Ink Slinger’s Review of Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl

May 17, 2012 by · 10 Comments

From Josh: Today’s book review is from a guest writer, Corey P, aka the Ink Slinger. Ink is a young aspiring writer, and a lover of books, movies, music, Science Fiction, Reformed theology, logic, history, guns, and the great outdoors. And Italian food.

His blog, the Ink Slinger, is one of the few where I read every post; I highly recommend it. You can also find Ink on Twitter.

He is reviewing Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N. D. Wilson. (Keep reading to the bottom, where you can enter to win a free copy.)

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Notes from the Tilt-A-WhirlI’m going to start my review with a simple injunction: read this book. Comprende? Good. Let’s move on.

I first become aware of Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl a couple years ago, but I never gave it more than a passing glance. In hindsight, I must say that’s really too bad – this is a book I wish I had read much sooner than I did.

Wilson’s premise is that the world – this moist, round, inhabited, spinning ball, filled with flamingos (real and artificial), snowflakes, and human beings – is a work of art crafted by the ultimate Artist. He’s the Someone behind it all, for “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. Through Him all things were made…”
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Happy First Anniversary

May 15, 2012 by · 1 Comment

Dear Darling Wife,

Today marks the beginning of our second year of married life, and I praise God that He has given us 365 days so far.

Solomon was right: He who finds a wife finds a good thing. I am very blessed to have you as my wife. Thank you for adding joy to my life. Thank you for caring for me so well. Thank you for teaching me how to love selflessly. Thank you for so much more.
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God Will Feed You

May 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

You know those days where hope feels far away? The days where you’re just out of energy and out of joy?

I love the Bible because God helps people with both: He helps them with spiritual despair, and He helps them with physical need. God cares about both.

We see it in the Old Testament, when God provided manna for the Israelites and when He overlooked their sin by way of sacrifices. We see it in the New Testament, when Jesus fed the five thousand and when He forgave the sinner on the next cross over. God cares about both: He knows our physical and our spiritual needs, and He provides for them both.
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Filed Under: Christian Living, Faith ·

Weekend Wind Down (5/12/12)

May 12, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Have you entered this week’s book giveaway?

A Wife’s Submission is Not – Some good reflections on what Paul did not mean by saying wives should submit to their husbands.

Motherhood as a Vocation – Kim Shay from The Upward Call reflects on a full-time vocation as mother.

How do I know what I think until I see what I say?

8 Reasons Why I Don’t Read Your Blog – Frank Viola offers eight helpful tips for bloggers looking for a wider audience.

 

You don't want to hear God speak these final words: "Fool, how did all that pointless play put my glory in display?"
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@JohnPiper
John Piper
Filed Under: Misc. ·

Kim Shay’s Review of Friends and Lovers

May 10, 2012 by · 5 Comments

From Josh: Kim blogs at The Upward Call. Her bio includes 25 years of marriage, 22 years as a stay at home mother, a love for writing, and the privilege of teaching the Bible to other women. Kim has a beautiful writing style, and her posts are a great encouragement. Kim can also be found on Twitter.

She is reviewing Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage by Joel Beeke. (Keep reading to the bottom, where you can enter to win a free copy.)

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Title: Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage
Author: Joel Beeke
Publisher: Cruciform Press (2012)

Joel Beeke’s book Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage, is only 96 pages long, but it is 96 pages with a great deal of encouragement and instruction. The size of the volume should not dissuade anyone from reading. There is a lot packed into 96 pages.

As the subtitle suggests, Beeke discusses two vital aspects of marriage: friendship and physical intimacy, an intimacy which flows from the friendship built between husband and wife. Beeke points out that in a society where people look at love as something we fall into and out of with ease, the principle of cultivating friendship with our spouse is overlooked. It is this friendship which provides the basis for meaningful physical intimacy with our spouse.
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Well Met

May 9, 2012 by · 4 Comments

I knew my wife all through college — well, I should say that I knew this really fascinating young woman. I didn’t know she would be my wife. We worked alongside one another at church, teaching and mentoring in the youth group. For many months, she said no to my every advance.

