This battle will last more or less all our days. If sin is always acting, we are in trouble if we are not always mortifying. He that stands still and allows his enemies to exert double blows upon him without resistance will undoubtedly be conquered in the end. If sin is subtle, watchful, strong, and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we are slothful, negligent, and foolish in this battle, can we expect a favourable outcome? (John Owen, The Mortification of Sin)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your weeks have been filled with the joys of obedience and triumphs over sin. With God’s glory in view, here are this week’s links!

• Christian philosophy professor James Anderson points out a common inconsistency found in atheism in the sense of its general acceptance of homosexuality and its general rejection of religion. Computer programmers may take a liking to his post, as he puts it in terms of ‘bugs’ and ‘features.’
• Ryan Anderson, one of the very few public intellectuals advocating marriage as the union of a man and a woman, points us to the three things we need to know about marriage and the Supreme Court, who will rule on whether to redefine marriage for all 50 states by the end of June.
• Tony Campolo, on the other hand, has finally turned around and compromised biblical truth in calling for gay marriage to be accepted in the church. Carl Trueman has written a fitting response.
• There is no doubt that people in the church are currently suffering from dementia, or have friends and/or family who suffer from this debilitating disease. Jeff Robinson, senior editor for The Gospel Coalition, writes a sorrowful yet joyful look at the effects of dementia on his mother. This will certainly be a help to those who are going through similar circumstances.
• What would you consider to be Puritan manliness? Other than posing for a portrait with a stoic face, a black robe, and extended white collars, there is more than meets the eye. J.I. Packer wrote of some of the stark contrasts between Puritan manhood and contemporary ‘manhood’ among Christian men. May we grow to be men who had the spiritual depth and moral character of the Puritans.
• Are you aware that God wrote a book? John Piper has not overlooked that basic fact, and has provided a sizable hub of articles, even a video, focused on that theme. We would do well to spend time in the Word today, if you haven’t already.
• Biblical counselor Brad Hambrick provides a guide to handling conflict in marriage. Grace Lifers, is your marriage gospel-centered in terms of communication? Read this post to find out!
• Over at the True Woman blog, Kim Jaggers answers the question, ‘Does speaking truth mean we’re judging others?‘ You may not be surprised at her answer, but you will be helped by her insights.
• Have you taken a selfie recently, or ever? Do you know why you do that? Nathan Bingham has much food for thought concerning this common act by both believer and non-believer. Consider it a meditation on why we do the thing(s) we do, and how Scripture addresses it.
• On the flip side, have you considered why believers are called to practice the spiritual disciplines? Steve Childers gives some wise counsel regarding this pursuit that Scripture commends, while Don Whitney (the spiritual disciplines ‘guru’) reminds us that there is no secret key to the Christian life.

That’s all for this week! Continue to pray for our youth and collegians, some of whom are graduating this weekend! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria