The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you today. (Note: if you subscribe to this content through email, please note that you may be receiving an error today. I have asked the newsletter service to fix it ASAP. There is no cause for concern—they just need to adjust a setting.)

God is calling us to so greatly love others that we do not desire for them anything that might separate them from God.

—Rosaria Butterfield

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Ben Sasse has a lifetime of noteworthy achievements and accomplishments behind him. He has earned degrees from Harvard and Yale, been executive director of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, served as a senator for the state of Nebraska, and been president of the University of Florida. Perhaps more importantly, he has been married to Melissa for more than 30 years, raised three children with her, and been a faithful Christian all along. But counterintuitively, the final analysis could prove that his greatest accomplishment will be related less to his life and more to his death, for he is dying publicly and dying well.

I expect you know by now that Sasse was recently diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and given just months to live. Since then, he has been asked to participate in a host of interviews across a wide range of media outlets, both Christian and mainstream. Here’s just a small sampling:

• 60 Minutes (or view it on X)
• Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
• CBS News
• Sola Media
• Focus on the Family
• Uncommon Knowledge

That’s a partial list, but a massive platform. Already he has spoken before an audience of millions. And while much of the conversation has been related to American politics, every interview has also turned to faith. Time and again, he has testified to his love for the Lord. He has spoken of his conviction that his diagnosis is an outworking of God’s providence, his trust that God will care for his family, and his confidence that he has been saved by grace through faith and will soon be face-to-face with the Lord. As he has done this, he has challenged the lost and encouraged the saved. He has stood as a faithful witness.

There is something both normal and abnormal about all of this. What is abnormal is the size of the audience; what is normal is the faithfulness. He has been handed the opportunity to speak to millions, and he has been faithful to do so well—to offer a distinctly Christian perspective on suffering and death.

But while his audience is unusual, his faithfulness is not. There are many Christians who have suffered deeply and made the slow trek to the grave, testifying to the grace of God and their confidence in his providence. There are many who have dedicated their final days to speaking of the gospel and telling of their love for the Lord. It’s just that they have done it before an audience of two or three, or twenty or thirty, rather than millions. Perhaps you would agree with me that some of the sweetest encouragement you’ve received in your life has been from those who are nearest to death.

My friend David also experienced a long battle with terminal cancer. He was known to far fewer people than Sasse, but was absolutely committed to serving well to the end of his days. He was not invited to go on “60 Minutes,” but he did pick up the phone and call every one of his Christian friends to encourage them one last time and every one of his non-Christian friends to share the gospel with them one last time. “Everyone will listen to a dying man,” he told me. And they all did. He is just one of many Christians I have known or read of who were faithful with the suffering God had entrusted to them. (David’s wife, Keri, has written a sweet book titled Firmly Rooted that chronicles this trial and others the family experienced.)

I want to be clear that I’m thankful for Ben Sasse and thankful for his faithfulness. He is an inspiration to me. But even as I rightly laud him, I find that he reminds me of all those who are equally deserving of praise for being equally faithful. The difference between Sasse and others is not in the degree of faithfulness, but in the scope of the stewardship. Sasse was entrusted with five of those proverbial talents, whereas David and others were entrusted with two or one. What matters in the eyes of the Lord is not the number of the talents, but our faithfulness in stewarding them. Sasse encourages me to remember and praise God for all of his people, great and small, known and unknown, who have received their final diagnosis as their final challenge—their final opportunity on this side of the grave to testify to their love for the Lord and the peace they have in him. May you and I be equally faithful.

Photo credit: Matt A.J.

In my weekly Works & Wonders column, I combine a brief devotional with other interesting and uplifting bits and pieces I gleaned throughout the week. These can be stories, poems, songs, articles, videos, and just about anything else I found especially enjoyable. I hope you enjoy this week’s collection! It includes:

1. The Ultimate Fact
2. Michaela & Caleb
3. When You Find a Baby Bird
4. Papal Customer Service
5. Come Unto Jesus
6. Why the Inventor of Mother’s Day Hated It
7. The Genius with the Simple Idea

1.

Devotional: The Ultimate Fact

There must be a starting point for all knowledge. There must be some ultimate fact that lies at the very foundation of all we know, all we believe, all we insist upon as being true. The Bible’s opening words establish this fact: “In the beginning, God…” At the beginning of history as we know it, at the dawning of the universe, at the first moment of time, God already was. There was never a time he had been formed or made, never a time he did not exist. He is eternal and uncreated, infinite and self-existent. He is also personal, and thus not a mere force, energy, or power, but an authentic being. As a being, he is one in essence, one in will, but three in persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a being, he can speak and act, create and command, love and hate, save and judge. And as a being, he can have relationships with other beings that are personal, intimate, and genuine. Thus, as Peter C. Moore says, “the ultimate fact about the universe”—and the ultimate fact that makes sense of the universe—”is a personal God.”

2.

Michaela & Caleb

We had the joy this week of celebrating a wedding! Michaela and Caleb were married on May 4 at a beautiful ceremony in Kentucky. We are so happy for them. While they are still waiting for most of their photos, they said it would be okay if I shared a few favorites of the ones they have already received.

3.

When You Find a Baby Bird

My children once found a baby bird outside our house. They took it to a vet-tech neighbor who determined it would need to be cared for or it would die. The kids raised it successfully, feeding it cat food, as I recall. It was only as it got older that we realized blue jays are mimics, and before long it was doing a perfect imitation of our phone. (These were back in the days of landlines.) You have no idea how many times we went to the phone only to realize it had only been the bird. Anyway, according to this video, we probably did a lot wrong, so perhaps you should watch it so you know what to do next time you find a bird on the ground. (And also so you can learn whether it’s true that a bird’s mother will reject it if you so much as touch it.)

(Can’t see it? Click here)

4.

Papal Customer Service

I am not Roman Catholic and, therefore, no fan of the pope. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this story from the New York Times: What Happened When the Pope Had to Call Customer Service. (Gift link) No matter how high you rise in this world, sometimes you still get stuck trying to convince a customer service representative to let you make simple changes to your account. And sometimes you still get hung up on—perhaps especially when you claim to be the pope.

About two months after Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born cardinal, became Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, he put in a call to his bank back home, a close friend, the Rev. Tom McCarthy, told a gathering of Catholics in Naperville, Ill., last week.

The new pope identified himself as Robert Prevost, saying that he wished to change the phone number and address that the bank had on file, Father McCarthy said.

The pope dutifully answered the security questions correctly.

Then, the woman on the line for the bank told him that it wasn’t enough — he would have to come to the branch in person.

5.

Come Unto Jesus

I really enjoy this song from Sovereign Grace Music that calls us to come to Jesus and rest in his love.

