Wait, don’t click the “back” button! I’d like you to keep reading so I can tell you about Ronda—sweet Ronda who just went to be with Jesus. I am certain you will find yourself blessed and encouraged if you press on.

Ronda was born special. She was special in the sense of being unique and dearly loved, but she was also special in the sense that she was atypical. I’m not aware that she ever received a formal diagnosis—perhaps the appropriate label didn’t exist back in the early 50s. Suffice it to say, though, that even while she lived for 75 years, her mind remained like that of an eight or ten year-old’s. She was at the same time a senior citizen and a child.

Ronda came to our church’s attention about 10 years ago. By that time we got to know her, she had already outlived her parents and brother and even the trustees they had put in place. Her family had been assured that because of her physical and cognitive conditions, she could not possibly live to old age, but she proved the experts wrong. Though she now lived at a nursing home where her immediate needs were met, she had no family to love her, no friends to visit her, no carers to oversee her future. While her parents had done their utmost to provide for her, her finances were now quickly dwindling. She had no ability to know or understand such matters and no ability to do even the least thing about them.

So our church stepped in. Members of the church took turns driving her to the service each Sunday morning, hosting her in their home on Sunday afternoon, then bringing her back for the evening service. Others visited during the week to relieve the tedium of sitting alone in a room hour after hour and day after day. One member of our church even came to understand that he was one of Ronda’s nearest living relatives and was able to become her trustee. When Ronda’s financial state grew perilous, the church helped her move to a more affordable yet still comfortable nursing home, then made up the shortfall out of the benevolence fund.

Ronda had not been part of the church for long when she expressed a desire to become a member. Though she had come to Christ many years before, she had never been baptized. She was able to stand at the front of the room and provide the sweetest, simplest testimony to God’s grace in her life. She told how in 1966 she had heard the gospel at church. She told us that later that day, “Dad was down in the basement and mom was in the kitchen. I went downstairs to Dad’s workshop, and said, ‘Dad, I’d like to become a Christian.’” She knelt and prayed. “I started crying and Dad was with me. Mom came down and stopped in the middle of the stairs. And then she came down and hugged me.” Her parents had loved the Lord, led her to the Lord, then gone to be with the Lord. We had the joy of baptizing her and receiving her into membership. For ten years, she was loved and treasured as a member of our church.

Just a few months ago, we noticed that Ronda’s body was beginning to weaken and her breath beginning to fade. It was cancer, the doctors said. It had spread to her lungs and was so now extensive that there could be no effective treatment. She had weeks or a few months at most. When told the news in very simple terms that she could understand, she was sad for a few moments, then brightened a little and said “Well, I’ll get to see Mom and Dad.”

Before long it required three or even four people to care for her at church on a Sunday morning, and at least one of them had to have some medical expertise to help her through terrible coughing fits that sometimes caused her to faint. She insisted as strongly as she could that she wanted to keep coming to church, no matter what. Yet on Sundays when she was simply too weak or too ill, a couple of people would go to her room with an iPad so they could sit with her, sing with her, and watch the service together.

Last week she was taken to hospital and then to palliative care. She didn’t really understand that she was in her last days, but the church did. Different members kept vigil with her day and night, for it didn’t seem right that she should die alone. A couple of ladies from the church were at her side on Wednesday evening as she went to be with Jesus.

Shortly after that member of our church became Ronda’s trustee, he discovered a letter her father had written many years before. He expressed his special love for his special girl and asked several family friends to serve as her trustees. “You are aware that our chief concern is for our darling daughter Ronda. A lifetime of daily care for her has given us knowledge of what she needs and what we believe is best for her.” He asked only that she be well loved and allowed to remain in the one neighborhood that was familiar to her. And then he expressed firm faith in God’s provision and entrusted his girl to the Lord. “We take comfort in knowing whatever you do, you will seek the help of the Lord. As He promised us His help over the past years, we are assured that Ronda is still very much a ‘child of His care’ so we commit her again to God’s loving care and yours.”

What a blessing it was to learn that our church had been an answer to a father’s prayer—a prayer he had lifted decades prior, never imagining how it would be answered. I can’t even tell you the joy and pride I feel in the people of Grace Fellowship Church for so willingly and joyfully loving Ronda. And I am certain they would all agree it was a distinct honor to know, to love, and to care for one of God’s weakest and, therefore, one of God’s dearest daughters.

This sponsored post was provided by Guidelight, a ministry designed to shine a light for the world to see Jesus and the works of God in the lives of families and individuals experiencing disability. It was written by Greg Lucas, author of Wrestling with Angel, Bible teacher, and advisor for Guidelight.

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2)

One of the darkest and most difficult parts of being a special needs family is personal, cultural, and even spiritual isolation. For the person or family affected by disability it is much easier to stay hidden in obscurity than to be judged by the watching world. Isolation not only provides protection from the silent stares of spectators and onlookers, it keeps the messes, smells, and noises in-house where they are easier to deal with, and don’t have to be shared. For those struggling with disabilities, sometimes it is safer to remain unseen.

But Jesus will not leave us alone. He will not allow his people to be isolated. He will not permit his Church to pick and choose who is best suited—in body, mind, speech, and ability—for the Kingdom of God. He will not leave us blind to the works of God. It is of eternal importance, not only that we see, but that we are seen. 

In John chapter 9 we are introduced to a man who was born blind. He was “blind from birth”, so blindness is all he has known. And being blind is all he is known for. Up to this point, he has lived his entire life isolated, marginalized, and judged for his disability. But in the providence of God, Jesus passes by, and in the blink of an eye, everything is changed. 

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man…”. And this seeing changes everything. 

Jesus not only saw the man who could not see, he saw the man no one else took the time to see. The man was blind to the world and the world was blind to him. This man had no identity except for disability. He is given no name except that of the “blind beggar”. People looked through him, much like we look through modern day beggars today. Much like we often look through people with special needs today. 

When faced with disability, it’s easier to keep moving, to look away, to be blind to the awkward interactions. But Jesus didn’t turn away. Jesus stopped, and “…he saw a man”. He looked past the disability and saw the humanity. He looked past the problem and saw the person.

The disciples also saw a man, but they only saw his limitations. They saw his inability. In dramatic irony, they could only see his blindness. They looked past the humanity to try to find a reason for the disability. And with careless words from calloused hearts, they made a judgment of the man. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Their far sighted theology blurred the Imago Dei that stood right before their eyes.

And like he does for all who dwell in darkness, the Light of the World focuses their vision and illuminates their hearts. “Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” 

Jesus sees something no one else can see. And he wants his followers to see it too. He wants the hurting world to see that there is purpose in the pain. He wants his Church to see that fearfully and wonderfully made is a promise to every image-bearer of God. He wants the Body of Christ to see that isolation is like amputation, and the parts of the body that seem weaker are actually indispensable. He wants every parent of every child with every form of disability to see his power and love—that the God who made man’s mouth, also in his providence, makes him mute or deaf or seeing or blind, in order that the works of God might be displayed.

