BCL Online Picks — April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026/BCL/
Photo Credit: Sherry Zhu on Unsplash

Photo Credit: Sherry Zhu on Unsplash

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This week’s online picks include God’s gracious pursuit of sinners, the meaning of the “abomination of desolation,” the blurring of lines between politics and religion, raw honesty in prayer, and more!

1. Grace for the Wee Little Man Who Was a Great Sinner

In this Abounding Grace Radio article, pastor Wes Bredenhof reminds us that Jesus doesn’t wait for sinners to come to him; he goes looking for the lost. When Jesus calls Zacchaeus and declares that he must stay at his house, it’s not a suggestion but a divine appointment. In this encounter, we see how our gracious God pursues even the most unlikely sinners and redeems them for his glory. Read it here →

2. Jesus and Trump

In a politically charged moment, it’s easy to blur the line between devotion to Christ and loyalty to earthly leaders. In this Heidelblog article, R. Scott Clark reminds us that while Christians are called to honor governing authorities, our ultimate allegiance must never shift from Christ to any political figure or cause. When politics begins to demand what belongs to God alone, something has gone wrong. Read it here →

3. Theo Von’s Honest Prayer

God doesn’t call us to polished words in our prayer life but to truthful ones, coming before him as we really are. In a viral clip, comedian Theo Von offers a strikingly honest prayer, admitting that even as he speaks to God, part of him feels insincere. That kind of raw transparency is hard to ignore and quietly convicting. Watch it here →

4. Discernment Has a Home

In this Substack article, Virgil Walker argues that discernment has drifted from its proper place, becoming more about spotting error than growing in truth and godliness. He reminds us that biblical discernment belongs within the life of the church—under shepherding, for the sake of formation, repentance, and restoration. When it becomes an identity or an online instinct, something has gone wrong. Read it here →

5. How Do We Know If Repentance Is Genuine?

It’s possible to feel sorry for sin without truly turning from it, but how can we tell the difference? In this Crossway article, pastor and author Chris Brauns walks through what genuine repentance looks like, showing that it involves more than words or emotion. It requires a real change of heart and direction. True repentance doesn’t just confess sin but also learns to hate it and turn away from it. Read it here →

6. Does Fair Trade Coffee Really Help the Poor?

Good intentions aren’t always enough. In this With All Wisdom article, Derek Brown asks whether fair trade coffee actually helps the poor as much as we might assume. He takes a closer look at the claims behind fair trade, raising questions about who really benefits and reminding us that faithful stewardship requires deeper discernment. Read it here →

7. What Is the ‘Abomination of Desolation’?

In this Gospel Coalition article, theologian Dan Doriani explores one of Scripture’s most puzzling phrases: the “abomination of desolation.” Drawing from Daniel 9-11 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, he helps us see both why Jesus gave this warning and what it means for Christians today. Read it here →