Good morning from somewhere between Romania and Germany. I am making my way home after a wonderful weekend with hundreds of young believers in Zalău.
Today’s Kindle deals include several volumes in the excellent Preaching the Word commentary series along with Urban Legends of Church History and a book by Randy Alcorn.
Can I Submit to My Elders Thoughtfully?
William Boekestein explains how to submit to elders thoughtfully (rather than blindly or rebelliously).
Appreciate the Days He’s Ordained
Melissa wonders “why we don’t appreciate our day-to-day triumphs and struggles more. Why don’t we live in the grateful knowledge that God’s plan has allowed us all of these years together, so many funny moments, so many opprotunities to grow together, to love each other through unlovely times, to have fun together, even to suffer together? We are so easily sidetracked by stress, exhaustion, irritation, and ingratitude. We forget how to just enjoy each other and live in the beauty of the love God placed in our hearts so long ago.”
How Does Your Dog Smell?
This is a brief celebration of God’s creative genius.
Living with Hope in Mental Illness
Justin says, “In this day and age, people are easily and haphazardly diagnosed with mental illnesses. There are times that sin (e.g. anxiety) is labeled as mental illness. But I believe that there are also times when mental illness proves to be real.” He explains how he has battled through episodes of mental illness.
Freedom to Lament
Barbara explains how we need to offer ourselves and others the freedom to lament.
Exposed to Hope: The Evangelism of Welcome
“Both my husband and I had been invited in, nurtured, and cared for by Christians; and when we married, we determined that we would do the same. And we did. Hurting children, lonely adults, and a long and steady stream of international students filled our home for over thirty years. We provided hospitality, comfort, a listening ear, and Bibles in their languages. And for those who asked, we explained the gospel message.”
Flashback: The Depth of My Depravity
You don’t know how deeply sinful you are by your unrighteousness deeds, but by your rejection of God and his grace. That is the most serious, heinous, and damnable sin of them all.
As good orthodox Christians, we have the privilege of denying that perfection is possible, and we self-indulgently make altogether too little effort to reach the unattainable goal.
—J.R. Miller
