Caring for Your Soul

​I had never heard of the theologian Dr. Owen Strachan until his article Caring for Your Soul ​recently appeared on my Facebook page. I liked the information he shared and felt like he had good ideas to ponder for beginning the new year. 
 
He is a Research Professor of Theology and Provost at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas. He has published 14 
​books, hosts The City of God podcast, and directs the Dobson

Heather Bell

Culture Center. 

I hope you find some encouragement as you continue to read.

In His Name, Heather

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Dr Owen Strachan

​The ultimate luxury in this life is not to travel globally, eat amazing food, stay in beautiful hotels or homes, have exciting experiences, become famous, or make tons of money.
 
The ultimate luxury is to care for your soul -- to feed on God’s nourishing truth, develop a rich prayer life, pour your heart out to God on long walks outside, revel in the works of God all around you, meditate on God‘s fulfilled promises, unburden yourself by listening to soaring hymns and spiritual songs, serve your church in humble but meaningful ways, show love to the lost and needy, confess your sin to the God who delights to forgive you, and generally rejoice in the warm goodness of the Father who treasures you, the Son, who redeemed you, the Spirit who strengthens you.
 
Of course, it is good and right to enjoy all sorts of God’s blessings in this life. Don’t be a gloomy miser in the name of Jesus. Celebrate God’s kindness in all sorts of things. Eat good food; drink delicious drinks; go on fun trips; work hard in your vocation; watch good movies; laugh a lot; indulge in unhurried conversation; visit beautiful places; make wonderful memories, and all to the glory of our gracious God.
 
Don’t feel an ounce of guilt over these things. Recall to mind regularly that God is honored in our small joys as he is in our spiritual service. In fact, in the life of the mature Christian, the two blend as time goes on, and all of life (not just the roped-off sections of it) becomes worship. All of life becomes a celebration. All of life becomes praise and glory to God from the overflow of thankfulness for our salvation.

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• smile regularly
• ask questions that draw people out
• listen a great deal
• don’t interrupt
• affirm all you can
• take personal responsibility
• lead in humility and repentance
• don’t duck accountability or automatically deflect 
• work to set a home environment that is calm, friendly, and enjoyable
• communicate lots of love, encouragement, hope, and affirmation 
• laugh at yourself
• make your normal voice a calm, steady, gracious one

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​We all have much to grow in… But here is the good news: through the regular application of gospel grace, God will take “cold men”… and make us “warm men”— men like Jesus.
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~Dr. Owen Strachan