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A La Carte (December 29)

Today’s Kindle deals include a list of three classics by Francis Schaeffer. They are nice and short which is ideal if you’re participating in a reading challenge this year. Yet they also pack a punch.

Borrowed Convictions

This is a helpful reflection from Jeremy Walker. “A list of gurus is not the same as a developed set of theological convictions. Neither is it the same as having a spiritual home with true shepherds caring for your soul.”

The Great American Word Mapper

This is brilliant. You can plug in words and see where in the US those words are used. Be sure to click the “foods” button (and probably avoid the swear button).

Pro-Lifers Look Forward to 2017

Whatever else 2017 has brought, it’s brought a new sense of optimism to the American pro-life movement. WORLD explains.

One Reason To Dedicate Yourself to Bible Reading in 2017

Here’s just one more good reason to commit yourself to reading your Bible in 2017.

Suffering is a Doorway, Not a Dead End

In that moment of suffering, “one of the most helpful things is to remember what is on the other side of that door. Suffering for Christ is not a dead end (though it might feel like it!). Rather, it is always a doorway to greater joy and life. Here are three ways that is so.”

Did Ellis Island Officials Change the Names of Immigrants?

Smithsonian takes on the persistent myth that officials at Ellis Island changed the names of immigrants.

This Day in 1876. 140 years ago today hymnwriter Philip P. Bliss and his family died when a bridge collapsed under the train they were riding. Bliss composed ‘Man of Sorrows—What a Name!’ and the music for ‘It is Well.’ *

We Need To Talk About Church Scheduling

Here’s a challenging article about church scheduling and how a church can unintentionally harm its people by demanding or expecting too much of them.

Of Golf Balls and Badminton Birdies

This is a good little analogy that is particularly appropriate to pastoral ministry.

How To Protect Your Children From Abuse

I dislike the clickbait headline for this one, but it’s still worth reading as a pediatrician tells parents how to protect against sexual abuse.

Flashback: How Should Christians Use Guns?

John Piper sparked a firestorm in a response to Jerry Falwell Jr. on Christians and guns. Then a whole lot of other people added to the conversation.

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A single day in hell will be worse than a whole life spent in carrying the cross.

—J.C. Ryle

  • Free Stuff Fridays (Matthias Media)

    This week the blog and the giveaway have been sponsored by Matthias Media. Matthias Media is hosting Evangelize 2024 in Denver, Colorado on October 7-9, 2024. We have partnered with 10ofThose, Calvary Family of Churches and Vinegrowers to help you raise the evangelistic temperature at your church. We want to motivate and equip people to…

  • When Christians Disagree

    When Christians Disagree

    Wouldn’t it be nice if Christians only ever got along? Wouldn’t it be grand if all the discord we see in the world around us was completely foreign to the church? Wouldn’t it be heavenly if believers ever only experienced peace? I suppose it would be heavenly and, therefore, more than we can realistically hope…

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (July 26)

    A La Carte: Therapy and bug men / How to have joy in hard times / Can a single pastor date in his church? / Life from barren ground / Shulamith Firestone was a prophet / Different ways of reading people we disagree with / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (July 25)

    A La Carte: What does it mean to die with dignity? / Did Paul endorse slavery? / Forgiveness in marriage / 5 ways to pursue contentment / The immense value of encouragement / and more.

  • Maybe We Make Meditation Too Difficult

    Maybe We Make Meditation Too Difficult

    Of all the Christian disciplines, it is my guess that meditation may be the least practiced—though I suppose fasting might have something to say about that. Most people diligently make time to read the Bible and pray. And yet, while most people have good intentions when it comes to meditation, it so often seems to…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 24)

    A La Carte: A mother to me, too / Never look your age? / Nine reminders for the struggle with body image / A ruler who trusts in Yahweh / No, I will not stop calling the church a family / Criminalizing sexual ethics / Bible journal sale / Kindle deals / and more.