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A La Carte (January 2)

thursday

Today’s Kindle deals include a kind of eclectic mix with some solid books in there.

Logos users will want to download the free book of the month—and consider some of the nearly-free books of the month.

Decade in Review: Marital Norms Erode

Ryan T. Anderson and Robert P. George teamed up for an opinion piece at USA Today. “Law shapes culture; culture shapes beliefs; beliefs shape action. The law now effectively teaches that mothers and fathers are replaceable, that marriage is simply about consenting adult relationships, of whatever formation the parties happen to prefer. This undermines the truth that children deserve a mother and a father — one of each.”

Weighed in the World’s Scales

William Godfrey explains why it’s important that a pastor has an impeccable reputation even in the eyes of unbelievers. “Outsiders form their opinions of the church based on what they see in its leaders. They watch us on the sidelines of our children’s sporting events, eating out at restaurants, interacting on social media, and working alongside them, all the while observing how we live out the faith we profess. Do outsiders see the inner wisdom of a Christian’s enlightened heart shining out in our lives? If we desire to be properly qualified elders, this is what outsiders must see. “

Abortion Was Leading Cause of Death Worldwide in 2019

Disrn reports: “Abortion was the number one cause of human death worldwide in 2019 by far, with over 42 million killed.”

Drowned in a Sea of Irrelevance

“It was a perfect illustration of something that poisons the collective mind of 21st century Western culture: a growing inability and, dare I say, unwillingness to think deeply. Our urge for constant entertainment is met with countless options that are literally at our fingertips. Everything—from the important to the unimportant, from the life-changing to the twee—blends together in one big pool of mind-numbing distraction.”

Bible Reading Plan Generator

John Dyer has updated his ultra-neat Bible Reading Plan Generator (which does exactly what you’d expect based on the name). It gives all kinds of options to customize a reading plan that is just right for you.

He Took Up Arms Against Liberalism

Here’s John Piper’s brief biography of a man you should know: J. Gresham Machen.

5 Reasons Matthew Begins with a Genealogy

Patrick Schreiner: “On his first page, Matthew begins speaking about Jesus with a genealogy. We might be tempted to let our eyes skim down and get to the real action. But Matthew begins this way intentionally. In many ways, this is the most fitting and compelling introduction to the New Testament imaginable. Here are five reasons Matthew’s genealogy is the introduction of introductions.”

Flashback: Comforting Quotes for Those Who Are Suffering

We all go through difficult times in these difficult lives in this broken world, and a book like this one delivers comfort rooted in the Comforter.

I have one desire now — to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.

—Elisabeth Elliot

  • weekend 3

    Weekend A La Carte (August 8)

    Reader Recommendations / Against gambling / Is gambling sinful? / Our line in the sand on AI / What does the Bible teach about nations? / Ross Douthat and the future of digital media / The extras are tired / and more.

  • Living in the Era of the Lie

    You could probably make the case that we are living in the era of the lie. Maybe every era on this side of Genesis 3 has been an era of the lie, but lies seem to have taken on greater prominence than ever at a time that has been labeled as “truthy” and “post-truth” rather…

  • fri 3

    A La Carte (August 7)

    The mark of the beast / Did Jephthah really sacrifice his daughter? / My side of the bed is cold / The marital conflict multi-tool / When pain has purpose / Counting blessings / The Funnies / and more.

  • thurs 3

    A La Carte (August 6)

    Art and Jesus jukes / No record of wrongs / Connected to the church / You are not enough / The need behind the need / Your unique God-given platform / Poetry / Kindle deals.

  • Laboring Upstream

    Cruising Downstream, Laboring Upstream

    You may know from experience that it is easy to take a boat downstream and much harder to take it back up. You certainly know from experience that it is easy to follow sin downstream and much harder to change your course to pursue holiness.