Friday Fragments

Welcome back. Hope you have a great weekend!

• This probably warrants its own post, but others are responding well to it. I just don't want you to be in the dark or caught unaware. Matthew Vines has written a book promoting the idea that a practicing homosexual can be an evangelical Christian. We've seen this sort of thing happening in liberal denominations, but the young, winsome Vines seems to be trying to popularize it in his book, God and the Gay Christian. Al Mohler has written a response that you can find here, and along with others has released a free e-book responding to Vines' book - God and the Gay Christian?. Looks like it's currently only available in pdf format, not Kindle (though you can read pdfs on Kindle). We would do well to be ready for this battle not just with secular culture but within the church. (Note: the Mohler piece linked above is also the 1st chapter of the free e-book.)
• Some good thoughts on the call to worship. (Warning: after you read this, you might just be ready to go worship.)
• Maybe you missed this in the news: 2 new saints have been canonized by the Roman Catholic Church - both previous popes: John XXIII and John Paul II. For John Paul II, as the article notes, it was the fastest canonization in modern history. Except mine. And yours. And every true believer ever. Because we are saints from the moment of our conversion to faith in Christ. Praise God that we don't have to perform miracles or good deeds to be declared saints by our gracious God!
• Kindle Deal: Holiness by J.C. Ryle for $.99.

When there’s something in the Word of God that I don’t like, the problem is not with the Word of God, it’s with me. pic.twitter.com/dOFDYLJ8p3

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) May 1, 2014