- Six Ways Your Phone is Changing You. Tony Reinke writes “We have wise Christian fathers in the faith who are asking important questions, if we’re willing to listen. One such man is Dr. Douglas Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary. Groothuis has been tracking the impact of the Internet on the spiritual life since he published his book The Soul in Cyberspace in 1997. I recently talked with Groothuis about how our iPhones are changing us. He suggested we think about six areas.
- When a Pastor Commits Adultery. Todd Pruitt writes “Adultery is a moral disaster. It brings ruin to reputations. It is in the words of John Armstrong, “the stain that stays.” The pastor who falls to adultery has disqualified himself by virtue of the fact that he is no longer of good repute. That there are many who believe adultery does not disqualify a man from the office of pastor (or elder) reflects more on their discernment than on the real nature of adultery.”
- Randy Alcorn Opens Up on His Depression. In this ten-minute video, author Randy Alcorn talks to David Mathis about his depression. Also included are some helpful resources on the subject of depression.
- Rejected by Men, Even our Friends. Christina Fox writes “As long as we live in this sin-stained world, we will all experience rejection — even, maybe especially, from dear friends whom we have loved and trusted for years. Jesus never promised to protect us from pain or sorrow, but to be with us in it and eventually to deliver us through it to himself.”
- A Response to the Same-Sex Marriage Ruling. Listen to this interview with R.C. Sproul.
- When J. I. Packer Walked Out. In 2002, J. I. Packer walked out of the synod of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster. Here’s why.
- Same-Sex Attraction and the Church. Rosaria Butterfield writes “”Same-Sex Attraction and the Church is a must-read for all Christians.” Ed Shaw’s book is scheduled to be released December 6. The book is also endorsed by Russell Moore, Michael Horton and Justin Taylor.
- The Sexual Revolution’s Coming Refugee Crisis. Russell Moore writes “The Sexual Revolution cannot keep its promises. Many people are going to be disappointed, and even before they can admit it to others or to themselves, they are going to ask, ‘Is this all there is?’”
- Freedom of Conscience in a Virtueless Society: Os Guinness on the Eric Metaxas Show. Our friend Kevin Halloran writes about Os Guinness’ recent appearance on the excellent Eric Metaxas Show on which they discussed Guinness’s book, A Free People’s Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future.
- Should I Attend My Gay Friend’s Wedding? Watch this short video in which Kevin DeYoung answers that question.
- God Brings Us Suffering for Others’ Sake. Dave Zuleger writes “Suffering seems to be one of the great instruments in God’s hands to continue to reveal to us our ultimate dependence on him and our ultimate hope in him, despite our circumstances.”
- Boasting in the Right Things (Person): Praying Through Jeremiah 9:23-24. Here’s a wonderful prayer from our friend Scotty Smith.
SPORTS:
- Jordan Spieth Eagle. The 21-year old golfer has already won the first two legs of the Grand Slam (the Masters and U.S. Open). See this 106 yard shot he holes for an eagle in the third round of last week’s John Deere Classic.
JUST FOR FUN:
- Sherlock Christmas Special. After a year and a half, there will finally be some new Sherlock to enjoy. A Victorian Christmas special (featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson), will air this year on television and also in select theatres. See the trailer here.
- Nonsense Karaoke with Chris Pratt. Did you see Chris Pratt (Jurassic World) recently on the The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon?
- If you’re in a rush, just know whatever airport security line I am in, the other lines will always be faster. Eric Geiger
- Internet is down at home. Drove to Panera. Internet is down at Panera. I think God may be trying to tell me something. Tim Challies
- The people lining the street for the running of the bulls were probably the same people who thought a dinosaur theme park was a good idea. Kevin DeYoung
- Only Pixar can make you care about an imaginary friend made of cotton candy who is named Bing Bong. Tim Challies
Beyond the Ark by Doug Michael
Present Theologians:
- Foot washing is far more appropriate for followers of Jesus than attempts at life fixing. We serve them, only Jesus changes people. Scotty Smith
- Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs, but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable. Tim Keller
- Everyone says they want community and deep friendship. However, because it takes accountability and commitment we run the other way. Tim Keller
- To pray is to accept that we are, and always will be, wholly dependent on God for everything. Tim Keller
- The Arminian view makes the final decision of our salvation rest upon a human choice, not upon a divine action. R. C. Sproul
- For the Arminian, salvation is possible for all but certain for none. In the Calvinist position, salvation is sure for God’s elect. R.C. Sproul
- It is not the perfection of one’s life but the direction of a life that provides evidence of regeneration. John MacArthur
- What God requires and what he has done to save us in Christ is evident from Genesis to Revelation. Michael Horton
- Truth without grace isn’t really true. Grace without truth isn’t really gracious. Scott Sauls
- Repentance: conviction of our sin, contrition over our sin, confession of our sin, consecration to turn from our sin. Repeat daily. Burk Parsons
- When your sin is exposed, you will run toward confession and forgiveness or self-righteousness and self-justification. Paul David Tripp
- If your friends never make you uncomfortable. You don’t have friends. You have fans. Darrin Patrick
- Churches should evaluate everything they do to determine how it can be done better. Thom Rainer
- The repentant man rightfully loses trust in himself. He recognizes his self-dependence as the source of his problems, not the solution. Randy Alcorn
- Only the Gospel goes deep enough to effect real hard change. Everything else is just behavior modification. Jared Wilson
- There are no freelance Christians; there is no solo-flying to heaven. Alistair Begg
- Calvin, outside of God’s Word, has been the greatest influence in my life. Ian Hamilton
- God has chosen us. Our status is not a matter of our worthiness, but of His love. Sinclair Ferguson
- What matters most isn’t what others think of us, or even what we think about ourselves, but what God has declared to be true of us in Christ. Scotty Smith
- You cannot talk about evil without assuming a moral framework. Ravi Zacharias
- Refusing to teach a passage of Scripture is just as wrong as abusing it. Francis Chan.
Theologians from the Past:
- Right is right though all condemn, and wrong is wrong though all approve. Charles Spurgeon
- If he be lost, damnation is all of man; but, if he be saved, still salvation is all of God. Charles Spurgeon
- Man was made in the image of God, and nothing will satisfy man but God, in whose image he was made. Charles Spurgeon
- Praying without fervency is like hunting with a dead dog. Charles Spurgeon
- The nearer a man gets to God, the greater he sees his sin. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- If you look at your past and are depressed it means that you are listening to the devil. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- I’ve held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all but whatever I’ve placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. Martin Luther
- I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word, till soul and body sever. For though all things pass away, His Word shall stand forever. Martin Luther
- God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance … as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray. John Calvin
- The greatest test of a man’s character is his tongue. Oswald Chambers