A La Carte (December 11)

I know there are some who are in the habit of praying for me. If that’s you, I’d love prayer as I continue to turn my attention to the book that is coming out of all my travel this year. I am praying for the ability to express myself well and the ability for my hurting hands to stand up to the pounding.

I didn’t find much by way of new Kindle deals today, but do check yesterday’s list if you haven’t already.

(Yesterday on the blog: Get To Know CityAlight (and Their New Album))

A Lesson Heard in Longfellow’s Home

Here’s an interesting story heard and lesson learned in Longfellow’s home. “As we paused in Longfellow’s book-lined study, Garrett told us the story behind one of his poems. In 1863, Longfellow was at a low point. His beloved wife Fanny, mother of their six children, had tragically perished two years earlier when the dress she was wearing caught on fire in the next room from his study. His attempts to put it out came too late, as she died of severe burns the next day.”

Chinese Police Raid Prominent House Church

WORLD: “On Sunday evening, Chinese officials launched a crackdown on Chengdu’s Early Rain Covenant Church and its outspoken pastor, Wang Yi. Since then, police have broken down doors, swarmed apartment complexes, and ransacked homes to detain more than 100 leaders and members of the well-known house church, including Wang and all but one of the church’s elders.”

My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2018

As he does each year, Collin Hansen shares his top 10 theology stories of the year gone by.

When Did Christians Begin Advent Celebrations? (Video)

Ryan Reeves asks and answers in a quick and informative video.

The Gospel According to the Fellowship Hall

There are lots of good thoughts and good lines in this reflection on the gospel and fellowship. “See, you cannot grow in holiness and holier-than-thou-ness at the same time. So a church that makes its main thing the gospel, and when faced with sin in its ranks doesn’t simply crack the whip of the law but says “remember the gospel,” should gradually be seeing grace coming to bear.”

Every Sin / Every Temptation Not Taken

Sometimes we need to ponder our sin.

The Dog Flaying, Child Healing, God Loving Hero of Labrador (Video)

I rather enjoyed this telling of the story of Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, a medical missionary to Newfoundland.

Flashback: Believing the Worst of Those Who Love Me Most

In a moment I can throw out all those years of love and sacrifice and assume that she is now opposed to me, looking out for her interests instead of mine, interested in harming me rather than helping me.