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.

 

  • Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
  • Lemu Emu and Doug. Their idea for trick or treating… @libertymutual
  • Another successful tournament for Will. This kid trains five nights a week at Jiu Jitsu. His work ethic, discipline, and toughness amaze me. And a special things to @treycarterjj at @dynastyjiujitsu . Best coach and best gym there is.
  • Horse fieldtrip today. Ashley getting to nerd out on horses.
  • Wear a fake mustache and get free tickets to the Springfield Cardinals. We were in.
  • Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
  • Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
  • Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
Will’s first South Dakota pheasant trip.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Lemu Emu and Doug. Their idea for trick or treating… @libertymutual
Lemu Emu and Doug. Their idea for trick or treating… @libertymutual
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Another successful tournament for Will. This kid trains five nights a week at Jiu Jitsu. His work ethic, discipline, and toughness amaze me. And a special things to @treycarterjj at @dynastyjiujitsu . Best coach and best gym there is.
Another successful tournament for Will. This kid trains five nights a week at Jiu Jitsu. His work ethic, discipline, and toughness amaze me. And a special things to @treycarterjj at @dynastyjiujitsu . Best coach and best gym there is.
Another successful tournament for Will. This kid trains five nights a week at Jiu Jitsu. His work ethic, discipline, and toughness amaze me. And a special things to @treycarterjj at @dynastyjiujitsu . Best coach and best gym there is.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Horse fieldtrip today. Ashley getting to nerd out on horses.
Horse fieldtrip today. Ashley getting to nerd out on horses.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Wear a fake mustache and get free tickets to the Springfield Cardinals. We were in.
Wear a fake mustache and get free tickets to the Springfield Cardinals. We were in.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
Free hotdog night. Will did damage and the cardinals won in extra innings.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
Last day and the best cup of Turkish coffee.
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
Cave churches in Cappadocia where some of the oldest monastic communities lived. Also the homes of the Cappadocian fathers and mothers.
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Pin It on Pinterest