Skip to content ↓

A La Carte (June 2)

tuesday

There are some solid Kindle deals for newer books as well as classics. You may also want to take a look at Amazon’s general market monthly deals.

Logos has a commentary that is free for the taking, and a few others that are substantially discounted.

(Yesterday on the blog: COVID-19 and the Future of the Christian Conference)

A Prayer for Mercy

Kevin DeYoung’s prayer for mercy is urgent and timely.

Safetyism Isn’t the Problem

It’s early in the month so you should have some free New York Times articles, right? This one is good, and while it’s directed at the pandemic, much of it is more widely applicable. “If politicians would reject the tribalism of partisanship and do the hard job of listening — with open-mindedness and curiosity — to those with whom they disagree, we’d stand a much better chance of protecting both lives and livelihoods from not only the effects of the pandemic, but the effects of our responses to it.”

Peter Jackson’s LOTR Was an Improbable Miracle, and We’re Lucky to Have It

Can you believe it has been almost 20 years since the first of the Lord of the Rings films was released? “As you tally up the factors that were working against Jackson and LOTR at the time, it becomes clear that the eventual faithfulness and smashing success, both critical and commercial, of this trilogy were nothing short of miraculous. Peter Jackson pulled off something nearly impossible, something that would probably never happen today for a bevy of reasons. We should acknowledge just how lucky we are that he made these films exactly when he did.” (Note: A couple of bad words.)

The Unsettled Legacy of John Paul II One Hundred Years since His Birth

Leonardo De Chirico writes about the legacy of John Paul II one hundred years after his birth and focuses on some of the Protestant appreciations of his life and legacy.

The Unknown Martyrs Who Became Catacomb Saints

Speaking of Catholicism, it is inexorably connected to the veneration of relics. This article explores how so many relics of martyrs came to rest in European cities and why they ended up bedecked with jewels.

Reviving the Lost Art of Letter Writing

There’s no doubt that letters accomplish something text messages don’t and can’t. “A simple letter has the power to inspire hope, instill confidence, and initiate action. A letter communicates devoted love and lifts the human spirit. A letter unshackles the hands and feet, inspires hearts and minds, and communicates love and support to the people we care about.”

Losing Freedoms and Finding Renewal

John Starke writes about what we may find in the loss of certain freedoms. “In our COVID-19 world, here is a shortened version of the story of modernity: we were told what we can do (freedom), which turned into what we should do (burden), and now what we can’t do (anxiety). It’s a tragedy but with loads of potential for spiritual renewal.” (See also: When the Props Are Removed.)

The preacher of God’s word must remember that at the end of the day it is not creativity or excellence or winsomeness that wins hearts to Christ but the sufficient and powerful word of God.

—Jared Wilson
Jared Wilson

  • Marriage

    Lots of Single Christians but Few Weddings

    I find it one of the great mysteries of the modern church. It does not exist in every context and every congregation, but as I’ve traveled and inquired, I’ve become convinced it exists in a great many of them. Here is the mystery: A lot of churches have many single men and many single women…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (February 5)

    A La Carte: The vibe shift / When gentle parenting crashes / Confessing a critical spirit / Misconceptions of maturity / Postpartum depression and anxiety / Kindle and book deals / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (February 4)

    A La Carte: Gay space fascism / Sin causes anxiety, too / How to fight brain rot / John Piper on good magic and edifying sorcery / Chopped onions and Jesus / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian

    You may have a burden for the lost and a desire to learn to defend your faith but can’t see yourself becoming a philosopher or scientist to do so. I have good news. You don’t have to! Ordinary Christians can become skilled and effective evangelists.

  • The Continental Divide of Doctrine

    The Continental Divide of Doctrine

    A journey into the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada brought me to Vermilion Pass, a single point that divides two national parks and two provinces. It also divides two watersheds, for it stands upon the continental divide. To one side of this spot all waters flow west and eventually find their way to the vast…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (February 3)

    A La Carte: Satan’s subtle strategies / A Christian philosophy of parenting? / The new porn / Conclave / Nine things we wouldn’t know / Who comes first? / Kindle deals / and more.