Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 37
February 21, 2019
A Call to Holy Living (He Reads Truth)
Recently I had the opportunity to write a devotional for He Reads Truth on 1 Peter 1:13-25. Here’s an excerpt:
“As the one who called you is holy,” Peter wrote, “you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Perhaps this call fills you with a sense of panic, guilt, or even shame. After all, how many of us can look at these words and think, Nailed it!—I mean, really? And when we’re confronted by the holes in our holiness, what do we usually do? We commit to working harder. We p...
February 18, 2019
Why do they always kill the dog, cats, and Nic Cage ruins everything
Dave’s daughter was recently traumatized when she read Where the Red Fern Grows, and we got to thinking: why the heck to teachers keep asking kids to read this book? Listen in as we discuss:
Why Dave’s still not sleeping and the Legend of WinstonWhat we think about this seemingly psychotic habit of authors writing books where the dog always diesWhy there’s no “the cat dies” genre and if there are any cats that are heroes in booksWhy there’s a no-pets rule in the Armstrong houseWhat book adap...February 13, 2019
Relationship issues, marriage books, and fur babies
Apparently we need podcasting therapy, as our relationship issues come to the surface. Things got weird in the studio as we recorded a special sort-of-Valentines-Day-y episode of Table of (mal)Contents. Listen in as we discuss:
Why Barnabas and Aaron dislike Love and Respect (while not throwing shade at Gary Chapman)Which is a worse term: book baby or fur baby?Why are there so many marriage books out there—and why are so many terrible?Who should never write a marriage book? What can actually...February 11, 2019
Books that make you laugh, having dinner with authors, and why we don’t loan books
Imagine being out for dinner with three authors—any three. Who would they be, and what would you ask them? We’re asking ourselves some very random questions today as we present a new edition of Barnabas, Aaron and Dave Answer Goodreads Questions. Listen as we answer:
If you could have dinner with any three authors, living or dead, who would they be?If you could only ask one question to one of your dinner guests, what would it be? What’s the one book in your library that you would never let s...February 8, 2019
Links I like (2/08)
Juan Sanchez:
Reading When You’re Really BusySo, then, perhaps the most important question is not, “How long should I spend preparing my sermon?” The more important question is, “How long will it take me to work through the process of answering all the questions I have of this passage?”
Trevin Wax:
Giving advice on reading runs the risk of sounding pretentious, as if it’s a badge of honor to be a “serious” reader rather than just an ordinary reader of book...
February 4, 2019
Do humble C- – – – -ists exist, contract reveals revisited, and pronouncing GIF
We are living on the edge on this episode recorded in balmy downtown Minneapolis during the Bethlehem Pastor’s Conference. Why? Because we’re talking to Jeff Medders (@mrmedders) about his new book, which features a word I (Aaron) avoid using. Listen in as we discuss:
What -1,000,000º F feels likeWhat life is like in Cage-Stage CountyWhether or not the title of Jeff’s book is an oxymoronJeff defends himself over calling his new book a book babyHow to make the most of a contract reveal photoW...February 1, 2019
Links I like (2/01)
Jared Wilson:
How seared is our nation’s conscience that she tolerates this cruelty?But it doesn’t last long, does it? Eventually he begins to sink beneath the waves and cries out for help. Why? Matthew 14:30 says it’s because he saw the strength of the wind. Peter had taken his eyes off Jesus.
And yet, Jesus still held on to Peter.
Denny raises some important questions in light of this week’s controversy over a proposed abortion b...
January 30, 2019
What to read in the airport, getting started with comics, and squatting at outlets
It’s -100000º in Minneapolis, Aaron and Barnabas may or may not have had at least one flight canceled already, and fear having it happen again. So what do you read when you’re stranded in the airport? Aaron, Barnabas, and guest malcontent Jeff Medders discuss on today’s bonus episode of the podcast.
Listen in as we discuss:
Whether time or calories count in airportsWhat we do in airports when flights are cancelled or delayedThe best and worst kinds of books to read in an airportA great momen...January 28, 2019
What makes a great kids books, why we need to read fiction, & the limits of language
A little while ago, we had a scheduling conflict and Barnabas couldn’t join us for a podcasting session (he had to work or something). But we couldn’t have a snarkless episode, so we asked our good friend Rachel Shaver to join us on the show! Listen in to a rare Barnbas-less episode where we discuss:
When can you claim a kids book on Goodreads—or can you at all?Why doesn’t Goodreads give you a “complete” option vs. “read” for audiobooks?Where did we first encounter Wil Wheaton in various med...January 25, 2019
Links I like (1/25)
Jamie Ivey:
As a parent, I sometimes fall into that trap of scaring my children into salvation. I mean, what Christian parent doesn’t want their children to follow Jesus? We all do, and if we’re honest we would save them if we could. But we can’t. As much as I want to make my children good disciples of Jesus, the truth is that I can’t. Only God can call their names. I can’t get them on the guest list, or have them say enough of the right words, or even have them pray...
