A La Carte (April 23)

Today’s Kindle deals include a collection of 9 books by Wiersbe that, as a bundle, are selling for just a few dollars.

Westminster Books has a special on a book that deals with how to pray during a global crisis. As for my fellow Canadians, remember that Reformed Book Services has 20% off on all their stock.

(Yesterday on the blog: It’s Not Often in Life You Get a Do-Over (So Take the Do-Over!))

The Reason Zoom Calls Drain Your Energy

I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds Zoom calls especially draining. This could be a reason why: “When you’re on a video conference, you know everybody’s looking at you; you are on stage, so there comes the social pressure and feeling like you need to perform. Being performative is nerve-wracking and more stressful.”

Are We Living In Reality?

“In all these shifting emotions, we need to constantly pray that God would graciously pull us up from the muck of our own perceived reality and into the beauty of the actual reality that we live in. My perceived reality says I am stuck at home. My actual reality says I have been given more time to engage with the people in my life that I have been called to love the most: my family (Titus 2:4)…” (See also: The Extraordinary New Ordinary and A Plea To Parents And Coaches: Slow Down.)

10 Ministry Idols Being Exposed by COVID-19

“The pandemic is forcing churches to do ministry differently and find new ways to reach people. But it’s also teaching us about ourselves and exposing weaknesses in our ministries. We asked several church leaders, ‘What are some ministry idols you see being exposed by COVID-19?’ Here’s what they said…” (See also: Did Some of Us Miss the Sign? and Free Resource for COVID-19 Pastoral Calls.)

The Right Way to Play Monopoly (Video)

I quite enjoyed this video on the right way to play Monopoly. (Note: one bad word.)

An Open Letter to Those Who Divide over Doctrine

“No matter how serious your differences may be with a brother or sister in Christ, if Jesus has set his love on them, we cannot emotionally stiff-arm them. This does not mean we should ignore our disagreements, and in some circumstances there is appropriate space for accountability and confrontation. But even our disagreements and confrontations must be handled with love.”