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A La Carte (September 3)

thursday

I’ve been hearing good things about Paul Tripp’s new book Lead. It’s on sale this week at Westminster Books. Some of his other titles are discounted as well.

There’s quite a good list of Kindle deals today that spans a few different genres. (Also, if you’re shopping for school supplies, they’ve got sales on them today.)

(Yesterday on the blog: When Unanimity is the Enemy of Unity)

Thinking in Public with Albert Mohler — A Conversation with James Lindsay

I recently reviewed and recommended the book Cynical Theories by James Lindsay and Helen Pluckrose. In this new edition of Thinking in Public (the first ever video edition!) Dr. Mohler has a discussion with Lindsay. Highly recommended!

Academics Are Really, Really Worried About Their Freedom

This Atlantic article by John McWhorter seems to nicely complement that edition of Thinking in Public. “Our national reckoning on race has brought to the fore a loose but committed assemblage of people given to the idea that social justice must be pursued via attempts to banish from the public sphere, as much as possible, all opinions that they interpret as insufficiently opposed to power differentials.”

A Biographical Sketch of Michael A.G. Haykin

I really enjoyed this biographical sketch of Dr. Michael Haykin, a man who has been a blessing to me personally as well as to my church, not to mention to the wider Christian world.

When Is It Right For A Christian To Disobey The Government? (Video)

Here’s Ligon Duncan answering a question that is on everyone’s mind: When is it right for a Christian to disobey the government?

I Need Endurance

Cindy Matson explains how the pandemic has taught her her need of endurance. “My hope cannot be in getting back to my ‘comfort zone.’ Even if I find it momentarily, it will disappoint; for, as 2020 has shown us, everything we consider normal or happy or safe in our own little kingdoms can be shaken. When I take the easy way out, I settle for a shakeable kingdom. Only when I endure do I hold out for the ultimate reward.”

The Erfurt Latrine Disaster

Here’s a bizarre and messy little bit of history. “Deaths are always unfortunate and even more so if they occur as a result of an accident. But sometimes there are incidents that have particularly humiliating characteristics and probably among the worst recorded in history is the incident that occurred in Erfurt in the middle of the Middle Ages, when dozens of members of the court of Henry VI perished when the floor of the building where they were standing collapsed.”

Special Needs: Five Triggers of Discouragement

Donna writes for and about those who care for people with special needs.

Flashback: Have We Finally Hit Peak Attractional?

I feel sorry for the pastor who knows that to keep his congregation, he has to keep coming up with bigger and more shocking ideas. He knows that as soon as the fun stops or the place down the street offers something better, the seats will empty, the budget will decline, the church will collapse. It must be exhausting.

God will be the strength of our hearts; He will join His forces with us. Either He will make His hand lighter, or our faith stronger.

—Thomas Watson

  • 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.

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    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.