Weekend A La Carte (November 17)

Today’s Kindle deals include three solid books that are worthy of your attention. (Yesterday on the blog: New: Challies Daily Podcast (Audio Blog)) Women Writing Theology “Female Christians blessed with writing talent who seek to use their gifts for the benefit of the Church are often questioned about their motivations. ‘Are they simply on an ego trip?’ some ask. ‘Are they unwilling to be quiet servants? Have they bought into worldly ideas? Is this all about gaining power and influence?’” I …

Free Stuff Fridays (Missional Wear)

This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by Missional Wear who also sponsored the blog this week. They have 5 packages of their new theologian busts, which means 5 winners will each receive a pair of Spurgeon and Calvin busts. Missional Wear has created an entire collection of statue busts featuring many of our favorite theologians! A very limited number are available for shipping this holiday season. A special set of two or four statues featuring Charles Spurgeon, John Calvin, …

New: Challies Daily Podcast (Audio Blog)

Through the years I’ve been asked a number of times if I’d consider releasing the content of this blog in audio format. I’ve thought about it often, but have never quite been able to make the pieces come together. That was the case, at least, until recently. I think I’ve now got a structure in place that can actually work. So today I present the Challies Daily Podcast through which you’ll be able to listen to the content of this …

A La Carte (November 16)

Once a year or so Westminster Books puts the ESV Church Bibles on sale with prices getting as low as $5. That sale is running now, so it’s a good time for churches to stock up! (Yesterday on the blog: Is It Worth a Trip to The Holy Land?) What Difference Does it Make for Your Anger That Jesus Died on the Cross? This is some good practical theology. “Personally, I believe that’s a question a believer should regularly ask concerning …

Is It Worth a Trip to The Holy Land?

You want to walk where Jesus walked. You want to see what Jesus saw. Is it a good use of your time and resources to visit the Holy Land? I was asked the question and took a crack at an answer. Transcript Today I want to take on a question that was sent to me by someone who’s seen one of my videos, and here’s the context. She’s arranging a holy land trip and she was wondering, is it really …

A La Carte (November 15)

It has been a little slow for Kindle deals lately, but I expect things to pick up by next week when we head into the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. For today, there’s just one new deal to consider. (Yesterday on the blog: 5 Songs by CityAlight I Think You’ll Enjoy) What Are the “High Places” in the Old Testament, and How Does That Apply to Us Today? Randy Alcorn explains and applies. “Recently someone asked me, ‘I’m intrigued by a …

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The First Two Minutes Matter Most (Episode 1)

Today’s episode is titled “The First Two Minutes Matter Most.” It reminds us that the first two minutes offers each Christian a unique opportunity to serve one another. Today’s sponsor is church websites by Mere. They are the people and technology behind hundreds of churches as well as ministries like Getty Music, The Village Church, and even Challies.com. They’d love to help your church or ministry with a website that is beautiful, successful, and cost-effective. Visit merechurch.com to learn more. …

5 Songs by CityAlight I Think You’ll Enjoy

There has probably never been as much Christian music created as there is today. It can be a chore to sort through the vast amounts of noise to find the few songs that present timeless truth in fresh ways. One group that does this well is Australia’s CityAlight. They are creating music that is a joy to sing alone and, often, well-suited to sing as a congregation. Here are five favorites that are ideal for individuals and congregations alike. (Chords, …

A La Carte (November 14)

Today’s Kindle deals include the Gospel for Life series of short books. Over at Westminster Books you’ll find deals on some Counseling 101 material (in print format). There are lots of games and puzzles for sale on Amazon today in case you’re doing some early Christmas shopping. (Yesterday on the blog: This is the Church in China) The 99-Year-Old Who Asked for a New Heart “It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve shared the Gospel …

This is the Church in China

While in China last week, we met a local church pastor and took the opportunity to visit him. We did it on the train where we could speak with him discreetly. This is the church in China. Transcript Q: What’s the danger of being identified? A: I would be, I’m afraid that if like some people used this video and showed it to the government saying that this guy is saying bad words of our country, then I will get …