The meaning of Jesus in John 9 is crystal clear. He is saying to the disciples, and he is saying to the blind man, and he is certainly saying to his Church: This blindness, this autism, this cerebral palsy, this Down syndrome, this fill in the blank—this disability, exists so that more and more of the greatness of God can be seen.

Perhaps this story isn’t about the blind man at all. Perhaps this story is about our own blindness to see what God is doing all around us. And maybe the greatest gift he can give us is not to heal our physical disabilities. Maybe the greatest gift he can give us is to heal our own spiritual blindness so we can see more of Jesus, and more of the great works of God. 

Guidelight is a ministry designed with that purpose in mind—to shine a light for the world to see Jesus, and the works of God in the lives of families and individuals experiencing disability. One of our most important ministry missions is to lead families out of the darkness of isolation and into the body of Christ. Through bible teaching, respite, counseling, and care, Guidelight encourages families with the hope of the gospel and the purpose of God in disability “in order that the works of God might be displayed.” 

Won’t you join us in carrying this light to the world? Visit theguidelight.org to learn more.

Before turning to the expert recommendations, here are some recent commentaries written by trusted scholars that may be of interest. Because these volumes are newly published, the commentators on the commentaries have not yet had opportunity to evaluate them. They would, though, come with my recommendation.

• Colin Kruse – Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Pillar New Testament Commentary). There are few better or more trusted series than Pillar. We waited a while for the volume on Romans but it was worth the wait. It has been commended by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo among others. This volume replaced Leon Morris’ earlier volume in the series. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
• Daniel Doriani – Romans (Reformed Expository Commentaries). Doriani has provided commentaries on many books of the Bible and there’s no doubt that his volume on Romans will prove helpful to pastors and general readers alike. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
• Richard Longenecker – The Epistle to the Romans (NIGTC). The NIGTC commentaries comment on the Greek text and are quite technical. This one will prove most useful to scholars and pastors who have at least some knowledge of Greek. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
• David Peterson – Romans (EBTC). The EBTC is a relatively new series, but one that has gotten off to a strong start by featuring commentaries on key books written to top scholars. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

And now, here are the expert recommendations:

Douglas Moo – The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament). There is no shortage of commentaries on the book of Romans! Not only that, but there is no shortage of excellent commentaries to choose from. Pride of place appears to go to Douglas Moo and his contribution to the NICNT series. D.A. Carson commends it and says, “Moo exhibits extraordinary sense in his exegesis. No less importantly, this is the first commentary to cull what is useful from the new perspective on Paul while nevertheless offering telling criticism of many of its exegetical and theological stances.” (Amazon, Logos)

John Murray – The Epistle to the Romans. Murray’s renowned commentary was part of the NICNT series until it was replaced by Moo’s volume. However, it is still sold as a standalone volume and remains a must-have for the serious student of Romans. Because of its age it will not interact with some of today’s challenges (such as the new perspective) but it is nevertheless an important resource. Derek Thomas praises Murray as “a master exegete and a brilliant systematician” and says that “every shelf should have a copy of this commentary.” (Amazon, Westminster Books)

Thomas Schreiner – Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). This volume is now in its second edition. Several commentators on the commentaries seem to treat Moo, Murray and Schreiner as a team or trio. For example, Derek Thomas says, “Coupled with Murray on the one hand and Moo on the other, you will gain a firm exegetical and theological grasp of a text.” Jim Rosscup praises it as “close to the best among recent and all-time thorough works for scholars and more seriously capable lay people.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

F.F. Bruce – Romans (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries). I always like to have at least one reader-friendly, lay-level commentary available. While Stott’s is also highly recommended, the best of these appears to be Bruce’s. It is necessarily too short and too light to be the basis of a sermon series, but the reader who appreciates it for what it is will enjoy it. (Amazon, Westminster Books)

C.E.B. Cranfield – Romans 1-8, Romans 9-16 (International Critical Commentaries). Romans is a book aptly highlighting that up-to-date commentaries do not represent historical arrogance as much as sheer necessity. A commentary written in the 70’s may still be useful, but it will not interact with the contemporary challenges such as the new perspective. Cranfield’s commentary is regarded as a classic. Carson says, “for thoughtful exegesis of the Greek text, with a careful weighing of alternative positions, there is nothing quite like it.” It will be a great commentary to have, but it may be insufficient on its own. (Amazon: Volume 1, Volume 2; Westminster Books: Volume 1, Volume 2). Consider also the one-volume abbreviation (Amazon).

Before turning to the expert recommendations, here are some recent commentaries written by trusted scholars that may be of interest. Because these volumes are newly published, the commentators on the commentaries have not yet had opportunity to evaluate them. They would, though, come with my recommendation.

• David Peterson – Acts (Pillar New Testament Commentary). This volume came out just as the commentaries on the commentaries were being published, so it did not make it into most of them. Still, the series is as good as they come and Peterson is a trusted scholar. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
• Derek Thomas – Acts (Reformed Expository Commentary). Thomas is an excellent preacher and scholar who has written a wide variety of commentaries (and, as it happens, a commentary on commentaries). This commentary is based on sermons. (Amazon)
• Patrick Schreiner – Acts (Christian Standard Commentary). The Christian Standard Commentary is a relatively new series that means to balance rigorous scholarship with helpful application. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
• Eckhard J. Schnabel – Acts (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). The ZECNT has quickly become a favorite series to many people, myself included. I look forward to reading the scholars’ assessments of this volume. (Amazon)

And now, here are the expert recommendations:

C.K. Barrett – Acts 1-14, Acts 15-28 (International Critical Commentary). D.A. Carson points out that until a few years ago we were underserved by commentaries on Acts, but that this has been remedied in recent years. He adds, “Pride of place should certainly go to C.K. Barrett” and his two-volume set. “The fruit of two decades of study, these two volumes offer acute and thought-provoking comments, many of them theological, on almost every page.” Unfortunately the volumes may be difficult to track down. (Amazon: Volume 1, Volume 2) You may have better success with the one-volume abridgement. (Amazon, Logos)

Darrell Bock – Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Keith Mathison gives this one his highest recommendation saying, “Darrell Bock’s massive and outstanding two-volume commentary on the Gospel of Luke raised my expectations for his commentary on Acts in the same series. I was not disappointed. This work is equally outstanding.” He points out, though, that the reader may become confused if he does not have at least some basic knowledge of Greek. If you cannot find Barrett, Bock appears to be the place to begin. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

F.F. Bruce – The Book of the Acts (New International Commentary on the New Testament). F.F. Bruce has two commentaries on Acts and the contribution to the NICNT series is regarded as the stronger of the two. Not only that, but it is regarded as one of the very best works on the book. A couple of commentators on the commentaries point out that Bruce is especially strong on the historical aspect of Acts. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

Ben Witherington III – The Acts of the Apostles. There is near-unanimous praise for Ben Witherington’s socio-rhetorical approach and its suitability to the book of Acts. Carson explains the phrase, saying that it “tends to mean no more than that the author is sensitive both to the world of the first century and to the structure of the text.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

I. Howard Marshall – Acts (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries). I. Howard Marshall has written many commentaries; his work on Acts is regarded as one of his finest. Because this is a volume in the reader-friendly TNTC series, it will make an excellent choice for the casual reader. However, it is apparently also an invaluable resource for the preacher. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

Kent Hughes’ volume in the Preaching the Word series would also be a good choice (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos).

