As you know, I like to do my best to sort through the new Christian books that are released each month to see what stands out as being not only new but also particularly notable. I received quite a number of new books in March and narrowed the list down to the ones below. I have included the editorial description for each. I hope there’s something here that catches your eye!

Wiser with Jesus: Overcoming the Temptations That Hinder Your Relationships, Steal Your Time, Mar Your Decision-Making and Thwart Your Purpose by Zack Eswine. “The biblical book of Proverbs exemplifies how to live life on this earth in the best way possible. However, rather than giving us step–by–step instructions on how to live a more efficient, productive, and successful life, the ancient book of Proverbs encourages us to meditate on the person, posture and pace of wisdom. In our pursuit of wisdom as Christians, we find that ultimate wisdom is embodied in Christ. We must pursue wisdom as we would a person, relationally and with love. The posture of wisdom is one of humility and teachability, and the pace of wisdom encourages meditation rather than immediate action. In this valuable book, Zack Eswine shows us how these things play out in our everyday lives. He emphasizes the importance of relating wisely to people, including to ourselves, before considering how to grow wiser in life skills. But to grow wiser of heart, whether with people or with life skills, wisdom invites us to prayer and community. Biblical wisdom invites us to seek wiser hearts in communal rather than lonely ways.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Paul: Apostle of Grace by Frank Thielman. “In this fresh and engaging survey, Frank Thielman introduces readers to the life and world of the apostle Paul. Drawing on the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s canonical letters as well as noncanonical sources and archaeological records, Thielman constructs a vivid picture of the complex historical period and fascinating cultures in which Paul worked. At the same time, Thielman guides readers toward a deeper understanding of who Paul was, what he believed, and how he carried out his ministry. Solidly grounded in Paul’s own writings as well as scholarly research, the book explores a wide range of compelling questions. … Addressing these questions through careful and conservative research, Paul, Apostle of Grace is a worthy successor to F.F. Bruce’s classic study and an essential resource for scholars and students of the Bible today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory by Robert S. Smith. “Understand society’s shifts in thinking and talking about sex and gender; Discover how biological sex guides gender; Recognize how the Bible speaks to gender and transgender; Respond to affirming interpretations of Scripture; Answer gender confusion with clarity and compassion. In The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory, Robert S. Smith argues that God intends a person’s gender to be grounded in the reality of his or her biological sex―the body God has given. In making his case, Smith critiques the central claim of transgender theory: that the sexed body does not determine the gendered self. He also evaluates contemporary changes in thought and speech about sex and gender, responding to modern confusion with biblical conviction and compassion. God speaks clearly, both in his word and in his world.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Disrupted Journey: Walking with Your Loved One Through Chronic Pain and Illness by Nate Brooks. “When your loved one’s life is wracked by illness, your life changes too. This honest, deeply personal book helps readers to biblically process their own upended lives, relationships, and spiritual walk. Whether you’re a parent, spouse, child, or friend, when your loved one’s life is wracked by illness and pain, your life changes too. This honest, deeply personal book helps caregivers and companions of hurting people to process their own upended lives, relationships, and spiritual walk—while keeping their gaze on the comfort and hope offered by Scripture.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems Lost by Ray Ortlund. “We all long for a life worth living. So when we receive news of a frightening diagnosis, suffer heartbreaking loss in our family life, or get trapped in a cycle of our own sin, we might wonder about God. Where is he when we need him most? With wisdom from Isaiah 57:15, Good News at Rock Bottom helps readers discover that Jesus is hard to find in the comfortable lives we prefer. Instead, he meets us at rock bottom―where he is waiting for us with open arms. With grace and empathy, author Ray Ortlund opens a door for readers to go deeper with God and get closer to faithful friends when life is hard to bear. You will discover that, at rock bottom, Jesus is more satisfying than any comfortable life without him.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Romans: The Glory of the Gospel by Lydia Brownback. This is the newest volume in Brownback’s excellent Flourish series which many of the ladies in our church are using. “Why is Romans considered the greatest letter ever written? In this New Testament epistle, the apostle Paul provides the clearest explanation of the gospel and the eternal hope for a humanity marred by sin and death. Through King Jesus, God reveals his righteousness, redeems his people from their sins, and unlocks the floodgates of his mercy. In this 10-week Bible study for women, Lydia Brownback examines Romans verse by verse to explore how God works through his Son and in the hearts of his people. Written for individuals or groups, each lesson helps women understand important doctrines of the faith, such as justification, propitiation, and redemption, on a practical and accessible level.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Fake Christianity: 10 Traps of an Inauthentic Faith (and How to Avoid Them) by Jed Coppenger. “Fake Christianity is deceptive and deadly. And, unfortunately, it’s very much alive today. We can easily recognize problems and hypocrisy around us. But it takes humility and courage to face the error and deception within us. With a pastoral heart, Jed Coppenger shows us how unnoticed hypocrisy, like prayerlessness, neglect of the Bible, gossip, bitterness, and every form of ungodliness, compromise our heart and weaken our Christian witness. In Fake Christianity, Coppenger looks to the teachings of Jesus that address a culture remarkably like our own. He exposes ten traps of inauthentic faith and provides a gospel-centric response. The best way to tell a fake thing is to look at the real thing. That’s true when looking at gems. It’s also true of the Christian life. If we want to understand what’s true and good, we must look to Jesus. And we must listen to Him.” (Buy it at Amazon)