Come unto Jesus, all you who are weary
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel
Here bring your wounded hearts, broken and needy
Come unto Jesus, mighty to heal

Joy of the comfortless, light for the straying
Hope of the penitent, peace in our strife
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying
“My yoke is easy, My burden is light”

(Can’t see it? Click here)

6.

Why the Inventor of Mother’s Day Hated It

Here’s the strange and true story of the founder of Mother’s Day. Is it uplifting enough for this Works & Wonders column? I actually don’t know, but it’s certainly interesting enough. Either way, don’t forget to call your mom today, but maybe learn a bit more about the holiday first. “This is the story of how Mother’s Day came to exist. It is also the story of the holiday Anna Jarvis built, and the older, fiercer one her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, had built before her.”

(Can’t see it? Click here)

7.

The Genius with the Simple Idea

There are some conveniences we grow so accustomed to that we may forget they had to be invented. That is exactly the case with the Moylan Arrow. What’s the Moylan Arrow, you ask? It is the small arrow on the fuel gauge in your car that indicates which side the gas tank is on. This idea came to Jim Moylan, a Ford engineer, when he pulled up to the pump one day and realized he was on the wrong side. His simple innovation has saved countless people the shame of having to pull out, turn around, and try from the other side. You can read about him in The Genius Whose Simple Invention Saved Us From Shame at the Gas Station. (Gift link)

Unless you worked for Ford’s plastics, paint and vinyls division in the 1980s, you probably don’t know the name Jim Moylan. 

But you might well know the idea that made this unknown engineer who recently died into one of America’s greatest inventors. 

One rainy day 40 years ago, Moylan was headed to a meeting across Ford’s campus and hopped in a company car. When he saw the fuel tank was nearly empty, he stopped at a gas pump. What happened next is something that’s happened to all of us: He realized that he’d parked on the wrong side. 

Unlike the rest of us, he wasn’t infuriated. He was inspired. By the time he pulled his car around, he was already thinking about how to solve this everyday inconvenience that drives people absolutely crazy. And because the gas pump wasn’t covered by an overhead awning, he was also soaking wet. But when he got back to the office, Moylan didn’t even bother taking off his drenched coat when he started typing the first draft of a memo.

I suppose many of us have a favorite book of the Bible. That’s not to say that we dislike or disparage the other 65, but merely that we especially resonate with one of them and find that it feeds our soul in a unique way. I happen to love Ecclesiastes, for of all the books, it seems to offer the most realistic and motivating look at life in this world. Though some count it depressing or discouraging with its insistence on the sheer vanity of this life, I find it uplifting and motivating, for it calls us to make the most of life in this world.

Ray Ortlund loves it as well, and he wants Christians—and especially young Christians—to develop that same respect for it. To that end, he offers Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: A Gospel Call To Bold Enjoyment. He immediately clarifies his purpose: “You and I are being assaulted every day—pressured, even overwhelmed—by our modern culture of soul-numbing distraction. And we need a plan just to save our sanity.” The strategy he recommends is one of enjoyment. “Yes, enjoyment. It’s a smart strategy both for prevailing over these disastrous times and for building a better future. The Bible—the most serious book in the world—calls us to that enjoyment, and I can prove it.” He goes about proving it through the book of Ecclesiastes. He shows that Ecclesiastes holds up the shortness of life as a reason to treasure the significance of life. “Life is short, and life is good. It’s not an either/or. It’s a both/and. And what makes your short life good is the grace of God giving your life to you, moment by moment. Your part is to receive it. Not deserve it or achieve it or control it. Just receive it and enjoy this good gift from God that is your life.”

How does God wish for us to receive this gift? With humble gratitude and bold enjoyment. “What if God is counseling you toward more laughter, more parties, more walks by the lake, more checking in on a lonely neighbor, more visits to the art museum, more having friends over for dessert, and maybe even getting a new puppy? What if a wisely joyous new you will have more to offer your suffering generation than an overly serious you could ever bring to the table? What if wise joy is the most underrated strategy for a better future for all of us? And if that is true, and it is, then why hold back? Why even wait?”

The book is structured around a walk-through of Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, verses I have often pondered and treasured:

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Ortlund first explains why he loves this passage and why the reader should as well. “I’m hoping this book persuades you that God’s path of wisdom for you is both serious and delightful—more of both than you might expect. Following Christ will both deepen you and free you. It’s a brilliant strategy for glad sanity and steady integrity—all the way.” Following Christ frees the Christian to enjoy this world on Christ’s terms and for Christ’s glory, which together are the path to true joy and satisfaction. 

The subsequent chapters each take a phrase from the passage and expand upon it, gently laying out the reality that God means for us to experience this life with a bold enjoyment that involves accepting his many gifts and joyfully savoring them. Though written by an older man, the audience is decidedly younger men and women, those who are learning how to live well in the world as it is today with all its brilliant advances and sore trials. It is conversational in its format and both pastoral and paternal in its tone. It is faithful in its exposition, insightful in its observations, and bold in its applications. It is exactly the kind of book I wish I had read when I was within the core audience of Ecclesiastes and so badly needed someone to help me ponder words like these: “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.”

I’m thankful Ortlund wrote this book and gladly recommend it to teens, young adults, or anyone else who wants to learn to make the most of this vain but beautiful life.

Good morning. Grace and peace to you on this fine day.

Friday Funnies

My friend Chris Martin maintains a Substack called The Funnies, and every Saturday he shares a few fun and silly things he found on the Internet—something I see as a modern equivalent to the comics pages that used to be in every newspaper. I asked him to share a couple with you.

Small print: The inclusion of someone’s “funny” here is neither an endorsement of that person nor a recommendation that you follow them on social media. Just laugh or roll your eyes and then move on.

Why are husbands and wives to give their bodies only to each other, in safety and joy? Because God’s relationship with his people is exclusive: a place of true shelter and intimate love.

—Rachel Gilson

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The Lord be with you and bless you today, my friends. Thanks for reading today’s A La Carte. I think you’ll agree that I was able to assemble a strong collection of links for you to read.

Book Brief

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. I spotted this book on the list of bestsellers and then read a couple of positive reviews, so decided to read it. It tells the strange tale of a young man who got in far over his head with the wrong people and suffered the consequences. The story exposes the kind of people and situations most of us have no experience with and no knowledge of, and gladly so. I felt the book got a little wordy and “tabloidy” along the way, so while it was interesting enough, I probably wouldn’t bother if I could go back and do it again. (Amazon)

Most people want to see authenticity, not experience a perfect church service attended by people projecting perfect and problem-free lives.

—Mez McConnell

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Michaela is a married woman! We enjoyed a simple ceremony on Monday afternoon and, after a sweet reception, she and Caleb hit the road to begin their new life together. And just like that, Aileen and I are finished raising children. One child is in the arms of Jesus and two are in the arms of their husbands. All three know the Lord—Nick by sight, and Abby and Michaela by faith. We’re so thankful for his grace.

