Westminster Books has deals on a book meant to help you understand theology and one another that is meant to keep pastors from wavering.

(Yesterday on the blog: Tearing Us Apart)
A chat with Carl Trueman
I enjoyed WORLD magazine’s chat with Carl Trueman. Is he really learning the banjo?
How Ordinary Worship Is both Reverent and Relevant
This article lays out two errors in the way churches worship and says “on the surface, these two approaches to worship look very different, yet the reason for gravitating to either is usually the same. Fundamentally, what the searcher is longing for is something extraordinary, an escape from the suffocating ordinariness of their everyday lives. Only once they find that missing piece will they be able to experience the vital and vibrant Christianity that has evaded them thus far.”
5 New Stats You Should Know About Teens and Social Media
“How often does your teen use social media? What social media platforms are most popular among the students in your student ministry? Probably a lot, and probably YouTube and TikTok, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center.” This matters—perhaps especially to those of us who are raising teens.
Can the Devil Make Us Sin?
“How much of an impact does the devil have on our society today? How do we know whether something is an act of Satan or just our sinful nature?”
Look Until You See
Cass explains how she’s been learning to “exercise her wonder muscles.”
The Bible tells us the rest of the story about who we are
David looks to Francis Schaeffer to help us understand how the Bibles makes sense of the world.
Flashback: A Bunch of Good Reasons To Saturate Your Worship Services in the Bible
Just like removing too many elements of a pizza will call into doubt whether something still qualifies as pizza at all, removing too many elements of worship should call into doubt whether something still qualifies as a worship service.

If we as Christians are going to address sin, especially in other believers, it’s important that we address it specifically and with biblical categories. —Shai Linne

Thanks for all the kind feedback on yesterday’s launch of Seasons of Sorrow. As you read it, please consider leaving a review at Amazon.

Westminster Books has deals on some new and noteworthy books.
(Yesterday on the blog: A New Song: In the Valley (Bless the Lord))
An Insight Into Influencers
“Who are the most influential people in the lives of teenagers? Most of the potential answers to that question probably haven’t changed much across centuries and cultures: parents, siblings, wider family, friends and educators. But now, in the 21st century, we have to add to that list YouTubers and social media content creators.”
Did Jesus Send Us Looking for ‘Persons of Peace’?
You’ve probably heard of the missions strategy of seeking out a “person of peace.” This article explains why this isn’t necessary.
Let’s Make Sure We Are Preaching The Gospel Of Grace Not A Gospel Of Works
This is important: “In the immediate aftermath of her death, it is inevitable and right that we celebrate her life. A degree of hagiographic overstatement is to be expected as we pay our respects. However, as gospel ministers, we need to be careful that, at this very moment at which the Christian faith and its fruits are in the public eye, we do not inadvertently create the impression that the Christian faith is a works religion, with eternal life secured by a good life of sacrificial service.”
How to have an Elders’s Retreat
Clint Humfrey: “If you’re a pastor, have you thought of having a retreat day with your elders? Likely it’s because you see the need to develop camaraderie, common vision, and to simply take a step back from the ministry of the church and evaluate together. For all of these reasons, a retreat can be a good idea. Here are six suggestions for putting on an elders retreat.”
Everyone Is Guilty, but Anyone Can Be Pardoned
“If a man kills another man, and neither of them put their trust in Jesus, how is it just that they both end up in Hell? It makes sense that the murderer is punished. The victim, however, was unjustly killed. Why should he be punished, as well?” This article answers well.
What Does “Vanity” Mean in Ecclesiastes?
This is quite an interesting take on some possible meanings for the “vanity” of Ecclesiastes.
Flashback: 7 Books To Help You Understand the Times
A new worldview based around a very particular conception of social justice is quickly gaining traction. Traditional understandings of sex and gender are being overthrown. New words and new ideas have suddenly sprung into our common parlance.

The lowest laborer who has grace and fears God, is a nobler being in the eyes of his Creator than the King, ruler, or statesman, whose first aim it is to please the people. —J.C. Ryle

Today’s post is sponsored by Christian Focus Publications and written by Brent Corbin, Executive Director of Reformed Youth Ministries.

Convincing young people that reading an actual book is a worthwhile use of their time is a tall task in our day and age. Whether it’s the ever-beckoning allure of technology, schedules that are chocked full of school, sports, and all kinds of other activities, or just a lack of desire, making the time to read an actual book seems like a practice for days gone by.
But here’s the reality we must face: as useful as videos, podcasts and other technologies can be to the Church in 2022, Christianity is a religion of words. Our God is a God of words. He created through words, calls Himself the Living Word, and wrote a book filled with words to communicate to His children. In light of this, RYM continues to encourage pastors and parents everywhere to value the written word, and to seek to train the next generation to be readers of actual books with real words. The forced slowing-down, and unhurried nature of sitting with a book is a discipline worth re-cultivating in the lives of young people. The Track Series, a collaborative effort between RYM and Christian Focus Publishers is a great place to do this very thing.
Written for students, the Track series addresses numerous topics in three primary areas: Doctrine, Culture, and the Christian Life. Track‘s booklets are theologically rich, accessible, and the perfect length to make actually finishing the book a likely and attainable goal. They seek to engage and challenge the student without dumbing things down. Some of the authors in the series include: Ligon Duncan, Derek Thomas, Ed Welch, Abigail Dodds, Reagan Rose, Stephen Nichols, and Walt Mueller. Each of the different writers brings his or her unique perspectives and expertise to the book’s subject matter. 
The goal of the Track series, through its different topics, is to point us to Jesus Christ, the One who forged a track to guide His followers. While we cannot follow this track perfectly, by His grace and Spirit He called us to strive to stay on the path. It is our prayer that this series of books would help guide young people who are seeking to follow Christ’s track in their day to day living.
Visit 10ofthose to purchase your Track books for the perfect Christmas gift or Stocking Stuffer.