My gratitude goes to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for sponsoring the blog this week. They wanted to be sure you know about their Church Institute which offers free theological training for the local church.
There are, once again, some new Kindle deals to consider today.
(Yesterday on the blog: A Field Guide on Gender and Sexuality)

“Last week what has been dubbed the ‘wedding of the century’ took place in Indiaas the children of two of the richest men in the world married. It is said that the marriage of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant has cost over $600m, though given the groom’s father is worth $120bn it represents less than 0.5% of his wealth.” There is something we can learn from this extravagance.

Pierce Taylor Hibbs: “The world offers us a plethora of options to numb the sharp pangs of loss—ranging from the physical to the material, the psychological to the relational. We chase after dopamine hits and oxytocin boosts from sex—the flights of feeling. We buy fine leather and woven cotton—adornments for our fading frames. We drown our tastebuds with sugar and spice and everything nice—delightful distractions to daze the soul. We chase what we can touch and feel and taste.”

“Somewhere along the way, I concluded that God Himself did not want me happy. Or if I was to be happy, I must only be meant to find happiness in prayer, worship, Bible reading, and obedience to clear commands, but if I tried to enjoy some other activity for a minute, God would probably be mad and smash me for it. He was the cosmic-killjoy. He was the chain locked box and handcuffs; I was the struggling escape artist.” Charlene explains how she came to change this conclusion.

“Hospitality is vital to the life of the church. How we treat someone, whether they’re a visitor or longtime member, may affect their involvement within a church. It may also impact their decision to continue attending a church.”

Writing for World, where hopefully you still have a free article available, Anne Kennedy tells why real life is a better teacher. Better, that is, than social media.

Chances are good that you know some third-culture kids. This article is meant to help you better understand some of their unique challenges.

…though I do not know exactly where that place is, and though I cannot yet reach it, I see undeniable evidence that it exists. 

Always stand to it that your creed must bend to the Bible, and not the Bible to your creed.
—C.H. Spurgeon

Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

We are seeing some Kindle deals related to ETS. They are worth checking out.
(Yesterday on the blog: The Beauty of an Heirloom Bible)
Assurance of Things Hoped For: Christians Will Meet Again in Heaven
You know what I love about blogs? That people write content as good and encouraging as this, and then joyfully give it away for free. “‘You’re welcome,’ I replied, mostly because those were the only words that formed in the weight of the moment. If he noticed my emotion, I’ll never know. For he simply returned to reading the open Bible in his lap. Our visit to Maine was filled with times like this—long periods of quiet introspection, beside an octogenarian who has been a significant force in my life for more than thirty years, with staccato spurts of outward expression.”
Capturing A Moment
Here’s another great example. “The warm sunlight is filtering through the trees, there’s music in the air, and amid the bustle of the servers and the clink of the cutlery there’s a constant hum of lively conversation. I’m not there. I don’t even know where it is, but when I look at the painting of this scene that hangs over our mantle, I can hear it all. I can feel it all, and I love it.”
The 2021 Reformed Gift Guide
Having trouble checking off your Christmas list? Here is a curated guide packed with great ideas that is sure to make them smile! Also, don’t miss out on the early Black Friday deals. (Sponsored Link)
Why did God wait to reveal the Trinity?
That’s a very good question! Dr. Blair Smith answers it in this video from RTS.
Book Tribalism
It’s worth reading Jim Elliff’s little tale about a tribe that was exposed to the Bible and then, a while later, to Christian books.
Why Did God Give Us the Book of Revelation?
Many of us are about to begin reading Revelation in our Bible-reading plans. Here’s an article from Lucky Mogakane that reminds us why God gave us that particular book. “When asked, most Christians will admit they haven’t read the book of Revelation. And those who have, usually say they will never read it again. Forgetting that it was written for our blessing (Revelation 1:3), many Christians are fearful of Revelation.”
Until You Pray
Glenna Marshall discusses what it means to “pray until you pray”—an old Puritan expression.
Flashback: Satan’s Great Trick
Satan’s great joy is to convince you that the sin you are about to commit is very small and the sin you have just committed is very large.

The choice is not whether you will be a Christian soldier or a Christian civilian but whether you will be a prepared Christian soldier or an unprepared one. —Iain Duguid

My thanks goes to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for sponsoring the blog this week. They invite you to join Matthew Barrett for free to study the foundational elements of Christian Theology through For The Church Institute at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College.

Today’s Kindle deals include a good little selection of titles.
(Yesterday on the blog: The Gender Revolution)
The House of Mourning Is Good for the Soul
“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” How can this possibly be the case?
Why My LDS Friend Isn’t Trying to Convert Me to Mormonism
“I was shocked. It was the second time my Latter-day Saint friend told me he wasn’t interested in converting me.” Why wouldn’t Mormons be interested in converting Christians? This article explains.
Our Microwave Culture
“In a culture where you can have a baked potato in eight minutes, a 15-minute potato feels like an eternity. And once we’ve grown accustomed to eight minute expectations, our tolerance for things that take longer lengths of time is diminished. And boy does it show.”
In Our Chaotic Age, Some Atheists Are Rethinking Secularism
Carl Trueman: “What is emerging among some erstwhile left-wing intellectuals today is the realization that atheism, while an interesting theoretical position, offers nothing to address the deeper questions of life.”
Encouragement for Suffering Saints
“Throughout the Bible and church history, we see that God uses suffering to prepare and equip His servants for usefulness in ministry. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 is the norm, not the exception, for those who would serve the Suffering Servant. Suffering is never a pointless evil, but a necessary tool the Lord uses to refine, mature, and prepare us for fruitful service in His kingdom.”
The Good Pastor: A Man Who Changed My Life
You’ll enjoy this biographical article by Ajith Fernando.
Flashback: How God Speaks To Us Today
God can speak and has spoken however he wishes. But today the one way he absolutely promises you can always hear his voice is in his Word.

I remind myself and my church that a message of grace may attract people, but a culture of grace will keep them. —Jared C. Wilson