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A La Carte (August 29)

tuesday

Good morning from Oakville! After a lovely time away, Aileen and I have returned safely and gladly home.

Today’s Kindle deals include just a couple of fairly minor picks (at least for now).

(Yesterday on the blog: No Fear of Old Age)

Orphaned Widow

Patsy writes movingly about being both a widow and, more recently, an orphan (in the sense of being an adult who has now lost both of her parents). “I’m finding it difficult to grasp my new status or describe what it feels like to realize the two people who knew me from the first day of my life and through all the ups and downs that followed are no longer within reach of a phone call or hug.”

Trusting God When Our Children Leave the Nest

Barbara has an article and a poem for the empty nesters.

What was Jonathan Edwards’ favorite book?

Why did America’s greatest theologian call Petrus Van Mastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology “much better than any other book in the world, excepting the Bible?” Read the newest volume in this monumental collection, Redemption in Christ, to find out. (Sponsored Link)

Behind the Seen, Providence At Work for Those He Loves

Cara: “No matter what trials or tribulations come our way, God assures us that he is for us and providentially at work in us. Nothing—not peril, decrees, king’s commands, or unexpected life turns—can stand in the way of God accomplishing his purposes for our good and his glory.”

Remembering Dr. N.H. Gootjes (1948-2023)

I appreciate Wes’ remembrance of Dr. Gootjes, a man who was a significant part of my family’s life many years ago.

The Curse Word Isn’t the Most Shocking Part of Philippians 3

This is a good reminder that the infamous “skubalon” is not the most shocking part of Philippians 3.

The Utter Folly of the Cross

Jeremy Treat reminds us of the utter and shocking folly of the cross. We need to ensure we never forget this!

Flashback: When God’s Blessings Flow

Are you in the habit of praying not only for yourself and your family, and not only for your friends and your church, but also for the people around you? Are you in the habit of praying that God would bless and deliver not only you but also others?

The greatness of our sin is always less than the greatness of God’s grace.

—F.B. Meyer

  • Free Stuff Fridays (Reformed Free Publishing)

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to uproot your life and sacrifice everything for the sake of your faith? Enter today’s Free Stuff Fridays giveaway to win a copy of Grace House, the story of one young Hindu girl who is forced to choose between the only world she’s ever known and…

  • Family Tech Books

    Books to Help Parents With Tech

    Christian parents are well-served with books meant to inform and equip them as they lead their families. Here are some of my top picks for parents who want to faithfully disciple their children to live well in a world of smartphones, social media, AI, and a host of other world-shaping technologies.

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (January 30)

    A La Carte: The biggest crisis ever / When God’s plans leave us distressed / The rise and fall of gay activism / Boundaries in dating / How to derail a Bible study / Kindle deals / and more.

  • New-and-Notable January

    New and Notable Christian Books for January 2026

    As you know, I like to do my best to sort through the new Christian books that are released each month to see what stands out as being not only new but also particularly notable. I received quite a number of books in January and narrowed the list down to the ones below. I have…

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (January 29)

    A La Carte: Church buildings / Resist assisted suicide / Beauty will win / Finish strong / Glorifying ourselves / Jen Wilkin and the great omission / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Amplify Not a Fool by Responding to His Folly 

    Amplify Not a Fool by Responding to His Folly 

    Where you think your wisdom may make the fool better, it’s more likely that his folly will make you worse. You are more likely to stoop to his level than he is to rise to yours. Ironically, fools can be clever at times and wise men naive, for the fool has an intuitive understanding of…