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A La Carte (July 5)

wednesday

I don’t know if there is anyone who reads my site in Bangkok, but if there is … I am going to be in the city on Wednesday, July 26. If anyone would like to meet up for lunch and to perhaps meander the tourist part of town, let me know!

How a Christian Patriot Might Love His Wayward Country

Denny Burk considers how a patriot might love his country, even when it’s not always easy. “We do not choose our homeland. It is something that we are born into. Thus our acceptance of our home is not like a house that we can leave when we tire of it. It is like the love we have for our family…”

What Happens to Little Ones When They Die?

This is a good explanation of why the majority of Christians have been confident in saying that infants who die go to heaven.

Are you a “Marrow Man?”

Thomas Boston’s emphasis on God’s free offer of grace and Christ’s meritorious work pierced to the very marrow of Christian theology. Read his Complete Works to taste the vibrant Reformed spirituality that has encouraged Christians for more than 200 years. (Sponsored Link)

Learning to Forgive Family

John Piper takes on the matter of forgiving family. “This is utterly crucial. It’s a matter of life and death, and I mean eternal life and death, as we will see in just a moment. So, I take this question really seriously, and I hope this family will take the issue seriously also.”

If You Don’t Believe in Hell

“Beliefs ripple. But we make a concerted effort to ignore that. Especially within the system of Christian faith, people can be tempted to pick and choose which doctrines they are ‘okay with’ and which ones they leave behind. The problem lies in the ripples.” Pierce explains how this works with the doctrine of hell.

When Your Life Feels “Too Small”

We have probably all been told that we ought to dream big or have God-sized dreams. But “have we also been told that God-sized dreams don’t need to be ‘impressive’ by the world’s estimation? Have we also been cheered on that our daily work doesn’t have to be visible in order to be valuable? Have we heard the message that ‘ordinary’ work can be extraordinarily impactful?”

Preaching to the Imagination

“I was struck by how Jesus spoke to the woman’s imagination and how this interaction helps me as a preacher to better understand my calling to preach to the imagination effectively.” Yes! Let’s make sure we attempt to engage the imagination when we preach.

Flashback: Slogging Blogging

All I can do is keep going and trust that the long effort will be rewarded with occasional success—the success of knowing that I’ve been able to bless or encourage or equip another person.

The sinner can no more raise himself from the deadness of sin than Lazarus, who had been dead four days until Jesus came.

—George Whitefield

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    A La Carte (October 28)

    A La Carte: When pleasing our kids becomes idolatry / Christian thinking about dating and marriage / Everyday hospitality / Ministry doesn’t have to be a spectacle / A theology of the bed / Kindle, commentary, and Bible sales.

  • Thy Will Be Endured

    Thy Will Be Endured

    To pray “Thy will be done” means more than “Thy will be endured.” It is more than a promise that we will grit our teeth and bear whatever his providence dictates. It will involve endurance, to be sure, but it must involve more than that. It must also involve submission and commission.

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    A La Carte (October 27)

    A La Carte: The age of the algorithm / Why we become prayerless / The king prays with the pope / Hollywood’s misstep on men’s mental health / Glory in getting old / A huge Kindle sale / and more.

  • Church

    The Church Is There

    A well-known pastor was once asked whether he was offended that a new church near his had taken on the same name. “Are you offended that they are also calling themselves Grace Church?” “No,” he replied. Then said something like, “I’m not bothered that they are calling themselves ‘Grace.’ I’m bothered that they are calling…

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    Weekend A La Carte (October 25)

    A La Carte: Goodbye “Big Eva” / Why pop culture feels blah / When people leave our churches / Digital hirelings / Premil pretrib / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (Ligonier Ministries)

    It was while the great reformer Martin Luther was studying the book of Romans that he rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Today Ligonier Ministries is offering R.C. Sproul’s commentary on Romans as a free ebook for Challies readers. Download your copy to enjoy a verse-by-verse exploration of the rich gospel truths woven…