A La Carte

A La Carte (3/4)

Here’s a round-up of current Kindle deals: Standing Strong by John MacArthur ($3.99); Creature of the Word by Matt Chandler ($3.99); Glorious Ruin by Tullian Tchividjian ($4.99); The Deep things of God by Fred Sanders ($4.99); Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ($1.99); Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear ($4.99); Think by John Piper ($4.61).

A Wedding Speech - I enjoyed this little clip of a father giving away his daughter at her wedding.

Passion Week Infographic - “This week's infographic, The Passion Week, is a chronological timeline of the major events that happened that happened during Jesus' last week before he died and rose again.”

Monergism Books - Monergism Books is having an inventory reduction sale. Use the coupon code march2013 and you will receive 15% off your entire order.

Preaching Matters - “Preaching Matters is a monthly video series designed to equip, encourage and inspire those who teach God’s word. Each month we sit down with preachers and ask what they have recently been thinking about and preaching on.” They have just added a couple more interviews.

Leaders of Courageous Character - Ed Stetzer writes about courageous leadership.

Isn't it amazing that almost everyone has an opinion to offer about the Bible, and yet so few have studied it? --R.C. Sproul

Weekend A La Carte (3/2)

Sequestageddon - I guess the best reason to read this article is that Mark Steyn deals so well with the radical overstatement that is happening. “If I understand correctly, by the time you read this, the planes will be dropping from the skies; the drip-feeds in every emergency room will be dry; every creature on the endangered species list will have broken free from our pristine federally manned national parks to be left for roadkill in the potholed asphalt of America's crumbling interstates…”

You’ve Got - This is a great video about a unique business owner.

You’re Leading Worship Too - “There are few things more confusing to me than watching a worship team standing on the platform, and seeing the face of a worship leader who has all of his being in engaged in worship of God. But then as I survey the rest of the team, I see a bass player with a too-cool-for-school scowl on his face or a guitar player with a sheepishly bewildered or bored look on his face. Or a keys player whose face is completely expressionless, glued to a sheet of music.”

Searching for the Seventies - A photo gallery.

The Best Kind of Work - Adam Holz finds some marriage inspiration in an unexpected place.

The Age of the Brag - Here is one parents may do well to read: “The age of the brag is over: why Facebook might be losing teens.” It tells you where they are migrating (which gives you another couple of social networks you may want to keep an eye on).

The Little Flowers - I’ve seen this video twenty times but still laugh.

When we deal seriously with our sins, God will deal gently with us. —C.H. Spurgeon

A La Carte (3/1)

Baseball and the Christian Walk - Because baseball season is nearly upon us. “The reality that baseball is a game of managed failure for every player, even the great ones, is one of the reasons the game imbedded so deeply in the fabric of American culture.”

Page CXVI - Page CXVI, which is a project meant to make hymns accessible, is giving away their complete catalog of 74 songs. It’s there for the taking! “To celebrate our 7-year anniversary of making music, we’re giving away our entire catalog of music for the month of March.”

We Are What We Remember - Jim Hamilton read a book I suggested, Moonwalking With Einstein, and has some very interesting applications. As he writes, he demonstrates why it is useful for Christians to read more than explicitly Christian books. (Be sure to read down a little ways.)

Economics Has Consequences - “Economics Has Consequences” is a greatly abridged version of a teaching series from R.C. Sproul Jr. Ligonier Ministries has made this abridged version free to watch online.

Three Generosities - “I think there are three levels of generosity a local church can process through given the gospel's dominion in the place and the leadership's determination to be humble and not insecure.” There is some food for thought here.

Hate Speech Ruling in Canada - This is very encouraging news from my side of the border (though, as always in this world, the news is not all good). “The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled yesterday that a Sasketchewan Christian who distributed anti-gay pamphlets ‘violated the province’s human rights rules.’ However, the ruling encouraged Canadian evangelicals because it also narrowed the definition of hate speech, striking down some sweeping, unconstitutional language.”

Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how far God will go for man’s salvation. —H.C. Trumball

A La Carte (2/28)

The Brutal Side of Papal Politics - This article looks at the brutal politics involved in choosing a new pope. “From champion of married priests to disgraced churchman within 72 hours, O'Brien's trajectory is stunning but also emblematic of the frenetic and fever-pitched campaigning that occurs during the tiny window between a pope's death or resignation and the election of his successor.”

Culture Creep - Andree Seu Peterson goes to the news to show us how an orientation is born, showing how pedophilia is being redefined in that way. She points to “a case study in journalistic slouching toward Gomorrah.”

Six Types of Selfishness - R.W. Glenn highlights six types of selfishness that Jesus died to kill.

