May the God of love and peace be with you.

(Yesterday on the blog: A Heart That Is Free, A Step That Is Light)
Into the Waves
Andrea Sanborn: “For those of us who take our Christian faith seriously, it feels like an ocean of change is sweeping over us, undermining the ground we stand on, leaving us uncomfortably balancing on the hard knobs of truths that look naive at best, and bigoted at worst, surrounded as we are by the powerful cultural tide.”
Should I Command Healing in Jesus’ Name or Ask for It?
In this bit from Stand To Reason, Greg Koukl answers a timely question: Should I command healing in Jesus’ name or ask for it?
Unwrapping Our Expectations
Amber Thiessen writes about unfair expectations for a new year. “For those of us who take our Christian faith seriously, it feels like an ocean of change is sweeping over us, undermining the ground we stand on, leaving us uncomfortably balancing on the hard knobs of truths that look naive at best, and bigoted at worst, surrounded as we are by the powerful cultural tide.”
Immediate Grace
James Williams is also reflecting on the beginning of a new year. “You’re not sure where the year will take you or what direction you should go. You don’t know what lurks in the darkness ahead or what dangers you’ll face. You can only see immediately in front of you and the choices that need to be made today.”
Book Short: Once Upon a Wardrobe
I stumbled upon the novel Once Upon a Wardrobe—a fictionalized account of the meaning behind C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books—and thoroughly enjoyed it. The theology may be imperfect and the story a wee bit corny at times, but it was still an enjoyable read for anyone who has appreciated The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the series that followed it. (If you are reading this via the email newsletter, navigate to A La Carte on my blog to find the link.)
Coram Deo
Have you ever wondered what Coram Deo means (as R.C. Sproul often used it)? This wonderful little video from Ligonier explains.
Flashback: Reveling in Wrath
Nothing but his kind and gracious hand of restraint keeps humanity from falling deeper and deeper into the darkest depravity. Without God’s active restraint, humanity would accept, practice, and rejoice in every kind of evil.

The first lesson for a child should be concerning his mother’s God. Teach him what you will, if he learn not the fear of the Lord, he will perish for lack of knowledge. —Charles Spurgeon

The great general had led his troops to a hard-fought but resounding triumph on the field of battle. With the enemy army now vanquished and scattered, he rallied his regiments to press on toward the capital where they would secure the final victory. And though the men marched briskly, he urged them to still greater speed. In their haste, they began to toss aside whatever was superfluous, whatever was redundant, whatever was unnecessary. Soon the road was littered with all that would burden them and slow their progress, for they knew that with their conquest would come honor, home, and rest.

We have left behind one year and entered into another. And with our cries of “happy new year,” with our cheers and hugs, each of us took one more step toward our final victory. We are one hour, one day, one month, one year closer to the end of our days, the end of our march. And the nearer we approach our destination, the more we long to arrive, the more we long to be in that place of triumph, that place of ease.
In the great march that is the Christian life, the passing of the years ought to be marked by what has been laid aside, by what has been taken off and tossed away. As we progress toward our destination, our pathway ought to be strewn with the sins, weights, transgressions, and burdens that slowed our steps, that thwarted our advance. Tossed in the ditch beside the roadway should be the fear of man that tempted us to honor man instead of God. Trodden underfoot should be the lust that tempted us to forsake purity in favor of adultery. Left in the dust should be the love of money that almost swayed our hearts to store up treasures on earth rather than in heaven.
In this way, as the years pass by, our steps become lighter rather than heavier, easier rather than harder. Though the way is narrow, though the way is sometimes rough, though the path forward is sometimes hard to discern, still our march grows more steady, our step more confident, for we have unburdened ourselves of so much of what would hinder us and impede our progress.
And so, as we consider the path that leads through 2022, as we consider the city that lies just beyond the distant horizon, may we resolve to make our step light in the year ahead, may we resolve to make our way as easy as possible, and not by cheating or by shortcuts, but by stripping ourselves of every sin, every weight, every hindrance. May we resolve to divest ourselves even of needless extravagances that might get in the way of our momentum. And may we tread our way with a heart that is free, a step that is light, and a heart that is set on what is true and lasting and eternal. May we walk and jog and run and sprint to our triumph, to our home, to our rest. May we do it all for the great joy that is set before us.

