Good morning. Grace and peace to you.
Today’s Kindle deals include some excellent picks about our current cultural moment. Be sure to consider Carl Trueman’s Strange New World, Ray Ortlund’s The Death of Porn, and Brett McCracken’s The Wisdom Pyramid.
The Problem With Habits (And Why We Still Need Them)
Darryl explains why habits matter so much but can also be problematic. In short, “Spiritual disciplines, while necessary, risk becoming empty routines that distract from their true purpose: bringing us closer to God.”
Is It Wrong for Christians to Choose Cremation?
This is a helpful overview of cremation and what the Bible says about it. “For most of church history, Christians never questioned whether to choose burial or cremation. In 1980 in Canada, only 6% of people opted for cremation—and most of them would have been non-Christians. Today, that figure is over 75% and is a popular option among people of all faiths. How should Christians think about this trend?”
Why Does Your Church Meet in a House?
Without demanding or even necessarily recommending it for everyone, Paul explains why he is committed to churches meeting in houses. “Well, we don’t always meet in houses. We also meet in coffee shops, parks, outdoors, and other locations. We could gather in a more traditional church building but meeting in these other locations is actually strategic.”
There Is Only One Good Fight
There are lots of bad fights we can be drawn into, yet there is really only one good fight.
Taking Our Stress to the Lord
“Take breaks…Be present…You can’t be all things to all people. Meet others where they are. Eliminate hurry. Don’t delay. Know your limits. Start exercising. Strength, not cardio. Stress makes you sick. Drink more water. Strive for connection. Make time for yourself. Get enough sleep to prevent ‘X.’ Wake up early to do ‘X.’ Good enough is good enough. Do your best. Take media breaks. Stay up to date. Say ‘no.’ Do more. … How did you feel as you read that list? I don’t know about you, but I felt stressed!”
Toxic Servant Leadership
This is a helpful warning that even something as good as servant leadership can become toxic.
Flashback: Simon, Would You Still Have Passed That Way?
I would still have passed that way even if I had known I would be mistreated, for by sharing his burden I became the first to share in his sufferings.
Where foolish persons demand that God must work within the parameters of their limited understanding, wise persons expand and readjust their views to fit God’s words, work and creation.
—Kelly Kapic
