Handling Criticism

Receiving criticism can be a painful thing in life. How might we receive criticism in a way that honors God?  To help us in this, I quote from Vaughn Roberts book True Friendship: Walking Shoulder to Shoulder:

• Expect it: given our sins and weaknesses, we should be surprised we receive so little criticism.
• Examine it: we should resist the instinctive temptation to defend ourselves or attack the critic, but rather consider whether there is truth in what is being said.
• Endure it: even when we feel it is unfair we must not be resentful.

How we handle criticism is a good barometer of our humility and wisdom. May God help us not be characterized by a fear others and their correction or a love of being in a state of perpetual anger.

"Why It Is Imperative That Presidents Be Pro-life"

Joe Carter has a helpful article on this issue at the Gospel Coalition.

1. Preserving the Pro-Life Riders 
2. Filing of Amicus Briefs in Cases Before the Judiciary 
3. Defending Pro-Life Laws in Federal Courts 
4. Issuance of Executive Orders 
5. Selection of Political Appointments
6. Using the ‘Bully Pulpit'

In the article he elaborates on each of those points. 

He concludes with these words

If we choose to vote, we Christians have an obligation to the most vulnerable members of our society to elect politicians who have both a robust view of human dignity and the temerity to govern accordingly. We betray this duty when we downplay the role the executive branch in advancing the pro-life cause.

While on the subject of presidents, it is time to vote if you are in Florida. Take time to know where the candidates stand on the issue of the value of life and then look at their positions on other issues.

"How to Slay the Dragon of Pornography"

Ed Welch has a good little article at the Gospel Coalition by this title. It is a good place to start if you or someone you know is tempted or sinning in the area of pornography. The article is also good in that it deals with how to battle temptation and sin in general.

Here is one great paragraph from the article,

When our temptations are especially strong, no rationale for those boundaries will be enough. For example, God has his reasons for limiting sexual expression to heterosexual covenant union, but those reasons won’t give us power to fight temptations. Power doesn’t come from mere knowledge; it comes as we grow in the knowledge of God and respond to him with obedient trust. It comes only as we discover that in God’s presence—not from what the world or fleshly pleasure can offer—do we find fullness of joy and pleasures that never lose their capacity to satisfy (Ps. 16:11).

For a more comprehensive resource on battling pornography I suggest Heath Lambert's book Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace.