Is your faith your own, or do you rely only on others to help you walk the walk?

Yeah, Well, But What About the Crusades? – Helpful article from The Gospel Coalition reminding us about the Muslim cause for the Crusades.

Is the Gay Rights Movement the Rightful Heir to the Civil Rights Tradition – Great principle to remember to help your understanding and those of others.

President Obama and the Problem of Religious Conviction – Obama is overly influenced by postmodern thinking.

3 Female Ghosts that Haunt the Church – Good challenges to all men and how we may feel threatened by women in various ways. A warning is necessary: I feel that some care needs to be taken not to use this wisdom as an excuse for being unwise with accountability and safe practice. The article doesn’t suggest that but I can see overzealous men, wishing to do the right thing, but going too far.

Biblical Reasons to Doubt the Creation Days Were 24-Hour Periods – Even if you don’t believe this title is true, it is worth a read to challenge your thinking.

A Pastor’s Reflections: The Benefits of Membership – We’re working through the process of finding a church where we can be signed members. It could take years but this is one of the reasons why it is worth it.

What I Would Have To Deny To Deny Hell – Nobody wants to believe in hell, but if it exists we should act as if it exists.

God, Protect My Girls – Prayers that all parents should pray for their children, not just for their daughters. I have two daughters and another daughter on the way!

Will You Go Out With Me? Rules for Biblical Dating – A short list. I like the third point: return your date home more holy!

Five Tips for Bible Memory – The longer I continue with extended Bible memorisation the more I value it. Books are not always necessary, as shown in this article, but I do think that memorising entire books is the natural long-term desire for those who memorise larger chunks of scripture.

“The spiritually dead cannot enter God’s holy presence”

Keith Mathison

“You Must Be Born Again” – I’m convinced that there would be a major shift for the better in the state of the church (and the entire world) if this one truth was better understood.

Riding Light – This video is a great way of demonstrating the vastness of space, which always draws my mind and heart to reflect on the enormity of God’s great power in creating and upholding the entire universe.

Three Reasons Why Singing is Essential in the Life of the Disciple – Never neglect the heart in worship!

The Girl in the Tuxedo: Two Variations on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – Whatever your views, this article provides good insight into the pressures faced by today’s teens and young adults.

Anti-vaxxers and epistemological narcissism – I’m against unnecessary vaccination (most people don’t need seasonal flu vaccinations), but I do think some vaccinations (for deadly diseases such as measles) are essential.

Marriage and the Gospel – Don’t underestimate the testimony of a loving and holy marriage.

The “Plus One” Approach to Church – This is a good way to ensure that shifting church is not a fickle decision for you or your family.

Worthy of double honor – Do you prepare for Sunday’s sermon as well as the preacher? This is part two of how to encourage your pastor, read part one also.

A Mobile Phone Contract for Our Daughter – A Wise approach.

When Reading the Bible Through Just Wouldn’t Do – A touching glimpse into the grief of a lost spouse and helpful tips for reading your Bible when “normal” methods don’t work.

The Techniques of a Sexual Predator – You need to know this so that you can keep a better watch over your children or those of your church and other places.

On the Day I Married Her – another one from Tim Challies about how we don’t really know the person we marry.

How and Why to Improve Your Cursive Penmanship – from The Art of Manliness website. I’ve been looking for hobbies, not because I’m not busy and need to fill time but because I need a positive distraction from everyday routines as a revitaliser.

The App of God – The Bible is more than just a book, it is God’s word in whatever medium it comes to us. Yet another article from Tim Challies that spoke to me this week!

Kids’ birthday parties keep getting more extravagant – The article isn’t from a Christian perspective but these are things we should be careful to notice and think about why. Are we honouring God through endless extravagance that burdens overtired and overstretched mothers?

7 Principles of Sabbath Rest – It’s good to check whether we are using our Sabbaths as God intended.

UndeNYEably Uninformed – Bill Nye is termed “the anti-science guy” by Dr. Jay Wile.

Flirting with the Law – sometimes we don’t break laws but our hearts are not pure in what we do anyway. Rules are never meant for mere following but to teach understanding of bigger issues.

The Greatest Danger Facing the Church – Wolves in sheep’s clothing are pastors who confess the truth and sound right but who ultimately deny the God who makes that truth powerful.

Meet John – A short video about John Barros who ministers outside an abortion clinic with incredible love and gentleness.

“God is looking for individuals in this generation who will rise above the status quo of contemporary Christianity and say with Edwards, “I am completely Yours.” God is searching for those people in this hour who will strive to be that one in this generation who is the most complete Christian.”

– The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J Lawson (Link to Logos Version)

5 Scientific Problems with Current Theories of Biological and Chemical Evolution – It’s always worth a quick read to keep these arguments in mind for discussions which may arise.

