Christmas Collection

Here are some good posts for Christmas:

God’s Passion for God at Christmas – John Piper (Crossway)

Even as a Secular Holiday, Christmas Makes the Gospel Accessible – Tim Keller (TGC)

How to Love Hard People at Christmas – David Mathis (DG)

An Open Letter to the Depressed Christian at Christmas – David Murray (Crossway)

Christmas for the Weary– Sam Allberry (TGC)

Far as the Curse Is Found  Nancy Guthrie (DG)

Hope you have a merry Christmas!

Passion Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Main Ingredient in Personal Growth – David Mathis (DG)
Grow in grace. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better three-word caption for the Christian life.

20 Quotes from Erik Raymond’s New Book on Contentment – Matt Smethurst (TGC)
“If you are having a hard time being content, make a list of everything you have that you don’t deserve, and then make a list of everything you deserve that you don’t have.” (62)

Running from “the Black Dog” – Scott Slayton
During the late fall and winter months, I fight with what Winston Churchill called “the black dog.” Depression nips at my heels from the first week in November through the end of February….By God’s grace, I’ve learned how to stay one step ahead of the black dog….

You, Yes You, Are a Minister! – Tim Challies
Instructing one another is a hundred different ways of simply bringing God’s truth to bear. Sometimes this is done by a pastor preaching a sermon that calls people away from wrong behavior and toward right behavior. Far more often, though, it happens in the context of normal life, of one Christian interacting with another one. It happens when a friend encourages a friend to just carry on, to keep practicing the spiritual disciplines. It happens when a church member speaks up to tell what God has been teaching her from his Word. It happens when a brother sits with a brother to encourage him with a passage of Scripture.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day ministering to one another in your local church!

Reformation Collection

RefWall

Today’s batch of Reformation-related posts are all about preaching and singing:

The Real Engine Room of the Reformation – Michael Reeves (TGC)

Why Martin Luther’s Preaching Was So Offensive – Herman Selderhuis (Crossway)

6 Lessons from Luther on Congregational Singing – Matt Merker (TGC)

Martin Luther’s Shelter Amid the Flood of Depression – Ryan Griffith (TGC)

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Discovering the Power of Luther’s Original Lyrics – David Mathis (DG)

Passion Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

4 Times In Life You Should Expect To Face Temptation – Tim Challies

How to Fight for Faith in the Dark: Three Lessons for Depression – Stephen Altrogge (DG)

3 Reasons We’re Addicted to Digital Distraction – Tony Reinke (Crossway)

An Exercise in Friendship – Tim Chester

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!