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A La Carte (May 9)

Today’s Kindle deals include a few titles that are worth a look.

The Word Biblical Commentary series is on sale for Logos at up to 67% off. While the series has a frustrating format, many of the volumes are excellent.

A Tale of Two Men with ALS

Here’s a tale of two very different men, both of whom have ALS.

The Long, Hard, Unprecedented Fall of Sears

“In 1989, Sears Roebuck & Co. ruled America as its biggest retailer. It loomed over rivals from a perch high above Chicago, inside what was once the world’s tallest building—one bearing the company’s name.” It has fallen a long, long way from those heights.

10 Things You Should Know about the Theology of John Calvin

Sam Storms rounds ’em up. “Our primary, but not exclusive, source for these truths about Calvin’s theology come from the Institutes of the Christian Religion, the first edition of which in 1536 contained only 6 chapters. The final edition of 1550 had 80 chapters.”

The Radium Girls

Here’s one of those weird little glimpses of history. “At factories like the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation on Third Street in Newark, young women like 14-year-old Katherine Schaub passed their days with tiny paintbrushes in their mouths. Beside each girl sat a small dish of radium powder, which she mixed with a few drops of water and adhesive.”

Ten Questions Christians Should Ask of Their Entertainment

There is lots to reflect on here.

How To Honor Your Unbelieving Mother

“As we approach Mother’s Day—it’s important to consider a proper way to honor your mother. The value of a mother is far higher than we can hardly imagine.” Indeed.

Fidget Spinners

My daughter just turned 11 and “needed” a fidget spinner as one of her gifts. The New York Times explains how they became this generation’s hula hoop.

Flashback: 5 Questions To Ask of a Book Before You Read It

They are far and away the most common questions I receive (beyond, perhaps, how to pronounce my name—it rhymes with “valleys”): Can you tell me anything about this author? Have you heard of this book? Is it safe to read? Since I can’t answer all the questions, here are a few tips in the form of 5 questions you can ask of any book.

You must keep all earthly treasures out of your heart, and let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart.

—C.H. Spurgeon

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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,…