This week’s giveaway, sponsored by Spurgeon College, is a free copy of No Neutral Words by Sam Bierig, Dean of Spurgeon College.

The first 25 to complete the form below will receive a free copy of the book. Upon completion of the giveaway, the entrants will receive an email to confirm the location and mailing address.

No Neutral Words
The Pastor’s Investment and Stewardship of His Most Precious and Powerful Tool
By: Sam Bierig
What if I told you there’s a budget in your life and ministry other than your finances and time—one that you’re just as accountable for but are likely overlooking?
As a pastor and ministry leader, you no doubt conceptualize your ministry in terms of financial stewardship. You no doubt feel the weight of stewarding and maintaining your church’s financial budget. Further, we could even extend the pastor’s budget concept to also include a “time budget.” I trust you’re comfortable thinking in these terms. We’re all too aware of how easy time can be flitted away. We have no quarrel on the stewardship of either of these points. But what if we sought to steward our talk and our words just as closely as we do our money and time?
The aim of No Neutral Word is to convince you to consider your “word budget” and show you that every single word you speak is an eternal investment in your hearers for either life or death. The life-or-death investments spoken by you into others, pastor, is your move.

Enter Giveaway Here:
Giveaway rules: You may enter the giveaway one time. The recipients will be notified by email. The giveaway closes on Sunday, March 4th at midnight.

Good morning, my friends. Grace and peace to you today.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Last (Melodramatic) Hymn)
Into the Metaverse
Samuel James: “Facebook recently announced it is changing its name to Meta—short for ‘metaverse.’ As it rebrands, it continues its movement toward posthuman ambition that has been evident for many years. For nearly a decade, Facebook has been shifting the company away from an ethos of connecting real people and toward a kind of permanent digital habitation, the contraction of life so as to fit inside algorithms.”
Is Violent Crime Under God’s Providence?
John Piper answers an urgent and important question here.
When Angels Aren’t Enough to Make You Believe
“Zacharias couldn’t believe his ears when the lot was cast and it landed on him. As a priest, he had performed thousands of animal sacrifices, but he had never had the honor of offering incense in the Holy Place. Over 20,000 priests served at the temple, and most would never set foot inside. To have your name drawn was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Zacharias took a deep breath as he stepped inside the hallowed chamber.”
The Simple Life
This is an important distinction. “Simplicity is one thing, scarcity another. One is a lifestyle you choose, and the other a lifestyle forced on you.”
The Life we Cannot Live
This is a helpful explanation of the active obedience of Christ–a key theological term.
9 Things To Know About T. B. Joshua
“In June 2021, prominent Nigerian born religious leader T.B. Joshua died, leaving a large contingent of mourning followers in Africa and around the world. With an acclaimed status as a “great man of God”, the wealthy megachurch pastor earned popularity as well as notoriety.” Here is a “snapshot of the man behind the miracles.”
Flashback: God Is Not More, Cannot Promise More, or Do More…
Why do Christians make such a big deal of Jesus? Here’s why…

The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. —John Stott

As we begin a new month, it is as good a time as any to remember that right now, at this very moment, God is on his throne.

On sale this week at Westminster Books is the amazing Puritan Paperback series.
(Yesterday on the blog: 10 New and Notable Christian Books for September 2021)
On Being a Normal Horse
Daniel uses C.S. Lewis to help him reflect on normalcy. “I wonder if my issues with self-pity stem from that same thinking too much of myself. When I fail to live up to my standards for myself, I come crashing down much like Bree. But, what if, I am just a normal person? A common sinner whom God has saved by His great grace? Someone not destined to reach that greatness on the horizon, but a normal life of faith and service to God instead?”
A Biblical Case for Deaconesses
Reformation21 is sharing a pair of “iron sharpening iron” articles about female deacons. The first is from Keith Kauffman and makes the case for deaconesses. “This is not an open and shut case, and there is room here for good disagreement done with charity in the Lord. I want to examine three primary paths of argument: first, by nature of the role itself; second, by exegetical argument from 1 Timothy 3; and third, by proof of biblical example.”
One-to-One Bible study
“What’s your ideal size for a Bible study? Your answers will likely widely vary; some prefer a small group of 5 or 6 people, some a group of 10-20. Recently I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how uniquely productive it’s been to go through a Bible study in a very small group—just one other person.”
I Can’t Get Over the Privilege
Darryl explains that “over thirty years in, I can’t get over the privilege of being a pastor.”
Encouragement for Troubled Teenagers
Conrad Mbewe shares some encouragement for troubled teenagers.
Lessons Learned at a Dowry/Engagement Party
I enjoyed Tamie’s look at a recent dowry party she attended. “Dowries in Tanzania have various meanings. They are always paid by the groom to the bride’s family but people are quick to clarify to us that it is not a bride price – it is a thank you to the bride’s family for raising her and investing in her, and a symbolic compensation as they are ‘losing’ her because she will be joining the groom’s family.”
How to Help Children Build a Healthy Body Image
Here are some tips for parents on an issue that seems especially prevalent in an Instagram world. “In a society overflowing with negative messages about physical appearance and personal worth, children’s body image is an urgent issue. Children need to know God made their bodies and made them special.”
Flashback: Two Habits of Successful Parents
“Many parents are reluctant and even resistant to asking advice about their parenting. While others can see blind spots, the parents themselves remain… blind to them.”

‘Delight yourself in the Lord’ . . . is a radical call to pursue your fullest satisfaction in all that God promises to be for you in Jesus. —John Piper