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A La Carte (November 24)

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Good morning from somewhere over the African continent as Aileen and I make our way from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg as part of a lengthy, multi-stop speaking trip.

Today’s Kindle deals include a collection of books meant particularly for women (though obviously there’s no rule against men reading them as well).

(Yesterday on the blog: Pitch Perfect and Tone Deaf)

Forevergreen (Short Film)

Be sure to watch this absolutely wonderful short film that was inspired, in part, by the story of the Prodigal Son. (See also this brief interview with the filmmakers.)

How Science Confirms a Literal, Historical Adam and Eve

“An increasing number of professing evangelical scholars and leaders doubt or deny some or all of the details about Adam in Genesis. They do so because they believe that science has proven overwhelmingly that we are related to the apes through millions of years of evolution. But is this so? And does it matter?”

Godly Leaders Go Low and Aim High

“More than once, I’ve reflected on the fact that leadership isn’t nearly as glamorous as people think. You pour yourself out, pour yourself out, pour yourself out. You make yourself vulnerable to anxiety, blame, and worry. The pressures and stresses land on you. The toughest questions come to you. You bear the blame when things go wrong. It’s easy to spend a day, week, or month putting out fires started by others. You find yourself required to serve continually — whether you want to or not.”

Stop Brainstorming

Here’s an interesting little article on why brainstorming may not be the best path to developing good ideas.

…And Then There Were Three

It was a joy to read this writer’s joy as he discovers he is going to be a father for the first time.

In Prayer, Structure Serves Spontaneity

Trevin explains why spontaneous prayers are not the only authentic prayers. In fact, structure serves spontaneity. “The combination of structure and spontaneity is one of the often missed secrets to learning how to pray. The best prayers are neither riffs nor recitations but rehearsals in love—where form shapes the heart and freedom lifts the song.”

Flashback: When Was the Last Time You Just Enjoyed Your Money?

It is good to exercise self-control with your money, and good to put it to good work. But it is good to enjoy it too. Because money is more than a tool; it is also a means of pleasure.

Anxious for nothing, prayerful for everything, thankful for anything.

—Maltbie Davenport Babcock

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    Would you Consider Supporting My Work?

    I have been blogging at Challies.com on a daily basis for well over 22 years now. That long commitment has allowed me to write thousands of articles and hundreds of book reviews while also sending millions of visitors to other sites through the daily A La Carte feature. While I’ve also written a number of books, through…

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    There is a certain kind of sober-mindedness that seems to come over Christians as they age. It can flow from many sources, I’m sure, but I think it often arises from a kind of fear—a fear that they may not finish their race without some kind of a major stumble. After living the Christian life…

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    A La Carte (November 24)

    A La Carte: A wonderful short film / Science confirms a literal, historical Adam and Eve / Go low, aim high / Stop brainstorming / Structured and spontaneous prayers / Kindle deals / and more.

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    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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