A La Carte (April 30)
Good morning. Grace and peace to you.
Today’s Kindle deals include a couple of new titles and a reminder that this is the last day for all the titles that were discounted through April (which I bumped back to the top of the list).
(Yesterday on the blog: The Great Man and the Local Church)
This is a wonderful reflection on the gratuitous (or surplus) beauty in the world. “A feather, all by itself, should be enough to convince you of intelligent design. But arrange four thousand of them together around the small frame of a songbird, and any sane heart must surrender to this discovery: the design isn’t just intelligent. It’s beautiful.”
This is a question that is usually asked with a lot of pain: Are parents to blame for prodigals? John Piper answers it compassionately and biblically.
Majoring in Motherhood, a new book for moms of little ones, is just in time for Mother’s Day. Emily Schuch, a Christian mom of six, has given us a delightful, guilt-free, fun read that also runs deep. Charming, witty, and deeply encouraging, the eight brief chapters of Majoring in Motherhood offer honest, humorous observations on the everyday lives of moms, then seamlessly transition into sharing solid theological truth. Complete with Reflection Questions following each chapter, Emily’s book will strengthen a mother’s faith and refresh her soul in Christ. (Sponsored)
Nitoy Gonzales has put together another of his “freebie round-ups.”
“The present ‘crisis of masculinity’ has its origins in ongoing confusion about what a man is. It also involves the contemporary angst of men, especially young men,with a sense of lack of purpose or vision they have for their lives. What does it mean for a young man to ‘make something’ of himself? Is there a reliable and general script men can follow that will guide them towards maturation and meaning?”
Daniel thinks about some of the great spiritual leaders he has known and considers some of the traits they have in common.
“I know God provides, hears my prayers, is powerful to act, gives wisdom and strength, and loves me. I know he gives me the ‘bread’ I need. I trust his baking skills. His loaves are good. But I don’t like daily bread because I’m impatient. I want all my long-term needs supplied now. I want a year’s supply. Or at the very least, a week’s worth.”
Why do I feel that little bit of rebellion or shame when I hear the word “submit?” I think it’s proof that we as Christians are constantly battling worldliness.
The opposite of joy is not sadness. It’s hopelessness.
—Tim Keller
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A La Carte (November 29)
Good morning. Grace and peace to you today.
Logos users will want to check out this long list of deals for today.
(Yesterday on the blog: The Sad, Sad Story You Need To Tell God)
Giving Thanks for Prosperity and Adversity
“There’s been a lot of suffering and fear in the world the past two years, but it hasn’t shaken the faith of most Christians in the United States.” Or so a new study finds.
Take This First Simple Step before You Respond
This is a good reminder about profitable discussions. “If someone said to me, ‘Evolution is a well-proven fact,’ I wouldn’t necessarily disagree. Their statement could be true. It could also be false. Why? Because I don’t yet know what they mean by ‘evolution.’”
Tear your hearts
Susan Lafferty: “Judgment approaches. The Day of the Lord is coming. And God extends the invitation to return to Him. Even now. In this season. Advent. As we wait and watch. Anticipating the coming of the Savior.”
Why We Desperately Need the Message of Revelation
Tom Schreiner has just written an excellent introduction to the book of Revelation titled The Joy of Hearing. In this article he explains why the message of Revelation is so very important.
Your Soul Needs Food Even When It Doesn’t Want It
This is a reminder that we need to be wary of those times when our appetite has waned (whether that’s a physical or spiritual appetite).
The Not-So-Insignificant Danger of Ingratitude
John Beeson: “There is a deadly gas that contaminates the air we breathe. The toxic gas appears unthreatening because everyone appears to breathe it in and breathe it out as harmlessly as oxygen.The poison is ingratitude. And it is everywhere.”
Flashback: The Nick Challies Memorial Scholarship
In the aftermath of my son Nick’s sudden death, a number of friends asked if there was a way they could honor his memory with a gift. That led to the founding of the Nick Challies Memorial Scholarship.Modern pop music is not composed for us. The latest TV lineup is not scripted for us. We’re not your average teenagers anymore. What are we? We are free. Following Jesus means we don’t have to live the way our culture tells us to. —Jaquelle Crowe
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An Invitation to Reformation Fellowship
This week, the blog is written by Michael Reeves, and sponsored by Reformation Fellowship. Dr. Reeves is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in Oxford and Bridgend, United Kingdom.
