I usually like to space out book-related content like today’s roundup of new books for kids. However, an article I am writing about Alice Cooper’s new memoir has taken me more time than I expected, so while I had planned to share it today, I’ll finish it up over the weekend and run it on Monday instead. I think you’ll find it interesting, since a major theme of his memoir is his profession of faith in Christ. Until then, maybe there are some kids’ books that will interest you.
Sales & Deals
Today’s Kindle deals include several good picks from Christian Focus that span a variety of subjects.
Recommended Reading
Vaccinated Against God. A. A. Kostas writes from Singapore and expresses his concern that people can essentially become vaccinated against God. “Vaccines are incredibly effective. Which is why, from a spiritual perspective, they are so dangerous.”
The Marriage Miracle That Takes Time. I have read a lot of Ask Pastor Johns, but I think this is my favorite—or one of them, at least. He speaks to people whose spouse is less zealous or less moved by the Christian faith than they are. “Marriage is a home of ecstasy and agony: peaceful and embattled; growing in understanding and often utterly baffled; a place of fulfilled dreams and heart-wrenching disappointments, sweetest satisfactions and exasperating frustrations; a bond where you can weep at being apart and dread being together. No one makes you happier; no one makes you more angry. There are wonderful seasons that last for years that make you say, ‘Piper sure got that wrong,’ and then comes a season when you say, ‘He didn’t know the half of it.’”
Bible Infographics for Kids Bible Handbook. This helpful Bible companion guides readers of any age through a spectacular survey of the entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation. (Sponsored)
A Worship Leader’s Take on the Caleb Flynn Case. Ryanne Molinari was disturbed by many aspects of the Caleb Flynn case, including the fact that he and his lover were both worship leaders. “Consider this my plea to churches: stop being taken advantage of by musicians who do not understand and embrace the gospel because that, ultimately, is what I fear Botner and Flynn proved themselves to be.”
Why I Regret Getting a Vasectomy. Emma Waters continues to share writing on matters related to fertility. In this case, it’s an article by a man who regretted his vasectomy and chose to reverse it. His perspective is Roman Catholic, and I’d like to read some Protestants on the issue, but it’s helpful as far as it goes. While I’m not saying I agree with this article, I do think fertility in general is an area where Protestants probably have a lot of thinking to do.
Addressing the Pastor Shortage With the Gospel. Andrew Fulford describes the current and upcoming shortage of pastors in Canada and addresses it with the gospel. “If, at a very deep level of our hearts, we think the world of the senses—of money, metal, glass, and machines—is what really matters, we will not consider it worth it for anyone to give years of their life to learn how to spiritually care for other people.”
Pastor, You Will Get Hurt. We will all get hurt in life, of course, but pastors seem to get hurt especially frequently and in particular ways. Darryl Dash explains and offers counsel here.
Podcast Recommendations
I don’t listen to many podcasts, but my friend Paul Martin does, so I ask him to provide occasional roundups. Here’s his latest.
Redemption Song. This is a great episode for a couple of reasons. First, you get to see Sean look uncomfortable and I think that is because, for those of us who are friends with Mark Dever, we know we are completely out of our league in rapid-fire repartee! Way better than Sean’s squirming, however, is the content of the discussion on congregational singing. If your church services have turned into more of a concert, maybe see if your pastors will listen to this one or buy Sean’s book.
The Wayne Grudem Interview. Speaking of Sean, you really need to give his interview with Wayne Grudem a listen. Yep, that Wayne Grudem. Such an interesting life and what’s better than hearing Wayne talk about how much he loves Margaret?
Why Is it So Hard to Find an NFL Quarterback? If you love football (the American variety), you might enjoy this look at the science of drafting a good quarterback. Mostly, there is very little science! In fact, it might surprise you to see how much money is being spent in America to crack this “prediction market.”
An Introduction to the Greatest Letter in the History of the World. I really enjoy the preaching of my friend and fellow Toronto pastor, John Bell. He has recently begun a series in Romans that I think will bless your socks off. Not only that, he is threatening to finish his series in Romans before me … and I kind of think he will.
Flashback
Add a Little Extra Beauty. In those matters God calls me to do, shouldn’t I go beyond merely getting them done and instead add an extra bit of effort? Wouldn’t I be most closely imitating him if I went beyond merely completing the task and chose instead to do it with joy, with excellence, with a desire to in some way make it beautiful?
Our expectation of happiness in this world leads to disappointment because, in reality we’re made for another.
—Jen Oshman
