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A La Carte (March 15)

friday

There are a few new Kindle deals that you may want to consider for your virtual connection.

(Yesterday on the blog: Exclusive Preview & Bonus Resources for A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible)

The Epic Hunt for a Lost World War II Aircraft Carrier

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of the search for the U.S.S. Wasp, a carrier sunk during the Second World War. “On Jan. 2 of this year, a research vessel called the Petrel set out from Honiara, on Guadalcanal, to find the Wasp. To locate a shipwreck — even a 741-foot aircraft carrier — it’s essential to have an accurate idea of where to start looking. The ocean is vast. You need to find the haystack before you can find the needle.”

If the Gospel is True, The Gospel is Urgent

Jen Oshman: “The Bible says my friendship with her is no mistake. You and I don’t accidentally fall into relationships, jobs, or neighborhoods. God ordains the “allotted periods and the boundaries of [our] dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). In other words, God determines exactly where and when you and I live, as well as where and when everyone we know lives. Our friendships are not cosmic accidents. They are ordained by God. But why does God ordain our relationships?”

Join Keith & Kristyn Getty (and friends) For Three Days of Theology, Artistry & Congregational Worship (Sponsored)

Sing!, the Getty Music Worship Conference, is taking place from August 19-21 in Nashville, Tennessee. It is open to everyone, but targeted specifically at pastors, musicians, and leaders, to help them build a biblical understanding and creative vision for congregational worship. It includes many favorite speakers and musicians: John Piper, Alistair Begg, Jackie Hill Perry, Andrew Peterson, and a whole lot more. You can get 15% off your registration between now and March 28 with promotional code CHALLIES.

What Happens in an Internet Minute

This is a revealing illustration of what happens every minute on the internet.

How Individualism Corrupts the Church’s Mission

This one is worth pondering. “In an individualistic culture, relationships are simply not the primary lens for understanding identity. And that’s a problem because individualism negatively impacts three areas critical to the Great Commission.”

Do I Need to Follow a Pattern While Praying?

I appreciate the answer, which is essentially “No, but it sure helps.” (I’ve written about this before in 4 Methods To Organize Your Prayer Life.)

The Disturbing Temptations of Pastoring in Obscurity

There are temptations specific to being in the public eyes and temptations specific to being out of it. “Leaving the limelight of high-profile ministry was supposed to remove the pride from my heart, or so I thought. But my heart didn’t feel dramatically different in this new setting. As the old saying goes, ‘Wherever you go, there you are.’ I thought I had escaped the temptations of celebrity ministry culture, but there were just as many temptations in my new setting of relative obscurity.”

MK: I AM Enough

You may enjoy reading about this missionary kid’s experience of trying to adapt to American life after being raised far away.

Flashback: 2 Things to Know About Killing Sin

We are not to command men to pursue morality without first encouraging them to pursue Christ.

Everybody wants to enjoy heaven after they die, but they don’t want to be heavenly-minded while they live.

—D.L. Moody

  • What Is God’s Calling For Me?

    This week the blog is sponsored by Reformed Free Publishing Association. Today’s post is written by William Boekestein, author of the  new book, Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling. William is a pastor and husband. He and his wife have four children: a college student, two high schoolers, and a…

  • Past Through Over Around

    Past Them, Through Them, Over Them, Around Them

    It is inevitable that we face times of difficulty and impossible that we escape them altogether. To be born is to suffer and to live is to endure all manner of trouble and trial. Just as none of us escapes death, none of us escapes all hardships. And when we face such hardships, we invariably…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (September 9)

    A La Carte: iThink therefore iAm / Is hyper-cessationism a fair term? / 10 ways to fracture your church / Sometimes growing is shrinking / Are Christian parents too protective? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Passive

    Impossible, Unrealistic, Sinful, Lazy

    God calls us to live lives marked by holiness. God could have arranged the world in such a way that when we put our faith in Christ, he immediately “zaps” us with the full measure of holy character. He could have arranged it this way, but in his wisdom he didn’t.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (September 7)

    A La Carte: Embracing the slow work of God / 3 critical questions your church should ask / Packing up boxes and packing away memories / An army of Mary/Marthas / Reasons you may think the Bible is boring / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a bundle of books for ministry leaders. The Bundle Includes…. Giveaway Rules: You may enter one time. When you enter, you permit The Good Book Company to send you marketing emails which you may unsubscribe from at any time.…