Let me close with a couple of questions: What are your preferred commentaries on Acts? Are there some you’ve found particularly helpful for preaching or for devotional purposes?

With my arms still ailing through nerve damage, I thought it an appropriate time to ask a couple of friends to help ease the load just a little with some guest articles. Thus, today’s article is from my friend Paul Martin (who, as you know, also co-hosts my podcast). From here on out, you’re reading his words!

We were explaining our son’s disability to a neighbor one day when she asked, “Don’t they have a pre-natal test for that?” We knew the question behind the question. She was asking whether there was pre-birth screening that could have detected his disability and, if so, why we hadn’t taken it. In other words, if we could have aborted him, why didn’t we while we had the chance? Why hadn’t we aborted my son, the one playing on the lawn over there? She had the audacity to bluntly ask what so many only silently wonder.

I don’t hold it against her. That dear neighbor was only reflecting what I call a “Utilitarian” worldview, the idea that worth is determined by contribution. That worldview comes straight from Satan and should taste like poison when it hits your tongue since it is nothing short of the Nazi’s Operation T4 which paved the way to the Final Solution. We react with horror to that kind of thing, don’t we? Or do we?

When my son was a toddler, we attended a lovely event for people with his particular disability, Williams Syndrome. There was much good in this gathering, but I left deeply troubled. In almost every conversation I heard some form of that utilitarian worldview, that lie. Parents seemed bent on defending the worth of their children by explaining what good they brought to the world. When you believe that lie, you are forced to justify a person’s existence by demonstrating the way in which they contribute to society. For folks with Williams Syndrome, that is often something like, “Their smiles make the world a happier place.” Or, “They bring joy wherever they go.” That is nice sentiment but it falls flat. First of all, it is not always true. My friends with Williams Syndrome can make the world a very awkward, painful, or sad place. Second of all, even it were true, it would be a very flimsy reason to exist.

Looking for ways that people with special needs contribute to the world can be a fine exercise, but when it becomes the justification for their existence, you have bought the utilitarian tale. Human worth is not found in supposed contribution. The truth, according to God, is that people are valuable because they are made in His image. Value is all in relation to Him, not in what they bring to society. This is gloriously freeing. I do not have to justify the existence of my disabled son (or my “abled” daughters!) to anyone – their value is all bound up in the fact they were made in God’s image.

Did God Miss a Stitch?

Disability makes us ask a lot of questions though. Did God make a mistake when He sewed together the little girl with Patau Syndrome? Did He miss a stitch? The short answer is no. God has His own purposes in mind when He created our friends with disabilities. For instance, “Then the LORD said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?’” (Exodus 4:11). These are God’s words to the disabled Moses, the man with some form of speech impediment, but they hold true for us all. God did not make a mistake when He made the disabled. He did not momentarily lose focus or find His power eclipsed by some interfering evil force. At no point does the Bible teach that the disabled lack or lost the image of God.

In John 9, Jesus claimed that God exercised absolute and uncomfortable sovereignty over the disability of a blind man—a blind beggar. God had purposes in mind that far exceeded the comfort or experiences of the man. When you consider this event in comparison to Exodus 4:11, you begin to understand that although disability proves sin has broken this world, it is never outside of the providence of God.

What these exact purposes are vary as much as the people who experience disability. But the foundational truth we must lay hold of is the absolute sovereignty of God over disability. It is a sovereignty that does not obliterate his image and likeness. As Megan Best says, “In contrast to the modern philosophical view that personhood must be earned, the Bible teaches that our personhood is inherent because of the nature of the God whose image we reflect. We are to treat all human beings with respect for the whole of their lives, regardless of their particular characteristics. It is not our respect that gives them dignity; rather, it is because they have the dignity that we owe them respect.”

With the value of a person firmly settled by the fact they bear the image of God, we begin to see what we call disability is a strategy on God’s part to gain glory for His Name.

What It Means For Your Church

When the family with the severely autistic teenage boy has the courage to come to your church, you are given a profound opportunity. You can look at them like the disciples looked at the blind man and his family, or you can see them as Jesus sees them. They are people made in the image of God–the whole family, including their disabled son. The church has the unique privilege of denouncing utilitarianism and extolling the value of every life. The local church, that little outpost of heaven on earth, must be the place where the disabled are esteemed.

Therefore, your goal is not to seek out some special gift or savant ability in the child that the church can profit by or celebrate. That young man’s value does not proceed from his contribution to the church. The Christian response is to celebrate him because he is made in the image of God. If the foundation of your relationship with this boy is anything else, you will likely be condescending, fearfully awkward or mean.

Lead the Charge, Pastor

This must begin with local church pastors who move past their own fears, awkwardness and condescension and with eyes full of love for the Creator look into the faces of the disabled with joy.

When Peter wrote to the pastors of churches scattered throughout the known world he gave them one beautiful command, “Shepherd the flock of God that is your lot“ (1 Peter 5:2-3). The wise pastor understands that God is the One in charge of his church’s membership roll. When we grasp the significance of the imago dei as well as the providence of God in who becomes a part of our church, we are free to value every member not based on what they might do for us, but based on their Creator. People are valuable because God made them. This is our starting place for every relationship, and it is our starting place for every disabled person we meet.

God has a heart for the vulnerable. Do you?

There are many reasons I love being a Christian, but right up there is being able to learn from others how to think in mature, biblical ways. Recently my friends Ewan and Rachel welcomed a new baby boy into their family, and immediately experienced a shock as they realized he had a significant physical malformation. They soon sent a letter to their church (Grace Fellowship Church Don Mills) to introduce their son and tell about his condition. I received their permission to post it here and do so in order to provide a model of truly, distinctly, inspiringly Christian thinking. What follows is from Ewan and Rachel Goligher. I hope it blesses you as it blessed me.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank you to everyone for the warm wishes and congratulations following our son Ewan’s birth last week. It’s been a joyful and happy time and we are grateful to share this joy with our wonderful church community.

