Many Christians experience a contradiction between what we believe to be true about the Bible and our actual practice of reading the Bible. Often our theology is superior to our habits. We profess that the Bible is infallible, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient, but we then neglect it in our daily lives. We agree with David when he says of God’s words, “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Yet in our lives we show little hunger for those good, pure, sweet, nourishing words.

How can this be? It is because we allow other things to take the place that should be reserved for God and his Word. It is not that we lack time, but that we lack desire. It is not that we lack ability, but that we lack interest. Robert Chapman says it this way: “The great cause of neglecting the Scriptures is not want of time, but want of heart, some idol taking the place of Christ.”

I think each of us can agree and admit that we too often permit the presence of some idol, something that displaces in our lives the place of prominence that only God deserves. Whether it is entertainment, work, socializing, or something else altogether, we will not prioritize God until we uproot that idol.

I am thankful to Insight Counseling for sponsoring the blog this week. Insight’s trained and trustworthy counselors offer online counseling from the comfort of your own home, office, or another location that is convenient for you. Learn more here.

Today’s Kindle deals include several more titles from the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. There are other titles to look at as well. (Do you prefer print books? Then look at this page with deals, discounts, and specials on print books.)

(Yesterday on the blog: 10 Christian Mega-Projects Released In 2024)

Joe Carter put together one of his helpful FAQs to explain what recently transpired at the U.S. Supreme Court and why it matters. “On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, an important case that will determine whether states have the right to protect children from medical attempts to change their bodies for the purpose of ‘affirming’ gender identity.”

Stephen Steele draws an important lesson from Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son. “Many of the same people who are outraged by Biden’s behaviour (or who will be outraged if Trump follows suit) expect God to do the same thing. The German poet Henrich Heine was asked by a priest on his deathbed if he expected God to forgive him. He is reported to have replied: ‘Of course God will forgive me; that’s his job’. That is still a common attitude today.”

Should Christians view (or create) creepy, darker media? John Piper takes on the question here.

Tim explains one thing that many people get wrong about Doubting Thomas.

Seth Lewis has some counsel for those who are approaching midlife to help them head off a full-blown midlife crisis.

Should Christians pray only to the Father, or can we also pray to the Son and the Spirit? I appreciate Fred Sanders’ answer here.

Each of us has the joy and the sacred responsibility of displaying the beauty, the glory, of a foreign land here in this broken world.

If you are not concerned about holiness, you are not concerned about the Great Commission.
—Kevin DeYoung

Lots of great books and other resources came our way in 2024. Among them were some that were particularly “mega”—that represented an extraordinarily long, big, expansive, or audacious idea, and I wanted to give credit where credit is due. With apologies to any I missed, here is my list of some of the most mega projects of 2024.

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary (4-Volume Set) by Christopher Ash. Few people are bold enough to write a commentary on the entire book of psalms. Fewer still are bold enough to write a four-volume commentary. Yet Ash came through with a tremendous set that is suitable for general readers and scholars alike. Here is what the publisher says about it: “In this comprehensive, 4-volume commentary, Christopher Ash provides a thorough treatment of all 150 Psalms, examining each psalm’s significance to David and the other psalmists, to Jesus during his earthly ministry, and to the church of Christ in every age. The first volume in the set is a detailed handbook that explains how to interpret the Psalms with Christ at the center. The remaining 3 volumes cover each psalm in depth, with introductory quotations, a deep analysis of the text’s structure and vocabulary, and a closing reflection and response. Ash also includes selected quotations from older readings of the Psalms, including patristic, medieval, Reformation, and post-Reformation scholars. Perfect for pastors, Bible teachers, and students, this commentary set helps readers sing and pray the Psalms with Christ in view.” (Best price at Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Missionary: Obeying the Great Commission. Missionary is an original 6-part documentary series created by the missions organization Radius International. Through six episodes it introduces viewers to six Christians who obeyed the Great Commission: William Tyndale, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, William Carey, David Livingstone, and John Paton. The project was filmed on-location which means the filmmakers traveled to every continent except South America. It features John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Rosaria Butterfield, Conrad Mbewe, Ian Hamilton, and others. It is currently sold in a box set that includes all six episodes on DVD or Bluray, digital access to stream the films, Leader’s Guide, Handbook, movie poster, and exclusive postcards from the film. It’s ideal for families, small groups, homeschool, and so on. (Currently available exclusively from Missionary.com)

Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life’s Most Important Questions by Tony Reinke. In 2013, Tony Reinke proposed an idea for a new podcast: He would ask questions and John Piper would answer them. Though the podcast was expected to last for only 400 episodes, it has now stretched to thousands. In this book, Reinke collects, categorizes, and adapts the best of 10 years and 2,000 episodes. Though not every book can survive the transition from one medium to another, this one does it well. Here is what the publisher says about it: “In this unique book, Ask Pastor John host Tony Reinke summarizes and organizes ten years of their most insightful and popular episodes into accessible, thematic sections. Readers will be able to quickly and systematically access Piper’s insights on hundreds of topics including Bible reading, dating, social media, mental health, and more. We discover afresh how asking good questions strengthens faith and grows our understanding of God’s word.” (Best price at Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books)

On Classical Trinitarianism: Retrieving the Nicene Doctrine of the Triune God, edited by Matthew Barrett. This massive volume was published in part to celebrate the 1,700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea and received a nod from The Gospel Coalition as their Theological Studies book of the year. The publisher says this of it: “Motivated by the longstanding need to retrieve the classical doctrine of the Trinity, theologian Matthew Barrett brings together Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox scholars to intervene in the conversation. With over forty contributions, this ecumenical volume resurrects the enduring legacy of Nicene orthodoxy, providing a theological introduction that listens with humility to the Great Tradition.” Those who have considered the controversy related to the eternal subordination of the Son will find definitive answers in its pages. Contributors include Fred Sanders Scott Swain, Carl Trueman, and many others. (Best price at Christianbook.com; also available at Amazon, Westminster Books; discounted for pre-order at Logos)

Reformed Systematic Theology by Joel Beeke & Paul Smalley. This four-volume systematic theology, which was completed this year, is nothing short of a magnum opus that spans 5,200 pages. The publisher says, “Theology is not just an academic subject—it is also a spiritual practice. In the 4-volume Reformed Systematic Theology set, authors Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley explore central Scripture themes from biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical perspectives. The result is a comprehensive yet accessible systematic theology of the Reformed Christian faith that ministers to the whole person―head, heart, and hands. This series includes 4 volumes: Revelation and God (volume 1); Man and Christ (volume 2); Spirit and Salvation (volume 3); and Church and Last Things (volume 4). Drawing on the historical theology of the Reformed tradition, these books help readers grow in their understanding and application of the truth presented in God’s word.” (Similarly-priced at Amazon, Westminster Books, and Christianbook.com; also currently on sale at Logos)

Systematic Theology, Volume One: From Canon to Concept by Stephen J. Wellum. Though this is only the first volume in a multi-volume set, it is still a substantial accomplishment and one that was decades in the making. The publisher says this about it: “Trinitarian, reformational, and baptistic, Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology models a serious evangelical engagement with the Scriptures while being grounded in church history and keenly aware of contemporary issues. Building on decades of research, Wellum formulates doctrine exegetically, covenantally, and canonically for a new generation of students, pastors, church leaders, and seasoned theologians.” If you are interested in the framework of progressive covenantalism it should be of particular interest. (Best price Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction by Harrison Perkins. Some who don’t love Wellum’s progressive covenantalism may prefer Perkins’ covenant theology. “Covenant shapes our life with God. In Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction, Harrison Perkins shows how Christ and his work are the heart of that covenant relationship. Since God lives in covenant with his redeemed people, covenant theology provides a framework for Christians to grow in their life with God, to read the Bible, and to love the church.” The book promises to help you “see Christ and his work more clearly; learn the biblical basis for the Reformed confessions; and understand the role of grace and works in your salvation.” (Best price Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Ruined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective, edited by David & Jonathan Gibson. This is the second volume in a 5-part series covering the doctrines of grace. Not only is the series mega, but so is each volume. This one comes in at just over 1,000 pages. The publisher describes it in this way: “Ruined Sinners to Reclaim persuasively reaffirms the doctrine of total depravity from biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral perspectives, drawing on the debates of theologians throughout church history. Edited by David and Jonathan Gibson, this book features contributions from respected theologians―including Michael A. G. Haykin, Gray Sutanto, Garry Williams, Mark Jones, Daniel Strange, and R. Albert Mohler Jr.―to help readers understand the reality of our sinful nature, its debilitating effects, and the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation. This is the second book in the Doctrines of Grace series, which explores the central points of the Canons of Dort, providing a framework for understanding each doctrine in all its historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral richness.” (Best price: Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology by Kevin DeYoung. This is a fresh idea: dividing systematic theology into daily readings so it can be learned and digested over the course of a year. “Designed to make systematic theology clear and accessible for the everyday Christian, this devotional walks through the most important theology topics over the course of a year. Each month is categorized into broad themes, starting with the study of God and concluding with the end times. Written by bestselling author and associate professor of systematic theology Kevin DeYoung, each concise daily reading contains verses for meditation and application, building upon each other and easing readers into the study of systematic theology.” (Best price: Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life by Paul David Tripp. Everyday Gospel is a daily devotional that leads readers through the Bible in a year. In it, “Paul David Tripp provides a roadmap for readers who want to spend a full year in God’s word. Tripp, author of the bestselling New Morning Mercies, has now written a second daily devotional, offering 365 fresh, engaging entries that follow an annual Bible reading plan from Genesis through Revelation. Brief and practical, these reflections connect the transforming power of Scripture to all you will experience in your everyday Christian life.” (Best price: Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Amazon)

