Today, the first day of a new month, is a great time to remember this reality: Right now, at this very moment, God is reigning from his throne. All will be well.
Today’s Kindle deals include a batch of books on marriage. That includes one of my favorites: Married for God by Christopher Ash.
(Yesterday on the blog: Have You Become an Amateur Astronomer?)

John Piper does a wonderful job answering a heartfelt question. “My conscience still haunts me for all the really bad and dumb things I did when I was younger. Does that mean I am not saved? I’ve prayed for forgiveness many times, talked to pastors and even Christian therapists, but I don’t feel forgiven because the guilt is always there, no matter how much I pray and seek God. I feel far from God and not sure what else to do.”

Denny Burk: “Biden aside, we would all do well to recognize the larger conflict within which ‘Transgender Visibility Day’ is simply a single skirmish. For the truth is this. Whoever owns the calendar and our annual observances owns the narrative and imagination of a people. This was true with the children of Israel in the Old Testament, and it is true now. People understand their group identities in part through the narratives playing out on their calendars.”

It is good for us to remember that sometimes we sin by doing the wrong thing and sometimes we sin by doing nothing. Thankfully, God forgives us for our sins of omission just as much as our sins of commission.

“Even if we don’t admit that we are lost and isolated from the God who created us and has the power to save us—He knows. And He staged our deliverance before we even knew we needed it. In sending Christ to die for us, He made a way for us to return to Him. He has done (and still does) all the work. He came down and showed us the narrow path to salvation, the path He made. In fact, He is the path. He leads the way, going before us. And finally, He lifts us to be with Him.”

“Love before you lead. Love more than you lead. It really is that simple. If you love well, leadership can follow.” Christian leaders of all kinds need to ponder this!

This article raises a serious concern about the New Apostolic Reformation. “For years, many of us familiar with the beliefs within this movement remember hearing of the warring bride, prophetic images of a bride in a white spotless gown, accessorized with combat boots and a fierce sword. The call is for those in attendance to embrace the call to war and to conquer the land in the name of Jesus.”

Rather than seeing them as people who drive me crazy, I have preferred to see them as people I’m particularly called to love—people who stretch and grow my ability to love. 

Every strategy you employ in your fight for purity must be grounded in the grace of God in Christ if it is to lead to lasting freedom.
—Heath Lambert

My gratitude goes to The Good Book Company for sponsoring the blog this week to ensure you know about the new book by Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin, The Unhurried Pastor.
I have added several Kindle deals and they include Mary Mohler’s biography of Susannah Spurgeon.
(Yesterday on the blog: Life At and After College: An Interview with Abby)

“In a very real sense, what we choose to pay attention to defines our lives. You may even say, ‘We are what we pay attention to.’ It’s really just another way of saying something else that the Bible affirms again and again: we are what we worship, or we are what we love.”

There is no doubt that even Christians can behave quite badly. Le Ann Trees offers some reasons Christians can be like this.

This is quite an interesting reflection on the modern distortion of vulnerability.

This article is sad but still sweet.

T.M. Suffield expresses his thoughts about navigating the various crises Christians are experiencing today.

“Young men find it hard to talk, particularly about their feelings. They find it even harder to ask for help. But very often, the bravest word a young man can say is “help.’” Alun Ebenezer explains.

We must know ourselves well enough to understand what sins we are most prone to…None of us is immune to any sin, but none of us is equally swayed by all sins.

One of the signs of Christian maturity is the ability to disagree with other Christians on secondary matters without vilifying them.
—J.R. Vassar

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Just a reminder that I’m posting only A La Carte this week. The usual articles will return next week.
How a Steadfast Heart Guards You in Crisis
“On a morning run last summer, after a major thunderstorm swept through, the path was sprinkled with leaves and branches scattered from the intense winds. As I passed by homes, I did a double take when a thick poplar lay across the yard, blocking the front door. The tree looked thick and strong, yet there it was, snapped like a toothpick.”
Here’s Why You CAN Trust the Bible (Video)
Grek Koukl explains why you truly can trust the Bible.
Enter to Win The R.C. Sproul Signature Classics
Ligonier Ministries has recently released The R.C. Sproul Signature Classics, featuring several of Dr. Sproul’s most influential books in an attractive six-volume collection. This summer, Ligonier is giving away 100 free copies of this book collection. Enter the giveaway today for the opportunity to add this resource to your personal library. (Sponsored Link)
CPM: The Christian Productivity Movement
David Kaywood has an interesting article on what he calls “The Christian Productivity Movement.”
How to Graciously Say No
Related to the subject of productivity, Reagan Rose offers some help on saying “no.”
Citizens of the Kingdom; Aliens in the World
Jim Elliff has a timely reminder that, because we are citizens of the kingdom, we are aliens in this world.
The Importance of Corporate Prayer
I enjoyed this brief article by Michael Haykin.
Flashback: The Joy of Walking with God
No Christian will come to the grave regretting that he has prayed too much, been too holy, or walked with God too closely.

When I consider my best duties, I sink, I die, I despair; but when I think of Christ, I have enough; he is all and in all. —Simeon Ashe