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A La Carte (3/15)

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Scandalous – Over at Discerning Reader we’ve got a review of D.A. Carson’s new book Scandalous. John Bird says, “In his inimitable style, Carson returns us to where we must forever dwell theologically: Christ’s cross and resurrection.”

Forgiveness – Near to home a police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. I was moved to read of his wife (both the officer and his wife are believers) and her fight as she seeks to find the ability to forgive the murderer. ‘God has freely offered us forgiveness,’ she said at the packed sports arena where her husband coached their three sons in hockey. ‘To the best of my human ability, with God’s help, I will offer it as well. My hope and my prayer is that all of you will do the same. I know it’s what Vu would have wanted.”

Last Words – The Freakonomics blog writes about some analysis of the last words of criminals about to be executed. For example, “in 36 percent of the last statements, the inmate admits responsibility, and in 32 percent of the statements, the inmate expresses sorrow or seeks forgiveness from the victim’s family. In contrast, only 10 percent of the last statements were coded as criticizing the legitimacy of the death penalty.”

The iPad Paradox: Less is More – This article takes an interesting perspective on the limitations of the iPad. “For most users, having more features degrades experience. People suffer information overload and its ugly cousin, runaway gadget complexity. They’re harassed and annoyed, not by limitations, but by features they can’t find or figure out, and by problems they don’t understand. They feel a thrill when gadgets perform basic tasks without fail or hassle.”


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    A La Carte (November 21)

    A La Carte: Lessons from Trump’s and Harris’s social media campaigns / What is my spiritual gift? / The messages we receive / 10 mistakes I’ve made in preaching / Big Kindle and book sales / and more.

  • Finn

    I’m a Grandfather!

    Yesterday Abby and Nathan welcomed their first child into the world: Finnegan Safir Nicholas Elfarrah. Because they live just minutes away, Aileen and I were able to be there shortly after his birth to rejoice with them and to meet our first grandchild. We are thrilled beyond measure. And he is cute beyond belief. They…

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    A La Carte (November 20)

    A La Carte: Pray till you pray / Do children need to consent to puberty? / Pleading for Sodom / A thought experiment / 10 mistakes when reading the Bible / Kindle deals / and more.

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    A La Carte (November 19)

    A La Carte: Good night, my son / The longing for justice following sexual assault / Daughter of encouragement / Mistakes I made as a theological student / The dangers of disordered love / Kindle deals / and more.

  • What Grieves the Heart of God

    What Grieves the Heart of God?

    What pleases God? What delights his heart? And what displeases God? What grieves his heart? If asked, I think most of us would assume that if we ever grieve the heart of God it will be through denying the gospel or committing a grave moral scandal. Or if we do so as a local church,…