Kindle deals for Christian readers

Crossway has a number of evangelism-focused titles on sale this week. I’ve read all but one of these, and can confirm they are excellent:

• The Heart of Evangelism and Learning Evangelism from Jesus by Jerram Barrs—$2.99 each
• Evangelism by Mack Stiles—$3.99
• The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever—$3.99
• Churches Partnering Together by Chris Bruno and Matt Dirks—$3.99

Also check out God Took Me By the Hand by Jerry Bridges for $1.99.

Living in a (Nominal) Religious Context

Ed Stetzer:

One thing about nominal “Christians” is that their faith doesn’t cost them anything. Their faith or belief is like a trinket or badge they wear. It doesn’t prompt them to give up guilty pleasures, to give generously of their time, talents, or treasures to the Lord or His church, or to vulnerably share their faith with someone else.

If not careful, passionate believers can allow such comfort to influence them so that they too become comfortable.

You Are Not Your Sexuality

Sam Allberry:

In countless films, novels, articles, interviews, songs, TV shows, and real-life scenarios, the same broad outline has been reinforced time and again. People become aware of their sexuality; they embrace it as their true identity; they live it out; and, despite the presence of those still unable to affirm them, they flourish. The power of narratives has changed whole societies.

Turning Back the Darkness in Haiti

RuthAnne Irvine:

Haiti’s spiritual environment and widespread illiteracy make ministry difficult. Those who claim to follow Christ often combine tenets of the Christian faith with voodoo and other spiritualistic practices. The darkness is palpable, with witchcraft prevalent as a primary means of healing and guidance.

Why did God make toads?

Ray Ortlund:

And, surely, this is why God made toads. For little boys to meditate upon. At this moment in my grandson’s existence, he has no thought but concentration, no feeling but fascination. This is one of the ways God cares for little boys, drawing them into the experience of curiosity and even wonder. Like training wheels on the bicycle that one day will become the Maserati.

Pastors, this is what we need on Sundays

Jared Wilson:

Brothers, don’t go about your weekly sermon preparation and personal discipleship in sackcloth and ashes. Get into the vineyard of God’s Word, get some holy sweat worked up, whistling while you work, lifting your hearts in worship. Get into the kitchen of study and prep and start putting together the banquet. And come Sunday, spread the feast out rich and sumptuous for us, beckoning us to taste and see that the Lord is good. We don’t need your doomsdaying or dimbulbing. Still less do we need your shallow pick-me-ups and spit-polished legalism. Like our brother Wesley, set yourselves on fire with gospel truth that your church family might come watch you burn.

Beware the Busyness of Summer Break

Dave Zuleger:

I’m not against summer. I love playing outside with my kids. I love walking by the lake with my wife, talking about life together in a light breeze on a sunny day. I love the power of thunderstorms, where God shows off by lighting up a completely dark sky.

But my prayer is that a busy summer would not crowd out our intimacy with Christ and his church. How can we avoid a spiritual regression in the summer months? Here are two suggestions to make this summer a time to dive deeply in the word, in prayer, and with our church family.

On Male Privilege

Wendy Alsup:

With a title referencing male privilege, this surely must be another article bashing evangelical men, right? Absolutely not! Though the mere mention of the term privilege causes some folks to bristle, I don’t want to talk about male privilege as something to bash men about but as something that is a gift to the entire Body of Christ, particularly the most vulnerable in it, when used as God intended.