Here are some good posts on pastoral ministry:
How Pastors Accidentally Ruin Their Church – Andy Flowers
Pastors AND Churches need to read this one – we can do better!
4 Ways to Minister to Older Saints – John Pond (TGC)
5 Moves to Integrate Theology into Your Ministry – Hershael York
The Lord’s Passion for Us
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
– Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
5 Things Romanian Believers Taught Me About Prayer – Trevin Wax
For the Christians whose identities were forged through the fire of Communist oppression, prayer is an act of quiet desperation that manifests itself in bold supplication. I’ve never seen humility and confidence so perfectly married as when listening to (and joining) Romanians in prayer.
Unanswered Prayer – Tim Challies
The best way I know how to answer is to point to the cross…
Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting – David Mathis
What makes fasting such a gift is its ability, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to focus our feelings and their expression toward God in prayer.…
4 Changes that Jesus’ Second Coming Produces in Us – J. D. Greear
If you know the world has an end—and that it could be soon—that rearranges your priorities. It makes no sense to go around rearranging deck chairs if you’re on the sinking Titanic. And yet that’s what many of us are doing with our lives.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
– E. M. Bounds
Our God reigns o’er the nations’ strife
Look to the Lord today
He rules in all my daily life
Look to him – trust and pray
– From a sermon on Isaiah 13-24
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
Here are some good posts related to the pastor’s family:
How Churches Can Care for Their Pastor’s Children – Chap Bettis (TGC)
How Pastors Can Care for Their Children – Chap Bettis (TGC)
A Word to the Pastor’s Wife – Jessica Thompson and Annie Phillips (Crossway)
Compassion for People
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
– Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Here are some great posts for your weekend reading:
Full of Grace and Truth – Kevin DeYoung
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. We all need to strive for both and tend to lean toward one or the other. The need is great as we relate to each other and to our culture. This post says it well – please read!
Students, Don’t Waste Your Summer – Jeff Brewer (TGC)
Here are some great ideas for all of us whether you are a student or not.
“One Anothers” I Can’t Find in the New Testament – Ray Ortlund
Sanctify one another, humble one another, scrutinize one another, pressure one another, embarrass one another, corner one another, interrupt one another, defeat one another, sacrifice one another, shame one another, judge one another, run one another’s lives, confess one another’s sins, intensify one another’s sufferings, point out one another’s failings . . . . Indeed!
4 Reasons to Give Generously – J. I. Packer (Crossway)
It’s Packer and it’s important, so go ahead and read it…and live it too!
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day showing grace and truth and the proper “one anothers” with your local church!
– Corrie ten Boom
His righteous anger turned away
His comforts ever new
He is my strength and song always
I praise and trust in you
Consider all that He has done
Exalted is His name
Here in our midst – the Holy One!
His praise we now proclaim
– From a sermon on Isaiah 12
(To the tune of “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”)
Brian J. Mikul 