Last Thursday morning shortly after Ewan was born, the nurse called me over to see him. She pointed to his tiny left hand and foot; I was stunned to see that they had not developed properly. Much of his left hand was missing and his little thumb was oversized and partially fused to a single adjacent finger. Similarly, some of his left foot was missing, he had a single large toe and his ankle appeared twisted and bent inward. These congenital anomalies, as they are called, had developed during the pregnancy but were not seen on ultrasound. We brought him over to Rachel and showed her his little foot and hand. As Rachel and I looked at him and then at each other, tears welling up in our eyes, we quickly realized that the road ahead for little Ewan was going to be unexpectedly difficult.

A torrent of conflicting emotion followed, unlike any prior experience for either of us. We were overjoyed by his arrival and deeply shocked and dismayed by these anomalies. Even as we burst with happiness at the birth of our new son, a sudden, unexpected, and weighty sense of tragedy hung heavily on our hearts. Many tears followed, not for ourselves, but for our little boy who even before his birth was already experiencing the terrible consequences of life in a fallen, broken world. It was painful to tell our other children about this, excited as they were to meet their brother, and hard to tell family and friends who were ready to celebrate his arrival and unprepared for this difficult news. A day of good news became a hard day of breaking difficult news.

Ewan has been examined by several pediatricians and undergone a number of investigations. To this point, no underlying condition responsible for these anomalies has been identified; this is good news, as it’s therefore less likely that there are other health problems that he will face. We are thankful to live in an era and in a part of the world where skilled surgeons and therapists can significantly enhance functional capacity and quality of life for children like Ewan. He has a long road of tests and treatments ahead and it’s uncertain just how disabled he will be as a consequence of these malformations. Certainly, he will not be able to hide his hand from the world, and it will not be long before Ewan realizes that he’s visibly different from other boys and girls his age.

By God’s grace we are doing OK. We’ve received tremendous love and spiritual support from our Pastors and some of you already. Right now, life is pretty typical for Ewan: he eats, cries, and sleeps as much (or as little) as any other newborn baby. Our expectations for what life will be like for him have adjusted remarkably quickly and many of you have been able to reassure us with stories of children in similar situations who have flourished. The gospel that we as a church celebrate week by week has proven to be a powerful source of hope and grace. We know that God has intentionally and specifically ordained this painful path as a ‘necessary trial’ for Ewan and for us. Yet we are wholly confident that God is acting out of love for us because he has demonstrated his unfathomable love at the cross. Somehow the God of steadfast love and faithfulness who promises to give ‘a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning’ will be faithful to keep that promise. We’ve been meditating on the truth and power of the Christian hope for a new resurrection body in 1 Corinthians 15: “What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” The thought that Ewan might one day stand in glory with five glorious fingers and toes on his left hand and foot working in perfect glorious order fills us with joy and hope—so he needs the gospel.

Until that day we will need grace, and we will need you. We are writing to share this news so that you are not taken by surprise when you see him and to relieve any awkwardness that can arise when we encounter people (especially babies) with visible deformities or disabilities. We want you to feel free to say something or to say nothing, to ask us how we are doing or to ignore the problem altogether. We want you to be able to celebrate his birth with us (he is a beautiful little boy) and we welcome you to mourn and grieve with us. Despite our sadness, we are overwhelmingly happy—‘sorrowful yet always rejoicing’. Ewan will flourish to the extent that those around him help him to see that his value, significance, and meaning have nothing to with his abilities or disabilities. We want his identity and sense of self to be shaped by who he is before God, not by what he looks like or can’t do in human eyes. As a church family, many of you will help to look after him and care for him to varying degrees. We want you to know how deeply grateful we are to be a part of a gospel-centred, hope-filled, loving community. Your prayers, love, support, and kindness will make a massive difference in his life and ours. Without you all, this would be far more difficult to face.

Please pray for us. Pray that we will have wisdom to make wise choices at this early stage so that he will have every opportunity to function physically at the highest possible level. Pray for the doctors and therapists involved in his care (we will be happy to keep you posted on our progress). Pray for Jacquie, Shannon, and Ian as they love and care for him every day at home (after some initial tears, they’ve come to terms with his malformed hand and foot very quickly). And especially pray for Ewan. Pray that as he grows into a boy and a young man that his identity will not be shaped by his disability; pray that he will have wisdom and grace to know how to interact with others who may not know how to respond to his deformity and disability; pray that he will be able to walk and even run, if God wills. Most of all, pray that he will have a soft and tender heart toward his heavenly Father and that the Father will grant him the gift of faith and spiritual eyesight so that he will be able to enter into the hope of the gospel.

At root, the problem of suffering is a problem of worship. How do we lift our hands to worship the God who sovereignly brings pain into our lives? All of us have faced that challenge to varying degrees. Though I’ve borne witness to a lot of suffering in my work and reflected on these issues considerably, I often wondered whether I’d be able to worship God with all my heart if He brought physical illness and ailment into our lives. Would we still be ‘singing when the evening comes?’ Rachel and I can testify that this past weekend we discovered that the answer was ‘yes’ for both of us; God’s goodness still seems clear and His presence seems near. Please pray that our little son will someday joyfully lift his hands, formed and malformed, in heartfelt worship to the King who in love and mysterious providence saw fit to have him walk this path—even when he can’t know exactly why it had to be so.

Yours in Christ,
Ewan and Rachel

(Note from Tim: Aware that many people skim quickly instead of read at length, I added the bolding to the text.)

I acknowledge this is a bit of a weird question, but bear with me for just a minute: Has there ever been a better time to be disabled? I don’t mean to be smart, and I don’t mean to be cute. What I mean to say is that I am not aware of any society that has ever taken better care of its disabled members. And here I am thinking particularly of people with cognitive disabilities, though I’m sure we could extend the rule to every other form of disability. Historically, people with cognitive disabilities have been treated in the most inhumane ways possible. The bar has been set horrifically low.

However, at this point in time, here in the Western world, we place great value on those who are disabled. I have disabled people in my family, in my church, and in my neighborhood, and I am often amazed at the incredible programs that are available to them. We are only a generation or two removed from speaking of people with cognitive disabilities using pejorative terms like “village idiot.” It’s only in the past few years we’ve stopped using “retard” as an insult. In days past, with disabilities typically received little education, gained little training, and had few opportunities.

Today, though, there’s a whole world of programs available to disabled people and their families. We try to find that balance between caring for their particular needs in ways that are fitting to their condition, while also doing our best to mainstream them into wider society as much as possible. Few things encourage me more than seeing people with obvious cognitive disabilities studying in public schools and working regular jobs. The grocery store near us and the Staples just around the corner both regularly and deliberately employ people with disabilities. I, like many others, love this and gladly bear with the inevitable “quirks” that come with the territory.

It is for these reasons and others that I contend that there has never been a better time to be disabled.

