Parents will be glad to know that Westminster Books has launched a new site, Westminster Kids, that’s all about kids’ books.

Today’s Kindle deals include a collection of books for women from Crossway.
(Yesterday on the blog: I Pray That This Sinner May Be Saved)
When “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” Is All the Logic Left
This is a thought-provoking article. “We don’t want complex syllogisms, but compelling stories. The degree to which gripping narratives embody logical syllogism is the degree to which we are willing to think logically. Our field of reasoning goes only so far as the stories take us, and no further.”
Prioritizing Evangelism
Mez McConnell: “Many Christians behave like the Jews. They keep Jesus to themselves. They want to keep the gospel within their tribe, so they hide it, willingly or unwillingly, from sections of society they either fear or don’t understand.”
Pushing back against barbarism
Carl Trueman: “The recent controversy surrounding Brittany Kerr Aldean’s comments about transgenderism has garnered considerable media attention, culminating in her husband, country star Jason Aldean, parting ways with his public relations firm of seventeen years.”
When Spiritual Routines Get Boring
Barbara writes about those times when spiritual routines get boring.
Mom, Jesus Is Praying for You
“How often do we mother from our own strength and resolve? In other words, how often do we forget that Jesus serves us far beyond our initial conversion?” Kristen asks the questions and offers some encouragement to moms.
Involuntarily Sent
This missionary describes a recent crisis that hit their church particularly hard.
Flashback: The Duties Required by the Ninth Commandment in a Social Media World
With the rise of modern communications technologies, and especially social media, I am convinced we need to diligently apply ourselves to a fresh consideration of all this commandment requires of us.

A sinner does not ‘decide’ for Christ; the sinner ‘flies’ to Christ in utter helplessness and despair. —Martyn Lloyd-Jones

My gratitude goes to Boyce College for sponsoring the blog this week to tell you (and the young folk in your home) about their upcoming D3 Winter Conference.

Westminster Books has launched a new season of their interview series and they interviewed me on Seasons of Sorrow.
There are, indeed, some new Kindle deals today.
(Yesterday on the blog: Into the Light)
Do Affections Provide Assurance?
Erik Raymond: “Where do you look for assurance of salvation? Or, to put it another way, what causes you to question your assurance?”
Surviving the Winter of Suffering
Lara writes transparently here: “During a blizzard of suffering, I drew the blinds down in my heart. I pulled inward so I could survive. I eked out a small corner for myself and gave the bare minimum to the world. I didn’t know any other way forward. I met the needs of my family, I checked off the homekeeping list, and then I crawled back into the darkness.”
What was God doing before creation? (Video)
Michael Reeves answers here, though if you’ve read Delighting in the Trinity you already know the answer.
Be of Good Cheer, Your Seasons Are In God’s Hands
“More than ever before, I’m recognizing how the external, visible things we present to the world have their own hidden life cycles. When we see the perfectly executed cheer routine, the long-awaited novel hit the shelves, or the new business launched, that’s harvest day. It’s that moment we’ve dreamed of and longed for, but it’s only a fraction of the process. It took months of planting, watering, and tending to make harvest day possible.”
Productive Christians: Worth Imitating
“Last week in Romania a 2000 year old, fully intact, Roman road was discovered. It was well-built and intact. Many Roman era roads are still used today. This road was built in 106AD. For generations, Roman road engineering was passed down from one builder to another. Imitation provided longevity in the passing down of this skill.”
Why should I Forgive?
Guy Richard is beginning a series on forgiveness. The first entry is already helpful.
Flashback: The Only Tears In Heaven
What greater promise do we have than this, that in a moment God will comfort all sorrow, that his tender hand will wipe away not just some tears, but every tear?

Our rejection of God left our world in chaos. Because God alone possesses infinite glory and goodness, our lives only work with him at the center. —J.D. Greear

We are not naturally inclined to do the will of God. To the contrary, until God intervenes, we take joy in contradicting and disobeying him. But once God saves us we come to understand the pleasure of carrying out his commands and submitting ourselves to his will. And that’s what F.B. Meyer reflects on in this sweet passage.

God is love; to do his will is to scatter love in handfuls of blessing on a weary world.
God is light; to do his will is to tread a path that shines more and more unto the perfect day.
God is life; to do his will is to eat of the Tree of Life, and live forever, and to drink deep draughts of the more abundant life which Jesus gives.
God is the God of hope; to do his will is to be full of all joy and peace, and to abound in hope.
God is the God of all comfort; to do his will is to be comforted in all our tribulation by the tender love of a mother.
God is the God of peace; to do his will is to learn the secret inner calm, which no storm can reach, no tempest ruffle.
God is the God of truth; to do his will is to be on the winning side, and to be assured of the time when he will bring out our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday.