Friday Finds (January – March 2021)

Friday Finds is my monthly recommendation of reads, resources and creative projects from across the web. Here are my Friday Finds for the first quarter of 2021 which are shared in my monthly email newsletter. I hope you find something here that encourages, blesses or challenges you.

Blog Posts

Don’t Hope in That Next Life Transition
I loved this reflection by Eugene Park, highlighting the futility of putting our hope in the novelty of transition. He writes: When we overvalue the unknown excitement of the future, we sell short the known blessings of the present.

Declaring Myself Single
Ruth Baker shares how her singleness is a declaration of her theology, faith, difference to the world, joy, generosity of spirit and resolve.

Of Flipping Tables and Washing Feet
Bob Allen commenting on our words on social media: So, rather than weaponizing truth, Jesus calls us to serve people with it, to bear witness to it, relying on God to provide courage to still our knee-knocking and words to explain his grace…Let’s flip fewer tables and wash more feet.

In Search of Colour – Rose Schrott – Ekstasis Magazine
Are you thankful for your quarantine pets? Rose Schrott shares how God used a herd of Cavaliers to break into her ‘year of grey’.

Testimony: When the Pastor Baptises His Wife
Wow, what a story! Jess Kurz writes: I had been a pastor’s wife for seven years before I realized I wasn’t a Christian…How does someone who feels no hope in Christ try to fake that she has hope in Christ?

Unfreezing Fear with a Tap of the Shoulder
An insightful read about love and fear. Patreeya Thorn shares how the biblical truth ‘perfect love drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18) applies to her immigrant upbringing as a daughter raised by fear and cautionary tales about the dangers of life. In this reflection, she shares how building a world of fear can skew our vision of the world, of others, of God and of ourselves.

Pastors, Please Don’t Forget About Sexual Assault Survivors When Responding to Ravi Zacharias
Soojin Park offers wise, gentle and empathetic advice to leaders and pastors wishing to respond to Ravi Zacharias. In this post, she courageously shares her experiences with sexual assault, and how the news can be triggering for survivors in churches. A must-read for anyone wishing to care for abuse victims.

Videos

Carer’s Emotional Wellbeing (Oma’s Applesauce)
Hendrika Van Genderen (Oma) suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia. Her son, Jason, gives voice to the disease and the struggle of carers who struggle with the erosive guilt of always needing to do more. If you are (or have been) a carer, this video was made for you.

Nazareth – Hamilton Parody
Simon Camilleri shares the gospel with this hilarious Hamilton parody. This video definitely cheered me up after a big year!

It’s Ok, You Belong – Justine Toh – City Bible Forum
In this short evangelistic talk, Justine Toh shares her experiences with Imposter Syndrome (the persistent fear of being a fake), perfectionism and Tiger Parenting, and the strategies she uses to keep her fear of phoniness at bay.

Poetry & Prose

Poem: Unmute
I enjoyed this poem by Joe Spring, reflecting on the year that ‘took all of our breath away’.

Podcasts

Shoes Off Podcast – Beyond Cheap & Cheerful: How We’re Selling Asian Cuisine Short
I love this podcast about Asian Australian culture! In this episode, Jay Ooi explores the perception behind “cheap” Asian food and what it will take to change this. As always, this episode was relatable and eye-opening.

Let’s Talk – Thou Shall Not Judge

“Judgmental” is a negative descriptor in our culture, but the same culture holds some values so deeply that it “cancels” anyone who disregards them. And while cancel culture can bring great harm, it’s existence points to the fact that not all judgment is bad. In this episode of Let’s Talk,Jasmine, Jackie, and Melissa talk about how to have a biblical view of judgment in a cancel culture. Let’s Talk is on FIRE with their episodes!!! I also recommend their episodes Why We Pray and Fear & Anxiety.

Shoes Off Podcast – More Than Words
Like many Asian Australians, Michael Liang was forced to attend Chinese school as a child. It wasn’t until he was older did he regret not learning his mother tongue properly. In this Shoes Off episode, Michael shares his journey of learning Chinese without being forced and the impact this has had on his identity.

IMBETWEEN Podcast – This Is the Year You Learn to Get Boundaries: 4 Tips for People Pleasers
“Appropriate boundaries actually increase our ability to care about others because it helps all of us know and understand that we are no one’s saviour.” I really benefited from this IMBETWEEN Podcast episode which discussed the fears and myths around boundary setting—especially for people pleasers (yep, guilty). In this episode you will learn what a boundary is and practical ways in which you can start discovering and communicating them to others.

Devotional Podcast: Gentle & Lowly (14 Days)
A new podcast for anxious or discouraged Christians.In these short devotionals, Dane Ortlund aims to help listeners rediscover the heart of Christ. Content is based off his book, “Gentle & Lowly”.

Songs & Music

The Blessing – Australia’s First Peoples – Our Country Speaks Festival
‘The Blessing’ sung by Australia’s First Peoples and featuring languages belonging to the oldest living, continuous culture on earth.

Not in a Hurry (cover) – The Beloved Vine
I enjoyed this soft and slow “Not in a Hurry” cover by The Beloved Vine.

Creation Awaits – Emu Music
An uplifting Emu Music song for the weary, discouraged or grieving. This song does a great job of reminding me of the hope of heaven and the new world to come. The bridge echoes some of my favourite truths from Romans and Revelation: “Creation awaits the glorious day, When Jesus returns and trials will fade.” Listen on Spotify or on my Hymns of Hope playlist. Purchase via Emu Music.

Entertainment

Movie: Minari
Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari is a beautiful, quirky and relatable tale of an immigrant Korean-American family, and their journey into finding acceptance, belonging and everything The American Dream promises! The movie stars Steven Yuen (‘The Walking Dead’) and break out star Alan Kim who won the 2021 Critic Choice Awards for Best Young Actor. Even if you don’t plan on watching the movie, you have to watch Alan’s adorable acceptance speech—he might just steal your heart! 😉

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