May the Lord be with you and bless you today, my friends.
Today’s Kindle deals include Kevin DeYoung’s Daily Doctrine, Preston Perry’s How To Tell the Truth, and several books that will prepare you for the Christmas season.
(Yesterday on the blog: Hosting Your Own Little Haman Party)
The Deconstruction of Evangelical Missions
This is a thorough and thought-provoking article about the deconstruction of Evangelical missions. “Today there is a growing movement within evangelicalism that seeks to deconstruct missionary work. It is born from the same concepts that are driving a larger cultural transformation using themes drawn from critical theory and identitarian ideologies. … Will evangelical missionary efforts follow suit and self-immolate under the same pressures?”
Is This the One?
Erik offers wisdom for those who are wondering whether this person is the one they ought to marry. “I’ve seen Christians work through this in different ways, but often it’s on one of two extremes. Either they have overly detailed and nuanced criteria for a spouse, or they are on the other extreme, lacking specifics of what they’re looking for, opting for the more subjective aspect of their feelings. As a pastor, I’ve found that neither extreme is helpful when considered alone—but both perspectives can be beneficial.”
The Problem of False Advertising by Christian Colleges
Randy Alcorn laments and addresses the serious problem of false advertising by Christian colleges. “I am a great believer in Christian higher education. But the doctrinal statements published in many Christian colleges, including some at which I’ve spoken in the past, are simply false advertising (also known as lying). Much of the motive for this dishonesty boils down to money.”
Embrace the Hardship
Though Darryl specifically addresses the hardships that come with church planting, his words address any other kind of hardship as well. “My friend heard me out. He listened carefully. He understood where I was coming from. And then he responded with these words: ‘You knew it would be hard. It is hard. Now get back to work.’ I couldn’t help but laugh, but it was the kick in the pants that I needed.”
Doubters Like Me
“I don’t know if I’ll ever come to a place where periods of small faith no longer plague me. But I do know that my small faith isn’t a barrier between Jesus and me. Faith is His gift, and even the smallest amount of it is the greatest blessing, like a little seed, promising to bloom into something good and nourishing.”
The Great Wizardry of Oz
Barry York: “The modern church is awash with deceitful men putting on a show while onlookers ooh and aah over them. When will professing Christians see past the duplicity and hoodwinking?”
Flashback: One Unexpected Key To a Joyful Marriage
You rarely keep a running total of your own failures or your spouse’s successes. Rather, you maintain records in such a way that you come out ahead. You probably keep the score in your marriage. And I’m sure it makes you unhappy.
It is folly to cry out of the badness of the times when there is so much more reason to complain of the badness of our hearts.
—Charles Bridges