Finally, here are a couple of bonuses:

Motyer by the Day: A Psalms and Isaiah Devotional Collection by Alec Motyer. This may not be the most mega project of the year, but it’s a good one nonetheless. “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.” (Best price: Westminster Books; also available from Amazon)

A New Era of Logos Bible Software. This year saw the release of the new edition of Logos Bible Software and its inevitable change from a purchase model to a subscription model. Beyond that change there were many other upgrades to the software. And, of course, Logos continued to extend its library. In my perspective, the software is now better than ever. (Learn more or enjoy a free trial at Logos.com)

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you today.

Logos users will want to take a look at the current Christmas Sale since some commentary bundles are nicely discounted. I would probably scroll down to the Mini-Bundles section and look at the Pillar, NICNT, BST, or PtW series. Perhaps also take a look at the Best of 2024 sale. Finally, the commentary series from Evangelical Press listed on this page are 40% off and excellent for Bible study and preaching.

Today’s Kindle deals include Megan Hill’s Praying Together and a selection of other helpful books.

This is a fitting tribute to a little-known brother in Christ. “Wang quietly embodied so much of what I hear Christians in America today trying to figure out: how to be in the world but not of it, how the imagination gives depth and meaning to our faith, how to take seriously the call to serve the poor.”

Rob has an important article on Satan’s “pastor’s heart.” “When we think about what Satan is doing in the world, it seems obvious that Satan’s decisive destruction will occur not in circles huddled around a pentagram chanting ‘Hail Satan’ but in Christian counseling groups where participants look one another in the eye and tell each other that God is fine with their sin.”

This is a sweet article from a happy mom. “It is a terrible and beautiful thing to bid farewell as sons and daughters move away, skipping headlong into their own lives–with jobs, friends, spouses, and children of their own. The phantom pain is real. A physical amputation from my four beauties.”

I appreciate this plea for serious ministry. “Apparently, the great threat to disciple-making is a lack of serious, sensible, dignified character. The enemy of ministry is a flippant, foolish, careless approach.”

I’m enjoying being involved with the Fortis Institute and wanted to let you know that there is lots of excellent and update-to-date content available there. Fortis+ is a free subscription that unlocks all kinds of video content.

“Recently an article about antinatalists caught my attention. The movement believes it is morally wrong to have children. An antinatalist feels everyone should stop having babies. They believe that because life is imposed upon babies who have no choice in their birth or life, the loving and compassionate thing to do is to not inflict life on a child. Without babies the world dies, but certainly something else happens as well.”

What secures us in our trials is not the magnitude of our faith, but the power of the one in whom we have placed it. The smallest bit of faith in God is worth infinitely more than the greatest bit of faith in ourselves, or the strongest measure of faith in faith itself. 

The Christ who was born into the world must be born in your heart. Religious sentiment…without the living Christ is a yellow brick road to darkness.
—Kent Hughes

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you today.