20 Things I Want My Daughters to Understand About Being a Woman – I have two daughters (so far) and, having taught many teenage girls at a secular high school – and seeing their attitudes and behaviours I am on the lookout for lessons to contrast this for my daughters when they are older and their decisions matter much more.

Christian magistrate Richard Page suspended for said adopted child needed mum and dad – more and more, Christian’s are being marginalised for their faith, and especially for trying to honour God and love their neighbour.

2 Principles to Consider if You Are Planning to Move: Advice to a Mobile Society – Are you moving church for the right reasons?

Lecrae Confesses Abortion, Invites Others into the Light – If only we were all so open about our failings and our sin, then people would see God’s grace so much more.

5 Simple Ways to Teach Your Kids Theology – Again, always on the lookout for these sorts of tips. It doesn’t need to be intimidating.

Scientists Are Still Trying To Figure Out Gecko Feet – Yes and no, but very fascinating evidence of a designer.

Darrell Bock Responds to Kurt Eichenwald’s Newsweek Article on the Bible – The first of four predicted parts to Darrell Bock’s response. It amazes me that such esteemed scholars seemingly lower themselves to respond to such rubbish as the Newsweek article – really it is Christ-like humility and a wise awareness that people actually believe these things.

Change For Struggling Marriages – marriage will always have hurdles and rocky roads to pass. We sign up to stick it out and will learn much as we come through these situations.

Emails Suggest Lifeway President Knew of Heaven Scam, Chose Not to Act – Don’t buy into these false testimonies of visits to heaven (or hell). It’s something “fascinating” to draw you away from truth.

Thought for the week:

When you stand before God to be judged, procrastination won’t get you out of hell.

My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward – Not written from a Christian perspective, but definitely food for thought. What would you do if this sort of trial appeared in your life?

Porn: Human Trafficking at Your Finger Tips – YouTube video with a message that needs to be shared. I think more people are realising just how ruinous pornography is, both to the people represented in this form of media and to the the observers. Society would only be a better place if we had more control of our bodily urges.

Randy Alcorn on Calvinists, Arminians, and Everything In Between – Biblical balance is always important!

When the Sin of Sloth Sneaks Up on You – I loved reading this well described and pithy account of how married life changes with the pressures of kids and how one mother works to overcome the chaos.

Home for the Holidays When Home Isn’t Safe – Some strong contrasts between the Christian way and the world’s way occurred to me while reading this.

How Classical Education Shapes Us as God Intended – If you don’t know what a classical education is, follow a few of the links in this article, in particular the piece by Dorothy Sayers is essential reading.

Religious Liberty, Bigotry and Gays – New York Times piece written by an openly homosexual man who does not believe that his point of view stops religious freedom. While reading, see if you can spoke the logical flaws in his arguments and then read the next article by Albert Mohler and see if you were right.

Religious Liberty vs. Erotic Liberty – Religious Liberty is Losing – Albert Mohler’s response to the above article.

The Ineptitude of Moral Equivalence – A helpful analysis of Islam in the light of recent terror attacks and comparison to Christianity.

The Privilege of Persecution in Northern India – Some great quotes in the second half of this article by persecuted Christians with their eyes on eternity. It’s the right perspective!

Thought for the week:
Even though God loves you, he will judge you.

How to Distinguish the Holy Spirit from the Serpent – Who is giving you those impressions, prophecies, words of knowledge, etc? (The first of three articles from the always solid www.ligonier.org).

How to Grow Spiritually – It’s simple but often too boring for an over-entertained and over-stimulated generation.

7 Truths We Have Forgotten – Wisdom from earlier times (The last of the three from Ligonier).

Christmas Hands – I was touched by this short message of joy at serving and blessing others.

What Would Jesus Say to Someone Like Leelah Alcorn? – Christians will need a loving and biblical response to transgenderism and similar issues which will become more prevalent.

10 Questions for Moms in the New Year – Some deep and challenging questions from a woman who takes her role seriously.

Why My Family Doesn’t Do Sleepovers – An article which has been surprising for its wide spread readership. Some really important things to consider here.

Productivity: Simple Tricks – The thinking behind these tips is what struck me as most important. You can apply the concepts to your life to come up with your own tricks (a sneaky fourth from Ligonier).

An Update On The Triceratops Fossil That Contained Soft Tissue – It’s good to keep up with evidences which counter old earth timescales. Dr. Wile is always balanced and fair in his approach.

Would You Skip Church for Football – or any other sport? We should be more committed to getting ourselves and our families to church.

Thought for the week:

You can’t understand God, otherwise you would be God, but you can know the things about him that he has revealed to you.