This is not to say, of course, that we are finished with parenting altogether or that there has been some radical break in our family. It just means that Aileen and I have finished the stage of life in which we are the ones who are primarily responsible for our children. We have finished the task that consumed us since March 5, 2000 when Nick was born—raising them in “the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” So now what?

Aileen and I have been anticipating this for some time and have long-since begun to prepare ourselves for it. We don’t know all that this stage of life will hold, of course, nor how long it will last. But we do know that we want to live it well. It could be that God grants us decades of life together as empty nesters or it could be that God calls one of us to himself before we even begin to adjust to it. It could be that tragedy strikes and an empty nest becomes full again. We have no way to see into the future or even to anticipate what it may hold. Yet uncertainty is one of life’s few certainties and we do not mean for it to paralyze us or keep us from embracing the new opportunities that may lie before us.

Of course, we aren’t old yet and aren’t anywhere near the age when we would begin to significantly slow down or think about retirement—Aileen turned 50 a couple of days ago and I’ll catch up to her in December. Our vocational commitments continue unabated, with me pressing on with my writing and Aileen pressing on in her part-time work and church-based ministries. We still have many claims on our time.

In the years to come, we want to faithfully serve our children and grandchildren, of course. Abby and her family live just a few minutes away and our lives already overlap a fair bit. Michaela and Caleb plan to move to this area once they have finished their undergraduate degrees, so we expect they will also eventually end up nearby, at least for a time. We hope that we will continue to function as an extended family unit, even as we also function as three distinct families. I have been asking friends who are a bit farther along in life for tips on doing all of this well and am learning a lot from them. So, for example, we plan to convert what was formerly Michaela’s bedroom into a grandchild-friendly room for when our girls and their husbands need a night or two to themselves.

We also want to serve our church in a renewed way now that we will have fewer family responsibilities. We don’t know all this may entail, especially since our church is spread over a vast area of a busy city that boasts some of the world’s worst traffic—factors that can make even a simple visit a significant commitment. But as we think and pray about the future, we want it to be a future in which we give much of our time, energy, and (we trust) wisdom to our local church.

We also want to serve one another. Aileen and I have been together since we were teenagers and we still really enjoy each other’s company. We see that we now probably have more years behind us than ahead and we want to make the most of them together. For one thing, I may travel less now. While Aileen has the freedom to travel with me, she does not enjoy it as much as I do and struggles with the long flights, late nights, noisy hotels, and all the rest. Many conferences or events won’t pay for a spouse to come along, so that makes it expensive. As we consider all the different factors, we see ourselves spending more time at home and less time away—which is to say, more time together and less time apart.

Just as I was finishing up this article, I spotted this quote from old Talmage. It seems fitting. “Marriage has taken some of the members of the family, death has taken other members of the family, and after a while father and mother wake up to find their family just the size it was when they started, and they would be lonesome and lost in a large house; hence they move out of it.”

When we were newly married, we bought a small starter home and never left it, so we don’t plan to move out of it anytime soon. However, whatever what the future holds, we are on good terms with the one who holds the future. We trust him deeply and look forward to what he’s got for us. He has been with us through every other stage of our lives, and we have every confidence that he will continue to be with us in all the stages to come. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you today. The Lord was very much with our family as we traveled to Kentucky and witnessed Michaela and Caleb’s wedding. We’re so thankful.

Two of the rarest sights are a young man who is humble and an old man who is content.

—J.C. Ryle

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Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

I’m related to Adam in my natural birth. I’m related to Jesus in my new birth. I can’t deny my past. No one can deny my future.

—Dan DeWitt

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Canada has become well-known around the world for its program of euthanasia. Depending upon perspective, some believe this makes Canada laudably progressive and others shockingly regressive. Though it is only relatively recently that euthanasia has become legalized in Canada, it has quickly surged to become the fourth or fifth most common cause of death. In this article, I want to simply lay out some of the facts about euthanasia in Canada and suggest where it is headed.

In Canada, what used to be termed “assisted suicide” or “physician-assisted dying” now goes by “Medical Assistance in Dying,” which is shortened to the acronym MAiD (or MAID). This is the preferred term for various reasons, not least that it sounds harmless and helpful, that it frames euthanasia as a medical procedure, and that it suggests the procedure merely assists in a process that is already underway.

“Euthanasia is the practice of administering a lethal drug and dose to a patient by a physician. The lethal combination of drugs is injected intravenously. The express aim of this action by the doctor is to cause the patient’s death. Euthanasia is ‘voluntary’ when it is requested by the patient; it is ‘non-voluntary’ when it is administered to an incapacitated patient; it is ‘involuntary’ when it is administered against the wishes of the person.” To this point, MAiD in Canada is legal only when it is voluntary, but, as I explain below, that may soon change. (Link)

MAiD first became legal in Canada in 2016. At that time, it was available only to those whose natural death was reasonably foreseeable and who wished to be relieved of unbearable suffering. It was expanded in 2021 to be made available to those whose natural death was not reasonably foreseeable. These two avenues are now referred to as track 1 and track 2. The great majority of those who die this way (96%) are made eligible through track 1.

To be eligible for MAiD, a person must: be eligible for government-funded health insurance in Canada; be 18 years of age or older and have decision-making capacity; have a grievous and irremediable condition; have made a voluntary request for MAiD that was not a result of external pressure; give informed consent to receive MAiD after having received all information needed to make this decision, including a medical diagnosis, available forms of treatment, and options to relieve suffering (including palliative care). To have a “grievous and irremediable medical condition,” a person must: have a serious illness, disease, or disability; be in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed; experience unbearable physical or mental suffering from an illness, disease, disability, or state of decline that cannot be relieved under conditions that the person considers acceptable.

A significant majority of Canadians strongly or somewhat support MAiD. Merely 13% strongly or somewhat oppose it. The most common justifications are dignity and autonomy, so that those who are ill or who otherwise wish to die ought to be able to die with dignity (rather than suffering the worst effects of their illness) and ought to be able to choose the time and place of their death. As I have argued elsewhere, euthanasia is an intuitive good to most Canadians. (Link)

Of those who receive MAiD, the vast majority are Caucasian (around 96%, compared to 67% of the population) and the average age is 76 years old. More women than men die this way (57% vs 43%). (Link)

As of the end of 2024, around 76,000 Canadians had died via MAiD. The annual growth rate is currently around 7%, but its legalization is still recent enough that the numbers have not stabilized. The Baby Boomer generation is increasingly reaching the age where many people pursue MAiD, so there is good reason to believe the rate will increase substantially. At some point around the middle of 2026, Canada’s 100,000th person will be euthanized. Canada has probably had more deaths by euthanasia than any other country in the world. (Link)

In 2024, Canada was scheduled to expand MAiD to those whose sole condition is mental illness. However, because the government had not yet satisfactorily created appropriate safeguards, the implementation date was delayed until March 2027. Most people believe it is likely that eligibility will, indeed, expand at that time. For now, the sticking point is the matter of gaining consent from those who suffer from mental disorders.

