Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (December 28)

A La Carte Collection cover image

The God of love and peace be with you today.

Westminster Books has announced a new book and podcast that may be of interest to many.

Several of today’s Kindle deals look quite interesting.

Death: A Wasp Without a Stinger

“Bees are like death. People may not fear bees like I do, but Scripture tells us that everyone is held captive by their fear of being stung by death.” Dan Brewer has a meaningful reflection on grief here. (He quotes me, which is always a bit odd to link to, but anyway…)

Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

I have read a good many answers to this question over the years and am often disappointed in them. But I found this article by Le Ann Trees very solid.

Leading Your Family Out of the Post-Holiday Blues

Chris Lynch says that the post-holiday blues are a thing—and that they bring opportunity. “As dads, we have a golden opportunity amidst these gloomy days to direct our families to reasons for joy and anticipation. Indeed, it’s more than an opportunity; it’s a responsibility.”

Everything Is Going Wrong in the World?

Sometimes it feels like everything is going wrong in the world. But is it? Randy Alcorn channels a little G. Campbell Morgan here to call us to stop our whining.

I Always Wanted a Brother

“I always wanted a brother. I have two wonderful sisters whom I love dearly. But I saw the way they interacted with one another, their deep bond as sisters. I wanted similar. Though I have been a Christian for a while it was only in the last year or so that I realised I have not been missing out.” James Galea explains over at TGC Australia.

How to Cultivate and Develop Student Leaders

“If faithful youth leaders want students to become disciples of Jesus who go and make disciples, this … implies that we influence and develop them to become leaders in the church and the world for the Kingdom of God. But how can we do this? We can develop leaders in our student ministry in these two ways: casting a biblical vision of leadership and cultivating a system for leadership.” Those who work with students may benefit from reading Andrew Slay’s thoughts.

Flashback: Strength = Good, Weakness = Bad

Consider all the ways you were weak in the year that is now behind us. Consider how God can and will work in you in the year ahead if only you will be weak. Make this the year where you will rejoice in weakness so you can rely on God’s strength.

We…don’t seem fearful enough, not nearly as exasperated or concerned about the certain and dreadful end of our unbelieving neighbors as we should be.

—Elliot Clark

  • New and Notable

    New and Notable Christian Books for April 2025

    It is surprisingly difficult to find a list of Christian books that have been released in any given month—especially if you want that list to be filtered by books released through particular publishers. That’s one of the reasons why I close each month by coming up with my list of New and Notable books. I…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (April 26)

    A La Carte: Every pinch of pain has purpose / China closed Christian bookstores / Watch for the thing after the thing / For everything there is a time / Showers of blessing / What Pope Francis can teach us about preaching / and more.

  • What Makes You Beautiful

    What Makes You Beautiful

    I have often thought of a conversation that took place when my girls were little. Abby was perhaps 5 or 6 at the time and Michaela just working her way through the “terrible twos” (which for our kids always happened when they were three or four). A stranger saw me interacting with them one day…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 25)

    A La Carte: John Piper and ChatGPT / Who’s praying for your wife and kids? / When your dreams include sin / Are you called to ministry? / Our feet shall tread this place again / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 24)

    A La Carte: He cares for us / Will the pope to go heaven? / An easy Christian faith / The good we cannot see / Chickens, elephants, and freedom / When we skip the prophets / Kindle and book deals / and more.