Category: PASSION Collections

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The Supreme Court gave their ruling on the Hobby Lobby case today, ruling by a slim majority in favor of religious freedom.  Here are some helpful posts:

First, a news story: Supreme Court rules ObamaCare provision can’t force some employers to cover contraception – Fox News

Second, a quick summary of the case: What You Should Know About the Contraceptive Mandate Decision – Joe Carter (Acton)

Third, a good summary of some major issues: Hobby Lobby and the Liberty of Conscience – Kevin DeYoung

Finally, an analysis: The Supreme Court Agrees with Hobby Lobby, But Your Neighbor Probably Doesn’t – Trevin Wax

While there is reason to celebrate the decision, it is more than a little disconcerting that four justices and much of the population believes a “right” to free birth control should trump the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.

Trevin Wax in his post above also makes a point worth quoting:

Consider this. A generation ago, a person’s religious observance was a public matter, a defining characteristic of one’s identity, while a person’s sexual activity was something private. Today, this situation is reversed. A person’s sexual behavior is now considered a defining characteristic of identity, a public matter to be affirmed (even subsidized) by others, while religious observance is private and personal, relegated to places of worship and not able to infringe upon or impact the public square.

In the midst of this “brave new world” of confused identities and priorities, we as Christians must look to Jesus for our identity.  Serving Him must be our priority.  And no matter what comes, we will find our hope for the future not in rulings or cultural opinions but in the One who reigns over all.

Ministry Monday

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on preaching and the public reading of God’s Word:

Be More Specific Than “Points” or “Things” – Andy Naselli
McDill lists 265 words that communicate more clearly that the ambiguous words “points” and “things” – Good practical stuff here!

4 Reasons Why Pastors Should Talk Regularly About Money – Dave Anderson (Generis)
It is understandable why pastors are uncomfortable to talk about money. But, it’s not all right to let that discomfort become an excuse for failing to disciple people in this area.

A Cost of All This Preaching? – Tim Challies
So here’s the question: Do you commit yourself to the public reading of Scripture?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

It has been a busy week with VBS at our church, so I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging.  But it was also a good week, for which we praise God.  Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Satan’s Simple Plan – Kevin DeYoung
He really only wants one thing: he wants to keep you from Christ.  He wants to make you selfish. He wants you to live for your ambition. He wants you to live for your addiction. He wants you live for your ego. He wants you to live for anyone or anything that’s not Jesus.

When Sin Looks Delicious – Tim Challies
Do you ever have those days where you just want to sin? Sin looks delicious while righteousness looks distasteful. Sin looks satisfying and holiness looks frustrating. You wake up in the morning with a desire to do what you know you should not desire to do. Your heart echoes with what God said to Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you.” And your desire is for it.  What do you do on a day like that?

Sin is Cosmic Treason – R. C. Sproul (Ligonier)
Not until we take God seriously will we ever take sin seriously. But if we acknowledge the righteous character of God, then we, like the saints of old, will cover our mouths with our hands and repent in dust and ashes before Him.

History Could Happen Again – Nathan Finn (DG)
Knowing how God has worked in the past can help us ask some key questions of ourselves in the present. Are we praying for revival in our own spiritual lives? Are we praying for the salvation of the nations? Are our churches setting aside a specific time for focused — even extraordinary — prayer for a global awakening through the advance of the gospel? Do we long for the Lord to move among us as he moved among those who came before us?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our gracious Savior!

Ministry Monday

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

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

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

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!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

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!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Whom Shall You Fear – Kevin DeYoung
For if the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of man is the beginning of misery, compromise, and disappointment.

4 Ways To Find God’s Grace in Our Failures – Joe Thorn
If you haven’t figured it out yet let me encourage you to see something that will greatly help you. Not all of your ideas are good. Some of them are bad. And God will often let you flail and fail out there for very good purposes. And when you fail do not lose the opportunity to find grace in the midst of it.

9 Things You Should Know About Prayer in the Bible – Joe Carter (GC)
4. The Bible records Jesus praying 25 different times during his earthly ministry.

A Spiritual Family Tree – Jason Helopoulos
I’m interested in your spiritual family tree. From where did you come spiritually? Who shared the faith with you? And who shared the faith with them? If you are a believer, you are in a long line dating all the way back to Abraham. But even more importantly, what does your spiritual family tree look like going forward? What growth is budding off of your branch? 

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping the Lord with your local church!