If you’re looking for some good new music, be sure to check out Sandra McCracken’s new album Patient Kingdom and Citizens’ new album The Joy of Being.
Today’s Kindle deals include a few classics.
(Yesterday on the blog: Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice)
Your Church Is Not a Stepping Stone
I think this is very important. “Some pastors view churches as stepping stones to move up and up until they finally ‘arrive.’ I know one pastor who won’t even consider a call to another church unless it doubles his current church in every metric, from membership to budget.”
If You Don’t See Beauty, Do You Really Know God As Well As You Thought?
“Why did God make so much color, so many beautiful patterns? So much of the creation account seems like life for the sake of God’s joy overflowing in creativity. I heard someone this week actually say, a duck is like God saying, ‘I’m going to make a water chicken with a kazoo for a mouth.’ That doesn’t seem too far from the mark when you think about it. The beauty and creativity of this world came straight from the heart of God.”
Damnable Heretic? Luther: In Real-Time Is Here.
Three years after Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, the pope’s envoy is knocking on Luther’s door. Travel back in time to 1520 in the first episode of Luther: In Real Time, a new podcast from Ligonier Ministries. Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, TuneIn, or RSS. (Sponsored Link)
The DC Mayor Doesn’t Get to Define Church for Us
Here’s Jonathan Leeman writing for Christianity Today: “Ms. Mayor, I don’t want your theology. My discipleship to Christ needs my fellow saints, and they need me. We’re one body. Gathering doesn’t make us the church, but it does make us a church.”
MAF Delivers 2,500 Bibles To Remote Tribe That Once Murdered Missionaries
Here is some good news! “Because God in His far-reaching love, worked through a killing, a plane crash, faithful missionaries, translators and organisations like MAF, these Yali tribes no longer walk the path of darkness. Their path is lit by the Word of God…”
Is My Suffering a Correction for Sin?
John Piper answers this question which I think we’ve all asked at one time or another.
Three Leadership Lessons for All of Us
Brianna Lambert offers some leadership lessons for everyone. “For the everyday person, advice on leadership may feel reserved for pastors, bosses, and elders alone. Yet the word “lead” can have a much broader definition. Surely we can lead within formal organizations and offices, but we also lead by simply guiding. The church is full of such leaders.”
Flashback: To the Young Man Who Has Been Asked To Preach for the First Time
You asked for some quick pointers in preparing your first sermon. Here are a few that come to mind.
Radically ordinary hospitality characterizes those who don’t fuss over different worldviews represented at the dinner table. The truly hospitable aren’t embarrassed to keep friendships with people who are different.
—Rosaria Butterfield
