Good morning. Grace and peace to you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include just a few new options.
(Yesterday on the blog: Her Weakness Is Her Strength)
Dying Is But Going Home
Randy Alcorn: “Nanci is and always will be an inspiration to me. I have spent the last two days with family and friends, thanking God for His grace and the promises of Jesus that we will live with Him forever in a world without the Curse, and He will wipe away all the tears and all the reasons for the tears. All God’s children really will live happily ever after. This is not a fairytale; it is the blood-bought promise of Jesus.”
Challenge of Charity
“Perhaps it goes without saying, but not all giving is good. It doesn’t take much travel around the world to find problems with Christian charity.” Elliot Clark reflects on some of the challenges that come when Christians attempt to distribute charity.
How to Pray Like Jabez
“Perhaps you’ve heard of Jabez. If not, maybe it’s time for his story.” David Mathis fills us in on the story of Jabez and, along the way, the infamous book The Prayer of Jabez.
How to Offer Correction
Guy Richard answers a good question: “Why are we as Christians so poor at giving healthy, constructive criticism to others?”
What does it mean that Jesus “descended into Hell”?
In the Apostle’s Creed we confess that Jesus “descended into hell?” Did he actually do so and, if not, what does the creed mean? Guy Waters answers in this short video.
“Well, THAT was magic!”
“I don’t believe for a moment that our wonder at the world we’re in should shrivel and shrink as our knowledge grows. That makes no sense to me at all.” I very much agree!
Flashback: We’re More Honest With Our Phones Than With Our Pastors
Our phones…know about our backsliding or even our heresy long before the pastor does.

A Christian without meditation is like a soldier without weapons, or a workman without tools. —Thomas Watson

New year, new books! As a new year begins, publishers have been hard at work with new 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!

How to Memorize Scripture for Life: From One Verse to Entire Books by Andrew M. Davis. “Andrew M. Davis helps readers commit to extended Scripture memorization so they may grow in holiness, resist temptation, and share the gospel with others. In this brief guide, he offers an accessible, time-tested pattern for studying Scripture that includes simple daily procedures and tips for long-term retention. By building up a storehouse of biblical truth in their hearts, readers will strengthen their prayer life and intimacy with Christ as they prepare to share God’s truth with others.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Just Be Honest: How to Worship Through Tears and Pray Without Pretending by Clint Watkins. “Suffering often causes deep spiritual agony. You might be left thinking, “Where is God? Why is he allowing this? Why doesn’t he do something?” And then guilt whispers to your soul, ‘Am I allowed to say these things? Shouldn’t I trust God without hesitation? Am I just a faithless Christian?’ This honest, warm and personal book shows us that we don’t need to wrap up our stories of suffering with lessons and silver linings or suppress our pain. Being honest with God, and with others, about our heartache is not only “allowed” but encouraged in the Scriptures. In fact, lament is authorized by God as an act of worship. Weaving in his own story of pain and loss with biblical reflections, Clint Watkins shows us how lament is permitted by Jesus, shaped by Scripture, fueled by grace and filled with hope. And when we lament as communities through worship and testimony, we minister hope to a hurting world.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost by Jonathan Gibson. “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by Jonathan Gibson presents a 48-day devotional liturgy to help readers effectively prepare their hearts from Pascha to Pentecost. Following the same format as Be Thou My Vision, each daily reading includes applicable Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, creeds, and prompts for petition and confession to enrich personal meditation and family worship. This devotional will help individuals and families establish a posture of remembrance and gratitude as they reflect on what Christ has done for us through his temptations, life, trial, passion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Following Jesus in an Age of Quitters: The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards for Today by John D. Gillespie. “In 1722, an 18–year–old Jonathan Edwards began setting down seventy resolutions, personal statements of intent, to which, by the grace of God, he held himself accountable for the rest of his life. He read them prayerfully once a week until his death in 1758. John Gillespie here examines each resolution in the light of scripture and encourages modern readers to meditate on how they could apply Edwards’ resolutions to their own lives. Each of the 70 short readings begins with the resolution in question and a passage from the Bible, and ends with a verse or quote to meditate on. The devotionals expound on Edwards’ words and call 21st century Christians to think about how they could apply his resolutions to their lives today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Our Radiant Redeemer: Lent Devotions on the Transfiguration of Jesus by Tim Chester. “This devotional looks at the transfiguration of Jesus in depth, giving readers a glorious lens through which to view Jesus during Lent and Easter. Tim Chester says: “The transfiguration is a light that illuminates the meaning of the cross and resurrection. As we look deeper, we’ll discover that it’s not just Jesus who is transfigured. His promise is that we, too, can be transfigured by the light he brings to our lives.” As we see Jesus in all his glory, we will be reminded of how marvellous he is and how brilliant our future with him will be. We will be moved to worship Jesus with our whole lives, giving thanks for all that he is and all that he has done. Each of the devotions includes prompts to reflect and pray.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The God Who Draws Near: Life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Michael A G Haykin. “The God Who Draws Near seeks to retrieve the key elements of a biblical spirituality and what they mean for our daily lives. Spirituality is very much a positive buzz word today; but in so many of the ways that it is used, it muddies the waters as to the nature of true spirituality. By going back to the sources, as the sixteenth-century Reformers would advise, namely, the Scriptures, this book draws together the main threads of a biblical spirituality and provides foundations for believers to anchor their lives in truth, love, and a growing relationship with the living God–that very God who has drawn near to us in love and grace through Jesus Christ. May these pages help you to draw near to him.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Incomparable: 50 Days with Jesus by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. “Get to know this Jesus by joining beloved author and Bible teacher Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth on a fifty-day journey, inspired by J. Oswald Sanders’ classic volume, The Incomparable Christ, to explore His one-of-a-kind story. From heaven to earth. From birth to death. From resurrection to right this minute. From before time to all time. In these meditations, you’ll spend time reflecting on the person of Christ—His humanity, divinity, childhood, adulthood, and more. You’ll consider the work and words of Christ. And you’ll contemplate His preexistence, prayer life, majestic silence, anguish, atoning work, post-resurrection ministry, and promised second coming. Find in Jesus—fully God and fully Man—everything you will ever need. He alone is able to save you to the end and understands you to the core. Able to forgive and befriend you, challenge and change you. This book can be used at any time of the year but serves as an ideal devotional companion for the season leading up to and immediately following Easter. As you walk through these days, you will be reminded that there is no one else like Jesus. He is quite simply . . . Incomparable.” (Buy it at Amazon)

