Check Out

Blogs

Five Things the Psalms of Lament Teach Us About Emotions | Christina Fox, True Woman Blog
“In reading the Psalms of Lament, we can learn how to face our own emotions. Here are five things the Psalms teach us about our emotions:”

8 Family Read-Aloud Books All Ages Will Enjoy | Joy Pullman, The Federalist
“Yes, there really are books that both toddlers and grown-ups (and everyone in between) can enjoy with deep satisfaction. Try reading together starting this summer.”

Reading Writers: Tim Challies, Reading Plans and Essex County | Aaron Armstrong, Blogging Theologically
Aaron interviews Tim Challies about all things reading.

Note to Aspiring Preachers: Here are Seven Key Pitfalls to Avoid | Michael J. Kruger, Canon Fodder
“…because of the complexities of preaching there are a number of pitfalls that all preachers (especially aspiring ones) risk falling into. I thought it might be helpful to highlight some of these possible pitfalls that I have noticed over the years:”

What Should Christians Think about Cremation? | Richard D. Phillips, Reformation21 Blog
“My own parents asked to be cremated, and we their children honored that request. So in raising the subject of a Christian view of cremation, I do not believe that ultimate matters are at stake.”

Preparing Oral Preaching Notes — An Example from Ruth 1 | David Prince, Prince on Preaching
This is super-helpful from David Prince:

I often get asked about how I prepare notes for preaching.  When I prepare to preach, I scribble a great deal that would not be legible to anyone but me, and I rarely type anything on a computer. These practices make showing someone else what I do in preparation difficult. Now that I am starting a new expository series through the book of Ruth, I have decided to approximate my scribble on the computer and provide commentary for what I do to prepare oral preaching notes.

New Book


For the Glory: Eric Liddell’s Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr by Duncan Hamilton

Kindle Deals

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.


John Calvin: Revolutionary, Theologian, Pastor by Williston Walker ($2.99)


Mary Slessor: A Life on the Altar for God by Bruce McLennan ($2.99)


Adoniram Judson by Vance Christie ($2.99)


Banner of Truth Conference Live-streaming Today

Here’s the Livestream link for the Banner of Truth Conference messages today.

Here’s the timetable (ET)  for today (Wednesday):

  • 9.00am – Fighting for Joy in a World full of Sadness – David Murray
  • 10:45am – Rejecting Assimilation – Hensworth Jonas
  • 3:30pm – What did Christ seek first? – Mark Jones
  • 7:00pm – John Owen: That Blessed Communion – Ian Hamilton

Check Out

Blogs

How to Honor Your Parents as an Adult | Jordan Standridge, The Cripplegate
“Honoring our parents has lifelong ramifications. Although there are circumstances where obeying this verse becomes impossible (parents die, they are abusive, they abandon their children etc.) we are called to honor them. So here are some ways we can apply this verse as adult children.”

How to Make Your Gender Disappear | Jared Oliphint, TGC
“The federal government has bought into the idea that gender identity is essentially a matter of the mind. On this understanding, one’s gender cannot be examined, measured, touched, seen, or scientifically proven; gender identity relies wholly and exclusively on self-reporting. And this report comes from one’s own internal feelings and self-analysis, regardless of age.”

The Christian Struggle with Mental Illness | Ed Stetzer, The Exchange
Mental illness is not a subject Christians should run from.

Does the Doctrine of Male Headship Lead to Abuse? | Mary Kassian, True Woman Blog
“Have I witnessed some men use the argument of wifely submission to justify abuse? Yes, I have. It’s deplorable. But I’ve witnessed them use the cover of egalitarianism, too. Abusive men use whatever cover they can to justify their violent sinful behavior.”

The Attributes of God | Lore Ferguson Wilbert, Sayable
“Committing these characteristics of God to memory has been one of the most life-changing disciplines for me. They’re easy to remember, they remind me I am not God, and they speak to nearly every lie I am tempted to believe about Him.”

More Evidence That Helping Others Is a Catalyst for Well-Being | Tom Jacobs, Pacific Standard
Something science and spirituality can agree on.

Tabletalk Milestone: 100,000 Copies to 60+ Countries Each Month | Burk Parsons, Tabletalk
Burk Parsons is now the editor of Tabletalk. Here’s how he first came across it.

“In 1995, I searched everywhere for good theology-theology that is founded on and flows from the Word of God. During my search, a dear friend gave me a copy of Tabletalk magazine. I read it from cover to cover. I immediately ordered a subscription, and month after month God used Tabletalk to change my theology and to change my life. Tabletalk was unlike anything I had seen before, and it is unlike anything I have seen since. Tabletalk gave me the depths of theology without sacrificing the basics of theology.”

How To Become a Good Writer: 50 Quotes From The Greats | Mary Jaksch, Write to Done
“You want to write. But you’re not sure if that makes you a writer. And you don’t just want to be any kind of writer; you want to become a good writer. here are 50 quotes to help you.”

New Book


Jewels From John Newton selected by Miller Ferrie.

