Explore A La Carte

It is a joy to be in Seattle for the Ligonier Ministries West Coast Conference. I played my part yesterday by teaming up with Nathan Bingham on a pre-conference dedicated to being digital disciples. Today I head home just in time to watch my daughter perform at her ballet recital. While I travel, you read.…

I did not find much noteworthy today for Kindle deals. However, you may want to note that Westminster Books has a good deal on a new book titled Unshakable that looks ideal for students. They have discounts on a few other related titles. The Sun Is Always Shining in Modern Christian Pop “Jamie Grace’s ‘Beautiful…

Through Hell and Back Relevant has a story on Rob Bell and what he’s up to now. “Five years ago, Rob Bell wrote a controversial book, left the huge church he started and moved to L.A. But he says what he’s doing now is more pastoring than ever.” One-Thing Shops: Soda, Los Angeles Next time…

Alarmism And Transgendered Kids Rod Dreher writes about transgendered kids and teens: “Ten, twenty years from now, there are going to be a lot of maimed, broken people staggering around. This episode in history will be looked back on with horror.” Why Patience Doesn’t Come Naturally Sam Storms writes about his natural impatience. “It grieves…

Hearing the Voice of the Lord in Your Pastor’s Sermon “Reformed churches believe God still speaks. While we do not believe he speaks via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we believe that via preaching God’s voice is as real and vital to us as it was through the mouths and pens of prophets and…

Why Is Clinton Disliked? Yes, the question has to do with politics, but there is a bigger point we can all consider: “Even a socially good vocation can swallow you up and make you lose a sense of your own voice. Maybe it’s doubly important that people with fulfilling vocations develop, and be seen to…

Eternity Etched On My Eyes This is a powerful bit of writing. “‘I’m so weak. I’m so weak. I’m so weak,’ I whispered from the floor where I lay in my room, overwhelmed with the ongoing pain day after day. I looked up at my nightstand where the little orange bottle sat containing the narcotic…

Actively Serving Christ in Older Age Here’s a challenge for all of us: “One of the characteristics that has always impressed me about highly committed servants of Jesus Christ is that they continue to actively serve Him to the very end of their lives. Long after others have retired from their vocations and various forms…

Devotional Theology I like the sound of this series: “From the fallible, presumptuous words of Jesus Calling to the dangerous practice of contemplative prayer, eager Christian women everywhere are desperately seeking to know God better. However, the one thing we’re lacking is the one thing that’s sitting right under our noses—the Word of God; and…

The Hidden Hours of Ministry I’m looking forward to this series about the hidden hours of ministry. “The hidden hours lay the foundation for what happens publicly. The clamour of pastoral and teaching ministry can make it tempting to hold to public priorities, while neglecting more private responsibilities.” Ben Zobrist Is Reinventing Himself You’ll probably…

Do Biological Facts No Longer Matter? I am always interested in Nancy Pearcey’s take on contemporary issues. “The Darwinian worldview implies that the cosmos is merely a vast amoral machine. It reduces the human body to a lump of matter, a collection of atoms and molecules, not intrinsically different from any other chance configuration of…

It is a long weekend here in Canada as we pause for Victoria Day on Monday. This holiday marks the unofficial start of cottage season for those who have been so blessed. The rest of us just enjoy an extra day off and, hopefully, some time with friends and family. How to Shepherd Every Member…

Don’t Be Embarrassed by Your Ordinary Church By definition most churches are ordinary churches, right? Hong Kong This video of Hong Kong is beautifully done. (Isn’t it sad to see the empty, superstitious worship…) Is Your Pastor Happy To See You? I think you’ll appreciate this one from Jared Wilson. (I feel the need to…

I did not track down any Kindle deals today. However, if you are an Olive Tree user, you may be interested in picking up Visual Theology which they’ve just added to their catalog. Why Believers Must Avoid Immoral Joking I quite agree. “I write these very words because I, too, could easily fall into the…

Arguments For and Against Anxiety Justin Taylor: “An important lesson of the Christian life is that the heart of the battle is a fight not between abstract commands (do this! don’t do that!) but rather arguments. Unbelief does not just offer dictates; it offers reasons why we don’t need to trust the Lord. And to…

Persistent Prayer to a Loving Father “Persistent prayer proves hard for many Christians. We may labor on our knees for years as we pray for our unbelieving child, an empty womb, our spouse to be converted, the friend battling cancer, depression to no longer have a hold, a sin to lose its grip, or the…

Are You a Closet Annihilationist? Denny Burk comments on an article that discusses changing Christian views on hell. The Power of Conformity Rod Dreher shares a letter from one of his readers that explains some of the radical change we see around us (and why it should concern us). The Tender Heart of a Woman…

I am glad to be preparing this A La Carte in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am here to speak at a conference through the afternoon, then will fly home this evening so I can worship with Grace Fellowship Church tomorrow. It should be a good weekend. As always, your prayers are appreciated. Regulating Screen Time…

The Moral Revolutionaries Present Their Demands Al Mohler says, “The terms of moral surrender have been delivered to us, and they are absolute and unconditional. Just ask Japan and Germany what that means.” The Family Idols There is an important challenge in this article from Nick Batzig. He shows that even something as good as…