Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • 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.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Leadership Attributes: Leaders are Good Listeners

In our series on leadership attributes, we now turn to perhaps an underappreciated attribute – listening. Leaders are good listeners. I would go even further and say that listening is an underappreciated skill for everyone, not just leaders. For example, when I was working full-time and attending seminary, I was constantly tired. My mind was going in all directions about work and my studies. My wife Tammy and I would regularly meet at a restaurant for an early dinner after work before I would begin studying in the evening. More than once in the middle of a conversation, she would say “You haven’t heard a word that I’ve said, have you?” She was right. I was distracted, thinking about what had happened at work that day, or what I needed to do that evening, whether it was reading, writing a paper or studying for an exam. Whatever the reason, my lack of good listening showed a lack of respect for my wife. Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

We have come again to that one day a year in our country which is set aside – in name at least – for being thankful. But as children of the King, we are always to be thankful. The Apostle Paul tells us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 1 Chronicles 16:34 tells us to give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
I love the holiday season, and Thanksgiving is really the kick-off for that festive time. Today, many will be gathering with family and friends, enjoying a turkey dinner and perhaps watching some football. Soon we might be joining many others searching for bargains as we begin our Christmas shopping and the decorating of our homes for Christmas. But before we get into the busyness of the season, let us take time to thank the Lord for all he has done for us this year. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:17 that whatever we do, in word or deed, we are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Father, we pause to thank you for the many blessings that you have bestowed on us this year. Just a few of those for me are: Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • Sorrows Surprised by Happiness. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to a question that reads in part “I recall you mentioning a season in your life where you were deeply affected by an emotional state that was hard to understand, even to the point of sobbing without clear cause. Reflecting on those experiences, have your thoughts on unhappiness — its roots and how Christians should approach it — changed? Also, looking back at Battling Unbelief, do you still agree with the perspectives you shared, or have your views shifted in light of more recent experiences or understanding?”
  • How Does Union With Christ Affect Our Daily Lives? In this video, Sinclair Ferguson describes how union with Christ affects the believer’s daily life.
  • Sexual Purity is an Act of Love. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to a question about 1 Corinthians 7:9, which can be summarized as “What advice can you give to a young man who is tempted to burn with desire but who wants to wait?”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • Voddie Baucham: A Faithful Witness to Christ. Robert J. Pacienza writes “On September 25, 2025, the church lost one of its great voices. Voddie Baucham is now with the Lord. The news of his passing struck me deeply, not only because Voddie was a personal friend and ally, but because his absence leaves a void in an hour when his voice was needed most.”
  • Voddie Baucham (1969–2025) on the Resurrection. “Voddie Baucham (1969–2025) has gone hometo be with the Lord. In light of the common hope we hold as Christians, we’re looking back at his message from The Gospel Coalition’s 2015 National Conference.”
  • My Life’s Journey with Dr Voddie Baucham Jr. Conrad Mbewe writes “I am greatly indebted to Voddie for the nine years he invested spiritually in our people in Zambia and in Africa. I thank God for the friend he gave me in this man whom I now look forward to meeting in glory together with our son Mwansa. Farewell, Voddie, see you in the morning!”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • Thoughtful Christian Responses to Charlie Kirk’s Death. Tim Challies writes “A week ago, I created a roundup of immediate responses to Kirk’s death. Today, I offer a second roundup, and this one offers some mature and thoughtful reflections. Their purpose is not so much to explain what happened, but to consider what it means and how Christians ought to respond.”

  • Are You Worshipping God in Vain? John Piper writes “Almost everyone would agree that biblical worship involves some kind of outward act. The very word in Hebrew means “to bow down.” Worship is bowing, lifting hands, praying, singing, reciting, preaching, performing rites of eating, cleansing, ordaining, and so on. But the startling fact is that all these things can be done in vain. They can be pointless, useless, and empty.”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • Glorifying God with Our Bodies Isn’t About What We Don’t Do. David Mathis writes “Glorifying God in our bodies isn’t mainly about what we avoid and don’t do with them. It’s far more about what we do with them—where we go with our feet, what we do with our hands to help others, and what we say with our mouths to give meaning to the acts of our bodies.”
  • When Weakness Overwhelms Us. Joni Eareckson Tada writes “Our call to suffer for the sake of Jesus comes from a God who is tender beyond description. In your pain and weakness, he is nearer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), he heeds your cry of affliction (Psalm 9:12), he treasures all your tears (Psalm 56:8), and he’ll reward your endurance with all the joy eternity can muster (2 Corinthians 4:17). Perhaps best of all, if we suffer with him, “we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Oh, the joy!”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links
  • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Resting in God on Labor Day

In the U.S., Labor Day is observed the first Monday in September as an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. On this holiday, many workers will get the day to rest from their labors.
Thinking of Labor Day, got me to thinking of our sabbath rest. Over the past few years, I have given serious consideration to how I treat the Sabbath, or the Lord’s Day. In our culture, for many people, Sunday has become just like any other day. Most stores are open like any other day, with notable exceptions such as Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby. Busy workers use Sunday as a day to catch up on work that has built up during the week, and some enjoy watching NFL football all day on Sunday. I have to ask myself if other than attending worship service and our church small group, am I treating Sunday as just another day? Continue reading