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

You Don't Have to Sin

This is hard to believe, but as a Christian you don't have to sin even when it feels like you will explode if you don’t.

The role of singing in the life of the church

I enjoyed what this article had to say. Singing is such a vital component of our christian faith, teaching us how to praise, how to pray, and how to proclaim the Gospel. It is a long article, but a very good one!

When God Pulls the Rug Out

Ed Welch gives us some good wisdom and encouragement in those sticky situations when we thought we were following God's will (doors were opened, God confirmed it with so many signs and strange circumstances, and you had an amazing peace about it, ect.), only to have Him pull the rug out from under us!

Less Than Half Of Churchgoers Know About Membership, Study Suggests

Membership in a local church is essential for fulfilling so much of the New Testament. At this point someone will chime in, "Yeah, but church membership doesn't have to be so formalized as what we find at certain churches." I completely understand this push back given the current noncommittal culture in which we find ourselves today coupled with the rampant abuse occurring in many churches over this practice. However, I strongly encourage you to read and reflect very carefully on 2 Corinthians 2:6. In order to determine a simple "majority" (as in 51% of the congregation) one must be able to first calculate, in some form or fashion, a comprehensive sum total of all the members of the church (as in 100% of the congregation). How one does this and what process are used in order to calculate this totality are never explicitly mentioned in Scripture, although we can safely infer some criteria. To summarize, you will not be able to honor 2 Corinthians 2:6 in your life today unless you are able to come to terms with some formalized system of church membership.

An Open Letter to Stay-at-Home Christians

Just read the excerpt:

"While we are speaking of the means of grace, how do you intend to practice the Lord's Supper while alone, if at all? Or baptism? Unless you have jettisoned these practices too as "formal," "religious," and "institutional!" Are these not the very signs and seals of God's grace that Christ has given--even commanded--us to perform in his name? Are they not impossible when alone?

Yes, I am sure that the online sermons of Piper and Driscoll that you have grown so fond of are a means of grace as well, so to speak. You were correct when you said they are a blessing to millions. But that's just the problem right there. No matter how wonderful these gifted men of God are (and we thank God for their ministries) they will never know you, nor can you ever be known to them. As gifted as they are, they won't be able to correct you when you go astray or exercise discipline in your life if your doctrine should go amiss.

Perhaps that's what's so alluring."

Lincoln

I am excited to see the forthcoming Lincoln movie! I enjoy historical biography, and this genre is quickly becoming one of the last that I'm willing to shell out the big bucks in order to actually go see it in the theater.