One of the reasons most often offered to justify the expansion of euthanasia to those with mental health issues is that without it, people may kill themselves. (Link) (Link)

The Province of Alberta has recently put forward a bill that will restrict MAiD in Alberta to its current limitations, prohibit its promotion in medical facilities, permit conscientious objection by doctors and hospitals, and establish better oversight of the program. (Link)

MAiD accounts for between 5% and 6% of Canadian deaths. However, MAiD is not permitted to be officially listed as a cause of death. Rather, the official cause of death is the underlying ailment that made the individual eligible for MAiD. There is no clarity yet on how a cause of death will be listed when the underlying cause may be non-deadly, like depression.

The organization most responsible for advancing the euthanasia agenda in Canada is Dying with Dignity. Its future goals include extending MAiD to “mature minors,” perhaps as young as 12 years of age, permitting advance requests for MAiD, removing all “obstructions” related to religious convictions, and combating Alberta’s new restrictions. (Link)

MAiD is supported by all the major political parties, albeit to varying degrees. The ruling Liberal Party of Canada is adamantly in favor and, to this point, has been responsible for passing all of the laws related to it. If, as most people believe, euthanasia is to be expanded next year to people whose sole condition is mental illness, the Liberal Party will also be primarily responsible for advancing and passing that legislation. The leaders of the opposition Conservative Party of Canada are also in favor of MAiD, though with more substantial restrictions. Minority parties like the New Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois are likewise in favor of expanding it.

MAiD is performed by giving the recipient a sequence of drugs. “First, a sedative tranquilizing agent is injected to relieve anxiety and to have the patient fall into a light sleep. Then, an intravenous anesthetic agent is administered (in a very high dose) to put the patient into a coma and to take away the brain’s drive to breathe. Third, a paralytic agent is administered to prevent the breathing muscles from contracting so that the patient ceases to breathe. Finally, an intravenous dose of local anesthetic or potassium chloride is administered to stop the patient’s heart from beating.” (Link)

The acceptance of euthanasia tends to follow a set pattern. Craig A. Carter explains: “Once the idea becomes embedded in our consciousness that we can protect ourselves against pain by choosing assisted suicide, the nature of assisted suicide itself begins to change in our minds. It goes from (1) absolutely wrong and unthinkable to (2) a possibility to be taken seriously to (3) a solution to a problem to (4) a positive good.” Canada has very much followed this pattern so that today a majority of Canadians consider it a positive good. (Link)

The widespread embrace of MAiD is leading to new rites, such as funerals or celebrations of life, that happen before a person dies. Friends and family members are invited to participate in a party or “living funeral” that takes place a short time before the individual is euthanized. (Link)

There have been many news reports of misuse or abuse of MAiD. Just a few of the headlines include:

• Family sues after man allegedly got medically assisted death during day pass from hospital
• People choosing MAiD because they can’t afford to live (Video)
• Here’s why critics believe hundreds of medically assisted deaths shouldn’t have happened
• Struggling Canadian veteran offered medically assisted death by VAC employee (Video)
• Quadriplegic Ontario woman considers medically assisted dying because of long ODSP wait times
• She went to the hospital with suicidal thoughts. A clinician raised medically-assisted death
• Assisted dying ‘abused’ in Canada, admits group that helped legalise it (This article is behind a paywall, but it describes a man who was euthanized for hearing loss and tells of doctors who may be coercing their patients to pursue MAiD.)

To this point, doctors are not required to euthanize patients, though they are required to provide an “effective referral,” which involves referring patients to a doctor who will begin the process of MAiD. To this point, doctors who object to MAiD on ethical grounds have generally been able to find workarounds for the requirement to provide effective referrals that will satisfy their conscience. Most expect the law will soon demand doctors actively participate in MAiD. Should this happen, many Christian doctors may need to resign from their positions or expect to be fired. Similarly, religious hospitals are currently not required to participate in MAiD, but this matter is soon to go before the courts. (Link)

Christians object to MAiD on a number of grounds, each of which begins with the conviction that human beings are created by God, uniquely made in his image, and greatly loved and valued by him. As humanity’s Creator, he alone has the right to number our days and, therefore, forbids the taking of human life—including our own. “Christians are not alone in valuing life; many Jews, Muslims, and other people of goodwill also affirm the intrinsic goodness of human life. But there is a distinctly Christian conviction at work here, and it is bedrock to our faith: Every human being, from conception to death, is created by God, loved by him, and stands under his protection. ” See Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia for a helpful summary of the Christian position.

Other arguments against MAiD stress that it preys upon those who are most vulnerable; that it introduces a cold calculus into a medical system in which a human life is measured against the cost of keeping a person alive; that it contradicts the very purpose of medicine, which is to keep patients alive rather than hastening their deaths; that it marginalizes and stigmatizes the weak and disabled; and that it inevitably begins a slippery slope in which it will become not only more common, but also expected, and it will extend to a greater number of people (e.g. mature minors, people who have not given consent, and so on).

To this point, most Canadians either know someone who has died through MAiD or know someone who plans to. Churches are having to address the matter since many professed Christians have not been provided with a biblical perspective on the matter and, therefore, assume it is an acceptable means to end suffering and hasten an inevitable death.

Those who pursue MAiD will sometimes ask friends or family members to be present at their death. Those who are opposed to the practice are then faced the moral dilemma of whether they should participate through their presence in an act they believe is sinful. As far as I know, there has been no substantial writing that expresses a Protestant conviction on this matter. The Roman Catholic Church has expressed that its adherents must not be present, lest presence imply complicity. (Link)

Canada is increasingly used as a negative example of the practice gone amok, and in that way, may be slowing the growth of euthanasia in other countries. For example, as the U.K. recently debated permitting euthanasia, Canada was used as a negative example that may have helped sway the vote. (Link)

Resources

Here are a few resources that may be useful to better understand euthanasia in general or the Canadian situation in specific.

• Care Not Kill is an initiative of ARPA Canada (Association for Reformed Political Action). It offers information about euthanasia in Canada and provides guidance and opportunities to advocate for the cause of life.
• Canada Is Killing Itself, a long-form article from The Atlantic, is a thorough examination of the situation in Canada that aptly describes ways in which MAiD has been expanding far beyond its original boundaries.
• Death and Dying: A Catechism for Christians by Dr. Ewan Goligher and pastor Kyle Hackmann is a very helpful question-and-answer document that makes the case against euthanasia.
• How Should We Then Die?: A Christian Response to Physician-Assisted Death by Ewan C. Goligher is written by a Canadian doctor who has been on the frontlines of the battle against MAiD. (My review)
• Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-Of-Life Medical Care by Kathryn Butler offers a distinctly Christian perspective on end-of-life care.
• Christian’s Pocket Guide to Understanding Suicide and Euthanasia: A Contemporary and Biblical Perspective by D Eryl Davies is a brief book on both suicide and euthanasia.

