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A La Carte (November 10)

friday

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you on this fine day.

Westminster Books has just discounted a favorite Christmas outreach resource. They’ve also put together an early Christmas gift guide.

There is a strong collection of Kindle deals to consider today.

How Can I Return to Normal Life After Tragedy?

John Piper answers a question from a grieving widow. “I think I can say, with some degree of certainty, that the more your life is embedded in or intertwined with what or whom you’ve lost — whether it’s your spouse, job, health, home, or child — then the more normal it is to feel disoriented and aimless.”

Proximity and Plausibility

“Why do self-described pro-life people still get abortions?” And beyond that, why do people behave in ways that counter their professed beliefs?

Sin in the Christian life

“Many years ago, when I was in seminary, I asked one of my professors what had surprised him most about the church when he had finished his own theological studies and had started serving in ministry. I will never forget his response. He said, ‘Guy, would you believe there is actually sin in the church!’” This leads to a look at Romans 7 and Paul’s statements there.

Don’t Be Like the Ant

“Don’t be like the ant who thought that it was his strong legs that pushed the log down the river. He overestimated.” Jim Elliff wants Christians to be cautious when evaluating the effects of their words and work.

The Temptation We Most Often Overlook

What is a temptation Christians may most often overlook in their own lives? Trevin suggests one here.

The Art of Sermon Illustrations

This is a very helpful article about sermon illustrations. Pastors and other teachers would do well to read and consider it.

Flashback: Life Is Fleeting

Scarcely do we draw our first breath before we draw our last. Scarcely do we open our eyes before we close them once more. Scarcely do we live before we die.

The good that I have received from my sorrows, and pains, and griefs, is altogether incalculable… Affliction is the best bit of furniture in my house. It is the best book in a minister’s library.

—Charles 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.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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,…