Au Sable River in northeast Michigan
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Here are some good posts for you to consider this weekend:
So You Want to Sin, Do You? – Tim Challies
10 Ways to Resist the Devil – Tim Challies
12 Ways to Preserve Christian Unity – Tim Challies
Can Life Have Meaning Without God? – James Anderson (Gospel Coalition)
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping the Lord with your local church!
Here are some more reflections on a variety of current moral issues:
Abortion as the Ultimate Exploitation of Women (Interview with Brian Fisher by Trevin Wax)
Embryonic Stem Cells: Where Are the Cures? – David Murray
And recent developments in the area of homeschooling and religious persecution:
Justice Department Ordered to Respond to Romeike Appeal – HSLDA
Justice Department: “Tolerance Trumps Freedom” – HSLDA
Sixth Circuit Denies Romeike Rehearing, HSLDA Promises to go to Supreme Court
Au Sable River in northeast Michigan
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Forgive Us These Faults – Tim Keller (Gospel Coalition)
Newton lays out a convicting and specific example of the kinds of Christian people who coast on their strengths but do nothing about their weaknesses and so rob themselves and others of joy and God of his glory. These blemishes are often seen by their bearers as mere “foibles.” Newton says they “may not seem to violate any express command of Scripture” and yet, they are “properly sinful” because they are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit that believers are supposed to exhibit.
Why You Can’t See Your Biggest Flaws – Tim Keller (Gospel Coalition)
Our natural virtues, which come from inborn temperament and family nurture—such as our talents, aptitudes, and strengths—are good things. But each has a “dark side.” People with prophetic gifts—great directness, often good at public speaking or writing—can have problems listening to others and taking advice. People with priestly gifts—sensitivity, often good at listening, giving counsel, showing mercy—often can be too concerned to make people happy. They may be cowardly or overly sensitive themselves to criticism. A generous person may also be undisciplined and irresponsible in financial matters. Thus his generosity is really a facet of his too-impulsive character.
When Sin Is Grievous and Grace Is Stunning – Tim Keller (Gospel Coalition)
If we are going to grow in grace, we must stay aware of being both sinners and also loved children in Christ. We need a high and due sense of our sin before God and a deep and profound sense of our union with and acceptance in Christ.
8 Ways Satan Convinces You To Question Your Salvation – Tim Challies
Though Satan can never steal the Christian’s crown, though he can never snatch him away from the hand of the Father, he is so envious and malicious that he will leave no stone unturned in robbing the Christian of comfort and peace, in making their life miserable, in giving them reason to live in constant sorrow and mourning, doubt and questioning.
There Really Is A Reason – 12 Benefits Of Afflictions – Mark Altrogge (Blazing Center)
God doesn’t afflict us or allow us to be afflicted for no reason. He has wonderful purposes for all he does in us. God is the great artist who produces the ultimate masterpieces – sons and daughters in the likeness of his Son Jesus Christ. So he makes every stroke of the Master’s brush, every tap of the Sculptor’s chisel count. So in God’s plan, afflictions have great benefit to us, as painful as they are at times. If we keep these benefits in mind when we suffer, they can help us endure joyfully.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Here are some helpful commentaries on last week’s Supreme Court decisions regarding the redefining of marriage:
9 Things You Should Know About the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Cases – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)
“Waiting for the Other Shoe” — The Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Marriage – Albert Mohler
Russell Moore on the Supreme Court’s DOMA Decision (audio)
The Surest Way to Promote God’s Good Plan for Marriage – Dan Doriani (Gospel Coalition)
Why Gay Marriage is Good (and Bad) for the Church – Trevin Wax
A Call to Martyrdom – Peter Leithart
Our church had VBS this past week, which means I have been really busy the last two weeks – and so the lack of blogging. But I’m back, and here are some good posts to consider as you prepare to meet together with your local church tomorrow:
Pastors Need Your Care Part 1 – Jason Helopoulos
Pastors Need Your Care Part 2 – Jason Helopoulos
As a pastor, I can affirm that these are some great suggestions.
How Much Time Do Pastors Spend Preparing Sermons? – Thom Rainer
Most church members give little thought to the amount of time it takes a pastor to prepare each sermon. In reality, sermon preparation is a large portion of a pastor’s workweek. Unfortunately, this work is invisible to typical church members. They don’t realize the enormous amount of time it takes just to prepare one sermon.
Why I Pray Publicly for Other Churches – Greg Gilbert
Each week, I choose one or two churches and pray for their services that day. I pray for the church to be attentive to the Word of God. I pray for the pastor to speak boldly and accurately from the Bible. I pray for people to be convicted of their sin, for Christians to be encouraged in the faith, and for non-Christians to be converted. I also thank the Lord that we live in a city where we are not the only church in which the gospel is proclaimed.
8 Ways Satan Keeps You From Worship – Thomas Brooks (via Tim Challies)
Satan wants to keep you from worshipping the One he hates. He wants to keep you from doing the right thing, whether that is spending time alone with the Lord in Scripture and prayer, attending and participating in public worship services, or any other thing that will draw you closer to the Lord. Here, courtesy of Thomas Brooks, are eight ways Satan will keep you from worship.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Brian J. Mikul 