Yet that is not entirely true, is it? There is a horrific contradiction within our society. We invest great care in those who are born with disabilities, but only after investing every effort in eradicating them before they are born. There is a full out holocaust against unborn children with disabilities, the risk of disabilities, or even the possibility of disabilities. It is considered a sign of society’s progress that Down Syndrome has almost disappeared, yet that is only because nine out of every 10 are aborted before they are even born. It is considered socially responsible to identify and eliminate them before they get to full-term. Even as the world has become safer and better for those who are born with disabilities, the womb has become the most dangerous place of all. There is literally no worse place for a disabled child to be right now than inside his mother, for mortality rates there are nearing 100 percent. The place of ultimate refuge has become the place of ultimate peril.

So let me modify my original statement: Though there has never been a better time to be born with a disability, there has never been a worse time to be pre-born with a disability. This is one of our society’s most glaring contradictions, her most damnable sins.

Reformed Expository Commentaries – The Reformed Expository Commentary set is my favorite commentary set. I use the volumes for both sermon preparation and devotion. To mark the release of the newest volume (Philippians) Westminster Books has all of them on sale at 50% off (52% off if you buy the whole OT or NT). You don’t need to be a pastor to benefit from them!

Reflections from a New Dad – I will admit some bias here since David is one of my favorite people, but I really enjoyed these reflections on becoming a dad again (just a couple of weeks before he turned 47).

How Were Old Testament Saints Saved? – “What if you lived during a time when Jesus hadn’t arrived, namely, the period of the Old Testament? Were you saved by your obedience to the Law? Did God just give everyone a ‘free pass’ until Christ arrived? How did salvation work for those who were still waiting for the gospel of Jesus?”

Everest – “How did the first Everest expedition come about, how many people have climbed since, and what routes did they take?” Here’s an interactive presentation that marks the 60th anniversary of the first ascent.

The Church’s Great Challenge – Al Mohler writes about the church’s great challenge today: “We sin if we call homosexuality something other than sin. We also sin if we act as if this sin cannot be forgiven. We cannot settle for truth without love nor love without truth. The Gospel settles the issue once and for all. This great moral crisis is a Gospel crisis.”

Congregational Worship vs a Concert – Justin Taylor rounds up a couple of excellent quotes about congregational worship.

Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel’s side.

—C.H. Spurgeon

Why You Should Not Listen to Me – Thabiti Anyabwile: “Influence. It’s a funny thing. It’s inescapable–someone will always be perceived to have it or not have it, to either use or misuse it. We complain about it, but we also want to be influenced.” Be sure to read why you shouldn’t listen to him.

Dear Mr. President – Here’s an excellent blog post. A mother simply writes a letter to the President, explaining how she told her children about the reality of abortion.

Google Glass – Here’s the great line from this article on Google Glass: “Google Glass, like the Segway, is what happens when Silicon Valley spends too much time talking to itself. Maybe that’s even overstating the case: The rhetoric around Google Glass is what happens when important tech people spend a little too much time congratulating each other.” Also on the subject of technology, I don’t know much about the book, but this quote is worth pondering: Our Trust in Technology.

The Inevitability of Sanctification – Elisha looks at the outdoors and (just as God wants us to, I’m sure) learns a lesson there about spiritual growth.

The Sanctifying Work of Parenthood – “Many people describe marriage as the laboratory where our spiritual growth is fostered and developed. I find it to be equally true of parenting as well. God has used parenting in my life to refine and change me in ways I had not anticipated. He’s given me a child who requires more than I was trained to handle so that I would depend on him and not my own strength.”

$5 Friday – Ligonier has a few good deals in this week’s $5 Friday: The Intimate Marriage by R.C. Sproul, Economics for Everybody by R.C. Sproul Jr., a couple of biographies, and a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Marriage is not a concession to our sinfulness; marriage is a provision for our holiness.

—J.A. Motyer

I am in the unique and enjoyable position of receiving copies of most of the latest and greatest Christian books and I like to provide regular roundups of some of the best and brightest of the bunch. Of all the books I have received recently, here are the ones that appear most noteworthy.

Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper. “Confusion abounds over how to define the term “worship.” Is it singing? A service? Something that encompasses all of life? Helping Christians think more theologically about the nature of true worship Rhythms of Grace shows how the gospel is all about worship and worship is all about the gospel. Mike Cosper ultimately answers the question, What is worship? Bringing biblical truth to bear on this critical issue, Cosper, an experienced worship leader, argues that all true worship has one object (God), two contexts (the gathered church and the scattered church) and three audiences (God, the church, and the world). Writing from the conviction that the gospel is the heartbeat of true worship, Cosper explores four key areas (liturgy, song, style, and creativity), showing that worship is fundamental to spiritual formation. This eminently readable book, designed for church leaders and laypersons alike, offers a vibrant theology of worship that is biblical yet contextual, and systematic yet practical.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

Kingdom Come by Sam Storms. “The second coming of Christ is a matter of significant disagreement amongst Christians. Many hold to premillennialism: that Christ’s return will be followed by 1,000 years before the final judgement, a belief popularised in the popular Left Behind novels. However, premillennialism is not the only option for Christians. Sam Storms provides a biblical rationale for amillennialism, the belief that 1,000 years mentioned in the book of Revelation is symbolic with the emphasis being the King and his Kingdom.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon.)

Sex and Money by Paul David Tripp. “Pleasure. We live in a world obsessed with finding it, passionate about enjoying it, and desperate about maintaining it. Chief among such objects of affection are sex and money–two pleasures unequaled in their power to captivate our attention and demand our worship. In what is sure to become an instant classic, popular author Paul David Tripp pulls back the curtain on the lies of our flesh and the ways we distort God’s good gifts, examining the insanity of our culture and exposing our tendency to fall prey to the hollow promises of this world. In exploring how God’s grace frees us from futile pursuits, Tripp directs readers to the wisdom of God in Scripture and the liberating power of the gospel, offering practical guidance on finding true joy and enduring satisfaction.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

1 & 2 Peter and Jude by Paul Gardner. “1 Peter addresses Christians who have known suffering and persecution to a degree that we will never know. In 2 Peter, Peter was very concerned that those who deny Christ’s return should be withstood and that the church could be confident that Christ has not abandoned them. The theme of Jude is similar and also points Christians towards the evidence of believers who heard Jesus speak, to enable them ‘to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people’.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon.)

Matthew by R.C. Sproul. The latest volume in the St. Andrew’s Expository Commentary series. “Over the course of three years, Dr. R. C. Sproul gave 128 sermons on the Gospel of Matthew, which have now been edited into this collection of memorable messages. Here is a substantial and practical commentary on the first book of the New Testament canon, one that will serve the church well and will be of great use in small-group settings, sermon preparation, or personal Bible study.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

Messages That Move by Tim Hawkins. “A practical guide to the art of preparing and delivering Bible talks. Seasoned preacher Tim Hawkins urges us to give ‘Messages That Move’ which take people on a journey to a worthwhile destination. Learn how to plan and prepare a talk and lead to genuine transformation through the gospel. ‘Messages that Move’ gives you tools to deliver memorable, engaging Bible talks that lead to gospel transformation. It will give you practical help to prevent sermons being ‘boring’ and a wealth of tips and tools for better preparation, illustration, story telling and delivery.” (Learn more and shop at The Good Book Company.)