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles (Second Edition) by Paul David Tripp. “Underneath the normality of daily speech lies a great struggle—a war of words with high stakes and life-changing consequences. With characteristic vulnerability and Christ-centeredness, Paul Tripp shows that the gospel can utterly transform the way we communicate. The Word made flesh offers us hope for our words—giving us the power to speak words that restore, words that heal, words that bring life. In our war, the Lord Jesus is the one who gives us the victory. With the aid of personal assessments and discussion questions, use this incisive book to renew your reliance on your heavenly Father’s abundant grace and better pursue speech that honors Christ and benefits others.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office by Thomas Murphy. “Whether newly ordained or nearly retired, every pastor will benefit from the wise counsel of this book. Based in part on his experience as a pastor for over twenty-five years, and in part from his notes from Archibald Alexander’s Princeton Seminary class on pastoral ministry, Thomas Murphy sets forth the duties of the pastor in expansive and practical detail. Though written twelve years after the end of the US Civil War, this work remains relevant. The chapters on the pastor in his closet and the pastor in his study are alone worth the price of the book.” (Buy it at Westminster Books)

Walking in God’s Will: Demystify God’s Plan for Your Life and Make Decisions with Confidence by Costi W. Hinn. “Do you feel paralyzed by major life decisions because you’re afraid of missing God’s plan for your life? Do you wonder how God’s will works in tandem with your choices, experiences, and desires? In this timeless guidebook, pastor and Bible teacher Costi Hinn offers readers an expansive map of what Scripture says about God’s will. As you read, you’ll learn to overcome common decision-making cripplers, distinguish God’s voice from your own, and experience peace, joy, and confidence with each life choice, big or small. Whether you’re praying through a specific decision or simply curious about how God’s providence works, Walking in God’s Will is the book for you.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Colossians, Volume 44A: Second Edition (44) (Word Biblical Commentary) by Clinton E. Arnold. “The Word Biblical Commentary series delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.” This new second edition comes with a wide range of endorsements: Thomas Schreiner, Constantine Campbell, Eckhard Schnabel, and so on. (Buy it at Amazon)

