Kindle deals for Christian readers
- Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zack Eswine—$1.99
- John Knox: Fearless Faith by Steven Lawson—$1.99
- Unashamed Workmen by Rhett Dodson—$3.99
- Once an Arafat Man by Tass Saada (with Dean Merrill)—$2.99
Troubleshooting the Celebrity Pastor Problem
Jared Wilson:
So let us accept the soundness of the typical boundaries and relational and ministerial guardrails that every pastor and his church ought to have in place. But what else can we do? What are some specific, practical things that can be done to work against the idolization of the successful pastor? I have a few ideas. They are not easy things to do, of course, but wise things rarely come easily.
Skirting scandalous questions
This is a very fair and balanced article.
Read Scripture: Micah
I love these videos from The Bible Project:
Who Made Satan?
Matt Smethurst:
Cultural caricatures aside, Satan is the personal being whom Christians know as the great deceiver, the archenemy of God and his people.
Scripture says a lot about his character and actions—who he is and what he does—but what about his origins? Where did he come from? Who created the Devil?
Love the Season You’re In
Kim Shay:
In 1989, I left my job to stay at home with my infant daughter. I never returned to work outside the home. While I have never regretted my decision, there were times over the years when I wished I was in someone else’s shoes. At the very least, I wished I was in someone else’s season of life.
Ten Things I Learned at Church on Sunday
Erik Raymond:
As I was reflecting on this past Lord’s Day I was struck by a number of things particularly encouraging to me. God met us as a church in the ordinary and showed us his extraordinary faithfulness, grace, beauty, and power. I compiled 10 quick observations about what affected me this weekend alone (I am shortening my list from where it could truly be). May these encourage you in your appreciation of the ordinary in your local church as well.
Engagement and Mission in the Realm of Sport
Reid Monaghan:
One of my favorite authors, GK Chesterton, once said that he was all too ready to write books upon even the feeblest of provocation. (Chesterton, Orthodoxy, “Introduction in Defence of Everything Else, online here). I must admit Jim Elliff’s recent repost, “When Ball becomes Baal” has provoked some thought and passion in me as well. With a wonderful and catchy title, Elliff has pressed some appropriate buttons of sport culture in our society. Yet at the same time, I do think there is a bit more that can be said. So I’ll do my small part to say at least a bit of that.
Introducing the Custom ESV Bible Program
This is a cool program Crossway’s put together.
Google will start banning all ads from payday lenders
This is good news:
The company said Wednesday that it will ban all payday loan ads from its popular online advertising system in recognition of criticism from consumer advocates who say these short-term, high-interest deals are often used to prey on poor people in moments of desperation.
