Advent Devotional

Today is the first day of Advent.  Christ the King Presbyterian, in Raleigh, NC, has put together this wonderful devotional that anyone (singles, families, churches) can use this Advent season.  Rebecca and I have mutually agreed to put aside our regular devotional book so that we can go through this one.  May your hearts be encouraged and your families strengthened by the special readings and songs in this devotional.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Riveting Short Film

Take a few minutes to watch this short film.  It will challenge you in the choices you make.  I would also commend to you the other short films at The Door Post.

(HT: Zach Nielson)

Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy

Paul David Tripp has written this great book with 52 meditations on Psalm 51.  The book is designed to be read one chapter a week for an entire year.  Rebecca and I are reading it for our nightly devotions.  We have benefited enormously from its wisdom, both in our own personal lives and in our marriage.  I wholeheartedly recommend purchasing this book.  It will be a great encouragement and challenge for you and your family.

Excerpt from chapter 1:

Before you can ever make a clean and unamended confession of your sin, you have to first begin by confessing your righteousness.  It’s not just your sin that separates you from God, your righteousness does as well.  Because, when you are convinced you are righteous, you don’t seek the forgiving, rescuing, and restoring mercy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Make sure you set your dinner table the “right way”

A great diagram from this blog helps us look like we know what we are doing when we set our tables this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Giveaway

This is my first book giveaway.  It is the first of many, I hope.  I am giving    away a copy of Don’t Waste Your Life by Author and Pastor John Piper.  This was the first Piper book I ever read.  It has been a very important book in my life.  Here’s what you have to do to win:

1) Subscribe by RSS or Email.

2) Leave a Comment under this post telling me that you are a new or old subscriber.

3) Check back on Monday.  I will have randomly picked a winner and will announce it here.

(If you are unfamiliar with RSS, then Abraham Piper will tell you all about it here.)

YHWH: Our Merciful God

My friend, Bryan DeWire, and I came across an article a few minutes ago that took me back a few steps.  When I read stories like this I sit back and wonder why God doesn’t come down and obliterate the rebellious, sin-infested human race.  At this moment, I am incredibly overwhelmed and grateful that I serve a God who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103.8).  I know he has incredible amounts of wrath stored up for unbelievers (Romans 1.18-32), but so much of his wrath is being deferred for the sake of his glory and for his purposes (Isaiah 46.8-11).  Praise the Lord.

Church Uniforms?

Who has ever heard of having Church Uniforms?  It may not be that bad of an idea, you know.  What do you think?

HT: Tim Challies

A Word to Husbands

David Mathis, Executive Assistant to Pastor John Piper, gives husbands a helpful word on how to Give Time to Your Wife.  I found it very encouraging.

For men and women who struggle with entertaining America’s favorite pastime: Pornography

Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA, has written a free e-book called Porn-Again Christian.  Read it or download it for free here.  Pass it along to anyone you know who might benefit from this very challenging book.

How should we engage culture?

Jonathan Dodson, from the Resurgence blog, writes a helpful article with 6 ways to engage culture.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5.16)