March Recs | Sourdough Disciples + Reaching People with the Gospel Through Writing
We are justified by Jesus Christ alone. All other avenues are legalism and law.
I’ve been spreading my sourdough starter through my church like a fast-spreading disease. I’m tracking down all the sourdough-baking wannabes one by one and seeking to disciple them in wild yeast. Soon, all their husbands will show up at my door like, “Brittany, my wife won’t stop baking sourdough. Day and night, she mixes, stretches, and plans her next loaf. What have you done to her? But also, thank you.” Because who doesn’t love freshly baked, warm, artisan bread? Who on earth would complain about cheesy garlic knots or sweet cinnamon buns magically popping up on their plate? Not me.
I’m taking way too much pride in this I think, because yesterday when I tasted my friend’s first loaf I felt like a proud parent—not just of my new sourdough student but of the yeast that left my house for college to make her bread. Good job, guys. Proud of you.
Don’t worry, God has been humbling me through flat loaves lately. I deserve it; I’ve been feeling like an expert and pride comes before the fall. Apart from him I can do nothing, including making a decent loaf of bread apparently.
Joking aside, as I spread yeast across the families of my church, I’m reminded of the importance of this verse: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9). The church in Galatia was being infiltrated with Jews who were teaching them that in order to be right with God, they must be circumcised. Paul has some strong words for them:
“…if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Gal. 5:2–6)
All Christians are justified by Christ alone. If we try to justify ourselves by anything other than his work on the cross, we are “submitting to a yoke of slavery” rather than living in the freedom from the law he’s graciously provided (Gal. 5:1). Our daily Bible reading, long prayers, and church attendance do not save us. We are not justified by our tithing or ministry work. Our long hair, the way we dress, how we grieve, how many kids we have, or whether or not we homeschool does not make us holy. We are justified by Jesus Christ alone. All other avenues are legalism and law. They are false gospels. And “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
It’s a joy to spread my sourdough starter all around, but I pray that I would never turn away from the gospel and bring anything else into the church that would lead others astray.
Lord, cause us to remember that you have set us free in Christ. Oh, and please make my bread rise again.
—Brittany
These words though:
“This is a strange thing, and something I’ve never understood but that has been my own experience: that we depend on ourselves by hating ourselves. It is my suspicion that what we are trying to do by hating ourselves is to clothe our shame and make things right. There is no burden heavier that trying to make things right by hating ourselves. ” — John Andrew Bryant, A Quiet Mind to Suffer With
Q: How can writing and online ministry be used to reach others for Christ?
In our culture where the world is loaded with lies, Christian writers can shine light into that darkness. We can weave the gospel into our writing, whether it be an article, creative essay, Substack newsletter, or an Instagram post. As we share God’s Word, what he has done in our lives, and his faithfulness to us, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will use our words to draw others to himself.
Got a question about something? Click the button below to shoot me a message.
Recent Articles, Essays, + Poems:
Healing Through Art on Substack
Winter’s Cold Will End: The Promise of Spring on the Journeywomen Blog
3 Books of the Bible to Study for New Christians on Well-Watered Women
Discover the Joy of Imperfect Creativity on Well-Watered Women
From the Archives:
Postpartum Bodies and Unordered Thoughts on the blog
New Devotional:
Books I Finished:
The Son of David by Nancy Guthrie
Homecoming by Kate Morton
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Even If He Doesn’t by Kristen LaValley
Humility by Gavin Ortland
Current Reads:
A Quiet Mind to Suffer With by John Andrew Bryant
Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler
Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden
Remaking the World by Andrew Wilson
Growing Together by Melissa Kruger
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Counterfeit Kingdom by Holly Pivec
God is Still Good by Katie Faris
The Soul in Paraphrase by Leland Ryken
Into His Presence by Tim Chester
What I Recommend:
Bible Study: Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series by Nancy Guthrie. So good!
Children’s Book: My boys love Kristen Wetherell’s board book, God Rescues Me from the For the Bible Tells Me So series. If you’re looking for a book that helps your littles learn the gospel, this is the one.
Song: God Be by Chris Renzema
Bible: Crossway graciously sent me this gorgeous Bible. Check it out if you’re looking for one.
Articles, Poems, and Essays I Liked:
Dear Richard by Rachel Joy Welcher
Memory Isn’t a Solo Affair by Brianna Lambert
This Spring, Reflect on Your Salvation by Ashley Anthony
What I’m loving lately (*some affiliate links):
- I searched for a blazer for the longest time and at the end of the day, I just wasn’t feeling the neutral ones. When I found this green blazer I knew it was what I was holding out for. I thought I was being really unique, but then the same colored blazers started popping up at Target. Rude.*
- Absolutely no regrets on buying this spinning scrub brush.*
- I cannot stop making these Sourdough Cinnamon Buns and these Sourdough Garlic Bread Bites.
- This Chicken kofta with tzatziki and lemon dill rice is new new favorite meal. Even little William devoured it.
Life Lately:
These precious boys. They wear me out but they are so fun. It’s so fun to see their friendship take shape as brothers.
Previously mentioned garlic bread bites. Might I add that I used dairy free Mozzarella and Parmesan and our small group raved about them. Felt like a big win.
We asked Theo to take our picture before we left for a date last week. This was the best one. When we looked at the many pictures he took we realized at some point he turned the camera around and began taking pictures of himself while we stood there like total losers. Love that kid.
Pray for my husband’s allergies because I have so many seedlings growing in the house. This is a picture of my snapdragons which are coming along nicely.
I’d love to hear about you! What is a book you’ve read recently that you loved or a recipe you’ve been devouring? Tell me in the comments!
May you treasure Christ ever more. <3
Brittany Lee
Love this! I had to laugh, someone tried to give me one of the sourdough things and I was like "no way." The only bread I bake is in my bread machine! :)
Did you love Homecoming?? Kate Morton can write some gripping endings!
I just read and loved How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key.