Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (August 10)

wednesday

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include the entire Word Biblical Commentary series. Rather than link to individual volumes, I’ll direct you to the series page where you can access them all. Remember that the accompanying Word Biblical Themes series is also on sale.

When You’re Up to Your Neck in Mud — Sing!

This is a fantastic illustration of the crucial role of singing in the Christian life (and the Navy SEALs).

What David McCullough Can Teach Us

I was saddened to hear that David McCullough has passed away. I very much appreciated Samuel’s tribute to him. “One of McCullough’s great gifts was opening up history so that you could see it the way the people who lived it saw it. In this, I imagine McCullough’s style irritated readers and scholars who preferred a more activist, more moralistic storytelling.”

Dishes and Divorce: Why Little Things Can Lead to a Breakup

“An interesting issue keeps coming up in marriage counseling sessions as my pastor husband and I sit across from couples of all ages and stages of their relationship. Each pair comes in with unique sets of issues, but it never fails that every couple seems to suffer from one specific problem: dishes. Yes, you read that right.”

Clark Stanley: The First Snake Oil Salesman

I enjoyed this account of the very first snake oil salesman (and, hence, the origin of the phrase).

Christ’s Crucifixion Isn’t Child Sacrifice

“In an age of political correctness, Christianity is a prime offender. It’s not only Scripture’s sexual ethics that get canceled. Even bedrock creeds like Christ’s crucifixion are on the chopping block.” That includes the idea that Jesus died as the penalty for our sins. This article tells why the atonement is not child sacrifice (as is so often charged).

Themelios 47.2

Those interested in some theological reading and book reviews may want to take a look at the new issue of Themelios. You can read it online or access it in PDF or Logos formats.

Flashback: He (and They) Must Not Be a Novice

Christian history proves repeatedly that giftedness makes a woeful substitute for character.

The Bible is more relevant than tomorrow’s newspaper, more reliable than tomorrow’s sunrise.

—Steven Lawson

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 13)

    A La Carte: No one drifts into godlIness / Your subscriptions are holding you captive / Fighting sexual temptation / An orderly case for raising hands in worship / Kirk Cameron and remodeling hell / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (Harvest House Publishers)

    This week, the blog and this giveaway are sponsored by Harvest House Publishers. Meet 52 Unsung Heroes Throughout history, the stories of brave Black believers and their remarkable contributions to the Christian faith and our nation have too often gone overlooked. Passionate writer and educator Jasmine L. Holmes brings 52 notable Black Christians’ stories to life…

  • 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…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    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…