I’m so grateful to BJU for sponsoring the blog this week to tell you how to Hate More and Kill Better. Sponsors play a key role in allowing this site to carry on.

(Yesterday on the blog: Facing the Last Enemy)
Putting down roots: a call to young people
Here’s a timely call to young people to consider really trying to put down roots in a local church.
Every Nightmare Starts As A Dream
“Over the last couple of decades of ministry, I’ve listened to people utter words like these as they suffer from the fresh and painful wounds of self-inflicted sin. Building a fulfilling life takes a million tiny decisions, but only one bad choice can wreck it.” Erik reflects on the way every nightmare begins as a dream.
‘O Lord, Let Our Community Flourish’
“I once heard Martyn Lloyd-Jones say that ‘the greatest enemy of the Christian faith has always been the Christian church.’ I was a little taken aback, but a few moments thought was enough to feel that he had a point.”
For the Mom Dropping Her Student Off at College
This is a couple of weeks too late for us, but still timely.
Overcoming Disagreement For God’s Glory
“Even our very best plans often meet with significant snags. Many variables can conspire to derail our plans, but one in particular often proves a great help or hindrance in our efforts: people. Planning would be so easy if it weren’t for other people with other opinions!”
Concealed and Then Revealed
“A Christian reading of Scripture affirms that the biblical authors do not tell us everything everywhere all at once. Things build, and that takes time. The doctrine of Scripture includes the teaching of progressive revelation.” That’s a key concept to understand.
Flashback: The Best Day You’ve Ever Had
The pleasures of this present world are pleasurable indeed. But the greatest of them must pale in comparison to the least pleasures of the world to come.

God’s Word is a light to guide us, and we must follow. It is water to wash us, and we must bathe. It is a mirror to show us our blemishes, and we must be honest…We don’t just look at the Word to learn the Word; we must live by the Word. —Warren Wiersbe

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you today, my friends.
Why, yes, there are some new Kindle deals today.
(Yesterday on the blog: It’s Okay To Just Pray)

“Seeing our children suffer through trials can be extremely difficult. Even parents who are well-equipped to cope with their own problems often find themselves feeling helpless when their child is the one hurting. How can we shepherd our children through adversity in a healthy, God-honoring way? When troubles find our children, here are three ways we can support them.”

“In an age where the tap of a finger brings a cascade of momentary images and sounds, TikTok epitomizes the ephemeral nature of our digital interactions. For billions of people across the globe, this social media platform provides a torrent of never-ending content, where each video is but a momentary ripple soon lost in the stream of ceaseless novelty.” Joe Carter explains the importance of redeeming time in an age like this one.

Doug writes for those who may have been deceived into thinking that all is well with their souls.

Yes, it’s true. If you are in Christ, God is for you, no matter where, who, or what.

There are many reasons Christians should oppose abortion, but in this article Robb Brunansky focuses on three of the most important.

Andrea recounts and celebrates the fact that Jesus led a very ordinary, everyday life.

Ultimately, if there is to be comfort, it will not be grounded in the hope that nothing bad will happen to me or to the people I love, but in the perfect God whose perfect character is displayed in his perfect will.

…what we do with Jesus’ words is a great sign-post of our true identity and our eternal destiny.
—Alistair Begg

This week’s deal from Westminster Books is on a book I’d urge all Baptists (and maybe even non-Baptists) to read.

(Yesterday on the blog: What I Want From A Church)
When I Die Young (Or Old)
Vanessa Le considers dying young…or old.
Members who build the body
“Healthy local churches make a powerful and attractive testimony to a watching world. This means that every member has to be devoted to building others up.” Chopo lists some of the people who, as members of the church, build up the body.
The Economics of Abortion in One Lesson
Some people make an economic argument for abortion. Kevin DeYoung responds to it here, saying that “even if abortion made great economic sense, abortion would still be wrong. But let’s think about the economic argument on its own merits.”
10 Absurdities of Atheism
Michael Patton offers 10 absurdities of atheism (plus a bonus 11th).
On Feeling (and Being) Heard
Chris looks at the well-known words of Matthew 18 and considers one of the ways people get around it.
The Self-Righteous Narrative of Abuse
“People who hurt, misuse, and condemn others almost always couch their cruelty in self-righteous language. They twist the truth to make themselves look good, and they do it at the expense of others. Like Adam, they blame their partners for their bad behavior, and like the Pharisees, they create pious narratives and attack anyone who disagrees with them.”
Flashback: Be a Parent Worthy of Honor
Children do not bear the full responsibility of the fifth commandment. If children are to extend honor to their parents, parents are to make it easy for them by living honorable lives.

Sound doctrine and holy living are the marks of true pastors. —J.C. Ryle