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A La Carte (April 30)

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Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

Today’s Kindle deals include a couple of new titles and a reminder that this is the last day for all the titles that were discounted through April (which I bumped back to the top of the list).

(Yesterday on the blog: The Great Man and the Local Church)

Warblers and the Question of Gratuitous Beauty

This is a wonderful reflection on the gratuitous (or surplus) beauty in the world. “A feather, all by itself, should be enough to convince you of intelligent design. But arrange four thousand of them together around the small frame of a songbird, and any sane heart must surrender to this discovery: the design isn’t just intelligent. It’s beautiful.”

Are Parents to Blame for Prodigals?

This is a question that is usually asked with a lot of pain: Are parents to blame for prodigals? John Piper answers it compassionately and biblically.

Majoring in Motherhood

Majoring in Motherhood, a new book for moms of little ones, is just in time for Mother’s Day. Emily Schuch, a Christian mom of six, has given us a delightful, guilt-free, fun read that also runs deep. Charming, witty, and deeply encouraging, the eight brief chapters of Majoring in Motherhood offer honest, humorous observations on the everyday lives of moms, then seamlessly transition into sharing solid theological truth. Complete with Reflection Questions following each chapter, Emily’s book will strengthen a mother’s faith and refresh her soul in Christ. (Sponsored)

The Freebie Round-Up

Nitoy Gonzales has put together another of his “freebie round-ups.”

Scripts for Healthy Masculinity

“The present ‘crisis of masculinity’ has its origins in ongoing confusion about what a man is. It also involves the contemporary angst of men, especially young men,with a sense of lack of purpose or vision they have for their lives. What does it mean for a young man to ‘make something’ of himself? Is there a reliable and general script men can follow that will guide them towards maturation and meaning?”

5 Traits of Great Spiritual Leaders

Daniel thinks about some of the great spiritual leaders he has known and considers some of the traits they have in common.

Why Daily Bread Is Better

“I know God provides, hears my prayers, is powerful to act, gives wisdom and strength, and loves me. I know he gives me the ‘bread’ I need. I trust his baking skills. His loaves are good. But I don’t like daily bread because I’m impatient. I want all my long-term needs supplied now. I want a year’s supply. Or at the very least, a week’s worth.”

Flashback: Why We Cringe at “Submit”

Why do I feel that little bit of rebellion or shame when I hear the word “submit?” I think it’s proof that we as Christians are constantly battling worldliness.

The opposite of joy is not sadness. It’s hopelessness.

—Tim Keller

  • Holiness

    You’re Exactly As Holy As You Want To Be

    Every Christian is a work in progress. Every Christian is striving for holiness, laboring to put off the old man and put on the new. Though none of us is as holy as we will be in heaven, I trust that each of us is holier now than when we first came to Christ. And…

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    A La Carte (December 4)

    A La Carte: The finish comes fast / The strength of gentleness / Produce something average / CNN repeats Andy Stanley’s falsehoods / How to read and remember / and more.

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    A La Carte (December 3)

    A La Carte: John Piper on gender pronoun hospitality / When there is too much to do / Is Christmas a pagan tradition? / The passion of Jordan Peterson / The joy of our adoption / and more.

  • Is Biblical Counseling for You? Let the Goal be the Guide.

    This week’s blog is sponsored by Insight Counseling, providing counsel, care, and training in the grace and power of Christ.  Click here to find out more. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would…

  • Modesty Requires Looking Away

    Modesty Requires Looking Away

    The plane reached the terminal in Recife, Brazil and the ground crew opened the door. I have been through more airports than I can count1 and find they all kind of blur together—jetways, corridors, escalators, luggage belts. But for some reason, I remembered this one from my previous visit. After exiting the secure area, I…

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    A La Carte (December 2)

    A La Carte: Cyber Monday deals / Eleven hindrances to answered prayer / Thinking about Bruce Willis and Jesus / Nearly there, nearly home / Progressive ideology leads to paganism / You already work a Christian job / Kindle deals / and more.