The thing about legalism is that it’s far easier and far more satisfying to spot in someone else’s life than in your own. We are masterful at identifying it and calling it out in other people, but not nearly so good at doing so in our own lives. In Pat Nemmers’ book Retractions he offers a list of 14 signs that you might be legalistic. It’s far from the definitive word on the subject, but is perhaps a useful guide to considering whether you—yes you!—are legalistic.

You read your Bible to get a check mark rather than to meet with God.
Your spiritual disciplines define your spirituality.
You refuse to forgive although you’ve been forgiven.
You judge others before you listen to them.
You justify yourself by comparing yourself to others.
You feel the need to point out someone else’s sin publicly.
Your schedule is so tight it doesn’t have room for “If the Lord wills” in it.
You separate your spiritual life from your natural life.
You spend time only with “saved” people.
You love the praise of men more than the smile of God.
You’re more interested in conformity than conversion.
You make little things big and big things little.
You praise only other’s outward deeds.
You reject the truth tellers who come into your life.

The beginning of a new month is a good time to remind ourselves that right now, at this very moment, God is reigning from his throne.

This month Westminster Books has great deals on all kinds of ESV Bibles.
There are a few Kindle deals to look at today.
(Yesterday on the blog: No, It Wasn’t the Vaccine)
Disney’s ‘Strange World’ Embodies Strange New World
Brett McCracken: “Two 2022 releases: Disney’s Strange World and Carl Trueman’s Strange New World. Any youth unfortunate enough to have seen the former should be required to read the latter. Disney’s film represents the cultural sickness Trueman’s book analyzes.”
What Does It Mean to Enter into Temptation?
“Jesus doesn’t say, ‘Watch and pray, so you won’t be tempted.’ There is no way you can get into a place in the Christian life where you are no longer tempted. He says, ‘Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation.’ Literally it says, ‘so that you will not enter into temptation.’”
The Life and Ministry of Rev. William Pettigrew
I appreciate Boboy Nameirakpam Singh introducing us to “the first Christian missionary in Manipur, one of the northeastern states of India.”
Gospel Diversity & not hiding our light under a bushel
“Many of us insist that our churches are open to everyone. We want our churches to express the manifold wisdom of God and the glory of Christ through the gospel. I am quite sure everyone who says these things genuinely means them. But many of us are in contexts that make it harder to see.”
Preacher, What’s on Your Kids Menu?
John Joseph encourages preachers to ensure there’s something “on the menu” for kids during the sermon.
Sunday evening exhaustion
“Do you ever get to the end of a Sunday feeling shattered? If you’ve come to church in the morning, gone to someone’s house for lunch (or done the actual hosting), made it to the afternoon service, then talked to people after the service, by the time you get home, you can be exhausted, and frazzled. Rather than being replenished by Sundays, it’s easy to feel drained.”
Flashback: Services Shaped Like an Hourglass
We begin our service distracted, narrow our focus to Jesus Christ, then broaden our gaze to living in this world for God’s glory. We do it again the next week, and again the week after that.

Prayer is a very hard thing to do because it seems like we aren’t doing anything. But it’s also hard because it’s a humble act. We must humble ourselves before God’s mighty hand regularly and cast our cares on Him. —Tony Merida

Good morning from very hot very humid Cambodia. I arrived safely yesterday and today have little on the schedule for today but an 8-hour drive to our filming location in the northern part of the country.

Today’s Kindle deals include a good number of interesting titles.
(Yesterday on the blog: Follow Without Seeing, Die Without Receiving)
Watch and pray
Susan Lafferty reflects on Jesus words to his disciples: “Watch and pray.”
Why Did Jesus Institute the Lord’s Supper on the Passover?
Keith Mathison explains what the Lord’s Supper has to do with Passover.
Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? Three Historical Facts (+ Four Explanations That Don’t Work)
I’d say that the title of Justin Taylor’s article gives a pretty good idea of its content!
A Simple Step in Building Relationships
“What are some ways that you can stop right now and be present and attentive to those you love? How can you respond to the simple bids they are prompting you with?” Lara tells what she has begun doing in hers.
Four Reasons to Be Early to the Sunday Gathering
“What if you showed up to the Sunday gathering just 10-minutes early? Here are some reasons that I think it would be a good idea to give it a try.”
Beware of Those Who Make a Virtue of Doubt
“Christianity Today has published an article about doubt that, if true, would make Jesus into a sinner.” Denny Burk offers an important correction.
Flashback: The Joy of Forgetting What You Need To Remember
One of the great difficulties many of us wish to overcome in life is the fear that we will miss something, neglect something, forget something. We fear that we will miss an appointment, neglect a responsibility, forget a deadline. And as long as such fears remain present, we have trouble relaxing, we have trouble setting our minds at ease.

Repentance requires that we draw near to Jesus, no matter what. And sometimes we all have to crawl there on our hands and knees. —Rosaria Butterfield