BCL Online Picks — July 23, 2026

July 23, 2026/BCL/
Photo Credit: iStock.com

Photo Credit: iStock.com

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Prayer, the World Cup and common grace, family worship, vacation, the credibility of Christianity, the reliability of the Gospels, and some thoughts on time are featured in this week’s online picks!

1. Help with Prayer from J. C. Ryle

Why is private prayer so essential to the Christian life, and what can we do to be more consistent in our prayer life? Writing for With All Wisdom, pastor and Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary academic dean Derek Brown highlights seven timeless insights from J. C. Ryle’s Practical Religion that will encourage believers to deepen their communion with God and persevere in prayer. Read it here →

2. I’ll Miss the World Cup

Why did this year’s World Cup captivate so many people around the world? Writing for The Gospel Coalition, theologian Michael Horton reflects on how the tournament offered a glimpse of the common grace of friendship, shared joy, and community while pointing us to the far greater unity found only in Christ and his church. Read it here →

3. As For Me And My House: Considering The Joyful Grace Of Family Worship (Part 3)

Pastor Sean Morris concludes his three-part series at The Heidelblog on the joyful grace of family worship with practical, encouraging advice for building simple, sustainable habits of worship in the home. Part 1 and Part 2 lay the biblical and theological foundation for this often-neglected means of grace, making it well worth reading the entire series. Morris also includes an outstanding collection of recommended books, children’s resources, music, and other tools at the end of this article to help families begin or strengthen the practice of family worship. Read it here →

4. The Importance of Vacation

Is taking a vacation a luxury or a necessity? Over at Reformed Theology in Piety, Practice, and Preaching, theologian J. V. Fesko explains why regular time away from our vocational responsibilities is essential not only for pastors but for anyone who works hard, helping us return refreshed and better equipped to serve faithfully. Read it here →

5. “Christianity Is Not Credible”

Many people dismiss Christianity as unworthy of belief. Writing for Modern Reformation, Wheaton College philosophy professor emeritus and author Mark Talbot examines that claim through the lens of two competing ways of understanding reality: the “top-down” Christian story and the “bottom-up” story of naturalism. Read it here →

6. Do the Gospels Contain Eyewitness Testimony? An Overlooked Aspect of the Debate

Can we trust that the Gospels preserve eyewitness testimony? Writing on his blog, Canon Fodder, New Testament theologian Michael Kruger argues that because the Gospels were written within the lifetime of the apostles—a time when eyewitnesses were well known, highly valued, and readily available—it would be surprising if they contained no eyewitness testimony at all. Read it here →

7. Some Brief Thoughts on Time

What is time, and how should Christians think about it? Writing for Modern Reformation, pastor and author Matthew Everhard explores the nature of time and offers practical, biblical encouragement to help us live wisely in light of eternity. Read it here →