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A La Carte (November 30)

friday

Today’s Kindle deals include some books and some Bibles. Stay tuned tomorrow when there should be some deals to start the new month.

(Yesterday on the blog: Becoming Better Readers)

The 50% Lie

“You’ve heard it repeatedly on radio, podcasts, and TV. You’ve read it in various books and articles. You’ve even heard it in your pastor’s sermon. The problem: it’s a lie. ‘50% of all marriages end in divorce.’” We need to stop quoting this statistic. Why? “The 50% lie has done more damage than we might suspect, but it can only be remedied with the truth.”

Why J. I. Packer Reads Mystery Novels (Or, In Defense of Light Reading)

I enjoyed this: “A well-read public figure was recently asked about what modern fiction he reads, and he replied that he only makes time for older fiction in his life right now—books that have stood the test of time. Not surprisingly, his preference was criticized. One person even claimed that this choice was a failure of neighbor love.”

Camp Fire Map

This interactive map shows the utter devastation of California’s Camp Fire through drone images, 360 images, and photographs of individual structures.

Did Old Testament Believers Possess the Holy Spirit the Same Way as the New Testament Believers?

Did Old Testament believers possess the Holy Spirit in the same way as New Testament believers? In this video from Ligonier a panel of trusted theologians answers a common question.

Living on Mission Means Living on Purpose

Erik Raymond: “It doesn’t just happen; nobody falls into evangelistic faithfulness. Living on mission means living on purpose. It looks like an embracing of a biblical identity and responding with biblical urgency.”

Pastors: Preach, Don’t Rant

Yes, this one is important. “Pastors are called to preach sermons, not deliver rants. Too often God’s people are subjected to the latter, but it is the former they truly need. This distinction struck me several years ago while co-preaching a conference with several other pastors.”

The First Noel

Southern Seminary has been releasing some videos of Christmas music performed by their bands. Also check out “Angels We Have Heard On High” by the Boyce College Vocal Band. It’s an excellent performance.

Flashback: 5 Ugly Qualities of the Anti-Elder

There are millions of men who are great teachers and great leaders and great C.E.O.’s, but still completely unsuited to leadership in the church.

If there be anything I know, anything that I am quite assured of beyond all question, it is that praying breath is never spent in vain.

—Charles Spurgeon

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (May 31)

    A La Carte: The heart of a Christian father in the college search / Baby Boomer secrets of power / Prioritize hospitality this summer / The Beast of Revelation 13 / The Church of Scotland goes woke and broke / and more.

  • New and Notable

    New and Notable Christian Books for May 2025

    While the month of May has already almost fully waned, it has proved to be a good month for Christian book releases. I sorted through the stacks that landed on my desk and arrived at this list of new and notables.

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (May 30)

    A La Carte: God’s pain megaphone / One of us / Destroying ministerial reputations / Prepare your heart for pride month / What does it mean to give quietly? / One step closer / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (May 29)

    A La Carte: Radicalized loneliness / There is no Christian defense of pornography / The problem with idols of the heart / Fear not fatherhood / Serving the God who served us first / The myth of the irreligious world / Kindle deals / and more.

  • What God Forbids You To Judge

    What God Forbids You To Judge

    I am a judgmental person. I’m often amazed and dismayed by how quickly I leap to judgment, often without facts, without knowledge, without sympathy. Of course there are times when judgment is right and good…