Free eBook


What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions by James N. Anderson (FREE!)

Kindle Deals


Jesus, the Only Way to God: Must You Hear the Gospel to be Saved? by John Piper ($0.99)


¿Cómo debo vivir en este mundo? and many other Spanish editions by R.C. Sproul (FREE)

 


Bible Still Standing Strong in 2016

This.

Then this:

The voice said, “Cry out!” “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa. 40:6-8).

No book has been attacked more than the Bible: it’s been doubted, contradicted, banned, neglected, mocked, shredded, buried, burned, criticized, misrepresented, and denied.

No book has more enemies than the Bible: multitudes of scientists, philosophers, psychologists, historians, archaeologists, novelists, journalists, teachers, artists, politicians, kings, presidents, Popes, cults, and even ministers and theologians have fought to abolish it.

They’re all gone or going – like the tulips. But God’s Word is still standing strong in 2016.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa. 40:8).


Check Out

Blogs

Submission Is a Mark of Maturity | Stacy Reoach, Desiring God
How do submission and disagreement work together?

God-Shaped Comfort | Joe Holland, The Christward Collective
“Practical atheism thrives on deficient views of God, eroding the joy that Christians should experience in their everyday lives, enveloping the disciple in a mist of uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety.”

5 Themes on Providence from the Psalms | W. Robert Godfrey, Ligonier Ministries
“In the course of his commentary on the Psalms, Calvin gave strong expression to various aspects of his doctrine of providence. Five themes about providence recur in his exposition.”

Why I’m No Longer a United Methodist | Collin Hansen, TGC
Collin Hansen reflects on the church of his childhood becoming apostate.

Left Targets Christian Schools In Its Potty Crusades | Holly Scheer, The Federalist
“The Obama administration is investigating a school in Wisconsin for sending home letters telling parents and students that they expect students to live within Christian values while at school. This is a private Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod school that serves a tiny group of students-from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade they have 147 students and 10 teachers.”

Lessons from a Letter of Call to John Owen | Danny Hyde, Meet the Puritans
“In short, as a Reformed Christian who is an elder or search committee member involved in the calling process of a potential minister, be honest, be realistic, and be sincere.”

The Backside Blessings of Blogging | Barry York, Gentle Reformation
Some of the hidden blessings of blogging that often are overlooked. And here’s Tim Challies on A Call for Plodding Bloggers.

Dear Grads, You Need a P&L | Andy Kessler, Wall Street Journal
“Even if you don’t like capitalism, you’d better draw up a personal profit-and-loss statement if you want to change the world.”

New Book


A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised by Miles V. Van Pelt, et al

Kindle Deals

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.


The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier ($0.99)


The Coaching Mindset: 8 Ways to Think Like a Coach by Chad Hall ($0.99)


Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur (FREE)


Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions by Sam Storms ($4.99)

Video

This NFL player took away his daughter’s participation ribbon, then THIS happened


Check out

Blogs

What’s the Compassionate Approach to the Transgender Bathroom Debate
“When we provide preferential treatment to a segment of society based on an individual’s choice to identify as a gender other than his or her biological sex at birth, we’re ignoring who really needs our protection: children. They haven’t asked for this, they aren’t demanding safety, but they should expect that we will fight for their protection. ”

The Flow of the Psalms | Gentle Reformation
“Robertson’s thesis is that we shouldn’t treat the Psalms like Hershey’s Kisses – beautifully, individually wrapped treats that have no relationship to one another. He argues that there is a flow to the Psalter, a very deliberate, sophisticated arrangement and a logical progression over the course of the 150 ancient songs that were collected together over several centuries.”

How Do I Preach Expository Sermons from Proverbs?
Good tips on how to preach from Proverbs.

Encourage Our Soldiers with Truth
Support the military by supporting military chaplains:

As part of our mission to proclaim the holiness of God to as many people as possible, Ligonier Ministries wants to help edify the men and women serving in the military and to proclaim the gospel to those service members who may never have heard it. Our program to provide resources to U.S. military chaplains is a vital part of this effort.

How a Small, Country Congregation Became a Megachurch Overnight
Here’s how your congregation can become a megachurch overnight.

Retreats for Pastors – Top 20 Getaway List
A list of 20 retreats and getaways for Pastors

Imagine No Possessions, Imagine Venezuela
Venezuela needs our prayers:

Venezuela has some of the world’s largest supplies of oil, with more proven oil reserves than Saudi Arabia. But about 15 years ago, the late president Hugo Chavez set out to impose a socialist revolution, making a particular point about his great munificence in providing free health care for everyone. In pursuit of this revolution, Chavez crushed every industry outside the oil sector and brought the state-owned oil company under his control. The result has been a long spiral into poverty and oppression. Now we can see the results: socialism literally kills babies.

Kindle Books

Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ “Religious Affection” by Sam Storms $2.99.

How and When to Teach your Kids about Sex by Stan and Brena Jones $3.99.

Thoughts for Young Men by J C Ryle