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A La Carte (June 4)

A La Carte Collection cover image

May the Lord be with you and bless you on this fine day.

The Kindle deals continue today and include something for everyone! Note that IVP has three huge series on sale: Reformation Commentary on Scripture, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, and Ancient Christian Texts.

Failing Boys and Wrong Men

“The so-called whipping boys for our cultural sins these days are actual boys. We hear and read it all of the time. Boys are failing and men are wrong. So go the headlines. And there is much handwringing by the powers that be as they seek to address this. Yet what if the solution is hidden in plain sight?”

A Response to N.T. Wright on Abortion

Wyatt Graham responds to N.T. Wright’s rather shocking statement that there are times when abortion may be the right choice. “Recently, N.T. Wright argued that in some circumstances, Christians may terminate a pregnancy. While he did not argue for unrestricted abortion, he believed that in certain situations, terminating a pregnancy could be ‘the best thing to do.’”

Eavesdropping

“We have a new message. A message for today.” Mr. Jonkeer speaks impatiently, as if to a child. “We need the gospel today,” Father replies. “Times change,” Mr. Jonkeer says. “We have to change too. Have you even heard of the Enlightenment? We don’t want to be thought of as ignorant. Uneducated.” Father thinks carefully. “Education doesn’t conflict with the gospel,” he says. “Not if it’s proper education. The truth doesn’t change.” (Sponsored)

Breaking Gender Stereotypes to the Glory of God: What Now?

“Maybe you’re something like me—not the stereotypical male or female: a guy who prefers Anne of Green Gables over the Marvel Cinematic Universe or crocheting over hunting; or, perhaps  a woman who would rather wield a chainsaw than a mascara wand or play in the church softball league than get a manicure.” Yes, I’d rather read Anne than watch Marvel any day of the week!

Beth Anne’s Bible

Darryl writes about Beth Anne’s Bible not-so-beautiful yet still-beautiful Bible.

Brick by Brick: The Inspiring Story of Ole Kirk Christiansen

I enjoyed reading this brief account of the life of Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of LEGO.

Why I Didn’t Deconstruct After Church Hurt

J.A. Medders explains why he didn’t deconstruct even after facing church hurt. “As we think about church hurt, wisdom teaches us not to elevate every pain into a five-alarm fire (Proverbs 10:12). Not every disagreement, disappointment, or conflict is spiritual abuse or what’s now commonly called ‘church hurt.’ But sometimes, a leg really is broken. The alarm is warranted. I’ve felt the flames. I’ve got the scars too.”

Flashback: The Space Between Courting and Hooking Up

The world insists dating has no real meaning while the church insists dating has the ultimate meaning. Courtship and hooking up are two very different approaches for a relationship, but they share a common consequence: They put too much weight on too weak a relationship.

…we need to repeat in various ways that although marriage is good, romance is not the definition of the good life; life with God and God’s people is where satisfaction is found, no matter what our romantic relationship status is.

—Rachel Gilson

  • Foggy future

    On the Far Side of Obedience

    To be human is to be finite—to be limited in our knowledge of past, present, and future. We exist within strict boundaries of time and space, so that we cannot see beyond our present location or beyond our present moment. This is a feature of our humanity and not a bug…

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    A La Carte (October 13)

    A La Carte: I miss the stars / Count the cost / Shame as the vicious trap of sexual sin / Clouds of shame and unbelief / When you’ve been blindsided / Book and commentary sale / and more.

  • For All the Noise We Make…

    We must be as eager to hear the Scripture as to hear the sermon, and we must be as expectant that God will speak to us through the Word as through the message. Rightly do many churches preface their Bible reading with words like, “Listen as I read God’s holy Word.”

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    Weekend A La Carte (October 11)

    A La Carte: Why dads still matter / Character in absurd times / Don’t get baptized in the Jordan / Gen Z is spiritually hungry / Extending hospitality to children / and more.

  • Not old not young not done

    Not Old, Not Young, Not Done

    I am about to turn 49, and a few months later, Aileen will turn 50. But these are just numbers, and already we have a deep awareness that we have entered into this afternoon of life. Already, we are seeing how different our lives have become, and already we are grappling with new challenges and…