Drive Through the Bible: A 30-Day Journey by Colin Smith. “The Old Testament. The New Testament. Proverbs and Psalms. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. When traveling, we rely heavily on maps and navigation systems to take us through the countryside and to our destination. Drive Through the Bible is a 30-session guided tour that explores the beautiful and treacherous landscape of the entire Bible story. With the pastoral guidance of Colin Smith, this book brings you into the valleys of the Old Testament, the peaks of the glory of Jesus, and the ups and downs of the Christian life. This journey spans thousands of years, but its simple, guided approach makes it feel like a quick drive up the road.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Today’s Kindle deals include a few noteworthy titles like MacArthur’s From Ordinary to Extraordinary and Thorne’s Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers. On the general market side there’s a Malcolm Gladwell book that’s a fun read. Also, I have it on good authority that April is going to be an epic month for Kindle deals, so consider following my dedicated accounts on X (@challiesdeals) or Facebook (Challies Deals).

Logos users, be sure to take a look at the final Logos March Matchup deals before they’re gone. Deals go as high as 60% off.

This article considers IVF and helps Christians think well about it. “The rightful ache for a child of one’s own that we and so many others share with Hannah is a key reason why reproductive technologies like IVF were developed. Trump’s executive order appropriately recognizes the importance of family and the government’s role in helping promote and support the bearing and rearing of children. However…”

Simon Arscott considers a little word that is of outsized importance.

Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we live in an age of life, redemption and hope. One of the ways we can stay grounded in this truth is reading about Christ’s work on the cross. For gospel-centered books and products, check out the Christian bookstore 21Five! Their Easter collection is 10% off and contains a variety of affordable devotionals, books and children’s titles! (Sponsored)

“Television shows and movies are like sermons. They teach. They illustrate. They exhort. They persuade. The productions that possess a conviction beyond profit have a truth they mean to impart, an impulse they mean to cultivate, a reflex they mean to train.”

Brianna Lambert: “How has God shaped your loves? I’m not talking about all the activities you think you should be doing. Though it’s tempting, we don’t want to be driven by aesthetics like I was in my own childish career aspirations asking: How can we impress? What looks good? Once we throw off this noise, we’ll find the gifts of our Maker.”

This is a good outline of what’s involved in preparing and delivering a sermon.

Robb Brunansky outlines three of the ways conflict is harmful to the church. “Since we cannot avoid church conflict, we need to know how to handle it biblically in order to resolve it in a way that honors Christ and preserves the unity of His body.”

It is no small thing to allow ourselves to be wronged and then to meekly suffer the consequences. It may be one of the greatest challenges we are ever called to face. Yet we can be equal to the challenge if we take hold of the grace God offers us.

When God’s Word isn’t internalized, it becomes trivialized in the practical moments of life.
—Sam Luce & Hunter Williams

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include a book for moms, a book for men, and several other good picks as well like a helpful book on personal finance.

(Yesterday on the blog: Are You Binding the Wound or Aggravating It?)

Joe Carter: “Most pastors and church leaders know exactly what to do when members face a health crisis or the loss of loved ones, but we’re often less equipped to address unemployment. In a culture where ‘What do you do?’ is typically the first question we ask on meeting someone new, the loss of employment can feel like the loss of self. We need to do a better job of acknowledging that unemployment isn’t merely an economic hardship but a spiritual problem that often triggers a profound identity crisis.”

“I don’t know what God’s doing, but I feel like He’s calling me to do something. What does Jesus want me to do?” Most people ask these questions at one time or another. Here’s some guidance on answering them.

Jacob celebrates his messy house and what it means.

Casey McCall laments what he sees as a rise of a Nietzschean form of Christianity. “Professing Christians—mainly online—are presenting a twisted version of Christianity that champions Nietzschean values in the name of Christ. Every week, I encounter online personalities using the name of Jesus in pursuit of Nietzschean ideals and goals.”

Rachel calls us to stop and marvel at the wonder of the local church.

“MrBeast not only seems to have missed the social critiques of Squid Game but has taken them one step further and inverted them. Beast Games doesn’t challenge greed, materialism, or predatory entertainment. It revels in them. Despite being billed as clean fun for the whole family, it teaches a twisted message: The love of money is the root of great entertainment.”

