Episode 54

David Mathis

God Made You a Writer

David Mathis is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is the author of Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.
David Mathis is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is the author of Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.
00:00 51:43

Show Notes:54. David Mathis — God Made You a Writer: An Invitation to Every Christian

David Mathis joins me to talk about how writing has shaped his ministry. David has spent years editing and writing for Desiring God and through the process, developed a deep appreciation for how the calling to write impacts not just pastors but every Christian. David has two articles on writing which I can’t recommend highly enough.

Fed Up with Life and Ready to Write

God Made You a Writer: An Invitation to Every Christian

Take this example from David’s post:

“Whenever you are fed up with life, start writing: ink is the great cure for all human ills.” — C. S. Lewis

Whether we think of ourselves as writers or not — and we are all writers to some extent, even if it’s just email and social media — we should acknowledge that the adolescent Lewis is onto something profound here about the discipline of writing, even if “all human ills” is an overstatement.

Writing is a help for a great many ailments, both in ourselves and in others. It is, perhaps, one of the quintessential ways of making sweet drinks from life’s sour fruit. Writing is ready made for those with some great angst. It’s appropriate for the anxious and the angry. Writing is for the lonely and the depressed and the misunderstood. For the frustrated and the fearful. For the poor in spirit and those who mourn.

 

  • Link in bio. Got some big news. The 5 Masculine Instincts Study Guide is now available in print. If you're looking for a resource for a men's group, Father's Day, or retreat, I think it would work great. There is a video series, YouVersion plans, and an assessment.
  • Soundcheck for the recital. They nailed it. They continue to impress me with their talent, and most importantly, their work ethic.
  • Boat is clean and ready for the season.
  • Hard to believe this girl has graduated from kindergarten. Class of 2035…
  • First ever game of kid pitch baseball. Going to be a fun season.
  • Another great week in Holland Michigan at the Eugene Peterson Center. I’m learning a lot and forming so many friendships with amazing writers and people. Can’t wait to read all the work that will come out of these years… and fun to see a familiar cover at the Baker Book House in Grand Rapids.
  • Can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday morning. Will‘s first turkey hunt. He did great. The bird came in gobbling and strutting. Doesn’t get much better.
  • Someone gave Charlotte a bag of googly eyes. She has been glueing them on everything she can turn into a face.
Link in bio. Got some big news. The 5 Masculine Instincts Study Guide is now available in print. If you're looking for a resource for a men's group, Father's Day, or retreat, I think it would work great. There is a video series, YouVersion plans, and an assessment.
Link in bio. Got some big news. The 5 Masculine Instincts Study Guide is now available in print. If you're looking for a resource for a men's group, Father's Day, or retreat, I think it would work great. There is a video series, YouVersion plans, and an assessment.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
Soundcheck for the recital. They nailed it. They continue to impress me with their talent, and most importantly, their work ethic.
Soundcheck for the recital. They nailed it. They continue to impress me with their talent, and most importantly, their work ethic.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/8
Boat is clean and ready for the season.
Boat is clean and ready for the season.
Boat is clean and ready for the season.
Boat is clean and ready for the season.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
Hard to believe this girl has graduated from kindergarten. Class of 2035…
Hard to believe this girl has graduated from kindergarten. Class of 2035…
Hard to believe this girl has graduated from kindergarten. Class of 2035…
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/8
First ever game of kid pitch baseball. Going to be a fun season.
First ever game of kid pitch baseball. Going to be a fun season.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
Another great week in Holland Michigan at the Eugene Peterson Center. I’m learning a lot and forming so many friendships with amazing writers and people. Can’t wait to read all the work that will come out of these years… and fun to see a familiar cover at the Baker Book House in Grand Rapids.
Another great week in Holland Michigan at the Eugene Peterson Center. I’m learning a lot and forming so many friendships with amazing writers and people. Can’t wait to read all the work that will come out of these years… and fun to see a familiar cover at the Baker Book House in Grand Rapids.
Another great week in Holland Michigan at the Eugene Peterson Center. I’m learning a lot and forming so many friendships with amazing writers and people. Can’t wait to read all the work that will come out of these years… and fun to see a familiar cover at the Baker Book House in Grand Rapids.
Another great week in Holland Michigan at the Eugene Peterson Center. I’m learning a lot and forming so many friendships with amazing writers and people. Can’t wait to read all the work that will come out of these years… and fun to see a familiar cover at the Baker Book House in Grand Rapids.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
Can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday morning. Will‘s first turkey hunt. He did great. The bird came in gobbling and strutting. Doesn’t get much better.
Can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday morning. Will‘s first turkey hunt. He did great. The bird came in gobbling and strutting. Doesn’t get much better.
Can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday morning. Will‘s first turkey hunt. He did great. The bird came in gobbling and strutting. Doesn’t get much better.
Can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday morning. Will‘s first turkey hunt. He did great. The bird came in gobbling and strutting. Doesn’t get much better.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
Someone gave Charlotte a bag of googly eyes. She has been glueing them on everything she can turn into a face.
Someone gave Charlotte a bag of googly eyes. She has been glueing them on everything she can turn into a face.
Someone gave Charlotte a bag of googly eyes. She has been glueing them on everything she can turn into a face.
Someone gave Charlotte a bag of googly eyes. She has been glueing them on everything she can turn into a face.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8

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