Board games with friends? No thanks. Go get coffee? Sorry, I’m busy. Country-western dance lessons? Sorry, I have other plans.

After three years of ministering at that church, she and I both moved on. I traveled across the country and enrolled in law school. She moved to a different state and began grad school. We stopped talking.
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Saying Yes to the Ring

May 8, 2012 by · 7 Comments

Saying Yes to the Ring

Thank you, darling, for saying yes.

Dear darling wife,

Thank you for saying yes last February. Actually, thank you for saying, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes” with tears in your eyes. Thank you for making our engagement night special and showing me how much you love me.

Thank you for accepting my ring and for saying yes to becoming my wife. Thank you for saying yes to my last name.

I will always remember that beautiful night in the candle light. You will always laugh at how hard my heart was beating, but can you really blame me? Even though your answer was never truly in doubt, it was still a wonderful moment. I was asking you the big question. I was putting my heart on the line.

You thought I wouldn’t ask for another month. You thought I’d wait until we visited your parents. I’m so glad I could surprise you. I cherish your reaction, and I’ll always remember that night. Thank you for saying yes to the ring.

I love you.

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This post is the first in a new Tuesday series called Dear Darling Wife. Read more about the idea behind Dear Darling Wife, and link to your own letter below.

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Be At Peace With Your Coworkers

May 7, 2012 by · 2 Comments

Peace at Work

I'm guessing this looks a lot more peaceful than your office.

This post is ninth in our study of 9 Ways to Honor God at Work.

Peace.

What images does the word evoke in your mind? Do you think of sitting in the shade, beside a quiet stream? Do you picture the hippies and psychedelic anti-war protests? Do you picture your workplace?

I feel confident that the latter is not the case. Peace is probably one of the last words you would choose to describe your job.
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Weekend Wind Down (5/5/12)

May 5, 2012 by · 2 Comments

Have you entered yet for your chance to win a free book?

Adrian Warnock and Rob Bell Debate Heaven and Hell – After Bell’s book, Love Wins, stirred up a ton of controversy, this is the perfect follow-up to find out, just what does he believe?

Has the Gospel-Centered Emphasis Gone Too Far? – “With all this talk about grace, are we becoming antinomians? Maybe we’ve taken the gospel for granted, but are we now over-reacting by taking holiness for granted?” (H/T)

Ten Years, Ten Lessons – Kevin DeYoung offers ten lessons he’s learned in ten years of marriage.

Young People’s Priorities – A survey reveals what public policy issues Americans aged 18-29 care about, as well as how we prioritize those issues.

A Life of Significance – Great words for reflection: are you living for achievements or significance?

15 Tips on Blogging from John Newton – Some fantastic tips on how to blog for God’s glory, all from a very unlikely source: John Newton.

I wish to testify that in my best moments I am not aware of the existence of the government. Though I respect and feel myself dignified by the principles of the Declaration and the Constitution, I do not remember a day when the thought of the government made me happy, and I never think of it without the wish that it might become wiser and truer and smaller than it is.
– Wendell Berry

Filed Under: Weekend Wind Down ·

Kimm Crandall’s Review of Three Free Sins

May 3, 2012 by · 21 Comments

From Josh: Today’s book review is from a guest writer, Kimm Crandall. Kimm blogs at Christ in the Chaos, and her desire is to bring the much needed gospel to other women who are searching for Christ in the chaos of life. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter.

She is reviewing Three Free Sins by Steve Brown. (Keep reading to the bottom, where you can be the lucky winner of a free copy. Congratulations to Marcy, winner of this week’s book giveaway.)

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Review of Three Free Sins by Steve BrownTitle: Three Free Sins
Author: Steve Brown
Publisher: Howard Books (2012)
Kimm’s Rating: 4.5/5

The first time I heard Steve Brown on the radio I made my husband turn it off. You see, my law bound heart was afraid of freedom. I was afraid that teachings such as Steve’s would cause my husband to jump off the deep end and, I don’t know, smoke a pipe or something. Funny thing is that I kept trying to listen and kept turning it off. Over time I made it through the whole talk and was immensely grateful for the message of grace that was starting to penetrate my heart.
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