(00:00-09:37): We start the show off on a sad note. An explosion is feared to have killed dozens and injured thousands in Beirut. Plus, the violent crime rate in Chicago has shown a frightening trend upward. 

(09:37-19:20): Carey Nieuwhof writes “Why Do We Hate Each Other So Much? (5 Reasons Anger Is The New Epidemic)”

(19:20-28:43): Mark Dever writes “12 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting Something Online”. Brian and Ian reflect on this.

(28:43-38:53): We were joined by author Jordan Abina to discuss his book “Thoughts of a Dying Worship Leader”. Feeling unable to reach beyond the seemingly uninterested faces staring back at him during worship, he found himself at a crossroads, unsure whether he could continue leading his church in worship. Until the morning God led him to 2 Chronicles 20 and showed him the way forward. 

(38:53-49:28): Tim Keller writes “A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory” in Life in the Gospel. 

(49:28-58:39): Joanne Bratta from Hopeful Beginnings joined us to provide an update on this amazing ministry. She talked about how they are managing to continue serving through this crisis. 
Via website: We are first and foremost a child welfare agency and take our responsibility very seriously. Our counselors are some of the very best in our area and are committed to our clients. The entire staff thinks “out of the box” to provide you with professional services. We are with you every step of the way, will care for you, and nurture you in whatever journey you choose. We walk alongside you!

(58:39-1:08:08): Bruce Ashford writes “The Intellectual in Canada Who Unmasked Political Idolatry in America: Or Why Politics Won’t Save Us” in the Gospel Coalition. 

(1:08:08-1:17:26): Kaitlyn Schiess writes “The Stories Our Politicians Tell: Our allegiance to economic prosperity can shape us more than we realize” in Christianity Today.

(00:00-09:37): We start the show off on a sad note. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53656220?fbclid=IwAR0A-suMrmxxPsGiWCJHFxeqGFSQ0hqK0rKZZXjkpXkIHMWio35xF2n67tc">An explosion is feared to have killed dozens and injured thousands in Beirut</a>. Plus, <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-weekend-shooting-20200803-xkevk64unvdijfzboyyn4vowly-story.html">the violent crime rate in Chicago</a> has shown a frightening trend upward.&nbsp;
(09:37-19:20): Carey Nieuwhof writes &ldquo;<a href="https://careynieuwhof.com/why-do-we-hate-each-other-so-much-anger-new-epidemic/?fbclid=IwAR25NNkrpmMMXFg7YNjqsbH6yRF5DjOi7J1t7N1m5JxE0BngCWoadVkVW9M">Why Do We Hate Each Other So Much? (5 Reasons Anger Is The New Epidemic)</a>&rdquo;
(19:20-28:43): Mark Dever writes &ldquo;<a href="https://www.9marks.org/article/12-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-posting-something-online/?fbclid=IwAR0pGSndjddwfvaiAYfrpPcjJIPwpf_e7Iys4DnCXfEzLfsybK3okgTQy4E">12 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting Something Online</a>&rdquo;. Brian and Ian reflect on this.
(28:43-38:53): We were joined by author Jordan Abina to discuss his book &ldquo;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Dying-Worship-Leader-Jordan/dp/B0851M1TGJ">Thoughts of a Dying Worship Leader</a>&rdquo;. Feeling unable to reach beyond the seemingly uninterested faces staring back at him during worship, he found himself at a crossroads, unsure whether he could continue leading his church in worship. Until the morning God led him to 2 Chronicles 20 and showed him the way forward.&nbsp;
(38:53-49:28): Tim Keller writes &ldquo;<a href="https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/?fbclid=IwAR38rWM75wu7ZC-4nq0lnuUXouapG2aovFGMIhUOZepBUkFbDdQ_jO89UKQ">A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory</a>&rdquo; in Life in the Gospel.&nbsp;
(49:28-58:39): Joanne Bratta from <a href="https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/who-we-are/">Hopeful Beginnings</a> joined us to provide an update on this amazing ministry. She talked about how they are managing to continue serving through this crisis. Via website: We are first and foremost a child welfare agency and take our responsibility very seriously. Our counselors are some of the very best in our area and are committed to our clients. The entire staff thinks &ldquo;out of the box&rdquo; to provide you with professional services. We are with you every step of the way, will care for you, and nurture you in whatever journey you choose. We walk alongside you!
(58:39-1:08:08): Bruce Ashford writes &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/the-intellectual-in-canada-who-unmasked-political-idolatry-in-america/">The Intellectual in Canada Who Unmasked Political Idolatry in America</a>: Or Why Politics Won&rsquo;t Save Us&rdquo; in the Gospel Coalition.&nbsp;
(1:08:08-1:17:26): Kaitlyn Schiess writes &ldquo;<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/july-web-only/shiess-stories-our-politicians-tell-liturgy-of-politics.html?fbclid=IwAR2xqkfsMtqxB9XRiKOQ3knnamNjEWDxopyTfbdxxCdCZZbQBVLEh0TJTZU">The Stories Our Politicians Tell</a>: Our allegiance to economic prosperity can shape us more than we realize&rdquo; in Christianity Today.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

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