Here is a collection of links to good reads gathered over this past week. Be sure to check them out!
On men and body image: The Epidemic of Male Body Hatred by Paul Maxwell
A man who hates his body is really searching for love — a fundamentally relational search for intimacy with self in the form of confidence, intimacy with the opposite sex in being sexy, intimacy with the same sex in intimidation or acceptance, intimacy with authority in competency, and ultimately intimacy with God, in appearing worthy. The lie is that performance offers intimacy at all — it is, in fact, its foil. Yet this is the path we choose. (click here to read more)
On parenting: Pray for Your Children by Chad Ashby
God has placed us in the lives of our children so that we will intercede for them. God placed Moses over the children of Israel for the specific purpose of crying out for God’s mercy upon them (Exodus 32:11–14). In the same way, we ought to plead with God to relent of his wrath against our sinful children. Moreover, just as God foreordained to save Israel through the desperate prayer of Moses, we must trust that God plans to save our children in part through our desperate intercessory prayers. (click here to read more)
On our desires for applause, approval, and attractiveness: The Three Things We All Crave So Desperately by David Qaoud
I found myself (sometimes) in the same camp of my customers. I did diets I didn’t like, spent money I didn’t have, to impress people I didn’t know. It’s not so much an issue now, but I’m well aware of the temptation. Are these three things — applause, approval, and attractiveness — something you crave, something you desire? Well, I got good news for you: If you’re a Christian, you already have all three. (click here to read more)
On Bible reading and study: Your Bible Is a Mine not a Museum by Jon Bloom
Miners observe and gather with a different mindset than a museumgoer. To miners, the knowledge they acquire is not merely interesting; it’s vital. They aren’t merely enhancing their education; they are hunting for treasure. When they seek out expert knowledge, it is for a focused reason: Such knowledge leads to fortune. Miners are trying to unearth wealth. They dig. They probe. They poke around. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 