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A La Carte (July 31)

A La Carte Collection cover image

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

There are lots of good books coming our way this fall. Westminster Books has a Fall Pre-Order Sale going on that allows you to get them at a discount.

There are a few new Kindle deals today. You may also want to scroll down to the bottom of the page to look at the deals that have been valid through July and, hence, are coming to an end tonight. There are some interesting general market deals to consider as well, among them Cal Newport’s not-Christian but still helpful Deep Work.

10 Errors to Avoid When Talking About Sanctification and the Gospel

Kevin DeYoung lists and briefly explains 10 errors we need to carefully avoid when talking about sanctification and the gospel.

Bamboo Resilience: Christianity’s Explosive Growth in China

Writing for Desiring God, Joann Pittman offers a historical look at Christianity’s explosive growth in China. She also makes several observations about its particular strengths.

Free eBook by R.C. Sproul in 15 Languages

As the world watches Olympic athletes compete for gold, Ligonier Ministries is raising a question of eternal significance: Are you running the race of faith? A free ebook by R.C. Sproul hones in on this question and presents an accessible summary of the gospel. Download The Race of Faith and share this digital resource in 15 languages to start evangelistic conversations or encourage Christians in their faith. (Sponsored)

Faith More Precious Than Gold (Video)

Mission House has been releasing some excellent music. I think you’ll enjoy this new one titled “Faith More Precious Than Gold.”

The Hardest Part of Overcoming Addiction

Brad Hambrick: “There is nothing easy about overcoming an addiction. As we explore what would be the hardest part of this process, I want to be careful not to minimize other parts of the journey. But when you talk to people who were once slaves to substance abuse and are now experiencing significant freedom, a common refrain emerges when you ask: What was the hardest part of your journey?” It may not be what you think.

Star Wars, Star Trek, and Biblical Counseling

Bob Kellemen explains the three different “generations” of the modern biblical counseling movement and explains why it’s important for counselors to locate themselves within them.

No Repentance in Hell

“Have you ever wondered whether there will be repentance in hell? Should we imagine that those in hell will eventually cry out to God for salvation, only to have their cries rejected? Will they plead for his redemption, pledge themselves to him, and renounce their wickedness, only to have their desperate cries met with divine contempt?”

Flashback: Give Me a Faith Like His!

Joseph was a man of faith, a man who chose to believe God’s word and obey God’s direction, a man whose decision to accept Mary was also a decision to share her shame.

He that is more frequently in his pulpit to his people, than he is in his closet for his people, is but a sorry watchman.

—John Owen

  • Pastoral Prayer

    The Pastoral Prayer: Examples and Inspirations

    Of all the elements that once made up traditional Protestant worship, there is probably none that has fallen on harder times than prayer. It is not unusual to visit a church today and find that prayer is perfunctory, rare, or absent altogether. If that is true of prayer in general, it is particularly true of…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (September 11)

    A La Carte: Pro-natalism / Why a good God commanded the destruction of the Canaanites / An encouragement to husbands / Pastoring, productivity, and priorities / I had a horrific childhood / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (September 10)

    A La Carte: Why we worry when choosing a Bible translation / Why Christian parents should resist school-issued devices / Take your worst to the table / The quickest to anger and the slowest to forgive / A big batch of Kindle deals / and more.

  • What Is God’s Calling For Me?

    This week the blog is sponsored by Reformed Free Publishing Association. Today’s post is written by William Boekestein, author of the  new book, Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling. William is a pastor and husband. He and his wife have four children: a college student, two high schoolers, and a…

  • Past Through Over Around

    Past Them, Through Them, Over Them, Around Them

    It is inevitable that we face times of difficulty and impossible that we escape them altogether. To be born is to suffer and to live is to endure all manner of trouble and trial. Just as none of us escapes death, none of us escapes all hardships. And when we face such hardships, we invariably…