Inspired in part by the works of F.B. Meyer

Good morning. Grace and peace to you today.

Logos users, there are some free and almost free books for you to look at. You’ll also find some good deals from Crossway commentaries and MacArthur commentaries.
(Yesterday on the blog: The New Year — A Poetic Prayer)
I’ve Never Killed Anyone… Right?
“You don’t hate anybody, do you? That depends. In-person, or online? Are we talking about an individual or a collective identity group? A person’s online digital persona and reputation often comes to represent just as much, if not more, of their identity than their physical presence. How do we handle and interact with the digital holograms of people we touch when we meet their online imprint? I daresay the level of online vitriol the church indulges in goes a step beyond calling your brother ‘you fool’ (Mt 5:22).”
The Galilean Voice
This might be a good approach if you’ve not yet decided on a Bible-reading plan for 2022. “A new year often brings a plethora of articles about a fresh commitment to scripture. Maybe as you start a new year you are looking for something fresh—a fresh Bible reading plan, or a fresh devotional book, something to give a different perspective on God’s word. Here’s something I’ve been doing for the past few months.”
Back to Basics
Here’s an article about getting back to the basics. “The reality is that whether we have been a Christian for decades or for only a short time, the foundation is the place to make adjustments. Whether our struggle is overtly spiritual or seems to be disconnected from our personal spirituality – I am thinking about marital issues, relational struggles, emotional stress, etc. – whatever the problem, we always do well to take a look at our foundations. So what are the foundations of our faith?”
So It Is With Grace
“Christian, if you are experiencing minuscule growth in your walk with Christ, don’t become discouraged, frustrated, or annoyed. There is certainly value in some discouragement simply because you shouldn’t want to be complacent. However, don’t despair. God is still molding you, still shaping you, still forming you into the image of Christ.”
Can We Reshape Ourselves into Whatever We Want?
This article from Carl Truman (which is adapted from one of his books) considers the idea of self-creation that is so prominent in society today.
Roman Catholicism as a “Temptation” for Evangelical Theology
Leonardo De Chirico interacts with some of Al Mohler’s thoughts on Evangelicals and Roman Catholicism.

The pride of a congregation may be awakened by brilliant pulpit displays; but it is personal attention and affectionate sympathy with each individual that bind our congregations to us with hooks of steel. —Theodore Cuyler

A new year is upon us and the occasion affords the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and pray. In recent weeks I’ve been exploring the poetry of Marianne Farningham who wrote the bulk of her works in the late 1800s. Among them was this poetic prayer for a new year. Perhaps you’d like to make her prayer your own as you set out into 2022…

Father, who givest usNow the new year,Grant that Thy mercyMay with it appear;Lead us the path alongWhich we must go;Choose Thou our portionOf pleasure or woe.
Father, Thy blessing giveBrightening each day;Be Thou our comforter,Hear when we pray.Let us not go aloneOut in the wild;Let Thy forgiving loveShelter each child.
Whate’er our work shall beLet us have light;What our hands find to doDoing with might;Faithfully serving TheeWhile it is day,So be the happy yearPassing away.
Father, Thy wisdom give,Let us be strong;Keep us from grieving TheeDoing the wrong.Oh, let us hear Thy voiceCalling us near,Oh, let us see the wayClearly appear.
Father, we cannot seeWhat is before,Yet we would sing our songTrusting Thee more;Burdens we have and griefsBitter to bear.But Thou wilt quiet us,Thou who dost care.
So we will meet the monthsLeaning on Thee,Loving and mighty One,Still near us be;Help us to forward goStrong in Thy fear;Father, abide with usAll through the year.
If it should be the last,Happy are we!We in the heavenly homeWith Thee shall be.Guide our feet thither, andBless Thou us still—Father, with us and oursDo Thine own will.