The way your church allocates its financial resources tells so much about what you value most and about what you mean to accomplish in the name of Jesus Christ. A healthy church will demonstrate health in its finances.

You cannot be a perfect mom, but you can be a prayerful mom.
—Melissa Kruger

One of the privileges we have as Christians is the privilege of caring for one another—of blessing one another in our difficulties and comforting one another in our sorrows. In such “one another” ministry we represent God and extend love and mercy on his behalf. This is a precious and sacred ministry that falls to every believer.

But it is a ministry that can be done well or poorly. Those who are called to heal can sometimes harm and those who are called to soothe sorrows can sometimes aggravate them. From what I have observed, the difference is often in whether people are led by compassion or curiosity.

Imagine a man who has received a terrible wound on his arm. He visits the hospital and the doctor carefully cleans and bandages it. “Keep that dressing on it,” he says, “and make sure your arm remains in a sling.” The man returns home and his friends gladly begin to care for him, doing those tasks his injury otherwise makes impossible. Sure enough, his arm begins the slow process of healing.

But before long another group of friends grows curious and they say, “We want to see it.” They begin to tug the bandage off to observe how swollen the wound is, how inflamed, how irritated, how messy. And when that patient visits the doctor for a follow-up appointment, the doctor exclaims, “What have you done? That wound will never heal as long as you expose it!”

Christians who have suffered soon learn the difference between those who dress their wounds and those who aggravate them—those who help heal their sorrows and those who make them worse. So often what people want in their suffering is to be treated gently and to allow their hearts to heal at a slow but manageable pace. Though time does not heal all wounds, wounds cannot heal without time. What can often hinder healing is exposure—exposure that is unnecessary and caused by curiosity rather than compassion.

Though time does not heal all wounds, wounds cannot heal without time.Share

“What caused his death? What were his last words? What did it feel like to know you are now fatherless, now childless, now a widow?”

“What kind of abuse did you suffer? How bad was it?”

“Tell me about the tragedy you witnessed. Recount the whole scene, describe all the events, and tell me what you felt as it unfolded.”

Such questions may sometimes be appropriate, perhaps especially when asked by a counselor or another person who has training, who has expertise, and who has been granted permission. But such questions are often motivated by curiosity more than compassion and asked by those who may be clumsy rather than skilled. Such people can inadvertently expose the wound and in that way, risk hindering the healing that God’s work has already begun.

So when you have the opportunity to reach out to someone who is hurt and hurting, consider whether you are being led by compassion or curiosity. Consider whether you are binding the wound or aggravating it. Consider whether you are helping God’s gracious work of healing or whether you may in fact be hindering it.

Inspired in part by De Witt Talmage

Westminster Books is offering a great deal on a new book that looks like it may become the definitive Christian response to transgender theory.

Today’s Kindle deals include the usual variety of good books.

Stephen McAlpine has a thought-provoking article about his group of Jesus Geezers and the sad death of Gene Hackman.

“While we probably know that prayer should be at the top of the list of what needs our time and attention each week, it is often bumped to the bottom of the priority list. As a result, we begin to do ministry on the fuel of our own strength and abilities rather than the strength and ability of God. Of course, it’s just a matter of time before that fuel runs out.”

Easter is a highlight in the Christian calendar—how can we best celebrate the joy of the season? Make Easter special this year with resources from 21Five, Canada’s source for gospel-centered books and products. Save 10% on their entire Easter collection! (Sponsored)

Alan Noble has some helpful and encouraging thoughts on failure. “Yes, we are going to keep failing at life, again and again. Failing people we love. Failing at things we love. Failing the God we love. But we have a path for dealing with failure. It takes faith, courage, and hope.”

“Armchair therapists sit behind a microphone and fill their podcasts with stories about how happiness comes from looking out for yourself above all, from grasping for all that you can get in this life, from cutting people out who don’t appreciate you like they should. It seems like everywhere we look, we’re encouraged to draw a line, set a boundary, confront someone, rubs someone’s nose in their own wrongdoing. But as Christians, we have to recognize that this messaging, even if it’s branded as Christian, is almost always overblown and self-centered.”

