Blogs
What I Want From the News
I suppose we can dream.
It’s gotten so I almost hate the news. I want to know what’s going on in the world, but I’ve lost confidence that there’s as much as a single organization out there communicating it in a trustworthy way. We hear lots of talk today about fake news, but I’m convinced this is less of a concern than what passes as real news. It takes little more than a brief visit to [insert your favorite, then least-favorite news outlet here], to see how the news is far more (and far less) than the news. If I could dream up the news outlet I want, it would be defined by characteristics like these.
Glory Thief
We’ve don’t just fall short of he glory of God; we steal it too.
Sunday as the pastor fenced the communion table and led us in a prayer of confession he asked forgiveness for “glory thieves.” The Lord raised a strong but gentle index finger to my heart and said, “Thou art the man.” I knew it right away. Guilty. I steal glory and rob God of his fame.
Why I Wrote Sipping Saltwater
This looks like a book worth reading.
Why did I write Sipping Saltwater? Partly, to understand my father and, more specifically, his addiction. Partly, to provide a bit of redemption to the dark tale of his life and my somewhat traumatic childhood. Partly, to provide a new angle on the topic of idolatry. Partly, to point to idolatry as the fundamental root of any addiction. Partly, to uncover a host of hidden idols and addictions in our contemporary culture. Partly, to confess that I’m the worst of addicts (1 Tim. 1:15). But the main reason I wrote Sipping Saltwater was to point to Jesus as the pathway to freedom from idolatry and addiction. He is the source of living water—the only drink that will quench our thirst both now and forever.
My Struggle to Smash the Food Idol
Looks like “Check out” has an idolatry theme today:
The abundant life we’re promised through Christ is filled with the sin-conquering power of the Holy Spirit. Even the most out-of-control eater can find the hope of being transformed and made new. Even if every meal plan, diet, or “lifestyle modification” you’ve ever attempted has failed you, Jesus won’t.
Two Indispensable Requirements for Pastoral Ministry
Kevin DeYoung: “In my experience, ministry won’t go well, and pastors won’t go far, without at least these two requirements: We must like studying the Bible. And we must like our people.”
Porn Is Not Harmless. It’s Cruel
What if on the judgment day every person you’ve ever consumed via porn was to stand beside the judgment seat? If the men of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba will be there as witnesses (Matt. 12:41-42), why not your porn victims?
“There’s a myth that porn is harmless. “It’s just a few consenting adults, doing what they want with their own bodies,” the thinking goes. But this simply isn’t true. In reality, pornography is deeply involved in the exploitation of women and children, and it’s destructive to its consumers. Porn is much more than an individual decision—it’s part of a system that preys on women and children, and its viewers are participating in, contributing to, and being shaped by that destructive, enslaving system.”
Q&A: How Can I Ask My Church for Help with Mental Illness?
Amy Simpson answers the following question:
My husband has bipolar disorder, and my daughter really struggles with depression. My husband has started taking medication, but things are still rough. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it seems like it’s not working. My daughter gets so depressed, sometimes I’m afraid I’m going to lose her. And sometimes she seems like she doesn’t want to get better. Family life can be really hard, and I wish I had some help and support from my church. I’ve mentioned it to my pastor, and he says he’ll pray for me, but he doesn’t offer anything else. I think I might need to tell him some specific ways the church could help. Sometimes I feel like people are keeping their distance because they don’t know what to say or do. But I know these are good, loving people who care about me. What’s a good way to ask them for help?”
Kindle Books
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.
Can I really trust the Bible?: and other questions about Scripture, truth and how God speaks $2.99.
Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ by Kent Hughes $7.99. I love this homiletical commentary series.
Job: The Wisdom of the Cross by Christopher Ash $7.99.