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A La Carte (February 15)

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The God of love and peace be with you today.

I added some interesting Kindle deals yesterday and tracked down some more today.

(Yesterday on the blog: When Goodbye Is Forever)

This Is What Courage Looks Like

Amy Medina describes an example of courage in the life of a friend.

One of the Most Important Ministry Skills That Nobody Talks About

I really appreciate what Michael Kruger says here about an important ministry skill that no one talks about (but everyone appreciates when they benefit from it).

Why You Can’t Get to Heaven Through the Mormon Faith

“Despite the rate at which it has grown, Mormonism contains fatal doctrinal problems. Though it has attracted many, it cannot be said that adherence to it will lead one to heaven. This is no minor issue. Eternity is at stake. If we love people; truly love the soul and well-being of a person, we will be concerned about their life through eternity. If there is a truck barreling down the road at you and I don’t get you out of the way, I fail to love you. Here are a few reasons why Mormon doctrine cannot save…”

Questions a Pastor Doesn’t Want to Ask–but Should

Reuben Bredenhof writes about questions a pastor doesn’t want to ask, but really should. “Reflecting on my ministry, I recall instances when I should have listened to that shepherd sense to press harder, go deeper, and fear the awkward silence less. My love of comfort and ease kept me from pursuing what should’ve been pursued. It might have been months later, or even a couple of years, but eventually it came out.”

Help! I Don’t Enjoy Reading the Old Testament

You’re not alone if you don’t enjoy reading the Old Testament. You’re not alone, but you also shouldn’t let yourself stay where you are. Jason DeRouchie offers some assistance in this article.

Christian Displays of Affection

“The Bible calls us to greet each other very differently than this by exhorting us to practice public displays of holy Christian affection to mark our fellowship with mutual, all-inclusive welcome and love.”

Flashback: Sex on the Silver Screen

I am increasingly convinced that Christians should avoid watching movies with scenes of nudity and sexuality. There are many reasons for this, but today I will constrain myself to just one—one that I have found particularly compelling and convicting.

Perhaps the sins we do not know are more numerous than the sins we are conscious of.

—Charles Spurgeon

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    A La Carte (April 23)

    A La Carte: Climate anxiety paralyzes, gospel hope propels / Living what God has written / How should I engage my rebellious child? / Satan hates your pastor / How to navigate our spiritual highs / The art of extemporaneous preaching / and more.

  • The Path to Contentment

    The Path to Contentment

    I wonder if you have ever considered that the solution to discontentment almost always seems to be more. If I only had more money I would be content. If I only had more followers, more possessions, more beauty, then at last I would consider myself successful. If only my house was bigger, my influence wider,…

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    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Why my shepherd carries a rod / When Mandisa forgave Simon Cowell / An open mind is like an open mouth / Marriage: the half-time report / The church should mind its spiritual business / Kindle deals / and more.

  • It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    Part of the joy of reading biography is having the opportunity to learn about a person who lived before us. An exceptional biography makes us feel as if we have actually come to know its subject, so that we rejoice in that person’s triumphs, grieve over his failures, and weep at his death.

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    Weekend A La Carte (April 20)

    A La Carte: Living counterculturally during election season / Borrowing a death / The many ministries of godly women / When we lose loved ones and have regrets / Ethnicity and race and the colorblindness question / The case for children’s worship services / and more.

  • The Anxious Generation

    The Great Rewiring of Childhood

    I know I’m getting old and all that, and I’m aware this means that I’ll be tempted to look unfavorably at people who are younger than myself. I know I’ll be tempted to consider what people were like when I was young and to stand in judgment of what people are like today. Yet even…