Tag Articles

Article Roundup: Helpful Reads

philipmcduffie Leave a comment

Be Faithful Over Little: A Different Vision for a Life That Counts by Chase Krug

While some Christians may be called to martyrdom, most are called to live an ordinary yet faithful Christian life, which is truly extraordinary! “I wanted to change the world. My nagging fear wasn’t that I’d commit adultery or leave the faith but that I’d live a largely forgettable, quiet, “meh” life for Christ. While eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus felt like winning, a pedestrian contribution to Christ’s kingdom felt like losing. Thankfully, God used the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14–30) to shatter and reconstruct my understanding of good and faithful service to Christ.”

“What Do You Want Me to Do for You?””: Clarity in Prayer by Andy Davis

Andy Davis uses the story of Jesus’ interaction with Blind Bartimaeus to argue in favor of specificity in prayer. “When you come to King Jesus to pray, as you enter the throne room of grace and kneel before your gracious and generous king, picture him looking at you kindly and saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” Then be very clear what you want and speak it to him by faith. And watch what he alone can do!”

Is Your God Too Small? by Paul David Tripp

The God of Scripture is supreme, glorious, and majestic. There is none like Him. Oh, that God would grant us wisdom and knowledge to better grasp who He is, as revealed in sacred writ! “I’m persuaded that much of our fear, anxiety, discouragement, and hopelessness is the result of bad theology. At its core, what is the Bible all about? The existence, character, and plan of God. Every other aspect of Scripture flows out of the reality of who God is. A bad or weak theology of God will lead to weakness in other areas of theology, and spiritual weaknesses in daily living.”

A Heart for Adoption by Dan Cruver

May the Lord use Dan Cruver’s exploration of the Father’s adoption of rebellious sinners to kindle our passion for caring for orphans. “One of the gifts that a heart aflame with the adoptive love of our triune God has is an increasing openness to those who are fatherless in this sin-cursed, sin-spoiled world. Because of the rebellion of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we find ourselves in a world that idolizes the strong and powerful, but marginalizes the weak and powerless. Because of what God has done for us through adoption, our Father eventually and inevitably awakens in us a heart for orphaned children.”

Is Your Christianity Too Quiet by Greg Morse

Since we often limit our Christian faith to church buildings and homes, Greg Morse writes a challenging and convicting article that will not leave you unscathed. “Though the heavens cannot contain him, though earth is his footstool, do we — his grasshoppers leaping upon his lawn — try to cage the living God in church buildings and around dinner tables?”

Article Roundup: Helpful Reads

philipmcduffie Leave a comment

I am the pastor of First Baptist Church Jackon in Jackson, Alabama. Once a week, I share a post titled “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” where I compile articles that I believe are beneficial for the saints who make up FBC Jackson. I am confident that these articles can also be helpful for followers of Christ around the world. Happy reading!

Hospitality: The Forgotten Qualification by Matt Foreman

During my short time as the senior pastor of FBC Jackson, I have emphasized the importance of hospitality to our two associate pastors. I will leave it to Matt Foreman to explain why hospitality is so important in the life of an elder/overseer/pastor. “The responsibilities of elders are not just about information-transfer. They are about discipleship of life. The “doctrine that accords with godliness” (Tit. 1:1; 1 Tim. 6:3) is more than taught; it must be caught. And therefore, elders must share their lives with their people. They are to invite people to observe their homes, their marriages, their parenting, their practical godliness.”

How (Not) to Use AI: Three Principles by Jonathan M. Threlfall

In this article, Jonathan M. Threlfall helps pastors consider appropriate ways to use artificial intelligence. It is refreshing to see pastors striving to cultivate a healthy Christian ethic regarding the use of artificial intelligence. (Though this is written by a pastor for pastors, it is applicable to all Christians.) “Artificial intelligence, like Babel’s bricks and mortar, can be used either to build a tower in defiance of God—to our own confusion, or to build a temple to worship God—to our delight and his glory.”

Retired from New Year’s Resolutions by Jana Carlson

In this article, Jana Carlson explains why she stopped making New Year’s resolutions. Most people, especially busy moms, can benefit from this short read. “So, after many years of meticulously setting specific goals and planning exactly how I’d accomplish them, I retired from New Year’s resolutions. Now, instead of focusing on goals and long-term plans, I focus on purpose. God created me for a purpose. He created all of us for a purpose—ultimately, that we would know him, love him, and glorify him. And I can pursue that purpose no matter what happens in my life.”

Honor Your (Elderly) Parents: How Adult Children ‘Make Some Return’ by Kathleen Nielson

This is a really good article. “We grown humans tend to forget that we were once babies, naked and often dirty, needy and inconvenient. Why would we forgo making some return to those whose lives were often turned upside down as they cared for us? And why would we neglect the lessons to be learned about the care of our heavenly Father, whose own Son emptied himself and came down for the sake of us sinful children?”

10 Ways to Fracture Your Church by Conrad Mbewe

Sadly, the local church is like dry kindling waiting to ignite. That said, articles like this are always helpful! “Yet, you only have to be a Christian for a short time before you realize that churches suffer from disunity and splits after seasons of peace as surely as valleys follow rolling hills. Often, you can see the downward spiral coming from a distance. In this article, I point out ten ways in which you can fracture the church to which you belong. Most of these ways can be caused by anyone. The last few are normally caused by church leaders. If any of these describe your actions or your attitude, may God give you grace to amend your ways for the sake of Christ who desires his people to be truly united.”