Good morning from Sydney, Australia, where I’ve stopped for just one night before heading back across the Pacific. It has been a good and successful journey, but I’m ready to be home!

Today’s Kindle deals include a substantial collection from Crossway.
(Yesterday on the blog: Trusting God with Creation But Not Providence)
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, April Witkowski & the Myth of the Wasted Ministry
This is a sweet reflection by Peter Witkowski. “Our lives today will not be defined by our dreams, hopes, or expectations of what is to come (of what may never come) but will be defined by our faithful execution of the life and ministry God has given us in this moment. If we are faithfully serving God today in accordance with his Word and our calling and gifting, our lives are not a waste but rather the very definition of success.”
Beware of the Birds: How Satan Sabotages Sermons
“Every Sunday morning, they perch among us. Listen closely and you can hear their wings flapping overhead. Singing voices have quieted, the preacher mounts his summit, the book is laid open. As the people fidget in the pew, readying to hear God speak through a man, the crows and ravens stir in anticipation. Caws and muffled croaks murmur in the rafters. Some sound eerily like a chuckle.”
Alistair Begg on LGBT issues, gentleness and ‘conversion therapy’
I enjoyed this conversation with Alistair Begg as he addresses a number of important contemporary issues.
3 Views on Baptism
Core Christianity has put together three articles that address the three major Protestant views of baptism.
What are the Most Important Qualities in a Missionary?
There is undoubtedly something to be said for these particular attributes.
What Is a Woman?
Alan Shlemon has an answer for one of the defining questions of our times.
Flashback: Why Should We Try To Add One Stitch To a Finished Garment?
Easter is a day of acceptance, a day of completion…Yet despite the sufficiency of Christ’s work, we can so easily slip back into an old mindset in which we become convinced there is still something left for us to do.

God has so wired us that beauty generates powerful experiences of wonder. Wonder is one of God’s most precious gifts to us, especially when it leads us to its intended end—worship of our beautiful God. —Steve DeWitt

I made it home safe and sound and, of course, moderately jet-lagged, from my trip to Poland. I’m thankful for traveling mercies (perhaps especially after being in a country with a speed limit of 140 km/h).

There are a few new Kindle deals for the collectors.
Kate Forbes: Would a Christian be permitted to lead Scotland?
“With a Hindu as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and a Muslim as the mayor of London, it would seem that the UK is at last fulfilling the promise of a multi-cultural society. Yet events in Scotland suggest that there is one group who are in effect banned from meaningful political leadership – Christians who actually believe what Jesus says!”
The Devil Is Real
“Recently, the devil visited the Grammys. From the amount of press coverage, it seems he won an award. If you haven’t seen Sam Smith and Kim Petras’s controversial live performance of the song ‘Unholy,’ don’t bother. It’s not worth your time. However, the celebration of this performance does bring up two points that are worth our attention.” Jonathan Noyes explains what they are.
The Respiration of Internet Culture
Chris Martin has an interesting look at the history of the internet here.
Unguarded Advice
“Have you ever considered advice to be a dangerous gift?” Tolkien did, and perhaps we should as well.
What Does Faith Do? It Depends
“Theology is much like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. There are all these different pieces. They do fit, but we don’t always right away realize how. The key is to pay attention to the clues. These are given to us in Scripture.”
I’ll See You in Heaven
We have such hope through the gospel…
Flashback: Homesick
My eyes strain to see it, my ears to hear it, my hands to grasp it. Home, sweet home. Home where my God is. Home where my heart is. Home where my father is. Home where my son is. Simply, wonderfully, eternally home.

The fear of God is a profound respect for His holiness, which includes a fear of the consequences of disobeying Him. —Randy Alcorn

January has been quite a good month for Christian book releases. I sorted through the many options and arrived at this list of new and notables. In each case I’ve provided the editorial description to give you a sense of what it’s all about. I hope there’s something here that’s of interest to you!

