There’s a good collection of deals at CBD this weekend. They include the ESV Story of Redemption Bible in 3 variations (1,2,3); ESV Prayer Bible; ESV Scripture Journal complete set; ESV Journaling Bible. There are a lot of last year’s best books as well: Blessed by Nancy Guthrie; The Thrill of Orthodoxy by Trevin Wax; The R.C. Sproul Signature Classics box set; Men We Need by Brant Hansen; Heaven Rules by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth; etc. Also my own Seasons of Sorrow.

(Yesterday on the blog: Always Longing)
9 Things You Should Know About Events and Discoveries in 2022
Joe Carter rounds up some of the fascinating events and discoveries from 2022 that you may have missed.
The Basics — The Holy Trinity
Kim Riddlebarger shares some of the basic theology of the Trinity—perhaps a good opportunity for you to brush up on what the Bible tells us.
In Christian Publishing, ‘Platform’ Is Being Weighed and Found Wanting
Christianity Today has quite an interesting article about the ways in which publishers expect their authors to have a platform before having a book published.
Bear One Another’s Burdens All the Way to Christ
“We are to bear one another’s burdens, but we are not to try to hold those burdens indefinitely. We need to find a place that the burdens can land longterm. And God provides that place for us…”
Send Cards to Fight Back against the Winter Blues
Here’s an idea that could be a blessing to you and to others (especially if it’s cold and gloomy winter where you are): send cards to fight back against the winter blues.
Make Christianity Hard Again
That’s the idea of this article: counter a drab and uninspiring form of Christianity with one that is demanding.
Flashback: Have You Read a Book Yet This Year?
A new year presents an ideal opportunity to address some bad habits, to interrupt some apathy, to start something fresh. And with all that in mind, I wonder: Have you read a book yet this year?

The book itself is the best witness of its own inspiration…It is the greatest standing miracle in the world. —J.C. Ryle

May God bless you today as you prepare to gather to worship him on the Lord’s Day.

Today’s Kindle deals include a number of good options, including Andrew Wilson’s award-winner.
(Yesterday on the blog: As You Pray about Roe v Wade)
Salvation, Past, Present, and Future
So much depends upon properly understanding this: “From one point of view, of course, the Old Testament serves as the model of what Christ would come to accomplish. But Hebrews teaches us never to lose sight of the fact that the priesthood, sacrifices, liturgy and life of the Old Testament church are simply a rough copy. Christ is the original; He is the antitype, the pictures of the Old Testament form the type.”
Four Temptations Young Preachers May Face
Chopo Mwanza suggests four temptations that may be especially troublesome for young preachers.
4 Reasons We Should Study the Book of Revelation
Nancy Guthrie offers four good reasons to study the book of Revelation.
My Slave, My Choice
Many people treat the pro-choice cause as if it is on the side of science, but as this article shows, there are other terrible things that have once been said to be on the side of science.
A Molech Primer
“Ever since the Roe vs. Wade case main-streamed abortion in the United States, the ability to take the life of one’s baby has achieved a religious status. Judging by responses to news that Roe vs. Wade may be overturned, people have certainly responded as if their idols were under attack. I think it is helpful for Christians to understand that abortion does indeed function as a sort of sacrament in our society. But we are not alone.”
In Christ, We Have Direct Access to God
Let’s never lose the wonder of having direct access to God!
Flashback: Advance! Advance in Submission
Young Christian, you are also commanded to heed the fifth commandment. How can you expect to obey God through great accomplishments later in life if you will not obey God in this simple command now?

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts. —Charles Spurgeon

I’m very thankful to ACBC for sponsoring the blog this week which news of their upcoming in-person or online conference featuring Kevin DeYoung, Michael Kruger, and others.

Today’s Kindle deals include some classics for now…
(Yesterday on the blog: New and Notable Christian Books for August 2021)
The Path to Apostasy
Erik Raymond considers the often-treaded path to apostasy. “First let me give you a bottom-line proposition: The path to apostasy is paved by bricks of apathy towards Christ. If you want to persevere, then give attention to your affections. Now, how does this happen? This walk down the road to apostasy is intended to illuminate a dark and often camouflaged way.”
OnlyFans and the Sexual Revolution
Samuel James looks at the recent furor around a site that specializes in porn and draws some interesting conclusions. “If you look carefully, you can see how sobriquets such as ‘sex worker’ give away the game. The contemporary liberated social order is an order of workers: naked bodies laboring round the clock, sacrificing dignity and reputation for the opportunity to nibble the crumbs that fall from Big Tech’s table. Our civilization’s efforts to commodify sexuality cannot deliver what they promise.”
The Situation in Afghanistan, and Ways to Pray and Help
Randy Alcorn provides an update from a source inside Afghanistan. “What can we do to help the believers? Literally the only thing they currently ask for is prayer. That’s not strange or overtly spiritual. If they had a thin layer of protection and justice, it’s now gone. Jesus is literally all they have left. The Christians are seeking ways to stay safe and to survive. We stand with them in their time of greatest need.”
Why It’s So Hard to Escape from North Korea (Video)
Some have wondered by more North Korean Christians don’t escape to a place where they can have greater freedom. This video aptly explains why it’s not just that easy.
Be My (Hypothetical) Guest
“In a highly-verbal honor/shame culture, public displays of hospitality and generosity (or at least displays of intent) are very important. But the whole system gets jammed up when those on the receiving end don’t know that in order to be honorable themselves, they need to politely and profusely refuse these repeated offers.”
Sometimes I Need a Sunrise
Glenna Marshall: “The trouble with discouragement is that you can set up camp there in complete obscurity and isolation. If you don’t call out for help, you might just stay for a while. We tend to feel that when we’re struggling with faith or doubt or pain or loss that we should hide those weaknesses from others. Circle the wagons, you know? When we’re in a better place mentally or spiritually or physically, we’ll show up to our life.”
Flashback: Is It Time To Go Back to The Heart of Worship?
…the heart of worship is not a great band, a perfect key change, or a soaring chorus, but human voices lifted together to God.

Every time we lead the church in worship we’re doing more than singing songs. We’re leading believers in a battle for the truth. —Bob Kauflin