Excellent Reads & Life Change Resource

6.16.18: excellent reads are now linked through the online bulletin (GO TO THELOOP) and posted on the christ's church FB Page.

Why Believers Should Consider Advance Directives (Kathryn Butler)

Careful delineation of our wishes through an advance directive ensures that when life-threatening illness overwhelms us, the gospel remains central.#ccfwreads http://bit.ly/2l0bd4F

The Benefits to Going to Church on Vacation (Heidi Carlson)  

There are many reasons we don’t attend church while on vacation or traveling abroad. We wouldn’t know anyone at the church, so we might be uncomfortable and conspicuous. We might have to get up earlier than we’d like. There might be a language barrier. What about childcare? You don’t want to leave your kids with strangers! And, when we plan to take a break from our normal routine, we often include a break from church.

Jesus is not a Social Savior (Darrell B. Harrison)  

“As I continue to scan the landscape of Christian social justice activism, that is, social justice-labeled activities that are said to be carried out "in the name of" Christ, I've noticed many Christian activists have a tendency to proffer to the world an image of Jesus that is tantamount to that of a sanctified social worker, a holy humanitarian, an exalted egalitarian. “. DARRELL B. HARRISON

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Excellent Reads & Life Change Resource

President Trump’s recent controversial statement was the first time many Americans have heard about the group that has been called the “world’s most dangerous gang.” Here are nine things you should know about MS-13.

Parents and Perspectives on Multi-Ethnic Marriage (Jesse Johnson) 

The royal wedding of an American actress and a British prince gives occasion to answer a question I am regularly asked: what exactly does the Bible say about interracial marriage? 


Just Stop It: Instructions on How to Repent (Cint Archer)

God’s word gives us instructions on how to stop sinning. It may seem obvious at first, and yet it is amazing how many times we need to be reminded.  Here are 3 Steps To Stop Sinning...

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Joy doesn't always look happy (dane Ortlund)

The presence of the Holy Spirit is constant. The experience of the Spirit ebbs and flows. The Spirit cannot indwell a believer any more or any less on a given day. But our felt awareness of that indwelling is another matter entirely.

14 ways to give and benefit from criticism (David Murray)

Criticism can be tough to give and tough to receive. Here are some practical ways to do both.

are you addicted to your phone? (Tim challies)

Take this quiz and see whether you might be.

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10 Reasons Why You Should Trust the Bible (Nicholas Davis) 

Are there any good reasons to believe the Bible is true? Can an old book like the Bible really be trusted? We can have confidence in the Bible as God’s true and trusted speech to us. Here are ten reasons to trust the Bible. 

Sex and the Single Person (John Piper)  

John Piper addresses the sexual desires of the single person. The sexual life of the unmarried person is of great concern to God. Along with scripture and background, Piper gives counsel for persons who are not married but who have to deal with sexual desires.

Failure and Disappointment in Scripture (David Murray) 

No one escapes failure and disappointment. So, we might as well plan on it and prepare for it with a view to profiting from it.

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Technology and our relationship with god (david Murray)

The deeper and healthier our relationship with God, the more that satisfying friendship and communion will replace technology in our lives and also regulate it so that our use of it is more balanced and beneficial.

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The History and Tension of Mother’s Day (Ryan Reeves) 

Mother’s Day is an ingrained part of the American world. It is one of the rare holidays that is shared equally both inside and outside the church. So don’t forget to call your mom….But the history of Mother’s Day is a story worth telling.

For Moms, Former Moms, and Wannabe Moms (Wendy Alsup)  

The Christian Life: It’s all about THE greatest good, being conformed to the image of Christ—reclaiming the image of God that he created us to bear through gospel grace. And God uses both the presence and the absence of children in the lives of his daughters as a primary tool of conforming us to Christ.

50 Good Mental Health Habits (Brad Hambrick) 

Good physical health does not happen by accident. Physically healthy people make small, daily choices that contribute to their physical health. The same things are true for mental health. Good mental health does not happen by accident. Mentally healthy people make small, daily choices that contribute to their mental health.

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the gaping hole in 'this is us' (kristen wetherell)

'This Is Us' is a good, quality TV show. But it's not where we should look for the answers to the big questions in life. It leaves out the One who has the real answers. 

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9 Things You Should Know about Jehovah’s Witnesses (Joe Carter)  

Pop singer Prince was arguably the most famous Jehovah’s Witness in the world. Here are nine things you should know about the obscure religious group that emerged from the Bible Student movement in the late 1870s.

What Will Be on the Test When We Die? (Clint Archer) 

“What is the bare minimum I need to know, understand, and believe, to be saved?” The Apostle Paul supplies the answer in his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 15.

9 Things You Should Know About Christianity in Korea (Joe Carter) 

Here are nine things you should know about Christianity in the divided land of Korea.

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Heaven Would Be Hell Without God (Randy Alcorn) 

Heaven without God would be like a honeymoon without a groom or a palace without a king. Teresa of Avila said, “Wherever God is, there is heaven.” The corollary: Wherever God is not, there is hell.

