:02-26:15) Matt talks to Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Senior writer at The Gospel Coalition and coauthor of Gospelbound about the stories in her new book, where the American church goes from here, and dealing with deconstruction. (28:22-42:48) The Bible says Jesus went through all the things we go through. Does that mean He was ever unsure about His purpose? (43:09-57:38) Closing Song: 1 John 4:19 (The Poolhouse Guru) Ask A Question: saythatpodcast@gmail.com thebridgechicago.tumblr.com/ask (Anonymous)

Matt chats with journalist Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra about the state of the news media today and how Christians can be informed, discerning, and full of hope in an anxious age. In Gospelbound, her book with co-author Collin Hansen, Sarah reveals what authentic gospel living looks like in a culture of anxiety and fear through powerful, hope-stirring stories of believers transforming the world for Jesus. Plus, for all my Dutch listeners this episode of Deep Thoughts is 50% more Dutch than usual. You're welcome. ABOUT Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra is a senior writer for The Gospel Coalition where she oversees coverage of faith and work. She earned a BA in English and Communication from Dordt University and an Master of Science in Journalism from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before working at TGC, she reported news for Christianity Today for more than a decade. Unfortunately, she doesn't appear to be directly related to any Zylstras living in the Fraser Valley but we like her anyway.

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Collin Hansen, Executive Editor at The Gospel Coalition, and his colleague Sara Eekhoff Zylstra, a journalist who now writes for The Gospel Coalition. I wanted to have them on to talk about their brand new book “Gospel Bound.” We talk about the Christian's tendency…

In this episode of The Way Home podcast I am joined by Collin Hansen, Executive Editor at The Gospel Coalition, and his colleague Sara Eekhoff Zylstra, a journalist who now writes for The Gospel Coalition. I wanted to have them on to talk about their brand new book “Gospel Bound.” We talk about the Christian's tendency…

It’s fair to say we’re coming out of a hard year. Everything we’ve done for the past 12 months has taken more effort and resulted in less productivity. It’s harder for teachers and pastors to communicate online, and it’s less effective for people to listen and learn that way. It’s more difficult to look after an elderly loved one when you can’t visit them, and they feel less cared for. It’s more challenging to breathe and speak through a mask than without one. Perhaps we would’ve been better prepared if we’d all read a book Alex Harris wrote with his brother Brett a dozen years ago called, Do Hard Things. In it, Alex and Brett proposed that doing hard things prepares you to do even harder things. You should get up early, they said. Step out of your comfort zone. Do more than what’s required. Find a cause. Be better than your culture expects.That way, when a pandemic sweeps in or your brother deconstructs his faith or your wife gets sick, you won’t collapse. Your foundation, built on one faithful decision after another, will be sturdy. Your muscles of obedience to the Lord, strengthened by constant use, will be able to handle the load.In this bonus episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast, we bring you a special interview between TGC senior writer Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra and Alex Harris. This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Jen Wilkin’s newest Bible study, God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1–18.  Learn more at lifeway.com/deliverance. 

- George Barna: Is America Facing 'Irreconcilable Differences' in the Culture Wars? - SARAH EEKHOFF ZYLSTRA: "Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age"

The Gospel Coalition's Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra talks about how pastors of various churches in Birmingham  AL got together for prayer and how that inspired relationships and cooperation that minimized violence in that city last summer.  Ivan Mesa talks about book he help edit called "Before You Lose Your Faith."

Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith does a roundup of recent political news headlines, including the first day of the Republican National Convention.  The Gospel Coalition's Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra shares stories of how churches in Minneapolis and Iowa are responding to tragedies around them.