“The man is summoned by God to revere and protect the woman; the woman is summoned by God to respect and trust the man. This is the strongest argument in all the earth against masculine abuse and feminine distrust. Love is coded into the very body of the first man and the first woman.” (Owen Strachan & Gavin Peacock, The Grand Design: Male and Female He Made Them)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It’s Mexican Mother’s Day today, so let the fiesta begin with this week’s links!

• 9Marks published their journal for the month of May. The topic? “Church Membership: Following the Lord Together.”
• Abigail Dodds was interviewed on The Crossway Podcast this week, covering topics related to a biblical view of womanhood, including differences between manhood and womanhood according to Scripture, complementarianism, and how to discuss these issues from those who disagree. This looks to be a great conversation-starter.
• Christian philosopher James Anderson points to a journal article, which was originally a lecture he gave last October, on the theological foundations of modern science. You can either read the article or watch the lecture.
• For the moms out there, this post about Mother’s Day may challenge you to rethink the significance of that day.
• When you feel weary from ministry, what causes you to feel that way? Maresa DePuy points to the common broken cisterns that we may all be tempted to drink from, and the living water that comes from Christ.
• Brazilian biochemist Marcos Eberlin writes that the chicken-and-egg problem is extensive in biology, and points to a designer with the foresight capable of explaining these instances of causal circularity.
• Over at the Desiring God blog, Executive Editor David Mathis writes about the attention we give to social media platforms, and the importance of focusing our eyes on Christ. John Piper gave a message on the invincible power of joy for world missions for cowards, consumers, and the comfortable. This week is the 204th anniversary of Andrew Fuller’s death, and Piper wrote of his influence on past (and current) missions work.
• Overseas Instruction in Counseling Executive Director Wayne Vanderwier points out one of the most glaring deficiencies of the biblical counseling movement: a lack of requiring continuing education for certified counselors. After reading, you may end up agreeing yourself and ask God to help equip you to be more effective in your counsel. This is Part 1 (of 2), so be on the lookout for a detailed plan to address this blind spot.
• What does the Bible say a godly wife needs to build a godly home? There’s at least eight tools that God provides in His Word. Stock up!
• Jonathan Leeman interviews Pastor Greg Gilbert on what the gospel is, and what it is not. A very important topic. If you do not know what to say when sharing the gospel, this is the podcast worth listening to.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians as they meet for Bible study tonight. See you all on Sunday, and wish your mom (or a mom) a happy Mother’s Day!

Soli Deo Gloria