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A La Carte (12/7)

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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

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    A La Carte (June 16)

    A La Carte: The freedom of being fully seen / Churchiness is back / Man-made marvels / Michael Tait’s confession / Church membership is inescapable / Rebaptism / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Right Place to Worship

    Where Is the Right Place to Worship?

    A woman from Samaria was once conversing with Jesus and puzzling over the answer to an age-old question: Where is the right place to worship? After all, the Jews and Samaritans worshipped in different places, each convinced theirs was the right and best place. But Jesus answered in a way neither Jew nor Samaritan would…

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    Weekend A La Carte (June 14)

    A La Carte: Diapers of glory / The manipulator / A censorious spirit / Know your teenage child’s frame / Even if he doesn’t / How can I be a godly father?

  • Managing Household

    Managing Your Household Well

    The Bible lays out a whole list of qualifications that must be present in the life of a man who wishes to be a pastor. He must be the husband of one wife, he must be a lover of good, he must be hospitable, and so on. Meanwhile, he must not be arrogant, quick-tempered, violent,…