The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you on this fine day.
Westminster Books has discounted a new title that has gotten some especially noteworthy endorsements. There are also quite a number of titles on the church nicely discounted.
Kindle deal collectors have a few to look at today.
What Does the Bible Say About Dealing With Divisive People in the Church?
This issue is so important. “As society is presently ripped apart with divisions on every issue, the church is likewise bombarded with divisive people who are using the current cultural divide to mimic the culture and tear apart the body of Christ. Christians have to be acutely aware that Satan uses cultural moments like this in the church to separate the body of Christ. I can’t think of a more appropriate caution at the moment than to call Christians to awareness regarding both to whom they listen and how they handle themselves before those who seek the ruin of the church.”
How Local Churches Can Bridge a Widening Gender Divide
Brett McCracken looks at a study that concludes we are witnessing a widening gender divide in which women are heading one way politically while men are heading another. He suggests that the church can be a force to bridge this divide.
Never Preach to One Person
This is good advice: never preach to one person. “I would be in the throes of my weekly sermon preparation and as my message would develop, I would begin to think, ‘Oh! This is a perfect message for so-and-so—they’ve been struggling with this particular problem, and this is precisely what he needs to hear.’ Without fail, if such a thought crossed my mind it seemed to be an inviolable rule of the universe that the person would not be in church on Sunday.”
The Sobering Prospect of “Adult AI”
A few days ago I shared an article by Samuel James in which he stated that Christians are not ready for the prospect of “adult AI.” In this helpful interaction, Phil Cotnoir challenges some of James’ conclusions.
Two Ways, Two Ends
Esther shares a handful of encouraging poems that nicely complement one another. Kudos for writing a poem whose effectiveness depends on rhyming with spacious nine times over!
Five Pictures of the Church
The New Testament is full of metaphors used to describe the church. T. M. Suffield covers some of them here and reminds us that we benefit from considering each of them (rather than focusing all our attention on a favorite).
Flashback: Is It Sinful to Observe (or Not To Observe) Lent?
If it’s your conviction that observing these days is consistent with the Bible, then by all means do so. If it’s your conviction that observing them is inconsistent with the Bible, then by all means refrain. And as you celebrate or refrain, be careful not to judge or condemn those who choose the opposite.
We should strive to make church a place where being anonymous or nominal is difficult to pull off.
—Jeremy Pierre & Deepak Reju
