The God of peace be with you today.
There are some new Kindle deals today. Because some deals are short-lived, it’s best to check in around 7 AM EST most days. That gives you your best chance of catching them all. On the list today is the quirky but very enjoyable Everything Sad Is Untrue.
(Yesterday on the blog: When God Doesn’t Give His Beloved Sleep)
Monk or Missionary: These Are the Only Options Now
“Everyone I know who has deleted their social media has seen their life dramatically improve within three to six months (or, as a friend of mine corrected me, ‘Try three to six days.’). Once they get through the detox period, the cravings for dopamine subside, and the phantom buzzes vanish, people consistently find that their anxiety lessens, their mental capacity increases, their relationships strengthen, and their overall quality of life is better.” I’m not surprised, to be honest.
When Love Wanes, the Marriage Covenant Remains
John Piper: “We would be naive, I think, to suppose that people — young or old, our own children or those of others — will act on the basis of reason and biblical truth when it comes to justifying divorce. I would guess that in 95 cases out of 100 people do what they want to do and then find reasons to do it. Especially those who claim to believe the Bible will find biblical reasons to do it.”
Living in Canada? Save on Ligonier’s Resources
Ligonier Ministries recently announced a partnership with Reformed Book Services as their preferred Canadian distributor. Now, people in Canada can save on shipping when they order Ligonier’s books, teaching series, and other discipleship resources at Ligonier.ca/store. And if you’re near Brantford, Ontario, you can visit Reformed Book Services’ store location. Many of Ligonier’s materials can be purchased there in person. (Sponsored)
The False Identity of Vanity
“Vanity is often defined as someone who has an excessive love of themself—an over-the-top, prideful attitude that thinks, ‘I am the fairest.’ Vanity is certainly not less than this. There are many who live in self-admiration of the way they look or in excessive pride over their gifts and talents. … But there is another aspect to vanity that is equally harmful.”
The Crooked Apple Tree
Seth uses a crooked apple tree as a useful and encouraging metaphor.
The Issue of Wealth in the Bible
This is interesting: “We examined every case in the Bible where an individual was identified as having substantial material possessions and the means of acquiring these goods was disclosed. We found that in the twenty-one cases meeting these criteria, the means of acquisition was a reliable indicator of whether a person received approval or disapproval.”
Repeated Sinning and the Hope of Forgiveness
Can there be forgiveness for the sins we commit again and again? Nick Batzig offers a hopeful answer here.
Flashback: Should We Exercise “Pronoun Hospitality?”
The authors of the book The Gender Revolution speak to the subject of so-called “pronoun hospitality” along with the pressure to tell others your own preferred pronouns and provide their guidance.
A congregation who prays for their pastors will be a better-fed congregation than those who do not.
—Alistair Begg
