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A La Carte (December 4)

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Today’s Kindle deals include just a couple of titles, though one of them is by R.C. Sproul.

I thought I’d include a few songs that, for one reason or another, have been important to me lately: Well Done by The Afters (This version of the song is set to a slideshow of Nick that we showed at the funeral); O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music; All Glory Be To Christ by Grace Worship; and Too Good by Jess Ray.

Atheism’s Empty Soul

Alan Shlemon: “Atheists don’t have a livable worldview. I don’t say that to gloat. Several atheists who have been candid with me have told me life is ultimately empty and devoid of meaning. That doesn’t mean they can’t feel happy, follow a set of morals, or believe their life is significant in some way. But their denial of God has serious repercussions.”

RNA Vaccines and COVID-19

This is helpful stuff from CMI, an organization committed to helping Christians understand science from a Christian perspective. In this article they look at the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines. “Due to a massive amount of misunderstanding flying around today, on many different subjects, we feel the need to openly discuss the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in production. We understand this is a passionate subject for some people.”

Are Masks a Conscience Issue?

Speaking of COVID, I appreciate Erik Raymond’s work on this article which explores whether or not masks are truly a conscience issue according to a biblical understanding of the conscience. “I’m not qualified to offer a defining medical word on masks, but I want to offer some thoughts on the implications for Christians who refuse to wear a mask because they say it violates their conscience.”

Why Francis Schaeffer Matters

David Steele has begun a series on why Francis Schaeffer matters. (Here’s part 2 and part 3.) (Hey, David, how about some internal linking between those articles?)

A Friend Who Sticks Closer than…a Hobbit?

I enjoyed this article on friendships. As you may surmise, it looks to Tolkien (and Lewis).

The Biggest Threat Faced by the Church

I’m with Keith Mathison on this one. “What is the biggest threat faced by the church today? Many in the U.S. seem to think the answer is government tyranny. Tyranny is always a danger, but tyranny is not the biggest threat faced by the church in the U.S. or any other nation…”

Flashback: Lay Aside Your Cheap Running Shoes

Two authors, two books, two faiths, two topics, but one common theme: To run well you must rid yourself of all excess weight. It is true when running a race, it is true when pursuing Christ.

When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice?

—Amy Carmichael

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    Marriage Happy, Marriage Holy

    God’s purpose in marriage is not to make us happy but to make us holy. Or so we have all been told. The truth is more complicated, of course, and I’m quite certain God means for marriage to cover both. The old Anglican liturgy says marriage “was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort,…

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    A La Carte (November 13)

    A La Carte: Should Christians reject slavery and affirm same-sex marriage? / Can women be deacons? / You can’t life-hack your way to holiness / When your pastor thinks he’s brother molehill / When the seeing are blind / and more.

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    A La Carte (November 12)

    A La Carte: Humbly admitting we are vulnerable to sexual temptation / On aging into childhood / The criticized leader / Kevin DeYoung’s “plus one” approach to church / pitfalls in women’s ministry leadership / and more.

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    Doctor Google, Influencer Moms, and the Local Church

    A family member was recently paying a visit to a doctor who provided his diagnosis of the condition and suggested a course of treatment. My family member listened patiently but then said, “I was wondering if we could actually try another treatment instead.” The doctor playfully rolled his eyes and said, “I see you’ve been…

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    A La Carte (November 11)

    A La Carte: Why am I so spiritually dry? / Holy imposter syndrome / When those we respect disappoint us / Through many tribulations / Answering a question that hasn’t been asked / Book and Kindle deals / and more.

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    Intact and Unmoved

    Corrie ten Boom knew what it was to suffer deprivation, to have to do without so many of life’s luxuries and even its necessities. Arrested and sent to a concentration camp for her role in sheltering Jews from the Nazis, she spent almost a year in confinement and suffered the loss of her father and…