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Weekend A La Carte (April 23)

My gratitude goes to TGC for sponsoring the blog this week with news of their upcoming Good Faith Debates.

Today’s Kindle deals include some classics and some newer works.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Loveliest Place)

Inviting God into the Hard Places

When we face difficulties we always long for deliverance. But “what if—rather than deliverance from the hard—he wants you to invite him into it? What if he wants you to seek his presence in the hard, more than his protection from the hard? His provision in the midst of life’s hardships, rather than relief from them?”

If God Really Loved Me, He Would…

This one is on a similar theme: “Why are we surprised when trials come? Why do we do quickly question God’s goodness, love, and control when we experience the pain of this world? For me, I think it’s because there is a pervasive belief that subtly infiltrates my thought life. One that, deep down, still believes God would keep me from harm and rescue me from pain if he truly loved me.”

How Russian Christians View the ‘Special Military Operation’ in Ukraine

CT tries to get to the bottom of a question many of us have been wondering: How do Russian Christians view the “special military operation” in Ukraine? The answer, not surprisingly, is complicated.

A question of responsibility

Meanwhile, Andrée Seu Peterson considers the matter of responsibility. “The question of causality is the quiet backdrop of the nightmare that is Ukraine. As an American eavesdropping on the current French presidential elections, I heard one candidate try to thread the needle by saying Putin is culpable but that the West is responsible for cornering him by trying to put NATO on his doorstep—for essentially ‘poking the Bear.’ This is more than I am qualified to comment on. Nevertheless, I got to pondering the Word of God on questions of causality and responsibility.”

Jesus Versus the Trade-In Society

“We are a trade-in society, where the promise of being able to eventually replace anything, or anyone, lies underneath all of our experiences, even our spiritual lives.” This has wide-ranging consequences.

Hope for the Doubting Thomases of the World

“While the rest of the disciples went about rejoicing, Thomas wasn’t ready to celebrate just yet. His logical side needed time to line up with his emotional one. The proof of his devotion was in the profoundness of his despair. “

Flashback: Young People and the Hundred Pushup Challenge of Life

It’s wrong of me to make light of their little sorrows by comparing them to their future greater sorrows. It’s right of me to support them as they build the strength and endurance that will carry them into and through the trials to come.

The cross of Jesus Christ shall be our ladder by which we shall climb up to heaven.

—Simeon Ashe

  • What Makes You Beautiful

    What Makes You Beautiful

    I have often thought of a conversation that took place when my girls were little. Abby was perhaps 5 or 6 at the time and Michaela just working her way through the “terrible twos” (which for our kids always happened when they were three or four). A stranger saw me interacting with them one day…

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    A La Carte (April 25)

    A La Carte: John Piper and ChatGPT / Who’s praying for your wife and kids? / When your dreams include sin / Are you called to ministry? / Our feet shall tread this place again / and more.

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    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.

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    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.