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Sunday A La Carte

This was one of those rare weeks in which I collected so much good material that it only seemed right to create an extra A La Carte column. I hope you enjoy the extra reading!

Before You Japa: 7 Things To Consider

I enjoyed this evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks of japa—”a Yoruba word which means ‘run swiftly’ or to flee from danger, but which is now a Nigerian slang for emigration.” It must at times be difficult to remain in a context in which so many are leaving.

The Funnies

Every Saturday I look forward to receiving Chris Martin’s “The Funnies,” a modern-day answer to the Saturday comics I enjoyed long ago.

Just War and Our Cultural Conflict

Kevin DeYoung continues his series on the culture war. “The answer to the question ‘Should Christians be engaged in the culture war?’ is quite simple: You are whether you mean to be or not.”

Count it all Joy

Guy Richard: “It is relatively easy to ‘count it all joy’ when things are going well around us. When God’s will matches our own will for our lives, it is easy to be a Christian and to ‘count it all joy.’ But when those two things don’t add up—when God’s will for our lives and our will for our lives don’t match—that is when things get hard.”

Lord, Help Me See the Ways to Die Today

Trevin Wax: “A few months ago, I began asking the Lord every morning to give me chances that day to die to myself, and for the Spirit to help me recognize those opportunities. He has never failed to answer this prayer. Not once.”

The Agony of Church Discipline Carried Out

“As my wife and I walked into the sanctuary, we were met with the same fellowship we always get. But on this occasion, there was a sense of angst as everybody waited for the elders to speak. You see, this wasn’t Sunday service. It was a members-only meeting. And just about everybody in the room—including my wife and me—knew what this meeting was about.”


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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.

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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.

  • 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,…