Beauty Sleep is the New Black
“In addition to being linked to serious health conditions like diabetes, obesity, cancer and immune deficiencies, research shows that chronic lack of sleep significantly affects our largest organ — our skin. Lack of sleep affects us mentally, physically, internally and externally.”

Against the Gods
John Currid’s new book on the relationship between the writings of the Old Testament and other Ancient Near Eastern literature.

Teens and Unrestricted Access
John Perrit gives a hearty “Amen!” to Russell Moore’s recent tweet: “I am just stunned by parents who give their pre-teen children iPhones and iPads with unrestricted Internet access.”

A Harvard Economist’s Surprisingly Simple Productivity Secret
Discovered when he dropped his phone down the toilet.

The Greatest Theologian Among All the Sprouls
Not the answer you are expecting.

Google Hangout with Burk Parsons
I always enjoy listening to Burk Parson’s wisdom. Here he discusses the blessing of discipline in the life of the believer.

Over at the Christward Collective blog I briefly summarize John Newton’s approach to Old Testament Christology. I also give seven reasons why we should seek Christ in the Old Testament, especially when he is more “accessible” in the New. The bullets are:

1. It strengthens our apologetics
2. It encourages Christian devotion
3. It honors the whole Bible
4. It exalts the sovereign wisdom of God
5. It unites us with Old Testament believers
6. It gives us an extra teaching tool
7. It has many helpful precedents:

Read the whole post here.

$5 Friday from Ligonier
Some great resources here including Blood Work by Anthony Carter.

Not Many Were Wise
James Anderson with insightful analysis of a recent study about the relationship between intelligence and faith.

The Sheer Weightlessness of so Many Sermons
Al Mohler on “Why Expository Preaching Matters.”

6 Seminary Tips from the 18th Century
“What do I wish someone had told me before seminary?” Perhaps this question was on the mind of Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) when he sat down to answer an overdue letter to a young man preparing to enter the Bristol Baptist Academy in 1798.”

Healthy Churches are Messy
Why do some healthy churches look unhealthy from the outside?

10 People You Don’t Want in Your Meetings

Toward a new understanding of modesty
“Actress, designer, and former White Power Ranger Jessica Rey has a mission: to get as many women as possible in one-piece swimsuits. ”

God’s Word to the suicidal
Adrian Warnock gathers together a number of Bible verses to help prevent suicide.

Counting the Cost (accurately)
Why tallies of Christian martyrs vary so widely (HT: Joel Miller)

Richard Baxter on Educating Children
Kim Shay mines the puritans for help in teaching our children. Staing with our kids, Ed Stetzer interviews Jason Helopoulos about his new book on family worship.

The Anger Clock
A perceptive cartoon about how Christians often rush victims to forgive their attackers and abusers.

Gentle Reformation Podcast
Barry York and Austin Brown and I talk about Christ in the Old Testament.