Blog — FAN AND FLAME

The official site of Benjamin Vrbicek

A Spectacular Burst of Light without Antecedent: A Review of Marilynne Robinson’s READING GENESIS

A Spectacular Burst of Light without Antecedent: A Review of Marilynne Robinson’s READING GENESIS

I both appreciate and am confused by Marilynne Robinson’s latest book.

Book ReviewsBenjamin VrbicekSeptember 24, 2024Book Review, 2024 Comments

I Signed My First Traditional Book Contract (And Sort of a Second Book Contract)

I Signed My First Traditional Book Contract (And Sort of a Second Book Contract)

I’m working on a book about the return of Christ and hope for those who suffer. (And the other book is about the beauty of the local church.)

WritingBenjamin VrbicekAugust 20, 2024i signed my first book contract, 2024 Comments

Two Podcast Interviews: How Improvement in Writing Is Like Bench-Press & How Our Church Stayed “Front-Edge of the Middle” During Covid

Two Podcast Interviews: How Improvement in Writing Is Like Bench-Press & How Our Church Stayed “Front-Edge of the Middle” During Covid

Recently I was a guest on two different podcasts to talk about writing and pastoring.

Writing, Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekJuly 17, 2024podcast, in, writing, pastoring, 2024Comment

The Reason I’m Most Thankful to Have Timothy Keller as One of My Spiritual Fathers

The Reason I’m Most Thankful to Have Timothy Keller as One of My Spiritual Fathers

For all his greatness, we should most seek to imitate the late pastor’s humility and indifference to fame.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekJune 18, 2024Timothy Keller, Pastoral Heros, 2024Comment

Thoughts on Coaching Sports as a Christian

Thoughts on Coaching Sports as a Christian

Recently, The Gospel Coalition was kind to publish some reflections I have about coaching sports as a Christian and the idea of “rightly ordered loves.”

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekMay 21, 2024coaching sports, rightly ordered loves, 2024Comment

Peace Be with You: The Surprise of the Risen Lord’s First Words

Peace Be with You: The Surprise of the Risen Lord’s First Words

For all the excitement the disciples would have had to see Jesus on that first Easter Sunday morning, I bet they also would have wondered, Does Jesus want to see me?

MiscellaneousBenjamin VrbicekMarch 31, 20242024, Easter, who do I have peace with GodComment

A Boring Preacher Is a Contradiction in Terms

A Boring Preacher Is a Contradiction in Terms

Reflections on an encouraging and challenging quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a great preacher from the past.

PreachingBenjamin VrbicekMarch 6, 20242024, what makes a good sermon, how do I preach better, what did Martyn Lloyd-Jones say about preaching, what did Martyn Lloyd-Jones say about boring preachers Comment

Reading List 2023

Reading List 2023

A list of every book I read last year.

Book ReviewsBenjamin VrbicekJanuary 9, 2024Book Review, 2024Comment

God Loves-Loves the Local Church

God Loves-Loves the Local Church

Here are some resources to help you see the local church the way God sees the local church.

Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekDecember 12, 2023the local chuch, why the local church matters, God loves the local church, 2023Comment

The Too-Many Ways the Lord Is Teaching Me to Number My Days

The Too-Many Ways the Lord Is Teaching Me to Number My Days

Reflections on gaining a heart of wisdom.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekOctober 24, 2023agiing in the Christian life, why is it hard to get older, how can I keep serving the Lord with zeal as I age, 2023 Comments

Could It Be Time for a Pastoral Transition?

Could It Be Time for a Pastoral Transition?

How do you know whether it’s time to leave your church? Some advice for those considering a job change.

Pastoral CandidatingBenjamin VrbicekAugust 22, 2023Job Search, Pastoral Ministry, Transitions, 2023Comment

Moths Have Eaten an Infamous Armstrong Poster

Moths Have Eaten an Infamous Armstrong Poster

I’ve always liked Lance Armstrong. But he teaches me different lessons today than he did twenty years ago.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekJuly 11, 20232023, Cycling, Lance Armstrong, Tour de France, TreasureComment

How to Grill the Best Beef Tenderloin

How to Grill the Best Beef Tenderloin

A lesson from my father that keeps on giving—just like him.

MiscellaneousBenjamin VrbicekJune 18, 20232023, beef tenderloin, grilling meat Comments

Exploring the Nuance of “The Tim Keller Rule” for Writers

Exploring the Nuance of “The Tim Keller Rule” for Writers

Christian writers should consider waiting to publish books until they are older. But they shouldn’t wait to write.

WritingBenjamin VrbicekMay 23, 2023should authors write books at a young age, when is the best time to publish a book, should you wait until a certain age to start writing a book, what does Timothy Keller say about writing, 2023 Comments

Striving for Warm Complementarianism in a Cold, Mostly Egalitarian World

Striving for Warm Complementarianism in a Cold, Mostly Egalitarian World

Oh that we might better live and love God’s good design.

Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekJanuary 31, 2023men's and women's roles, Complementarianism, pastor-elders, women in ministry, 2023 Comments

Our Church Is Hiring Another Pastor

Our Church Is Hiring Another Pastor

If you know someone interested, please pass along the details.

Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekJanuary 17, 2023hiring a pastor, 2023Comment

Reading List 2022

Reading List 2022

A list of every book I read last year.

Book Reviews 2023Benjamin VrbicekJanuary 3, 2023Reading Lists, Book Review, 2023 Comments

Well Done, Good and Faithful Dad: A Review of SEASONS OF SORROW by Tim Challies

Well Done, Good and Faithful Dad: A Review of SEASONS OF SORROW by Tim Challies

A comforting, honest book for those in their own seasons of sorrow.

Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekOctober 28, 2022Book Review, 2022, Tim Challies, The pain of loss, Seasons of Sorrow Comments

Oh to Be an Unwavering Pastor: A Review of Jonathan K. Dodson’s Latest Book

Oh to Be an Unwavering Pastor: A Review of Jonathan K. Dodson’s Latest Book

A new book about pastoring that helped me stay afloat.

Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekSeptember 20, 2022why is is hard to be a pastor, Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Pastoral Ministry, 2022Comment

What Does “Vanity of Vanities” Mean? A Review of a New Book on Ecclesiastes

What Does “Vanity of Vanities” Mean? A Review of a New Book on Ecclesiastes

For as odd as some statements in the book of Ecclesiastes may seem at first, they are truths we need in our day.

Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekAugust 16, 2022What Does “Vanity of Vanities” Mean? A Review of a New Book on Ecclesiastes, Book Review, 2022Comment