Thanks to Covenant Community Church of Richmond, KY, for welcoming our group of 30+ to worship with them yesterday. It was a joy to join with other believers who take worship seriously. We are here in Richmond for Michaela and Caleb’s wedding, which, Lord willing, will take place this afternoon!

Book Brief

Rasputin: The Downfall of the Romanovs by Antony Beevor. Few historical characters are more evil, repulsive, or fascinating than Grigori Rasputin. Not surprisingly, I suppose, few historical characters are as shrouded in myth and mystery. Antony Beevor tries to separate truth from rumor in this new account of Rasputin’s life. In the end, you could probably say that on one level it doesn’t really matter what was actually true about him, because it was the myth and mystery that gave him so much power both in his time and in the historic imagination. (Amazon)

The gospel, because it is a true story, means all the best stories will be proved, in the ultimate sense, true.

—Tim Keller

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In my weekly Works & Wonders article, I combine a brief devotional with other interesting and uplifting bits and pieces I gleaned throughout the week. These can be stories, poems, songs, articles, quotes, and just about anything else I found especially enjoyable in the week. I hope you enjoy this week’s collection! It includes:

1. Every virtue in its fullest form
2. Happy birthday x 2
3. “Oh Canada” in America
4. Engineering the disposable diaper
5. Ben Sasse on 60 Minutes
6. “Spread the Ashes”
7. Rove No More

1.

Devotional: Every Virtue in Its Fullest Form

None of us is perfect, none of us complete, none of us without weakness and sin. For that reason, none of us perfectly exemplifies godly character. Though we may have grown in humility, we will still at times take advantage of people we are meant to lead with love. Though we may value mercy, we will still be tempted to overwhelm or even abuse others with our strength. Though we may display the virtue of gentleness, we will still at times succumb to outbursts of anger. God, and God alone, perfectly exemplifies every virtue in its fullest form. To paraphrase Sam Storms, he is high and humble, strong and sensitive, righteous and gracious, powerful and merciful, authoritative and tender, holy and forgiving, just and compassionate, angry and gentle, firm and friendly—all of these in perfection, each of these without ever diminishing the others. He is a God who is worthy of our praise, our adoration, our delight. What a blessing it is to have the privilege of knowing this God—knowing him in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Every Christian can attest that as we come to know him, we will inevitably and wondrously come to delight in him.

2.

Happy Birthday x 2

It is a dual birthday in our family today, so happy birthday to Aileen and Michaela! Aileen turns 50 today, and Michaela turns 20. I’m so thankful for both of them. While today is a big day, tomorrow promises to be even bigger, since Michaela is due to be married! We are excited to celebrate with her and Caleb. Here’s a pair of photos of the two of them, one from 2008 and one from a couple of years ago.

3.

“Oh Canada” in America

I thought this was a neat moment, not least because of the recent tensions between Canada and the U.S. By way of context, the Boston Bruins were about to face off against the Buffalo Sabres. Cami Clune began singing “Oh Canada” when her mic suddenly cut out. The Buffalo crowd promptly picked up the words and finished it out for her. It was a neat moment. (I believe Buffalo is the only American city where the Canadian anthem is sung even when no Canadian team is playing.)

(Can’t see it? Click here.)

4.

Engineering the Disposable Diaper

There are innovative wonders in this world that we probably take for granted. One of them is the disposable diaper. I am old enough to remember using cloth diapers and safety pins to change my little sister. But I’m thankful that we now have access to something much better! This article from Works in Progress describes the extreme engineering that led to the diapers we (almost) all use today.

5.

Ben Sasse on 60 Minutes

Few things are more encouraging than seeing Christians honor the Lord when given the opportunity. Ben Sasse was given that opportunity on 60 Minutes and did wonderfully. If you’re outside the U.S., you may need to watch it on X/Twitter rather than YouTube. Note that there’s one bleeped-out swear word.

(Can’t see it? Try YouTube or X/Twitter)

6.

“Spread the Ashes”

I have been listening to NEEDTOBREATHE since their very first album, or possibly even earlier, since there are usually singles that precede albums. I have enjoyed their various sounds and styles and have appreciated how they haven’t ever stopped writing songs with distinctly Christian themes (even as they’ve never become a worship band, as have so many other artists). I especially enjoyed this live version of their new song “Spread the Ashes.” I am terrible at interpreting song lyrics, so I would not have a ton of confidence in my understanding of it, but I think I’ve got it!

(Can’t see it? Click here)

7.

Rove No More

A few weeks ago I mentioned how much I appreciate Indelible Grace, an artist collective based in Nashville, Tennessee. Between 2000 and 2015, the group collective released a new album every year or two, but then they stopped. The last original album, Look to Jesus: Indelible Grace VII, was released in 2015.

Until now, that is. On May 1 we finally got Rove No More: Indelible Grace VIII. The strongest song on the album, which not surprisingly is first on the track list, is “All Ye Weary and Distressed.” You’ll find lots of other good tracks as well. You should be able to listen to the album on YouTube or wherever else you listen to music.

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One of the most difficult decisions parents will make is the decision about how to educate their children. Perhaps it would be better to say that some of the most difficult decisions parents will ever make are the decisions about how to educate their children, since for most parents, they will have to regularly revisit the matter as their lives change, as their family grows, and as different options become available or unavailable. These decisions are not only difficult and consequential, but they are also often judged by other Christians who have strong feelings on the matter. No wonder, then, that many parents struggle to decide with confidence.

I have no interest in telling other families what they ought to decide. I do have an interest, though, in helping parents make their decision with wisdom and confidence. To that end, I’d like to lead you through the process I would use if I had to make this choice today.

Principles

Before I do so, though, let me establish a few preliminary principles.

