By Elizabeth Prata
It’s Friday of Spring Break week off from school, and that means I’m on the downward slide toward resumption of work on Monday. I enjoy the Spring here in GA, before pollen and before humidity that is. Even with those two factors, it’s beautiful here. I love the greens of the fresh grass and buds. I love seeing the birds come back (though the trees are never totally silent as some birds winter-over here in north Georgia).
I’ve had time to read, hang out at home, do little chores and jobs, and watch TV/listen to music. It makes me eager for eventual retirement, though I know myself and would have to watch out for sloth.
I haven’t published a Prata Potpourri in a while. This is the type of essay where I gather links to present to you. It seems like it would only take a short time to publish an essay like that but it’s one essay that takes me the longest. I need to vet each link and I abandon many as unsuitable before coming to rest on the ones I eventually pick. With more and more ministries falling under reproach, it takes even longer nowadays.
But take heart! As many ministries that go woke, turn progressive, or just become unpalatable, there are many more hidden gems. Jesus never leaves us without a remnant! Here are a few you might enjoy:
Dave Jenkins at Servants of Grace presents a podcast teaching How to Discern False Teachers Without Becoming Cynical,
In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can practice biblical discernment without becoming cynical, suspicious, or hardened in heart. After being burned by doctrinal drift or unbiblical teaching, many believers swing between gullibility and distrust. Scripture calls us to something steadier, discernment shaped by the Word of God, grounded in love, and practiced with humility and spiritual stability.
Many people have noticed a wobble in the trajectory of the parachurch ministry IX Marks (or 9 Marks). Here in this substack Jon Harris lays out The Problem with IX Marks (And Their Social Justice Compromises). Buckle in, it’s a long one but a good one.
The always honorable and wise Chris Hohnholtz writes defending women who discourse about theological things in public. Despite the biblical examples of many women speaking of theology in public (not preaching, just conversing, evangelizing, or discussing), many men online are less than enthused about this fact. Chris rebuts it:
“One such example, especially within biblically conservative Christian camps, is the twisting of Scripture by some men to silence any woman who dares to engage in public discourse about the things of God.” More here, “Can Women Speak On the Things of God?“
Speaking of women, in his substack, David Ziffer asks the question: What is Radicalizing Our Women? It is good to remember that satan went after Eve first. Ever since then, women have always been vulnerable to satan’s attacks, since he thinks women are susceptible to deception. It worked then, it works now. If you doubt this, look at women’s ministries. They are rife with false teacers and false teaching.
In this essay, Ziffer notes that modern literature, including novels, that are aimed at women is glutted with radical feminism. Worse, female romans genres are basically soft-core pornography, and worst of all, men don’t know this. Ziffer only became aware because he set up his wife’s Kindle and scanned the titles that were “suggested” for her. He did a deeper study and found
Women’s romance fiction is an addictive form of pornography that outsells every other book category. It’s sprinkled with Marxist ideology that preaches…
Check out his essay at the link above.
Here is Tim Challies with a poetic-styled encouragement. Winter’s Cold and Heaven’s Joy
On the cultural side of things, the movie Project Hail Mary is being praised by secular people and Christians like. Fairly clean, great production values, super acting, and a heartwarming, virtuous storyline is the consensus. Read World’s review here. I had read the book last summer and enjoyed it.
As far as books go, I am enjoying The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. There are 8 volumes of these witty fiction novellas. Each book in this unfolding saga is so well written I felt bereft after I finished #5 and didn’t immediately have #6 to turn to. She creates characters and a setting that are so atmospheric, so alive with well-drawn characters and a sense of place and time, that it virtually felt like I was there. Set in London in 1883, Emma is an unforgettable lady you will definitely want to meet.
So that is the Potpourri for this time, thanks for reading and enjoy your day!
the-end-time.org 