Grace and peace to you today.

Crossway has a number of Kindle deals on theological books.
(Yesterday on the blog: God Means To Make Something Of Us)
The twisted self
“Many of us are familiar with books and movies in which plots revolve around characters who find themselves trapped in worlds where nothing works in quite the way they expect. Whether it is Alice wandering through Wonderland or Keanu Reeves trapped in the Matrix, they feel disoriented, confused, and anxious. And that is the way many people feel today in our world, where everything that seemed certain only the day before yesterday—the definition of marriage or the meaning of the word woman, for example—seem now to be in a state of flux.”
For Those who Thirst
This is a sweet reflection on how God satisfies those who thirst.
What Catholicism Teaches About the Supper
“Here in Rome, Italy, near the heart of Roman Catholicism, it is not unusual to pass by one of the city’s countless Catholic churches and see people prostrate on the floor or on bended knee as the priest carries around the bread of the Eucharist.” Reid Karr goes to on explain what the Catholic Church believes about the Lord’s Supper.
Why Keep Reading the Bible?
Why would someone not only read the Bible, but read it again and again? Barbara offers a whole list of good reasons.
another Friendly Reminder
This is a friendly and perhaps necessary reminder about the ways we think about one another and relate to one another.
Imagine Reading ‘The Lord of the Rings’ the Way You Read the Bible
This is actually a good thought exercise: How would it change The Lord of the Rings if you read it like so many people read the Bible?
Flashback: A Prayer for Parents of Teens
This is a prayer for matters of first importance. May it give you words to pray for the child you love…

The night is mother of the day; trust through the dark brings triumph in the dawn. —Theodore Cuyler

The Lord be with you and bless you today.

Why Bros Failed at the Box Office
Carl Trueman has some thoughts about why the gay rom-com Bros failed at the box office. His analysis is well worth reading, but I would want to add this: I think there’s no significant audience for it. Men don’t generally want to watch rom-coms and women don’t have any great interest in one grounded in a homosexual relationship (and displaying homosexual sex scenes). Hence, they made a film that, by definition, has low appeal and their marketing ploy of “see this or you’re a bigot” wasn’t attractive to anyone.
Praying in Public
Lisa LaGeorge offers some helpful counsel on praying in public (and a reminder of what we demonstrate to others when we do so).
Getting America’s Most Famous (Or Infamous) Sermon Right
“In the Summer of 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God—the most famous or infamous sermon to land on what would soon be American soil.” Travis Hearne focuses on an aspect of this sermon that most accounts have neglected.
2022 Wildlife Photographer of the Year
There are some stunning photos of nature in this gallery. The “bee ball” is the overall winner, and for good reason.
The Need for Roots
Andrew Wilson: “A few years ago I noticed how many of my favourite authors were writing during or immediately after World War II. It had not occurred to me before, and I wondered why it might be the case.” This leads to a reflection on the modern day.
A Word About the ‘Spark’ In Marriage
Lauren Washer says “a marriage that lasts requires more than a sexy flame.” In other words, that “spark” must be more than sexual desire, important though that may be.
Flashback: A Master at Identifying Sin
I am a master at identifying sin. I might be tempted to brag about that fact, except for this: While I’m a master at identifying the sin in other people, I’m a mere novice at identifying the sin in myself.

God kills thy comforts from no other design but to kill thy corruptions; wants are ordained to kill wantonness, poverty is appointed to kill pride, reproaches are permitted to destroy ambition. —John Flavel

This week Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by BJU Seminary. They are giving away a bundle of books, authored by their faculty, that provide biblical counsel on fighting sin and growing in Christ. BJU Seminary equips Christian leaders through an educational and ministry experience that is biblically shaped, theologically rich, historically significant, and evangelistically robust.

Anger, Anxiety and Fear: A Biblical Perspective by Stuart Scott
Our responsibility as Christians is to depend on God as we work toward becoming more like Jesus every day. Often, there are life-dominating sins that greatly hinder us from becoming more like Him. As the challenges of living in an uncertain world increase, the sins of anger, anxiety and fear come up more frequently in our daily lives. We need to be on guard against these sins and know how to deal with temptation when it comes.
Killing Sin Habits: Conquering Sin with Radical Faith by Stuart Scott with Zondra Scott
The word “mortified” often implies shame or embarrassment. When it relates to the mortification of sin, it means much more than that. Certainly we should be ashamed or embarrassed by our sin, but Scripture teaches that we are to actively subdue our sin; and more radically, kill our sin habits.
In this small volume, the authors compare our chronic fall into sin with the descending hours on a clock, demonstrating a repetitive and perfect pattern for sin. Both practical and challenging, this book demonstrates how God through the work of the Holy Spirit and radical faith can help you conquer sin in your life.
Changed into His Image: God’s Plan for Transforming Your Life by Jim Berg
Changed into His Image addresses Christian sanctification. It directs individual believers to recognize the true condition of the world and their own flesh, to turn from this reality to accept a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, and to respond to God’s promptings in life. Both disciple makers and new and old believers alike will benefit from this roadmap to spiritual growth, especially with careful contemplation of sections dedicated to individual use and to disciple making. Combine this study with Essential Virtues for a comprehensive look at Christian growth and maturity.
Essential Virtues: Marks of the Christ-Centered Life by Jim Berg
Essential Virtues draws from the principles of 2 Peter 1 to explore the marks of the Christian life. Peter lists the virtues of a Christlike believer: knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. As we understand the meaning and importance of these core virtues, we can learn to cultivate these qualities while avoiding worldliness, rebellion, and spiritual apathy. Berg’s clear application encourages personal Bible study that will result in true biblical maturity. Essential Virtues includes study-guide questions for personal reflection.
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