 

10 Biblical Principles for Marriages and Marriage Counseling (Bob Kellemen) 

Paul started teaching on marriage with gospel-centered principles of salvation, daily Christian living, and relationships when talking about marriage. These 10 principles lay out a gospel-centered foundation for marriages and marriage counseling.

 

Why Jake Locker Walked Away From Football—And Why He Doesn’t Miss It (Sports Illustrated) 

Four years after the Titans made him the eighth pick in the 2011 draft, Jake Locker quit the game and told his agent not to listen to any offers to return. It wasn’t his spotty performances or the recurring injuries that ended his desire to play—it was the growing realization that he wanted something else in life.

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Racial Reconciliation: What we Agree and Disagree On (Kevin DeYoung)  

Black-White is the racial relationship most fraught with pain and difficulty in American history. This post focuses on the relationship between African Americans and white descendants of Western European nations (i.e., people like me).  Perhaps working through an imperfect list like this can help us see how much we do agree on already and help us clarify what our continuing arguments are really about.

Make It Easy for Your Kids to Love God (Ray Ortlund) 

Does your home make it easy for your kids to love God?  

10 Things You Should Know About Suffering (Dave Furman) 

Suffering? Have a friend who is suffering? We need to realize that God is in control over all our circumstances . . . and He is good.

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The Dead End of Sexual Sin (Rosario Champagne Butterfield) 

“How should we think about sin that has become a daily part of our identity?”

Is the Bible Enough for Us? – Sufficiency (Eric Davis)

Likely most Christians would confess that the Bible is sufficient. But, what does that look like? How adequate is the Bible for issues pertaining to life and godliness? What are the practical ramifications of inerrancy? Has God really given us enough in these multi-millennia old books to address our modern conundrums?

Why are Christian Women More Religious Than Christian Men? (Joe Carter)  

As a study conducted by the Pew Research Center finds, based on a broad range of factors, Christian women in the United States express a higher level of religiosity and religious commitment than Christian men.

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six lessons in good listening (david mathis)

When you listen, are you really just waiting  for the time when you can speak? Is it a challenge for you to be "quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger"?

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Here are nine things you should know about this largely forgotten group and the effect they’ve had on America.  (Joe Carter) 

Rajneeshees. Here are nine things you should know about this largely forgotten group and the effect they’ve had on America.  

10 Things You Should Know about Sex (Paul David Tripp)

Sex. God’s creative intention was to bring glory to himself by the pleasures he created.

Are you Godly Enough to Watch Smut? (Tim Challies) 

Smut. We carry the expectation that as we grow in grace, we’ll grow in our ability to enjoy sex on the silver screen

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Life has not been easy (Tim Challies)

I grumble. Don't you? Complaining is so easy to do, but it is a sin. It's saying you disagree with what God is doing. Here are some ideas for combating this pervasive temptation.

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On the Imminent Collapse of Evangelical Christianity (Trevin Wax) 

Instead of reacting to negative reports as if we were Chicken Little, we need to look up to the sky, consider this moment in which we are called to be faithful, and ask the piercing question, "What is God doing in these tremendous events of our time?"

The Gift of a God-Fearing Grandma (Erica Owen) 

Grandmothers, do not underestimate your influence over your grandkids. What they see you value and the priorities that shape your day are teaching them. What you talk about, and who you talk to, communicates as well.

5 Signs of the Times (Josh Buice) 

We are living in a day that is consumed with the desire to see signs and wonders of God. Miracle hunters fill stadiums in search of signs and wonders that would amaze them or heal them or satisfy their curiosity about the existence of God. Does God still perform miracles in our day? 

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tHE CBT THERAPIST IN US ALL: A BIBLICAL EVALUATION OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (SCOTT MEHL)

Is CBT actually consistent with Scripture's understanding of motivation and change? While it may look very similar on the surface, CBT and the biblical process of change are, in fact, very different.

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Why is the Abortion Industry Run by Women? (Rebekah Merkle) 

We can’t debate our way out of this madness because self-destructive frenzy can only be dealt with by prayer and fasting. Rational arguments and reasoned discourse don’t work on insanity. But we can look to Christ who is certainly capable of taking us by the hand and lifting us up.

4 Things to Remember After You Have Sinned (Adriel Sanchez) 

If you have been tempted to believe that God is done with you because of your failures, consider your advocate, Jesus, who is praying for you and guides you with his pierced hands.

What I Learned on My Week Long Digital Fast (Kevin DeYoung) 

How would you do with a one week digital fast? A professor (and his family) decided to take the challenge with his students. Read the rules they followed and the results he experienced. 

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How God Changes Hearts for His Glory (Michael Reeves)

When the Father sends his Spirit to open blind eyes to the glories of Christ and to melt proud hearts, then hearts will indeed be won, and hatred for God turned to love. The means God uses are his own Word and truth.

