A La Carte (April 28)

Thoughts On The Rise And Fall Of Pastors

This is a really good and really urgent article by Scott Sauls.

When Prayer Feels Like a Chore

It is sad but undeniable that sometimes the great privilege of prayer can feel like a chore or burden.

Canonicity: Why These 66 Books?

This is helpful: “We believe in the 39 books of the Old Testament, because the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed the Old Testament. And we believe in the 27 books of the New Testament, because the Lord Jesus Christ authorized His apostles to write the New Testament.” Affirmed and authorized–hold on to those two words!

Is it Biblical for Churches to Require a Tithe?

The answer is pretty obvious but the explanation and pastoral applications are well worth reading.

See No Evil

“If there’s any good reason to distrust the self-awareness of contemporary progressives, it’s the cultural epidemic of pornography.” Quite right!

This Day in 1948. 68 years ago today, pastor Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs, was captured on his way to church and held hostage as Prisoner Number 1. Over time, he was a prisoner for over 14 years. He tells his story in Tortured for Christ. *

The Problem With Baby Dedications

Andrew Wilson isn’t against baby dedications, but against the terminology. Hear him out!

Young Men — Is This You?

This lays down the challenge for young men: “‘Need’ is a strong word. But I use it intentionally and I use it passionately. Yes, I use it urgently. Our culture desperately needs men. Not boys! We have plenty of boys. The church needs men, real men, godly men, holy men, biblical men. As a minister of the gospel, as a student of Scripture, as a biblical counselor, and as a man after God’s own heart, I will list 8 traits that should characterize men. So — young men: is this you?”