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A La Carte (February 10)

Today I sorted through hundreds of books with titles like Daniel Diet Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes and Meditating by Drawing Zen Doodle Animals to arrive at a few Kindle deals that would actually be worthwhile.

Pastor, Defend Christian Liberty

This issue is so important. “But before it is freedom to something, our freedom in Christ is an assertion of our freedom from something. Christ’s people are free to eat shrimp cocktail, pork rinds, or chicken feet fundamentally because they are free from the Law.”

Are You Not Ready to Worship?

Jamie Brown: “I always cringe when I hear worship leaders begin a service by asking the question “are you ready to worship?” The hope is that the congregation will respond with an enthusiastic “yes!” and everything will go swimmingly. But the reality is that the answer to that question might actually be a resounding “no!”, but no one really feels comfortable admitting it.”

Looking for Romance

Yes! “Someday when I’m sitting in a rocking chair looking back over our life together, it won’t be the big trips or the diamond rings that I remember most. It’ll be all the little things. The small gestures that he makes every day to communicate how much he loves me. If you’re searching for romance in your marriage, chances are you’re ignoring the most romantic things about your life.”

Hyperlapse Around the World (Video)

Someone with a lot of time and creativity made a really neat world tour using Google Maps images.

12th Dead Sea Scrolls Cave Discovered in Israel

“Researchers have discovered a new cave in Israel that they say once held Dead Sea Scrolls, making it just the 12th such cave of its kind found. The find is thus a milestone, according to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.”

This Day in 1751. 266 years ago today John Wesley suffered a fall on the icy London Bridge and was carried to the home of a sailor’s widow named Mary Vazeille. Within a week the two were married. *

Falcon vs Starlings (Video)

The peregrine falcon is one of nature’s great hunters. This video shows one taking on a cloud of starlings with spectacular (and beautiful) results.

Millennial Sex and Dating

Dr. Mohler has lots of interesting stories in yesterday’s episode of The Briefing, but this one most caught my attention: “the study reveals that it is considered more intimate to be introduced to a potential sex partner’s family than actually to have sex with a person.” That’s just plain crazy. (Also see The Federalist.)

What Do I Say When My Child Admits Watching Porn?

This is important and every parent is likely to face it at one time or another. “The most important take away for any child in this scenario is to experience that Mom and Dad are safe people to talk about sexual temptations with.”

Flashback: I Love a Church that Sings Badly

I am drawn toward a church that sings poorly and am a little suspicious of a church that sings really well. Here’s why.

The absence of sound doctrine and the presence of false doctrine will always lead to sinful behavior.

— John MacArthur

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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,…