No One Will Remember You In 100 Years
Not only is this one true, but it goes on to explain why it is a good thing.
When You’re Not Sorry
John Piper looks at a way we ought not to be sorry and apologise and some instances where we might need to do just that.
Why Translation Must Have Fingerprints
‘This week, Mere Orthodoxy launched The Faith Received (TFR), a vast online repository of theological texts. For the most part, those texts are in English as a result of AI translation, although the project invites human readers to correct mistakes by comparing the AI rendering to the source texts. The immediate online response has been deeply polarizing—notably so, given that translation sits so deep in Protestantism’s bones.’
When Friends Turn Against You
‘The best way to prevent the dissolution of good friendships is to treat them like marriages. While our friendships do not have the same nearly unbreakable commitment, at the same time we shouldn’t treat them as if they were disposable. I think our consumeristic age encourages us to discard anything and everything that does not immediately satisfy our needs. If your phone is too slow, pitch it and get a new one. If you burn through a friendship, find another one. Rather than toss friendships aside, we must work through the challenges we face because of the ultimate foundation for our friendships within the church.’
Some marriage advice: Just shut up!
‘Have you ever seen that Bob Newhart skit where he plays a therapist? A woman comes into his office with a problem, and he gives two words of advice: “Stop it!” It’s obviously played for laughs, but sometimes this is how the best advice is. Short, sweet, and to the point. And I’m not planning to play therapist with this blog, but I’ve found some really great marriage advice that I want to share with you. This advice is what I’ll call evergreen advice: It’s good year round and works in almost every scenario. Alright. Here it is: Just shut up!’
Beginning and the End
‘Listening to the radio recently I heard a young poet saying that the most important lines in a poem are the first and the last. These are the lines that the poet said that she most carefully crafted. Preachers should take note.’
From the archive: What should we make of the breaking of bread in Acts 2:42?
‘Yesterday, somebody raised the question about the use of breaking bread in Acts 2:41-47. Specifically, what are we to make of the breaking of bread (v42) and breaking bread in (v46)? Are they referring to the same thing or are they talking about two different things? Does this have an impact on our application of the ordinances in church services? Personally, I love reading these verses before we are about to take communion because I think they helpfully crystallise exactly why our practice is what it is. Why do we think that communion is for baptised members of the local church? I think these verses answer that question helpfully for us.’