Skip to content ↓

Weekend A La Carte (9/21)

A La Carte Collection cover image

You may notice a few changes around the site today; it has been a long time coming, but I’ve finally completely overhauled the look and feel of the site. I’ll explain more about that soon. But for now, here is some weekend reading.

Rabbi Philip Berg – This is a fascinating obit. “Rabbi Philip Berg, who has died aged 84, led the modern Kabbalah movement, an esoteric strain of ancient Jewish mysticism that became a pop culture phenomenon embraced by scores of A-list celebrities — most notably Madonna — but derided by critics as Hollywood’s new ‘non-religion’ and even ‘the McDonald’s of spirituality’.”

The Gospel for Family and Friends – Here are five brief tips on sharing the gospel in the most intimidating mission field of all–family and friends.

The Female Holocaust – WORLD shines a light on a horrifying practice. ” Indian parents killed an estimated 6 million girls in the last decade, but U.S. lawmakers can’t agree on what to do about it.”

Ordinary Daily Devotions – Here are six benefits of ordinary daily devotions.

Zobrist’s Leadership – I love to see the good guys in the news, and Ben Zobrist is one of them. Last night’s game was an example of how valuable he is to the team! (And stay tuned next year for his biography…)

That Their Faith Would Not Fail – From Lore Ferguson: “I woke this morning with words of prayer on my mouth. Not prayers for me or prayers for my friends, but prayers for my pastors. I go to a large church with many pastors and their job is difficult. They shepherd, lead, teach, preach, train, study, repent, and live very publicly.”

Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.

—John Stott

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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,…