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A La Carte (11/30)

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Songs for the Supper – Free music. Need me to say more than that? Cardiphonia: “Songs for the Supper is the 3rd in a collaboration of songs dedicated to serving under-emphasized themes in our worship music. … Some of these songs are quiet meditations, others look to the great rejoicing of the Lamb’s Feast. All of them reflect the incredible diversity of postures and approaches to our Lord’s table. “

Joel Osteen and Reality TV – Oh boy. “More than 10 million people watch Joel Osteen’s television broadcast each week, and soon viewers will be able to see how the pastor of America’s largest church lives outside of Lakewood. A new reality show will follow the Osteens’ ministry as they serve and inspire people across the U.S., Lakewood confirmed.”

Utopia Is Creepy – Nicholas Carr: “I’ve noticed the arrival recently of a new genre of futuristic YouTube videos. They’re created by tech companies for marketing or brand-burnishing purposes. With the flawless production values that only a cash-engorged balance sheet can buy you, they portray a not-too-distant future populated by exceedingly well-groomed people who spend their hyperproductive days going from one screen to the next. (As seems always to be the case with utopias, the atmosphere is very post-sexual.)”

In Your Arms – This is pretty cool. “22 months, 1,357 hours, 30 people, 2 ladders, 1 still camera, 288,000 jelly beans.” All that for one music video.

The Great Tech War of 2012 – So true: “There was a time, not long ago, when you could sum up each company quite neatly: Apple made consumer electronics, Google ran a search engine, Amazon was a web store, and Facebook was a social network. How quaint that assessment seems today.”

The essence of sin is arrogance; the essence of salvation is submission.

—Alan Redpath

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (January 2)

    A La Carte: Today’s thoughts become tomorrow’s habits / You will never reach your potential / Grieving with hope / After deconstruction, what? / What is the fruit of self-control? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A Very “Happy New Year” A La Carte

    A La Carte: Goal setting for people with actual lives / You have time to read the Bible / The only guarantee for 2026 / Audiobook sale / Holding true today prepares us for tomorrow / A year of impossible things / Tons of Kindle deals.

  • Lists

    A Year-End Roundup of Roundups

    ‘Tis the time of year to consider the year that was. For bloggers, this usually involves a roundup of the most popular articles and favorite books. To that end, here is a roundup of my various roundups!

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    A La Carte (December 31)

    A La Carte: We have smartphones—why memorize Scripture? / The long walk home / Why women are going to therapy instead of church / Inerrancy and preaching / Don’t judge newbies / Kindle deals / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 30)

    A La Carte: Foot washing / Honoring an aging loved one / Why you should read in 2026 / Don’t forget to pray for the Ms / Fully pleasing / Kitndle deals / and more.

  • New-and-Notable

    New and Notable Christians Books for December

    Even late in the year, we continue to see some excellent new books come our way. And, one way or another, most of them make their way to boxes on my front doorstep. I sort through all those books and try to distill them down to some of the most notable. Here are the ones…