The Sunday Reader, VOL. '18, ISSUE #12

This week's insightful and interesting links.

4 Ways Christians Should Share Their Faith That Are Actually Effective

Excellent Sunday reading from Matt Chandler. Essentially he boils it down to hospitality, finding common ground, sharing your personal story, prayer, and finally sharing the actual gospel. Worth pondering how to implement these practices in your routine.

Where did the Pope come from?

Desiring God provides a brief rundown on the historical background to the modern papacy. Far from being the direct descendant of Peter and the "rock" on which the church is built, the Roman pontiff developed gradually out of human and not divine wisdom to be what it now is. "The papacy is more a child of imperial categories than biblical ones. The papacy never would have emerged if there were no empire forming the political and cultural milieu of the life of the early church."

You Are Going to See God

This is an uplighting and awesome little reflection on what is in store for us.

15 Doctrines that Ought to Bring Comfort in Suffering

The title says it all. It is far better for Christians to become familiar with them in advance rather than after sorrow strikes.

 

The Sunday Reader, VOL. 1, ISSUE #11

This week's insightful and interesting links.

The Burning of the Wooden Shoe

Rev. Chris Gordon, pastor at our sister church, Escondido URC, has written this clarion article on what he believes are current trends within Reformed churches that reflect the CRC's history. “The CRC may have rightly burned the wooden shoes of a parochial, ethnic, and cultural identity but made the mistake of leaving in those shoes the very Reformed confessions that gave her a theological identity. In our attempts to accommodate the culture, to address social injustice, some of which may certainly need to happen, we run the risk of burning the Reformed confessions. This is no small matter and, in the end, it has everything to do with what the Reformation helped us recover: the gospel of Jesus as a Savior from sin.”

Can You Make Your Election Sure?

Rev. Spotts answers a question about the Apostle Peter's admonition to “make your calling and election sure,” in light of sovereign grace.

Doing Church Biblically Can Be Messy

How might members and leaders at PURC respond if a homosexual couple became regular attenders? God, grant us wisdom to point all people to Christ, as Savior and Lord, in a faithful way, regardless of the their response. 

 

The Sunday Reader, VOL. 1, ISSUE #10

This week's insightful and interesting links.

Is Hospitality Your Mentality?

"Rather than opening and sharing our homes, the current American Dream is that each family member has his or her own room, their own screen, and their own bathroom. The typical American home built in the 1950s was 1,700 square feet, while in 2017 it was 2,600 square feet. Our homes are larger and nicer—but there is less life within." Highly recommended. 

Does 2 Cor 3:17 Teach the Deity of the Spirit

Rev. Spotts interacts with accusations raised against this text.

Homeschool Will Not Save Them

An important if perhaps heavy article. "An idea had taken root, sprouted, and grown over the years, and it was this: By giving my child a distinctively Christian education, I was ensuring she would turn out Christian. It had been like a private insurance policy I had taken out with God. I thought he had agreed to my terms

 

The Sunday Reader, VOL. 1, ISSUE #9

This week's insightful and interesting links.

Yes, Doctrine Divides

Rev. Spotts reflects on how sometimes sharp distinctions must be made for the sake of the Body.

The Peculiarity of Early Christian Worship

Michael Kruger observes how early “Christian worship managed to irritate just about everyone,” and what we can learn from it.

I Have Forgotten How to Read

“For a long time, I convinced myself that a childhood spent immersed in old-fashioned books would insulate me somehow from our new media climate—that I could keep on reading and writing in the old way because my mind was formed in pre-internet days. But the mind is plastic—and I have changed. I'm not the reader I was.” Highly recommended.

 

The Sunday Reader, VOL. 1, ISSUE #8

This week's insightful and interesting links.

My Protestant Oscar Predictions

Classic Carl Trueman commenting and critiquing aspects of North American culture. “We should not allow what is morally vile to monopolize the language of beauty. In a world where taste is truth, the church’s task is to cultivate taste.”

A Generation Emerging from the Wreckage

This New York Times article provides a thoughtful perspective on millions of young Americans reared to feel ashamed, isolated, and angry over their nationality. If you attended the recent WHI event, you'll notice connections. Certainly, the Church has an opportunity to speak truth and love into this moment.

Two Services on Sunday? Really!

Since only half our members attend both services regularly, I'm not totally preaching to the choir. Seriously, challenge yourself by reading this uplifting and compelling description of why churches (and most Christians) should celebrate two services on Sunday.

This video gives you a feel for the mission work being done in Scotland by a network of church planters. May God stir us up to do similarly in Arizona!

 

The Sunday Reader, VOL. 1, ISSUE #7

This week's insightful and interesting links.

The Ministry of Spiritual Grandparenting

A good and heartwarming exhortation to be intentional in passing the faith on to the next generation.

What Should We Make of the Massive Repetition of Tabernacle Details in Exodus?

This will help you appreciate what's going on in sections of Scripture that can feel more tedious.

How to Honor Your Parents as a Young Adult

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, this article may prove useful for tweens and teens.

18 Questions about Faith and Mental Illness

While not providing all the answers we want, this article helps expand our thinking about spirituality in a fallen world.

 

The Sunday Reader, Vol. 1, Issue #6

This week's insightful and interesting links.

Pray Shorter Prayers (Article)

Of course we could all pray more frequently, but that doesn't always mean we need to pray longer.

Too Busy to Love My Neighbor (Article)

This article poses some hard questions about the way God prioritizes versus the way we sometimes prioritize our obligations.

Three Images of Unity

A helpful and encouraging article on ways Scripture presents the solidarity of believers. Especially valuable in our highly dense area of the country.

 

The Sunday Reader #5

This week's insightful and interesting links.

What's the Deal with Hosea? (Article)

Pastor Spotts addresses the question of why God instructed a prophet to marry prostitute. The answer gets at the heart of the Gospel.

Whole-Church Care of the Elderly & Homebound

An important and insightful reminder of our duty toward these precious members of Christ's flock.

William Carey's Greatest Obstacle

William Carey was a pioneer of the great missionary movement beginning in the late 18th century. This article presents the idea that his greatest obstacle was, ironically, the indolence of the local church.

Galaxies Vol. II (Video)

Astro-photographer Adrien Mauduit traveled to different countries and used some of the latest equipment to capture unbelievable views of various galaxies. The soundtrack makes the sights even more epic.