Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 52

Deliver us from careless prayers

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Prayer is probably the area I struggle with most on a consistent basis. Not so much in not doing it (although there have been days), but in praying carelessly. Praying as though I were on autopilot instead of communing with the Father.

That’s something I was reminded of and convicted by as I read a new book on prayer by Albert Mohler. The other day, my review of this book went live over at The Gospel Coalition:

I remember one night coming home from work, completely exhausted, and joining my...

Weekend reading (3/17)

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Blogging For God’s Glory

Benjamin Vrbicek:

I have, however, been blogging consistently for several years all while trying to do it with as much excellence as I know how. This means I’ve learned too many things the hard way, and I’d love to spare you some of my frustrations. Below are some of the questions that I wish I was asking before I started a blog. If you’ve already started one, perhaps they can help guide your next steps.

Avengers: Infinity War

The new trailer makes this look like a l...

Season 3, Ep. 6: technology, books and rest

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Reading Writers is back with a new episode this week recorded from behind the stage at a church planting conference (which explains my hushed and gravelly voice)! Today, we’re talking about the relationship between technology, rest, and reading a physical book. This is a fun one!

Among the many books we discuss:

The Tech-wise Family by Andy Crouch 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

Sub...

Links I like (3/15)

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Is there a biblical defense of free speech?

Paul D. Miller:

Free speech is a hotly debated topic in America right now. There are growing concerns that appreciation for it is in decline. Would you say there is a biblical defense of free speech that should motivate Christians to defend such a principle? Second, why would you argue for the legitimacy of free speech against concerns that free speech may harm the dignity of individuals in society?

Why Suicide Is Everybody’s Business

Joni Eareckso...

A Holy God Is the Only Worthy Kind of God

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There are many ways that we can describe God, but one of the most important is this: He is holy. This word refers to His uniqueness and “set apart”-ness from all He has created. He is separate from all He has made in that He was not made and exists outside of creation. But it also refers to His moral character. Holy, in this sense, refers to His moral purity. In a word, He is perfect:

He is perfectly faithful. He will always keep His word and fulfill His promises, notably His promise to res...

Links I like (3/13)

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Podcast: On this week’s episode of The Hero of the Story, Brian and I discuss the need to hold fast to the gospel from Galatians 1:6-9. Listen in and leave a review on iTunes.

Why Controversy Is Sometimes Necessary

Albert Mohler:

What about the church? Is it ever right for Christians and churches to engage in controversy? Of course, the answer is yes—there are times when believers are divided over serious and consequential questions, and controversy is an inevitable result. The only way to...

The gospel is everything

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Imagine you’re getting ready for a big race. Say you’re competing in the Olympics. Where do you start? Typically on the starting blocks, which help hold your feet in place as yo push off to start running.

Now, many of us have been taught, whether implicitly or explicitly, to think of the gospel in this way. After all, if the Christian life can be thought of as a race (Phil. 2:16; Heb. 12:1), it makes sense to view the gospel as our starting point. After all, we can’t start the race without h...

A call for topics

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I don’t often make these kinds of requests, but I think it’s helpful every once in a while. As you probably know, I co-host two podcasts, The Hero of the Story with Brian Dembowczyk and Reading Writers with Dave Schroeder. The first is highly theological in nature, even as we desire to be highly practical as we seek to encourage listeners as they teach the Scriptures with an eye on the gospel. The second is a little looser, two Christian dudes who work in publishing talking books.

Very diffe...

Weekend reading (3/10)

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Listen. It’s a Ministry.

Dane Ortlund:

By “listening” I don’t mean simply not talking. We can avoid talking for any number of reasons, even anger or withdrawal. By “listening” I mean something proactive, not passive. True listening absorbs. It doesn’t sit back; it leans in. Real listening is as mentally engaging as talking.

How to Understand the Jordan Peterson Phenomenon

Joe Carter offers an interesting primer on Peterson.

17 Statements that a Paedobaptist and a Credobaptist Can Both Affirm...

Ep. 5: Book recommendation secrets from backstage

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How do you get book recommendations? Dave and I discuss with softer than normal voices (and different mics than usual) from behind the stage at a church planting conference.

In this episode you’ll here:

What we like about Goodreads Our praise for our co-worker, Whit, for his excellent taste in books Why word of mouth still really matters

Among the many books we discuss:

Hearding Tigers by Todd Henry Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery  by Scott Kelly The Power of the Glor...