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.

 

  • We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
  • Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
  • Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
  • Silver Dollar City 2024
  • I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
  • South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
  • It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
  • And some more…
  • Some photos from Paris.
  • Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

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