The Haddon Robinson Principle – Here’s a helpful article for preachers. “‘Ideally, each sermon is the explanation, interpretation, or application of a single dominant idea supported by other ideas, all drawn from one passage or several passages of Scripture.’ How many points was that? Three? Five? No. One point. One single point. So here’s our principle: Preach with a pin, not with a hammer.”

9 Things About Edith Schaeffer – Joe Carter rounds up 9 facts about Edith Schaeffer.

Treasure Map – Did you know that Google Maps has a treasure map view? It’s kind of fun. And mostly useless. But still fun. Be sure to try street view on it as well (by dragging the spy glass to the map).

Bracketing Morality – Al Mohler on the gay marriage debate: “What makes this moral revolution so vast in consequences and importance is this: the moral dimension has virtually disappeared from the cultural conversation. This is true, we must note, even among the defenders of heterosexual marriage.”

The New Televangelists – “I thought we were done with the Televangelists. … I was wrong. Sure, most members of my generation still have no time for Televangelists, but many of us have fallen prey to something just as pernicious.”

Delusional Twenty Somethings – Donald Miller has a word for delusional twenty-somethings. (I know someone will bring up Blue Like Jazz. No, I am not endorsing it by linking to this article.)

Honoring Christ Online – Ligonier Ministries interviewed me for the April issue of Tabletalk, focusing in on how to honor God in our online lives.

There is no healing a man till the law has wounded him, no making him alive till the law has slain him.

—C.H. Spurgeon

Baseball and the Christian Walk – Because baseball season is nearly upon us. “The reality that baseball is a game of managed failure for every player, even the great ones, is one of the reasons the game imbedded so deeply in the fabric of American culture.”

Page CXVI – Page CXVI, which is a project meant to make hymns accessible, is giving away their complete catalog of 74 songs. It’s there for the taking! “To celebrate our 7-year anniversary of making music, we’re giving away our entire catalog of music for the month of March.”

We Are What We Remember – Jim Hamilton read a book I suggested, Moonwalking With Einstein, and has some very interesting applications. As he writes, he demonstrates why it is useful for Christians to read more than explicitly Christian books. (Be sure to read down a little ways.)

Economics Has Consequences – “Economics Has Consequences” is a greatly abridged version of a teaching series from R.C. Sproul Jr. Ligonier Ministries has made this abridged version free to watch online.

Three Generosities – “I think there are three levels of generosity a local church can process through given the gospel’s dominion in the place and the leadership’s determination to be humble and not insecure.” There is some food for thought here.

Hate Speech Ruling in Canada – This is very encouraging news from my side of the border (though, as always in this world, the news is not all good). “The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled yesterday that a Sasketchewan Christian who distributed anti-gay pamphlets ‘violated the province’s human rights rules.’ However, the ruling encouraged Canadian evangelicals because it also narrowed the definition of hate speech, striking down some sweeping, unconstitutional language.”

Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how far God will go for man’s salvation.

—H.C. Trumball

Writing Is Easy – Peggy Noonan on writing and speaking: “If you try to write ‘good lines’ you’ll likely wind up with strings of dumb, unconnected applause lines. The audience will probably applaud—crowds of supporters are dutiful that way, and people want to be polite—but they’ll know they’re applauding an applause line, not a thought…”

Our Universe – Fox: “The week’s best images of our solar system, the galaxy and everything out there, putting you in touch with the most distant parts of the heavens.” That description is a wee bit dramatic, but the photos are well worth a look.

Christian Liberty – Erik Raymond is learning and teaching what it means for a church to be gospel-centered. Most recently he looked at Christian liberty. “Paul’s true freedom is not in what he can enjoy but what he can freely give up. He is not a slave to the weak, the Jews, the Greeks, or anyone else. He is a slave of Christ and a servant to all. This is for the sake of the gospel.”

Audio Books – ChristianAudio has a few good books on sale. Just click the link and scroll down; you can get God’s Smuggler for free and several others for $4.98.

$5 Friday – Ligonier Ministries has some good products on sale today for $5–a couple of books by Sinclair Ferguson, several teaching series by R.C. Sproul, and even $10 gift certificates at half price.

Watching Porn – Al Mohler linked to this article yesterday that traces how watching pornography leads to the acceptance of homosexuality. Meanwhile David Murray says to Prepare for Gay Marriage.

Dramatic Iceland – This is a great timelapse video of Iceland.

Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility. Jonathan Edwards

On one of those evenings when I was too tired to read but not tired enough to sleep, I began to browse the documentary section on Netflix. I came across Monica & David, a documentary about, well, Monica and David. The film traces their relationship from dating, to their wedding, to the early days of their marriage. It is quite a normal story in many ways but for this: both of them have Down Syndrome.

The two fell in love after meeting at a day program for people with intellectual disabilities and their mothers decided to honor their desire to marry (fathers are out of the picture). Down Syndrome is a condition with a spectrum of severity so that the effects are much more pronounced in some than in others. Monica and David are relatively high functioning, but are still visibly and profoundly disabled.

It is an interesting film and well worth the 1 hour and 7 minute investment. It displays both the joys and the trials of having Down Syndrome and of caring for people with Down Syndrome. Both of the central characters are so sweet and likable that it is impossible not to root for them as they embark on life together, as they try to find jobs, and as they try to live as normal a life as possible. Their mothers (and one step-father) love them dearly and are committed to doing what is best for them.

The film raises unavoidable questions. If a couple is in their 30’s but mentally developed to the equivalent of a child only 8 or 9 years old, are they old enough to marry? Can they really understand the nature of their commitment? Are they ready and able to have a sexual relationship? Should they have children or should their guardians ensure that they take measures to prevent having a family? (Though most men with Down Syndrome are infertile, there is still a very small chance of conceiving a child.) Just how independent can such a couple be and, if they will always need close parental oversight, are they really a fully married couple? The film is deliberate in raising such questions and always honors disability and the decisions the couple and their guardians have made. At a time when the vast majority of babies with Downs are aborted long before they can reach adulthood, Monica & David is powerfully and perhaps inadvertently pro-life, showing that these are real people with real lives who can live and love and dream and enjoy life. They are worthy of life.

But this is not a review of the film. Rather, it is a chance to share an application that continues to stand out to me.

