The Sunday Reader #4

This week's insightful and interesting links.

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Why Our Expectations for Teens in the Church Are Way Too Low (video/article)

Cameron Cole argues that kids should be given meaningful roles for contributing within the Body.

The Canons of Dort (Article)

R. Scott Clark, a URC pastor and professor at WSCAL, gives some background on the history and significance of the Synod of Dort.

The New Normal in Church Security (Article)

Without stating his own view, Tom Rainer describes the lay of the land with respect to how churches have responded to recent violence.

What Is Life (video)

The idea that reality as we know it is a "computer simulation" used to be relegated to science fiction. As this video shows, you can now find physicists, engineers, and other intellectuals placing faith in this far-fetched flight from accountability. After all, even if this is a virtual world (and it isn't) that only pushes back the question, Who created the real world running the simulation? “The fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” Disclaimer: contains a mild expletive.

 

The Sunday Reader #3

This week's insightful and interesting links.

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When Churches Have Bad Reviews

Rev. Spotts provides counsel for how to evaluate churches online and what to make of bad reviews. 

Bearing the Burdens of the Broken

J. D. Greear challenges assumptions about what it means to bear others' burdens and the extent of our duty. Especially useful to church officers.

Ten Critical Trends for Churches in 2018

Tom Rainer serves up an insightful forecast of the forces shaping American Christianity. 

Prayer for the New Year

Wunder-Blogger Tim Challies provides an excellent prayer to use in your own devotions.

Flocking Patterns (video below)

A neat visual of the way sheep move and why they need good shepherds.

 

 

The Sunday Reader #2

This week's insightful and interesting links.

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What's the Difference Between a Lament and Complaining? 

Tremper Longman provides a useful and edifying distinction in the Psalms.

Your "Free Time" Isn't Free  

J. I. Packer reflects on Christ's lordship over those non-work hours we often idolize.

Doing Church Away from Church Isn't Church

Eric Davis asks "do we really need to go to a building on a certain day for it to count as doing church? How do we discern what does and does not constitute going to church?"

Falcon 9 Launch  (Video)

In case you missed the spectacle over Phoenix this week, here's a video of SpaceX's satellite launch.

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The Sunday Reader #1

Worthwhile finds from this week.

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Did Adam have time to name all the animals?

An interesting and fairly compelling examination of how (and why) it might have worked out practically.

8 Marks of True Reformers

Pray that your pastors, elders, and fellow believers grow in these ways.

How our housing choices make adult friendships more difficult 

A thought-provoking piece on the challenges we face in a suburban and commercially-driven culture.

How do you know when it's time to leave a church? (video).

Good 2-minute presentation from 9Marks. Not all the reasons are negative!