8 Ways to Welcome People with Disabilities into Your Church (Heather Peacock)

For people with disabilities, taking part in church life can be difficult. The mother of a girl who has faced some significant health challenges gives ideas on how to do a better job of welcoming people with disabilities into the church. 


The Insanity of Leaning on Our Own Understanding (Jon Bloom)

In exercising faith — trusting fully in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding — we’re not setting aside our intellect. We’re resting our intellect upon the intellect of God. Nothing is wiser or saner.

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Sing Your Heart Out at Church (Even if You Hate the Music) Brett McCracken

We may have different worship-style comfort zones, but we’re worshiping the same God. That’s why, whether we’re Presbyterian or Pentecostal, we shouldn’t let our worship preferences get in the way of our worship participation.

5 Things Singles Wish Married Couples Knew (Jennifer Grisham) 

Ask your single friends what being single means to them. Try to understand their experiences. Be a safe person to talk with. Married couples, love your single friends well. They’ll thank you for it.

9 Bible Verses for Depression to Shine Light into Darkness (Stephen Altrogge) 

There are scriptures for depression. These verses shine light into dark places, give hope to the hopeless, and allow the depressed person to have God’s perspective rather than their own dismal view.

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This One Commitment Will Keep Your Marriage Together (Kevin Carson)

What is one thing you can do to keep your marriage from failing? (It might not be what you think.)

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11 Statistical Tips for a Health Marriage (Facts & Trends) 

Millions of Americans celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. Here are several statistical facts that can help a marriage start off healthy and stay that way for the long run.

4 Grave Dangers in Every Sin (Tim Challies) 

Don’t be deceived. You can’t sin without consequence. That’s not the way God has structured his world. It’s not the way God has structured his people.

Right and Wrong Ways to Pray (Clint Archer) 

If something is important to you, you will research how to ask for it properly. But often when people want something from God, they put no thought into how to frame their petitions. They assume God will accept any request, from anyone, in any format. Here are six insights on the wrong way to pray.

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5 Ways Satan Seeks to Undermine Gospel Work Among Muslims (Randy Alcorn) 

Over the past 27 years, many Muslims have come to Christ. However, 98% are still living in deception. Let us stay on the alert and be aware of Satan’s schemes. Let’s pray for workers to take the good news to Muslims.

Who Watches Porn? 3 Key Predictors of Porn Use (Jay Stringer)

Sexual brokenness can lead to redemption. The journey to freedom begins through identifying the reasons that bring you to it and addressing them. Jay Stringer identifies three predictors of pornography  use he found in his study group of men and women.

9 Things You Should Know About the Winter Olympics (Joe Carter) 

 The 2018 Winter Olympic officially started in PyeongChang, South Korea. Do you know the history of the Winter Olympics? Read about the origin, the reviving, some interesting facts and more in this article by Joe Carter.

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Cultural Indicators: The Fertility Rate (Joe Carter)

What does a decline in the fertility rate mean to our country? What does it mean for the Christian community? Let’s be prepared for upcoming ministry opportunities to our elderly population.

Spiritual Practices Common to Kids Who Flourish as Adults (Trevin Wax) 

Concerned about raising children that have a real and lasting faith? Don’t underestimate the Spirit’s power to work through the environment you create for your home. Here are some things to consider as you raise your children.

 

How to Seize Your Commute as a Christian (David Qaoud)

Time spent in the car may seem wasted and frustrating. Consider how you can use your car time for spiritual growth. Here are some suggestions. What has worked for you?

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What About the Most Contested Verse in the Gender Debate? (Denny Burk)  

We can have opinions, experience, rational. The bottom line for us is, “What does the Bible say? Whose reading of scripture is correct? How then are we to order our lives together in churches as we meet together for worship?”

The Incredible Testimony as a Former Gymnast Confronts Her Sexual Abuser in Court (Justin Taylor)  

What she said directly to the man—who gratified himself off of her innocence and abused countless other girls in a malicious and manipulative way—is an incredible testimony to the grace and justice of Jesus Christ.

5 Lies Christians Tell About Money (Chris Cagle) 

Finances. They can be challenging! Most can offer reasons (or excuses) for their decisions. Yet often they’re acting based on misconceptions about what Scripture teaches. We need to have an accurate, comprehensive view of biblical personal finance. To that end, here are five common misconceptions....

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What does the Bible Teach about Abortion? (Jesse Johnson) 

Take a look at eight biblical truths about abortion.

5 Verses Used to Justify Abortion (Jesse Johnson) 

He claims to be a Christian. Four years ago he began serving his life-sentence for the murders he committed as an abortion doctor in Philadelphia. From jail he wrote a biblical defense of abortion doctors.Read more about Dr. Kermit Gosnel and his twisted and misguided ideas.

How You Can Resolve to Help the Vulnerable This Year (Christ Britton) 

God values the vulnerable, and one of the ways we can be more like him is to care for the vulnerable ones around us. Here are a few ways to help the vulnerable. #ccfwreads http://bit.ly/2FXutJl

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