No Compromise - You can now listen to or watch all of the sessions from last week’s Ligonier Ministries National Conference. Speakers include R.C. Sproul, Alistair Begg, Sinclair Ferguson, and Steven Lawson.

Christians in North Korea - “The fanatical regime, which rules the destitute country of 24 million people with a proverbial iron fist, has a special hatred for Christians,” Jerry Dykstra of the California-based Open Doors USA noted. “North Korea is in a league of its own when it comes to persecution of Christians.”

Pastors, Christians and Louis C.K. - This is an interesting little article. One obvious takeaway is that pastors need to be more careful with videos they show before their services! But there are other applications as well.

Book of Judges Infographic - Here is an infographic for the book of Judges.

What Exploded Over Russia? - This is fascinating.

Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion and death for its wages. —Thomas Watson

A La Carte (2/27)

The Place for Biblical Counseling - David Powlison: “Can local churches become a natural home for counseling ministry? Often the limitations or failures of the church get cited first, making it seem that church is at best an adjunct to ‘the real work of counseling.’ But, in principle, the local church is the natural home for face-to-face ministry. Counseling can and should thrive in local churches.”

Easter Reading - Westminster Books has lots of Easter-related books for sale.  The Cross He Bore is one of my all-time favorites and is down to just $3.50. Stott’s The Cross of Christ is a great deal as well.

Eerdmans Sale - Meanwhile Monergism Books has all their books from Eerdmans marked down by 45%. That includes titles from great commentary series like NICOT, NICNT, NIGTC and Pillar.

The Most Offensive Verse - Dan Phillips tells how he would response if he got ambushed by one of those antagonistic talk show hosts: “When Piers or Larry or Tavis or Rosie or Ellen or The View or whoever tried probing me about homosexuality, or wifely submission, or any other area where God has spoken (to the world’s consternation), I think I’d decline the worm altogether. I think instead, I’d say something like…”

Pilgrim Theology - Here is a new infographic that displays “some groundbreaking work from Michael Horton’s new theology book, Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples.”

5 Myths About Picking a Pope - This article comes from a distinctly pro-Catholic position, but it’s still an interesting take on a few myths about picking a new pope.

How I Become a Prolific Writer - There is hope here for the wannabe writer.

God soon turns from his wrath, but he never turns from his love. —C.H. Spurgeon

A La Carte (2/26)

Lit! - Tony Reinke’s excellent book Lit! has been marked down to $0.99 in the Kindle edition. This is a one-day deal, so don’t dawdle. “Learn how to better read, what to read, when to read, and why you should read with this helpful guide from accomplished reader Tony Reinke. Offered here is a theology for reading and practical suggestions for reading widely, reading well, and for making it all worthwhile.”

C. Everett Koop - Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop went to be with the Lord yesterday. Justin Taylor has a short account of his life.

You’ll Cry - Just go ahead and try not to cry when you watch this video.

Manufactured Crisis - “Even during this desultory economic recovery, one industry thrives -- the manufacture of synthetic hysteria. It is, however, inaccurate to accuse the Hysteric in Chief of crying ‘Wolf!’ about spending cuts under the sequester. He is actually crying ‘Hamster!’”

How Sweet the Name - “Derek Prime, a now retired pastor, testifies in this powerful short video of the things God is still teaching him at 82 years of age.”

Fiery Looping Rain - This is an amazing video from the sun.

Unholiness in a preacher's life will either stop his mouth from reproving, or the people's ears from receiving. —William Gurnall

A La Carte (2/25)

In case you missed it on Saturday, Amazon has put a long list of Kindle books on sale, including: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ($1.99); Creature of the Word by Matt Chandler ($3.99); Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal by Michael Kelly ($2.99); Handel's Messiah by Calvin Stapert ($3.99). Outside the Christian market, consider Abigail and John by Edith Gelles ($1.99); The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan ($1.99); The Life of Andrew Jackson by Robert Remini

Legalized Prostitution - “The Netherlands, that once-Calvinist land, has gone farther than just about any other country in legalizing ‘victimless crimes,’ such as prostitution, drug use, and euthanasia. Now that country is facing the unintended consequences…”

Reaching Catholics - Chris Costaldo has an article about reaching Roman Catholics with the gospel. On a similar note, John MacArthur has begun a series on exposing the heresies of Roman Catholicism.

Simple Words - Clarence Thomas uses simple words in his opinions. “What I tell my law clerks is that we write these so that they are accessible to regular people. That doesn’t mean that there’s no law in it. But there are simple ways to put important things in language that’s accessible. As I say to them, the beauty, the genius is not to write a 5 cent idea in a ten dollar sentence. It’s to put a ten dollar idea in a 5 cent sentence.”

Lost Tribes of the Amazon - If you’re in the mood for a longer read, this article from Smithsonian is quite interesting.

