Today in Blogworld 08.13.13

The Book Glutton

“Quantity does not equal quality.” It was hard for me to throw away my first book. But I haven’t missed them at all. Tim is right, we do ourselves no good by hoarding books.

Candid Pastoral Thoughts on Depression and Drugs

My view is very similar.

Defacing baseball cards

This gives me hope. I collected baseball cards in a generation when they mass produced them. Thus they are worth little to nothing. Hopefully this encourages people to deface their cards so mine become rare again. So…this looks fun, give it a try. Everybody. And take your neighbors cards and do the same thing. Just don’t touch mine!

Hope for Difficult Churches

I appreciate the work of Darryl Dash here.

These are great tips to help you quit smoking (and hilarious):

Today in Blogworld 08.12.13

Be Famous For Not Trying To Be Famous

A welcome word in our celebrity-obsessed culture.

Twelve Gospel Passages to Soak In

Consider doing this today.

Why I Changed My Mind About Infant Baptism

At the end of the day I’m still going to disagree with Liam Goligher on baptism. But articles like this are very helpful to read and consider.

Confessions of a Nagging Wife

Interesting and gospel-informed.

This is interesting but thoroughly disturbing for people, like me, that have a weak stomach

Today in Blogworld 08.09.13

The Pastor’s Wife is a Pastor’s Wife

Great reminder.

A Powerful Vacation Sermon

I really appreciated this post by David Murray.

What Your Handwriting Reveals

I’m not sure that I buy this. But it’s interesting nonetheless.

Reading for Pastor/Elder Development

Helpful compilation of books for pastor/elder development. My list would be similar. 

This is for you grandma:

Today in Blogworld 08.07.13

9 Statements That Will Destroy Your Small Group

I’m going to try all nine of these Sunday just to see if he’s right.

Christ-haunted Atheists

Interesting piece by Denny Burk reflecting on a NY Times piece.

How Much of Your Past Do You Share With Your Children?

What do you think?

7 Reasons for the Death of Sunday Evening Worship

We devote this night to Life Groups. So does that count as the death of Sunday evening worship?

I need to learn how to do this:

 

Today in Blogworld 08.06.13

(Law and) Gospel-centered Parenting

I think this is wise.

Top 10 Writing Mistakes

Posts like this are always so helpful to me.

Am I Disqualified From Ministry?

Questions like this are important. I believe Scotty Smith did a great job of answering it.

How to Endure Common-to-Man Temptations

I especially like the last section: Prepare to Not Want Escape.

Wow, this Granny can rock! Does anyone else get a picture of Church Lady in their head when you watch this?

Today in Blogworld 08.05.13

What I Learned About Leadership Listening to the Nixon Tapes

I found this interesting.

Porn, Pride, and Praise

This is an interview with Heath Lambert, author of Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace.

Will God Still Save Those Who Deny or Distort Justification by Grace Alone through Faith Alone?

This is an important question for the community that I live in.

8 Email Mistakes You Make

I think I make all eight of these.

Would you try this?

Today in Blogworld 08.02.13

How and Why is Christ One Person in Two Natures?

This is essentially just two videos. But they answer an important and hard to grasp question.

Don’t Be a Bible Pharmacist Be A Bible Doctor!

“…we must minister to people in different ways depending on their spiritual condition. We can’t simply slap a verse on a person.”

It Get’s Better for the Chaste Too

The book that I have handed out most frequently in the last couple of years is Wesley Hill’s book Washed and Waiting. This little article might give you a taste of why.

In Praise of the Low-Minded Christian

Jared Wilson resurrects an old piece from the Boar’s Head Tavern. And I’m glad he did.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition…nor do they expect a parakeet to say it.

Today in Blogworld 07.31.13

Is Your Child a Christian?

Brian Croft offers a few ways that you can try to answer that question.

6 Benefits to Daily Writing

Yep.

7 Simple Fixes to Writing Mistakes That Make You Look Like an Amateur

I am an amateur so this helps.

How Jesus Exposed the Idol of Self-Glory

“Jesus exposed this idol in the hearts of a few men with a single question.”

The town in which I live (Jasper, Indiana) prides itself on it’s German heritage. So this makes me laugh:

Today in Blogworld 07.30.13

What are the struggles of being a pastor’s wife?

Every pastor and every church member would do well to read this.

Celebrating the “Ordinary”

Kyle Worley invites us to celebrate faithful moms and dads.

STEP: A New Free Online Bible Resource

I played around with this a little bit. I think it could be helpful for some people. Give it a go.

The Kind of Churches We Need in the South

I think this is kind of an ad or primer to Engage:South, but it’s helpful nonetheless.

Apparently everything has to be epic these days…even city council meetings:

Today in Blogworld 07.26.13

Cigar Smoking and Grace For the Accountability-Holder

I like this perspective on accountability relationships.

Stop Boiling Jesus

“There is no simple reduction of Jesus. That’s why he’s worth following.”

Alone with My Thoughts

“What I and we all need to remember is that whether we are alone in the car or alone with our thoughts, there is no thought in the woods that no one hears.”

Sex in Leviticus

“The law in Leviticus, then, must not be isolated, stuck alongside shellfish, and mocked into irrelevance. It is one small piece of a much larger and consistent pattern of whole-Bible teaching about the gift and joy and purpose and disciplines of our sexuality.”

I probably shouldn’t laugh at this…but it’s pretty funny:

Today in Blogworld 7.25.13

Why Christian Growth Starts Strong but Then Goes So Slow

Archibald Alexander answers this question.

