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A La Carte (May 21)

monday

Today’s Kindle deals are an all-Crossway affair with a few interesting books listed.

(Yesterday on the blog: How We Worshipped (One of my Favorite Services Ever))

The Best Explanation for Our Spate of Mass Shootings Is the Least Comforting

David French writes, “Writing in 2015, Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I think is still the best explanation for modern American mass shootings, and it’s easily the least comforting. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex argument, essentially he argues that each mass shooting lowers the threshold for the next. He argues, we are in the midst of a slow-motion ‘riot’ of mass shootings, with the Columbine shooting in many ways the key triggering event. Relying on the work of Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter, Gladwell notes that it’s a mistake to look at each incident independently.”

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves?

“God helps those who help themselves.” We know how not to use this phrase, but in this article we learn how Matthew Henry used it very well.

11 Things to Know about the Doctrine of the Trinity

“If we’re interested in discovering (and maintaining) an orthodox understanding of the Trinity, there are some principles we need to understand. These 11 things you need to know about the doctrine of the Trinity.”

The Copycat Problem

Samuel James writes, “The problem I see is that everyone’s fine talking about guns, but practically no one wants to talk about why, literally hours after the deaths of 10 people, cable news outlets are promoting (yes, promoting) the alleged murderer’s Facebook profile, interviewing his classmates and friends, pasting his name atop the internet, and doing in-depth psychological profiles of his clothing and music. Let’s face it: This stuff is either a celebritization or else it’s a form of pornography, a soft-core concoction of tantalizing details and insinuations that titillate the imagination. Either way, this is a carb-rich media diet for desperate and violent men.”

A Voice for the Voiceless

“On the 25th May Ireland votes to retain in or repeal from its Constitution the equal right to life of the unborn child.” Mark Loughridge writes movingly.

Bishop Curry and His Royal Sermon

This article aptly summarizes both the highlights and the concerns with Bishop Curry’s sermon at the royal wedding. “Did Michael Curry say some things that were true and helpful? Yes. Did he speak too long? For a wedding, probably yes, but every preacher know that temptation. Was it positive to see an African American preaching at a royal wedding? Absolutely. Maybe in the future we’ll see a Chinese or Persian Pastors preaching the Gospel at such an auspicious occasion. Did the bishop say anything unhelpful or untrue? The answer is, yes.” (See also What Would Jesus Say About Bishop Curry’s Royal Wedding Sermon?)

Why Landlocked Countries Still Have Navies (Video)

Yes, apparently some do.

Flashback: The Tone Deaf Singer

You can be utterly tone deaf and sing beautiful music in the ear of God when the gospel is dwelling richly within and when you are singing to exult in the Savior.

Because He lives, I can face yesterday.

—Jared Wilson

  • What Makes You Beautiful

    What Makes You Beautiful

    I have often thought of a conversation that took place when my girls were little. Abby was perhaps 5 or 6 at the time and Michaela just working her way through the “terrible twos” (which for our kids always happened when they were three or four). A stranger saw me interacting with them one day…

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    A La Carte (April 25)

    A La Carte: John Piper and ChatGPT / Who’s praying for your wife and kids? / When your dreams include sin / Are you called to ministry? / Our feet shall tread this place again / and more.

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    A La Carte (April 24)

    A La Carte: He cares for us / Will the pope to go heaven? / An easy Christian faith / The good we cannot see / Chickens, elephants, and freedom / When we skip the prophets / Kindle and book deals / and more.

  • Francis

    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)

    A La Carte: How to begin a conversation with a dechurched friend / Machen was right / The truth of Christ’s resurrection / When grief becomes sin / Nope to the media’s ideal for a new pope / Book sale / and more.