Welcome to today’s A La Carte. It’s a joy to put together this curated collection of links each day, and I thank you for reading it!
You may know that I maintain a Best Commentaries page where I list the best commentaries on each book of the Bible according to the recommendations of expert scholars and theologians. I regularly update that page, but did an especially big update yesterday. The same is true of the Commentaries on Sale page.
Sales & Deals
Today’s Kindle deals include books on doubt, masculinity, ministry, Satan, Jesus’ parables, and more.
Recommended Reading
Sophie Cunningham Is Tearing Down Transgender Lies, but Only God’s People Can Offer Up His Truth. Jon Dykstra writes about Sophie Cunningham and her stand against transgenderism. “We should admire Cunningham for her courage, and Travis for being willing to back his stand with big bucks. But what the world needs to hear now is the clarity that only God’s Word offers. Why is it so stupid for men to play against women? And why does the world have to pretend otherwise? It’s because they’ve rejected God’s Word, and that’s left them without any foundation to stand on.”
Against Gambling. Douglas Groothuis: “How should a Christian understand gambling? Gambling is an activity in which someone puts up money, goods, or services on the chance of being rewarded by unknown outcomes by the gambler. I do not mean the investment of money, goods, services. By ‘chance,’ I mean unknown outcomes not determined by the gambler, not chance in the metaphysical sense of being beyond the control or knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 139-1-3). There is no such thing. But consider examples of gambling.”
The Gospel Way Catechism for Kids. Based on its adult counterpart, this innovative question-and-answer book equips parents and Bible teachers with a tool to help middle-grade children grasp the truth of God’s Word and recognize the many mistruths present in today’s culture. (Sponsored)
Three Ways to Know I Am a Real Christian. Many people struggle with assurance that they are Christians. Stephen Kneale writes for them and offers three ways to know you are truly saved. “It is a common question from earnest and sincere people: how can I know I am a Christian? There are all sorts of answers we might give, some probably more helpful than others. But it would make most sense to look at the scriptures and see some of the signs it would highlight. So, to that end, here are three biblical signs that you are a genuine Christian.”
Struggle Against Sin Doesn’t Signal Defeat. This article nicely complements the last one. Some people struggle with assurance because they struggle with sin. Yet as Ashley Anthony says here, struggling against sin does not signal defeat.
Please Don’t Pray for Me. Writing on behalf of parents who long for their children to be saved, Tessa Lind asks whether such parents should honor the request that they don’t pray for their children. “Just five years ago, we sat in the same spot, my arm outstretched and her head on my shoulder. I was a safe place. I was a comforter, a listening ear, a trusted friend. I led her to the Rock that is higher than I. I didn’t have all the answers to the questions she was asking, but I showed her where the answers could be found. We walked down many roads together. As the teen years hit, the roads became bumpy. We hit potholes, and she let go of my hand. The road crumbled, and she let go of Jesus.”
PowerWash Simulator and the Yearning to Work. Did you know that one of the most popular video games today is a powerwash simulator? John Ehrett asks some good questions about this: What does it say about us, our nation, and our economy that over 17 million people now spend hours playing a simulator in which they do decent blue collar work?
Enjoying
Audible. Once a year, Audible offers me a free or almost free membership that lasts between 1 and 3 months (and, therefore, offers between 1 and 3 free books). I always take advantage of this, then cancel it. Most recently, I listened to An Inconvenient Widow and enjoyed it a lot. (You can check here to see if you can get the same offer.)
CSB. I am a longtime reader of the ESV, but over the past few months have been using the CSB for my devotions. I have found it mostly refreshing. The CSB holds to a similar translation philosophy as the ESV, but often states things more plainly. I would disagree with a few of their choices, but overall, I have found that it enhances my understanding of many passages, in part because I’m so familiar with the ESV that I have to debate the differences in my mind.
ESV API. Let me give a little shoutout to the ESV for giving such ready access to its API. The API allows other apps to connect to the ESV and use its data. I have found that extremely helpful in some of the different apps I use or have created for my own purposes. Many of the other Bible translations offer their API only to paid users or through third-party services, but ESV makes it as easy as can be. I appreciate that and take advantage of it often.
Your Recommendations
Every week, I like to ask what you recommend. What books, products, videos, sites, or experiences do you recommend to others who read this blog/newsletter? Let me know, and I’ll share a collection on Saturday. (If you’re reading this via email, you’ll need to visit my site to fill out the form. Go here to read last week’s recommendations.)
Flashback
A Child of His Care. I’d like you to keep reading so I can tell you about Ronda—sweet Ronda who just went to be with Jesus. I am certain you will find yourself blessed and encouraged if you press on.
Lusts within are worse than lions without.
—Thomas Watson
