The Lord be with you and the Lord bless you today.

I wanted to remind you of my site SquareQuotes where you can freely download hundreds of the quote graphics I share every day.
Borrowing from the KJV Bank and Trust
This is a good article from a new site titled Text & Canon (which is associated with Phoenix Seminary). “The KJV translators were not KJV-Only. It is actually those who wish to see the venerable King James revised who are most honoring the KJV tradition.”
Battle Commence
“The prayer meeting is the battle ground on which the church fights together for the advancement of the kingdom. Of all the reforms that a pastor can agitate for in the life of his congregation, the one that will be the lifeblood of further reformation is the gathering of the saints in a concert of prayer.”
Missional Wear: Early Black Friday Deals!
Worldwide shipping delays and supply chain challenges make it more important than ever to get your Christmas shopping done early. Check out some of the best deals of the year while they last! (Sponsored Link)
It’s Not Your body
“We’re (rightly) eager to teach our children the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch. We don’t want them to be abused or to abuse others. But how do we arm them intellectually to resist such abuse? Western culture tells them to oppose abuse ‘because it’s your body’.” But perhaps there is a better thing to say…
Intergenerational Church
I appreciated this little acknowledgement of the sheer goodness of an intergenerational church.
How Ocean Shipping Works (And Why It’s Broken)
This helpful video explains how ocean shipping works and how it has gotten so badly broken in recent months.
Raising Little Flowers
I thorough enjoyed this story in WORLD by Emily Belz. “Crystal Hardy-Flowers always wanted her early childcare center in the low-income, high-crime neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester in Baltimore, Md., to be a safe place for the 200 children who showed up every day.”
Flashback: Give Me a Man with an Open Bible!
…as Christians, we must insist that authority is not derived first from experience, but from Scripture. Greater than our need for people who have experienced it in their lives, is our need for people who will teach it from the Word.

Unbelief is the cause of all our troubles and failures. This is the strategic point where Satan concentrates his forces against us, and therefore it is here above all that we need divine help. —A.W. Pink

Before the month comes to an end and before my American friends disappear for their Thanksgiving holiday, I want to make sure you’re all aware of some new and notable books that came our way in November. We were treated to some excellent new titles this month so be sure to give them a look!

