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Weekend A La Carte (November 1)

Here’s your regular reminder that my site SquareQuotes is updated weekly with new quote graphics. There are hundreds of them to download!

Today’s Kindle deals include a few good picks.

(Recently on the blog: What Makes a Really Good Study Bible?)

Daylight Savings and Spiritual Disciplines

I think Glenna Marshall is onto something here. “I think sometimes we view January 1st as an excuse to keep living life per usual, especially when it comes to spiritual disciplines like Bible-reading and prayer. We’ve made a mess of our spiritual habits to this point, we think. Might as well wait a few more months to start over.”

‘Born This Way’ Is Old Science

As you undoubtedly heard, “During the confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii expressed outrage and shock that the nominee used the term ‘sexual preference’ instead of ‘sexual orientation.’” But “beyond the Orwellianism of changing the dictionary to support political claims, it seems that Senator Hirono is the one who is actually behind the times on the whole sexual orientation vs. sexual preference issue.”

Winter Is Coming: COVID-19 Forces Hard Choices for Churches

I found it really interesting to read how different churches in different parts of the US are thinking differently about COVID-19 and making different decisions about it.

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Revisiting the Prophetic Work of Neil Postman

“Thirty-five years ago, New York University professor of communications Neil Postman predicted the political and social implosion we have witnessed in 2020. We must learn to dominate digital media technology, lest it dominate us. Otherwise, we may very well amuse ourselves, and our polis, to death.” His work has proven prophetic, as this article illustrates.

Finding Meaning In Daily Acts Of Good (Video)

I enjoyed this video, a TEDx talk about Jesus.

When You’re Tired of the Battle, Persevere in Prayer

Colin Smith: “Everyone has a battle to face, and there will be times when you get tired of yours. The obvious question is, ‘How can I get more perseverance?’”

Only His Heart Can Heal Yours

“We all walk through this fallen world on streets of shattered promises. Believer or unbeliever, wealthy or poor, young or old, few, if any, remain exempt. For some, a father vowed much but was present little. For others, a trusted friend finally retreated from you in the hour of need. For still others, an unfaithful wife deserted, leaving the serrated memory of her empty vow, ’til death do us part. We know what it is to expose our hearts and feel them bleed.”

Flashback: 6 Marks of a Faithful Ministry

The pastor’s ministry is humble and bold and pure. It is concerned with all kinds of teaching before all kinds of people. Its content is the gospel.

You will never have a better friend than a friend who points you to Christ.

—Alistair Begg

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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,…