Aileen and I are on the move today as I prepare to speak for several days in Harare, Zimbabwe. I’m looking forward to meeting some of you there!
Be sure not to miss today’s massive roundup of Black Friday deals that cross many different shops and vendors. If you want to skip right to the books and commentaries, I’ve got them here.
Today’s Kindle deals include a list of books from a few different publishers, including Nancy Pearcey’s The Toxic War on Masculinity.
Telling a Better Story
Todd Pruitt: “The church’s focus on matters of sexuality and gender seems to some like an unhealthy preoccupation. It is not difficult to find critics both inside and outside the church expressing incredulity and even mockery over the time and energy that churches, denominations, and various Christian ministries have dedicated to these subjects. But we didn’t start the fire.”
Stopped Pipes & Stubborn People
Ryanne tried to play an organ with a stopped pipe and drew a lesson about the local church. “Is this how the Lord feels when one of his church’s members stops showing up? Or stays silent instead of singing? Or begins to think that, just because his voice is small, it does not matter? Or, because her service is often unnoticed, it is not important?”
The Found Boys
The Found Boys is a thrilling throwback buddy adventure for young readers. Amid the abundant humor and action, the story explores deep themes of forgiveness and reconciliation in age-appropriate ways. (Sponsored)
Avoid Announcement Prayers (and Other Advice for Congregational Prayer)
You’ll find lots of good counsel here for praying meaningful congregational prayers. “In the guidelines we first suggest some practices that we hope to encourage, and then we name a few that we try to discourage. Neither are meant to be rules or commandments; they are more guidelines and best practices. Even if your church handles prayer differently, perhaps our thoughts can help you refine what you do.”
Everything For Your Good
I don’t think it would be possible to spend too much time pondering this amazing truth. “What a sweeping, staggering claim this is! And yet Paul says we can know for certain that all the details of our lives are working together for our good, as believers in Jesus Christ.”
Girls Are Less Interested in Getting Married than Boys
It is a concerning trend that girls are less interested in getting married than boys. Jonathon Van Maren explains what’s behind the trend.
Changing a Church’s Culture: 3 Essential Factors
“How does a church create a healthy, biblical culture? No church wakes up one morning known for evangelism or its thriving young adult program. Some aspects of a church’s culture depend on its context—the urban church will have a different makeup than the rural church. But much of a church’s culture is shaped by what it consumes, celebrates, and is intentional about.”
Flashback: When the Mission Field Comes To You
Of course we can never be apathetic about the call to go to distant lands, but we must also understand our responsibility to reach nearby neighborhoods.
Alas if our children lose the crown of life, it will be small consolation that they have won laurels of literature or art.
—C.H. Spurgeon
