Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
On cultivating your child’s heart (this was written to fathers but can be applied to mothers as well): 4 Ways to Reach a Child’s Heart by Richard Phillips
I am constantly amazed at the number of people who assure me that their fathers hardly ever praised them, but constantly criticized and berated. I meet people all the time who tell me that their fathers beat into their heads that they were losers who would never succeed. I can scarcely imagine what that is like. There is only so much a pastor can do to remedy such an upbringing, and the best he can do will include pointing such a person to the effective healing love of our heavenly Father, who can do far more than any man. But as fathers we can ensure that our own children are raised with the rich fertilizer of fatherly affection and esteem. (click here to read more)
On self-examining your spiritual walk: 10 Questions for a Six-Month Spiritual Checkup by Chuck Lawless
What truths have you learned about God during the first half of 2016? If you can’t state them, you either haven’t spent enough time with God or you haven’t thought regularly enough about this question.
How many non-believers now know the gospel because of your personal evangelism this year? If you’re a pastor, answer this question first without including evangelism you do from the pulpit… (click here to read more)
On advice from an older Christian to younger Christians: The #1 Regret of a 70 Year Old Christian by David Qaoud
This is a good word not just for young Christians, but all Christians, yes. But I think this is something young Christians particularly need. We young folk tend to be more concerned with being cool than being holy. And this is a problem. Paul tells us that God saved us so that we might be holy (Ephesians 1:4) — a pursuit that Christians can seek with effort, without being self-justifying.
Still, “pursue holiness” may seem daunting or ambiguous. So here’s a few reminders for young Christians on this great pursuit. (click here to read more)
On teenagers and theology: 5 Reasons Why Teenagers Need Theology by Jaquelle Crow
As a Jesus-following teenager, I believe studying God’s character is what teenagers need in order to face our terribly complicated world. It’s what will give us lasting hope to face our future with a firm commitment to God’s truth. Let me explain how theology answers our biggest questions and meets our greatest needs. Of course, this is only the briefest beginning, but it gets us started. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 