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Weekend A La Carte (February 1)

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Good morning! My gratitude goes to the D3 Youth Conference for sponsoring the blog this week. D3 believes in challenging students with the truth of the Bible, encouraging them to ask questions, and equipping them with resources and community to live out those truths. Be sure to consider their upcoming conference and camps!

There are lots of new Kindle deals today since it’s the beginning of a new month.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Futility of Motherhood)

The Rise of the Right-Wing Exvangelical

Jake Meador offers some thoughts on the new rise of the right-wing exvangelical. “If left exvangelicals sought to keep Jesus but dispense with the church, right exvangelicals are following a similar trajectory, but from the other side of the political spectrum. This causes the right exvangelical to end up mirroring the left exvangelical, as it were: Start with right-wing politics circa 2025 and then come to Christianity after you’ve already committed to the political vision of the American right.”

A Tested Faith Will Stand

“Although we often like to equate God’s goodness with protection from storms coming into our lives, God shows us that his goodness is actually the provision to strengthen and grow us up in him to withstand the storms of life and make us into God-glorifying oaks of righteousness.”

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Katie Hulse: “Such a vast amount of coincidences required to permit life exceeds the bounds of credibility. Instead, it speaks of design. The evidence we have suggests that advanced physical life doesn’t exist elsewhere in the universe—unless, of course, it’s the result of purposeful design.”

No One’s Born to Preach: The Myth and Truth of Pulpit ‘Gifting’

This article from David Mathis is for young men who aspire to preach but doubt their own abilities. It should offer a challenge and some confidence.

Associate Pastor, It’s Good to Be Second

I’m glad to see this celebration of the associate pastor. “Those of us who serve as associate pastors occupy a unique and strategically vital position in church leadership—one that requires strength and humility, wisdom and submission. The art of being ‘second’ isn’t merely about accepting a subordinate role; it’s about embracing a divine calling that, when executed well, multiplies the effectiveness of our churches’ leadership teams.”

Why Do Christians Care So Much About Submission to Authority?

Yes, Christians do care a lot about submission to authority, don’t they? Jonathan Leeman explains why this is such an important issue.

Flashback: The Deconstruction of Christianity

In their research, they listened to countless stories of deconstruction, read the books and Twitter threads, watched a host of TikTok videos, and even met with some of its foremost proponents. They made certain that they understood the issue before they addressed it.

Men’s ideas of the wrath to come may be judged of by the earnestness with which they exhort others to fly from it.

—J.C. Ryle

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    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.

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    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…

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    A La Carte: Toxic servant leadership / Taking our stress to the Lord / The problem with habits / Is it wrong for Christians to choose cremation? / Why does your church meet in a house? / Big book and Kindle deals / and more.

  • Expectations

    Why We Ask So Little of God

    Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little. Though the Bible calls us to pray and though it promises that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working,” we can still have very modest expectations of what God will accomplish through…

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    Weekend A La Carte (April 19)

    A La Carte: Why man needs God / Why nails matter / Kids’ picture books / MLK’s famous letter changed a DC church / How to mentor / A tearless eternity / and more.