Category: PASSION Points

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Mark Altrogge gives us several reasons why we must rejoice always.

Thinking about sin and morality, Stephen Altrogge warns us of the danger of turning a good thing into a moral and necessary thing.  And Kevin DeYoung reminds us that every sin is not the same in God’s eyes.  And Joe Thorn considers what it means to die to sin.

In the midst of rising prices and a struggling economy, here are ten principles from Proverbs on money and possessions.

And as you prepare for church tomorrow, be careful to worship God, not our feelings.

Have a great Lord’s Day with your local church praising God, studying his Word, seeking him in prayer, and encouraging one another.

Next week we will begin a four week focus on prayer.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

The last few weeks have been busy, and I haven’t had much chance to blog.  Hopefully next week will be better.  In the meantime, here are some good posts to ponder for the weekend on two important Christian virtues.

Humility

Joshua Harris gives us a good quote from J. I. Packer suggesting that humility is essentially a true sense of reality.  Russell Moore talks about how the devil encourages us to rethink reality by exalting ourselves.  And Kevin DeYoung reminds us that if we think we are humble, we probably are not.

Contentment

Stephen Altrogge has a new book out on contentment.  I haven’t read the book yet, but the excerpts I’ve read are helpful.  He invites us to consider the lies that keep us from contentment.  Pondering the cross and our adoption will also teach us contentment.  Meanwhile John Temple has a book on resisting consumersim, and Tim Challies shares from it several practical suggestions to fight against the constant urge for more.

Have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our risen Savior with your local church!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Points

Here are few good posts focused on the cross, resurrection, and our salvation for your weekend reading:

Jared Wilson considers the many things Jesus accomplished on the cross for us.

Steve Dewitt writes about Jesus’ resurrection body – which points to what our resurrection bodies will one day be like.

Tullian Tchividjian reminds us that because of Christ we are already righteous – and that changes everything.

Have a great Resurrection Sunday celebrating our Risen Savior!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Hi all!  A few good reads for the weekend:

First, what do you do when you are struggling with your faith, or trials seem to be shredding your faith?  How do you get your faith back?  How do you press forward in your faith?   Mark Altrogge has some wise words to guide us.

Second, let’s think about worship.  Better yet, let’s prepare for gathering to worship with our church family tomorrow.  Bob Kauflin gives us three good reasons to sing in church.  And Mark Altrogge reminds us that the words matter.

Third, as we prepare for Passion Week, Ray Ortlund gives us a helpful quote from John Stott on one way the cross changes us.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day building your faith, worshipping the Lord, and reflecting on your Savior!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading.

The Gospel

Trevin Wax outlines six counterfeit gospels – and I suspect each of us are tempted to lean towards one of them. 

Tim Chester discusses our desire to be our own Savior.

Tullian Tchividjian reminds us that our identity is not found in possessions or position or anything but Christ (we need to be reminded of this again and again!).

Family

Sam Crabtree discusses the importance of affirmation in marriage.

Mark Altrogge suggests several ways that we provoke our children to anger (do some of them sound a bit too familiar?).

More Good Stuff

Stephen Altrogge considers how we should respond when someone confesses sin to us.

John MacArthur offers some helpful questions to ask related to issues that Scripture does not specifically address.

Hope you have a wonderful Lord’s Day worshipping the Lord with your church family!

Passion Points – Parenting

On By BrianIn Family Collection, PASSION Points

This week, I want to share some good posts about parenting. 

First, we need a Biblical understanding of who are children are as both sinners and image bearers as we seek to disciple them.  (Check this link for the Cosby Show clip if nothing else!).  We also should consider the goal of Biblical parenting – and it is not to simply have well-behaved kids.

Second, read an interesting and encouraging testimony of a father leading his son to the Lord.

Third, use those meal time prayers to teach your children how to pray, and also about God and the gospel.

Fourth, talk to your children about the sermon.  They remember and understand more than you think they do.

Finally, fathers must take seriously their role in taking their children to church.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

The last few weeks we have focussed on just one issue for Passion Points.  As a result, a lot of good posts have piled up.  Here they are – happy reading!

First, on the issue of pride.  Gospel Centric gives us a self-diagnostic test with fifty fruits of pride to see if we are in fact proud.  From Gospel Centric we also get five things to know about pride and 10 thoughts on overcoming pride.  Meanwhile Thabiti Anyabwile gives us what I would consider the secret for overcoming pride.  And John Piper gives us a good song about thinking much of God instead of ourselves.

Second, some good posts on the gospel and sanctification.  Josh Moody gives us good definition of the gospel – which includes a new life now.  Jared Compton discusses how the gospel is good news now – how changes our lives.  Crossway gives us thoughts on how to fight for personal sanctification.

Third, three more good posts on various issues:

Hope you have a great weekend!

Passion Points – Family

On By BrianIn Family Collection, PASSION Points

In keeping with the theme of the last few posts, here are some good links on marriage and the family.

First, Jared Wilson gives some direction for a grace-driven marriage.  Justin Taylor gives some thoughts from John Piper on the husband’s call to lead in reconciliation after the inevitable quarrels of marriage.

You might also check out some helpful booklets on marriage from RBC Ministries that you can view on-line:

Building Blocks To A Strong Marriage

What Is The Promise of Marriage?

Abigail & Leah: Living In A Difficult Marriage

When The Flame Flickers: Rekindling Intimacy In Your Marriage

Finally, here are some helpful links related to some family issues recently in the news:

Albert Mohler gives some helpful commentary on President Obama’s recent announcement that the Justice Department will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act.  You might also consider John Piper’s reaction.

Meanwhile, Joel Northrup, a high school student in Iowa, refused to wrestle  against a girl in the state championship wrestling tournament.  Despite there being good moral reasons for Northrup to take this stand, much of the media has lambasted him.  Albert Mohler and John Piper again give helpful commentary on this clash of worldviews related to the family.

Passion Points – Single Life

On By BrianIn Family Collection, PASSION Points

In keeping with our theme this week, here are some good articles about the single life:

Tim Keller reminds us that singleness is a good Biblical option in a world that either trivializes or idolizes family.

Brooks Waldron considers the meaning of singleness.

Finally, Dave Egner has a booklet in pdf format you can read online that explodes myths, considers Scriptures, and addresses issues related to the single life.  Highly recommended for singles and indeed anyone in the church.

Next week, we’ll continue looking at the single life as we consider benefits, as well as the right focus.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

A few good posts on the grace and evangelism for your weekend reading:

Grace: A good illustration from Tullian Tchividjian reminds us that we are saved by God’s grace and not by works.  And then, a quote from Jerry Bridges calls us to remember God’s transforming grace in  our daily lives. 

Evangelism: Four pointers for evangelism from J. Mack Stiles.  And then, Mark Altrogge clears up a common misunderstanding that predestination and evangelism don’t go together.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with God and his people!

Next week, we will look at the single life….