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A La Carte (November 20)

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Just so you know, I’m working on a page that will share Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals with a focus on deals that will be of special interest to Christians. There will be a lot to tell you about, so be sure to check in over Thanksgiving weekend.

Today’s Kindle deals include Ed Welch’s must-read When People Are Big and God Is Small. There’s also a family devotional that is perfect for the season and then a collection of books meant to complement the ETS meetings that begin today. There will be great deals all week long so check back every day.

Pray Till You Pray

You may have heard this counsel before: Pray till you pray. This article explains what that counsel means and why you should heed it.

Make the Most of Sunday Mornings: Two Simple Changes

I really appreciate what Matt Smethurst says here about making the most of Sunday mornings. Imagine if every member of a church made these two simple changes!

“As a result of this worldview shift in our culture, some people think it’s possible that any process of the body is optional. That’s why they think puberty might need consent. Indeed, even life itself is a matter of consent for some, which is why physician-assisted suicide is gaining in popularity. But there are two fundamental mistakes with this thinking.”

Pleading for Sodom

This is a much-needed word about our true enemy. “Many Christians are grieved and angered by the moral degeneration of our culture. But let us be grieved and angry at the right things: sin and Satan have ruined our world and ravaged countless lives. Many fear for the future. But let us fear the right thing: the judgement of God against our unbelieving neighbors whose only hope is forgiveness through Jesus’ blood.”

What Would Happen if You Became a Christian? A Thought Experiment

This thought experiment from Kenneth is primarily meant for unbelievers, but it’s good for all of us to ponder.

10 Mistakes I Made When Reading the Bible

You have probably made some of these mistakes as well!

Flashback: The Blessing of a Higher Purpose in Our Pain

The chief end of affliction is to glorify God and enjoy him. The purpose of our lives is the purpose of our times of struggle, loss, grief, illness, and bereavement.

Our best friends are not those who make life easy for us; our best friends are those who put courage, energy, and resolution into our hearts.

—J.R. Miller

  • 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,…

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    A La Carte (November 18)

    A La Carte: When God does not need our service / How to forgive and move on / A devotional for depression / Can a speeding ticket change your heart? / Is it I, Lord? / Kindle deals / and more.