Midweek Miscellanies (12/24) – An assortment of articles, book recommendations, blog posts, podcasts and other links that we hope you find helpful.

2020: A Christian Music ReviewI’ve enjoyed these reviews the past few years, and have always found something worth listening to that I wasn’t familiar with.

Don’t Be in a Rush to Bid This Year Goodbye: Thoughts on gratitude even in a hard year like 2020.

Do you Desire the Gift More Than the Giver?: Thoughts on desiring God more than the gifts he gives.

Acts 29 Staff Picks for Best Reads of 2020: Another “best of” book list for 2020. 

Watch “A Parkside Christmas”: This is a well done Christmas concert with pastor Alistair Begg, and musical guests Laura Story, Brenton Brown, Fernando Ortega, and Michael O’Brien. Could make for some nice background music on Christmas.

O Come Let Us Adore Him: I enjoyed this rendition of O Come Let Us Adore Him.

On Following Mediocre Leaders: “The fact is, there are not a lot of great leaders. That’s true in the corridors of power, in the workplace, in the church, in the home. Just like, by definition, most of us are of average height and average intelligence, most of us are of average leadership ability. A few are brilliant, a few are awful, but most fall somewhere in the middle—average, adequate, mediocre. The question each of us has to consider is this: How do we follow mediocre leaders?”

Podcast PickOn Building Sturdy Children – topics include our culture’s over-consideration of emotion, what it means to be sturdy, expectations and responsibilities, increased rates of anxiety in our children, dealing with teenagers, the influence of technology on kids, and how to help kids be contributing members of a family.

A Free Gift That You Can Give: “….even if you aren’t planning on buying anything else this year, there is a gift that you can give your friends and family as you celebrate with them.This gift is absolutely free, but I guarantee you it will be one of the most appreciated gifts you could ever give.  Are you ready for it?  Here’s the gift……”
Does Joy Come After Suffering, Or in It?: John Piper helps think through this question biblically.
Music in WartimeAn article on the importance of music, with some great recommendations for Christmas.
In Christ,
Pastor Matt