This is a list of recent blog posts which I found interesting. That I found them interesting doesn't mean I necessarily agree with or endorse all of the ideas presented in the posts, but that I found them to be intriguing and thought-provoking. They may benefit you as you prayerfully consider your area of shepherding and stewardship, which has been given to you in trust by the Lord. (They are listed in no particular order of interest.) Please post your comments to discuss  any article that strikes your interest. If you have recent blog posts to nominate, please send the link and your reasons for nominating that post to .

A Week in the Life of Corinth

This is a fascinating look into life in one of the most depraved cities during the time of the Apostle Paul. It's really cheap, too! Kindle Price is $2.99

Is Your Child's Cell Phone Stunting Their Growth?

“Instead of healthy, functioning adults, are we raising a bunch of co-dependent, anxious, namby-pambies? The article suggests that the cell phone is functioning as an eternal umbilicus that we are all too happy to continue coddling our children through.”

Surviving a Cultural Crisis

Mark Dever: “In all this, Christians are tempted to become panicked or to speak as alarmists. But to the extent we do, to that same extent we show we’ve embraced an unbiblical and nominal Christianity. Here, then, are seven principles for surviving the very real cultural shifts we’re presently enduring.”

A Grassroots Movement in My Church

Kevin DeYoung: “At a recent conference the three of us on the panel (all pastors) were asked the question, ‘As a layperson, should I start a grassroots movement to change my church?’ All three of us basically said, ‘No’.” He explains himself…

In reflection upon Kevin DeYoung's article, I've come to the studied conclusion that I simply disagree with him at certain critical points within his post. However, I do believe that his suggestions towards humility and discerning the relative priority of your concern are great. He has many great comments, but I have a few significant areas where I simply disagree.

TRUTH, TRUST, and TESTIMONY in a TIME of TENSION

Within the Southern Baptist and Canadian National Baptist Tribe there are those who hold to the far right of the theological spectrum and embrace five-point Calvinism as well as individuals who swing to the opposite edge of that same spectrum. For the vast majority of us, we find ourselves in the middle. In contra-distinction to Kevin DeYoung's article on not starting a grassroots movement within the church, the Calvinism Advisory Committee offers some helpful suggestions on how we can move forward despite our differences and disagreements:

"Four central issues have become clear to us as we have met together. We affirm together that Southern Baptists must stand without apology upon truth; that we do indeed have some challenging but not insurmountable points of tension; that we must work together with trust; and that we must encourage one another to testimony."

Why Coffee is sometimes called 'Joe'

The Difference between Congregational Worship and a Concert

Thirteen years ago we asked: What should be the defining sound of corporate worship at Bethlehem, besides the voice of biblical preaching? We meant: Should it be pipe organ, piano, guitar, drums, choir, worship team, orchestra, etc. The answer we gave was “The people of Bethlehem singing.”

I agree with this. The sound I want to hear at Bridge Baptist Church is not the sound of a beautiful vocalist, not the sound of an electric guitar ripping off an amazing riff, not the sound of bass or drums or piano or organ. I most want to hear my Father's children raising their voices to Him. For me personally, this means that I will lead our church to sing with our voices in a spirit of gratitude, and the sound I want to hear is their hearts surrendering in faith to Him.