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In this episode of the Ministry Minded Podcast, I share some time-management advice via Oliver Burkeman. Also, I get to interact with that massive GQ cover-story profiling the life of troubled pop-star, Justin Bieber. I found tremendous encouragement in the course of pondering this long-form piece. For however much Bieber has become a meme of himself in pop culture, he is still a person who apparently understands, palpably, his own brokenness. I admit that I do not know if Bieber “gets it” or not. I have zero inclinations as to how orthodox his faith is, if at all. But, if I’m honest, I do not even think that that is the point of this story. For me, it reminds me that there none too far gone for God. “However fallen you may have been, the grace of God can yet save you,” says the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon. “Sin is strong, but grace is stronger.”1

Resources.

Stonington Baptist Church sermons

“The Redemption of Justin Bieber,” Zach Baron

“Ballerina Babies, Soul Mate Parenting, Forgiveness as Activism, and the Gracious God of Justin Bieber,” Bryan J.

“Episode 210: Don’t Stop Beliebing,” The Mockingcast

“On Anthony Bourdain: We Were Not Made to be Famous,” Sarah Condon

“Three or four hours,” Oliver Burkeman

Seven Wonders of Grace, Charles Spurgeon

Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2

Grace: So Much More Than You Know & So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

Fresh Roasted Coffee: a locally owned and operated coffee house in the heart of Central Pennsylvania that produces the freshest coffee and delivers it at peak drinkability. Use offer code “GRACE10” at checkout to get a discount off your next order.

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Notes.

I’m Brad Gray and I serve as the Senior Pastor of Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where I live with my wife Natalie, daughter Lydia, and son Braxton. Besides pastoring, I spend most of my time writing, reading, and ministering in many more ways. I am resolved to faithfully and fervently propagate the gospel of “grace upon grace” for the weary and the worn out. It is my sincerest desire to live and minister all “for the sake of the Name” (3 John 1:7). So long as Christ is exalted, that is enough.

Credits.

Intro music: “Explorers (Instrumental Version)” by The Midnight, The Midnight Music LLC, 2018.

Ad music: “Coffee Stains” by Finley, licensed under CC BY 4.0.