Here are some of the blog posts that spoke to me over the last few weeks:

Will Following my Heart Set Me Free? HT to Challies. “I think that summarises a story that our culture loves to tell: that success in the world means presenting your truest self, pushing off what society tells you to be, to be you. It’s almost like that’s the meaning of life. You are free to be yourself.”

Life Without Romans 8:28. “I have often heard it said that Romans 8:28 is the wrong verse to bring to the attention of those who are grieving, that while it is true in our especially difficult moments, it does not necessarily become helpful until some time has passed. And while I can only speak for myself, it has been my experience that in my lowest moments I have feasted on Romans 8:28, I have run to it like a starving man runs to a meal and I have drunk from it like a parched man drinks from an oasis. I have needed Romans 8:28 and it has both comforted my soul and directed my grief.”

The Irreplaceable Encouragement of Intergenerational Relationships, HT to the Story Warren. “I took a seat at my assigned table for my first Bible study at our new church and was surprised to see a number of gray and white heads dotted among the tables. I wondered, what would it be like to study alongside women who were 20, 30, or more years older than I? Up until this point, my close friendships consisted of almost exclusively people in or near my stage of life.”

3 Verses for Your Work. “If you are reading this right now, you have work to do. I’m not only talking about a paid job but any work you do—paid or unpaid, noticed or behind the scenes. I spend my days working on many things; most of my tasks do not result in a paycheck. Payment does not validate work; God does. Here are three truths and verses that have absolutely transformed my work.”

Can You Be Too Productive? “There seems to be a tension in the way people view productivity these days. On the one side, there is the push to do more, be more efficient, work harder. But in the last few years, another view has grown in popularity. On this side is the pull to slow down, do less, and get more rest.”

On Being an Ambassador: Walking the Tightrope of cultural differences. “As Christians, we get our instruction from the Scripture. We find there early examples of how Christians crossed cultural boundaries in taking the gospel to ends of their world. One instructive example is the preaching of the Apostle Paul. Since God called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles, we should expect that he would deal with widely diverse cultures—and he does.”

The Dress, HT to Challies. A touching meditation on a daughter’s upcoming marriage.

Consider Your Attitude Toward the Local Church, HT to Challies. “We can notice all the problems with our local church on some days and rejoice at God’s goodness to our local church on others. As many people consider the big issues in their lives during January, make sure you are thinking rightly about church this year.”

Why I’m a Better Pastor (for you) than . . . HT to Challies. “Not only do we have unfettered access to the Bible, but we have almost limitless access to some of the very best Bible teaching. What a gift we have. And yet, that begs a question: how is a normal pastor like myself supposed to compete? Why should you even bother with attending your local church?”

Sent to Need. HT to Challies. This is such a good perspective on missions. “I’m not saying that prayerfully planning, dreaming, and casting vision with expectation of what God can do is wrong. I am only asking if it strikes anyone else as odd that we get ‘sent to serve’ before being ‘sent to learn.’  I wish it was more like this: ‘Hi. I am sent to need.‘”