Writing for 9Marks, Daniel Schreiner offers nine thoughts on John Mark Comer’s bestselling Practicing the Way.

It is crucial that we all understand the relationship between fear and wisdom.

I…want to ensure I’m not labeling my pet doctrine a gospel issue simply as a means to prevail in arguments. After all, if everything’s a gospel issue, I guess nothing’s a gospel issue.

Small faculties actively used are of more value than great faculties unemployed.
—De Witt Talmage

Amazon is beginning a “Big Spring Sale” today. As of the time I am scheduling this post, I don’t know whether it will include books (though it will definitely include much else). Check back in the morning or give it a look yourself and we shall see what they’ve got for us.

There is an especially strong batch of Kindle deals today, so be sure to take a peek.

(Yesterday on the blog: When Christians Crash and Burn)

Cyril Chavis Jr. explains how Gen Z’s spirituality may mimic the religion of ancient Ephesus. “Christianity will only become compelling to a post-Christian culture when people realize that Jesus’s demand for exclusive worship comes coupled with Jesus’s demand to trust him for security amid life’s threats. This powerful Jesus melts away the spiritual anxiety that animates our religious pluralism.”

Murray Campbell tells about someone in his home country of Australia who has done essentially that. “Instead of bringing the good news of Jesus to the cyber world, Escalante is now making billions from the credit of the greedy and the foolish and the vulnerable. Stensholt can spot the contradiction, as can many a reader, but what about Escalante?”

Todd Stryd answers a question about building a good relationship between parents and their teenage children.

I very much agree with this article which makes interesting observations like this one. “I’ve spent my entire life in American evangelical churches and institutions, and I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve heard or read a women’s group described with the word ‘accountability.’ Instead, when a women’s small group Bible study or gathering is announced, the words orbiting it are almost always things like encouragement and fellowship.”

Andrea shares a beautiful tribute to her son—a tribute many others will find meaningful.

Bethany Belue tells some of what she has learned from her perspective in the second row—the place where the pastor’s wife sits.

Not surprisingly, commentators are a bit divided on God’s intent in this injunction. There are broadly two different schools of thought. While some scholars choose one of the two options, a good number suggest both are relevant.

While others are congratulating themselves, I have to sit humbly at the foot of the cross and marvel that I’m saved at all.
—C.H. Spurgeon

The pictures quickly made their way around the world—pictures of an aircraft lying upside down in the snow just beyond runway 23 at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. On February 17, Delta flight 4819 landed hard, shearing off the right wing and flipping over before finally sliding to a stop. Remarkably, despite the crash and subsequent fire, all of the passengers and crew escaped. Equally remarkably, few received significant injuries.

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board recently released their preliminary report on the accident and there was one detail that struck me as especially significant and thought-provoking—a detail that teaches an important spiritual lesson.

As far as I can tell, everything that went wrong with flight 4819 went wrong in the last 14 seconds. The details are technical and I needed a pilot friend to explain them to me, but essentially the first officer reduced the engine’s thrust too much and too early—at 153 feet above the runway instead of just a few and at 14 seconds before landing instead of just one or two. The plane responded by slowing to such a degree that it began to descend too quickly and could no longer respond to the pilot’s controls. Thus, what should have been a gentle touchdown was instead slamming a 73,000-pound machine into the ground.

Here is what stood out to me: The flight lasted some 8000 seconds and all was well until 7986 of them had passed. The pilots delivered on well over 99% of their job and to that point they had done everything well. But then they monumentally messed up and a poor decision led to terrible consequences and very nearly to a deadly catastrophe. So even though you could make the argument that the pilots were 99% successful, I say they failed completely. Why? Because their job was not to get their passengers to within 150 feet of the runway and within 14 seconds of a safe touchdown. Their job was to get them gently to the ground and safely to the gate. To fail so catastrophically at 99% of the way through the flight was to fail to such a degree that it would have been better if they had not set out at all.

