Hacker got at our Google Cloud console, submitted jobs starting high-end Tesla and Nvidia servers. We killed the jobs, but the servers auto-restart - a Google "feature". And we're billed for a full week of restarts. Happen to anyone else? Please DM. Else, please retweet. Thanks!
Hey friends, tomorrow I have a very personal op-ed going live at the Washington Post. I'll confess I'm a little nervous about it as it delves into cancer, faith, and how the travails of life can reveal the cracks in your character. But I'm incredibly grateful they invited me to submit it!
It will go live at 7 AM tomorrow and will appear with no paywall in the inboxes of subscribers to their religion newsletter, Awakenings. So if you sign up now, you will receive my column as soon as it's published! So please sign up so WaPo (whose owner did promise last year to bring more balance to the paper) knows that there is an audience of conservative Christians hungry for this content!
https://t.co/XjUForKDEy
I listened to Erika Kirk’s full speech at the memorial, and I want to share a few thoughts that came to me while live streaming the event. This is not political.
First, I should say that I grew up as a Muslim in a Muslim country. I don’t know enough about Christianity to say if what I witnessed is rooted in faith or culture. But what struck me most was how, even though death is heavy and this was by nature a sad occasion, the entire event carried a celebratory spirit that honored life.
That contrast hit me deeply. In Islam, even though we believe that good people go to heaven, the relationship with God is taught through fear. Funerals are overwhelmingly sad, often filled with warnings of the terrifying first night in the grave. Growing up hearing that, and then witnessing people celebrate life, speak of God’s love, and remember someone through the impact he had on others; it felt so refreshing, so positive.
Second, I was profoundly moved by @MrsErikaKirk’s words. I cannot fathom the strength it takes to stand and deliver such a meaningful speech after losing the love of your life. But even more than that, the grace it takes to forgive the very person who destroyed your world. I cannot imagine myself standing on a stage, sending love to those who cheered your husband’s murder, or inviting others to spread God’s love in response because, as she said, “we do not respond to hate with hate.” That is powerful beyond words.
Again, I am ignorant when it comes to Christianity, but if this is what it truly embodies, then I am envious of those who get to experience that feeling.
94-year-old Iain Murray’s charge to CHBC’s pastoral interns (via phone) at our last discussion for the semester where we discussed his book, “Evangelicalism Divided”:
“When we are ministers, the fact that we're ministers of the gospel is not the main thing. It's secondary—quite secondary—to being a Christian. And the fact that we grow ourselves as Christians is really the number one point. And you good young men, whom God is bringing forward, the devil will use all kinds of things to distract you—and to distract all of us—from what are the main things. So put first your own communion with Christ… It's the best work in the world that God is calling you to. It will be painful at times, and there'll be disappointments, and some people will let you down. But let us be faithful.”
Five more things every Christian father should tell his son today about biblical masculinity:
1. Work hard, even when no one is watching (Colossians 3:23).
2. Lead with humility, not pride (Philippians 2:3–4).
3. Fight for truth, not for ego (Jude 3).
4. Honor women as sisters and mothers (1 Timothy 5:1–2).
5. Stay faithful even when it costs you everything (2 Timothy 4:7).
The Notes app on your iPhone is one of the most powerful tools available.
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Incredibly grateful for Grace to you, solid biblical teaching is unparalleled in its commitment to inerrancy of scripture in all areas of life and faith. Thank you Dr MacArthur and Grace to you
“Jesus came to save the world. He didn't come to be an example of morality and integrity. He didn't come to be an example of passivity. He didn't come to demonstrate patience, kindness, and mercy. He did do all of that but He came to be the Savior of the world.” ~ John MacArthur
https://t.co/jqz8oPOjwV
Anxiety. Worry. I will confess, it is a besetting sin. I am not sure why. Maybe I picked it up from my parents, not because they expressed it to me, but because I was astute enough to recognize how difficult their lives were. How little we had, and how hard they worked just to get by.
Yes, it is a sin. In fact, think about this: our Lord invested a pretty hefty section of the Sermon on the Mount in warning us about the foolishness of the sin of worry (Matthew 6:25-34). He concludes that section, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” And Paul echoed his Lord’s command, “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6). There are few topics more cut and dried: anxiety is not to be a part of the Christian’s daily experience.
But…it is, at least for some of us. Not just the anxiety of the regular pressures of life, but in this present day, the anxiety of the direction of the entire world, embracing the rebellion of the day like a virus of the mind, rushing toward self-destruction, or, at least it seems so to us.
The root of anxiety is distrust: we have “small faith” in God, little faith in His promises, or even His ability to carry out those promises! Do we have example after example in Scripture and in church history of those before us pressing on in faith, trusting God, and finding Him faithful? Of course! But oh how the pressure of the moment can make us forgetful and anxious! In my own life I have seen God’s faithfulness over and over and over again. Amazing, isn’t it, that we can experience God’s faithfulness and in such a short time fall into doubt and distrust? Why do our memories focus on the negative, and do not dwell on the positive? [Suggestion: because we do not cultivate, or, at least I do not cultivate nearly enough, the Christian virtue of thanksgiving. Spending time each day giving true, heart-felt thanks to God for all He has done for us is, I know, the greatest antidote for anxiety].
I know we will all face reasons for anxiety today. For me, I will surely seek to keep my Lord’s words in mind, and pray for the peace which passes all understanding, which He can provide in abundance.
Great episode @BNinde love the fact Nabeel is featured on it. As always so focused on practical usable tips on share our faith. This episode goes deep into claims of Jesus. https://t.co/ertp2PedlT
@BNinde May our good Lord encourage all the solid men, truly inspirational. Thank you for framing everything about your life in the light of “consider it pure joy when you face trials of various kinds”. Our lives should be bookended by fellowship and evangelism. 🙏
@BNinde Happy Anniversary Brian and Jane, may god bless and increase the impact of your lives for the kingdom. So appreciate your fellowship and ministry.