Hey Reader,
It's been a while! TTW is still going strong, and we recently passed 310,000 total verses typed, which means we've collectively typed the Bible 10 times. That's incredible! Praise God!
If you're new to TTW, welcome!
Handwriting Bibles
Christianity today recently shared a blog post about a movement of millions of people in China who have handwritten Bible's or sections of scripture.
This line was particularly compelling to me
As Lü handwrote the Book of John, he encountered stories about Jesus. The more he read the Bible, the more he longed to become a child of God.
Lü was not a christian, but a calligrapher who wanted to take part in hand copying the Bible. When he wrote out the gospel of John, the Spirit softened his heart, and made him realize his need for a savior and the open opportunity he had in Christ.
This post was encouraging to me because it reminded me of TTW. TTW doesn't have millions of users, but I've cherished watching your diligent pursuit of God through typing his word.
Support Type the Word
It costs $40 a month to keep Type the Word up and running. While I have been (and still am) happy to cover these expenses, I’ve now made it possible for others to contribute.
You can donate through the link below or in the new link in the footer of Type the Word. This link will take you to a new page on TTW called `/donate`, which has a breakdown of where your support goes and a way to securely contribute through a trusted third-party service.
I want TTW to be free and accessible for the long haul. Donations ensure that mission.
A scripture I have been thinking about
I have a confession. The past few months I've been searching for something. I've been looking high and low — for satisfaction. I've been frantically attempting to get to the next step, because surely then I will find peace.
If only my wife and I move into a house. If only I ship this next project. If only I can somehow save a million dollars. If only I can buy a sprinter van for camping. If only I start my own company and go on epic vacations.
Yikes! Those are actually the things I've been looking to to give me joy. Thankfully the Holy Spirit has been faithful to convict me.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23
As I've looked for scriptures about contentment, Psalm 23 has repeatedly popped up. I memorized this scripture when I was a teen, and this scripture is even on the home page of Type the Word, but I have always somehow overlooked this opening statement: I shall not want.
In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul talks about being content "in whatever situation."
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The two scriptures together have made me realize, because I'm within God's providence, I should trust in his plan for my life and act as though he is in control, because he is.
So often I believe God is powerful, but I functionally act as if I am alone and I need to fend for myself.
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah says that the righteous man trusts in God and therefore has perfect peace. David (the author of Psalm 23) knew that he should not want, because God had been faithful to bring him through many green pastures (Psalm 23:2). Paul (the author of Philippians) could be content, despite being in prison, because his trust was placed on nothing less than Christ.
I am praying that God would grant us peace as we surrender our desires, and daily place our trust in him. He is everything that we need in this life.
Josh
