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A La Carte (August 14)

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May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Westminster Books has a new book on sale for which I provided a foreword—a thoughtful and creative adaptation of the Heidelberg Catechism. It’s worth a look!

There are several new Kindle deals to look over today.

The Olympic Vision: ‘My Way’

I enjoyed Murray Campbell’s reflections on the beginning and ending of the Olympics. “I enjoy the Olympics as much as any diehard sporting fan. And watching the Green and Gold outdo the Red, Blue and White is kinda ‘slay’. There was, however, a hubris weaving throughout the Games that tarnished the gold, silver, and bronze. The alkaline isn’t achievement and success, it’s Rousseau’s imagining that set the Olympic message from start to finish: secular humanism.”

Can a Man Feel Like He’s a Woman?

Ryan Welsh considers whether it’s even possible for a man to feel like he’s a woman.

Strategies for Evangelism from J.A. Medders and Doug Logan

J.A. and Doug’s new book, The Soul-Winning Church, was written to advise Christians about how to create a culture of evangelism and outreach in the church. Get 25% off with code SOULWIN. (Sponsored)

Jonathan Noyes outlines three different kinds of doubt and offers help in navigating them.

When Criticized, Don’t Defend. Clarify.

Nicholas McDonald explains that when we are criticized we often have an ideal opportunity to clarify ourselves (rather than to defend ourselves). “I haven’t read [Megan] Basham’s book, so I’m not going to defend or refute her claims. What has been of particular interest to me … is the conversation folks have been having about how to respond to these kinds of things.”

Is the Multi-Service Model Really Practical?

Many churches end up going to the multi-service model for practical reasons, but is it really that practical? So much depends on what you believe church is meant to accomplish. “For most members, I’m convinced it’s because they just can’t see how it would be practical for their church to turn people away . . . since the church’s goal is to reach as many people as possible. And therein lies the problem. What if there is a better, clearer goal that should matter more to us than simply solving the ‘problem’ of a full building?”

I Do Not Know This Year

I enjoy Esther’s original poems, and this one is no exception.

Flashback: When You Pray With Your Children, You Are Teaching Your Children to Pray

…this is not a time to fulfill a duty or cross something off my list. When I pray with my children, I am teaching my children to pray.

The real question is not what are we to make of Christ, but what is He to make of us?

—C.S. Lewis

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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,…