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A La Carte (March 18)

wednesday

One thing I attempt to emphasize in these daily A La Carte articles is variety—a variety of authors and a variety of subjects. The variety of subjects has been a challenge lately since, for good reason, we are flooded with articles on COVID-19. So bear with me as I share some of them (and a few on other topics as well).

The Kindle deals just don’t stop, and there’s another big collection today. (Plus, you can get a free one from Crossway.)

Logos users, you should vote for the next round of March Madness and look at the many deals so far.

(Yesterday on the blog: A Family Update in Strange Times)

What Hasn’t Changed During a Global Pandemic

Erik Raymond reminds us that, amidst all the change, some things remain fixed. (See also How to Get Through This Stronger Than Ever, The History of Pandemics Infographic, and Trusting God to Provide During a Financial Crisis. Meanwhile, The Workers Who Face the Greatest Coronavirus Risk may help direct your prayers.)

Safe

You may enjoy this poem by Paul Tripp.

What Is Successful Evangelism?

Perhaps you get awkward or silent when an opportunity to share the gospel emerges, or you feel like you don’t live a good enough life to tell people about a good God. Maybe you don’t want to lose a job or friendships. But following Christ means loving those who don’t follow Jesus, and that love includes sharing the gospel. (SPONSORED LINK)

The Comfort of Justification by Faith Alone

Here’s some of what John Owen taught about the all-important doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Social Distancing and Gathered Worship

Jeremy Walker has been doing some thinking about the tension between social distancing and gathered worship. (For what it’s worth, we are currently taking a different approach since Toronto is now under a state of emergency and worship gatherings are forbidden.)

No Meat or Potatoes, But the Candy Aisle is Full

Writing at his blog, Trevin Wax makes an interesting observation: “The contrast between the meat section and the candy aisle reminded me of an important truth: In a time of suffering or crisis, people go for what they need most, not what they like most.

CCM Backbeat: 5 Songs of Comfort

Doug Eaton went back in CCM history to find some songs of comfort from Steven Curtis Chapman, Andrew Peterson, and others.

The Payneful Truth

Tony Payne (of The Trellis and the Vine fame) has begun a new weekly podcast and newsletter. I’ve been enjoying it so far!

Flashback: Look! Look To Your Baptism!

There is one point where we ought to fix our gaze in troubling circumstances. We will be both challenged and encouraged, if only we will look—if only we will look to our baptism.

God calls your brothers and sisters to weep with you, but that can only happen if you will allow others to walk with you in your sorrow.

—Colin Smith

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    This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by Reformed Free Publishing Association, who also sponsored the blog this week with their article “What Is God’s Calling For Me?” They are offering a free copy of Finding My Vocation: A Guide to Young People Seeking a Calling to each of ten winners. How can I pick…

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    Your Kids Need You To Help Them Build Their Identity

    It has always been important that children establish their identity. From the time kids are young, they are being formed in a host of ways and gradually coming to terms with who they are and who they will become. Historically, identity arose from outside—from the people they came from, the place they were born, and…

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    A La Carte (September 13)

    A La Carte: Will God forgive my worst sin? / Seeing dignity instead of misery among the poor / Aging graciously / How edgy are you? / What Trump should have said to Kamala / Kindle deals / and more.

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    A La Carte (September 12)

    A La Carte: Our greatest tool for reaching the West again / Ordained or allowed? / One for the misfits / If the Twin Towers fell after Twitter / How to get over it when you taught poorly / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Pastoral Prayer

    The Pastoral Prayer: Examples and Inspirations

    Of all the elements that once made up traditional Protestant worship, there is probably none that has fallen on harder times than prayer. It is not unusual to visit a church today and find that prayer is perfunctory, rare, or absent altogether. If that is true of prayer in general, it is particularly true of…