May 5, 2023
Hello Radiant,
In all this talk about courage, I’ve been chewing on the relationship between courage and encouragement.
I wonder as apprentices of Jesus what role we play in instilling courage in others?
To provide encouragement is a recurring biblical command — the Bible is full of admonition to encourage one another in the way of Jesus.
But I am convinced that real encouragement itself takes courage. We encounter our own fears as we speak into the fear of others. These are courageous conversations.
Because if we are honest, a lot of the time what we say to others is more about ourselves than others. Rather than thinking about what might give to them in the midst of their pain, struggle, difficulty, we tend to self-protect and think about our own needs.
But a revolution occurs when our aim changes — when our posture turns towards looking for opportunities to build-up and encourage others.
Interestingly, I see this posture in may of the Old Testament prophets. Indeed, they had difficult truths they had to share. But the truth they shared always served the larger purpose of seeing God’s people repent and return to God. They were words that sought to build up.
Prophets had to surrender their safety and security in order to share truth and love to others who were often afraid and discouraged.
So this Sunday, we are continuing our OT case studies of courage. This time we’ll consider Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet” and his ministry of encouragement, that we might be encouraged to encourage!
We’ll see you Sunday at 5PM!
CALENDAR (see below for details)
ONGOING – Home Churches
5/14 – Mother’s Day (No Second Supper this Sunday)
5/17 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM
5/18 – Radiant Middle School Gathering
5/21 – Worship in the Courtyard – w/Hot Dogs and Tots
6/6 – The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course Begins – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM 
THE FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP WORKSHOP WAS GREAT!
We were joined by Sarah Cowan Johnson, author of Teach Your Children Well this last Tuesday night. It was great! If you missed the workshop — here is an audio recording.
MAY 21 — COURTYARD WORSHIP AND DINNER
We are taking worship outside! We are going to worship in the courtyard, and have some hot dogs and tots afterwards. Btw — this is the same Sunday as PorchFest in Modesto (1-5). Enjoy Porchfest then join us for worship and we’ll have dinner for you.
STARTING JUNE 6 – EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY COURSE
We are excited to be hosting the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS) course at Radiant! We will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 at Emanuel starting 6/6. This will conclude on 8/1 (no class on July 4). Also, there will be a virtual option for those who are unable to meet in person each due to travel, etc. Consider inviting some others and sign up by May 28th her: https://forms.gle/U1sgvED6GmPmpzVv7
MORE ABOUT EHS:
Pete Scazzero planted and pastored a church a growing church in New York city. But after 17 years he hit a wall. He realized that while he had experienced conversion to Christ he had never let Jesus deeply transform his heart and character. He was exhausted and not joyful about his life with God. His marriage was hurting and he was resentful. But Scazzero’s journey eventually led him to a spiritual revolution — one where he discovered the vital connection between emotional health and spiritual vitality.
The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course is the fruit of Scazzero’s journey. This is an 8 week course which includes video content and group discussion. Scazzero outlines his journey and offers a road map for a discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully transformative. Topics include how to identify emotionally unhealthy spirituality, how to grow your soul through grief and loss, and how to develop into an emotionally mature adult.
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and resources. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
GIVING
Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry.
Grace and peace!
Zach
