As another week drew to a close, I found myself pondering beauty and wanting to reflect on some of the beautiful things I had encountered in the previous 7 days. Here are the ones that came to mind.

1. “Still” by Steven Curtis Chapman. I have been impacted by Steven Curtis Chapman’s music at different points in life, and most recently by his new song “Still.”

You led me high up the mountain to showed me the viewAnd said “Wherever this journey takes youJust trust me, I’m already there”I had no way of knowin’ thenJust how hard the rain would fall and how fierce would be the windIt’s been beautiful and terrible, more painful, more wonderfulThan I ever could have known, but even soStill, I’m gonna singAbout the One who’s given life to me…

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2. This shirt from Westminster Books:

3. Basics Conference. People often ask me what one conference I would most recommend. For pastors, at least, I would almost always say Basics (which is hosted by Alistair Begg at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio). It is a great mix of plenary teaching, breakouts, and meals, all at a relatively relaxed pace. They cap attendance so it also has a smaller feel than some of the events that are otherwise similar. Registration has just opened and will almost certainly sell out.
4. Handel’s Messiah. I used to make an annual pilgrimage to Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall  to take in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. A couple of years ago, during the pandemic, they chose to create and perform a new and updated version that featured transgender soloists, a gay male baritone (who performed in stilettos while standing on a rainbow) and updated lyrics such as “She was a woman of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” It was horrific (and, thankfully, only shown online). Since then I have been gun-shy and haven’t returned. But I do still listen to many of the best performances through Apple Music and watch them through YouTube, especially this time of year. Messiah gets more wondrous and more beautiful with every passing year. 
5. Love. As we passed the second anniversary of Nick’s death, we found the day easier than we may have expected. As we talked about it later we concluded that it may have been because we felt so well-loved. So many people reached out to express their love and care for us and that was a tremendous encouragement to us. I’m so thankful for love—love expressed from family members, friends, and even strangers. It’s a beautiful thing to be loved.
6. iPad Pro. I try to stick with a three-year plan in which I update my phone and iPad (which is all I take when I travel—I don’t use a laptop) every three years. This was my year to swap out my old iPad for a new one. Doing this every three years (which is relatively seldom by today’s standards) means that every new device is a big leap over the last one. And that was true this year. Even after all these years, I’ve never lost the wonder of the power of these devices we tend to take for granted.
7. Fall colors. I know I mentioned this last time, but the colors were particularly beautiful this year and lasted an unusually long time. Or maybe it just chose to notice them this year—we can be like that, can’t we? Along the way Michaela’s photography class had a little contest to see who could take the best fall photo. She snapped a neat little photo that was eventually selected as the winner. Here it is:

Good morning. Grace and peace to you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include a selection meant specifically for teens and/or their parents. There are several other interesting titles as well.
(Yesterday on the blog: The Beauty of Gender Difference)
Her Present Absence
Karen reflects on the nature of sorrow. “There is no sin in the sorrow we feel in our loved one’s present absence, and there is no wrongdoing or shame in acknowledging its reality. It’s simply a testimony of our enduring love for them, and our certainty that we will soon see them again.”
‘Journey to Bethlehem’ and Christmas Cringe
“Faith-based movies have been enjoying something of a renaissance lately—gaining ground not only in commercial viability but also in artistic credibility. To be sure, the bar has been low. Most of these movies are still not great; they’re just better than what we’ve come to expect. Sadly, the faith-based genre’s latest holiday movie sets the genre back—considerably.”
Aayan Hirsi Ali says she’s now a Christian (but only if that’s okay with the rest of us)
Aayan Hirsi Ali, who famously abandoned Islam in favor of atheism, recently explained how she became a Christian. Stephen McAlpine isn’t pleased with the skepticism of many believers.
The Super Generation (Video)
The John 10:10 Project celebrates one of nature’s wonders. “Every year, millions of Monarch butterflies travel up to 2500 miles to reach a dozen small patches of forest in central Mexico. There, they spend the winter safe from the freezing temperatures in Canada and the midwestern United States. These fragile insects have no idea where they are headed on their migration. Yet, with ingenious navigational systems stored within their eyes, brains and antennae, they locate the same forests and trees that provided sanctuary to their ancestors for generations.”
Church Planting Is Rarely Rapid
Matthew Spandler-Davison has traveled more than just about anyone I know and says, “I have come to believe there are two great threats to gospel work in the world’s poor and unengaged communities today: the prosperity gospel and the encouragement toward rapid multiplication.”
Realistic Expectations From a Life of Ministry
Mathew Santhosh Thomas: “Earlier, I wanted to serve God and ‘do ministry.’ But later God changed the way we thought. Ministry is not about us doing great things for God. It is understanding what God is doing in his world. We simply align our lives with what he is doing, to abide in him and walk with him.”
Flashback: The Happiest Christians and the Happiest Missionaries
Who are the happiest Christians? Who are the happiest missionaries? And what is it that makes them so happy?

Not only is all your affliction momentary, not only is all your affliction light in comparison to eternity and the glory there. But all of it is totally meaningful…Therefore, therefore, do not lose heart. —John Piper

My gratitude goes to New Covenant OPC for sponsoring the blog this week. They are asking for your help as they minister in a unique and uniquely challenging environment.
Today’s Kindle deals include a number of interesting titles.

Joe Carter: “The questions we must address aren’t merely scientific or biological but profoundly theological: What’s the nature of a frozen embryo created through IVF? How should pro-life Christians think about such beings? The answers to these questions aren’t just academic; they hold significant implications for how we view life, dignity, and our responsibilities as followers of Christ.”

Ed Welch offers guidance for when you learn that church members are in secular therapy. “My goal in this brief article is to consider a specific pastoral question: What is a wise approach to those in your church who see a secular therapist? Since this question is part of a long and winding road, we will make a couple of stops before we arrive at an answer.”

“I’m sure you can probably name a few ‘grumpy old men’ whom you have known, and I can too. But I have also had the privilege of watching many saints who are ahead of me move into old age with humility, kindness, and increasing Christlikeness. Of course, they didn’t just wake up on their seventieth birthdays and suddenly display these traits.”

Robby Lashua: “Dread: terror or apprehension towards something coming in the future. Are you ready to feel some dread? It’s an election year! Don’t stop reading. I want to help you have a biblical perspective on the Christian view of government and how to do good in society as Christ followers.”

Jeremy Walker discusses the way Christians grow in their faith.

Casey explains how and when God speaks and offers some encouragement to make sure we don’t miss it.

The simplest private prayer uttered from the depths of a broken and contrite heart is far more precious than the most eloquent public prayer uttered from a heart that is proud. God weighs the heart before the gift or the words.

Truth without love is imperious self-righteousness. Love without truth is cowardly self-indulgence.
—Tim Keller