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A La Carte (November 16)

monday

By way of update, we have now passed the halfway point of our quarantine and on Friday will have served out our 14 days. For those asking, my son’s funeral will be held on Saturday morning. Details are forthcoming.

There’s a nice little list of Kindle deals to browse through today.

Conflict Grabs Attention, But We Need To Bring Grace Instead

“If we’re not careful, social media can turn our natural desire for attention and approval into an environment where we seek those by being controversial, making extreme statements, stirring up anger, or the ‘playing to our base’ at an individual level.” Ain’t that the truth…

How Were People Saved In The Old Testament? (Video)

To ask the question is really to ask, “are there two gospels, or just one?” Steve Lawson explains here.

False Gospel: “Cut Off Toxic People”

It can sound like wisdom to cut out the toxic people in your life. “Cut-Off-Toxic-People begins with the belief that society has created some people toxic, and others pure. It is embraced by those who believe themselves to be among the pure. According to this false gospel, the Fall happens when the pure allow toxic individuals to negatively influence them. It happens as you’re surrounded by poisonous people. Redemption is found in cutting off toxic people. Ultimate restoration is living a peaceful life.”

The Incoming

Seth Godin reflects on all the “incoming” stuff in our lives.

Why You Need a Heavenly Perspective

It is good to be reminded of the importance of a heavenly perspective. “Hardship in this world should produce a deep longing for Heaven. An inheritance reserved for all those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. A place where ‘there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain’ (Rev 21:4).”

8 Ways We Can Pursue Peace

I’m never sure how effective these “X ways” articles really are, but if you’d like to learn about better pursuing peace, this may be helpful.

Giving Is the Greatest Wealth

“The kind of wealth God’s economy produces and the kind of wealth the world’s economies produce are very different. The former makes us ‘enriched in every way to be generous in every way’ (2 Corinthians 9:11), while the latter threatens to pierce us with ‘many pangs’ (1 Timothy 6:10) and even to steal our soul (Matthew 16:26).”

Flashback: A Sober Warning from the Earliest Christians

Where tolerance once called for respect despite disagreement, today it calls for far more. We are considered tolerant only when we advocate and celebrate new understandings of marriage, sexuality, and gender.

The debt of children to a true Christian home, is one that never can be overpaid, or even fully discharged.

—J.R. Miller

  • Free-stuff Fridays (Truth78)

    This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Truth78. Are you wondering how you can help lead the children growing up in your church or home to a saving faith in Christ?  Zealous, written by Truth78 executive director David Michael, is for parents and ministry leaders, and anyone who wants to be inspired with biblical vision and…

  • Deconstruction

    Walking Through Deconstruction

    I suppose by now we all know a least a few people who have begun the process of deconstructing their faith. Meanwhile, we have undoubtedly heard of many more who are doing so in a public way—celebrities who have decided to rigorously examine the faith they once professed and to reject much of what they…

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (January 17)

    A La Carte: Andrew Tate or Panda Express / The metrics monster / Nearer My God to Thee / Even as the fire rages / Why a jealous God is the best kind of God / Political idolatry / and more.

  • Quiet Time

    The Quiet Time Kickstart

    We are all people of habits. To some degree, we are always battling to establish good habits while battling to supplant bad ones. This is true of us in many different areas of life and most certainly true in our spiritual lives. In fact, some have argued that when we describe the way we relate…

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (January 16)

    A La Carte: Why don’t we read the Bible more? / Did David rape Bathsheba? / To (almost) die is gain / Learn to pray the Bible / When you’re close to burnout / Called to freedom / and more.

  • How To Obtain a Plenary Indulgence in 2025

    How To Obtain a Plenary Indulgence in 2025

    I think we can sometimes fool ourselves into believing that the Reformation caused the Roman Catholic Church to abandon some, most, or all of the doctrine that was so concerning to the Reformers. We can sometimes believe that the Catholicism of today is materially different from that of the 16th century or that it has…