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A La Carte (June 24)

monday

Today’s Kindle deals include some books from Crossway and a personal favorite by Richard Rogers.

Wokeness and Legalism

This is a very interesting look at how the secular woke movement is essentially a religion that is fatally flawed by legalism. “What does it mean to ‘become woke?’ It is to gain a special insight, right? How is that different from being born again? We Christians believe that this rebirth allows us to have a new relationship with God. In a sense we gain a new insight that we did not have before. In this way the talk about being woke mimics the talk about being born again. This is yet another way secular ideologies imitate systems of supernatural beliefs.”

The German Failure Teaches Us To Avoid The Danger of Over-Complicating Gospel Ministry

I think John is onto something here. “The vast majority of the work of the gospel in the world today is, as it always has been, done by relatively uneducated church members who love Christ, rely on the power of his Spirit, pray fervently, and have confidence that the simple gospel message declaring Jesus to be Lord is God’s power for salvation. They are the equivalent of the Allied Shermans, less sophisticated but adequate, and they get the job done.”

Mark Dever says “Matthias Media resources are faithful, fresh and of great help.” Some of the most helpful of their resources are on sale this week, including Trellis and Vine and How to Walk into Church. Matthias Media exists to partner with all Christians in making disciples. So, if you have a ministry need or a favorite disciple-making resource that isn’t on sale, call their team. They are very happy to give you ideas and extend the same discount for the resources you need.

How to Be a Better Tourist

Tourism is surging to new heights of popularity and it’s not always leading to good consequences. As you travel this summer, here’s how to be a better tourist.

How Celibacy Developed in the Early Church

How on earth did the early church (and, today, the Catholic Church) get so obsessed with celibacy? Robert Godfrey explains here.

India’s city where people come to die

This article highlights the deep sadness of false and hopeless religion. “Hindu scriptures say that dying here and getting cremated along the banks of the holy Ganges river allows you to break the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation. Funeral pyres burn incessantly at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, the steps leading down to the river, whose water, now grey from industrial and human waste, is believed to wash away the sins of even the worst transgressors.”

Not Pregnant, Just Fat

“The idea that my body had internal wisdom built into its DNA was antithetical to everything I had believed to be true about what it meant to nourish and cherish your body. Trust my bodily intuition when it comes to eating? You might as well ask me to scale Everest. I couldn’t remember a time when I had made eating decisions based on internal cues.”

The invention that saved a million ships

Add this to the list of places I’d love to visit. “The oldest operating lighthouse in France (construction began in the 16th Century, but beacons had existed there hundreds of years prior) and the world’s first to be built in the open sea, this imposing sentinel of white stone is a Renaissance masterpiece. Equal parts cathedral, fort and royal palace, this ‘Versailles of the Sea’ is a monument to history and maritime engineering.”

Flashback: Lessons I’ve Learned From False Teachers

When and where there are teachers of truth, there will necessarily be teachers of error. Perhaps the most surprising thing about false teachers is that we continue to be surprised by them.

We pursue sexual sin not because our hedonism is too strong but because our hunger for pleasure is so small we settle for a cheap imitation of the real thing: porn.

—Benjamin Vrbicek

  • How Jesus Really Feels About You

    How Jesus Really Feels About You

    I am often surprised and dismayed when I hear Christians speak about the way God feels about them. So many believers live with the conviction that God is generally displeased with them, that he regards them with a sense of disappointment. They may even believe he has a sense of regret that he reached out…

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    A La Carte (August 23)

    A La Carte: The exultant nature of today’s abortion advocacy / The God of small things / Six words of advice for seminarians / A parent’s guide to talking with kids about technology / The Olympic opening ceremony / and more.

  • Pilgrim Prayers

    Have You Ever Tried Praying Poetically?

    There are many ways to pray. There are many ways to pray that are good, appropriate, helpful, and honoring to God. Christians have often found it a blessing to pray words that others have written. Perhaps you have prayed the words of The Book of Common Prayer or The Valley of Vision. But I ask,…

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    A La Carte (August 22)

    A La Carte: Is “Allah” just another word for God? / 4 categories of doctrinal weight / What is the biblical view of self-defense? / 4 goals for good writing / When fear assails / Kindle and book deals / and more.

  • Is Watching Porn a Sin

    Is Watching Porn a Sin?

    I’m so glad you are asking this question because it’s an important one. Maybe you will find it comforting to know you are not the only one asking it—more people come to this site by searching “is watching porn a sin?” than any other question.

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    A La Carte (August 21)

    A La Carte: Kevin DeYoung on ‘judge not’ / Seven principles for civil engagement / Parents, restrain your children / Jesus knew the sins you would commit / Why did they ghost me? / How do I teach my family? / and more.