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A La Carte (January 11)

Don’t Confuse Spirituality with Righteousness

R.C. Sproul draws an important distinction. “Spirituality and piety are not ends in themselves. In fact they are worthless unless they are means to a higher goal. The goal must go beyond spirituality to righteousness.”

Why We Keep Playing the Lottery

There are a few interesting takeaways from this article. The first is the sheer marketing manipulation that goes on to encourage people to play the lottery. The second is how much more compelling it is to speak in the Christian language of heart idolatries than in the language of evolution when we explain the lottery fixation. (Also, try this Powerball simulator.)

When Life Feels Like Drudgery

“Faithfulness in drudgery is what faithfulness is all about. Most of life is drudgery, isn’t it? The messes, the commute, the weeds that keep growing, the bellies that need feeding, the clothes that need washing.” Yup. Most of us live most of life right there.

How Credit Cards Tax America

“How much money did you send your bank this year when you used your credit card? Did you notice that you paid a $400 fee—one of the highest in the world?”

How to Read Calvin’s Institutes and Why You Should Seriously Consider It

Justin Taylor offers encouragement and assistance.

This Day in 1946. 70 years ago today, John Piper was born. You can wish Pastor John a happy 70th birthday on Twitter!

The Lost Generation

A friend linked to this article which I read and thoroughly enjoyed. There are some great drawings and watercolors there to boot.

Third Wave Coffee

Here’s a brief video on the history of all these fancy coffees we’re drinking today.

Spurgeon

If you do not die to sin, you shall die for sin. If you do not slay sin, sin will slay you.

—C.H. Spurgeon

  • Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas, My Friends

    Merry Christmas, my friends. I trust you are enjoying this day, whether with friends or family or in solitude. As for us, we are having a quiet morning with just the three of us. Abby, Nate, and Finn will come by later in the day as will Aileen’s parents so we can celebrate and enjoy…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 24)

    A La Carte: Holiday blues / Biblical justice requires strong rules of evidence / Christmas used to be perfect (then I grew up) / Praise God for boring days / What did Mary know? / In awe of the aged / and more.

  • No Matter How You Plan To Read The Bible In 2025 We Can Help

    This week the blog is sponsored by Into the Word and is written by Pastor Paul Carter. No matter how you plan to read the Bible in 2025, Into the Word wants to help! Into the Word began in 2017 with a simple mission: to help people read, love and live the whole counsel of…

  • Devotionals

    Devotionals I Recommend For a New Year

    With 2024 quickly waning, many of us are beginning to think about a devotional approach for the year ahead. Some are looking for a resource that will serve as the main component of their devotions and others for something that will be merely supplementary. Either way, I’ve collected some of the resources I most recommend…

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    A La Carte (December 23)

    A La Carte: Christmas as crisis / How not to use AI / What gifts would wise women bring? / 5 habits that changed my life / Beauty and brokenness / Kindle deals / and more.

  • It Is We Who Must Be Bent

    It Is We Who Must Be Bent

    We must always pray that we would conform ourselves to the Word rather than conforming the Word to ourselves. We must always pray that we would allow our desires to be changed according to the Bible rather than allowing the Bible to be changed according to our desires. We must guard ourselves against looking to…