Therefore our fight and our race and endurance is a radically God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-dependent, promise-supported life. It is not a ‘just do it’ ethic. It is not a moral self-improvement program. It is not a ‘Judeo-Christian ethic’ shared by a vaguely spiritual culture with a fading biblical memory. It is a deeply cross-embracing life that knows the Christ of the Bible as the Son of God who was crucified first as our substitute and then as our model of endurance. (John Piper, The Roots of Endurance)

by Richard Shin

We are back with another set of weekly links. Some are long and some are not as much. But it is my prayer that they would all help you gain a deeper understanding of our Maker and strive to live for an audience of one.

• At the Ordinary Pastor blog, Erik Raymond has an article on the most dangerous guy at church. You may find his basic criterion rather surprising. But read on and you’ll find his points make much sense. And towards the end, he gives practical suggestions on how to encourage this person.
• Tim Challies has a fantastic quote on contentment for things. The quote is actually a prayer that Scotty Smith, a member of the Gospel Coalition, shared on his blog. It properly captures the idea that we are not entitled to anything that we have, but we are wholly God’s, and we should live in contentment because we are His.
• Douglas Wilson has a helpful article in understanding the difference between tradition and traditionalism. As he so aptly states, “Handing faith across generations is tradition. Handing sin across generations is traditionalism.” We must understand that what we do must always align with what the Scriptures say.
• Jared Wilson (of no relations to the guy above, I think) shares an article on laziness. I find it particularly awakening as I am prone to be lazy when I do not desire to glorify God.
• Ray Ortlund has an amazing article/biography/anecdote/tribute of a man who suffered and was persecuted by communists. You see, they’re all linked: Christianity, suffering, glory, obedience, joy. “The concept of ‘commitment’ has replaced the higher call of ‘total surrender’ to Christ.  If we are ‘committed’ to him, we might still define for ourselves how far we will go in obeying him.  But if we are totally surrendered, there are no limits, no preconditions.  We are his.  Period.”
• In the Gospel Coalition blog, there is an article by Courtney Reissig on the late Jacqueline Kennedy, President Kennedy’s wife. She recounts the unwavering support Jackie O gave her husband during his presidency and helps us understand complementarianism. Yet it misses the most fundamental unifying concept: the gospel.
• Because I believe we learn tremendously well by watching and listening, I leave you with a couple videos found here and here. They consist of an interview John Piper conducted with Kevin DeYoung on the pursuit of holiness, which should be the pursuit of every one of us reading this.

Coram Deo