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A La Carte (August 12)

wednesday

My kids and I are nearing the end of our two-week stretch of isolation here just outside of Louisville. All has gone well and, unsurprisingly, we are itching to get going!

We are going through a bit of a slow period when it comes to Kindle deals, but you will find at least a couple of interesting ones.

The Note I Found Of The Boy Pointing The Gun At His Head

Stephen McAlpine tells of finding a rather disturbing note. “I put the other rubbish in the bin. I had the note left over. I felt a bit voyeuristic. Was this mere titillation, a script version of a Peeping Tom? What would the note say? Who it would it be to? Who would it be from? Who would it be about? I wonder why I even picked it up. In unfolded the piece of paper, and just felt incredibly sad.”

The First and Last Thing My Grandma Taught Me

I appreciated Amber’s tribute to her grandmother.

The Blessing of Criticism

Criticism is always difficult, but it is also often attended by some blessing.

The Gospel Lens

Deepa tells about having her gospel lens adjusted through India’s long lockdown.

Is God Absent When He is Silent?

“Our pastor says a lot of good things, but recently a sentence caught me mid stride as it were, flattened against the walls of my thinking then stepping into my situation with a warm hug. He is preaching through Esther. I love that book. God’s Sovereign hand is all over it, and the drama of its story is spellbinding.”

Have You Spotted A Satellite Dish On A Beaver Dam?

If you’ve been driving in Canada, you might have just spotted a satellite dish on a beaver dam (or, actually, a beaver lodge). Here’s why the beavers are getting them installed…

Singing the Song of Heaven Together

Laura reflects on the joy and beauty of singing the song of heaven together.

Flashback: Redoubling Failing Efforts

Self-salvation is sinful man’s most natural inclination. We all know there is something wrong with us, that we are not all we want to be and not all we were meant to be. And left to ourselves we look for that salvation anywhere and everywhere except in the place it can be found–in Jesus Christ.

How shall we learn to bear sickness patiently, when sickness comes to our turn? We must lay up stores of grace in the time of health. We must seek for the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit over our unruly moods and attitudes.

—J.C. Ryle

  • Other side of the Wall

    On the Other Side of the Wall

    A story is told of a convalescent woman and the lovely vine that grew in her yard. Confined to her property during her long recovery from an accident, she turned her attention to the little plot of ground behind her home. She planted the vine on a cool spring morning, dreaming of the day when,…

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  • 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: 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: 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.