desires aren’t always sinful

Some of the good blogging found this week:

Bible Hugs. “Not long ago I meant to type into the search box, biblehub.com, a site I visit frequently for research. (If you’ve not visited there, it’s well worth exploring.) But this time, instead of hub I typed hug. Bible hug. After a slight snicker, I thought, Wait—scripture does offer hugs-of-sorts, in the form of encouragement, comfort, and assurance—providing occasions when I can almost feel God’s embrace. Sometimes those hugs have come in preparation for what’s to come, sometimes in the midst of pain or trouble, and other times after the fact.”

To Cover an Offense is to Forgive, HT to Challies. This is a helpful explanation of two different terms in the Bible and what the involve–covering and offense and overlooking an offense.

God, the Lord of Time. “Planning my weeks and my days is a constant exercise in frustration. Invariably I write down only a small portion of the things I desperately need to accomplish. Invariably, my attempts at modest expectations are far too ambitious and I enter the following week looking at more than half of what I had hoped to complete. Rinse and repeat.”

A Desire Is not Always Sinful, HT to Challies. “The Bible certainly has its warnings about misplaced and unleashed desires, but Scripture attests that to be human is to have desire. Fears identify those things that are important to you.”

Venting vs. Complaining: What’s the Difference? “I just needed to vent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve muttered this phrase to my husband, my mom, and my friends over the past few months. But as I’ve read through the book of Numbers, watching God’s people continuously complain—and seeing His anger kindled against them when they do—the Holy Spirit has gently prodded me to take a closer look at myself. I’d like to invite you along on this journey too.”

Should Christians Feel Guilty for Being Patriotic? HT to Challies. I don’t usually post reviews of books I haven’t read, but this made some excellent points.

A Treasure Chest for Thoughts, HT to Challies. “A book is a treasure chest for thoughts. Crack open the covers, and you’ll find a wealth of ideas in its words. They can take you out of yourself and show you new places and new perspectives.”

A Shy Guy’s Guide to Big Groups, HT to Challies. Much of this resonated with me! “Dear brother or sister, I feel your plight. But instead of taking personality tests and being trapped in the results, making peace with the discomfort and awkwardness, what if we focused outside of ourselves on others? What if we took the counsel of a voice instructor and aimed at being generous with our energy?”