We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small. —D.L. Moody

Weekend A La Carte (2/23)

The big news today is that Amazon is having a massive sale on Kindle books. I’ll share Christian highlights here; scroll down to find some general market highlights. Creature of the Word by Matt Chandler ($3.99); Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal by Michael Kelly ($2.99); Handel’s Messiah by Calvin Stapert ($3.99). (Complete list)

A Letter from Prison - Saeed’s Abedini is a pastor who has been imprisoned within Iran. Here is a letter he recently wrote to his wife from behind prison bars.

Tebow’s Big Fumble - Dr. Mohler: “For Tim Tebow, speaking at the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, had to look like a great opportunity. He grew up attending a large Southern Baptist church, and an invitation to speak at one of the most venerable and historic Baptist churches in the world had to look like an easy call. He was going.”

The Word-less “Church” - Robert Godfrey writes about churches that have become (or are becoming) Word-less and warns “Churches that depart from the Word will soon find that God has departed from them.”

Why the Afterlife Bores Us - Russell Moore is on to something here. “Imagine a couple referring to their marriage as their ‘after-love.’ They explain to you that years ago they met, fell in love, and married. The years since are their ‘after-love’ years, since they follow their falling in love with each other.”

An Amish Trade Show - This is fascinating and lends itself so easily to personal application. “The Amish have chosen to forgo many of the delights of the modern world, but they still need to drill, sand and cut wood. This trade expo shows off all the loopholes that let the Amish get their hands on power tools.”

Here are some of the most noteworthy general market Kindle books (click here for the complete list):

Beware that you are not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge. —John Wesley

A La Carte (2/22)

Earth As Art - “This set of images is all about showing off the ‘beauty of the Earth,’ says Lawrence Friedl, the director of NASA’s Applied Sciences Program and the editor of a project called Earth as Art. “We want people to look at these images and say, ‘How did nature do that?’” It’s great art, even if they’re asking the wrong question.

The God of Open Options - “The false god of limitless choices, like those at a coffeehouse, is enslaving modern Americans.” This article from Christianity Today speaks of how to resist him.

Time Machine - This is a neat story of an elderly man who received quite a surprise when he restored an old car.

Keep Calm and Carry On - Carl Trueman offers some help in thinking through the latest news surrounding Tim Tebow. I believe his second point is particularly important.

The Day that Changed History - The Atlantic asks historians this question: “What day most changed the course of history?” Not surprisingly, they receive a wide array of answers. I would probably pick a different day than each of them. 

The Science of Porn Addiction - “It’s the number one topic for internet searches, but do we ever consider how pornography can have lasting neuroplastic effects? Discover the hard science behind the ‘porn epidemic’ - the internet’s drug of choice.” I’m glad to see this topic covered outside the Christian world!

When Satan tells me I am a sinner he comforts me immeasurably, since Christ died for sinners. —Martin Luther

A La Carte (2/21)

Be Like Mike - Matt Smethurst writes about a recent article on Michael Jordan. “Thompson’s piece pulsates with the sense that Jordan isn’t happy. ‘I would give up everything now to go back and play the game of basketball,’ the Hall of Famer confesses. When asked how he replaces it, Jordan simply states, ‘You don’t. You learn to live with it’.”

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart - This book—a really good one—has been marked down to just $4.99 at Amazon.

When Sparrows Fall - Scroll down a little ways and read a mother’s grief. “My final request to all who read this blog: love. Love your babies, your husbands, mothers, sisters. Love each day like it's your last. All you mamas out there, you have been entrusted with the precious gift of a human life who depends on you. Enjoy your gift. Breathe in the scent of your child's hair, breath. Let them cook with you and make a mess of the kitchen…”

Don’t Waste Your Wedding - With prime wedding season fast approaching, this blog may prove a helpful resource to the prospective bride or groom. There is lots of wisdom to be found on organizing a wedding that is distinctly Christian.

25 Years of Evangelizing My Husband - There is encouragement here! “My husband is not a believer … a fact I routinely brought before the Lord and prayer partners. During our twenty-five years of marriage, I had purchased countless books and CDs with titles such as Beloved Unbeliever. Yet, my daily prayer, Please change his heart, had gone unanswered.”

Hard, But Worth It - “There is so much in this life that is hard. … it is somehow wonderfully heartening to remember that there aren’t too many things in life that are worth a whole lot that aren’t, at times, really hard. Maybe most of all, it really is worth it to follow Christ and live the way God has prescribed through His word, even when it’s incredibly hard.”

The Zombie Invasion - I guess it was a slow day on the floor of Canada’s House of Commons. 

It is as impossible to understand the Scriptures without the Spirit's help as it is to read a sundial without the sun. —Derek Prime & Alistair Begg