More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme. “What does the Bible really say about identity and gender, dating and sex? Are its teachings out of date and repressive? Or are they the way to joy and contentment? Long-time youth worker Jennifer Kvamme knows teens are grappling with these questions. In this book she helps readers cut through the cultural confusion and find answers to questions like: Why does God care what I do with my body (if I’m not hurting anyone)? Why does it matter what pronouns I use? Why is sex ‘good’ in marriage but “bad” before it? Isn’t love love? Is the Bible really against gay marriage? Rather than listing dos and don’ts, this book looks at the whole story of God’s love for us to give readers an essential backdrop for the Bible’s teachings on sexuality. It will help you navigate wisely complex issues around dating, sex and gender. You’ll not only learn how to honor Jesus in this area of life, but why he can be trusted to bring the kind of lasting joy and contentment that “sexual freedom” can’t. You’ll discover there’s hope even if your experience of sexuality has been painful, complicated or filled with shame.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Tinker’s Progress: The Life and Times of John Bunyan by Jacob Tanner. “Known primarily for his allegorical work, The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan was also a preacher, a gifted theologian and interpreter of Scripture. Academically, he was not a learned man, but when it came to practical and experiential mastery of the Scriptures and their theology, he was as gifted as anyone. His writings have a beauty and practicality not often found. He teaches that the greater the Christian’s understanding of truth, the stronger their own passion for Jesus will be, and the greater their worship and doxology will become. Jacob Tanner’s enlightening biography traces Bunyan’s life from his humble beginnings to his calling home to the Celestial City. From his debaucherous youth to glimpses of grace and eventual calling to ministry. There are lessons here for any twenty–first century Christian. He can teach men to be mature, fathers to be loving, husbands to be faithful, pastors to be tender, saints to suffer well, Christians to be steadfast. One of his greatest lessons to modern Christians is how to live faithfully for Christ in a world that is antagonistic to God.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Grace and peace to you today, my friends.

There are some very interesting books discounted in today’s Kindle deals.
Remember This About Spiritual Fruit
“Fruit in the Christian life is essential. We read our Bibles, pray, do good works, love others—Christians exhibit fruit. The produce of the Holy Spirit is guaranteed. God does the work in us, through us, with us. And this is where our struggles with assurance of salvation and frustrations in sanctification crop up. We forget two essential lessons about fruit.”
Why We Must Teach Kids Safety Skills
Julie Lowe wants to make sure parents are teaching their kids necessary safety skills.
Stream the Luther Documentary for Free
October 31 marks 505 years since Martin Luther effectively—and unintentionally—sparked the Protestant Reformation with his Ninety-Five Theses. Discover Luther’s story by watching the award-winning documentary Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer. It’s available to steam for free on Ligonier Ministries’ YouTube channel. You can also download the accompanying study guide for free. (Sponsored Link)
Jeffrey Dahmer and Killing Our True Crime Obsession
CT makes the case for not watching certain kinds of shows. “The voyeuristic pleasure that comes with another serial killer story, or another version of a familiar killer’s story, is evidence of a gross fixation. If anything, the industry that produces such depictions of violence and profits from it enables the expression of what is already true: We’re fascinated with evil.”
Why Christians Should Oppose Marijuana Legalization
Meanwhile, Joe Carter makes the case against the legalization of marijuana.
Iran’s Church Seeks God amid Protests
Nima Alizadeh: “On September 16, 2022, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman visited the Iranian capital, Tehran, where she was arrested by ‘morality police’ for not having a proper hijab. They claimed she violated a law requiring women to cover their hair completely. She was beaten and later died while in custody.”
Has the Internet Corrupted Our Moral Outrage?
“I recently had an experience that is common to all. After rushing to meet a self-imposed deadline, I hit publish on one of my articles, and I awoke the following day to an unpublished comment by someone who was literally shocked at the ambiguity of the article, its lack of biblical truth, and my dangerous practice. They then let me know that it may be time to unsubscribe.”
Flashback: Prayer for the Unconverted
Buried deep in an old, mostly-forgotten anthology of poetry, I found this little gem from Newman Hall—a poem that expresses in rhyme and meter the longing of many a Christian heart. May it give you words to pray for “those who do not pray, who waste away salvation’s day.”

Since Satan can’t destroy the gospel, he has too often neutralized its usefulness by addition, subtraction, or substitution. —J.C. Ryle