Happy new year, my friends! What a joy it is to know that today, right now, our God is reigning over all of earth and heaven. His purposes will prevail!

Today’s Kindle deals include some classics.
The New Year Starts: Making Plans?
Today I’ve got several articles about the beginning of a new year, beginning with Jim Elliff’s call for humility.
Plans for a New Year
Then Brian Najapfour calls us to a key text. “What are your plans for 2022? Perhaps you plan to get married, or continue your studies, or look for a different job, or buy a house, or travel abroad. Whatever your plans may be, I hope you will consider what God teaches in Proverbs 19:21…”
A Needed Disappointment for the New Year
And here’s one from Eliza Huie: “We are addicted to self-sufficiency. Without even realizing it we are all junkies for independence. The beginning of the new year is often a time when this becomes even more evident. It’s the time when we are bombarded with encouragement to reflect and resolve. The hope is that in the New Year we will reach a greater level of self-improvement or attain a lasting commitment to live better. The turning of a year seems to put us on a quest to become all that we wish we could be.”
Book Short: Truth for Life
I have been enjoying Alistair Begg’s new devotional Truth for Life and want to commend it to you once more. I believe it will prove a helpful, steady companion for the year ahead.
Ten (More) Questions for a New Year
Donald Whitney has ten (more) questions to consider at the outset of a new year.
Should or Can in 2022?
Finally, please do read and consider this call for graciousness from Ray Ortlund.
Flashback: Comforting Quotes for Those Who Are Suffering
We all go through difficult times in these difficult lives in this broken world, and a book like this one delivers comfort rooted in the Comforter.

When it comes to the issue of “race,” we should look to the Bible, rather than the culture, to guide how we think about it… If we are going to make any progress in these discussions, the Bible must have first and final say on this topic. —Shai Linne

Maybe the Lord be with you and bless you on this final day of 2021.

What Is Indwelling Sin?
This article looks at indwelling sin, specifically through the work of John Owen. “My goal will be to show how his doctrine of indwelling sin is deeply influenced by the theology of the Reformation and a Reformed understanding of the Gospel — and why it is essential to us as Christians today.”
Global Missions and the Treason of Conversion
“Throughout Scripture, when individuals convert, their communities often feel betrayed. To embrace the Triune God as Lord is to repudiate all other lords, identities, and systems. This decision, in the eyes of the world, amounts to treason. Treason. If true conversion is indeed a form of communal ‘treason,’ this has inestimable implications for the missionary task.”
Why Do We Count Down to the New Year?
Have you ever wondered why we count down to the new year? This article from Smithsonian explains where the tradition came from.
Did the Pandemic Wreck the Church?
This is America-centric but probably applies far beyond. “What effect will the coronavirus pandemic have on the future of American religion? Our country has not seen such a radical and abrupt shift in behavior in the last hundred years. Suddenly almost all churches, mosques, and synagogues in the U.S. suspended congregational meetings.”
Backing into 2022: Longing for the World-That-Was
“Normal was the way things were before. We knew the parameters, and we were accustomed to them. No one judged others by their medical decisions. When we wanted to go somewhere, we went without consulting the latest guidelines. We were aware that most media was designed to shape public opinion, but we could ignore it without consequence. We just lived.”
They Saw, But They Forgot
“Sometimes, no matter how many times we’ve read a Bible passage, it strikes us and sticks with us as a new revelation. It’s proof that ‘the word of God is living and active’.” Indeed…
Flashback: The Best Way to Begin a New Year
There is no better way to begin a new year than with the knowledge of your freedom and the desire to live for the glory of the one who has extended such grace. Christian, you are free and clear.

From the beginning, Christians have not defended ‘traditional values.’ They have stood for truth against prevailing cultural norms. —Nancy Pearcey

Good morning. Grace and peace to you today.

