Blog — FAN AND FLAME

Why the Promise that Jesus Will Build His Church Does Not Mean He Will Necessarily Build My Church

Jesus made a wonderful, encouraging promise. But what does his promise mean for individual churches?

Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekJune 7, 2022what does Peter's confession mean, what does it mean that Jesus will build his church, 2022 Comments

Every Believer’s Biography Is Every Believer’s Biography

My foreword to a new 30-day devotional by Will Dobbie published by Christian Focus.

Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekMay 24, 20222022, lost and found, what unites believers, ordo salutis, 30-day devotionalComment

Finding Jesus at the Nub End of Jared C. Wilson’s Fraying Rope

I’m not gonna lie; I love this theme in Wilson’s writing.

The Christian Life, Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekApril 5, 2022Jared C. Wilson, Finding Jesus, end of your rope, the sufficiency of Christ, 2022Comment

Reflections on Shepherds and Sheep: An Unexpected Cost

A recent article for Christianity Today about the reasons people leave churches.

Writing, Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekMarch 16, 2022Christianity Today, shepherds and sheep, people leaving churches, 2022Comment

12 Books You Should Read and 12 Sentences Why

My attempt to help jumpstart your year of reading.

Book Reviews 2022Benjamin VrbicekFebruary 8, 2022books you should read, suggestions for reading, what are the best books you have read, 2022 Comment

Reading List 2021

A list of every book I read last year.

Book Reviews 2021Benjamin VrbicekJanuary 13, 2022Reading Lists, Reading, 2022 Comments

Jesus, Be Big: A Prayer for the New Year

I’m doubling down on this prayer in the new year. And every year.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekDecember 27, 2021Pastoral Prayer, new year prayer, Jared Wilson, When Prayer Is a StruggleComment

Long as the Curse Is Found

Do not grow weary because every good deed sowed in obedience to Christ—even the ones sowed with tears—will one day reap a harvest if you do not give up. Continue, in the words of the prophet Hosea, to press on to know the Lord.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekDecember 20, 20212021a Comments

When You Feel Like a Missionary Carrying a Grand Piano: The Importance of Sabbaticals

Intentional sabbath rest helps alleviate weight of ministry. That’s certainly how I experienced the gift of Sabbatical this summer.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekNovember 17, 2021sabbath, sabbatical, rest for the weary, when should a missionary take a furlough, 2021aComment

11 Memoirs I Love but Can’t Necessarily Endorse

I’ve become a sucker for a good, true story.

WritingBenjamin VrbicekOctober 19, 2021memoir, personal story, 2021a Comments

Shepherd & Sheep: The Preface from My New Collection of Essays

A book with my best essays about life in a local church.

Writing, Church LifeBenjamin VrbicekSeptember 15, 2021Pastoral Ministry, local church, life together, shepherds and sheep, 2021aComment

Why You Should Consider Studying and Preaching the Book of Judges

An excerpt from an introduction I wrote to the book of Judges

PreachingBenjamin VrbicekSeptember 8, 20212021a, the book of Judges, preaching guides Comments

Writers’ Coaching Corner: A New Feature for GCD

A new, monthly resource to teach and encourage Christian writers.

WritingBenjamin VrbicekAugust 31, 2021writing tips, what makes for good writing, writers’ coaching corner, Gospel-Centered Discipleship, 2021aComment

Did Jesus Have a Belly Button? A Silly Question with a Seriously Encouraging Answer

Someone asked me this question. Here’s my long answer.

The BibleBenjamin VrbicekAugust 10, 2021Did Jesus have a belly button, Christology, the God-man, The humanity of Christ, 2021a Comments

I Love Russell Moore, and I’d Like All of You to Love Him Too

A few of the ways Russell Moore and his writing ministry bless me.

MiscellaneousBenjamin VrbicekJuly 20, 2021Russell Moore, Evangelicals authors, 2021a Comments

The Very Flame of the Lord: A Wedding Reflection on That Which Cannot Be Quenched

A reflection from a recent wedding on a beautiful verse from the Song of Solomon.

SexualityBenjamin VrbicekJuly 6, 2021wedding sermon, covenant love of God, Song of Solomon, 2021a Comment

On Christianity and Porn: A REMOJO Podcast Interview

My interview with Jack Jenkins, the CEO & Founder of REMOJO.

SexualityBenjamin VrbicekJune 29, 20212021a, Pornography, Spanish resources to struggle against porn, Postcast Comments

Without Theological Triage, You Drive a Car of Glass: A Review of Before You Lose Your Faith

A few reasons you need to read Ivan Mesa’s new book Before You Lose Your Faith (and Gavin Ortlund’s book Finding the Right Hills to Die On).

Book Reviews 2021Benjamin VrbicekJune 1, 20212021a, Deconstruction, Deconversion, The Gospel Coalition Comments

Batalla Contra la Pornografía: The Spanish Edition of Struggle Against…

Here’s a quick update to the translation of my “struggle” book.

SexualityBenjamin VrbicekMay 25, 2021Spanish resources to struggle against porn, Pornography, Struggle against porn, Tim Challies, 2021aComment

Unexplainable Misery and the Wonder of Advent

There was no king in Israel until there was.

PreachingBenjamin VrbicekApril 29, 20212021a, preaching guide for the book of Judges, Advent, human depravity Comments