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A La Carte (3/5)

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Emily’s Story
“Juanita and Terry Stauffer of Edson, Alberta, whose teenaged daughter Emily was murdered a year and a half ago, were interviewed by a reporter from 100 Huntley Street, a Canadian Christian TV program. In these two videos, they share how God prepared them for their loss and continues to uphold them day by day.” (Last year I interviewed Terry)

Uncool People Need Jesus Too
Bill Streger pens a thought-provoking article. “Through my work with the Acts 29 Network, I get the privilege of assessing a number of potential church planters each year. I also get to hear about dozens more from fellow pastors as well. When I guy comes in to get assessed, by the time he gets to the interview stage he’s already submitted a lot of paperwork. Resumes. Plans. Budgets. Demographic Analysis. Dental history. (Ok, just kidding on the last one). And as I’ve looked at some amazing plans from church planters, I’ve started to notice a trend. They all sound the same.”

Fourteen
Ali gives a glimpse of life on a hospital ship.”Among the things that slipped through the cracks from the admissions process was a pregnancy test on the little fourteen year-old girl in Bed Seventeen. Since everyone was pitching in and helping out, her nurse sent off the sample to the lab this morning, expecting to be able to call the OR and get her scheduled for surgery to straighten her leg when the results came back.”

A Compendium of Beautiful Libraries
Check out this gallery of beautiful libraries. “Everyone has some kind of place that makes them feel transported to a magical realm. For some people it’s castles with their noble history and crumbling towers. For others it’s abandoned factories, ivy choked, a sense of foreboding around every corner. For us here at Curious Expeditions, there has always been something about libraries. Row after row, shelf after shelf, there is nothing more magical than a beautiful old library.”

Busy Moms and the Bible
In this excerpt from Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed Donald Whitney gives sound advice for busy moms. (HT:Josh Harris)

Free Will
Here’s your morning chuckle.


  • Top Ten

    My Top Ten Books from 2025 (+ a Bonus)

    As another year draws to a close, I wanted to take some time to consider the books I read in 2025 and to assemble a list of my top picks. Apart from the first book, which I consider the best I read this year, the rest are in no particular order. In each case I’ve…

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    A La Carte (December 12)

    A La Carte: How to fight your phone idolatry / The weakness of God / Strong and fearless faith / Loving aging parents well / Changed by love / and more.

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    A La Carte (December 11)

    A La Carte: Gift giving in an age of abundance / Canada’s Bill C-9 / In memory of Jubilant Sykes / Motherhood is a refining fire / A gentle pastor isn’t a weak pastor / When God’s plans leave us distressed / and more.

  • Southern Africa

    A Trip to Southern Africa

    I don’t often write trip reports after I travel, except, of course, in the form of books and documentary projects like Epic and From the Rising of the Sun. Yet, I thought I would make a rare exception after returning from my recent journey to Southern Africa (and, strangely, Northern California). While I am accustomed…

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    A La Carte (December 10)

    A La Carte: Top 10 theology stories of 2025 / Mama, you don’t have to save Christmas / Giving up all your Sundays to advent / An empty chair at Christmas / Pray for the church in Rwanda / Kindle deals / and more.

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    A La Carte (December 9)

    A La Carte: Reforming generosity / Let the young man come to church / Your wife is beauty / Combating imposter syndrome / Be known, not impressive / Dan McClellan / and more.