Darryl Dash's Blog, page 53

What Was on Jesus’ Mind at Christmas?

Hebrews 10:5-7 is a different kind of Christmas passage. It says:

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

The writer to the Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 40:6-8, a Davidic psalm. Saul went through the motions in servi...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

More Book Lists

Christianity Today’s 2022 Book Awards, as well as top picks from Kevin DeYoung and Aaron Armstrong.

My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2021

I present my latest foolhardy attempt to discern the top theology stories of 2021.

Ten (Very Different) Church Trends for 2022

Worship attendance will average 80% of pre-COVID numbers.Neighborhood churches will become a movement…

The Great Challenge of Every Marriage

Marriage makes u...

Top Posts of 2021

Here, in order of traffic from highest to lowest, are a couple of lists of the top posts I’ve written over the past year.

Thank you for reading. I’m grateful.

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Top Posts at DashHouse

Go Narrow, Go Deep

Pick a book from the Hebrew Scriptures, a book from the New Testament, and a dead person. Spend the rest of your life going de...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Podcast: I enjoyed talking to Nathan Oates about his book Stability: How an Ancient Monastic Practice Can Restore Our Relationships, Churches, and Communities on the Gospel for Life podcast.

Best Books of 2021

2021 For the Church Book Awards, plus picks from the TGC Editorial Staff, Trevin Wax, Jared C. Wilson, David Qaoud, and Reagan Rose.

Themelios 46.3

The new December 2021 issue of Themelios has 257 pages of editorials, articles, and boo...

Best Books of 2021

I’m continually amazed by the quality of books I get to read.

Books represent somebody’s best thinking, edited by a team of professionals, and packaged and delivered to us. At the cost of a few dollars and a few hours, we get to access the best of someone’s thinking.

Here, in descending order, are the best new books I’ve read that were published this year (with Amazon affiliate links).

1. The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility by Ray Ortlund

Porn is one ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

The Gospel Coalition 2021 Book Awards

Congratulations to the winners of The Gospel Coalition 2021 Book Awards.

Struggling with Doubt? Here are 5 Important Truths to Remember

How do we handle these doubts when they come? Or, how do we help others who admit they are struggling with what they believe?

Why So Harsh?

Harshness toward lost sheep and gentleness toward predators are equally devastating to the church.

You Can’t Reform a Church ...

“Love the Clay”

Margaret McFarland, professor of child psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and co-founder and director of the Arsenal Family and Children’s Center in Pittsburgh, served as a consultant for the television show Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.

She believed that when a teacher shows enthusiasm for a topic, the student catches that enthusiasm no matter how young or old that student might be. Show them what you love, and they’ll want to get it.

A biography of Fred Rogers recounts the tim...

Saturday Links

Podcast: I enjoyed talking to Sam Allberry about his book What God Has to Say About Our Bodies on Gospel for Life podcast.

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Why You Should Join an Imperfect Church

We all need the body of Christ to know what it means to follow Christ.

Helpful Things You Can Say to Grieving Parents

I recently consulted with a few other parents who have experienced the loss of a child and want to offer a few things you can say to grieving parents that may prove...

Delightful God

I used to fear that God would send me to Africa.

I knew that I’d signed on unconditionally. God has the right to do whatever he wants with my life. That meant, I understood, that God could send me anywhere he wanted and I had to go.

So when I attended missions conferences, I felt afraid. What if God sent me somewhere where I’d be miserable? What if God overruled the desires of my heart?

Two Sides of Desire

I don’t know why I was so afraid. Looking back, it would have been a privi...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Four Lessons for the Church Right Now

As I have observed how my own congregation deals with the current challenges, I have learned some lessons that I think might benefit us all.

Sound Doctrine: The Foundation for Faithful Ministry

The latest 9 Marks Journal. Don’t miss the editorial by Jonathan Leeman.

Think About Such Things: Whatever Is True

Truth is slow work. Truth is hard work. There aren’t shortcuts.

Into the Metaverse

The me...