At one point the filmmaker asks both Monica and David if they have Down Syndrome and what it means to have the Syndrome. Both of them show a near-complete misunderstanding of their condition. Monica says that everyone in the world has Down Syndrome while David insists that whatever it is, he does not have it. It is not that they are in denial, but that the nature of their disability is such that they simply do not understand, cannot understand, just how different they are. They cannot see and cannot understand that they suffer from a rare condition that sets them apart from most other people. They believe that they are just like everyone else.

(Careful here! As I move to the application I drew from the film, please read what I say and then refrain from accusing me of saying more than that.)

The way David and Monica are oblivious to their intellectual condition forced me to reflect on the way we are all oblivious to our spiritual condition. Every cell in their bodies declares that they have Down Syndrome. They have the physical characteristics, the mental characteristics, and on and on. Everyone who looks at them can immediately spot it and the more time you spend with them, the clearer it will become. Yet they are unable to see it.

And such is the case with our spiritual condition. Even though sin has extended to every part of our being, even though it marks everything we do and everything we are, we cannot see the nature of our condition. In this way we are all disabled–severely disabled–until the Holy Spirit opens our eyes so we can see what is so true about ourselves. I could not see my condition until the Lord allowed me to see it. And even today I am blind to aspects of that sinfulness thay may be so clear to the people who look at my life.

Both the intellectual disability of Down Syndrome and the spiritual disability of sin will some day come to an end because both have been conquered at the cross. The gospel promises that Down Syndrome, and every other syndrome, will cease when the Lord returns; the gospel promises that sin, and every other spiritual condition, will cease when the Lord returns. The hope, in either case, is the finished work of Jesus Christ and the great consummation to come.

Pastoral Confidentiality – There have been various articles about pastoral confidentiality. I really appreciate what Tom Ascol says; he seems to strike a healthy balance between the extremes.

Boycotting Companies – R.C. Sproul Jr. answers this question: “Do Christians have a moral obligation to boycott companies that support unbiblical causes?”

D.A. Carson on Complementarianism – Here’s a Q&A with D.A. Carson. He answers questions arising from his thorough argument for the equality of men and women but their different purposes under God. (Here’s a message from the same event.)

Authors and Interviews – Authors or anyone else who is interviewed would do well to read this: “Interviews. They can be enlightening and entertaining. But all too often they’re thoroughly irritating for everyone involved. I know about this from personal experience. After producing radio shows for a number of years, I’ve heard more bad interviews than I’d like to count.”

God Came Down – Kim Shay shares Juanita Stauffer’s story. Stauffer’s teenaged daughter was murdered four years ago and now her mother tells how the Lord sustained the family in that time.

Train Your Kids in Cell Phone Use – “Apart from giving them the Gospel, the single best thing we can do for our kids’ college, career, and marriage prospects is to train them to be self-disciplined in their cell phone use.” David offers ten benefits of doing this.

How a Key Works – A short animated gif finally explains it in a way that makes sense.

God loveth the lowest saint more than the highest angel loveth God.

—Thomas Manton

I love book reviews. Since I cannot possibly read all of the interesting books out there, I publish occasional round-ups of reviews I have found at other blogs. Or even if I am able to review the book, it’s always good to get a second opinion. Here are a few of the notable links I’ve collected recently:

First off, here are two reviews of one of my favourite books of 2012, The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler:

Douglas Wilson writes: “Mohler starts by saying that he wants to do something different, and I think he succeeds in this. He states in the first lines that he wants to “change the way you think about leadership.” Mohler is clearly conversant with the current literature on leadership, and what he says overlaps with the best of what’s out there, but he clearly has the whole thing pointed in a different direction. But however good this book is, and it is, it still needs to be applied.”

And here is Mitch Chase’s take: “A common denominator appears early in the book and underlies the overall tone and argument: stewardship. Mohler wants leaders to steward their position well because they will answer to God. Leadership is a temporary stewardship and is exercised in light of the final judgment.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon.)

The Church by Mark Dever. Reviewed by Nathan Finn. “The Church is a helpful introduction to Baptist ecclesiology. Perhaps because of its genesis as a lengthy chapter in a systematic theology textbook, Dever provides a good balance between description and prescription. The book’s structure (introduction, exegesis, history, practice) lends itself to wide usage in the seminary classroom, among pastors and church staff, and in ministerial internship programs. Non-Baptist evangelicals will likely reject many of Dever’s conclusions, though many who appreciate the importance of ecclesiology will still resonate with much of the book.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

A Puritan Theology by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones. Reviewed by David Steele. “A Puritan Theology is a labor of love that should be cherished by the church for years to come. It should be read for helpful theological insight. It should be read devotionally. The contents are bound to equip, encourage, and rebuke. For me personally, the Puritans have been a deep source of encouragement, especially concerning the nature of God, the promises of God, the sovereignty of God, the lordship of Christ, sanctification, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Of course, no one surpasses the courage demonstrated by the Puritans as they sought to faithfully live the Christian life in the power of the Spirit.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

Finally, Jeremy Walker started the new year with reviews of a couple of classic works–works that probably haven’t been reviewed for many years.

First, The Gospel Ministry by Thomas Foxcroft. “The book is full of that earnest, earthy pastoral theology that is so much bypassed in our day. It is written by a man who intends to know, love and serve Christ’s people with a Christlike spirit and through a Christ-soaked ministry. There are high points of insight and fervour throughout the work (look out for a couple of nuggets in coming days), and a thoroughly evangelical tone permeates the whole. The author determines to put Christ at the centre of his work by putting him at the centre of his life. Christ is not only the topic of the minister, but the source of all his power. The congregation is enjoined to earnest prayer for those who seek so to serve them.” (Learn more and shop at Ligonier Ministries.)

And second, Lectures to My Students by C.H. Spurgeon. “Most of the time, each element is essentially self-contained, although some topics do break over two or more chapters (the main exception is the third section, of which more below). Each chapter is fairly brief, and marked by typically Spurgeonic arrangements of the material, with thoughtful and engaging headings guiding us progressively through the matter at hand. The style is homely, full of quotations broadly drawn from various authors, marked by humour and practical insight. These ‘lectures’ very quickly turn into sermons – you can almost feel the momentum building in some of them – and so illustrate the very craft they are intended to illuminate. Each is generally marked by holy wit and sanctified common sense.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

Halloween and Evangelical Identity – Russell Moore takes a light-hearted look at Evangelicals and Halloween. “I tried my hand at explaining the spectrum, with tongue in cheek, using Halloween as a Rorschach test. I posted it over at the First Things group blog. Here goes.”

Luther and the Reformation Free – Ligonier Ministries is giving away R.C. Sproul’s video teaching series Luther and the Reformation. It’s free in the downloadable format today only, so get it while the getting’s good!

Images of Sandy – Here is a photo gallery of images taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In a similar vein, here are some statistics on the storm.

Macabre and the Christian Psyche – Patrick Schreiner has a very interesting look at the macabre and the Christian psyche, focusing on horror and zombies.

