Rooted and Grounded in 2024
'Grounding' books, recommended articles, and podcasts
A warm welcome to you all at the start of a fresh and crisp new year. The yearbook has been opened, the pages are slowly turning, and the story is beginning to unfold.
I believe a new year deserves to be accompanied by a good ‘grounding’ read. The Cambridge Dictionary describes grounding as ‘a knowledge of the basic facts about a particular subject’. In this vein, what could be more fitting than choosing a book to kick off the year which grounds us in the knowledge of God?
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV) emphasis mine
A ‘grounding book’ is a book which roots and grounds us in the love of Christ. We are re-oriented in our thoughts, re-aligned in our hearts, and strengthened to comprehend with all the saints the dimensions of God’s love anew. Here I suggest two books that have been grounding in my own life:
Trusting God -Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges
From the blurb; ‘Why is it easier to obey God than to trust Him? Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us. But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. Before long, we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives. We ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?" During such a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a thorough Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and in Trusting God he shares the fruit of that study. As you explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and even the details of your life, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely-even when life hurts.’
‘ It is only in the scriptures that we find an adequate view of God’s relationship to and involvement in our painful circumstances. It is only from the scriptures , applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we receive the grace to trust God in adversity.’ pg. 16
This is a relatively quick read. It reminds us that God is not only worthy of our praise- He is worthy of our trust.
The All-Sufficient God- Sermons on Isaiah 40 by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones
From the blurb; ‘It was said of Martyn Lloyd-Jones that while others preached love, or even preached Christ, Lloyd-Jones PREACHED GOD. These mighty sermons from Isaiah chapter 40 bear this out, and in this they meet one of our greatest needs today — to know our God as he really is. They show that the God of the Bible is not only the great Creator and Judge but the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who meets us at the point of our deepest need. This all-sufficient God has already met and answered all our problems, doubts and difficulties, in the gospel of his Son, Jesus Christ.’
Reading this book is like diving into a lake filled with the waters of glorious gospel truth. It is filled with scripture, overflowing with insight on human nature and brimming with comfort in Christ. There is a sense of urgency to the writing. A must read.
Recommended…
Some great articles I’ve read recently:
- writes articulately about keeping the desire to write ( and other creative endeavours ) in its proper place in Writing and Self-Justification.
- provides some helpful thoughts on growing in prayer in The Problem of Prayer.
- writes a moving account of her time on a psychiatric ward, and how the Lord Jesus met her there in God in the Psych Ward. I read this first via ’s newsletter. A beautifully redemptive story.
- writes an encouraging piece on how God works through those we least expect in How The Light Gets In.
Jacob Crouch shares parenting wisdom in Parents: You Don’t Have To Do Anything.
Podcasts
John Snyder talks to Jordan Thomas about beholding God on The Whole Counsel podcast.
For great reviews on Christian books see Terence Tan’s podcast Reading and Readers. Fair and balanced reviews with a good dose of humour.
David Gibson takes a closer look at Psalm 23 on the Crossway Podcast.
I pray that these books, articles and podcasts will help ground you in the love of God and bring refreshment to your soul this year.
Ishah Xx
Thank you for sharing. And apologies for the absence. Literary fast. You and your work are worthy. Press on-
Thanks for the shoutout!