As well as reading a lot of books, I also read a ton of articles every week. Here are some of the articles that I’ve read recently and have found interesting, helpful, challenging and encouraging. I hope that they will be the same for you, my dear readers…
How to Pray for Your Teenager’s Sexual Purity
“Pray that our children will be strengthened to trust God, even when others laugh. Pray that the coming day of judgment will move them to resist sin so they can call their friends to find salvation in Jesus.”
When Ball Becomes Baal
“God Himself uses sports language in the New Testament. He’s not against it, unless it steals the devotion belonging to Him. All other gods have to go!”
Does the Pastor Have it Worse?
“The roles of the pastor and assistant aren’t too dissimilar. Do people think the pastor has it worse? Yes, I think most church members would agree. Is this correct? No, I don’t think it is.”
WHEN SCIENCE FAILS AND MONSTERS LURK IN THE SHADOWS, JESUS IS BIGGER
“The Christian worldview we learn from the Gospel accounts helps us to take comfort when we’re looking into the cozy microscopic corners of God’s little universe. With the miracles as our frame of reference, we won’t be surprised when what we find in those crannies is not a magical monster nor mindless matter obeying impersonal laws but the God of mystery behind the muons holding the world together by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3).”
The scariest verse in the Bible and how it should focus our minds on the task at hand
“I am almost certain that those who clamour to be elders very rarely sit and consider the weight of this. We’re quick to note that he who desires to be an elder desires a good thing (1 Tim 3:1) but less willing to think about Hebrews 13:17. We might consider it as far as the ramifications for church membership, polity and ecclesiology go. But before we take on eldership, do we really wrestle with the fact that the Lord is going to hold us to account for how we shepherded the souls he entrusted to our care?”
Briefing: Nationality and Borders Bill
“Society has over the last two years become increasingly aware of the consequences of policy actions on the most vulnerable in our country. We should match this with an awareness and attentiveness to the impact of our actions on those in greatest need across the world. We will continue to work for an asylum system that treats all with fairness, dignity and respect. “
Test Yourself, but Trust In Jesus
“How thankful we should be for the living, vital faith that the Holy Spirit has implanted, and continues to nourish, in each of our hearts! May we live worthy of his great name and may we pick ourselves up, by faith, from each defeat and be all the more resolved to continue, in his might, in our life-long struggle against soul-enemies, for “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).”
Back Pages Summer 2021 Magazine
Check out some good articles and some updates from the work of Christians in Sport.
The Heart of Jesus for Weary Leaders
“How would this next week, month, or year change for you if you became convinced that the Savior, who has never once failed to finish what he started, is more committed to his plan in your life than you are?”
THE CROSS AND THE MACHINE
“Surrender or rebellion; sacrifice or conquest; death of the self or triumph of the will; the Cross or the machine. We have always been offered the same choice. The gate is strait and the way is narrow and maybe we will always fail to walk it. But is there any other road that leads home?”
How Bible Reading Habits Have Changed Throughout History
“…in our escape from sometimes unhelpful expectations, I fear we have lost the sense of both what a privilege it is to hear God speaking to us, and how vitally important it is for us to soak ourselves in God’s word so that we will be taught, corrected, and equipped to serve Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). “
How to Fight Anger in Motherhood
“Tomorrow morning will arrive, and I already know we’re low on milk. The toddler will almost certainly melt down again, and the twins will inevitably knock some of their cereal onto the floor. Nothing about tomorrow will be different from any other day—except the fact that I’m determined to look to Christ amid the tears and squabbles. I’m sure I won’t handle it perfectly, but it will bring me to my knees, and that’s a good place for a mom to be.”
Love Your (Imperfect) Pastors
“There may be no more potent way to esteem your pastors very highly in love than to speak to God on their behalf. Our prayers to God for our pastors will inevitably begin to soften our hearts to love them as God loves them, and our words and behavior will reflect the growing respect and esteem we have for them.”
Chalmers' Blog 