Logos users will want to take a look at the current Christmas Sale since some commentary bundles are nicely discounted. I would probably scroll down to the Mini-Bundles section and look at the Pillar, NICNT, BST, or PtW series. Perhaps also take a look at the Best of 2024 sale. Finally, the commentary series from Evangelical Press listed on this page are 40% off and excellent for Bible study and preaching.

Today’s Kindle deals include Megan Hill’s Praying Together and a selection of other helpful books.

This is a fitting tribute to a little-known brother in Christ. “Wang quietly embodied so much of what I hear Christians in America today trying to figure out: how to be in the world but not of it, how the imagination gives depth and meaning to our faith, how to take seriously the call to serve the poor.”

Rob has an important article on Satan’s “pastor’s heart.” “When we think about what Satan is doing in the world, it seems obvious that Satan’s decisive destruction will occur not in circles huddled around a pentagram chanting ‘Hail Satan’ but in Christian counseling groups where participants look one another in the eye and tell each other that God is fine with their sin.”

This is a sweet article from a happy mom. “It is a terrible and beautiful thing to bid farewell as sons and daughters move away, skipping headlong into their own lives–with jobs, friends, spouses, and children of their own. The phantom pain is real. A physical amputation from my four beauties.”

I appreciate this plea for serious ministry. “Apparently, the great threat to disciple-making is a lack of serious, sensible, dignified character. The enemy of ministry is a flippant, foolish, careless approach.”

I’m enjoying being involved with the Fortis Institute and wanted to let you know that there is lots of excellent and update-to-date content available there. Fortis+ is a free subscription that unlocks all kinds of video content.

“Recently an article about antinatalists caught my attention. The movement believes it is morally wrong to have children. An antinatalist feels everyone should stop having babies. They believe that because life is imposed upon babies who have no choice in their birth or life, the loving and compassionate thing to do is to not inflict life on a child. Without babies the world dies, but certainly something else happens as well.”

What secures us in our trials is not the magnitude of our faith, but the power of the one in whom we have placed it. The smallest bit of faith in God is worth infinitely more than the greatest bit of faith in ourselves, or the strongest measure of faith in faith itself. 

The Christ who was born into the world must be born in your heart. Religious sentiment…without the living Christ is a yellow brick road to darkness.
—Kent Hughes

I have been blogging at Challies.com on a daily basis for well over 20 years now. That long commitment has allowed me to write thousands of articles and hundreds of book reviews while also sending millions of visitors to other sites through the daily A La Carte feature. While I’ve also written a number of books, through it all the blog has remained the “main thing.” Much of the blog’s content is now also translated into Spanish, French, and a number of other languages.

One of my great desires has always been to freely give away as much as possible. I intend for it to always remain entirely free for all who visit. While for obvious reasons this can’t happen when it comes to books, I’ve made it my goal to ensure that everything else has been freely and widely distributed. While this has been possible largely because of advertisers, there is also a key role for the generosity of individuals.

This is where patrons come in—patrons like you.

There are a couple of different options for you to consider. The first is recurring monthly gifts. A service called Patreon provides a convenient means of linking content producers (like me) with ongoing supporters (like you). You can learn more and sign up at Patreon.com/challies.

The second is one-time gifts. If that is of interest to you, they can be made electronically via PayPal.

Under normal circumstances, gifts can also be forwarded by check to the mailing address below, but because Canada’s postal service is currently on strike, you may need to prioritize the other means of giving as most post offices are not accepting Canada-bound mail at the moment. Alternatively, just set the envelope aside and mail it in a week or two when that labor dispute is (hopefully) sorted out.

Tim Challies1011 Upper Middle Road East, Box #1214Oakville, Ontario L6H 5Z9Canada

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Please understand that I intend for Challies.com to always remain entirely free. In fact, patrons help ensure that it always remains that way.

Thank you for considering becoming a patron of Challies.com. Your support means so much to me. And this is the end of my once-yearly mention of this subject!

If you’re into audiobooks, Audible (which is associated with Amazon) has all of their titles discounted, many up to 85% if you purchase them rather than use a subscription credit. So, for example, Becoming Elisabeth Elliot is 85% off while that great new biography of David Livingstone is 56% off, as is the new biography of Corrie Ten Boom. And it’s not just biographies, of course. Basically, just search for a book and click on the audiobook edition to see the sale price.

Today’s Kindle deals include one about the church and one about Jesus.

(Yesterday on the blog: You’re Exactly As Holy As You Want To Be)

Seth Troutt may be on to something here. “Aaron Renn’s Negative World thesis makes sense of the secularization we’ve seen in America through three stages: Positive World (pre-1994), where being a Christian was an asset; Neutral World (1994–2014), where Christians were generally well-tolerated; and Negative World (2015–present), where following Jesus was seen as a liability. … From my vantage point, Negative World is already disintegrating and giving rise to a fourth epoch: Ambivalent World.”

Chris expresses the longing of every Christian heart and does it from the perspective of a career in cancer treatment. “If we needed only one sign that everything is not right with our world, this one will do it: Children are supposed to be playing and laughing and wanting to grow up to be astronauts, not struggling with chemo. Why are children born with birth defects? Why do they die in car accidents? Why do they drown?”

Trevin Wax: “Because I care about the health and vibrancy of the church, and because I want to see a more just and righteous society, I can’t help but be discouraged when I see believers expending more and more energy in opposing and battling the people with whom they share closest alignment than they do making real and enduring strides toward cultural change. I call it ‘fighting phantoms.’”

This is a helpful explanation of some of the big questions parents need to answer as they raise their children.

Here are eight proofs that the Bible is one story. (And on a somewhat related note, here is how Jesus is in every book of the Old Testament.)

“Asking whether God is calling me to a life of obscurity or influence focuses on something largely out of my control. This question positions the spotlight not on the work itself or on the God who gave me this work, but on other people’s responses to my work.”

…while we may have learned what they professed to believe in days of sunshine, we have learned what they really believe in days of rain. And it has been a blessing and inspiration to us all.

By definition we cannot “qualify” for grace in any way, by any means, or through any action.
—Sinclair Ferguson

Every Christian is a work in progress. Every Christian is striving for holiness, laboring to put off the old man and put on the new. Though none of us is as holy as we will be in heaven, I trust that each of us is holier now than when we first came to Christ. And none of us is as holy as we want to be.

Yet that’s only partially true. There’s another sense in which each of us is exactly as holy as we want to be. How is that the case? Because there is no one who can force us to sin and nothing that can force us to fail to do whatever is righteous in any given moment. There is no one who can keep us from deriving spiritual growth and benefit from any of the circumstances of our lives. No one, that is, except ourselves. If we ever wonder who is hindering our holiness, we don’t need to look any further than the closest mirror.

The world can’t hinder our holiness—but we can allow the world to hinder it when we fail to resist its conforming influence through the power of the Spirit. The flesh can’t hinder our holiness—but we can allow the flesh to hinder it when we succumb to our fleshly desires in defiance of the gospel. The devil can’t hinder our holiness—but we can allow the devil to hinder it when we refuse to flee the temptations he dangles before us and cling instead to the promises of Christ. Each of these deadly enemies has the power to tempt, draw, or allure, but not the power to force, cause, or demand. None has the ability to penetrate the will unless we grant permission.

The same is true of circumstances—even the hardest and most troubling circumstances cannot force us to sin or in any way force us to act in a way that is unholy. This is true of people—even the most trying and difficult people cannot cause us to sin, even if they provide rich opportunities to do so. It’s true of pain, it’s true of sorrow, it’s true of persecution, it’s true of unrequited longings, it’s true of everything.

Even the most trying and difficult people cannot cause us to sin, even if they provide rich opportunities to do so.Share

How do we know? Because Christ took on flesh and lived in the world and was tempted by the devil, and emerged from it all unscathed. He endured the most troubling of circumstances, the most heartbreaking of betrayals, the most excruciating of sufferings, and never once did he sin, never once did he fail to do what was righteous, never once did he fail to honor God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. And in our salvation we have been so united to him that all that is his is ours—the same Spirit, the same strength, the same power to hate sin and flee it, to love holiness and pursue it.

You and I sin only when we grant permission to our temptations, only when our will bows low before our evil desires. We sin only when we fail to embrace the enabling power of the Holy Spirit who is present in every temptation to provide a way of escape. We sin only when our desire to sin is stronger than our desire to not sin.

This means it is both true and untrue that none of us is as holy as we want to be. It is true in the sense that we long to be holier than we are now; it’s untrue in the sense that anything but ourselves has held us back. In that way, you and I are exactly as holy as we want to be. We are exactly as holy as we’ve determined we will be through every opportunity to act righteously or sinfully, to move forward or fall back, to be more like Christ or to forsake him altogether.

