Good morning from the West Coast. I’m speaking in Medford, Oregon this weekend and am glad to be here a couple of days early to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Be sure to consider Tim Chester’s Enjoying God and Enjoying Jesus in today’s Kindle deals. There are lots of other good picks as well.
(Yesterday on the blog: Can Christians Watch “House of David?”)
God’s Surprising Wisdom in Waiting
Dave Harvey takes some time to praise God for his wisdom in making us wait. “While the lack of perceivable progress towards your dreams might frustrate you, God remains undisturbed. He is smoothing you out in the riverbed of his activity, refining you with every bump and scratch. And amazingly, every wave carries purpose.”
Biblical Counseling Isn’t Therapy
Casey draws an important distinction between biblical counseling and therapy. “I’m a pastor and biblical counselor. I am not a therapist. However, I’m often mistaken for a therapist. I sometimes get the sense that struggling Christians set up meetings expecting to achieve therapy-informed outcomes. They hear ‘biblical counseling’ but think ‘talk therapy based on the Bible’.”
A Sham Trial: Reviewing ‘The Sin of Empathy’
I haven’t yet read Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy but it seems like the kind of book that is going to offer some good insights while also garnering some thought-provoking critiques. Danielle Treweek expresses some of her concerns with it in this thorough review.
What I Can Control
At times we all realize how little control we have over our lives. With that in mind, Cheryl draws out some of the matters she can control.
The Dirtiest One Another
“We commonly hear about the ‘one anothers’ of Scripture that help guide believers guide how we treat other believers. We’re to encourage one another, edify one another, pray for one another, greet one another, exhort one another, outdo one another in showing honor, and forgive one another (among many others). But I think we often forget the dirtiest of all these…”
Learning to Listen: Engaging With Longer Prayers in Worship
“When people visit a church with a more Reformed liturgy, there are often several things they notice. Some point out the use of historic confessions or catechisms, the Christ-centered preaching, or even the particular style of music. But by far the most common question I hear is about the prayers.” Here’s how to ensure you are engaging with the longer prayers.
Flashback: The Sun Is Blotted from the Sky
…as the light fades, men and angels alike pause in wonder at Christ receiving without grumbling, accepting without complaining, and bearing without limit—bearing it until at last it is lifted by the only One who has the right to do so.
Do not give fair names to foul sins. Call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter.
—C.H.Spurgeon