A La Carte (November 13)

I’ve returned home from my recent journey to Asia, having spent time in China, the Philippines, and Korea. I was blessed to be there and am, as always, very glad to be home. Today’s Kindle deals include actually just a single book. But it’s a good one! (Yesterday on the blog: Four Categories to “Act the Miracle”) How a Christian Witnesses with Good Deeds D.A. Carson handles an important questions. “For a variety of reasons, Christians have lost this vision of …

2018 Reformed Gift Guide – Find the Best Unique Gifts

This sponsored post was prepared by Missional Wear The time has come to begin making your list and checking it twice. My friends at Missional Wear have been hard at work creating unique theology-inspired goods to make your shopping a breeze. The 2018 Reformed Gift Guide is a curated roadmap to gifting success this holiday season! Here are some of the best ideas that made the top of this year’s list… Bistro Mugs Insulated Tumblers T-shirts Ladies & Raglans Sweatshirts …

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Book Reviews

Gay Girl, Good God

Gay Girl, Good God

Jackie Hill Perry

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Four Categories to “Act the Miracle”

So much of the Christian life comes down to the matter of identity. At heart, who are we? Who or what has the right to define us? What is our deepest identity? Identity is at the core of many issues, not the least of which is same-sex attraction. In her book Gay Girl, Good God, Jackie Hill Perry offers four “categories” to guide our thinking about identity as we “act the miracle” of sanctification. Though she applies them specifically to …

A La Carte (November 12)

Today’s Kindle deals include some solid titles from Crossway as part of their weekly deals. (Yesterday on the blog: How We Worshipped on One Sunday in November) Lucy Hutchinson’s Theological Reflections on Motherhood Here is a thoughtful recommendation to read the poetry and letters of Lucy Hutchinson. Never heard of her? This will serve as an introduction. The Leading Cause Of Death In Canada Sam Sey: “What is the leading cause of death in Canada? The answer might surprise you. The biggest …

How We Worshipped on One Sunday in November

Every few weeks I like to share an example of one of our worship services from Grace Fellowship Church. I hope it serves as simply one model of how we can worship the Lord in a distinctly biblical way. It’s been a joy to hear from people around the world as they tell how they’ve enjoyed seeing these services show up here. This service’s cast of characters included Steve as our service leader, Josh as our lead worshipper, and Chris …

Weekend A La Carte (November 10)

Today’s Kindle deals include a couple of “can’t go wrong” deals. (Yesterday on the blog: Think of the End to Motivate the Action) Four Things That Remain Solidly True No Matter the Mid-Term Election Results “No matter the results, here’s a perspective we should always remember: America may or may not unravel in coming decades, but God’s kingdom certainly won’t! Neither the judicial, legislative, nor executive branch of our government is the ultimate solution to America’s problems.” Thank the Lord for …

Free Stuff Fridays (The Good Book Company)

This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company who also sponsored the blog this week. They have 5 packages of their latest releases to give away, which means 5 winners will each receive the following titles:   Enjoying God, by Tim Chester What is the key to actually enjoying God? Christians talk a lot about having a relationship with God—but what exactly does it mean to have a relationship with someone we cannot see? We talk …

Think of the End to Motivate the Action

I believe in the value of Sunday evening services. But my belief in their value is not evenly distributed across the Lord’s Day. I believe in them a lot at 7:00 PM, just after the service has come to a conclusion. I believe in them far less at 4:30 PM when I have to pry my weary body off the couch, get in the car, and drive to church. I believe in evening services far more a half hour after …

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My Books

Do More Better Cover

Do More Better

by Tim Challies

I wrote this short, fast-paced, practical guide to productivity to share what I have learned about getting things done in today’s digital world. It will help you learn to structure your life to do the most good to the glory of God. Read More