nawinter.com

• Shepherd to King – This info graphic visually demonstrates the trajectory that led to David’s ascension to the throne. (H/T)

• If It’s Dangerous – “I have no idea where this idea came from that God’s will is for us to always be maximally comfortable and secure in this world. If you read the New Testament, that’s the last idea you would come away with.”

• The Death of Elitist Leadership – I think most people recognize that styles of leadership have changed over the last 50 years. Thom Rainer looks at some implications of the demise of “elitist leadership.”

• Share the Gospel & Your LIfe – While this article is mainly about the need to share life with those we disciple, what I found most interesting was the discussion over two different types of discipleship relationships. Too often we focus on discipling peers (a “mutual accountability” type of relationship) and don’t look to how we might mentor others in the faith.

• Warning Signs – Stephen Altrogge reminds us that “big sin” happens as the consequence of many smaller choices, and looks at some cautionary signs that we may have started to drift in our relationship with God.

• Staying Motivated – Randy Alcorn writes: “When you come to know Christ and put your faith in Him, Jesus changes your life. You’re excited about Him, and everything in life is a contrast to what it was before. But over the long haul, how do you keep that motivation going? How do you sustain a Christ-centered life?”

• Worth Weeping For – We may hesitate to call sin, sin but as Kevin DeYoung shares something should be of greater concern to us than the discomfort that doing so brings.

It’s the Fourth of July which means barbecues and fireworks, picnics and watermelon slices. Along with these hallmarks of Independent Day celebrations, there will be proclamations of “God Bless America” and prayers of thankfulness for the freedoms this country provides. And there should be. Asking God to bless our country, to provide guidance and wisdom to our leaders and to lead us in a direction that would honor and please Him is a good thing to do (although we should make sure that our prayer of blessing is stated as a petition and not a demand.) Being grateful for the freedoms that our country affords us is appropriate, especially as we remember so many who do not enjoy the same. As Brett McCraken and C.S. Lewis remind us, patriotism, an affection for the place we call home while on Earth, is a foretaste of the longing we should have for our Heavenly one. It is therefore a “proximate good” as noted by Kevin DeYoung, a reflection of the greater good that is to come.

However, as we celebrate our country and ask for God to bless it, let us not forget to also petition that our country would enact laws, engage in political discussions, and elect officials that would honor Christ. Let us remember that America exists for God to do with as He wishes, not the other way around. If the nation should cease, if the freedoms that our country provides were to be taken away, He would still be worthy of our blessing and praise. We can ask God to bless our country and it is good to do so, but even more so, we should ask that our country would honor God, since our ultimate allegiance is to Him.

It is good to remember all that have fought for the freedoms we enjoy and to be grateful for all the opportunities those freedom afford. But let us be most grateful to the One who directs the hearts of kings (Prov. 21:1), and let our praise of Him be louder still.