Instructing a Child's Heart
Wow! Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp is a practical and Christ centered guide to Biblical parenting. The Tripps rely heavily upon the Word of God as they explain the importance of dealing with the heart issues behind your children's behavior. They take serious the Christian responsibility for parents to disciple their own children. The main thrust of the book is formative instruction where parents train their children in the ways of the Lord. It is a great help! I found this material encouraging and convicting. I highly recommend it!
The Powerful Gospel
"Knowing brothers, beloved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but in power and with the Holy Spirit and with full conviction . . . And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction , with the joy of the Holy Spirit so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For not only has the Word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report . . . how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessolonians 1:4-10).
Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace
If you are struggling against pornography or if you want to help others in the fight, then you should read Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Heath Lambert. It Is a great resource. It's filled with sound theology and enough Scripture that anyone who reads it will find it challenging, convicting and helpful. It is a practical guide to growing in purity. I thoroughly appreciated it and know it will be one that I will reread and share with others. What makes it such a great resource is that it starts with the gospel and then from there looks extensively at a variety of weapons that can be used in the fight against lust. Dr. Lamber provides an arsenal to be used in the battle. This book is certainly worth the effort and time it will take to read it. Lambert sets his sights high, "In this book, I want to share with you the amazing depth and effect of Christ's power to eradicate pornography from your life. Whether you struggle with pornography yourself or are trying to help someone who struggles, I have good news for you: no matter how intense or long-standing the struggle, it is the work of Jesus Christ to set people free from such sin." Here are some more great quotes from its pages.
A Sad End to a Funny Man's Life
I am a child of the 80s. I grew up on Mork & Mindy. It was there I, like so many others, got laugh-after-laugh watching the crazy antics of Robin Williams.
Faithful Until the End
Every time I turn the news on or pick up a paper or get on facebook (cause we all know everything posted on facebook is true for sure) I see accounts of Christians around the world who are being mocked, jeered at, tortured, beaten and killed for their faith. My heart is heavy for them and their families. I do not and cannot imagine their great sorrow or sacrifice.
Who's in Charge Here Anyway?
I am seeing a trend that is surprising to me from God's view but not at all from the world's view. The surprising thing about this trend is that it is as prevalent in the church as out. But wait, wait, we are to be in the world not of it. Ummm...epic fail in this area.
Sin and the Gospel by the Numbers (Pt 5)
I hope by now my few but faithful readers are seeing just how much gospel is in the Old Testament Book of Numbers.
Sin and the Gospel by the Numbers (Pt 4)
God promised to give Israel a good land called Canaan. Poised at its edge, Moses sent spies into Canaan. Two spies believed God and wanted Israel to go in and take the land. Ten spies disbelieved God and gave a cowardly report.
Sin and the Gospel by the Numbers (Pt 3)
"And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron" (Num 14:2).
Sin and the Gospel by the Numbers (Pt 2)
In our last post, we uncovered some eternal gospel truths out of Numbers Chapter 12. We come now to Chapter 13, where we read of Moses sending spies into the land of Canaan (The Promised Land).