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (2nd Edition) by Douglas Moo. “A knowledgeable and evangelical guide to Paul’s letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. With brilliant exegesis and sound practical insight, noted commentator Douglas J. Moo explicates the Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, with an eye toward their application for readers today. Moo bases his commentary on the Greek text of the letters, while accessibly explaining the English text to his contemporary audience. Freshly revised and updated, this second edition remains methodologically sound, authentically evangelical, and pastoral in approach. This invaluable volume of the Pillar New Testament Commentary series offers biblical insights to a wide range of readers, from teachers and students, to pastors and parishioners, to scholars and laypersons.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Hebrews (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Douglas Moo. “Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament features today’s top New Testament scholars and brings together commentary features rarely gathered together in one volume. With careful analysis and interpretation of the Greek text, the authors trace the flow of argument in each New Testament book, giving readers the tools they need to properly understand and communicate the meaning of the text. Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help readers grasp the flow and meaning of the text. The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series is the go-to resource for pastors and Bible teachers looking for deep but accessible study that equips them to connect the needs of Christians today with the biblical text.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Motyer by the Day: A Psalms and Isaiah Devotional Collection by Alec Motyer. “Alec Motyer was a man whose love for God and His Word inspired others to enjoy studying the Bible, and especially the Old Testament. Isaiah by the Day and Psalms by the Day exemplify this passion. Motyer’s scholarly brilliance and devotional warmth have cemented these books as firm favorites in the hearts of many readers. This beautiful cloth-bound box set contains both volumes from this esteemed Bible teacher. Moyter is a master at attending to the details and finding their precise place in the grand sweep of scripture’s redemptive narrative. Rich and full, yet concisely put. Each of the 144 daily readings consists of a Scripture passage, a wealth of accompanying notes, and a devotional reflection. The text is set in its context, with clear references to other relevant passages. Motyer’s long experience as a linguist enabled him to translate Isaiah and the Psalms from Hebrew into English, bringing us as close to the original text as possible, and helping us perceive familiar passages anew. His rich analysis alongside these translations, aids the reader to delve deeper into the treasures on offer. For a richer understanding of the Psalms and Isaiah, Motyer’s guide is an indispensable resource.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Final Word: A Biblical Response to the Case for Tongues and Prophecy Today (2nd edition) by O. Palmer Robertson. “A call for freshness, spontaneity and life in worship has been resounding through the churches of the English-speaking world, together with a desire to hear God speaking here and now to his people. Many have called for a return to the pattern of worship found in 1 Corinthians 14, merging the biblical emphasis of the Reformation with the vitality of the modern Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. Dr O. Palmer Robertson was previously Director and Vice-Chancellor of African Bible College in Kampala, Uganda. Before going to Africa he pastored churches and taught in seminaries in the USA. Now residing once again in the USA, he continues to write and speak. Dr Robertson is the author of numerous book and commentaries.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Go Forward in Love: A Year of Daily Readings from Timothy Keller by Timothy Keller. “From the works of pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller comes this yearlong compilation with daily readings from his best-loved books. The perfect 365-daily reader for both new and longtime admirers of Timothy Keller’s writing, Go Forward in Love features deep insights, profound truths, and biblical wisdom on topics such as prayer, forgiveness, loving our neighbors, the importance of work, and the hope of the resurrection. Each day’s reading is short, but will lead you into deep reflection, give you a fresh sense of awe and wonder before God, and help you go forward in love as willing servants of God and everyone around you.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Douglas Sean O’Donnell. “The Bible is a BIG book about the BIGGEST story. Each page tells about the God who created the world, acted in history, and continues to act in the present. These kid-friendly devotions, based on Bible stories as retold by Kevin DeYoung, give parents and children hundreds of easy, memorable opportunities to experience God’s story together. The Biggest Story Family Devotional features 104 Bible stories. Each story includes a brief Big Picture introduction and a Gospel Connection summary to help children understand and apply Scripture. A QR code on each story page links to an animated video retelling that parents and children can watch together. The 104 stories each include 5 individual Bible readings (520 in all) that families can complete whenever they choose―during dinner, before bed, one per day, or several at a time. Each reading has family discussion questions, a prayer, and space for notes.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Our God Reigns: An Amillennial Commentary on Revelation by Sam Storms. “Revelation was written in such a way that it should be not only intelligible to any Christian who reads or hears its words, but also a blessing to the person who obeys and believes what it says. Simply put, contrary to popular opinion, and notwithstanding the often bizarre and mysterious images it conveys, God intends for Revelation to be understandable, edifying, and enjoyable! Scholarly but conversational in style, Storms has written for those who do not have a working knowledge of Greek but does not shy away from the numerous important technical and exegetical details that appear all through Revelation. He provides insight into both the nuances of the Greek text and the deep doctrinal issues in Revelation in such a way that the average Christian adult can grasp. Revelation is profoundly relevant to the issues we face in our society today and Storms keeps the welfare of the church in view, as he includes numerous applications for daily living and growth in your personal relationship with God. An excellent read for those looking to better grasp the blessings to be found in understanding this book.” (Buy it at Amazon)

The Sacred Flame: A Biography of Hannah More by Kevin Belmonte. “There has never been anyone quite like Hannah More. Her books were kept in the homes of presidents, and peers of the realm. They were a best-selling phenomenon, and she ‘the most successful British author of the romantic period,’—more successful, financially, than Sir Walter Scott, and more than Jane Austen. A gifted poet and playwright Hannah More was, by her early 30s, the toast of literary London. Samuel Johnson collaborated with her in writing verse, and David Garrick, one of the greatest Shakespearian actors in theatre history, was her mentor and devoted patron. Hannah, as a member of the Bluestocking circle of the late 1700s, was a pioneering artist and celebrity. Throughout the English-speaking world, she became a household name. In later years, after her passing in 1833, her legacy lived on.” (Buy it at Amazon)