A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World by Paul Miller. “In our current culture, the church and prayer are often dismissed as irrelevant. But when believers gather and pray together, powerful things happen: the Spirit equips the saints for ministry, the helpless are met with help, and believers experience the joy of being led by the Spirit of Jesus. In this book, Paul E. Miller, bestselling author of A Praying Life, casts a vision for a return to the simple yet life-changing practice of praying together. Through personal stories and biblical examples, Miller teaches the why, what, and how of praying together. Readers will learn how praying with other Christians can transform their communities into beacons of hope and be given practical strategies–such as finding a prayer partner and prioritizing a structured prayer time–to implement these changes in their own church.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, edited by Rob Ventura. “For centuries, Baptists have published confessions of faith as formal statements of their beliefs. Chief among these is the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. This doctrinal statement is a spiritual treasure trove worthy of our fresh attention. In this new study, more than twenty contributors unpack its timeless biblical truths, ‘things which are most surely believed among us’ (Luke 1:1). Our prayer is that the Lord will use this volume to richly edify and sanctify His people worldwide, and to assist the churches in pursuing biblical holiness and doctrinal purity. May these labors send God’s people back again and again to the Bible, which is–as the confession states–the ‘only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience’ (1.1).” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Beginning of the Gospel: A Theology of Mark (New Testament Theology) by Peter Orr. “The book of Mark–the first and shortest Gospel written–serves as both a historical and theological account, connecting Jesus to the whole storyline of the Bible. Mark writes against the backdrop of the Old Testament and draws from other New Testament writers, specifically Peter and Paul, to articulate many themes that are found in the rest of the New Testament. In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Peter Orr offers an accessible summary of the theology of Mark, examining its relationship to both the Old and New Testaments. Each chapter focuses on a key theological theme–the identity of Christ, the announcement of the kingdom, the call to follow, and more–and explains how it is relevant for the church today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Story of Abortion: A Street-Level History 1652–2022 by Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas. “
Fifty years ago, the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion-on-demand sparked nationwide tensions that continue to this day. In the decades since that ruling, abortion opponents and proponents have descended on the Capitol each year for marches and protests. But this story didn’t begin with the Supreme Court in the 1970s; arguments about abortion have been a part of American history since the 17th century. So how did we get here? The Story of Abortion in America traces the long cultural history of this pressing issue from 1652 to today, focusing on the street-level activities of those drawn into the battles willingly or unwillingly. Authors Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas show complex lives on both sides: Some sacrificed much to help the poor and others sacrificed the helpless to empower themselves. The Story of Abortion in America argues that whatever happens legally won’t end the debate, but it will affect lives.” (Buy it at Amazon)
ESV Church History Study Bible. “The ESV Church History Study Bible is designed to help believers in all seasons of life understand the Bible with notes from over 300 of church history’s most prominent figures. Edited by Stephen J. Nichols, Gerald Bray, and Keith A. Mathison, this Bible features 20,000+ study notes from historical figures including Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon. This study Bible also includes articles by trusted scholars on major aspects of church history, a glossary of historical figures, and ‘This Passage in History’ callouts. Created for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word, the ESV Church History Study Bible highlights voices from the past offering wisdom for the present.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
This Is the Word of the Lord: Becoming Confident in the Scriptures by Daniel R. Hyde. “Are you confident in the Word of God? Are you certain that God speaks to you in and through the pages of the Bible? Daniel R. Hyde exhorts readers to grow in their certainty that the Bible is the Word of God, to know with their hearts as well as their heads that God has spoken, and continues to speak, through his Scriptures. When troubles come, it is crucial that your confidence in what God has said is strong. Hyde hopes that by having a good grounding in what the Bible says about itself, Christians will be well equipped to stand firm.” (Buy it at Amazon)
The Retreat : A Lighthearted and Humorous Story About a Soul-Searching Pastor by Kees Postma. “You’ll laugh, you’ll be challenged, and most of all you’ll be encouraged to find rest in the Lord, and strength to keep going. Case Parker, a worn-out pastor, is shocked by all the good, bad and ugly he has found in ministry so far. Having reached a point of utter exhaustion he decides to go to Ireland for a three day retreat. Case, and the other Dutch shepherds that join him, end up in all kind of interesting, dangerous and hilarious situations. This story will have you in stitches, will make you feel convicted and hopefully has you changed by the time the story ends. In his first translated book, Postma offers heartfelt, laugh-out-loud observations on the absurd ways shepherds and sheep alike, try to make themselves look better than they actually are. The Dutch version of the book became a bestseller interweaving humour and spiritual reflection.” (Buy it from Amazon)
52 Weeks in the Word: A Companion for Reading through the Bible in a Year by Trillia Newbell. “Have you ever been disappointed or frustrated with your inability for consistent Bible study? Reading through the Bible in a year can feel daunting. It can be hard to know how—or where—to start. Perhaps you just need a friend who follows Jesus to help. Trillia Newbell is a trusted Bible teacher and lover of the Scriptures. She describes herself as a ‘forever student.’ And she’d like nothing more than for you to join her in the grand and thrilling adventure of growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ! Rather than jumping around the Bible, you can jump into this book that will take you through the entirety of the Scriptures in one year!” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ by John Piper. “Many people are curious about the second coming of Christ—what it will be like, when it will happen, and what signs will come first. In his latest book, Come, Lord Jesus, John Piper addresses all these issues, but stresses that those who love the second coming of Christ will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6–8). Piper examines key biblical texts around the second coming while encouraging readers toward a Spirit-awakened affection for Jesus’s return. He also explores important questions such as, Could Jesus come at any moment, or must certain events happen first?; What does it mean to “Watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour”?; and What should we be doing when he comes? With a special focus on the teachings of Jesus, Paul, and Peter, Come, Lord Jesus portrays not only the glory of the revealed Savior, but also the glorification of the resurrected saints.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)