Category: theology

Posted in book review, theology

Book Review: Sarah Ivill’s “Never Enough: Confronting the Lies about Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope”

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By Elizabeth Prata

Never Enough: Confronting Lies About Appearance and Achievement With Gospel Hope, at 128 pages, is readable and relatable.

Published August 2019 by Reformation Heritage Books, it’s written by Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary), a Reformed author, mother, homemaker, Bible study teacher, and retreat and conference speaker who lives in Matthews, North Carolina, and is a member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA). Continue reading “Book Review: Sarah Ivill’s “Never Enough: Confronting the Lies about Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope”” →

Posted in theology

What About Humility?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

I was listening to a devotional on the radio as I drove down the road. The announcer said,

“Humility is the one quality you lose the moment you think you have it.”

It’s true, if you think about it.

Humility is elusive, but keeping our eyes focused on Jesus helps our humility along, or rather, slays the innate pride we all possess.

Geoffrey Thomas at Ligonier said, Continue reading “What About Humility?” →

Posted in christian living, theology

Is our social media presence edifying and Christlike?

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By Elizabeth Prata

I love the Redeeming Productivity blog and podcast. Here is the author, Reagan Rose’s summary of its raison d’être:

A Christian Approach to Getting Stuff Done- timeThis is Redeeming Productivity, a blog and podcast, where we talk about technology, techniques, and theology in the light of the Bible, to help Christians get more done and glorify God in how they do it.

I find his voice soothing and his material Christ honoring and useful for the everyday Christian. Recently there was a podcast talking about “How to behave like a Christian on the internet.” Continue reading “Is our social media presence edifying and Christlike?” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Whispers from the Dust: Isaiah and Necromancy

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By Elizabeth Prata

I’ve been reading Isaiah through the Advent season. This time I’ve been appreciating the poetic language Isaiah uses. Isn’t it amazing how, each time you read through a book of the Bible, the Spirit orients our mind toward a different aspect? He can and does do this infinitely, eternally. The Word is living and active and eternal, so it’s a refreshing and lively journey through the scriptures every time, and every time is different.

The following verses stopped me in appreciation of how the language is used. These are in the NASB because that is the translation my study Bible is in- Continue reading “Whispers from the Dust: Isaiah and Necromancy” →

Posted in potpourri, theology

Prata Potpourri: Christ-honoring AM routine, the First Seminary, Power of a Word, Sad Love Songs, more

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By Elizabeth Prata

daily murray

My cat. Don’t let the sweetness fool you, he is running around like a nut yelling his head off. I’ll miss him as I head back to school this morning. Many of us are returning to our regular routines after the holidays. We say, well, ‘back to real life!’ but the real life we have is hid in Christ. The real life we have is in heaven as citizens of the kingdom of eternity. The real life we have is in His grace saved by faith, a wonder and a joy. The real life we have is eternal, begun now, but continued at death.

Have a great day everyone! Enjoy these links I’ve rounded up for you. Continue reading “Prata Potpourri: Christ-honoring AM routine, the First Seminary, Power of a Word, Sad Love Songs, more” →

Posted in theology, word of the week

Sunday Word of the Week: Fruit of the Spirit, Joy

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By Elizabeth Prata

On Sundays I usually post a theological word with its definition, then an explanation, and use it in a verse. I also use a picture to represent the concept. This is my effort to maintain a theological literacy among the brethren and between generations, something I believe is critical. We have to know what we believe, why, and know the words to express it. Words like Justification, Immanence, and Perspicuity have all been a Sunday Word of the Week. Continue reading “Sunday Word of the Week: Fruit of the Spirit, Joy” →

Posted in theology

Thoughts on long does it take to read a chapter of the Bible, 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚

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By Elizabeth Prata

Have you seen these beginning-of-the-year encouragements online about how little time it takes to read a book of the Bible, or comparisons saying that it takes only as long to read 1 Thessalonians as it does to fold the laundry, or something? Like this infographic– Continue reading “Thoughts on long does it take to read a chapter of the Bible, 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚” →

Posted in christian living, theology

Take a Tour of my Office with Me!

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By Elizabeth Prata

I often see folks’ photos of their bookcases or their offices or their podcast studios. I like to see where it all happens. Maybe you would like to see how I manage here, living tiny, and what my office looks like. Let’s be casual for a moment here on The End Time before I return to weightier topics next week, as the holidays end and we all get back to ‘reality’.

I have always liked living in smaller spaces. In the 1980s when the motto was “Greed is good” and the American dream was to have a large house, I bought a three story raised ranch with a yard. And filled it with furniture and stuff. After a while it got to be too much of an albatross around my neck, and I sought a better way of living. I’m glad I saved for, purchased, and owned a house. It taught me that I don’t want to own a house. Continue reading “Take a Tour of my Office with Me!” →

Posted in reading, theology

2020 Christian Reading Challenge: My Big, Fat Book List!

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By Elizabeth Prata

I love to read. But as much as I love it, my fleshly sinful nature will rear up to divert me from any wholesome activity, even one I love. My eyes tire more quickly too as I’ve gotten older so I struggle against the pull to just watch TV. I motivate myself to maintain this important habit in a number of ways. One of them is doing Tim Challies’ Christian Reading Challenge for 2020. He sets out a four-tiered list of themes to match with books you choose. You also choose the pace at which you want to read them. I chose Avid Level, reading 1 book every two weeks. His list is below. You can see the themes. Continue reading “2020 Christian Reading Challenge: My Big, Fat Book List!” →

Posted in discernment, theology

What to listen for in a (false) teacher

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By Elizabeth Prata

False Teachers (as are politicians) are selling something. Will you buy?

It was a startling moment when at the October 2019 Truth Matters Conference, in reply to interviewer Todd Friel’s query to answer in one or two words to the name Beth Moore, John MacArthur forthrightly said “go home”.  Even more startling is when he likened her and her ilk to hucksters selling jewelry on TV. (video here). It was true and thus it was a relief to hear.

False teachers are selling something. They have to. The holy Spirit isn’t in or behind their words propelling them into hearts and minds, so in order to get their message across, false teachers have to resort to sales language. Sales language appeals to the flesh. Continue reading “What to listen for in a (false) teacher” →