Here's The Thing with Lydia Thomas

What does it mean that Jesus is the Way? What is the greatest glory? What is the outworking of that glory? Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

If not sin, what did Jesus pay for? References and Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i4kMKeMTqeixJZaN8tukLXesBes9ERsb/view?usp=drivesdk. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Did Jesus die to pay the penalty for sin? References and Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QKULiSsEH8U6fiTt3BWpvYJJ7B7vVkML/view?usp=drivesdk. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Did Jesus die to make atonement? References and Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/148d3a8r1nb_Ox3l6WlOOL26vuP9c_d7v/view?usp=drivesdk Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Did Jesus die to appease God’s wrath toward sinners?  References and Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OPJBZwjjo5vinYJvgBx1P8_o9OMoBGnG/view?usp=drivesdk Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB. 

Why did Jesus die? A brief introduction to atonement - and the words for atonement - in the Bible. References and resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15wxyWKC98aLSp3cLCJlls-e_S5_W6EYk/view?usp=drivesdk

A framework for how I approach Old Testament Law as a Christian. Restoration and the Presence of God: https://anchor.fm/heres-the-thing-with-lt/episodes/Restoration-and-the-Presence-of-God-eih9ol The Table: https://anchor.fm/heres-the-thing-with-lt/episodes/The-Table-ej6evf Communion: https://anchor.fm/heres-the-thing-with-lt/episodes/Communion-ejhp53

 I don’t accept things simply because other people accept them or tell me I should accept them. If I find myself unsure about something, it is in my person to question, challenge, search out, and test.

The prevailing view that I witness within American churches is that we must get back to the way things were. My question - my challenge -  is: What if God does not want us to go back to the way things were? My concern is that - in American churches, at least - we are far more occupied with what is comfortable and familiar to us, rather than becoming more like Christ in the world around us.  Here’s the thing: God is not concerned with our comfort; God is concerned with our maturity. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

In keeping with our theme of repentance, particularly the Quaker tradition of releasing, receiving, and resting, I want to share a restful approach to reading the Bible - the practice of Lectio Divina. Share your takeaways with me at [email protected].

Revisiting the Quaker practice of centering down in the midst of a world of hustle and anxiety. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Kicking off the new year talking about repentance in the life of a believer. When God convicts us that we are not in line with His good and perfect will for our lives, He gives us an opportunity to repent. I define repentance really simply: releasing sinful ways - or dead and unproductive ways - and receiving God's ways - or new and living ways instead. God Clothes: https://anchor.fm/heres-the-thing-with-lt/episodes/God-Clothes-el793c. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Going through handful of Psalms that give us a glimpse of Selah’s range and movement, and  shepherding our hearts into that space of rest, reflection, and replenishing - in preparation to respond. Selah concordance: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm My email: lydia[dot]evelyn[dot]thomas[at]gmail[dot]com Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Sharing about how the Holy Spirit draws me in, unfolds Scripture to me, and connects the spiritual and physical for me. If you'd like to chat about the Holy Spirit, please reach out to lydia[dot]evelyn[dot]thomas[at]gmail[dot]com. Restoration and the Presence of God: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rhUxj6DABhyvwplJ40ZFb?si=a1wAhsi9THKaiuk3l5frGQ Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

Here’s the thing: God does not dress down. God clothes. God knows our origin, God knows our current condition, and still…God does not dress down. God clothes. And God clothes extravagantly. God does not dress down. Sin dresses down. God clothes.

The story around Zechariah 4:10a: "Who dares despise the day of small things?" (Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.)

Going from asking, "What is wrong?" and, "What is needed?" to, "Who's in front of me?" and, "What do I have?"

Revisiting what matters in a transient life according to Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, because we only got to glance over it last time, and I missed something really important. Small, But Wise: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FeoGee9-ZQj5WEjiRo47Yys4YBoQDMcZ/view?usp=drivesdk (Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.)

Transience is a reality for everyone, but it's something we resist. How God is teaching me to walk in it.

"[Salt] was regarded as a necessary ingredient of daily food ... When men ate together they became friends. Compare the Arabic expression, 'There is salt between us' ... which means partaking of hospitality that cemented friendship" (Dr. Edward Bagby Pollard). The Table: https://open.spotify.com/episode/64dui0PkJFC0cPpPqOsbt9?si=Qs-MhyCdTF6gbW1MiqNPRg Email: lydia[dot]evelyn[dot]thomas[at]gmail[dot]com Unless otherwise noted, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.

How God used my feelings of rejection to propel me further into my calling to invite people to the table. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the NASB.)

Responding to who God is and what He has done. In Christian liturgical tradition, the Magnificat is Mary's song in Luke 1:46-55. The liturgical title is derived from the Latin "magnificare," which means "to make great." Merriam-Webster simply defines a magnificat as "an utterance of praise." Passages of reflection, remembrance, and celebration: John 1:1-5, 29-30; Luke 1:67-79; Isaiah 9:1-7; Luke 2:29-32; Exodus 15:1-21; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Luke 1:46-55; Revelation 4:8-11, 5:8-14, 7:9-12, 11:15-17, 15:3-4, 19:1-7, 21:22-23; Romans 11:33-36).

An overview of restoration and the presence of God throughout the Bible. "In His dealings with us, God always keeps us up to the original terms" (Charles Henry Mackintosh, The Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. M. Vol. VI, Arise, Go to Bethel). Charles Henry Mackintosh: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Henry_Mackintosh (Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses are quoted from the NASB.)

Thoughts on how to clear the waters as we engage with each other and the world around us. Are we engaging from places of self-defense and self-justification or from places of confidence? from places of superiority and expertise or from places of love? Are there areas where we need to disengage? Listening to People Who Think Differently from You: https://youtu.be/AIFudipQV18 (Unless otherwise specified, all Bible passages are quoted from the NASB.)

"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years ... Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today" (Deuteronomy 8:2a,11 NASB). The Promised Land Episode: https://anchor.fm/heres-the-thing-with-lt/episodes/The-Promised-Land-eh8749 My testimony from June 17, 2018: https://youtu.be/ARPvVmkNtSw

Thoughts on and applications of Roman's 8:28.

Principles from the book of Joshua as we move in new and unfamiliar territory.

What if we're not supposed to go back to the way things were? What if God is doing a new thing? What if this isn't a pause, but a transition? What if the position into which God is calling the Church looks nothing like the position it occupied in February 2020? What if He wants more for us? But what if we're not ready to move into it?