Even though you could make the argument that the pilots were 99% successful, I say they failed completely.Share

I am allowing this situation to be a reminder to me that when it comes to my life and ministry, I am capable of making a shipwreck of it (or a plane crash, if you prefer) before the end. Even though I may have set out well and be doing okay today, this does not necessarily mean I will finish strong. In fact, I could even blow it after 99% or 99.9% of my time is complete. It is as possible to crash and burn with 14 seconds left as with hundreds, thousands, or millions.

Hence, I know I need to pray all the more that God will keep me to the very end, not to almost the end. I need to continue to examine myself until I see his face, not until I am content with my own progress. I need to continue to love, meditate upon, and apply the gospel until I’ve touched down safely in that land where I will finally be far beyond all peril.

Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

Today’s Kindle deals include some books that will definitely prove helpful in your Christian walk.

This is such a sweet reflection on love and marriage and the things that drive you crazy.

Samuel provides an interesting way to understand wokeness: As a kind of tax on human nature. “Wokeness, in its most visible expressions, asks people to apologize for their humanity. It asks women to be ashamed of loving Snow White’s love story, or of daydreaming about being the princess in the castle. It asks women to live in defiance of the realities of aging or the loneliness of middle-aged life without a spouse or children. It asks men to repent of their competitiveness and physicality.”

Lent is a season of repentance and renewal, turning away from our sins and toward God’s mercy. Although, knowing how to practically engage with the riches of the church year isn’t always easy. Simplify Lent with 21Five, Canada’s source for gospel-centered books and products. Shop their Lent collection at 10% off, which includes books, prayer journals, devotionals and more! (Sponsored)

Jonathan Threlfall considers the rise of wellness as an alternate religion.

Brett McCracken lists his 50 most edifying films of the 21st century so far. He set two rules: No r-rated movies and he needed to include at least one movie from each year of the century.

Heidi writes about “freckles, thigh gaps, Asian vs Western beauty, and ageing.”

Christopher Yuan: “More than fifteen hundred years have passed since the fall of the Roman Empire, yet the moral decay and indulgence that contributed to its collapse continue to echo through Western civilization today. The Roman statesman and orator Cicero once proclaimed, ‘History is the teacher of life’ (Historia magistra vitae est). While proponents of so-called ‘progressive’ lifestyles celebrate their cause, history reminds us that what is labeled as progressive is often regressive.”

Our steps grow lighter when we repent of every sin, when we cast off every transgression, when we remove every hindrance. Holiness in our lives brings lightness to our steps.

Christ embraced me with all my sin and guilt that I may embrace him in all his righteousness.
—Frederick Leahy

Every now and again I like to share an example of a pastoral prayer from Grace Fellowship Church. I do this because there are few examples of pastoral prayers online and I thought these may serve to inspire themes, passages, or ideas as other pastors and elders prepare to lead their churches in prayer. Please feel free to use or to adapt these prayers however you see fit. Here is one pastor Paul Martin prayed before our church not too long ago. (See here for other examples)

Lord God,

Thank you for the gift of prayer and allowing us to approach you now with our words and our hearts. We are all here looking to you, O God. Open your ears to our praises and petitions. Hear us as we pray.

We are so grateful that you have made yourself known to us. We praise you for your perfect Word, our Bibles. Thank you for truth and clarity and knowledge. We don’t live in the dark, and that is only because you have turned on the lights for us. What a privilege to live in this uncertain world with certainty and conviction and hope. We love knowing who you are and what you have done.

We praise you for sending your beloved and only Son, that we might have a Saviour. How we needed a Saviour, not just an example or life coach or wise sage. We needed saving and you sent your own Son to die for our sins. We will never get over how much you love us. So we praise you for being our Creator. We are not accidents, we are yours! We praise you for being our lawgiver, that we might learn how to live. We praise you for your profound patience, so that many may to come to repentance.

