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A La Carte (March 25)

friday

The Lord be with you and bless you today.

Today’s Kindle deals include some good deals from Crossway. Also a whole lot of Tolkien books are on sale in Kindle editions.

(Yesterday on the blog: New and Notable Christian Books for Children)

Am I Sinning? 6 Questions for Moral Gray Areas

“Many Christians would label at least some of these issues as ‘gray areas’—a category we might define as actions that Scripture doesn’t clearly identify as ‘sinful’ or ‘non-sinful’ for all people in all places at all times. To say it another way, a gray area (biblically speaking) is any matter that is not clearly commanded, prohibited, or permitted in Scripture.”

The Spiritual Discipline of Shutting Up

Craig Thompson: “One discipline that is conspicuously absent from most lists, but which I find to be incredibly beneficial in my sanctification and in my relationships with others is the spiritual discipline of shutting my mouth. You may practice silence and solitude, but that isn’t the same thing as the discipline of shutting up.”

Dive Deeper Into Worship With Keith & Kristyn Getty

Paul reminds us in 1 Cor. 12:14 that “the body does not consist of one member but of many.” The Holy Spirit gives each of us gifts to employ in his service—skills that we hone when we are gathered together! This September, join thousands of believers from around the world for three days of congregational singing, deep theology, and 50+ practical breakout sessions led by the Gettys, Joni Eareckson Tada, John MacArthur, D. A. Carson, Paul David Tripp, Sandra McCracken Shai & Blair Linne, and more at the Sing! Worship Conference in Nashville, TN! EXCLUSIVE: Use code ‘CHALLIES’ to save 20% on registration before April 1. (Sponsored Link)

The Real Deal: The Exclusivity of Jesus

I appreciated this article from Equip Indian Churches: “Today, in the marketplace of ideas, the word ‘truth’ has lost its meaning, purpose and relevance. Much of this is due to the rise of philosophical relativism and postmodernism. On the altar of postmodernism, all the transcendental and objective truths, slowly but surely, are being marginalized. ‘Truth’ has now been personalised. There seems to be no definitive meaning of the word ‘meaning’ and no definitive purpose to the word ‘purpose’. For many, life seems to be a meaningless accident in a universe that is lonely, cold and dark.”

Every Technology Has Its Own Agenda

“What is the chief purpose of the bed? To provide a good night’s sleep. What is the chief purpose of the coffee pot? To provide energetic fluid for the day and prevent mass murder. What is the chief purpose of our phones? Ah, now we get a bit more confused. What is the chief purpose of social media?” That’s a question we need to be asking.

Grief and Good Advice

Donna shares a bit of good and helpful advice (that was given to her and then proved its value).

The Lord’s Prayer – New Musical Setting

Jamie Brown has shared a video of a new musical setting for the Lord’s Prayer.

Flashback: The Hidden Strength of a Weak Mother (Christian Men and Their Godly Moms)

“My dear mother, besides the rains she took with me, often commended me with many prayers and tears to God; and I doubt not but I reap the fruits of these prayers to this hour.”

You may not be outwardly bad, and yet not inwardly good.

—Thomas Watson

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    A La Carte (April 23)

    A La Carte: Climate anxiety paralyzes, gospel hope propels / Living what God has written / How should I engage my rebellious child? / Satan hates your pastor / How to navigate our spiritual highs / The art of extemporaneous preaching / and more.

  • The Path to Contentment

    The Path to Contentment

    I wonder if you have ever considered that the solution to discontentment almost always seems to be more. If I only had more money I would be content. If I only had more followers, more possessions, more beauty, then at last I would consider myself successful. If only my house was bigger, my influence wider,…

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    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Why my shepherd carries a rod / When Mandisa forgave Simon Cowell / An open mind is like an open mouth / Marriage: the half-time report / The church should mind its spiritual business / Kindle deals / and more.

  • It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    Part of the joy of reading biography is having the opportunity to learn about a person who lived before us. An exceptional biography makes us feel as if we have actually come to know its subject, so that we rejoice in that person’s triumphs, grieve over his failures, and weep at his death.

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    Weekend A La Carte (April 20)

    A La Carte: Living counterculturally during election season / Borrowing a death / The many ministries of godly women / When we lose loved ones and have regrets / Ethnicity and race and the colorblindness question / The case for children’s worship services / and more.

  • The Anxious Generation

    The Great Rewiring of Childhood

    I know I’m getting old and all that, and I’m aware this means that I’ll be tempted to look unfavorably at people who are younger than myself. I know I’ll be tempted to consider what people were like when I was young and to stand in judgment of what people are like today. Yet even…