Skip to content ↓

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

  • Rocking the Cradle and Tending the Grave

    Rocking the Cradle and Tending the Grave

    A few Sundays ago we had picture day—the day we take updated photographs for the church directory. Aileen and I were overdue to have our photo taken and, for the first time in 26 years, it was just the two of us. Over the years, our directory photos climbed from two people to three, then…

  • A La Carte (July 22)

    A pastor and a salesman get into an Uber / Something greater than outrage / Spend time with the gruntled / Lost relational opportunities and heaven? / If Jesus returns tonight / A letter from the leaders you are raising / One spirit, one faith, many opponents / and more.

  • A La Carte (July 21)

    5 signs your marriage is unhealthy / The preacher’s life / A life of prayer / The miracle of Christian unity / Conforming to non-conformity / Football won’t save the world / What I’m enjoying / and more.

  • Stop Losing Your Sermon Notes in Old Notebooks

    What if you could see every note you’ve written on the Sermon on the Mount when you read Matthew 5? That’s InBible. When writing a note, tap any Bible reference to see the passage in context. When reading Scripture, select a verse to see every note that cites it. Insights you recorded years ago resurface…

  • A La Carte (July 20)

    Pillaging of the digital commons / The Marxist who understood sex better than the UMC / Intrusive thoughts and gospel hope / Predestination should give you confidence / How to wait for cultural reckoning / Invite as many as you find / Kindle deals / and more.