Blogs

How To (Finally) Quit Multitasking In These Five Daily Activities
The alternative to multitasking is called “monotasking” or “single-tasking.” Here are five situations in which to try it out, and why it might be the answer to helping you survive a jam-packed schedule—without sacrificing time, energy, or quality.”

Proverbs 8:23, the Eternal Generation of the Son and the History of Reformed Exegesis
Nick Batzig surveys reformed exegesis of Proverbs 8 and concludes that it is speaking of the Son of God.

Be a Parent Worthy of Honor
I usually find that those who most insist on their being honored are the least worthy of it:

Children do not bear the full responsibility of the fifth commandment. If children are to extend honor to their parents, parents are to make it easy for them by living honorable lives.

The Necessity of Prayer in Sermon Prep
“Do we give our study proportional prayer?” asks Erik Raymond.

Most preachers I know spend about 10 to 15 hours a week in sermon preparation in order to preach for 30 to 45 minutes. This means our preaching is about 5 percent of our preparation.

Simplicity in Preaching
Kevin DeYoung summarizes J. C. Ryle’s republished booklet on simplicity in preaching.

It’s short and so helpful that I think I can say without exaggeration that every preacher should try to read J.C. Ryle’s Simplicity in Preaching.

I’m Exhausted — How Do I Recharge My Body Without Neglecting My Soul?
John Piper answers a common question:

Hello Pastor John, I’m 41 years old and have been a pastor for nine years, leading a small but growing church of 120 people in Wales. As I have served as a pastor and leader over this time I have found that due to the spiritually, emotionally, and mentally draining nature of the work, whenever I have spare time (an evening off, a Saturday free) all I want to do is switch off and do trivial stuff like watch sports. I feel like I should be doing more personal reading or devotional, God-pursuing stuff, but I can’t find the energy or desire. Ministry is hard work, so when I have opportunity, I want to escape from things connected to it. How do you handle this tension between ministry as part of your work that you give your time and attention to for much of the day and then the need to have energy to pursue God personally outside of your formal ministry activities? Have you felt this tension and do you have any advice for a young, and already tired, pastor?

Kindle Books

Here’s a recap of the books offered for sale this week.

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.

Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament $1.99.

Searching for Jesus: New Discoveries in the Quest for Jesus of Nazareth—and How They Confirm the Gospel Accounts $1.99.


Do Historical Matters Matter to Faith?: A Critical Appraisal of Modern and Postmodern Approaches to Scripture by James K. Hoffmeier and Dennis R. Magary ($5.99)


Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better by Brant Hansen ($0.99)


Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books by Michael J. Kruger ($5.99)


Perspectives Series on sale, $2.99-$9.99


Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money by Brad Hewitt and James Moline ($3.99)


Grief Undone: A Journey with God and Cancer by Elizabeth W. D. Groves ($2.99)


Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life by Michael Kelley ($0.99)

Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes $2.99.

A History of Christianity: An Introductory Survey $2.99.

Rediscovering Holiness: Know the Fullness of Life with God by J I Packer $1.99