2016 has been a year of growth (spiritual and numerical), change (of website theme and blogging rhythm), and joy—I’ve enjoyed getting to know a few readers better through email and a couple in person. May the Lord use this blog in 2017 for His great purposes!
Since the end of the year in the blogging world means best of lists from the year, here is my list of best articles from 2016. Since there are many arbitrary factors that skew statistics and readership of this blog, consider this more of an “editor’s pick” instead of something measured more scientifically. (Also check out top articles from 2015, 2014, and 2013.)
Why Go to Church? 50 Things You Miss Out on By Not Attending Church
100 of the Best J.I. Packer Quotes.
I had a lot of fun putting this together!
4 Ways to Worship—Not Worry—This Election Season (TGC)
John Stott’s Surprising—Yet Simple—Spiritual Productivity Secret.
Stott’s ‘secret’ has helped me tremendously—I hope it does the same for you.
Uncle Screwtape’s Advanced Strategies Against Gospel Growth.
Imitating C.S. Lewis made this a fun, yet challenging, article to write. I’ve never been a demon before!
The Transforming Power of Identity: A World Series Lesson
Game 7 of the 2016 World Series may be the most exciting baseball game ever played. I’m just glad that as a lifelong Cubs fan, I didn’t have a heart attack before it ended so I could enjoy the celebration! This article shares a powerful lesson from this game that helped the Cubs press on and #FlytheW. Bonus sports-related article: 5 Practical Strategies for Redeeming the Time this NFL Season. A simple article encouraging football fans to think through NFL games as a disciple of Christ.
5 Resolutions Against Technological Distractions. An article I wrote mainly for myself! 🙂
5 Blessings of Marking Up Your Bible
It’s almost impossible for me to read my Bible these days without a pencil and a highlighter. Read this to find out why.
God is Strong Enough to Carry Our Heaviest Burdens
This is a glimpse into how the Lord has worked in my heart as I saw the Lord take my mom home this past Spring.
3 Things to Pray to Deepen Your Understanding of the Gospel
The truths from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15–23 have become precious to me. Read to find out why.
Three bonus links: A prayer to live a life worthy of the gospel, a prayer to walk by the Spirit, a prayer for humility
In addition to weekly links with articles, free resources, and fun stuff from the interwebs on my Today’s Links posts, here are some of the best resources I’ve shared:
5 Free Online Gospel-Centered Marriage Seminars by Brad Hambrick
10 Free Online Preaching Resources
In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul shares about a period when he suffered greatly…
One of my pet peeves as a parent is letting my kids scroll unsupervised through…
You may have heard about the Bible for years, but now you want to open…
UFOs and extraterrestrial aliens have been in the spotlight in recent years—in podcasts, pop culture,…
The “armor of God” passage in Ephesians 6:10–20 is widely regarded as the preeminent biblical…
The lordship of Jesus and the truth of the Bible often show themselves in unexpected…