Category: PASSION Points

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts to ponder this weekend:

Sin

Justin Taylor gives us a helpful look at sin according to I John.  Meanwhile, at Desiring God you can consider Sinclair Ferguson’s four steps to kill sin. 

Love

Justin Taylor considers the relationship between love and commandments according to John.

Feelings

Brian Borgman talks about the importance of feelings in the Christian life.  And Erik Kowalker share two related quotes from J. C. Ryle on possessings feelings toward Christ and the secret of a happy Christian.

Church

Jon Nielson shares a helpful post on three reasons youth stay in church after they graduate.  This is important reading for both pastors and parents.  And then as you prepare to gather with your local church tomorrow, ponder Justin Taylor’s warning that it only takes one generation for a church to die.  May we be careful to guard and pray against that happening in our churches.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

There are a lot of good posts out there this week, but let me just share four of them – all related to thinking:

First, Stephen Nichols gives us some helpful questions to ask as we read the Bible to help us think about the passage.  I love the focus on God evident in the questions.

Second, Nichols shares suggestions for those who need to start reading (and thinking) their way through the Bible.

Third, Tim Challies reminds us of the importance of clearly and biblically thinking through the creation/evolution question.  I think I will need to look into the book he discusses.

Finally, Randy Alcorn asks whether the word “evangelical” means anything anymore.  Going beyond mere labels, he calls us to think about the clear teachings of Scripture that many who call themselves evangelical are dismissing.

I hope you enjoy thinking through the posts above.  Even more, I hope you have a great Lord’s Day thinking about the words you sing and the preached Word you hear.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Growing…

Some good quotes from Jerry Bridges on sanctification (via Ed Stetzer).

John Newton writes about how we grow in grace (via Justin Taylor).

Compassion for People

Paul Tripp talks about how sin dehumanizes people (via Justin Taylor).

Ray Ortlund considers seven ways we can guard and restore relationships.

Church

And as you prepare to gather with God’s people tomorrow in your local church, consider how churches die from The Gospel-Driven Church.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshipping our great God.

Passion Points – Forgiveness

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are three good posts on forgiveness for your weekend reading: 

Paul Tripp talks about the “benefits” of unforgiveness before reminding us of a better way. 

Chris Brauns gives important counsel on how to stop thinking about past wounds. 

And then Brauns discusses the issue of forgiveness as it relates to the Casey Anthony case.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church celebrating our great God!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Wow, there are a lot of good posts from around the web for your weekend reading.

First, let’s consider the important matter of salvation.  How do you know you are saved?  At issue here is the danger that many people have a false assurance of salvation.  To help us think through this and examine ourselves, Mike McKinley suggests five things that all Christians have.  He also addresses the important issues of perseverance and preservation.  And then Tim Challies suggests three statements on assurance, and reminds us of where our assurance lies.

Second, Kevin DeYoung addresses our tendency to get excited about minor issue instead of focusing on the core doctrines.

Third, Mark Altrogge reminds us that faith is like a power cord that plugs into God’s power as we pray.  Faith in itself has no power (despite the many songs proclaiming all that faith can do).  The power is found in the object of our faith.  So the strength of our faith is not so much the issue as the strength of the one we place our faith in.  God can use our flimsy faith.

Fourth, here are a couple of good ideas for evangelism.  Tim Chester suggests using meals for evangelism, while Brian Croft suggests asking people about the sermon they heard on Sunday as a way for evangelism. (Don’t knock it until you read the post!)

Fifth, Stephen Altrogge helps us cut the nerve of complaining.

Finally, Kevin DeYoung suggests 10 principles for church singing – Part One and Part Two – that you might consider before going to worship on Sunday.  It will help you think about what you are going to do even if you don’t agree with every point (and I will have to at least disagree with his preference for organs!).

Have a great Lord’s Day worshipping with your church family!

Passion Points – Prayer

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

As we are nearing the end of our focus on prayer, here are some good posts on prayer for your weekend reading:

First, John Piper suggests several things that are happening when we pray.

Second, Mark Altrogge reminds us that God is both rich and generous – so just ask!

Third, James Grier reminds us (via Chris Brauns) that knowing God as OUR Father implies that we will pray together.

Fourth, sometimes we can learn a lot from other people’s prayers.  So here is a good hymn/prayer by John Newton via Desiring God.  And then another good prayer by Mike at Hunger and Thirst.

Finally, some thoughts to ponder on teaching our children to pray – Part One and Part Two by Burk Parsons.  And a prayer for children by Amy Carmichael via Trevin Wax.

May God help us continue to grow in prayer. 

Have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good reads for the weekend:

The Gospel

Christianity must go beyond morality – George Whitefield (via Trevin Wax)

Virtues

The Real Basis for Hope – Mark Altrogge

Family/Single Life

Five reasons to use God’s Word in your parenting – Thabiti Anyabwile

How to turn your child away from church…and Christ – C. John Miller (via Chris Brauns)

Questions to ponder before dating – Mark Driscoll (via Crossway)

16 Christian Dating Principles – Part One, Part Two – Mark Driscol (via Crossway)

Church Life

Finally, as you prepare to meet with God’s people: do you consider them the excellent ones in whom is all your delight or the annoying ones in whom is all your irritation? – Mark Altrogge

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

It has been a busy week, and I haven’t had much chance to write.  I am hoping next week for some good articles on the church praying together.  Until then, here are some good posts for your late weekend reading:

Chris Brauns reminds us of the proper place of obedience, and Ed Stetzer shares some good quotes from Jerry Bridges on sanctification.

In the family realm, Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson discuss the important place of the gospel in parenting.  Meanwhile Jared Wilson gives good thoughts to teens about living so no one despises your youth.

Before the work week begins, consider Josh Etter’s 12 ways to glorify God at work.

And finally, Tim Chester talks about the importance of meals for true community.  I am looking forward to reading this book this summer.

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

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

First, Dane Orlund gives us several reasons why we need to keep coming back to the gospel.

Second, Steve McCoy suggests an interesting way to reach out to your neighbors.  Might be a great idea for Memorial Day weekend.

Third, Jon Bloom questions the idea that will come up at many graduations this year (see my last post) that we should do whatever our hearts tell us to do.

Fourth, and perhaps related to number three, John Piper gives some wise words about so called gay marriage.

Finally, R.W. Glenn suggests that growth in Christ requires us to age backwards.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our Savior with your local church!