The Lord be with you and bless you today, my friends.
Today’s Kindle deals include a couple of Paul Tripp’s most important books along with a book by Stanley Gale and a few other choice picks.
(Yesterday on the blog: Are You Scattering Bad Seed?)
What Future Judgment Will Christians Face?
“Well, let’s start with the absolutely glorious news about the judgment that we will not face. I mean, the accomplishment of Christ in dying for us and rising for us can be stated positively and negatively. Positively, he died to ‘bring us to God.’ The enjoyment of the presence of God forever is the positive achievement of the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus.”
Is Every Sin the Same in God’s Eyes?
Kevin DeYoung answers a common question. “Many Christians hold to the mistaken notion that every sin is the same in God’s eyes. Some Christians embrace this conviction by way of a misguided theological calculation: ‘If every sin deserves eternal judgment, then every sin must be equally heinous.’ Others promote the idea for apologetic reasons: ‘Don’t worry, friend, your sins are no worse than anyone else’s sins.’ Still others believe in the equality of every sin out of a genuine sense of humility: ‘Who am I to think that my sins are less vile than anyone else’s sins?’”
The Long Defeat of History
This is quite an article from Jake Meador. “There is a simplicity about Tolkien’s moral vision that is refreshing. Certainly, there are times when the answer to the right course of action is not altogether plain, and wisdom and prudence are needed to help one see the right way. But if honour compels one toward a certain action, come what may, then nothing else matters—at least not for Tolkien.”
4 Common Marketplace Leadership Sayings That Don’t (Fully) Apply in Ministry
Eric Geiger: “At the same time, there are some marketplace leadership insights (even ones that are widely accepted as wise) that don’t translate fully and should not be applied to a local ministry context. The ministry leader is wise to look at all learnings from the marketplace through the lens of God’s Word and His heart for His Church. Here are four common marketplace leadership sayings that don’t fully apply in local church ministry.”
How Infertility Shifted My Perspective in the Midst of Grief
Randi Singleton shares some lessons learned from infertility. “My journey through infertility left me tattered, beaten, and unsure how to navigate life. The grief associated with infertility can be difficult to define. Simply put, it’s the sorrow of a future that may never come to be—grief before grief happens, if that makes sense. There were countless moments that made my heart ache and my chest tighten, but one in particular stands out—a moment when I couldn’t help but think that there had to be another way. I remember feeling so confused and even angry at Jesus for allowing so much pain. This particular experience happened during Christmas, a time when everything feels amplified.”
The Quality of God’s Mercy
Matthew Lee Anderson has a long and thoughtful article about the new book The Widening of God’s Mercy.
Flashback: Young Christian: Give the Lord a Lot to Work With
Young Christians should be relentless in finding ways into the lives, homes, and prayers of older saints so they can see how the Christian life is lived, so they can ask honest questions, so they can learn by observation.
There is never a holy sigh, never a tear we shed, which is lost.
—Richard Sibbes
