Writing sabbatical begins today

Today, due to the generosity and encouragement of the GBC elders, I begin a one-month writing sabbatical. I have been anxious to get started on this project. For the past two weeks, most mornings when I awaken, I am thinking about aspects of the project — structure, chapters to include, and books to read to […]

The best books I read in 2017

I’ve always liked to read, and I supposed that’s a benefit for me since so much of what I do as a pastor is bound up in study and reading. I read a lot. I read a significant amount in preparation for my sermons each week — typically somewhere between 15-20 commentaries on the passage […]

Encouragement for when you’re suffering

We have noted that suffering is normal in the life of the believer. And thinking (meditating) on Scripture and the product of our suffering is helpful. In His grace, the Lord has also provided other helps for us as well — primarily the help of other faithful men who have suffered well and written about […]

Best books I’ve read in 2016 (so far)

I read quite a bit: commentaries and theologies for sermon preparation, too many blogs, journals and magazines, and many books each month. After six months of 2016, I am slightly ahead of pace to meet my goal for book reading this year, having read almost 50 books so far. Of all the books I’ve read, […]

The best books I read in 2015

The year 2015 was a good year of reading for me. A couple of years ago I found that I was having more difficulty paying attention when reading. I was breezing through many blogs and short works like magazine articles, but didn’t have as much patience for reading longer works. When revising my goals for […]

A few good resources on the Bible and homosexuality

Over the past few months, both in response to the cultural challenges and questions about sexuality and in preparation for preaching through Romans 1, I have read a number of very helpful books on the topic of homosexuality and the Scriptures. Here are some of the better things I’ve read: Kevin DeYoung, What Does the […]

Best books of the year (so far)

This has been a good book reading year for me; so far I am significantly ahead of my goal for the number of books I would read this year (and I’ve already read more than I did all last year), so I thought that at the mid-year point, it might be good to reflect on […]

Sunday Leftovers: 1 John and assurance

This morning we concluded our study of the book of 1 John. After 36 sermons, we’ve had a clear look at what John has to say about salvation, spiritual life and obedience, and eternal life and assurance. This morning’s final sermon is designed to help us remember the big picture and essential truths of the […]

Ian & Larissa: Eight Twenty Eight

I haven’t read this book (obviously), but like many of you, I’ve known of this story. This looks to be a very encouraging and helpful book. “Eight Twenty Eight” holds a wealth of meaning for Ian and Larissa Murphy. Ian’s father, who died of brain cancer, was born on August 28. Romans 8:28 is the […]

“Unbroken” trailer

This is the new trailer for the movie “Unbroken,” which is scheduled to be released at Christmas. Additionally, the book by Laura Hillenbrand on which the movie is based is available as a Kindle ebook for $4.99. This is the cheapest I’ve ever seen the book in either a print or digital version, new or […]

New book from John Piper

Crossway has just released John Piper’s latest biography, Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully: The Power of Poetic Effort in the Work of George Herbert, George Whitefield, and C. S. Lewis. Here is what Desiring God has to say about the release of this book: Herbert. Whitefield. Lewis. In the sixth volume of The Swans Are […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles from the last week: You may have made a resolution this week about your Bible reading for this year. Here is some good counsel for “How to read the whole Bible in 2014” (including a variety of Bible reading plans) by Justin Taylor. I’ve also posted several plans for our church here. […]

Good reads from 2013

As I evaluated my reading habits at the end of last year, I began to recognize a diminishing ability to give sustained attention to the longer and more involved discourses and arguments contained in books. So one of my goals this year was to read more books. Cover to cover. I set a specific goal […]

Book Summary: The Practice of Godliness

Jerry Bridges has been one of the most influential writers on the topic of sanctification in this last generation. Here is a summary of one of his most-read books, The Practice of Godliness: CHAPTER 1 — VALUE FOR ALL THINGS (1 Tim. 4:8) • Devotion in Action: Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24) • Focused on God — […]

Weakness is the Way — a new book from J. I. Packer

Crossway has just released a new book by J. I. Packer entitled, Weakness is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength. Here Packer talks about the premise behind the book. This looks helpful! Publisher’s Description: For Christians, weakness should be a way of life. Yet most of us try desperately to be sufficient on […]