I’m thrilled to invite you to be part of something new happening this November. My friends Dane Ortlund, Philip Ryken, Jeff Norris, Gwenfair Adams, and Bradley Green are joining with me to begin Reformation Fellowship. Over two days, November 11–12, 2022, we will gather at Perimeter Church, Atlanta, for teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
There are many great conferences and events every year. Why come to this one?
As I travel around the world, I so often meet Christians who are weary and lonely. Others are theologically homeless or rootless. I frequently hear from pastors and leaders that they feel unsupported and isolated in ministry. Believers desperately need other believers: in their churches, in their local areas, and even sharing in partnership across oceans. Conferences of various kinds can be a great encouragement, but they usually come round but once a year and leave us all wanting more. This Fall, we want to do something different: we want to establish an ongoing fellowship. A supportive network of friendships and partnerships that stretch far beyond a one-off event and play a part in sustaining us all day to day for years to come.People of the Gospel
The heart of true Christian unity has always been the gospel, far more than any group identities, denominational alignments, or cultural agendas. So, when we gather in Atlanta, our theme will be The Gospel: Our Hope, Our Banner. It is under the banner of the gospel that Christians find true unity and deep fellowship. Drawn by the Father’s revelation of himself, redeemed by the Son, and having hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit, we are able to stand firm amid all that comes against us, and stand together shoulder to shoulder – even amid our differences.
For two days, we will gather and enjoy plenary teaching sessions and breakout tracks. We won’t simply talk about the gospel or merely download content about the gospel; we will revel in it together. We want to minister to the hurting, to lift drooping hands, to strengthen weak knees. We want to initiate true fellowship that will extend into the days ahead. We will prioritise praying together in breakout tracks (serving pastors, women, theologians, and others) and we will be forming groups for ongoing mutual support and fellowship beyond the conference. We will be fuelling your Christian life and ministry with our magazine, podcast, online gatherings, and more into the future. Our aim is that everyone who attends will leave with new friendships, as a band of brothers and sisters shaped and formed by the gospel.
In Reformation Fellowship we will support each other as people of the gospel together. I would love to welcome you to be a part of it.
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A La Carte (September 22)
May the Lord be with you and bless you today.
I dug up just a few new Kindle deals today.
Meanwhile, WTS has another good deal, this one offering 50% off on ESV Scripture Journals.
You Probably Have a Good Pastor
This is a very important one from Todd Pruitt. “I have no desire to diminish the sad experiences of those who have found themselves in the unfortunate and at times tragic circumstance of having an abusive pastor. But the attention given to those who abuse God’s people suggests, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that abusive pastors are the norm. And I think we all know why.”
On Using Your 20s Well
“It seems like my friend had bought into a common myth: the idea that once you’ve finished college, you should be a fully-formed adult who understands yourself fully, knows exactly what you’re going to do for the rest of your life, and walks confidently into that future with full assurance.”
Give Little Kids a Firm Foundation in God’s Word
“This has everything I am looking for in a kids’ Bible: vivid and colorful artwork, well-told stories, ethnically diverse illustrations, faithfulness to Scripture, and a clear sense of how God’s promises hold history together. A go-to Bible for the next generation of children.” Andrew Wilson (Sponsored Link)
15 Reasons Why Legalism is Destructive
David gives us 15 reasons why legalism is so very destructive.
How Jesus Wanted Us to Read His Gospel
How does Jesus want us to read his gospel? That’s the focus of this article.
The Blessings That Come With Forgiveness
“‘Birds fly. Fish swim. Christians forgive.’ My husband made this statement in a sermon on forgiveness a few weeks ago and it resonated with me. With all the authority and confidence that could only be rooted in Scripture, he proceeded to explain how forgiveness is as necessary to the Christian as breathing.”
Stay in the Race
Erik focuses on pastors to remind us that pastoral ministry is a marathon rather than a sprint.
Flashback: God Has Found You Faithful
God is the one who has called you to walk this path, and he is the one who has called you to walk it faithfully.The glorious fact of the resurrection is the very heart of our faith. —Elisabeth Elliot
