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A La Carte (April 1)

monday

I’m at The Gospel Coalition conference for the next couple of days, so if you see me meandering around, please do feel free to say hello.

Today’s Kindle deals include all sorts of good stuff. Logos users will want to check out the free and nearly-free books for the month.

How to Repent of Slander in a Digital Age

“With one slanderous blogpost or tweet, we can destroy someone’s reputation in the eyes of thousands—all within a few hours. And because we do it from the privacy of our home, any reproof from the community comes too late. Once the bell of slander has been rung, it cannot be unheard. Some people will never look at the slandered person in the same way. The acid of slander has permanently marred them.”

Why Smartphones Are Making Us Dumber (and What We Can Do about It)

This one gets a little more reasonable as it goes. “Smartphones are making us unbelievably, mind-numbingly, aggressively dumb. Not merely dumb. Also lonely, depressive, narcissistic, compulsive, and cynical. But for the purposes of this brief article, dumb. Smartphones are making us into lumpen half-wits.”

Jordan Peterson at Liberty and A Cry For Help

What a fascinating report from an event at Liberty. “At the end, Nasser asks Peterson how they can pray for him. Peterson chokes up again and says that we could pray he won’t pay an undue price for the mistakes he will inevitably make as he tries to move forward. Nasser puts an encouraging arm around the weary noble pagan.”

Insomnia- His Strength in My Weakness

As one who battles insomnia, I can identify with these questions. “Doesn’t God give to his beloved sleep? Why has this become a routine trial for me?”

Because There’s No Gospel All Day

I enjoyed this reflection. “Opening your Bible every morning before work or school or reading it every evening before bed may feel like a humdrum practice at times. Does it really matter? Am I really benefitting from studying these old words again and again? Do I need to memorize them? Is meditating on the words of God really worth giving up rest or leisure to make time for it?”

Church History and My Life (Video)

What level of importance should church history have in my walk as a Christian? Sinclair Ferguson gives his answer.

Calvin’s Failed Missionaries Were Just the First Wave in Brazil

Here’s a long and interesting article about the growing Reformed movement in Brazil.

Flashback: Learning For Forever

I need to read God’s Word to live a life that is pleasing to God. But I also need to read God’s Word to know the God I will enjoy for eternity. What I learn about God is not just for this life. What I know of God is not only for now. It is for forever.

The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.

—Martin Luther

  • A Less Busy Heart

    In the midst of our busy lives, we can sometimes wonder whether we really have the time to pray. Won’t prayer hinder our productivity? Won’t prayer keep us from getting done all the things we need to do?

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (April 12)

    A La Carte: Designer babies / The dragon and the rooster / Leper Christianity / Theologians against nature / Faithful and small / The missing heart of AI sermons / Douglas Groothuis books / and more.

  • Good News Rock Bottom

    Good News at Rock Bottom

    Life most certainly brings its challenges. Some of these are just little ruts along the way, some are deep and dark valleys, and some are lower still—the kind of rock bottom experiences that are so dreadful we wonder if we will be able to endure them with our faith intact.

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (April 11)

    A La Carte: John Piper & Kevin DeYoung on baptism / The legacy of TEDS / The DIY spirituality of Rainn Wilson and Rhett & Link / The enormous significance of small tasks / Hello, I want your life / Meryl Streep and Aslan / Kindle deals / and more.

  • New and Notable

    A Batch of New Books for Kids (and Teens)

    Every month I put together a roundup of new and notable books for grownup readers. But I also receive a lot of books for kids and like to put together the occasional roundup of these books as well. So today I bring you a whole big batch of new books for kids of all ages…