A big Aussie hello friend. Welcome to Pursuits of God.
My name is Emily and I am a wife to Dave, a Pastor on the beautiful North Coast of New South Wales. Together, we navigate parenting three children. I love to read, create and drink lots of cups of tea (apparently I would fit right in the UK).
This blog began as a way of sharing and reflecting on my journey with Jesus. At the time, I was a mum to two young kids and was jealous of my husband’s growing relationship with God and his ever-expanding knowledge of the Bible. I felt left out. As I was washing up one day, I felt the Holy Spirit gently but firmly convict me- the treasure of God’s Word isn’t hidden or kept secret; it isn’t off-limits to the majority of us. No. God longs and invites us in to read his word, pull it apart, question it and grow in our understanding of it and the God who wrote it.
From these humble beginnings, Pursuits of God began. It is still a humble little blog, a place of safe questioning and learning. It is my hope and prayer that through my journalling, you would come to discover the beauty of our gracious and loving Saviour Jesus and come to treasure His Word.
Much Love,
Emily x
Topics on the Blog:
Latest on the Blog:
Enjoying God- Part 2
Throughout the New Testament, we are reminded to consider our trials joy (James 1:2), to rejoice in our suffering (Col 1:24), to live a life of joy (a key theme in the book of Philippians); yet in the midst of trials and heartache, joy is often far from our minds. I...
Enjoying God- Part 1
Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is God’s will for my life? Aren’t these so often the questions that each of us wrestle with? In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, it says that the chief purpose of man is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Many Bible...
Hello Pharisee, Check Your Plank
Over the past months and years, morality has been on the cultural menu and as Christians we have served up a good dose of guilt without much gospel. Recently, as a young lady I know came to meet Jesus, I sat and chatted through the questions she had about her newly...
My Year in Books
This was originally published at The Gospel Coalition Australia. Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson This is my favourite read from 2018 and I am almost considering rereading it just to gain more of Anderson’s wisdom. The...
Biblical Fiction Author Spotlight: Tessa Afshar
I love reading fictional books as a way of relaxing. An author I was recommended this year was Tessa Afshar, an author published by Tyndale House Publishers (also the publishing house of Francine Rivers). I think since that initial recommendation, I have read every...
Book Review: Tea & Thread- Sally Bathgate and Katrina Flett Gulbrandsen
"Tea & Thread: Portraits of Middle Eastern Women Far from Home" is a new collection of stories, recipes and traditional handicraft projects from refugee women. Written by Sally Bathgate and Katrina Flett Gulbrandsen, It is a beautiful book; a welcome accompaniment...
Latest on the Podcast:
Episode 7: Domestic Violence and the Church with Kara Hartley
In this podcast, I chat with Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in the Sydney Anglican Diocese. We talk about her recent work on the Domestic Violence Taskforce and how to help victims of Domestic Violence in the church. *Please not that some aspects of this podcast...
Episode 6: Women’s Ministry With Steph Judd
In this episode, I talk with Steph Judd, the Director of Women's Ministry at City on a Hill, Melbourne. In this podcast, we chat through the practicalities of women's ministry, Steph's role as Director of Women's Ministry and also talk through how God uses the...
Episode 5: Getting the Big Picture of Parenting with Harriet Connor
This week, the Pursuits of God Podcast features a discussion I had with Harriet Connor. In this episode, we chat about God's purpose for parenting, the role of the church (and singles!) in parenting and a few practical tips to help those of us currently in the...
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The Gospel Coalition Australia
Growing Faith
“…but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”
-Psalm 1:2-3