Thank God it’s Friday
This is excerpted from my TGIF column at SOLA Network.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Steven Lee: You Want to Be a Pastor? Letter to Aspiring Men
“You’re called to the greatest cause the world has known. You have the glorious privilege of being a participant and conduit of God’s grace in the lives of others. Watch him work, labor with all your might, keep your eyes on Christ, and press on. Trust God and take up the call.”
2. Mike Ruamthong: Surrendering Control: Parenting as Stewardship, Not Ownership
It has become a regular prayer of mine to hand my child back to God. Each day I have to consciously give my daughter into the Lord’s hands. When I do that, my parenting stops being about fear and starts being about faith. Instead of asking, “How can I make sure she never messes up?” I start asking, “How can I be faithful today in pointing her to Jesus?”
3. Jeremy Writebol: Gen Z Is More Than Just Anxious
“What the church gets wrong—and what it can get right—about forming a generation shaped by screens and longing for purpose.”
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
“The House Church in China Podcast tells the stories of the modern Chinese house church. In this season, we’ll hear the true stories of Chinese Christians who are showing Christ’s mercy to hurting and overlooked people in their cities…even though they are marginalized themselves. Despite being “underground,” they remain faithful in bringing Jesus’s hope to orphans, widows, the sick, and the poor. This is the story of Christ’s mercy in a broken world.”
2. Trevin Wax: Reading as Rebellion
“I also want you rebel for your soul. Reading isn’t just a rebellion for the sake of your mind; it’s rebellion for the good of your heart. Reading is war in service of worship. Does that sound over the top? Maybe a bit far-fetched? Not when we bring the Bible into the picture.”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Book reviews: The Sing! Hymnal by Getty Music and Crossway, Leviticus on the Buthcer’s Block by Phil Bray, Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come by Trillia Newbell, Limping Heavenward by Karrie Hahn, The Man on the Middle Cross by Alistair Begg, Sharing the Gospel with a Catholic Friend by Richard Baxter, Heaven: Living with Eternity in View by Paul Mallard. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Episode 14: Kpop Demon Hunters and Social Media. What Parents Can Begin to Understand
“In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny is joined by longtime youth pastor Justin Wong, who has served students and families for the past 25 years within the Asian American church community and most recently completed his second doctorate degree researching Gen Z students and the Asian American Church. They discuss aspects of the hit show Kpop Demon Hunters and how parents can engage with their own children and teenagers about it, as well as social media in general and its influence on teenagers and children.”
2. “Mental Health and Teenagers” (Answers about Teens from Ministry Leaders), Question 2
“What is one key thing parents should understand about the mental health struggles of today’s teenagers?” (Question #2). Terrence Shay – Social Media & the Pressure to Measure Up, Monica Kim – Why Teen Mental Health Is Getting Worse, James Han – Mental Health Is Real—Don’t Ignore the Signs.
3. Kailyn Kuo: Disability, Dependency, and the Grace of God
As we move towards those affected by disability, may the stewardship of our resources, time, and energy say to our church family that their dependency is not a burden, but rather a reason to marvel together at the hope we have in knowing our Creator.
4. Jeff Jou: Practicum: What Hath the Scientific Method to Do with Seminary?
“How did you simultaneously go to seminary and work full-time?” I get asked that question a lot, but I think the more important question is, “Why did you go to seminary and work full-time?” This second question bears critical thought. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it will be the question you constantly return to. For me, the answer to “Why?” was theological. Working and going to seminary at the same time was about stewardship.
5. TGIF: Roundup for September 12, 2025
Still Life with the Fruit of the Spirit / Male Friendship Is Declining. Wives Can Help. / When Your Kid is Treated Unfairly / Theological Rest with Books: On Taking Reading Days / You Become What You Read
6. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
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