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A La Carte (May 10)

friday

Today’s Kindle deals include a book by Jen Pollock Michel as all as one by John Piper.

Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?

This question came up very recently in our family devotions: Why did Jesus, of all people, need to get baptized? “Baptism wasn’t just something Jesus commanded his followers to do, but an experience he also underwent. As familiar as we may be with the Gospel accounts, the fact that Jesus submitted himself to baptism may still strike us as odd.”

A New Kind of Pharisee

“Have you seen them? There is a new kind of Pharisee today. Things like social media have paved the way for them. And they are not rare or quiet. Here is a partial profile of the new Pharisees.” I appreciate this profile of a new kind of pharisee from Eric Davis.

An Overview of the Nineteenth Century

The nineteenth century was a key one in the history of Christianity. Here is a brief intro to the highlights and lowlights, courtesy of Tabletalk.

Persistent Myths about the New Testament (Video)

“Don Carson and Michael Kruger discuss some of the most common urban legends about the New Testament. Has the text of the New Testament been radically corrupted? Were the real Gospels suppressed?”

The Big Business of Loneliness

It seems to me this offers an amazing opportunity for the church to answer loneliness with community. “Loneliness is pervasive, particularly among younger people. We’re moving across the country, ripping ourselves away from social networks that can take years to construct. We’re delaying marriage and kids, or skipping them entirely. We’re working all the time, often alone, outside the confines of a traditional office and without the camaraderie of coworkers.”

I Wrote the Book on User-Friendly Design

“Designers and companies of the world, you are badly serving an ever-growing segment of your customer base, a segment that you too will one day inhabit. Isn’t it time to reform: to make things that are functional and stylish, useable and accessible?” This designer is asking for designs that will better serve people as they age.

Lies Moms Believe

Here is a promising new series the moms out there might enjoy.

Flashback: Success that Exceeds Sanctification

In any area of life or vocation in which I am prone to envy, an area that will be all tangled up in my pride, great success might just crush me. And so I ask God, please don’t give me success that exceeds my sanctification.

Often the work of the Lord itself may be a temptation, to keep us from that communion with him which is so essential to the benefit of our own souls.

—George Muller

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    A La Carte (July 15)

    A La Carte: Sharing our struggles / The danger of inaction / “You don’t love your daughter” / A godly sense of humor / Three excuses for not reading your Bible / A closer look at Noah’s ark / and more.

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    A La Carte (July 14)

    A La Carte: Distorted doctrine destroys lives / Making sense of bad things / Be the Jonathan / A bridegroom of blood / Administrative sludge / Musical elements / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Prayer

    Spread Too Thin

    With so much to do, we can easily begin to wonder whether prayer is an appropriate use of scarce time. Wouldn’t it be better to give my attention to something that would let me cross something off my to-do list?

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    Weekend A La Carte (July 12)

    A La Carte: Where art thou Rob Bell? / The case against in vitro fertilization / Praying and weeping for those suffering in Texas / Greet each other with a holy hug / The example of Jimmy Swaggart / and more.

  • Thriving Marriage

    Thriving Marriage

    I have often wondered about the best time to write a book about marriage. When a couple is young, there is so much about marriage they have not yet experienced. They can still impart wisdom and teach lessons, of course, but there is so much of marriage that remains unknown to them. Yet when a…

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    A La Carte (July 11)

    A La Carte: Falling out of repentance / Tattoos as confession / The Epstein List and secret sins / Teaching generosity / Lessons from a former youth pastor / Bedbugs in the bowels of the city.