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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

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    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…