1. This is a matter for parents to decide, not the wider church, not social media, and not advocates of any particular position. It’s interesting to me how many people who advocate the rights of parents to make decisions for their children are quick to bind the consciences of other parents when it comes to education. I believe this is a matter for parents to decide.
2. This is a matter for parents to decide because it is to them that God gives the charge to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Education is not the sole component of this charge, but it is certainly a significant part of it. Extended family, church, and friends may all play a role in raising children, but ultimately it is the parents who bear the responsibility.
3. The best decisions flow from a biblically guided mind and a well-informed conscience. Not only that, but the best decisions rely upon the wisdom of other people, and especially the wisdom of other Christians—those who help us better understand Scripture and who help us shape our conscience according to it. We can have confidence in our decisions when we rely on Scripture, conscience, and the wisdom of others.
4. No educational option can allow the parents to be uninvolved. Whether education is entirely in-house or entirely outsourced to a public or Christian school, the parents owe it to the Lord to remain informed and involved. We cannot abandon our children to even the best of schools or the best of teachers.
5. Broad statements like “Christians should never enroll their children in public schools” or “homeschool is never a good option” are unhelpful when Christ’s church spans the world and the ages. We can best serve our brothers and sisters in the Lord by speaking calmly, respectfully, and without hyperbole, knowing that what may be true or possible in one context may be false or impossible in another. At the very least, a statement like “Christians should never enroll their children in public schools” might be better stated as “it seems to me that it would be unwise for Christians in this area to enroll their children in public schools.” “Homeschool is never a good option” might be better stated as, “For my family, it is difficult to see how homeschooling would be a wise option.” Let’s make sure we distinguish our own context and options from those of others.

Before I proceed to the process, let me suggest what parents should desire from their children’s education. What is the purpose of educating them, and how should we want them to emerge from this period of their lives? As they become adults, what should their education have accomplished for them? Here is what Aileen and I considered:

• We wanted them to be sufficiently educated that they had options available to them in their adult life—options that, Lord willing, would be related to their gifts, desires, and abilities. This required exposure to many different disciplines, and it required both skillful teaching and committed learning.
• We wanted them to learn how to function as adults and to be neither worldly nor naive. Wise parents neither completely withhold them from this world nor completely turn them over to it. Rather, wise parents expose them to the reality of this world and its brokenness, but in appropriate ways, at an appropriate pace, and with plenty of parental interpretation.
• As Christian parents, we wanted our children’s education to play a role in showing them their need for Christ and, as they turned to him in repentance and faith, to equip them to live with godly character and according to the Great Commission.

Education, then, is a training ground for vocation, and it is an aspect of preparing for a life lived for the good of others and the glory of God. With that in mind, let’s turn to a process.

A Process

If I had young children and had to decide how to educate them, here is a process I would use. It is framed around five questions.

1. What are my possible options?

I would first lay out all the possible options to ensure I know the full context for my decision. This is important because there may be options that are available in other jurisdictions that are not available in mine. There may be options that Christians laud or insist upon that are not possible for me. For example, in some places, homeschooling is forbidden, while in other places, Christian schooling is unavailable. In some places, there are multiple public schools to choose from, while in other places, there is only one. Hence, I would need to gather my options.

In my town, we have these options:

• Public school
• Catholic school (which in Canada is publicly funded and, therefore, free)
• Christian school (which in Canada is not publicly funded and, therefore, not free)
• Private school
• Homeschool

To further complicate the picture, in many urban areas, public schools offer several options: English, French, or French immersion.

2. What are my actual options?

Now that I have laid out the possible options, I would consider the actual options. These, of course, can vary a great deal depending on a number of factors. A widower who is raising several children while also serving as the primary breadwinner may find that homeschooling is off the table, even if it may be what he most desires. If a family has fled to a new country as refugees and is just beginning to get established, Christian schools and private schools may be out of their financial reach. In Canada, some Protestants are comfortable enrolling their children in Catholic schools, yet those schools are typically only available to children whose parents have been baptized Catholic. This makes it a possible option for some, but not others.

When Aileen and I had young children, we simply could not afford a Christian school or private school, and we had no access to the Catholic schools. Hence, the only options actually available to us were public school, in either English or French immersion, or homeschool.

3. Who should I speak to as I make my decision?

This third question takes into account the biblical perspective that wise decision-making depends upon outside counsel (see Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22). When deciding on something as consequential as education, I know I would be wise to take advantage of such counselors. I would speak to trusted people who have chosen each of the options and I would ask them about their convictions and their experience. I would ask what they appreciate and what they struggle with when it comes to their decision. I would also speak to some teens or young adults who have come through the different options, and, if possible, to teachers I know within the various systems. Then, of course, I would also speak to one of the elders of my local church and ask for his wisdom and prayers. In these ways and more, I would do my best to sharpen my understanding of both the theory and the reality of the different options.

It is here that I would also look into specific schools. I may have a clear conscience when it comes to public school, but perhaps the one my children would have to attend is known for its activism or violence, which might make it an unsuitable choice. Perhaps the local Christian school is Christian in name only and teaches false doctrine. Perhaps there are no other homeschoolers in my area, making me concerned that I would feel isolated. There could be lots of different factors to consider.

4. Which of these options do Scripture and my conscience permit?

The next question would filter out any options that might be available, yet not be permissible according to my understanding of God’s will for his people. For this question, we simply have to acknowledge that Christians have the latitude to come to different conclusions based on their knowledge of God’s Word, the maturity of their conscience, and the specifics of their situation. Some Christians have deep convictions that lead them to enroll their children in public schools, and some have deep convictions that lead them to homeschool. I grew up in churches in which most people believed that Christian schooling was the only appropriate option, so that both public schooling and homeschooling were essentially forbidden. Christians are all over the place on this matter!

When speaking as broadly as I am doing in this article—an article that will inevitably be read by Christians across the world—I can only say that I would have to know my own context, search the Scriptures, pray for wisdom, seek counsel, and then heed my own conscience. If I did that, I would be confident that no one has the right to pass judgment on my decision.

5. Which of the available options do I believe is best for my family?

And now we come to it: I would have to make a decision. Of course, this decision would not need to be permanent or irrevocable, so I could think a year at a time, a school at a time, and a child at a time. That said, stability is important to children, and ideally, I would prefer to make a confident and lasting decision instead of one that is hesitant or short-term. Still, I would know that I could always change my decision later on.

By the time I reach this fifth question, I would have already determined what God forbids me from doing according to his Word and what I believe he forbids according to my conscience. I would have gathered information and sought counsel. This means I could now make a decision with confidence that God would be pleased with me and would be eager to bless me, no matter what I decide. Because my process had (hopefully) eliminated wrong decisions and minimized the likelihood of unwise decisions, I would be left with only choices that God, as my Father, would now gladly bless and support. This is the freedom we have as Christians.¹

Reflection

One of my articles that gained a substantial response in terms of both quantity and conviction is the one titled What If God Doesn’t Care a Whole Lot About How You Educate Your Children? In that article, I considered the purpose of educating our children and then reflected on the reality that I haven’t seen that any of the options necessarily lead to a better outcome when it comes to the long-term educational and spiritual strength of our children.

