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A La Carte (December 4)

friday

Today’s Kindle deals include just a couple of titles, though one of them is by R.C. Sproul.

I thought I’d include a few songs that, for one reason or another, have been important to me lately: Well Done by The Afters (This version of the song is set to a slideshow of Nick that we showed at the funeral); O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music; All Glory Be To Christ by Grace Worship; and Too Good by Jess Ray.

Atheism’s Empty Soul

Alan Shlemon: “Atheists don’t have a livable worldview. I don’t say that to gloat. Several atheists who have been candid with me have told me life is ultimately empty and devoid of meaning. That doesn’t mean they can’t feel happy, follow a set of morals, or believe their life is significant in some way. But their denial of God has serious repercussions.”

RNA Vaccines and COVID-19

This is helpful stuff from CMI, an organization committed to helping Christians understand science from a Christian perspective. In this article they look at the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines. “Due to a massive amount of misunderstanding flying around today, on many different subjects, we feel the need to openly discuss the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in production. We understand this is a passionate subject for some people.”

Are Masks a Conscience Issue?

Speaking of COVID, I appreciate Erik Raymond’s work on this article which explores whether or not masks are truly a conscience issue according to a biblical understanding of the conscience. “I’m not qualified to offer a defining medical word on masks, but I want to offer some thoughts on the implications for Christians who refuse to wear a mask because they say it violates their conscience.”

Why Francis Schaeffer Matters

David Steele has begun a series on why Francis Schaeffer matters. (Here’s part 2 and part 3.) (Hey, David, how about some internal linking between those articles?)

A Friend Who Sticks Closer than…a Hobbit?

I enjoyed this article on friendships. As you may surmise, it looks to Tolkien (and Lewis).

The Biggest Threat Faced by the Church

I’m with Keith Mathison on this one. “What is the biggest threat faced by the church today? Many in the U.S. seem to think the answer is government tyranny. Tyranny is always a danger, but tyranny is not the biggest threat faced by the church in the U.S. or any other nation…”

Flashback: Lay Aside Your Cheap Running Shoes

Two authors, two books, two faiths, two topics, but one common theme: To run well you must rid yourself of all excess weight. It is true when running a race, it is true when pursuing Christ.

When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice?

—Amy Carmichael

  • Service

    You Are in the Circumstances in Which You Can Best Serve

    There are times when we all find ourselves lamenting our circumstances. These may be times in which we grieve life’s losses or suffer life’s indignities, or these may be times in which we grapple with the frustrations that come with life in this world—when our skills are underutilized, or our contributions are underappreciated.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 15)

    A La Carte: Blood soaks into the sand of Bondi Beach / This year’s biggest religious trend / The best Christian music of 2025 / The challenges this Christmas / Micromanaging your habits / Notable Kindle deals / and more.

  • A Moving Picture of the Gospel

    A Moving Picture of the Gospel

    As we gather on Sundays, we preach the Bible, read the Bible, pray the Bible, and sing the Bible. But that is not all, for we also “see” the Bible. Here’s how Mark Dever expresses it: “The ordinances are the dramatic presentations of the gospel. They are the moving pictures that represent the spiritual realities…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 13)

    A La Carte: No one drifts into godlIness / Your subscriptions are holding you captive / Fighting sexual temptation / An orderly case for raising hands in worship / Kirk Cameron and remodeling hell / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (Harvest House Publishers)

    This week, the blog and this giveaway are sponsored by Harvest House Publishers. Meet 52 Unsung Heroes Throughout history, the stories of brave Black believers and their remarkable contributions to the Christian faith and our nation have too often gone overlooked. Passionate writer and educator Jasmine L. Holmes brings 52 notable Black Christians’ stories to life…

  • Top Ten

    My Top Ten Books from 2025 (+ a Bonus)

    As another year draws to a close, I wanted to take some time to consider the books I read in 2025 and to assemble a list of my top picks. Apart from the first book, which I consider the best I read this year, the rest are in no particular order. In each case I’ve…