Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (12/7)

A La Carte Collection cover image

The Size of the Universe – WIRED takes a shot at helping us picture the size of the observable universe. Turns out it’s really, really big. “To try imagining how big, place a penny down in front of you. If our sun were the size of that penny, the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, would be 350 miles away. Depending on where you live, that’s very likely in the next state (or possibly country) over.”

Does Tech Feed Self-Centered Control? – One of the true joys of writing a book is seeing how other people interact with it and improve upon it. Paul Tautges has been doing just that. He looks at a particular bit of the book and says, “Let’s counsel ourselves by asking 8 idol-shattering questions about the love of control…”

Google: Behind the Numbers – Infographic du jour. Turns out that Google is big, too (but not quite as big as the universe).

Darwinism and the Next Generation – I enjoyed this article from Sean McDowell. I don’t advocate Intelligent Design, but what he says about Darwinism and materialism is really good.

Malcolm Gladwell: Collected – How did I not know about this set of books? Gladwell is an amazing author and these books are beautifully designed and illustrated.

Don’t Strive to Be Great – This is some great advice for preachers: don’t strive to be great. “What I am arguing against is the actual attempt to develop into a preacher with a reputation for being so unusually wonderful that people flock to you. There is a fine line here, to be sure: typically, gifted men attract larger audiences. Nothing wrong with that per se.”

Faithfulness is our business; fruitfulness is an issue that we must be content to leave with God.

—J.I. Packer

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (March 21)

    Sports gambling / The challenges of new technology / New music / The Abuja affirmation / Bird names / Baptism / Think pieces and longform writing / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 20)

    A La Carte: The one-hundredth-day name / What does the Bible say about Satan? / Calibrating the conscience / When Christians disagree / Legacy over platform / What can triumphant Christians sing? / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 19)

    A La Carte: All things from his fatherly hand / Surrendering to kindness / Doing what you’re told / A legacy better than the Hall of Fame / Mercy ministry is not missions / The Black Sheep and the Laptop Girl / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 18)

    An ancient answer to a present problem / Here we are now (entertain us) / Marriage really matters / The other book that shaped America / Automatically anticipating God’s help / The population bomb / Book and Kindle deals.