Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 16

Kindle Deals for September 3

Some Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

40 Days of Grace by Paul Tripp – $4.88

40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament by L.Scott Kellum & Charles Quarles – $2.99

Church Membership by Jonathan Landry Cruse – $4.99

I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thomas Rainer – $5.56

Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken by Dr. Henry Cloud – $4.99

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell – $2.99

The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone – $2.99

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman – $3.99

Pegasus Bridge by Stephen Ambrose – $4.99

The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America’s Most Famous Residence by Robert Klara – $1.99

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett Graff – $1.99

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson – $4.99

House to House: An Epic Memoir of War by David Bellavia – $1.99

MY BOOKS:

The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help – $8.99

Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith – $8.99

The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life – $4.99

Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s most elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality – $8.99

Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another – $8.99

These links are Amazon affiliate links.

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Published on September 03, 2024 04:47

Kindle Deals for September 2

Some Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

Covenant and God’s Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner – $3.99

The Lord’s Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant by Guy Prentiss Waters – $3.99

Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms by Stanley Grenz, David Duretzki, & Cherrith Fee Nordling – $3.75

Pocket Guide to World Religions by Winfried Cordon – $3.75

Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies: Over 300 Terms Clearly Concisely Defined by Arthur G. Patria & Anthony Petrotta – $3.75

Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek by Matthew DeMoss – $3.75

Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition by Kelly Kapic & Wesley Vanderlugt – $3.25

Pocket History of the Church: A History of New Testament Times by D. Jeffrey Bingham – $3.75

The Presence of God: Its Place in the Storyline of Scripture and the Story of Our Lives by J. Ryan Lister – $6.99

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton – $2.99

What’s the Point of Theology?: Wisdom, Wellbeing and Wonder by Alister McGrath – $1.99

God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs by Tim Keller – $4.99

MY BOOKS:

The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help – $8.99

Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith – $8.99

The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life – $4.99

Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s most elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality – $8.99

Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another – $8.99

These links are Amazon affiliate links.

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Published on September 02, 2024 06:25

3 Things I Like This Week – August 30

Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.

1. Scriptura Bibles

[image error]Several years ago I had the chance to partner with a little company called “Paul’s Leather Company” who specialized in high-quality Bible binding on some promotion and writing. I received one of their Bibles as a thank-you for our partnership, and it is magnificent. Since then, they have rebranded as Scriptura Bibles (a great move) and increased their offerings. One of the best things they do is re-binding Bibles. I have an old ESV that my parents gave me when I was a freshman in college that is fullof highlights, underlines, notes and memories, but it was falling apart. Scriptura rebound it in beautiful, full grained, brown leather and now I have a generational type of keepsake. Their craftsmanship is excellent, their prices are fair (especially given the quality of work and materials), and they are genuine lovers of God’s word not just Biblical artifacts. If you are looking for a high-quality, unique Bible as a gift or for yourself or if you have an old Bible you want to last, check them out.

2. Romans 8 by Immanuel Worship

Putting scripture to music isn’t easy. The Biblical text wasn’t generally written in meter and rhyme (at least not the English translation). The majority of the New Testament is in prose which wasn’t crafted with the intent of singing. So to skillfully take Biblical text and put it to song without missing a syllable is quite a feat. And to do so not just with a preferred verse here and there but with an entire chapter of the Bible (and maybe the greatest chapter in the Bible at that) is truly remarkable. This is just what the music team at Immanuel Church, where I serve, did a few years ago. They put the entirety of Romans 8 into song and did so masterfully–by which I mean the songs are good and singable. I know this because we sing them as a church, and this album was recorded with congregational singing. On top of that, interspersed between the songs are readings of the text by Shai Lynne and sermonic reflections on the text by Ray Ortlund, Sam Allberry, and TJ Tims. In all, this is a true worship album complete with Word, prayer, and response. And it is nearly impossible not to know Romans 8 by heart after a few listens.

3. Barry Sanders Highlights

Football season is upon us. Despite what the saccharine songs will tell us in a couple months, this is, in fact, the most wonderful time of the year. One of the many reasons it is so delightful is because it gives us an excuse to revel in the sheer genius of the great ones, like Barry Sanders. No one in football history has run the ball like Barry. I don’t know if he was the greatest running back ever, but he was unique and he was likely the most exciting. So enjoy these several minutes of utter athletic insanity.

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Published on August 30, 2024 04:59

Kindle Deals for August 30

Some Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

The Christian Manifesto: Jesus’ Life-Changing Words from the Sermon on the Plain by Alistair Begg – $2.99

Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God by Mary Jo Sharp – $2.99

The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places by Nik Ripken – $4.99

Augustine: On Christian Doctrine and Selected Introductory Works edited by Timothy George – $4.99

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs – $.58

God Transcendent and Other Selected Sermons by J. Gresham Machen – $.99

On Christian Faith by Hermann Witsius – $1.99

Of Temptation by John Owen – $.99

Gleanings among the Sheaves by Charles Spurgeon – $2.99

Spurgeon’s Prayers – $2.99

The Elements of Style by William Struck Jr. – $1.99

Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk – $2.99

The Data Detective: Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics by Tim Harford – $1.99

MY BOOKS:

The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help – $8.99

Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith – $8.99

The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life – $4.99

Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s most elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality – $8.99

Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another – $8.99

These links are Amazon affiliate links.

