New issue of byFaith

I just got my new issue of byFaith magazine. This magazine is a publication of the PCA denomination. I can't tell you enough, I think that this magazine is one of the BEST things that our denomination produces. Great design, provocative articles and compelling subjects.
Here is the overview of this current issue from byFaith.

In our cover story, "When the Will of God is Dangerous," Gary Haugen, the president of International Justice Mission says: "There are two things that are always the will of God and always dangerous-telling the truth and loving needy people." We have a choice, Haugen says: Do we want to be brave, or do we want to be safe? It's an either/or proposition.

Theologian Richard Pratt writes with a complementary theme. In his piece, "Our Life-Consuming Mission," Pratt contends that a deeper vision for life begins with the conviction that we live in the empire of our heavenly, royal Father. That means, Pratt says, that the first priority in every Christian's life should not be to ensure our physical, economic, social, or emotional well-being; it should be to extend God's kingdom...to the ends of the earth.

In "Cultivating a Culture of Adoption," pastor Ray Cortese, tells byFaith writer Carolyn Curtis that adoption [of orphaned children] is the natural result of our redemption-those who are loved lavishly, love lavishly. Those reconciled are given the ministry of reconciliation. Those who have been adopted, adopt...

And in "Turning Collars, Turning Hearts" author Rebecca Clowney Jones shows us that Christ works through both our physical families and our spiritual family, to prove out His wisdom before a watching world. "Your everyday life and words are a part of the heavenly symphony of the Gospel," she says, even when you are "stuck at home."

We also interview Stephanie Hubach about her new book, Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability. The Church, Hubach explains, has just what families affected by disability need-the restorative power of the Gospel. Families with a disabled member have just what the Church needs-the precious image of God packaged in diverse ways that can benefit the entire body.

Sean Michael Lucas, a professor at Covenant Theological Seminary, demonstrates how, within Presbyterianism, we have the resources needed to answer the deep questions that a postmodern generation is asking.

And in "Encouraging Responsibility Instead of Dependency," byFaith writer Bob Tamasy investigates how pastor Wyatt George and members of Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, Ill. have designed a micro-enterprise loan program to encourage Ugandan Church leaders.

In every issue of byFaith we encourage readers to become engaged in God's work in the world, we equip them to make earth a little more like heaven-where God's kingdom comes and His will is done-at work, at home, and in the neighborhood. This year we're praying that God will give byFaith a broader audience, that He'll extend the PCA's influence through its magazine and enable us to take the principals of Reformed theology to more people.

Specifically, we're asking God to increase our circulation by at least 8,000 in 2007. And, while we don't presume, we suspect that He'll use you to answer that prayer.

Here are two ways that might happen:

First, if you're a subscriber to byFaith, you'll receive two copies of this issue. Would you please pass the extra copy on to a friend along with your encouragement for them to subscribe? And if you're not a subscriber, would you please become one? Our subscribers and advertisers foot a large part of the bill for all we do, including the maintenance of byFaithonline.com. By subscribing, you can join them, doing your part to help further our efforts.

If you'd like more information about group or bulk subscriptions, or if you're interested in having the children in your church sell subscriptions as a fundraising activity, please contact Valerie Ottinger. Valerie will be on vacation next week, but you can reach her at 678-825-1005, or vottinger@byfaithonline.com beginning April 2.


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