Here's a few articles I've read recently that are helpful and challenging:

In Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes, Tullian Tchividjian reminds us of the need as Christians to regularly remind each other of who we are in Christ, rather than focusing on our sin and that we re-focus on Jesus for "because of Christ’s work on your behalf, God does not dwell on your sin the way you do"

A prayer for strength for one of those days: Dear Lord Jesus, it’s looking like one of THOSE days ... Am I whining? Yes I am, Lord, but I’m bringing my bad attitude and my very busy day to you.

10 Things That Keep Us From Mission looks to be a challenging series on the Resurgence and well worth following.

In Speaking with Contempt, Tim Keller warns against the natural temptation to respond to criticism with self-righteous contempt towards the critic.

I need to be told by those around me that every time I sin I’m momentarily suffering from an  identity crisis: forgetting who I _actually_ belong to, what I _really_ want at my remade core, and all that is_ already_ mine in Christ.

Tullian Tchividjian - Reminders are more effective than rebukes

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Drawn in pencil, photographed with iPhone - post processed in Camera+ and Iris.

So to celebrate my 30th, with thanks to my mum, here's 30 photos of me, one for each year:

For a while, I've been wondering about putting together a different kind of audio bible, one with a different person reading each chapter, but I didn't get very far with it - so I've decided to test this out and collect recordings of the first 30 psalms for my 30th birthday.

So please could you record me a psalm for my birthday?

Reserve your psalm in the comments below and then you can either post a link to the recording or email me the file ( ricky at this domain). Please can you include with the recording which Psalm it is and your name.

I will share all the recordings with those who record one, so sending me one recording should hopefully get you a set of 30 psalms!

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I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2, ESV

"Do not be conformed to this world" is in the passive as it is something that happens subconsciously so we need to make a conscious effort not to let this happen.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4, ESV

According to the introductory statement to this Psalm, David wrote this when  he had been seized by the Philistines in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15), and starts this Psalm with expression of this situation and his fear, also in 1 Samuel 21:12 after he was recognised by Achish's servants.  From this initial fear, he puts his trust in God and turns to God's word - a good reaction for any situation.

Looking to God and his word brings any situation back into context and the realisation that if we are to trust in God there is no need to be afraid, for he is greater than anything that we fear.  In David's case, this was the enemies surrounding him, but it could just as well be a disaster

In fact we don't see the fullness of our hope in God until fear arrives and causes us to lean on God and place our trust in him. As Calvin writes:

In a tranquil state of the mind, there is no scope for the exercise of hope. At such times it lies dormant, and its power is only displayed to advantage when we see it elevating the soul under dejection, calming its agitations, or soothing its distractions.

Commentary on the Psalms, Vol 2

How do you respond to fear?  Should we respond to fear differently?