Growing in Grace: January 2016

How Lady Bible Hunters Made the Victorian Era's Most Stunning Scriptural Find - "Scottish twins Agnes and Margaret Smith were the last people you’d expect to discover one of the earliest known copies of the gospels, but in a dusty closet in an Egyptian monastery in 1859–without a university education or formal language training between them–the God-fearing twins uncovered the Syriac Sinaiticus."

The Lecrae You Don't Know - I really appreciated this candid story of Lecrae's life.

Free Course (and eBook) - In light of today being the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Ligonier is giving away R.C. Sproul's course on abortion for free. They're also giving away Sproul's excellent book, Abortion, until the end of the month.

Today is an Anniversary - Speaking of Roe v. Wade, Greg Morse points out a dark implication of the 1973 decision.

What changes a clump of cells into a baby? - This is pro-choice logic in a comic. Sad.

5 Questions With Rifqa Bary, A Former Muslim Who Risked All to Follow Jesus -  "Rifqa Bary grew up in a devout Muslim home and secretly converted to Christianity at the age of 12. When her parents discovered her secret four years later, she ran away from her Ohio home in fear of an honor killing. Her story of risking her life for her faith made national headlines in 2009."

Once Again on Wheaton and Worshiping the Same God - This is a letter from Kevin DeYoung to one of his college-aged parishioners who wrote to him. If you've been following the controversy with Wheaton College, this is a worthwhile read.

The Powerball Lottery: What's At Stake? - I appreciated Russell Moore's take on the Powerball lottery and how the gospel disarms the concept of gambling.

Seven Reasons the Bible Does Not Support Slavery"The issue of slavery often comes up when people wish to discredit the Bible—to show that it is not worth your admiration and trust. Sometimes these criticisms really sting. And sometimes, Christians don’t know how to answer—especially when the text in view is one like 1 Timothy 6:1-2."

Lots of Free Books - If you're looking for something to read, I recommend you check out Desiring God's library of free books. I recently downloaded Don't Follow Your Heart (Jon Bloom) and Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper) and love having them available to read on my phone or computer - or easily downloadable to my e-reader.