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A La Carte (July 3)

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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you today.

Amazon is offering an exceptional deal on the Kindle Scribe in case you’ve been waiting to get one. This is part of their early Prime Day deals in which they have a lot of their devices discounted. They are also having a 4th of July sale in case that’s of interest.

Today’s Kindle deals include Randy Alcorn’s The Goodness of God. I also did a quick poll to gauge interest in sharing general-market (non-Christian) deals and that seemed a popular option. Therefore, on a trial basis, I will provide some general-market titles as a separate list.

Jesus Calling and the PCA

I took some interest in the PCA’s debate about the book Jesus Calling, not least because I was named in the overture. Todd Pruitt explains what it is about and why he decided to vote in favor. This part is incredible: “Young’s ‘Jesus Calling’ books sold more than 45 million copies in 35 languages, making her the bestselling Christian author of all time.”

Divine Aseity (Video)

Kevin DeYoung has released another of his third theological explainer video. This one deals with divine aseity. The previous two are Divine Simplicity and Divine Infinity.

Why Do We Believe So Many Lies About Heaven?

Randy Alcorn: “Imagine you’re part of a NASA team preparing for a five-year mission to Mars. After a period of extensive training, the launch date finally arrives. As the rocket lifts off, one of your fellow astronauts asks you, ‘What do you know about Mars?’ Imagine shrugging your shoulders and saying, ‘Nothing. We never talked about it. I guess we’ll find out when we get there.; It’s inconceivable that your training would not have included extensive study of and preparation for your ultimate destination.”

Ancestor Worship in the Church

Paul Schlehlein writes about ancestor worship in the African church (and, along the way, touches on ancestor worship in the Western church). “In some ways, ancestor worship appears to be on the decline as Mercedes motor vehicles fill the roadways and technology engulfs African homes. The growth of nominal Christianity factors in too. But when times are desperate, some of the most wealthy, educated and even religious will fall back upon appeasing the swikwembu, driving back home to their villages on the weekend to follow the rituals, just to be safe. They’ll even attend church on Sunday.”

Dear Little One

I very much enjoyed this auntie’s open letter to her beloved nephew. (At least, I’m assuming it’s a nephew rather than a niece. But either way…)

Thoughts on Being a Christian Writer

Samuel James (who is both an author and an editor at a Christian publisher) offers some “completely unsolicited, totally anecdotal, but perhaps marginally helpful thoughts on being a Christian writer.” Having read them, I would say that are definitely helpful, not merely marginally so.

Flashback: Act Your Age!

It all sounded so cliché, so Millennial, but this was a real conversation with a real 30-year-old man, and I haven’t exaggerated a single word. He was growing older, but not growing up. He was progressing in years, but years behind in maturity.

Don’t let affluence make you impoverished of God.

—Jon Bloom

  • Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life

    Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life

    There are some things I’m good at. Whether by nature, nurture, or hard practice, I have accumulated some skills and been given some talents. But I’m not good at everything of course. Not nearly. One thing I’m very poor at is …

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 3)

    A La Carte: Jesus Calling and the PCA / Why do we believe so many lies about heaven? / Kevin DeYoung’s theological explainer / Ancestor worship in the church / Dear little one / Thoughts on being a Christian writer / Kindle device and book deals / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 2)

    A La Carte: Growing older with wisdom, not bitterness / The bestselling reference Bible / Two new songs / The calling of motherhood for the worrisome mother / Beware the emotional prosperity gospel / Doomed to final frustration / Logos and Kindle sales / and more.

  • Software for Church Leadership

    This week the blog is sponsored by Church Social and is written by Jonathan Reinink. I am currently serving as an elder in my church. In my church, elders and deacons serve three-year terms. Between meetings, pastoral visits, and being in tune with what’s happening both locally and in our denomination, there’s lots of work to do.…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 1)

    A La Carte: One of the best ways we can love our loved ones / Poetry as a means of grace / The cleansing breeze / The redeeming, soul-depression of Jesus / Taking a hard look / Beauty is found in the most unexpected places / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Beware of Idleness

    Beware of Idleness

    “Beware of idleness,” Thomas Watson once warned, for “Satan sows most of his seed in fallow ground.” Watson’s warning about idleness is relevant to any area of life, and most Christians quickly come to observe the intimate relationship between idleness and temptation. Charles Spurgeon, who was devoted to the writings of Watson, echoed his mentor…