Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (December 20)

friday

The Kindle deals seem to be slowing down a little pre-Christmas, but I did track down a few that you may want to look at.

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Were Not Refugees

While there may be some similarities, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were not refugees as we understand the term today. “There is a thought-provoking image circulating the internet that depicts a nativity scene unlike most we’re familiar with. It’s a picture of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, each in separate cages. This image is powerful, especially in light of the current political climate. But is it truthful?”

Gaining Victory Over Temptation

“How can Christians experience victory over temptations to sin? Here are ten dynamic steps you can take to gain victory over temptation…”

The Amazing Math Inside the Rubik’s Cube

“Next year marks 40 years of the Rubik’s Cube first hitting toy shelves. Ever since its release, it’s taunted almost a half billion tinkerers who think they can crack the confounding cube, only to be stymied by its maddening secrets. As we approach the Rubik’s Cube’s ruby anniversary (for real!) it’s time to unpack the puzzle once and for all—with deep math…”

Description: AccelerateBooks is hosting another giveaway. This time they’re giving away both the Puritan Paperbacks and Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Romans set to one winner. It ends Jan. 1st, so don’t miss this!

Video: Pastoral Response to #WakeUpOlive (Bethel’s Dead-Raising Charade)

“After an immense amount of feedback poured in regarding Bethel Church’s attempt at raising a two-year old little girl from the dead, it became clear that a pastoral response would help provide clarity for many confused people.”

6 Exciting Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2019

Here’s a year-end round-up of interesting and important discoveries in 2019.

Is Luke’s genealogy through Mary?

What’s with the two different genealogies of Jesus in the gospels? We don’t know 100%, but this is a good look at the options.

John Calvin Wouldn’t Wear a Necktie

That’s just one more thing to respect about him, isn’t it?

Flashback: A Christmas Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Nativity Story?

How well do you know the nativity story? This short quiz is designed to help you find out!

Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.

—Jonathan Edwards

  • Weekend A La Carte (November 7)

    The Hutterites’ guide to technology / Searching for jobs, Gen Z feels like it’s staring into ‘the void’ / The gospel according to Peter (Thiel) / Scientism and the allure of control / Can science explain sparkling rivers? / What led to Christianity Today’s crisis?

  • I Regret to Inform You That Heaven Tourism Is Back

    I Regret to Inform You That Heaven Tourism Is Back

    I regret to inform you, dear reader, that heaven tourism is back. The genre possibly never went away entirely, but it did at least disappear from the bestseller lists for several years. Sadly, it has returned in Gabe Poirot’s 18 Days in Heaven.

  • A La Carte (November 6)

    Don’t despise the red flags / Your thoughts are shaping your life / Can’t you just love everyone? / Selfies are not the self: forming embodied youth in a disembodied age / Effective altruists and the spreadsheet gospel / 4 Applications for the order of love—from the home to the ends of the earth /…

  • A La Carte (November 5)

    When you feel guilty about your giving / The missing piece in John Mark Comer’s quiet time / A manifesto for phone-free church / The pull of Rome / 4 Misconceptions about spiritual warfare / Slouching toward Narnia / Kindle deals, and more

  • A Daring Suggestion for Netflix

    A Daring Suggestion for Netflix

    Netflix appears to have fallen on hard times and I have some suggestions that I’d like to think would help it: cut the sex, nudity, and profanity, and gain back the viewers it’s long been alienating.

  • A La Carte (November 4)

    Can I love my enemies while addressing wrongs and protecting myself? / Is missions too costly for kids? / Don’t stock the pantry with temptation / Churches face a shortage of worship leaders / AI brought a mathematician to Ecclesiastes / Discerning between godly and worldly grief / Harvest in fearful times / and more.