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A La Carte (August 4)

tuesday

Here’s a single sentence from Paul Martin’s pastoral prayer that I think is worth pondering. Praying specifically for our Premier (think Governor if you’re American) he prayed, “Help us to pray for him more than we complain about him.” Ouch! Methinks many of us have some repenting and praying to do…

Today’s Kindle deals include some rare and interesting picks.

(Yesterday on the blog: Why I Need To Spend a Month in Quarantine)

You Keep Using That Word

Keith Mathison picks up on a famous line from The Princess Bride to ask Christians to be careful with the words and terms we use. Like this: “In recent months, for example, I’ve seen a number of Christians argue that someone is an advocate of ‘critical theory.’ While this may very well be true, sometimes I can’t help but wonder if the word means that they think it means.”

Brokenhearted Boldness

John Piper is concerned by some of what he sees online and lauds brokenhearted boldness. “It’s our being drawn into the callout culture, the outrage culture, the cancel culture, the coddled culture. However you name it, it is very angry. And behind the relative safety of social media, it is very bold.”

Your Last Chance to Save Big on Sing! Global, An Immersive Digital Conference

The Sing! Global 2020 conference is coming up fast and Summer registration will end at midnight on Thursday. Motivated by the urgent need to build deep believers in the 21st century, this four-day event is for pastors, church leaders or ANYONE who wants to better understand what God requires worship of us, and has been completely reimagined as an immersive digital experience. It will bring together an array of over 100 Christian leaders and artists from around the world such as John Piper, Tim Challies, Trip Lee, Alistair Begg, Joni Tada and many others to examine how Scripture transforms worship in families and churches. Register before midnight Thursday with the code CHALLIES and save an extra 20%. (Sponsored)

A Bible for the Gas Canister Man

I enjoyed this anecdote…

COVID: A Blessing in Disguise for the American Church

It is inevitable that in some ways the pandemic will prove a blessing (in disguise) for the church. Here are some of them.

What Does “World” Mean in John 3:16?

Here’s a good answer to a common question. “We might be tempted to think that there is much about the world for God to love. After all, what’s not to admire about cityscapes and farmlands, fine cuisine and backyard barbecues, classical symphonies and folk ballads, Renaissance paintings and kindergarten squiggles? The world we know is filled with texture, intrigue, opportunity, and cheer. The problem is that for all that is good and interesting and beautiful about the world, it is overrun with sinners.”

Are We Held Accountable for the Sins of Our Forefathers?

Here’s another question that has been asked a lot, especially lately. Looking to biblical example, Kyle Dillon says “we can say that individual judgment and generational judgment are fully compatible with each other when understood in their proper context.”

Are You Exploiting Your Church?

This is a heavy comparison—comparing certain pastors to strip mines! “Strip mining is a controversial practice that literally removes mountains so natural resources can be exploited. Strip miners only care about what they can take from the earth, not how they can help it grow and flourish. There’s a real temptation for pastors to treat their churches the way a strip miner treats mountains.”

Flashback: The Lingering Stench of Sin

The problem with sin is that it is too dreadful, too ugly, too pernicious to allow solutions that are perfectly clean and neat. Instead, a stink lingers in the aftermath of any great sin.

The church already has a Savior. What she needs now is the Savior’s servant, someone to do his bidding and bring his gifts.

—Harold Senkbeil

  • From Practice to Perfection

    From Practice to Perfection

    You should stop by someday,” he said. “The orchestra is beginning to learn a new piece. I think you would enjoy hearing them. As promised, he met me in the lobby and led me through a locked door. As we walked down a long hallway, I could begin to hear music coming from somewhere ahead.…

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    A La Carte: When King Charles came to church / Curiositas and the David Platt documentary / Teasing out idolatry in narcissism / Loving people through slow change / Can God forgive without punishment? / and more.

  • Disappointment

    The Practice of Accepting Disappointment

    One of the most important habits you can develop is the habit of accepting that life is full of disappointments. One of the best ways to grow in contentment is to accept the inevitability of discontentment. One of the ways you can be most joyful in life is to be realistic about life, to know…

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    A La Carte: How to steward money in marriage / Regrets in parenting / The temptation of temptation / Our common purpose / How much should Christians tithe? / Huge Kindle sale / and more.

  • Prayer for a Son

    A Father’s Prayer for His Son

    Every father knows the importance of praying for his children. Yet every father also knows that at times it can be difficult to know what to pray. I recently found a sweet prayer in an old book and thought I would share it with you, dad, so you can pray it for your son. Take…