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Weekend A La Carte (July 18)

My gratitude goes to Westminster Books for sponsoring the blog this week with news of their new referral rewards program.

Today’s Kindle deals include a handful of classics as well as at least one newer book.

Logos users will want to check out the sale on Zondervan products. There are some great deals!

(Yesterday on the blog: How To Talk About God in a Skeptical Age)

J. I. Packer (1926–2020)

J.I. Packer went to be with the Lord yesterday and Justin Taylor has written a thorough obituary. (See also: Christianity Today’s article, WORLD’s article D.A. Carson’s tribute, and John Piper’s tribute.)

Lord of the Rings: The Peter Jackson Remix

If you’ve read and watched The Lord of the Rings you’ll enjoy Keith Mathison’s reflections on what worked and what didn’t work in the transition from page to screen.

To the Friends Who Tell Me “No”

“Our culture is quick to assume that consistent and encouraging friendships must necessarily also be affirming. As I consider each of my closest friendships, however, I see clearly that this is not the case. My best and oldest friends are those who tell me ‘no.’”

Seven Lessons for Productivity

As he reaches the 1500th(!) episode of Ask Pastor John, John Piper offers seven lessons for productivity.

How to More Wisely Consume News

This is a valuable reflection on consuming news. “As much as the media landscape is a minefield of misinformation, manipulative clickbait, and partisan rants, good journalism remains. Finding it requires intentionality and discipline, yet it can guard us against a frenzy that undermines our ability to trust anything. To this end, I believe it’s helpful to assess media sources through a grid of biblical virtues.”

Spreading the Worst Infection

“This difficult time of Coronavirus provides an opportunity to consider what actions we are taking to avoid sin and to limit the impact of our sin upon others.” There is, after all, an even worse contagion out there…

The Fruit of the Spirit Are Ingredients of Happiness

Randy Alcorn: “What’s our greatest source of joy? Paul pointed to the Holy Spirit: ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23).”

Flashback: Doers and Delegators

If you are called to lead, you need to display godly character in your acts of service. Go low! Serve God by serving others! But understand that you can only lead skillfully and successfully if you are willing to delegate.

Humans are those strange creatures who can never be fully satisfied by anything created—though that never stops us from trying.

—James K. A. Smith

  • 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…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This weeks Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a bundle of their best-selling Good Book Guides that are designed to guide your head and your heart through God’s word. Each Good Book Guide includes a concise leader’s guide in the back.  The Bundle includes: Giveaway Rules: You…

  • A Light on the Hill

    A Light on the Hill

    In early 2020, CHBC, along with almost every other church in the world, was forced to contend with the opening days of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time Caleb Morell was working as Pastor Mark Dever’s personal assistant. Dever tasked him with finding out how the church had responded to the Spanish flu epidemic a…

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (April 18)

    A La Carte: John Piper on being a loner / Snapchat is harming children / The most radical thing / How not to be secular / Three commentary mistakes / Jesus, your sorrow-bearer / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (April 17)

    A La Carte: The vibe shift / The Jurassic Park principle of Christian freedom / This is what power looks like / Don’t stay in the puddles / The awkwardness of Easter / Kindle deals / and more.