Can I Love My Child Too Much? – Kim Shay reflects on her realization that our children may become our idols if we do not guard ourselves against it.

Adultery is an obvious violation of the rights of another. You are stealing what doesn’t belong to you.

—Sam Storms

On the Life & Death of a Child – Bobby Gilles: “Our baby Parker was born and died on Sunday, October 21 around 5:30pm. Until the moment his heart stopped, every medical test throughout Kristen’s 42 weeks of pregnancy had shown him to be a healthy, strong, growing baby. And then, for some reason we don’t fully understand, God took him.”

An Unbalanced Transparency – I can really relate to what Elisha writes in this post. For some of us it is humble to discuss our own failings but proud to talk about where we’ve seen the Lord’s grace. It shouldn’t be that way!

Every Pastor Is a Translator – This is a very helpful reflection: “With my first Sunday off, I decided to visit Grace Community Church to hear Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. I would often attend the Sunday evening service at Grace. … That morning, Dr. MacArthur was preaching about the family. The conclusions he drew from the scriptures affirmed convictions I already held. However, for some reason, I became angry as I listened to the message. I felt that Dr. MacArthur, whom I had (have) never met, was being harsh, insensitive, and uncaring.”

Struggles and Hopes of a Disabled Dad – Dave Furman writes about being a disabled dad. “Ten years ago I never would have dreamed that I would have a physical disability. But God knew the beautiful design he had for me and for the spread of his gospel would involve taking away the strength of my hands.”

Joel Beeke on Propaganda – Joel Beeke wades into the discussion about the Puritans and their view on slavery. As an expert on the Puritans he brings a lot of authority; as a pastor he brings a lot of compassion.

The Mourdock Moment – Al Mohler brings clarity to the discussion of aborting a baby conceived by rape.

When the law of God is written in our hearts, our duty will be our delight.

—Matthew Henry

I love writing book reviews and I love reading them. Since I cannot possibly read and review all of the interesting books out there, I publish occasional round-ups of reviews written by other writers. Or even if I am able to review the book, it’s always good to get a second opinion. So here are a few notable links I’ve collected over the past few weeks.

Gospel Deeps by Jared Wilson

Reviewed by Mike Leake. “Gospel Deeps is a risky book. I say that it is risky because it is not immediately practical. There are not 10 steps to ‘going deep in the gospel.’ There is no immediately practical advice for living out the Christian life. Neither does this book make any shockingly new insights; it is not revolutionary in that sense. The point of the book is not to help you change your church, reconsider your theology, or inspire you with newfound truth. All Jared Wilson does in Gospel Deeps is hold up an infinitely precious jewel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and call us to marvel along with him. That’s risky.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)

Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore

Reviewed by Mike Wittmer. This is one of my all-time favorite books; Wittmer liked it as much as I did. “Moore’s book reads like a sermon series on the temptations of Christ, with numerous memorable lines and extended commentary on contemporary church and culture. I think anyone who is planning to preach on temptation and sin in general or Christ’s temptations in particular should read this book. Also anyone who is planning on sinning. …Moore’s book is simply theology the way it’s supposed to be. You may not agree with every one of his points, but you’ll be better off for having read his book (assuming you apply the points that convict you, and unless you’ve completed Wesley’s steps to Christian perfection, I’m sure you’ll find more than a few).” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)

The Work of Christ by R.C. Sproul

Reviewed by Aaron Armstrong. “Rather than trying to be the final word, The Work of Christ serves as a starting point for greater study. Sproul doesn’t expect readers to just take his word for the importance of each of these events, nor does he provide extensive overviews of each subject—he expects readers to study for themselves. From beginning to end, from incarnation to return, the work of Christ is necessary for our salvation and our growth in Christ. This is a subject we must study thoughtfully and apply well. The Work of Christ offers readers—whether individuals or small groups—a wonderful starting point. I trust that you’ll be blessed as you see just how important all the events of Jesus’ life are for you.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)

Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan Harman

Reviewed by Jeremy Walker. “While Matthew Henry’s commentary, though sneered at in some quarters, remains rightly esteemed, the man himself is often little more than a cipher. Though in a style that is not always lively, Allan Harman puts that right in this accessible biography by putting the writing in the context of the life. … In the 350th anniversary year of Matthew Henry’s birth, we would do well to consider his life and draw from it the valuable lessons to which Harman points us.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware

Reviewed by David Steele. “Recent years of scholarship have surfaced some terrific books on the doctrine of the Trinity. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles & Relevance by Bruce A. Ware is among the best. Dr. Bruce Ware defines and defends the doctrine of the Trinity with biblical precision, Christ-exalting passion, and theological muscle. … Dr. Ware has done in invaluable service for the church in this book. He has unpacked the doctrine of the Trinity in a way that is clear and biblical. He has skillfully applied this essential doctrine in a way that can strengthen a Reformed spirituality among believers. And he has rightfully challenged the egalitarian movement with the biblical antidote that should define a new generation of Evangelicals.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)

War of Words by Paul David Tripp

Reviewed by Lindsey Carlson. “In thirteen chapters, you will find enough material to keep your brain and your heart busy for a long while. A month was probably too quick to digest such a thick read and glean every insight. It’s great information that will challenge and convict the Christ follower to the core, but be warned; this is no light-hearted, short, weekend read. … This jewel of a book has encouraged me to examine my own words (i.e., my heart) on a regular basis, and to continue striving for God’s glory and redemptive purposes in all of my relationships. In Christ, it is possible to win the war of words!” (Learn more and Shop at Amazon)

How Do Plants Know Which Way Is Up? – It’s a good question, isn’t it? “It’s dark down there in the potting soil. There’s no light, no sunshine. So how does it know which way is up and which way is down? It does know. Seeds routinely send shoots up toward the sky, and roots the other way. Darkness doesn’t confuse them. Somehow, they get it right…”

When Homosexuality Became a Man – This is a really good article from Jon Bloom.

Green Drivel – “Two months ago, James Lovelock, the godfather of global warming, gave a startling interview to msnbc.com in which he acknowledged he had been unduly ‘alarmist’ about climate change. The implications were extraordinary.”

Book Deal – Here’s something new from Cruciform Press (the publishing company I co-founded). “Our Ebook Distribution Licenses allow you to give away Cruciform Press ebooks inexpensively—not to mention legally and with a good consience. This service is intended primarily for church and ministry leaders, but anyone is welcome to participate.”

Piper, Same-Sex Marriage and Media – Amy Hall sounds an important warning for those who may be reading in the media about John Piper’s stance on same-sex marriage.

Josh Hamilton: The Movie – Josh Hamilton, the Christian baseball superstar, is going to be the subject of a movie. Here’s hoping they are explict about the role of the gospel in his recovery from addiction.

Christianity is a faith that is based upon and rooted in miracles. Take away miracles, and you take away Christianity.

—R.C. Sproul