The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Today’s Kindle deals include the brand new More of Jesus, which is ideal reading for this time of year. There is also one that addresses the burden of the to-do list and one to help children prepare for Easter.
(Yesterday on the blog: What Did You Give Up When You Became a Christian?)
Learning to Be a “Friendtor”
I think some people will find a good deal of freedom in learning that it may be better to be “friendtor” than a mentor. “By virtue of my ‘advancing years’ (ahem) and because I’m seen as a leader at our church (primarily because my husband is an elder there), I’ve sometimes been labelled a ‘mentor.’ As I slipped into my 40s, younger women began to ask me to mentor them. I readily agreed. I wanted to help and guide them. Then reality struck. I had no idea how to be a mentor.”
The Photo They Don’t Want You to See
Jonathon Van Maren tells about the photo they (in this case, various authorities in Australia) don’t want anyone to see. “In a sane, moral society, this photograph—despite being slightly blurred and clearly taken on a cell phone—would be for the abortion wars what the photo of the young girl Kim Phúc, fleeing naked and in terror after a 1972 napalm attack, was for Vietnam. Both highlight the suffering of children; both expose the horrific cost behind our polite public defenses of our public policy. These photos stir the conscience. But we are not a sane or moral society.”
10 Reasons Evangelicals Are Cringe
Aaron Renn recently wrote about Evangelicalism’s cringe problem, and now Matthew Loftus responds to say, “Renn is fundamentally correct about the reality of evangelical cringeiness and the matching problem of evangelical elites. The high tolerance for cringe leads to evangelicals accepting mediocrity, which then hinders our ability to produce elites. But Renn is wrong about why this is.” You may not agree with all of the points he makes, but I think you will agree with a good number of them.
What is Coram Deo?
Coram Deo is a Latin phrase meaning “before the face of God.” It is often associated with John Calvin and other Reformers who summoned the Christian to live all of life in God’s presence. The Coram Deo Pastors Conference was created to remind pastors of our great God, to recharge preachers to teach with clarity and conviction, and to reinvigorate the weary soul for a life of ministry faithfulness before the face of God. (Sponsored)
Raising Kids Overseas: The Challenges, the Joys, and a Warning
Brad Buser addresses one of the primary impediments that keeps Christians from becoming missionaries: raising their children overseas, often in very difficult conditions. “We had to have an unshakeable conviction that nothing will touch our kids outside of His good, sovereign, wise and loving will. We had dedicated all of our kids to the Lord years ago but seeing them fly off for the boarding school in a little Cessna 185 held in the air by one spinning propeller for a 2.5 hour flight over nothing but jungle…well, we rededicated them every time they were in the air.”
Evaluating the Bible Project’s Theology of Sin and Atonement
I have heard quite a few people express concerns about the Bible Project and especially its view of the atonement. I am thankful that Mike McGarry chose to address the matter in this charitable but concerning article. “The Bible Project is one of the most popular Christian channels on YouTube, and for good reason. Their videos are excellently produced, captivating, and informative. Personally, I’ve used their videos many times. And yet, I want to graciously offer a call for youth pastors to practice discernment, rather than accepting and recommending the Bible Project’s content wholesale.”
What Does the Bible Say About Angels?
What are angels, and what does the Bible tell us about them? Robb Brunansky answers both thoroughly and helpfully at the Cripplegate.
Flashback: 10 Lessons on Parenting Big(ger) Kids
Give your children the privilege and the benefit of access to people who are old and wise and godly and not their parents. As mom and dad you’ve got a huge influence on your children, but sometimes it’s wise and helpful to joyfully hand off influence to others.
There is no commentary that opens up the Bible so much as sickness and sorrow.
—J.C. Ryle
