Today’s post is sponsored by Christian Focus Publications and written by Brent Corbin, Executive Director of Reformed Youth Ministries.

Convincing young people that reading an actual book is a worthwhile use of their time is a tall task in our day and age. Whether it’s the ever-beckoning allure of technology, schedules that are chocked full of school, sports, and all kinds of other activities, or just a lack of desire, making the time to read an actual book seems like a practice for days gone by.
But here’s the reality we must face: as useful as videos, podcasts and other technologies can be to the Church in 2022, Christianity is a religion of words. Our God is a God of words. He created through words, calls Himself the Living Word, and wrote a book filled with words to communicate to His children. In light of this, RYM continues to encourage pastors and parents everywhere to value the written word, and to seek to train the next generation to be readers of actual books with real words. The forced slowing-down, and unhurried nature of sitting with a book is a discipline worth re-cultivating in the lives of young people. The Track Series, a collaborative effort between RYM and Christian Focus Publishers is a great place to do this very thing.
Written for students, the Track series addresses numerous topics in three primary areas: Doctrine, Culture, and the Christian Life. Track‘s booklets are theologically rich, accessible, and the perfect length to make actually finishing the book a likely and attainable goal. They seek to engage and challenge the student without dumbing things down. Some of the authors in the series include: Ligon Duncan, Derek Thomas, Ed Welch, Abigail Dodds, Reagan Rose, Stephen Nichols, and Walt Mueller. Each of the different writers brings his or her unique perspectives and expertise to the book’s subject matter. 
The goal of the Track series, through its different topics, is to point us to Jesus Christ, the One who forged a track to guide His followers. While we cannot follow this track perfectly, by His grace and Spirit He called us to strive to stay on the path. It is our prayer that this series of books would help guide young people who are seeking to follow Christ’s track in their day to day living.
Visit 10ofthose to purchase your Track books for the perfect Christmas gift or Stocking Stuffer.

Many years ago a great sailing ship was crossing the Atlantic when it came to the treacherous Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Though this is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world, it can all also be one of the most treacherous. Its waters are shallow and often blanketed by dense fog. Icebergs lurk in the darkness. And sure enough, that ship blundered into a great bank of fog and struck a massive iceberg.

Within moments the vessel began to settle heavily at the bow and the call went out to abandon ship. One of the terrified passengers cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” at which the captain replied, “Jump into the lifeboat!” The passenger saw that the lifeboat was a little way beyond the deck of the ship and a good bit lower down. Afraid and uncertain, he hesitated for a moment as he counted the cost. Should he leap or should he wait? Was it possible there might be another way to be rescued?
But the moment of hesitation passed and he chose to take the captain at his word. He chose to trust that the boat would be able to save him. He made the leap. His faith was rewarded when he landed within the craft and took his place beside some of the other passengers and crew. Together they watched with horror as first the deck and then the masts slipped beneath the waves. Soon there was nothing around them but a few stray pieces of wreckage and a haunting silence.
But the peril was not yet over. Though the people who had survived the sinking of the ship had been saved from death, they were still far out in a dangerous ocean. They could not just sit still and hope for rescue. There was something more they must do if they wished to make it to land. The captain, having taken his place in the front of the lifeboat, told each of the passengers to take up an oar, to slip it into an oarlock, and to row with all their strength. Having been saved from death on the ship, they now needed to work out that salvation through hard rowing.
And so, hour after hour and day and day after day, they put their strength into the work. Though they were safe within the lifeboat and fully dependent upon it to keep them from being lost in the depths of the ocean, they still needed to expend a great deal of effort. With blistered hands and aching backs, they pressed on through dark nights and dangerous seas.
And then the moment came when the cry went out: “Land ahead! Land!” Straining their eyes they saw the unmistakable rise of a hill in the distance. With fresh vigor they pressed on. As the waters grew shallower and the air grew warmer, they began to hear the sound of waves breaking against the beach. And as the bow finally scraped against ground, they leapt onto the shore knowing their salvation was now complete.
They knew their salvation was complete because here, in this new land, the waves could not reach them and the storm could not threaten them. They had reached a haven. They were safe. They were saved.
(Romans 8:29:30)

Inspired by the writings of F.B. Meyer

A new year is upon us and the occasion affords the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and pray. In recent weeks I’ve been exploring the poetry of Marianne Farningham who wrote the bulk of her works in the late 1800s. Among them was this poetic prayer for a new year. Perhaps you’d like to make her prayer your own as you set out into 2022…

Father, who givest usNow the new year,Grant that Thy mercyMay with it appear;Lead us the path alongWhich we must go;Choose Thou our portionOf pleasure or woe.
Father, Thy blessing giveBrightening each day;Be Thou our comforter,Hear when we pray.Let us not go aloneOut in the wild;Let Thy forgiving loveShelter each child.
Whate’er our work shall beLet us have light;What our hands find to doDoing with might;Faithfully serving TheeWhile it is day,So be the happy yearPassing away.
Father, Thy wisdom give,Let us be strong;Keep us from grieving TheeDoing the wrong.Oh, let us hear Thy voiceCalling us near,Oh, let us see the wayClearly appear.
Father, we cannot seeWhat is before,Yet we would sing our songTrusting Thee more;Burdens we have and griefsBitter to bear.But Thou wilt quiet us,Thou who dost care.
So we will meet the monthsLeaning on Thee,Loving and mighty One,Still near us be;Help us to forward goStrong in Thy fear;Father, abide with usAll through the year.
If it should be the last,Happy are we!We in the heavenly homeWith Thee shall be.Guide our feet thither, andBless Thou us still—Father, with us and oursDo Thine own will.