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A La Carte (August 22)

I returned from Germany safe and sound and pretty badly jet-lagged. It was a great trip, I learned a lot, and was able to see some of the things I needed to see for my upcoming project. I’ll be embarking on another trip in about a month…

Today’s Kindle deals include a few odds and ends.

(Yesterday at the blog I provided 10 Common but Illegitimate Reasons to Divorce.)

Do You Read the Bible Like a Nonbeliever?

John Piper asks the question. “The most basic prayer we can pray about reading the Bible is that God would give us the desire to read this book. Not just the will — that would be next best — but the desire.”

Why I Love the Rural Church

Perhaps God will use this article to give more people a deep love for the forgotten rural churches of the world.

5 Practical Steps for Seeking Wisdom Through Mentorship

Following these five steps is so much better than whining, “I’ve always wanted a mentor but no one has ever stepped up.”

Best Pictures of the 2017 Solar Eclipse

In case you, like me, missed it. See it as a reminder that, once again, God proves himself the greatest artist in the universe.

An Open Letter to Those Debilitated by Their Sexual Sin

David Powlison: “Christ comes with mercy for people who know their sins. His mercy leads to doing simple things that consistently head in the right direction. Do you feel discouraged and defeated by your struggle? Don’t let anyone kid you that there’s some magic answer and somehow you missed it. There are no magic answers. But a Person full of light is willing to walk with you in the direction of the light. He is willing to walk with you the whole way home.”

Feeling Forsaken, But Not Forgotten: An Infertility Story

You may be encouraged by this story.

The Devil’s Glasses

This reads like it’s downstream from the Puritans (which I’m sure it is). “Rather, someone once illustrated temptation in this way. When you are being tempted, the devil sets on your nose a pair of false glasses. These glasses make the sin look so small that you view engaging in it as trivial. How does Satan fool us with lies so that we believe that committing sin will be inconsequential? Here are five of the common ways he distorts our spiritual vision with his lies during temptation.”

Flashback: Faith Hacking: A Simple Method to Organize Your Prayers

Christians have created many patterns and systems to help them as they pray. One of my favorites is John Piper’s model of praying in concentric circles.

Sex is like fire. In the fireplace it keeps us warm. Outside the fireplace it burns down the house.

—Ray Ortlund

  • The Phrase that Altered My Thinking Forever

    This week the blog is sponsored by P&R Publishing and is written by Ralph Cunnington. Years ago, I stumbled repeatedly on an ancient phrase that altered my thinking forever.  Distinct yet inseparable. The first time I encountered this phrase was while studying the Council of Chalcedon’s description of the two natures of Christ. Soon after,…

  • Always Look for the Light

    Always Look for the Light

    For many years there was a little potted plant on our kitchen window sill, though I’ve long since forgotten the variety. Year after year that plant would put out a shoot and from the shoot would emerge a single flower. And I observed that no matter how I turned the pot, the flower would respond.…

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    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: God is good and does good—even in our pain / Dear bride and groom / Sin won’t comfort you / Worthy of the gospel / From self-sufficiency to trusting God’s people / The gods fight for our devotion / and more.

  • Confidence

    God Takes Us Into His Confidence

    Here is another Sunday devotional—a brief thought to orient your heart toward the Lord. God takes the initiative in establishing relationship by reaching out to helpless humanity. He reveals himself to the creatures he has made. But what does it mean for him to provide such revelation of himself? John Calvin began his Institutes by…

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    Weekend A La Carte (March 16)

    A La Carte: I believe in the death of Julius Caesar and the resurrection of Jesus Christ / Reasons students and pastors shouldn’t use ChatGPT / A 1.3 gigpixel photo of a supernova / What two raw vegans taught me about sharing Jesus / If we realize we’re undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive /…

  • Ask Pastor John

    Ask Pastor John

    I admit it: I felt a little skeptical about Ask Pastor John. To be fair, I feel skeptical about most books that begin in one medium before making the leap to another. Books based on sermons, for example, can often be pretty disappointing—a powerful sermon at a conference can make a bland chapter in a…