Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

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  • My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2025. Collin Hansen shares his “To 10 Theology Stories”, an annual compilation of the top stories that have shaped evangelical life, thought, and mission over the previous year.


  • How We Fight: A Devotional Message by Sinclair Ferguson. The Apostle Paul called his young friend Timothy to “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This same call is for all of God’s people. But how are Christians to engage in this spiritual battle? In this devotional message, Sinclair Ferguson exhorts us to be courageous witnesses for the gospel, conducting ourselves with integrity and faithfulness to the Lord.

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  • Favorite Quotes of the Week


  • Why Is It Important to Affirm Both the Deity and Humanity of Christ? In this video, Joel Kim describes why it is necessary to affirm the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
  • What False Teachings Should Make Me Leave a Church? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to questions regarding 2 John 11-12 “How do we distinguish between a pastor who is simply mistaken on secondary issues and one who falls into the category of a false teacher described in this passage? Additionally, what does it look like in practice to avoid, rebuke, or call out such a leader while still upholding biblical love and humility?”
  • What Does It Mean That Jesus Has the Name Above All Names? In this video, Alistair Begg answers what it means that Jesus has the name above all names?
  • Why Satan Persists. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “As you scan over this high concentration of references to Satan and his works that we encounter in our readings, what stands out to you in particular?”
  • Improving the Body Without Fixating on Image. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question that reads in part “My question is, is it sinful to enjoy how I look as I continue this healthy routine? I know it’s good to be healthy, as it gives me more energy and makes me feel better day-to-day, but I don’t want to fall back into obsession or to dishonor God with my focus. I understand he should be first in all things, including my fitness. But if I notice my body changing, is that wrong? If so, how can I turn away from that?”
  • Where Did TULIP Come From? Why do many Christians associate Calvinism with the acronym TULIP? Robert Godfrey explains where this familiar term came from and how it seeks to summarize Reformed teaching.
  • Why is Church Membership Important? In this video, Ken Jones testifies to the importance of local church membership.
  • The Apostacy of Impatience. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question that can be summarized as “Can patience, though a fruit of the Spirit, ever be faithfully lost? That is, can a Christian — who sincerely loves God and walks in obedience — find their patience wearing thin, or even seemingly gone, and still remain within the bounds of spiritual faithfulness?”
  • Marriage Survival After Betrayal. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “Do you have any advice for couples impacted by adultery? These are the hardest situations for us to handle. How can trust be rebuilt between them? From your pastoral experience, what are some biblical realities and hopes that we could use to serve couples whose marriages are falling apart due to the devastation of infidelity?”
  • What Encouragement Would You Give to Suffering Christians? In this video, Derek Thomas provides encouragement to Christians who are enduring suffering.
  • Should I Still Tithe if I’m in Debt or Struggling Financially? On this episode of Honest Answers, Robert Plummer answers this question.
  • How Does the Holy Spirit Help Me Pray? Without the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians would not be able to pray as we ought. Michael Reeves explains how the third person of the Trinity renews our minds and transforms our hearts when we pray.
  • Keeping Sovereign Grace in Gospel Partnerships. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “One question that comes up over the years is this one: If this is a “gospel coalition,” why does it define itself confessionally as Reformed or Calvinistic? That is what we read in the preamble to the Foundation Documents: “We are a fellowship of evangelical churches in the Reformed tradition.” Obviously you don’t speak for everyone on the council or in any official capacity, but what would be your personal answer to that question? Or, maybe more safely, why would any church, school, or ministry devoted to being gospel-centered and gospel-advancing define its identity as Reformed or Calvinistic rather than something broader?”
  • Loving Aging Parents Well. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “What does the Bible say about caring for or living with an abusive elderly parent, especially when trying to balance honoring them with protecting my family’s well-being?”
  • What Should a New Christian Focus on as He or She Seeks to Grow? In this video, Sinclair Ferguson provides counsel to new Christians who are seeking to grow.

  • In the kingdom of God, true greatness is measured by our service, not by the number of our servants. It’s seen not in how high up the ladder we’ve climbed, but in how far down we’re prepared to climb for the sake of others. Sinclair Ferguson
  • Every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; both when we sleep and when we wake His mercy waits upon us. Charles Spurgeon
  • While other worldviews lead us to sit in the midst of life’s joys, foreseeing the coming sorrows, Christianity empowers its people to sit in the midst of this world’s sorrows, tasting the coming joy. Tim Keller
  • If God is not at the center of your life, something else is. Tim Keller
  • Doctrine divides, but doctrine also unites. It binds together the hearts of God’s people who celebrate the truth of God.  R.C. Sproul
  • God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now. Elisabeth Elliot
  • There is ultimately no such thing as unanswered prayer. If the answer at first is “no” or “not yet,” it is because he gives us what we want in ways better than we asked. Tim Keller
  • We rejoice not because we have done enough but because Christ has done enough. Sinclair Ferguson
  • Here is a word for you, believer; rest in it. Be sure that God will be your counselor and friend; He will guide you; He will direct all your ways. Charles Spurgeon

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals and Illinois State University Men’s Basketball fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church for thirty years. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses and Romans 8 my favorite chapter of the Bible. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns and classic rock. My books Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace, A Leader Worth Following: 40 Key Leadership Attributes and Applications to Master, and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. Go to amazon.com/author/billpence or amazon.com/author/tammypence

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