Here’s part 2 of some online resources suggested and reviewed by one of your pastors. I’ve divided my review of sites into four sections: general interest, book sources, helpful people, and apps. These are some sites that serve as the gateway to good resources. However, you should know that just because your pastor recommends a site it does not mean that he agrees carte blanche with everything written on it. Look for what edifies you the most and enjoy. Please let me know what has been helpful to you as well.
General Interest
These sites are probably best viewed on a computer rather than a phone or tablet, but each of these resources (except maybe the Sinaiticus Codex) also have smart phone/tablet apps or social media sites that put great writing at your fingertips where ever you find yourself.
Crossway publishers grants a free account to anyone who wants to read the ESV online. There are also several helpful add-ons ($) to this online Bible service including the full ESV study bible, reading plans with reminder emails, and tools to see the Bible in the original languages.
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM)
Helping the thinker believer and the believer think, this is the main website for the ministry of Ravi Zacharias. My wife and I first heard Dr. Zacharias as college freshman at Indiana University in 1995. His book Can Man Live Without God has been of pivotal influence on my life and ministry.
For news in our denomination, check out the online version of this magazine. Each month the church office receives several hard copies, so be sure to pick one up when you see them displayed in the foyer at GCC. There's a little something for everyone in it: denominational news, thoughts from the Reformed "everyman" viewpoint, and biblical encouragement. (And your pastors don't get any commission for recommending the PCA magazine, so you can take my word that it's worth checking out.)
Where Presbyterian faith meets modern culture, this new blog was created by some collegues of mine from seminary. They are excellent thinkers and writers who will challenge you to think about your faith as it relates to modern life. I especially recommend following them on Facebook or Twitter so new articles immediately show up in your newsfeed.
This is not a Christian publication. In fact, the Atlantic's motto is "of no party or clique." As much as any publication possibly could, it sticks to this idea. Of course this means that I find a fair amount of writing here with which I do not agree (including a few words that you shouldn't repeat in polite company). Other than that, it is very well written and keeps my mind sharp as I engage differing viewpoints on current cultural topics--for the discerning and mature reader.
Book Sources
How do I cultivate my mind and heart beyond a steady diet of reading Scripture? I unplug from technology and read good books. But technology can help me put my hands on such books, so here are my recommendations to you.
Westminster Theological Seminary Bookstore
Every few weeks this bookstore sends out a fabulous deal on resources via email. A dud recommendation from WTS books is hard to find. Their mission is to put good resources in the hands of the church. Their prices have been known to beat even Amazon at times. You also can't beat their clearance or imperfect book prices. Check it out regularly!
Covenant Theological Seminary Bookstore powered by Amazon
This is another great book site. My tactic here is to go to the textbook section and view the books recommended for particular classes. Almost no book on this site is a wasted recommendation--very trustworthy. Let me know if you would like some personal recommendations.
University of Virginia Library Virgo Search
Did you know that as a citizen of Virginia your driver's license grants you privileges to UVA's fabulous library system? The university has it all! Don't neglect this amazing resource right here in our city.
Helpful People
Here are just a few people that regularly give me lots to think about through their blogs (and one shameless plug for my own personal blog).
Here is a Gospel Coalition writer who represents for me the best of clear thinking, fresh writing, and practical biblical application. He has several books of shorter length well worth reading, and his blog is equally marvelous. He is also pastor of a church in Michigan about the size of GCC and a father of six children. I can't say enough good things about this man.
This blog was recommended to me by a friend and is always a mix of cultural engagement, free stuff giveaways (on Fridays), news, and theology from a Reformed perspective, all well written.
Dr. Bird is an Aussie professor of theology and prolific writer. (His CV will scare you.) If you like to know what is trending in theological academia then follow this blog. It is anything but dry reading as his wit is as funny as his thinking is thoroughly biblical. He also likes to poke fun at Pressies (as he calls Presbyterians) since he himself is Anglican--a fun and challenging blogger to read.
Build the Plane While You Fly It
Okay, this is my personal blog. Now that you know it exists, maybe it will motivate me to write on it more regularly. (There's also a little music on there.) 'Nuff said.
Apps
I would be remiss if I didn't include this section. Here are my notes on a few apps I use everyday, and not just for ministry. Anyone could use these tools to bring a little more productivity to their lives. So I hope this is a help to you.
I wrote a blog post on LinkedIn recounting five ways that Evernote saves my ministry. I limited myself to five ways though I probably could have written ten! Evernote is my fully searchable catch-all drawer. (It can even read my handwriting!) It's a great repository in the cloud for sermon notes, grocery lists, receipts, and pictures of kid art.
This is another great cloud storage system that keeps and syncs files across your computer, phone, tablet, or other devices. I use Dropbox as my big file cabinet in the cloud.
The Bible Study App by Olive Tree
This app is a solid Bible study tool for all platforms. There are lots of tools you can purchase to add on, but there is enough free stuff to keep you pretty busy. If you've wondered what I use to put Scripture on screen in Foundations or when I preach, now you know. It also lets you take notes (and will sync them with Evernote) and mark the text with different color highlighters. You can even change the font style and size.
Here is another great Bible app for all platforms. In our home, we use this app to connect our stereo and have Scripture read to us at our dinner table every night. It offers so many different versions of the Bible at no cost and with no advertisements. It also has some social media type features so you can connect what you're reading with your friends and see what they are reading as well.
Summary
This is all really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online resources. We live in the Information Age, but not necessarily an age marked by biblical wisdom and discernment. Let these reviews guide you in creating a good diet of information that point you always toward God in Christ as you walk the road of discipleship through relationship. As always, if you would like to talk more about this or any other topic, please get in touch. It may be a funny picture in your mind, but your pastors would like to be your biblical dieticians with regard to those things which you feed your mind and heart.
In Him,
Tag