I need to offer a key caveat: I’m thinking particularly of families who had biblical convictions about education and followed those convictions to one of the options. They believed before the Lord that homeschooling would be best for their family so homeschooled, they believed before the Lord that Christian schooling would be best for their family so Christian-schooled, or they believed before the Lord that public schooling would be best for their family so enrolled their children in public school. They did not just dump their kids into whatever option was the easiest, or the “default” for their subculture, or the one towards which they felt the most peer pressure. Rather, they operated according to biblical wisdom and conviction. They also built other structures into family life that would strengthen and support their children—church commitment and participation, family devotions, personal habits of Scripture reading and prayer, and so on.

I stand by this and, in fact, the past few years have only reinforced it. We have now had several decades in which homeschooling, public schooling, and Christian schooling have been running in parallel. It seems to me that if one of them were universally superior or inferior, or if one of them was always met with God’s smile and the other with God’s frown, we would know by now. But I see no evidence of this. I have seen all of the options lead to children who love the Lord and are able to function well in his world, and I have seen all of them lead to children who forsake the Lord and have few options in his world. 

All of which is to say, I think we may place more weight on this decision than we need to. I am not saying that it doesn’t matter, and that you can just choose any option and see equal results. Rather, I’m saying that what seems to be most important is how we make the decision and how we love and support our children as we press on in homeschool, public school, Christian school, or any other kind of school. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: Somehow along the way, we Christians began to treat the education of our children as if it were the most important element in the success and salvation of our kids. And if it wasn’t ever the most important, it was certainly at nearly the top of the list.

But I have come to believe it’s not nearly as simple as that. I’ve come to believe that, though education is undoubtedly very important, what’s more important than the decision we ultimately make is the basis on which we make it and the support we bring to it. I’ve come to believe that when we operate by wisdom and conviction, when we pray fervently and decide boldly, God is eager and willing to pour out his blessings upon us and upon our children, no matter what direction we choose. Because that’s the kind of God he is.

1. If this idea is new to you, consider reading Kevin DeYoung’s Just Do Something. ↩︎

I have a slightly shorter A La Carte today, as I had an unexpectedly long and difficult day yesterday. Lesson learned: Just because you’ve easily crossed a certain international border a hundred times before, doesn’t mean the 101st will be as easy.

We ought to be fully surrendered to Jesus without restrictions or hesitation. Sink or swim, live or die, we ought to be irrevocably attached in love, faith, and devotion to Jesus Christ the Lord.

—A.W. Tozer

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While the month of May has already almost fully waned, it has proved to be a good month for Christian book releases. I sorted through the stacks that landed on my desk and arrived at this list of new and notables. In each case, I’ve provided the editorial description to give you a sense of what it’s all about. I hope there’s something here that catches your eye!

Using Authority Well: A Concise Guide for Men by Jonathan Leeman. “Every position of power—in homes, churches, and boardrooms—has the potential to strengthen people or to harm them. Bad leaders abuse their authority or abdicate it. And their actions breed distrust in authority generally. Yet what do godly authority and leadership look like—the kind that causes people to flourish? Many men today have lost their bearings when it comes to leadership. In this condensed version of his book Authority, Jonathan Leeman equips men to take hold of the authority they’ve received and responsibly steward it for the good of others. Exploring the domains of marriage, fatherhood, church, and the workplace, he offers practical, Scripture-based advice for daily life. This accessible guide, perfect for men’s groups, helps readers submit to God and gain biblical wisdom for their most important roles.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity by Carl Trueman. “As church attendance falls, suicide rates climb, and birth rates plummet, Christian pundits have suggested disenchantment and the loss of tradition are to blame for our spiritual malaise. But what if the problem is both much simpler and much more serious? In The Desecration of Man, Carl Trueman argues that modern man’s crisis of meaning stems from a rejection of a simple fact—that he was made in the image of God. Unmoored from the basic moral fact that secures human dignity, we violently disrespect our own minds and bodies through abortion, pornography, casual sex, gender transitions, and more—and in this disrespect we blaspheme against God himself, with devastating practical and spiritual consequences. With gentle pastoral wisdom, deep insight into church history, and an impressive command of philosophical genealogies, The Desecration of Man speaks to those troubled by the spiritual sickness of our time and points toward consecration to a God who is alive and loving as a solution. The Early Church triumphed over Rome because it offered life in place of death. It is time for modern Christians to offer the same kind of vision.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Free to Weep: Finding the Courage to Grieve and Embracing the God Who Heals by Brittany Lee Allen. “Suffering is good. God is teaching you to be content. At least you don’t have cancer. Have you ever heard—or maybe you’ve said—sentiments like these in the face of suffering? Without being able to put our finger on why, thoughts like these can leave us feeling confused, lonely, and disoriented. Is God frustrated by our tears and weakness? Does He weep with us or is He aloof and uncaring? In Free to Weep, Brittany Allen looks to biblical texts to reveal the God who is “near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). In each chapter, Brittany combats and corrects lies and half-truths women (including herself) tend to believe about suffering. What does it look like to suffer well—to grieve life’s losses, big and small? How does God grieve? Looking to the example of Jesus, our Suffering Savior, readers grow in empathy, truth, and grace for themselves and others. God is with you in your pain. When you’re suffering, He invites you to draw near and rest in Him. Join Brittany in discovering the beauty of God’s heart in Free to Weep.” (Buy it at Amazon)

To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times by Alan Noble. “Our lives are shaped by contradictions. Competing voices tell us who to be, what to want, and how to live. The result? A fragmented moral imagination. We’re handed a thousand broken messages and left to cobble together something resembling a life. But instead of clarity, we get exhaustion. Instead of wisdom, we get anxiety. This leaves you asking yourself How can I get through when I feel alone and confused? How can I live well in this broken and chaotic world? In To Live Well, Alan Noble shows you how you can not only endure but flourish in life. Through exploring the seven virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and love, you’ll learn how to choose gracefully, act justly, suffer steadfastly, live moderately, believe soundly, hope resolutely, and love rightly. This book won’t give you a ten-step plan to fix everything. It doesn’t promise clarity overnight. But it will invite you into something deeper: an ancient, time-tested path of habits of heart and mind that shape who we are and how we live.” (Buy it at Amazon)

The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places by Cara Ray. “Are you longing for a deeper, more joyful relationship with God―one that feels less like a duty and more like a delight? The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places by Cara Ray is your invitation to experience spiritual rest, renewal, and intimacy with God, no matter your season of life. In this inspiring and practical book, Cara Ray explores the ancient concept of otium sanctum―holy leisure―a mindset that transforms your daily quiet time from a checklist into a soul-nourishing encounter with God. Drawing from biblical wisdom, personal stories, and the lives of saints past and present, Ray guides readers through the hidden, familiar, hard, and fruitful places of life, showing how God meets us in every moment. Each chapter ends with thoughtful reflection questions, making this book perfect for personal study, small groups, or book clubs. If you’re ready to trade striving for rest and rediscover the joy of God’s presence, The Pursuit of Holy Leisure will show you how to lean into the mountain―and never be the same.” (Buy it at Amazon)

