YOUR SATURDAY SEVEN

This week I have compiled several articles that also include two that were published this week from two of our team members at Redemption Hill, including yours truly. I hope that these articles including Dr. David Allen’s “Your Friday Five” are a help to you in some way. Enjoy Your Saturday Seven!

1. READING ACROSS THE THEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM.

By: R.E. Martinez

An article that I posted on Monday of this week shares 8 things to consider when jumping to reading broadly in the arena of theology. (Nothing virtuous about the number 8, of course, but just what was on my mind.) It is a bit lengthier of an article, but I trust that it will help in some way.

2. A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF PLEASURE.

By: Tim Shorey

I have personally been reading lately on this topic as the idea of “Christian hedonism” seems to be something that has come across my table recently. I by no means call myself a “Christian hedonist” but this article was a definite help to me this week. One expert, “I am resolved to believe that pleasure is good, and to enjoy all the pleasure I can in this life; as God provides, within God’s boundaries, with gratitude for his bounty, with generosity toward those who have less, in celebration of my Father’s goodness, all the while loving the Giver more than the gift.”

3. 12 STRANGE FOODS BROUGHT TO CHURCH POTLUCKS.

By: Thom S. Rainer

Number 4 is just a big no! Enjoy this light article posted by Rainer this week!

4. CHRISTIANS CRY: KNOWING GOD.

By: Josh Rodriguez

Josh has recently preached on the topic of “Righteous Lament” lament at Redemption Hill and I would encourage you to listen to it if you get a chance. Of course, if you can, read this article first. “We cry out to God because we trust Him. We trust Him because we have known Him. As we know Him more, we trust Him more. When we doubt Him, we hold on through the tears rather than abandoning Him because we know Him, we want Him, and we love Him. We love Him because of His great love for us. Knowing God—His character, words, and works—is the foundation of Biblical lament.”

5. FOUR WAYS TO FIGHT SEXUAL TEMPTATION.

By: J. Garrett Kell

This quote is powerful! No doubt there are more than four ways to fight sexual temptation, but J. Garrett provides four solid ones! An excerpt, “Sin cannot live in the light. Drag the temptation into the light of fellowship and enlist others for help. If the person you called doesn’t take you seriously, plead more urgently or call someone else. Don’t give in to discouragement. Keep fighting, but don’t fight alone.”

6. CONNECTING WITH YOUR CONGREGATION WITHOUT COMPROMISING BIBLICAL TRUTH.

By: Steven Madsen

This is perhaps my favorite article that I have read this week. As a new pastor, there are so many temptations that come my way that are relative to what is talked about in this article. Listen to this statement, “In a culture full of gimmicks, pastors have an opportunity to be refreshingly authentic. Connecting with a congregation doesn’t happen merely by being right, but also by being real. People are tired of trying to discern whether they’re being lied to, tricked, or manipulated. Through authentic preaching, we can build trust and thus more effectively connect with the church.” Read this article pastor!

7. YOUR FRIDAY FIVE.

By: Dr. David L. Allen

As always, I want to provide Dr. Allen’s recent post of five recent articles that he posts each Friday. If I may point out the first two that he lists which involve much of the unrest taking place both in Cuba and in Nigeria. Both are compiled by Dr. Allen and originally posted by the Baptist Press this week.