GCD Weekly Newsletter - 6/20/22
The Rain
The Rain
My father-in-law placed boards up against the windows on Friday to block the torrent of sunlight and the accompanying heat. Earlier in the day, I’d switched my phone off for twenty minutes because it was overheating, and I’d found myself wishing I could switch myself off too. Four days later, looking out into the back garden and though the heat isn’t so bad now, the light has not yet relented, aside from a nightly retreat to prepare for the next barrage.
This is England. The sun isn’t meant to last this long. It’s unnerving.
At some point in the near future—if every other English summer is anything to go by—the rain will soon rescue us. Grey clouds will form, someone will feel the first drop and let a neighbour know, “you know, I felt it drizzling earlier.” A while later someone will message a loved one, “it smells like rain,” and shortly after windows which had been defended against the sun not long before will be washed clean once more.
One day, the sun will go down for the last time and the rain will come and wash away what once was. Last week we released two articles, one which discusses the final day, and a second which explores the peace we can have in light of that at the close of each day.
This Week at GCDiscipleship.com
The Good Shepherd Gives and Takes Sleep
— Chrys Jones (@chrys_jones / dwellwithchrist.com)
“When insomnia creeps in at 3:00 a.m., my theology becomes more concrete than ever.”
Jones’ background in Hip-Hop, and his rootedness in the word meet at the crossroad of his struggles in this beautiful piece about finding the Lord in the midst of insomnia.
Hearing Revelation as Apocalyptic Prophecy
— Nancy Guthrie (@NancyGuth3 / nancyguthrie.com)
An excerpt from Guthrie’s new book, Blessed, Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation is not only a foretaste of the book, but also of the eternity. Revelation is not an easy book to wrestle with. Complex to the extreme yet written in common penmanship. Guthrie helps us not only to read, but also to listen.
Letters to the Editor
If you were particularly stirred by any of the articles this week, so much so that you would like to send us a response, we’d love you to reach out. Letters to the Editor were common long before likes and comments, and encouraged thoughtful discourse rather than snap judgements. Whether you agree or disagree with something we’ve published, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to share something with us, reply to this email or leave a ‘letter’ in the comments section.
Every Writer Needs a Coach…
Last year I made the decision to join the GCD Writer’s Mentoring Cohort. I can’t remember how I found out about the cohort, but my wife and I prayed and felt it was time to start taking writing seriously. I met some of my best friends during the six months, and I began to take writing seriously. All of the oppurtunities I’ve had since then have been in some way connected to that cohort. If you’re a writer at any level, I recommend you apply to join the next cohort.
Over six months, a small cohort of writers join video calls with high caliber coaches, and are placed in groups with other writers to encourage peer review, encouragement, and editing. You will be equipped to write resources that make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus.
The cohort involves:
Six monthly video coaching calls with the GCD team and a respected, published writer in the Christian book industry.
Monthly feedback and resourcing from the GCD editorial team to help hone and sharpen your voice.
Peer-group community and feedback from other members of the cohort.
Reading and writing exercises to help you become the writer God intended you to be.
That’s all from me,
Grace and Peace,
Adsum Try Ravenhill is married to Anna and together they are passionate about seeing young men and women discipled within the context of the local church. You can find Adsum through his writing at The Raven’s Writing Desk and alongside Anna as the co-host of the Consider the Ravens Podcast, you can also find Adsum’s articles for GCD here.