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A La Carte (February 1)

monday

Grace to you and peace as you begin a new day, new week, new month…

The new ESV Preaching Bible is a great one for pastors, and Westminster Books has it on sale for 50% off.

Today’s Kindle deals include a pretty good list that crosses a lot of genres.

(Yesterday on the blog: Threescore and Ten)

We Are Family Now

I love hearing how Christians in different areas grapple with unique cultural quirks. Like this one: “In this culture, it’s very important that men who are not relatives never see a woman wet, whether that’s swimming, wearing wet hair from a shower, etc. Wet hair and clothes are viewed as very sensual. So baptism, where a woman is publicly soaking wet, is the kind of event that could lead to strong feelings of shame, of dishonorably exposing oneself, a wife, sister, or daughter to the eyes of unrelated men.”

Layers Of Story, Layers Of Sorrow, Layers Of Grace

Speaking of which, here’s another cross-cultural article. “This. has. been. a. week. What would you think of a high school girl who comes back to boarding school pregnant? It’s sad and complicated for her life, for sure. What if she was an orphan who had received generous aid? Feels frustrating or irresponsible.”

The FAQs: What You Should Know About the Mexico City Policy

You’ve probably been hearing about the Mexico City Policy. Joe Carter explains what it’s about.

Nanobots Show Promise with Artificial Muscle

This is neat. “According to Revelation 4:11, a choir around God’s throne declares that all honor belongs to Him for His amazing creation. The evidence of His handiwork extends all the way down to bacteria. While doctors still cannot fully copy the locomotor ability of bacteria, researchers have already pumped out some promising designs.”

The Lost We Love the Most

I expect many of us can identify with this struggle. “What do we say when we’ve already said it all? How can we persevere in pursuing the lost we love?”

In Days of Trouble, the Church Matters

“Psalm 20 is an anthem for the pandemic. It begins, ‘May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!’ And certainly, we’ve been living in trouble for the past 365 days—ever since we first heard about the novel coronavirus.”

Flashback: Error Can Never Produce the Effects of Truth

If genuine religious experience is nothing but the impression of divine truth on the mind by the energy of the Holy Spirit, then it is evident that a knowledge of the truth is essential to genuine piety. Error never can, under any circumstances, produce the effects of truth.

Sometimes we have disappointments, but even these are really God’s appointments, as some day we shall find out.

—J.R. Miller

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    A La Carte (April 24)

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    Did Francis Prove To Be “The Humble Pope?”

    Francis’ time as pope has come to an end and already many are attempting to define his legacy. Was he a reformer? Was he a progressive? Was he an apostate? Perspectives are wildly varied with some honoring him as the greatest pope of modern times and some dishonoring him as a disgrace to the office.

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    A La Carte (April 23)

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    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Pope Francis / Yes, Jesus was crucified with nails / The mystery of “the call” / Just a little bit / The last of the four / John outran Peter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    How do we lead in a culture shaped by performance, individualism, and platform? Platforms to Pillars by cultural commentator Mark Sayers offers a biblical alternative to the platform mentality that dominates our society. Drawing from the ancient world, Sayers challenges Christians to become pillars—people who provide strength and support for others, who live with character…

  • The Tallest Trees

    The Winds Blow Hardest Against the Tallest Trees

    Through the weekend had many questions about Christian leaders who fall. And I expressed that just as the winds blow hardest against the tallest trees, so temptations may press hardest against the leaders who rise the highest. Just as floods press against shallow roots, so seductive desires rise up against those whose fall would bring…