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Weekend A La Carte (November 14)

My gratitude goes to Rooted for sponsoring the blog this week. Sponsors (along with patrons) play a key role in keeping the site going, and I’m thankful for each one.

Today’s Kindle deals include a number of books—a few classics and even a theological novel.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Cruelty of Quarantine: A Lament)

Good Fathers In Life And In Death

I find myself craving any stories about my son and for that reason was delighted to read Sam Sey’s memories of him. “I can’t remember the last time I saw him, but I know that one of the last times I saw him, as usual, I hugged him and forced a kiss on his cheek—because I knew he hated it when I did that. Which would, naturally, lead to a conversation filled with sarcastic and witty comments, mostly from Nick.”

4 Reasons for Pastors to Guard Their Hearts

Pastor, please do guard your heart! “Discouragement is not an emotion with which I am very familiar, but when a scandal comes out in the church, I feel it greatly. In fact, at times I have found myself not wanting to check social media, dreading to learn about the next scandal.”

Is Abuse More Prevalent In The Church Today Than In The Past?

I think many people have asked this question, or one similar to it. Stephen McAlpline makes “two observations, one around technology and one around theology.”

How McDonald’s Really Makes Money

If McDonald’s really makes its money by selling Big Macs it wouldn’t make for much of a video, would it? The secret of its financial success lies elsewhere.

How To Get the Little Man in the Radio to Go to Sleep

I enjoyed this cross-cultural article about the things we take for granted.

Our Only Hope In Life and Death

“What’s the condition of your heart today? If it’s like mine, it’s torn between wants and needs, amidst emotions entirely scattered, like the LEGO pieces across my floor.”

The Lord of the Rings Expert Answers Tolkien Questions (Video)

Tolkien fans will enjoy this one.

Flashback: Don’t Waste Your Ambition

It is good to be ambitious, but better first to be a man or woman of character.

There are two ways to live the Christian life. You can live it either for the heart of Christ or from the heart of Christ. You can live for the smile of God or from it.

—Dane Ortlund

  • Anxiety and Surrender

    Combat Anxiety Through Surrender

    Life is intimidating at times. Sometimes it’s intimidating, sometimes it’s scary, and sometimes it’s downright terrifying. As we gaze into a future that is uncertain or frightening, our natural tendency is to pursue comfort through control. If we can only gain control over the situation, then we can ward off what frightens us and usher…

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    A La Carte (March 31)

    A La Carte: “Adolescence” isn’t daring enough / Biblical literacy / I believe in miracles / Christian artists are not priests / The careful justice of hell / Gratitude / and more.

  • Let the Lord Choose

    Let the Lord Choose

    Though we are limited beings with little knowledge, we are proud beings with little humility. When Jesus taught us to pray, he taught us to bring our petitions before the Lord, to bring to him all our cares, all our burdens, all our sorrows. We can and should plead our case before the Lord, for…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (March 29)

    A La Carte: Does God withdraw his presence? / Celebrating the Lord’s Supper / Difficult, emotionally-overwhelming seasons / Wisdom for difficult conversations / Why four gospels? / Sales and deals / and more.

  • New and Notable

    New and Notable Christian Books for March 2025

    As you know, I like to do my best to sort through the new Christian books that are released each month to see what stands out as being not only new but also particularly notable. I received quite a number of new books in March and narrowed the list down to the ones below. I…