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A La Carte (October 8)

tuesday

Once again there’s a good little list of Kindle deals to look through today.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Servers and the Servicers in Every Church)

Suicide, Heaven, and Jesus—the Final Answer to Our Sorrow

Randy Alcorn writes about suicide. “In the wake of Jarrid’s death, much has already been said about suicide and mental health and the need to address them within the church. But I want to highlight some things Greg Laurie, the senior pastor at Harvest, has said, and also share some more thoughts related to suicide.”

3 Valuable Lessons Nursing Home Visitation Taught Me

I really enjoyed this look at the benefits of nursing home visitation as an element of a church’s ministry.

Does God Make People Sick? (Video)

Todd Friel takes on the question of whether God makes people sick.

Reproof Is a Pastor’s Gift of Love

Dan Doriani explains why pastors must reprove. “Scripture assumes that God exists and has spoken to rebellious wanderers prone to take the wrong path, to their harm. He’s ordained that his speech be written down and studied, so its wisdom can be widely disseminated, both by ordinarily people and by his agents. In that context, reproof is a gift…”

Even If It Means My Son’s Life

What would you be willing to give up for the sake of the gospel?

How Much ‘Lover’ Language Should We Use in Worship Songs?

“Lover” language comes and goes in the church. In this article, John Piper talks about how much of it is appropriate. “What a tremendous need there is for prayerful, wise, mature, experienced, Bible-saturated, theologically deep leaders of worship. Being able to play a guitar or a piano and carry a tune is not enough to fit a person for one of the most important pastoral roles in the church.”

Roman Catholicism and the Battle Over Words

Leonardo De Chirico explains one of the main challenges coming from Roman Catholicism today. You can read his answer or watch it if you prefer.

Flashback: The Cost of Surrounding Yourself with Negative People

It turns out that there is something far more costly than being with negative people: The cost of avoiding negative people, and thus, avoiding the kind of life that Jesus calls us to.

There’s really only one thing worse than being lost. What’s worse is being lost when no one is trying to find you.

—David Platt

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Pope Francis / Yes, Jesus was crucified with nails / The mystery of “the call” / Just a little bit / The last of the four / John outran Peter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    How do we lead in a culture shaped by performance, individualism, and platform? Platforms to Pillars by cultural commentator Mark Sayers offers a biblical alternative to the platform mentality that dominates our society. Drawing from the ancient world, Sayers challenges Christians to become pillars—people who provide strength and support for others, who live with character…

  • The Tallest Trees

    The Winds Blow Hardest Against the Tallest Trees

    Through the weekend had many questions about Christian leaders who fall. And I expressed that just as the winds blow hardest against the tallest trees, so temptations may press hardest against the leaders who rise the highest. Just as floods press against shallow roots, so seductive desires rise up against those whose fall would bring…