An Important but Neglected Distinction

There is a difference between being childish and childlike. Carl Trueman explains.

Should I Make My Child Apologize?

Even if they aren’t sincere? “Yes”, says Jen Wilkin. And I agree.

F-Shaped Pattern

How users read your content.

And you thought your house was small…

Today in Blogworld 07.24.13

“All Things for Good.” Suffering Too?

“The Apostles do not downplay sin or suffering; they feel both deeply and painfully. However neither do they view them apart from the sovereign power and wisdom of God who is able to make the most and the best of our least and our worst.”

9 Things You Should Know About Social Media

These are mind-boggling stats.

The Most Frightening Prayer I Could Pray for My Children

Yep.

Are You Free NOT to Drink?

This is very welcome pushback on the increasing acceptance by young evangelicals of alcoholic beverages.

Is it wrong to laugh at this?

Today in Blogworld 07.23.13

Christianity and “The Daily Show” Distortions

This should help Christians decide about whether or not to appear on shows like The Daily Show.

Church Should Be Like a Good U2 Song

Stephen Altrogge honors those that serve behind the scenes.

Thabiti On the Myth of Race

I too found this talk at T4G 2010 very helpful.

When You Are a Hammer

Great outlook by Challies. “When it comes to social media, we need to learn to use the hammer rather than be the hammer.”

I found this really funny:

Today in Blogworld 07.22.13

The King in His Beauty; an Interview with Tom Schreiner

Dr. Schreiner is my favorite professor at SBTS. He has written a new book, The King in His Beauty. This is an interview with him about the book—which you can purchase here.

Predators in the Pew: Protecting Against Child Abuse in Your Church

Every church needs to take this seriously.

I haven’t got a chance to watch this yet, but I’m looking forward to it. The SBC 2013 Calvinism Advisory Committee:

9 Struggles of Being a Pastor’s Wife

Pastor’s for sure need to be aware of this…but so do congregations.

Packer: Too Many Churches in North America Are Playing the Number Game

Speaking of numbers…J.I. Packer turns 87 years young today.

SBC 2013 Calvinism Advisory Panel from CP SBC on Vimeo.

Today in Blogworld 07.17.13

Is Jeremiah 17:9 True of the the Believer?

I absolutely love this article. A much needed corrective.

Where Do Prayers Come from in “The Valley of Vision”?

This is interesting.

Ministry Means War: 10 Lessons Seminary Never Taught Me

Yep.

Can you worship even when the music stinks?

This is a heart probing question. Aaron Armstrong does a great job of helping us check our hearts on this.

Yeah, I’ve got to play this:

Today in Blogworld 07.16.13

10 Behavior Patterns of Inwardly-Focused Churches

These are ten dominant behavior patterns of members of churches that were identified as inwardly-focused.

How to Preach Like D.A. Carson Without Sounding Like Him

Many people have already linked to this, but in case you missed it, now is your chance.

Jesus Canceled Your Mommy Guilt Trip

Good word for mommies (and daddies too)

Simple, Practical Ways to Improve Your Preaching

Yep.

This brings back memories:

Today in Blogworld 07.15.13

We Can’t All Be Panmillenial

You’ve probably heard the joke—maybe even told it—that your millenial position is “panmillennial” that you believe it will all pan out in the end. Matt Smethurst shows us why we can’t all take that position.

10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam

Articles like this are very helpful.

20 Strategies for Writing in Plain Language

As a blogger I constantly think about how I can make my articles more simple.

5 Common Mental Rules

Don’t be tricked by these heuristics. What is a heuristic you ask? “Heuristics are the quick, commonsense principles we apply to solve a problem or make a decision.”

Okay, it’s not the 4th of July anymore…but I liked this too much not to share it:

Today in Blogworld 07.12.13

When “our” voice is silent

I thought this was a well-reasoned piece by Aaron Armstrong.

Twitter Etiquette

The internet would be a better place if people followed these rules.

7 Ways to Lead People Older than You

Seldom is a pastor or other leader the oldest person in a congregation (or even organization). Here are helpful tips for leading those older than you.

Gospeltygoop

I love the title and the article. Is there too much gospel-talk these days?

This is crazy. This guy can’t stop laughing after his hip surgery. Be sure to turn on the closed captioning, or else it won’t be as funny:

(HT: Stephen Altrogge)

Today in Blogworld 07.11.13

How Should You Explain the Same-Sex Marriage Debate to Your Children?

Good question. Great answer.

The Joy of Not Sinning

“I think it is a question every Christian would all like to ask God, given the opportunity. It is an honest question. A humble one, I hope. If you have the ability to immediately destroy and remove all of a Christian’s sin the very moment he puts his faith in Jesus Christ, why don’t you? Why didn’t you?”

Top 10 Ways to Step Up Your Writing Game

This is from a former editor of Essence magazine.

An Interview on Contextualizing Ecclesiology

This is lengthy but interesting. 9 Marks interviews a seasoned missionary on contextualization.

What would happen if Harry Caray was in The Lumineers? Now you know…

Today in Blogworld 07.10.13

How big dogs find a seat

This is funny.

Are You Killing People on Facebook?

Biblical admonitions about our words also apply to social media.

8 Ways Satan Keeps You From Worship

With help from Thomas Brooks, Tim Challies shows us the ways that Satan keeps us from worship.

Don’t Pack Too Much in Your Sermons

I think this is particularly tempting to those, like myself, that only preach about once per month.

Haha…yep: