Last year one of the top movies was “Zero Dark Thirty. It was about the 10 year long search for Osama Bin Laden. Here is a critical assessment of the movie’s view of torture.

Here is an older article which lists all of John Piper’s quotes on why he doesn’t watch TV. Two things I liked about this: Piper does not expect everyone to do what he does, yet he still makes you evaluate your TV consumption. Second, he is amazingly consistent over his thirty years of ministry.

33 reasons not to watch porn. 

Hospitality is usually seen as the woman’s realm. This article gives some good advice on how men can be involved.

Finally, here are some ways you can profit from an expository sermon. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on prayer.

R.C. Sproul Jr. reminds us that God often answers our prayers and yet we cease to give thanks.

Along the same lines, David Murray reminds us that thankful people are happy people. He also gives some good practical advice on how to be more thankful.

Lately, Hollywood has promoted their movies more actively in China in a attempt to make more money. This became very clear with the release of Iron Man 3, which adjusted some scenes and dialogue for Chinese audiences and to get past Chinese censors. It had great success in China and will no doubt lead to Hollywood trying to access the billions of dollars in the populous country in the world. That is why it is important to read articles like this, which discuss China’s one child policy.  China’s government brutally murders millions of babies.  No amount of Hollywood gloss or Chinese money can change that.

(Disclaimer: Be careful with following article. There are some links in the sidebar that include scantily clad women.)Where does feminism end up? With mothers disowning their own daughters in the name of freedom. Here is an interesting article by the daughter of well-known feminist, Alice Walker, who wrote the novel The Color Purple.  She describes the effect her mother’s feminism had on her and her eventual rejection of her mother’s views.

Finally, if you haven’t read Steven Wedgeworth’s article on the necessity of a historical Adam, you should. It is longer and more theological dense than most blog posts (that’s a compliment), but worth your time. He carefully explains how giving up Adam as a historical figure is giving up Jesus as the one who sets the world right.

In our worship service we say “Amen” a lot. Kevin DeYoung explains what this doesn’t mean, what it does mean, and why it matters.

Peter Leithart gives us some things to remember as we read Revelation. Points 2 and 3 are particularly important. So many Christians consider Revelation almost like a 3rd Testament completely separated from what is happening in the New Testament. They also forget that Revelation is a letter.

C.J. Bowen asks some good questions about praying for our children. The post is a shot in the arm for parents, like me, who trust too much in themselves.

R.C. Sproul Jr.  give some advice about preaching to the sins of the congregation. He warns preachers of being too vague or preaching against other church’s sins. But he also warns against doing private discipleship from the pulpit.

In this longer article Carl Trueman takes aim at the Gospel centered movement, celebrity preachers, buzz words, seminaries, etc. The article is witty, harsh, and true. I appreciate many of the men who Trueman slaps down. But his points are valid. This movement is far removed from the local church centered movements of the past. I do not see how it can ultimately lead to healthier bodies.

Is God good? Toby Sumpter reminds us that he is. And his goodness defines our entire existence.

What do you expect when you hear God’s Word preached? Tim Brister gives a good diagnostic test to see if you are coming into worship expecting the right things.

Do you think failing to take risk is a huge parenting mistake? This man does. And I agree with him.

If you don’t have a conversion story, do you have a conversion? R.C. Sproul Jr. answers this question.

Raising chickens is only for farmers, right? No. Here is exhibit A. 

Kevin DeYoung addresses why gay marriage has become popular with young people. He also tells us what Christians can do about it. As usual, a lot of wisdom and balance in this post.

Carl Trueman explains how the church’s compromise with gay marriage began with our acceptance of no-fault divorces. This is a good word, but I would go further and say it began with our severing of marriage and fruitfulness. It began when we decided the sexual relationship was primarily about personal pleasure and not about children.

Here is a longer, more difficult article by Robin Phillips on gay marriage and its implications for traditional marriage. It is heady, but good.

Finally, here is an article by Tim Bayly on why he uses the word sodomy instead of gay or homosexual.