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A La Carte (November 1)

thursday

Today’s Kindle deals include all kinds of great books. It’s a great way to start off a new month.

Christian Audio’s free book of the month is Foxe’s Book of Martyrs read by Nadia May. There’s a selection of other classics for sale, including Nadia May’s wonderful reading of The Pilgrim’s Progress.

(Yesterday on the blog: Window on the World)

Does Pornography Use Ever Justify Church Discipline?

“At what point, if ever, does a persistent pattern of pornography warrant church discipline?” That’s the important question asked and answered in this article by 9Marks.

Mothers, Teach Your Sons

Yes to this! “My son needs to see that the woman who taught him everything from clapping his hands to long division is going to be mom enough to teach him the hard stuff, too. To address what the world will try to plague him with in no time at all. To describe to him in detail how the world’s way is so dramatically different from God’s way, and to commit to being his place to run when temptations overwhelm him.”

I’m Living Proof That The Lord Is Close To The Brokenhearted

“Why do I still want to follow Jesus? Is it because of my moxie and grit? Uhh, no. If you know me, you know that I’m the least ‘moxie and grit’ person out there. It’s pretty simple actually. I still love Jesus because the Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”

Semper Reformanda Doesn’t Mean ‘Always Morphing’

This one is a day late, but right on-point. “On this Reformation Day, we must be reminded again that semper reformandadoes not mean ‘always morphing.’ It does not mean that the faith is ever changing, progressing into something better. In many respects, to be always reforming is to be always returning to the gospel.”

US missionary Charles Wesco shot dead in Cameroon

“A US missionary has been killed in Cameroon about two weeks after moving there with his wife and eight children.” What a sad story.

The History of the English Standard Version (Video)

Here’s a neat little video that covers the history of the ESV. The ESV has been a huge gift to the church (and will be for many years).

The Very Heart of the Reformation

Here’s R.C. Sproul on the Reformation: “The Roman Catholic view is known as analytical justification. This means that God will declare a person just only when, under His perfect analysis, He finds that he is just, that righteousness is inherent in him. The person cannot have that righteousness without faith, without grace, and without the assistance of Christ. Nevertheless, in the final analysis, true righteousness must be present in the soul of a person before God will ever declare him just.”

Flashback: 6 Marks of a Faithful Ministry

The pastor’s ministry is a pure ministry that cares about souls, not self. The pastor who loves your money hates your soul.

Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification, we may be sure there is no election.

—J.C. Ryle

  • Fire prayer

    Trimmed and Set on Fire

    Sometimes humor accomplishes what soberness cannot, as an old quote from D.L. Moody illustrates. “Some people’s prayers need to be cut off at both ends and set on fire in the middle.” After all, we have all had to endure prayers that were a little too long (or perhaps a lot too long) or that…

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    Weekend A La Carte (November 22)

    A La Carte: Keep your well full / No atheists at Nuremberg / On refusing to panic / Sports open surprising doors / Practicing Christian hospitality / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Tell the Truth

    How To Tell the Truth

    I have a lot of admiration for those people who are especially skillful at evangelism. Likewise, I have a lot of admiration for those people who feel especially called to it. I sometimes marvel at how adeptly they are able to steer conversations to topics that matter and how easily they can get to Jesus…

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    A La Carte (November 21)

    A La Carte: Grief, memory, and hope / Negativity bias / Hannah’s Holiday / It’s the little things / When spiritual disciplines seem dull / Broody God / Kindle deals / and more.

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    A La Carte (November 20)

    A La Carte: The trap of fear-based parenting / Aileen and I join Jeremy and Jinger / When you are overlooked / Russell Brand shouldn’t be baptizing anyone / If your loved one is deconstructing / and more.