I'm not doing the typical New Year's resolution because it always ends up being a disappointment. Instead I'm choosing gentler...here's my latest Substack post about it: https://substack.com/@hopedstephens/note/c-195211462?r=6vj7pm&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

When serving overseas, we used the word 'platform' a lot to refer to the way we justified being in a country. Now that we are in the States, we still need to recognize the many platforms we have. I recently created a new 'platform' on Substack. I'd heard others talk about it for a while and finally checked it out. It has me excited to share much of the content that I have already been sharing on Youtube and here on Skool, but I also want to share more of my reflections from my quiet time. Today, I just made my first post and have linked it below: https://substack.com/profile/415761610-hope-stephens/note/c-188027449?utm_source=substack&utm_content=first-note-modal

So, yesterday, Michael and I were talking about God's provision. I won't go into the whole conversation here, but Michael posed this question: Can being a "prepper" (like food and goods) prevent us from relying fully on God? Not that I am advocating for sticking our heads in the sand or being irresponsible, do we as believers sometimes put trust in the stores rather than the provider? Just something I'm chewing on today.

Could this be an example of actually being the Church as opposed to going to one?

This morning, Michael and I listed to a podcast (reChurch) where Neil Cole was being interviewed. He shared some very interesting insights. One was the fact that the Church is intended to support the Mission (to know Him and make Him known). We often make 'missions' a small part of the Church rather than the reason for the Church. Chew on that for a while.