Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (February 15)

A La Carte Collection cover image

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

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 9)

    A La Carte: Reforming generosity / Let the young man come to church / Your wife is beauty / Combating imposter syndrome / Be known, not impressive / Dan McClellan / and more.

  • AI Slop

    The Rise of AI Book Slop

    We often hear these days of “AI slop,” a term that’s used to refer to the massive amounts of poor-quality AI-created material that is churned out and unceremoniously dumped onto the internet. This was once primarily artistless artwork and authorless articles, but has now advanced to much bigger and more substantial forms of content.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 8)

    A La Carte: A plea to older women / Let someone serve you in suffering / Why AI writing can’t compete / Influencers / The hidden danger in online sermons / Discipling young people / Excellent Kindle deals / and more.

  • Hymns

    Pitch Perfect and Tone Deaf

    God commands us to sing. Yet while some of God’s people are gifted singers, the plain fact is that others are not. In any congregation, it’s likely that some have near-perfect pitch while others are functionally tone-deaf. Those who struggle to sing may be self-conscious, tempted to stay quiet or to do no more than…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 6)

    A La Carte: Rightly ordered desires / Ordinary wonders / For my good, not my comfort / Make room for special-needs families / Christmas spirit / Wisdom rarely makes you famous / and more.