By Life or by Death: The Life and Legacy of John and Betty Stam by Andrew Montonera. “As a young boy Andrew Montonera stumbled upon a cabinet of books in his grandparents’ house. He was captivated by what he discovered—the library of his distant relatives, John and Betty. By Life or by Death shares the story of these two remarkable people—inspirations of contagious joy and kingdom-focused lives. John Cornelius Stam and Elisabeth Alden ‘Betty’ Scott met at Moody Bible Institute in fall 1929. A few years later, their paths crossed again—this time in China. The two were united in marriage and in their love for the Chinese people. Using family scrapbooks and unpublished sources, Montonera takes a fresh look at a famous story—how two missionaries and their baby were kidnapped by Chinese soldiers and ransomed. Montonera recounts the courage and martyrdom of the Stams, as well as the succeeding miraculous tale that captured the world’s attention. The Stams’ lives were cut short, but their faithfulness continues to impact Christianity in China today. By Life or by Death looks at the legacy of the Stams, including new testimonies of those shaped by their commitment to the gospel.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til by Keith Mathison. “For almost a century, Reformed theologians, especially in North America, have debated this topic. The debate has often been acrimonious, with serious charges and counter-charges coming from both sides. This book seeks to take the debate in a more constructive direction by clearing away as much misunderstanding as possible in order that we might add to discussions of apologetic methods the actual practice of apologetics. In Part One, Cornelius Van Til’s own system of thought is set forth in a clear way in order that readers may know exactly what it entailed. His doctrine of God, creation, the fall, common grace, redemption, and the antithesis are explained in order that readers might understand the apologetic implications of these doctrines. Part Two is devoted to explaining why many Reformed Christians have not embraced Van Til’s apologetics in spite of its popularity and influence. These chapters outline biblical, philosophical, theological, historical, and practical concerns with Van Til’s system of thought. This book argues that Van Til’s apologetic system of thought is consistent with neither Scripture nor Reformed theology.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Proverbs: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible by Christopher Ansberry. “Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament features today’s top Old Testament scholars and brings together commentary features rarely gathered together in one volume. With careful discourse analysis and interpretation of the Hebrew text, the authors trace the flow of argument in each Old Testament book, showing that how a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say. Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help readers grasp the flow and meaning of the text. The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series is the go-to resource for pastors and Bible teachers looking for deep but accessible study that equips them to connect the needs of Christians today with the biblical text.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Blessings to you today!

There is yet another batch of Kindle deals for you this morning.
(Yesterday on the blog: Shaken to Bear Fruit)
Who Was David Brainerd?
Dustin Benge has written a nice little introduction to David Brainerd. “On a spring day in 1747, mounted on his horse, a frail twenty-nine year old David Brainerd (1718–1747) rode into the yard of the Northampton parsonage of New England pastor Jonathan Edwards. Before this day, Brainerd and Edwards were relative strangers to one another. However, the summer of 1747 nurtured a growing friendship between the two men culminating in one of the most influential missionary biographies in the history of American evangelicalism.”
Love Without Limits
This is sweet. “I learned that the heart is infinitely expandable—limitless, even—with no bottom or edges or measuring devices attached. I learned that I could add and add and add people to my circle of family or friends and I would never run out of love to give. I learned that I could love many people equally, and loving one person intensely due to some temporary circumstance never had to mean that another would suffer from any lack of love from me. I learned that even when I thought I couldn’t love any harder, or more expansively, or deeper … I could.”
We Love to Give Gold Stars
Ryan Higginbottom: “When we obsess about the ethics of every action of a character in a Bible passage, we are likely to miss the main point. We should investigate why the author wrote this passage in this way; if they were not concerned with parsing the moral grade of a character’s actions, we should not be either.”
What South Asian Christians Do During Diwali
“It’s Diwali,” Aileen told me early yesterday morning when fireworks woke us up just after midnight. This article from CT tells what Christians in South Asia do during the holiday. And the article makes me think of what I’ve taken for granted: that the holidays in Canada are all just fine for Christians to celebrate. Not so everywhere in the world!
How Tall Was Goliath? A Textual Dilemma
How tall was Goliath? The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as we may think.
Greek Grammar and Trinitarian Worship
This is a good article from Adriel Sanchez.
Flashback: Why I Owe Everything To Don Lewis
If we trace the Christian faith of all these people—perhaps 40 or 50 of us now—they all eventually converge on Don Lewis. They all converge on a young man who simply and faithfully shared the gospel.

Persecution has never hurt the church…only prosperity. —Paul Washer