News From the Frontlines: July 4th, 2026
- Joshua Budimlic
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to News From the Frontlines, and to all my American friends, a most happy Fourth of July. Here is a brief sampling of this week’s recommendations: dealing with regret and shame Biblically, embracing the joys of married sex, a sobering reflection on the UK’s recent “Rape Gang Inquiry Report,” and fittingly, a piece discussing what the Bible has to say about patriotism. Read, share, and above all, be encouraged in the Lord Jesus Christ who reigns from everlasting to everlasting, no matter which earthly powers wrestle with futility for the steering wheel of this age.
News From the Frontlines:
Recommended Reading, Listening, & Watching
Dr. Greg Gifford is a Biblical Counselor, army veteran, professor at The Master’s Seminary, and host of Transformed. You can find his podcast on Spotify (which I’ve linked to here), Apple Podcasts, or over at the Fortis Institute. In this episode of Transformed, Dr. Gifford begins his series on emotions by considering whether our regrets in life have less to do with the circumstances of our past mistakes and sins, and more to do with our view of God. My wife, a Biblical Counselor herself, sent me this episode a few weeks ago and I was quite encouraged by it—perhaps you will be as well.
“It is right that we thank God for the cross and good that we praise him for it. It is appropriate that we proclaim it as the greatest of all manifestations of the love and wisdom of God. But I very much doubt it looked that way to Mary. I very much doubt Mary looked up to Jesus as he hung on the cross and praised God for his wisdom, or that she thanked God for the blood of his Son (who was, of course, equally her son). I doubt God expected her to.”
Writing for Desiring God, Tilly Dillehay considers how “duty kisses delight in God’s world,” particularly in His good gift of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. “God commanding a husband and wife to have sex is like a master commanding his servants to throw a party out of his own larder, using the best wine and best dishes. It’s like a boss commanding his employees to give themselves a raise and a paid vacation to Bali. Here you have been commanded, as man and woman, to engage regularly in something that God designed to give you moments of literal ecstasy and unifying, self-forgetful delight. Of all the hobbies you could engage in together — tennis, chess, movies — this is the only hobby you’ve been told not to neglect.”
Speaking of celebrating—or lamenting—one’s nation, this was a tough read. When I first heard about the “Rape Gang Inquiry Report” that came out of the UK from a few weeks ago, my heart held tightly to the promise of God’s just wrath against all evildoers from Romans 12:19: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Over at WORLD, Joe Rigney considers this devastating report in light of Biblical reality and the Lord’s holiness in a way that is both helpful and sobering.
“If I do not pray, I may say God is sovereign, but I function as if I am. If I do not pray, I may say God is wise, but I act as if my instincts are enough. If I do not pray, I may say I am weak, but I live as if I am strong. If I do not pray, I may say ministry depends on the Spirit, but I behave as if preparation, personality, and planning are sufficient.”
Drawing from Scripture, God’s character as displayed through His promises, and a handful of personal experiences, Randy Alcorn addresses those of us who, at different times and in our own different ways, have wrongly concluded that “If I give generously, I’ll have to worry about where the money will come from to replace what I’ve given.”
As believers, we are called to seek the welfare of the city and nation in which the Lord has placed us—this is our duty in and out of season, not just once a year on a special day. Nonetheless, this seemed a particularly fitting article for this week given both Canada and America celebrated another anniversary. “We can honor our leaders and our nation even in the most dire of circumstances because we joyfully trust that our King reigns and he will vindicate his people.”
Photo by Art Institute of Chicago, Unsplash
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