At the same time, Lord, we are thinking of the many in this world, even the many in this room, who have not repented from their sins and trusted in that Saviour. People who have heard lots about Jesus but never trusted in Jesus. O Lord have mercy on their souls. Even today, send your Spirit to save the lost. Bring them all the way to Jesus. Just as Joshua stood before the people and told them to choose this day whom they would serve—their idols or the real God—Lord, bring the doubting, or skeptical or denying to the crossroads today and graciously enable them to say, “I choose Jesus!”

Bring reviving in our friendships and relationships here at Grace Fellowship Church, Lord. Help the sister who feels lonely to find a sister to share life with. Give that brother that has been going solo a brother to confess his sins to and pray with.

And as our members go to the local nursing home to love the residents there, bless them in their service. We pray, O God, that you would snatch many from the fire, just as you saved that thief on the cross, save many of the residents, even those who perhaps cannot express that faith with their words anymore, but most definitely with their hearts.

As we pray for them, we ask that you would stop the euthanasia in our country. Revoke Medical Assistance in Dying. We assume this would take an action of our government, so we pray for our new Prime Minister and ask that you might use him to overturn the legislation that allows for this killing. Take the heart of Mr. Carney as you took the heart of Nebudchenezzar of old, and surprise us all by using him to advance your good in this land. Have mercy on him, Lord. Save him, his wife and his children. Let him lead this country in a way that we can live peaceful and quiet lives, being godly and dignified in every way.

And now help us to shake off all the silly distractions and discouragements that lead us to only see what is right in front of us, and show us Christ, Christ our Lord and King, sitting on your throne, waiting for us, who will look us in our eyes and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Lift up our eyes to that Great Day when all the saints from all of time will stand about that throne and exalt the one who gave his life for us. Lift up our eyes to get just a glimpse of glory today, a glimpse of what awaits those who love the Lord. Show us more of you by opening your word to us. Make us hearers who do what you say. Lord God, you are everything to us. There is none like you. So come now and help your people.

This we ask in the Name of the One who gave his life for us, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

My gratitude goes to Focus on the Family for sponsoring the blog this week to tell you about their marriage getaways for pastors. “Whether you seek renewal, guidance, or healing, Focus on the Family’s Weekend Getaways cater to your needs, offering a safe, distraction-free environment.”

Today’s Kindle deals include at least a couple of solid picks.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Future of New Calvinism)

This is a really enjoyable article on Iain Murray. He talks about life, loss, ministry, biography, and much else.

Be sure to read Rachel Welcher’s free verse.

Joseph Holmes explains how the horrific film Anora shows that #MeToo is coming to its end. “But on the other hand, it was kind of unbelievable and surreal. It seemed like only yesterday that the #MeToo movement was in full swing, with the entire culture shaming Hollywood for pressuring women to sexualize themselves for the male gaze.”

Justin offers some thoughts on the daily midlife crisis. “Your twenties are a particularly challenging decade but personally, I experience a mid-whatever crisis at least once a week. What am I doing? Should I have been somebody different? Did I miss some crucial decision years back – a turn in the road I should have taken? Have I wasted my life?”

I really enjoyed Esther Shin Chuang’s article at CT about building the habit of family worship. (You should be able to read the article, though you may need a free account to do so.)

“If the Númenóreans were offered Christ, they wouldn’t have wanted him. That’s because they wanted something else more. They wanted to find a way around death, despite the impossibility. They wanted an imperishable life without first having to put off the perishable. For people bent on dodging death, the message of Jesus seems irrelevant. But it only seems irrelevant because we’ve convinced ourselves that something fading is more trustworthy, more enjoyable, and less intimidating.”

There is something satisfying about complaining, isn’t there? Even though we know it’s sinful, we still find a sick satisfaction in it. For some reason, airing our grievances seems to be a form of therapy.

Christianity is the key that fits the lock of the universe.
—Nancy Pearcey