9 Things You Should Know About Events and Discoveries in 2021
This is a fun little roundup. “We live in an era of 24-hour news in which we’re constantly bombarded by information from websites, social media, and television. Yet despite this deluge, there are many fascinating news items you are likely to have missed. Here are nine such events and discoveries from 2021 that you may not have heard about.”
What People are Saying about 2022
“Have you noticed what people are saying about 2022? Me neither.” Is that better or worse than what people were saying this time last year?
What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
Here’s an explanation of that mysterious thorn in the flesh that was so agonizing to Paul.
Are You Feeling In-Between? 
“The last week of December always feels a little like an in-between to me. It’s between holidays, months and years. Akin to adolescent years, somewhere between child and teenager, life has a lot of uncomfortable in-betweens…”
More Now Than Ever
This is the final part of a series meant to encourage Christians by reflecting on positive cultural trends.
Flashback: Strength = Good, Weakness = Bad
Jesus was weak. Paul rejoiced in his own weakness. And yet we are still afraid and ashamed to be weak. We would rather feign strength than admit weakness.

The eye is made both for seeing and weeping. Sin must first be seen, before it can be wept for. —Thomas Watson

May the Lord bless and keep you today.

Westminster Books has a lot of great deals in their year-end clearance sale.
Logos users, remember to grab the free and nearly free books of the month before it’s over.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries of 2021
CT has a roundup of the year’s top discoveries in biblical archaeology.
Between a Hamster and a Hard Place
Dan DeWitt turns an unfortunate Christmas gift into a lesson about the holiday season. “This is life though, isn’t it? We have Christmas. We celebrate. We enjoy the moment. And then real life rushes at us without as much as a warning.”
4 Questions for Your Bible Reading in 2022
Glenna Marshall offers four common but important questions to ask of your Bible reading. They are designed to help you read with greater intentionality.
4 Things Believers with Bipolar Disorder Want You to Know
Lieryn Barnett: “It’s difficult to know how to help or respond when you learn someone in your church family is suffering from bipolar, but a good place to start is striving to understand the struggle. Here are four things to know as you walk beside your brother or sister.”
Resolve to Grow in Godliness in 2022
There is some good counsel here, courtesy Jerry Bridges, about resolving to grow in godliness.
Photographer’s Solar Photo Reveals the Twisted ‘Surface’ of the Sun
PetaPixel has a fascinating new photo of the sun taken by an astrophotographer.
Flashback: How Should Christians Use Guns?

Revisiting an old debate and some of the positions that were advanced…

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. —Charles Spurgeon

May the God of love and peace be with you today.

A Tale of Two Dogs
You’ll benefit from reading this analogy about two dogs.
In the Darkest Night: Draw Near, Hold Fast, Consider Others
Leah Farish: “In the darkest season of my life, I was lifted decisively out of the pit by a passage in the book of Hebrews. The three simple commands embedded in it made all the difference.”
Quebec’s radical rejection of Catholicism behind support for Bill 21
You may, or may not, have heard of Quebec’s Bill 21 which bans wearing any religious symbols (e.g. crosses, hijabs, etc) by public sector employees. This interesting article explains how Quebec went from extremely Catholic to so very secular.
The Crosses at the Cradle
This is some very skillful writing. It begins this way: “On the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul live a fisherman and his family. They are here mostly alone, away from the village and the other houses, owning a sizable stretch of land that juts out into the water as a peninsula. The weeds grow high in their yard, and the dog they own is chained up and barking. But their garden is well kept, and they’ve added a new patio for evening meals that includes a vivid mountain view.”
Old Paths for a New Year
Jeremy Writebol has a suggestion for your quiet time in 2022. “Every year I feel the question bearing down on me as the month of December comes to a close. With the conclusion of one year and the beginning of another, I often spend a good deal of time hunting—not out in the woods, sitting in a tree stand, rifle in hand, deer hunting. No, I’m assessing every innovation that has sprung up in the last year or so to improve what is often referred to these days as ‘The Quiet Time.’ ”
Flashback: The Half-Trained Dog
God does not call us to bruise our sin, or injure it, or slap it around a little. God calls us to put our sin to death, and that is a hard business.

The godly are more thankful for the least favours than worldly men for the greatest. —Richard Sibbes