Our friends at 10ofThose are having a nice sale on the new boxset of Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. If you buy one you’ll save a good amount off the list price, but if you buy two the savings increase a whole lot more. It may be a good way to account for two of the people on your Christmas list.

Today’s Kindle deals include a book for apologists, one for evangelists, and one for parents. And more besides all that.

Tim Keesee tell how he’s running his race with the finish in view. “More than once, I’ve had such close calls with death that I felt the thinness of the wall between this world and the next. Those moments on the edge of my mortality — whether underwater or in a war zone — were at first breathtaking with suddenness and then sobering with what-ifs. But I was too busy living to think much about dying, and soon those close calls were in the rearview mirror.”

The world needs more gentle men! “Gentleness is often misunderstood. When we think of a man being gentle, we might picture some guy being weak or timid, but that’s not what gentleness truly means. In fact, gentleness is a strength of character—a willingness to humble ourselves and put others first, even when we have the power to act differently.”

I agree with this—that we need to be willing to produce something average if we ever want to create something better than average. “Even if most of what you make is poor, produce enough of it and you’ll find diamonds in the rough. Over time, your average will become excellent. And failing that, what you consider poor might be some people’s version of brilliance.”

I found this a really sweet article in which Melissa Stearns explains what she would say to her husband’s first wife (who died from cancer) if she could. “I’m incredibly thankful to the Lord for allowing me the privilege of stepping in to care for Andy, Evan, and Abi. The Lord gave me the desire of my heart to care for them, and I’m so delighted. Your friends and family have rejoiced with me and my friends and family at God’s plan to put us together. We have a lot of fun. We talk often of you. We rejoice in how the Lord is faithfully caring for us in what is an impossible situation apart from Him.”

Alan Shlemon: “Articles like this are an example of the challenge Christians face. Not only are wolves within the church working to lead believers astray, but prominent media sources are repeating the falsehoods of false teachers.”

We don’t need to remember everything we read, but we should remember at least the best of it. To that end, Jonathan offers some helpful tips on retention.

Somehow I can live to impress people I barely know while being apathetic toward people I know the best and whose lives are deeply intertwined with mine. There is something about home life that can breed arrogance and apathy, entitlement and hostility.

We should use all our money for the Lord. This is, we should use all our money in a way that God would approve. In that sense, all of our money is to be given to the Lord. Stewardship is to be total, not partial.
—Wayne Mack

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include a couple of good books for teens as well as a couple of commentaries and some other solid picks.

Westminster Books has all of their ESV Bibles marked down at least 50%. A few are discounted as deeply as 70%.

(Yesterday on the blog: Modesty Requires Looking Away)

You would not be wrong if you surmised that much of what John Piper believes about gender pronouns is revealed by the title of this edition of Ask Pastor John which speaks of “so-called ‘gender pronoun hospitality.’”

Brandon is missing his Izzy—his young daughter who went to be with the Lord a couple of years ago. He writes a moving post in which he wonders what Izzy is doing right now.

Though this article from D.A. Carson and John Woodbridge is addressed primarily to pastors, there’s wisdom there for all of us.

This is a precious meditation on the joy of our adoption. “At our finalization ceremony, our attorney asked us, ‘Do you understand that if the court grants your petition [to adopt the child], you’ll be responsible for all of his needs as if he had been born to you?’ We answered in the affirmative and marveled at how that one question could carry so much weight.”

You’ve heard it said, I’m sure, that Christmas is a pagan tradition. Kevin DeYoung goes digging to address the claim.

Bethel McGrew has a long and interesting article on Jordan Peterson. “That was what separated Peterson from other articulate public intellectuals of his generation—people who were successful, but on nothing like this scale. More than merely articulate, more than merely passionate, he was compassionate. He didn’t simply talk to people. He actively loved them, so intensely that it seemed he was at all times attempting to take the burdens of all humanity on his own shoulders. Yes, he was also a polemicist, a political lightning-rod, a man with a knack for making all the most annoying people furious with him all at once. But we had many great polemicists. We had many great gadflies. What we didn’t have was a great humanist.”

“I will pray for you right now but then I expect you to go to your local church and ask them to pray for you.”

Christ will hold us fast. But we need gospel friends to hold us close.
—Albert Mohler