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Published on August 30, 2024 04:01

The Freedom of Being Searched & Known

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! (Psalm 139:1)”

Several years ago, when I worked in youth ministry, we took the students away for a fall retreat. Some of the kids were chronic pranksters and brought with them the tools of the trade (shaving cream, super glue, etc.). Some of us leaders caught wind of their intended shenanigans and decided to search their rooms so as to eliminate chaos, mess, and hurt feelings. The culprits, of course, were outraged and defensive. To be searched was to be found guilty.

It wasn’t so long ago that I read Psalm 139:1 with the attitude of those teenaged pranksters: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” This made me afraid. I knew what God would find if he searched the depths of my heart. To be searched was to be found guilty of pride, of anger, of lust, of all sorts of sins.

What Psalm 139 describes, though, is not a threatening, condemning God. When he searches, he is not seeking opportunities to incriminate or entrap us. The psalm describes the depths of God’s understanding and closeness. It goes on to describe the breadth of his knowledge. It describes how he protects us and leads us. This is not a God seeking retribution. This is a God deeply caring for his people. He doesn’t hold his knowledge of us over our heads, rather he holds us close with it.

We are guilty. We are sinners. But to be searched and known by God is what frees us from our sins once we realize and rest in His goodness.

I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscr

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Published on August 26, 2024 04:09

Kindle Deals for August 26

Some Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

Marriage (Repackage): 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make by Paul Tripp – $6.99

Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund – $3.99

Married for God: Making Your Marriage the Best It Can Be by Christopher Ash – $3.99

God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation by Andreas Kostenberger – $6.99

Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and Why They Matter by Thomas Schreiner – $4.99

Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask by David Platt – $4.99

The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller by John Grisham – $2.99

MY BOOKS:

The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help – $8.99

Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith – $8.99

The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life – $4.99

Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s most elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality – $8.99

Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another – $8.99

These links are Amazon affiliate links.

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Published on August 26, 2024 04:06

Kindle Deals for August 23

Some Kindle deals worth your mind and money today:

Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster – $1.99

The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? By F.F. Bruce – $6.00

Exalting Jesus in Exodus by Tony Merida – $4.99

Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin – $4.99

Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom Rainer – $4.99

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway – $3.99

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury – $3.99

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek – $6.99

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday – $4.99

Thank You for Arguing, Fourth Edition: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs – $4.99

MY BOOKS:

The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help – $8.99

Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith – $8.99

The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life – $4.99

Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s most elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality – $8.99

Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another – $8.99

These links are Amazon affiliate links.

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Published on August 23, 2024 06:56

3 Things I Like This Week – August 23

Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.

1. Blackstone Griddle

Lest you forget that I am a middle aged white man, here is your most recent reminder. For years I have used a standard gas grill and generally loved it. When I first saw viral videos (a phrase to make a middle aged white man’s stomach turn) of grown men being giddy over their Blackstone stir fry or their Blackstone fajitas or their full Blackstone breakfasts I rolled my eyes and held staunchly to tradition. But as is the case for most prejudiced people, I simply needed gracious exposure. So when a friend cooked an entire breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and toast I was softened. Then I saw a couple guys at our church cook about 600 hot dogs lickety split on two black stones for an event, and I was moved. Then I talked to a couple friends who are Blackstone enthusiasts and I was converted. I got one a few months ago, and sure enough, Blackstone stir fry, fajitas, and breakfasts are amazing. And while I still get to use my grill (open flame cooking is just different), you can cook so many different kinds of delicious things on one of these. So consider this the latest middle aged white guy endorsements for your outdoor cooking setup.

2. Pappyland by Wright Thompson

Wright Thompson is one of the best non-fiction storytellers I have ever read. He is a journalist, yes, but also a brilliant writer. He captures and expresses the stories of people beautifully. For years I read his work about athletes and teams and places, and when I picked up Pappyland I anticipated more magnificent writing, telling me the story and lore of a legendary bourbon. What I got instead was the story and lore of a legendary bourbon woven throughout a magnificently told memoir of family and legacy–both the author’s and the VanWinkles’. It is a true southern memoir, if you are familiar with that warm, dark genre. It is an ode to craftsmanship and a dirge for bygone days. And it is a hopeful work, marked by affection and loyalty. Whether or not you care a speck about bourbon, if you love great writing and memoir you’ll appreciate this book.

3. The Oxford Comma

I can’t decide whether to offer a pedantic defense of a grammatical necessity or poetic ode to a much-maligned friend. (If you are unfamiliar with what this particular use of the comma is, then content yourself with reading Pappyland while cooking on your Blackstone.) Much has been written on this matter, mostly of the pedantic sort, being that grammarians tend toward pedantry. But the fact remains that the Oxford comma is not just utilitarian, it is elegant. It provides cadence and flow to the reading of words, a particularly meaningful aspect of works read aloud. I could drone on and state a thorough case for this most crucial of punctuations. Instead I will simply plant my flag, don my jersey, and carry my flame for the magnificent Oxford comma.