Welcome to my blog. I mostly write about Christian Living, but I enjoy the Kentucky Wildcats, New Orleans Saints, and a good cup of coffee.
I’ve lived in the south my whole life. I’ve also gone to Baptist churches my whole life. As with any culture, some things just become accepted as truth. In southern Baptist culture, many of us have accepted some things as true or untrue that aren’t actually found in the Bible. That’s what this new series—Southern Discomforts—is all about. I want to address some things we may be comfortable with that aren’t actually true and some things that we may be uncomfortable with that are actually true.
The ESV Study Bible has long sat atop the podium as my favorite study Bible on the market and nothing has really come close in challenging its position. It’s filled with features that are unrivaled in my opinion. What makes it even better is that Crossway has released it in a plethora of editions. I’m really excited about their newest offering though, which is my favorite Study Bible wrapped in buffalo leather.
I feel like I constantly rave about Scripture Journals. I find them to be one of the most useful tools for both personal devotion and ministry. I keep finding uses for them and thanks to Crossway, I’ve found one more—shelf candy. The ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal Box Set is a display piece that anyone seeing your bookshelves will immediately notice. Not only are they useful, they’re beautiful.
The Psalms are such an incredible book of the Bible. People use Psalms for all kinds of things. The wide range of emotions help us sing and pray no matter what season of life we may find ourselves in. They comfort us and let us know we aren’t alone. Sometimes they ground us in the truth amidst our chaotic feelings. Courtney Reissig says, “We need to learn how to feel Christianly” and in her new book, Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life, she is going to show you how the Psalms help you do just that.
The thing that haunts me is that I never sat down and had a real conversation with him. I didn’t truly know him. Most importantly, I don’t know if he had believed the gospel and I don’t know where he is currently. I do know he attended a church, but I also know it was a more liberal church in our area that most likely doesn’t preach the true gospel. I knew nothing about his faith except that he attended that church…
I wanted to take a little time to share about a series that still seems to be releasing titles, but I think can have a big impact on you and your church. The 9Marks Church Questions Series is made up of little books answering big questions. These books can be read in under an hour and are packed with great truth to answer hard questions that you or your church members may have.
There are no words to describe the huge blessing John Piper has been to the global church. I was first introduced to Piper through the Passion college ministry run by Louie Giglio. I then got a copy of Desiring God and it turned my world upside down. I remember reading it late into the night in my parents basement and waking up in the floor with the book still open in front of me. I know there are thousands or more who have stories they could share about the way Piper has impacted them.
Although this book is a collection of beautiful images, it is laid out intentionally. In the Introduction, Challies speaks of this book being structured around “the means of grace.” He goes on to say, “The means of grace are the habits we engage in through which we speak to God and he speaks to us, through which we listen to God and he listens to us.” Thus they are organized with reading the Bible, prayer, and gathering as the local church in mind.
I have been really excited about this Bible for a long time. If I’m honest with you, the New International Version isn’t even in my top five translation wise, but this is a study Bible and the value in study Bibles are the notes. This is also a premium Bible and I can’t believe what Zondervan has done with this thing! You’ve got a blue Bible with a red liner and a semi-yapp. I saw it online and was like, “Man, I’ve got to see this thing for myself!” Not only that, Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—my alma mater—is the general editor. To say I’m excited about getting to review this Bible is an understatement! I thought it looked great online, but it has blown me away in person.
I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read in the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series. The newest offering, Corporate Worship by Matt Merker, is no exception. Merker has given both church leaders and church members a very helpful tool with this work. This volume is short, but packed with a lot of great information.
