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A La Carte (5/4)

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Classic Petra – I’m not sure what to do with this information. “The latest band to join the ranks of the re-united is the original line-up of the classic rock band, Petra! That’s right, before John Schlitt was the band’s signature frontman, diehard fans will remember that Greg X. Volz was the band’s original singer. Now, the rock band is back together again – Greg, Louie Weaver (Drums), John Lawry (Keys, Vocals), Bob Hartman (Guitar, Vocals), and Mark Kelly (Bass, Vocals)!” Look, I like Petra as much as the next guy. They were the first Christian band I ever came across and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I even went out to their Farewell tour when it swung through Toronto. But I can’t help but think that maybe it’s time to just hang ’em up now, guys. But if you come through Toronto I’ll come see you out of loyalty.

How To Write a Bad Worship Song – I guess Stephen Altrogge has written a few bad worship songs in his day because he seems to know a lot about them.

7 Thoughts on Reading the Bible – J.C. Ryle offers seven thoughts on reading the Bible.

How Much Do Artists Earn Online – Here’s an interesting infographic showing how much musicians earn through various distribution channels.

Apple Obsession – Live Science covers “The Science of iPad Fanaticism.”


  • When God Plants an Acorn

    When God Plants an Acorn, He Means an Oak

    We stood together on the crest of a hill, a gentle breeze rustling the meadow around our feet. The fields ran gently downward until they met a creek that gurgled happily in its course. A few years prior, an acorn had somehow made its way to the highest point of this hill, carelessly dropped there…

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    A La Carte (April 28)

    A La Carte: Protestantism’s Catholic converts / How healthy is your pursuit of health? / God’s special calling on your life / Considering a Christian university? / Testing the teachings of Catholicism / Kindle deals / and more.

  • New and Notable

    New and Notable Christian Books for April 2025

    It is surprisingly difficult to find a list of Christian books that have been released in any given month—especially if you want that list to be filtered by books released through particular publishers. That’s one of the reasons why I close each month by coming up with my list of New and Notable books. I…

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    Weekend A La Carte (April 26)

    A La Carte: Every pinch of pain has purpose / China closed Christian bookstores / Watch for the thing after the thing / For everything there is a time / Showers of blessing / What Pope Francis can teach us about preaching / and more.

  • What Makes You Beautiful

    What Makes You Beautiful

    I have often thought of a conversation that took place when my girls were little. Abby was perhaps 5 or 6 at the time and Michaela just working her way through the “terrible twos” (which for our kids always happened when they were three or four). A stranger saw me interacting with them one day…