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A La Carte (December 24)

tuesday

Today’s Kindle deals include just a couple of books. Maybe people don’t buy books on Christmas Eve.

What are the essential ingredients of a true church? (Video)

It’s important to know the historic marks of a true (versus a false) church.

The Closed Lid

“Throughout the Bible, God uses illustrations to teach His people specific truths about Himself. Sometimes it’s about His character, sometimes it’s instruction on how to relate to Him, and sometimes it is to remind us of the ways in which He proves His love and care for us.”

Remember the good old days when it was Christians who wanted Harry Potter banned?

How the tides have turned…

How one company changed the way we watch television

It’s interesting to consider how entertainment has been utterly transformed over the past decade. Netflix has taken the lead.

The Problem With My Christmas Traditions

“Ask anyone in my family and they’ll tell you—probably with a wry smile—how much I love traditions. I want things to be done like they always have been. Especially at Christmas.”

VFX Artist Reveals the True Scale of Atoms

This is kind of a neat way of illustrating the microscopic world.

WHAT WAS THE STAR AND HOW DID THE WISE MEN KNOW TO FOLLOW IT? (SPONSORED)

“What was the star and how did the wise men know to follow it? These are questions people are curious to have answered, especially this time of year. During the Christmas season, many who are hostile to anything Biblical, won’t object to hearing about the ‘Christmas Story’. Often, they welcome it with curiosity! When would be a better opportunity for some undercover evangelizing than when gathering with our friends and family during Christmas week?”

A Thrill of Hope

Jared Wilson: “I don’t know where this Christmas week finds you, but it may be in a very darkened place. Emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually you may feel dry and despondent. Christmas feels thin to you, hollow. The sentimentality of the holiday is a weak antidote for what ails you. I want to urge you for a moment to look beyond the wrapping to the Gift. You can find hope this Christmas.”

Flashback: Why We Know So Little About Jesus’ Birth

When it comes to the birth of Jesus, we get all the details we need to understand one thing with the utmost clarity: Jesus comes as the least.

So great and boundless is God’s wisdom that he knows right well how to use evil instruments to do good.

—John Calvin

  • A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    Reformation Heritage Books is offering Challies readers an exclusive 15% discount on their top ten recent releases. Use code CHALLIES at checkout. This offer is valid until January 27.

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    A La Carte (January 20)

    A La Carte: When protest enters the sanctuary / Why I ditched my scrolling habit / Take sports betting seriously / The world runs on urgency / Sanctification hacks / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Endure

    Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer

    I remember the days when my children were younger and would ask me to give them something—then ask me again, and ask me again. At that age, they had no ability to gain or purchase these things for themselves, so they were entirely dependent upon their parents to grant their requests (which were usually for…

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    A La Carte (January 19)

    A La Carte: Learning to struggle / When “Stranger Things” stopped being strange / “If God Is For Us” / Reading as stewardship / A sermon you need to hear / Excellent Kindle deals / and more.

  • Not a Hindrance But a Prerequisite

    Not a Hindrance But a Prerequisite

    Many Christians feel they are too unholy or too sinful to participate in the Lord’s Supper. They come to the table downcast, convinced that their sin makes them unworthy. They may refuse to participate at all.

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    Weekend A La Carte (January 17)

    A La Carte: Look to and learn from older saints / Don’t overthink your problems / Rebellion / When there is no good church / Teens and popular music / Where the gospel costs everything / and more.