The Lord Saves Me: 40 Christ-Centered Family Devotions from the Psalms by Iain Duguid. “Show your children that the Psalms reflect their own experiences—and, more importantly, Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Child-friendly translations of select psalms accompany gospel-centered devotional readings and prayers.” Sinclair Ferguson says this: “Wouldn’t it be great if a respected Old Testament scholar who is also a pastor led your family devotions for a month and more? Wouldn’t the children love it if he read his own family-friendly translation of some of the Psalms? And imagine how helpful it would be if he were willing to talk to the whole family for a few minutes and explain what each psalm meant to the Lord Jesus and what it can mean for us. We don’t need to use our imaginations! It’s all here in Dr. Iain Duguid’s The Lord Saves Me. A few minutes a day in these pages is a simple investment that could pay dividends for the rest of your family’s life.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Enjoyment by Ray Ortlund. “Enjoying the human journey through this world can seem impossible. So much is going wrong in these dark days. And the daily personal demands never let up. Who has the time—much less the freedom of heart—to play, to laugh, to delight? What’s more, those following Christ can also feel duty-bound to live in sacrificial austerity. But God’s strategy for wise living includes bold enjoyment. In fact, any ‘Christianity’ that feels embarrassed about enjoying God’s good gifts dishonors him and leaves Christians with less to give their suffering world. With a pastor’s heart, Ray Ortlund invites readers to embrace God’s strategy for facing reality and living well. Meditating on Ecclesiastes 11:9–10, Ortlund explains how following Christ here in this world is a nuanced mix of both suffering and happiness. Ecclesiastes is a gospel call to accept the suffering and to savor the happiness—and savor it boldly.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Conversational Commentaries. Crossway has launched a new series of “conversational commentaries” edited by Lydia Brownback and Megan Hill. Here is the editorial description: “Choosing a Bible commentary can be a daunting prospect. With complex terms and dense exposition, many are tailored to scholarly theologians rather than everyday believers. And for those selecting resources in order to lead a small-group Bible study, speak at a women’s gathering, or simply grow in their knowledge of God’s Word, it can be hard to know where to start.” Here’s how it continues for Ephesians. “With warmth and clarity, Megan Hill makes in-depth Bible study accessible without diminishing the richness of God’s Word. Verse by verse, Hill guides readers through the full ESV text of Ephesians to aid their personal study, group discussion, teaching, and outreach. Ephesians teaches us about how God’s work of redemption makes us alive, why the church is so important, and what it means to live in Christ. Each volume in the Conversational Commentary series includes an engaging introduction, historical and cultural background, key themes, and suggestions for deeper study.” They have launched with volumes on Ephesians and 1 Peter, with more to come later in the year.

Our Hope Is In Help: What Keeps Us from Asking for Help and How We Live by Leaning on God’s Word by Pierce Taylor Hibbs. “In a culture obsessed with self-reliance, Pierce Taylor Hibbs reveals a profound truth: our greatest strength lies not in standing alone, but in learning to lean. Drawing from biblical narratives and personal insights, Our Hope Is in Help exposes autonomy as the dangerous ghost haunting modern life―the stubborn belief that we can ‘go it alone.’ Through the stories of Abraham’s deception, Moses’ rebellion, and David’s tragic fall, Hibbs unveils autonomy’s destructive anatomy: blindness, reductionism, control, mastery, and ultimately, self-idolatry. But this isn’t a book about human failure―it’s about divine rescue. Jesus Christ himself shows us what true strength looks like: complete dependence on the Father. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Christ defeats our autonomous pride and sends the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Now we can discover the joy of asking for help.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Raising Gen Alpha: Helping Kids Navigate Everything from Anxiety to AI by Dave Boden. “Gen Alpha is growing up in a world very different from the one their parents did. Born between 2010-2024, this generation faces intense pressure from school, social media, mental health struggles, and the rapid rise of technology. Despite their deep desire to make a difference, parents, educators, and faith leaders often feel overwhelmed by the growing generational divide. How do we bridge the gap to make a connection and ensure these children and teens feel seen, heard, valued, cared for, and safe? Using the acronym ALPHA (Anxious-minded, Leading influencers, Pandemic-impacted, Hyperconnected, and AI-shaped) to explain the challenges and experiences that have shaped them, author Dave Boden equips readers to disciple Gen Alpha with clarity, compassion, and confidence. By understanding the world today’s children are growing up in, we’re better prepared to equip them with the faith and insight they need to thrive.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Who Am I and What Am I Doing with My Life? Finding Stability and Purpose in Jesus by Justin N. Poythress. “’Identity crisis’ might be too strong a phrase for what you’re feeling, but it’s close. Life isn’t going how you hoped, and you’re not sure of what to expect anymore. The core of who you are feels unstable, and you probably can’t even pinpoint why. What you’re experiencing is identity pressure. With wit, wisdom and clarity, Justin Poythress helps you make sense of what you’re feeling and offers a biblical path to lasting identity confidence by explaining: How philosophy has impacted the modern understanding of self; Why your identity feels shaky; How the Bible can transform your sense of self; and three principles for living in the identity Jesus gives you. When you build your identity in Christ, you’ll experience clarity, discover your unwavering purpose and move forward with confidence.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce by Vaneetha Rendall Risner. “Divorce brings a storm of emotions—grief, anger, confusion and shame. Yet while the ache lingers, life goes on. Vaneetha Risner has walked through this pain. In this hopeful and honest book, she draws from Scripture and her own story to offer compassionate wisdom on: Finding emotional clarity and letting go of shame; Trusting God in the uncertainties ahead; Healing relationally, resisting bitterness and finding community; and nurturing hope for the future. She also shares about navigating single parenting, church, dating and the work of rebuilding. Whether you are in the early stages of divorce or beginning to restore your life, this book points to Christ’s faithful presence every step of the way. Helpful ‘check-ins’ throughout invite you to pause, reflect and take hold of God again and again.” (Buy it at Amazon)

New in May

Here is a short list of titles I am looking forward to in May:

• The Letter to the Ephesians: An Exegetical and Theological Commentary by Thomas R. Schreiner. This is about as obvious a “must buy” as you’ll come across, provided you preach or teach Scripture.
• My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual Autobiography by John C. Lennox. I received an advance copy of this and have been reading it. It has been enjoyable!
• Stand in Awe: How Reverence Transforms Our Worship and Our Lives by Laura Story. It has been a while since I’ve read a book on reverence or awe, so I’d say I’m overdue.
• Battling Unbelief: Defeating Sin with Superior Pleasure by John Piper. This is not exactly an original work, but it should still be of interest to many. The publisher says it offers a “fresh introduction and conclusion paired with distilled application chapters from John Piper’s larger volume, Future Grace.”