Blog — FAN AND FLAME

In Heaven Even Their Evil Footprints Shall Not Be Known

This quote from pastor J.C. Ryle has become one of my favorites about heaven.

The Christian LifeBenjamin VrbicekMarch 26, 20252025, The Return of Christ, Heaven Comment

I worked with Gospel-Centered Discipleship to collect a team of gifted writers to reflect on the beauty of the bride of Christ. The book launches today.

Church Life, WritingBenjamin VrbicekJanuary 28, 2025Book Launch, The Church, 2025Comment

Reading List 2024

A list of every book I read last year.

Book ReviewsBenjamin VrbicekJanuary 8, 2025Books read, 2025, Reading Lists Comments

The Blessings of Countless Guides in Christ: Some Preachers that the Preachers at Our Church Find Helpful

I’m so thankful for the many, many great preachers we have in our day. Here’s a small list of pastors I regularly consult when I’m preaching.

PreachingBenjamin VrbicekNovember 12, 20242024Comment

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’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

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

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

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

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