This week the blog is sponsored by Evangelical Press, an imprint of 10Publishing. You can take a closer look, and purchase the new Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospelshere (UK), here (CA) or here (US).
“It would be well if professing Christians in modern days studied the four gospels more than they do.” – J.C. Ryle, Holiness (1889)
Introducing: J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Modernised)
Without a doubt, J.C. Ryle has had an outstanding impact on the lives of countless believers. Ryle’s series on the Gospels, in particular, has been invaluable company to numerous Christians delving into the life of Jesus over the decades. First published between 1856 and 1869, these seven volumes will be among the most battered, spine-cracked, corner-folded, underlined, and coffee-stained on many shelves; remaining as fresh and relevant today as ever.
Why dive into the gospels?
Born in 1816, J.C Ryle grew up in Cheshire. As a 21-year-old, he stumbled upon a church that preached the good news of Jesus, and his life was forever changed. Ryle lived the rest of his days proclaiming the gospel through preaching and also writing to rebuke and encourage the wider church. The last twenty years of his life was spent as the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool where he led the cause to build churches and mission halls to reach the ever-growing city with the gospel.
Ryle wanted nothing more than for people – Christians and non-Christians alike – to see Christ:
“It would be well if professing Christians in modern days studied the four Gospels more than they do. No doubt all Scripture is profitable. It is not wise to exalt one part of the Bible at the expense of another. But I think it would be good for some who are very familiar with the epistles if they knew a little more about Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Now, why do I say this? I say it because I want professing Christians to know more about Christ. It is well to be acquainted with all the doctrines and principles of Christianity. It is better to be acquainted with Christ Himself. It is well to be familiar with faith, and grace, and justification, and sanctification. They are all matters ‘pertaining to the King.’ But it is far better to be familiar with Jesus Himself, to see the King’s own face, and to behold His beauty! This is one secret of eminent holiness.” (Holiness, J.C. Ryle)
Even today
Ryle’s wisdom hasn’t lost its ‘oomph’. His themes and direct style are nourishing and personal, daily warming hearts in fresh appreciation of Jesus. And this year, Evangelical Press have made the series even more accessible with a gently modernised text that protects Ryle’s voice and tone – perfect for everyone who wants to be comforted and challenged by this giant’s commentary and convictions. Whether familiar with Ryle or not, this is a must for gospel-hungry believers!

Good morning from Fort Worth, Texas. I’m here to speak at the Called to Counsel conference and am looking forward to meeting some of you along the way.
I added some Kindle deals yesterday morning and, as always, will look for more first thing today.
(Yesterday on the blog: Optimistic Denominationalism)

This is a wonderful piece of writing. “Now that the house was finally empty, it did not take long for silence to rush in and fill that rather large vacuum left by aunts, uncles, grandparents, children of all shapes and sizes, and all manner of distant relations. The silence was welcome for once. In light of the past few weeks I, to some degree, began to understand why Bilbo chose to slip away from his own birthday party in a cloak of invisibility rather than suffer the insufferable commotion that—good intentions aside—friends and family can stir up.”

This is a really good article that looks at more than influencer culture and teenagers. There’s lots here to challenge all of us.

Shop encouraging and engaging Christian books for children at 21Five, Canada’s newest Christian bookstore. Teach the little ones in your life about God’s truth and why it matters. Find age-appropriate books on topics such as creation, Bible stories, prayer, the life of Jesus, and more.  (Sponsored)

“There’s no going back to the ‘good ol’ days.’ Screens are with us whether we like it or not, some for the good and some for the bad. But the people in your life deserve you.” They do, indeed.

If you’ve ever wanted to read a defense of using wine (as in real wine with alcohol in it) during communion, you won’t do much better than this. “The common practice of celebrating the Supper with grape juice or some other form of substitute for alcoholic wine is, to my mind, a serious departure from the biblical pattern.” There’s no harm in reading the argument and being challenged by it.

This is a helpful reminder of what evangelism is all about (and how it so often happens in ordinary life).

I’m so glad that Heidi Tai is once again writing some articles. “Perhaps grand parenting is an opportunity to recreate the Tiny Years—to pause to be fully present, to leave no words unspoken, to have one last hug and kiss. Perhaps it’s a way to heal from past regret, to undo old cycles, to love a past version of a child they miss.”

They want more time to search for anything that will satisfy the longing of their hearts—more money, more women, more cars, more mansions, more plaudits, more power.

Seek to live a quiet life. Focus on where God has placed you and the work he has called you to in this moment. Pursue a heart of convictional kindness.
—Aaron Armstrong

My thanks goes to Mitch Maher for sponsoring the blog this week to tell you about Clarifying the Bible & Clarifying The Apostle Paul. Both are tremendous resources.

Today’s Kindle deals include Thomas Schreiner’s excellent title on the spiritual gifts as well as several other good books and commentaries. I also added a list of historical and general market titles that caught my eye.
(Yesterday on the blog: The Truth About Lies)
I’m Adopted
Malinda shares a sweet and vulnerable article on her adoption. “I still struggle with depressive cycles. At times, I still feel unwanted, unloved and discardable. At times, I’m triggered by events and people in my present that reinforce the trauma of my past. And yet, God is faithful. He continues to reveal places of hurt and anguish and there’s still weeping. But there’s also rejoicing. I’ve even come to the place of being able to rejoice in my earthly adoption—looking at it beyond “being lucky.” In the process of learning to see my earthly adoption as a gift, I’ve learned a few things.”
G. K. Beale on the Expected Universalization of the Old Testament Land Promises
TGC has a clarifying trio of articles here. “On the one-month anniversary of the war between Hamas and Israel, we asked three senior evangelical statesmen—G. K. Beale, Darrell Bock, and Gerald McDermott—to explain the depths of this biblical relationship between Israel and the land and to consider whether it continues to be relevant to the church in our time.” You can read the other entries here: Darrell Bock | Gerald McDermott
What Does John 10:10 Mean?
“Jesus’ mission statement in John 10:10 states, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’ If your interpretation of ‘abundantly’ doesn’t go beyond fine dining, designer clothes, or a luxury car, then you are missing His point.” Tyler Kenney explains.
Peace Near the End of the Road
Andy writes very movingly about his wife’s final days. “Robyn’s disease has progressed significantly. She sleeps most of the day now. When she is awake she has very little energy. We have had to stop all visits as it’s been just too much for her. We don’t know how much longer she will be with us.”
Natural Landscape Photo Awards
There are some tremendously beautiful photos to admire in this list of competition winners.
Work Hard To Be Encouraged
“‘What’d you think of that sermon?’ An innocent question with zero ill intent, but one I’m trying to avoid.” It’s worth reading Jacob’s reasoning.
Flashback: Set Loose in a Mud Pit
When your heart is at peace, so too can be your hands, your feet, and your mouth. In times of difficulty, then, display in your outward demeanor the peace that rules within.

God sometimes drives a very straight nail with a very poor hammer. —De Witt Talmage