“Mark Driscoll kicked out of megachurch for protesting male stripper who swallowed a sword onstage” is not the headline evangelicalism needs, but I feel confident it’s the one we deserve.

— Samuel James

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29)

I love this story.

No pastor lives up to what he preaches. If he does, he is preaching too low.

—John Piper

Between 93–95% of the in-person time you’ll spend with your children will happen before they turn 18.

The final 5–7% will be stretched out over the next 50 years.

Parent with that reality in mind.

—Jon Tyson

Three reasons we struggle to share our faith well—or at all.

1. We ignore our context.
2. We fail to love.
3. We bow to fear.

thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-reas…

Prayer is enjoying the care of a powerful Father, instead of being left to a frightening loneliness where everything is all down to you.

—@Mike_Reeves

The function of the Bible is not to brainwash you, but to 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 you from getting brainwashed. The words of God free you from the words of man.

—KB

Why expository preaching?

Because God knows what his people need better than you do.

—@Bobby_Jamieson

See this excellent review by Denny Burk
thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/nobody…

Drew is the funniest guy I follow here. Has been for years.

There is nothing sweeter than being saved.

Next eclipse visible from Virginia:

May 12, 2078

The sunglass store:
'If you ever want to go to the beach, the lens needs to be polarized and those start $125.'

The eclipse:
'You can use these to stare directly into the sun for $3.'

Jesus promises: “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (Rev. 2:11).

Born once, die twice.
Born twice, die once.

You will face the second death . . . unless you’ve experienced the second birth.

Next to each other on the Guardian homepage. (Presumably babies are at risk during abortions at 23 weeks, too.)

Raw, poignant, hopeful reflections from a gifted writer. This book is bracing balm for depressive people. I imagine I’ll recommend it a lot over the years.

Thanks, 𝐎. 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞.

Five ways to love your pastor before church:

1. Pray for his heart.
2. Pray for your heart.
3. Read the passage beforehand.
4. Resolve to come hungry.
5. Resolve to leave full.

“A mature Christian is easily edified.”

“I’m in a 100,000-square-foot house all by myself.”

—SHAQ

Sobering reminder to prioritize what will last.

Flattery: saying to someone’s face what you’d never say behind their back.

Gossip: saying behind someone’s back what you’d never say to their face.

(via Kent Hughes)

Goodness. What a prophetic quote from 42 years ago.