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A La Carte (October 23)

A La Carte Thursday 1

For some mysterious reason, yesterday’s A La Carte was not included in the daily email. If you would like to see it, you can find it here.

This week, Westminster Books has a sale on the ESV One Story Bible, a product I very much appreciate and recommend.

The highlight of today’s Kindle deals is Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrims, though you’ll find lots of other good options as well.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Power of a Single Snowflake)

Awaken Your Hunger

Glenna Marshall: “The more I feed on the Word of God, the more I hunger for Christ. The more I feed on the things of the world, the more restless my heart becomes. If I’m consistently feeding my heart the wrong thing, I will see the anemic fruit of that malnourishment. Too much scrolling? Distracted prayer time. Too much entertainment? Constant desire to be entertained. Too much self-indulgence or feasting without ever fasting? Weakness and grumbling at the first sign of spiritual discomfort.”

More Than a Welcome: Why Calling Your Congregation to Worship Really Matters

I enjoyed this article on the importance and uniqueness of a church’s call to worship.

Abortion Pills and Emergency Contraception: A Position Paper

This is a helpful position paper on abortion pills and emergency contraception—crucial issues in the church and culture today.

Cybersecurity for Churches

Speaking of crucial issues, churches should make sure they are taking cybersecurity seriously. “While this article touches on some of the online risks, the goal isn’t to scare churches away from technology. In a growing digital age, we need to be aware of changing threats to church life and guard against them. It is also good to recognise that when used wisely, digital technology can offer many blessings; it can enhance ministry, as well as aid our connections and our communication.”

Renewed Commitment to the Public Reading of Scripture

We focus (rightly) on the preaching of the Word of God. But the Bible also commands that we simply read the Word publicly. This article shows how effective that can be.

Delighting in God Isn’t Dependent on Favorable Circumstances

Randy Alcorn: “Happiness in God involves an act of will toward the God who’s there and who loves us, even in sickness, hunger, war, and prison cells. It’s built on His all-encompassing sovereignty, love, goodness, grace, gladness, and redemptive purposes in our lives. By choosing happiness in Christ, we’re gratefully receiving God’s grace and His own happiness.”

Flashback: Would It Be Better to Take a Pay Cut Than a Church Cut?

…if you do choose to move, let me plead with you to put more attention into your church than your job, neighborhood, home, or school.

There is a kind of life that leads to death. There is a kind of death that leads to life.

—Alistair Begg

  • Authority

    How Men Can Use Their Authority Well

    There are few topics that have proven trickier to navigate than the topic of authority. We know we need authority to function as families, churches, and nations, yet there is something deep within our sinful humanity that causes us to rebel against it wherever it exists. We both want it and despise it. 

  • fri 3

    A La Carte (May 22)

    The ancient world had no word for child abuse / What I wish I had learned in theological college / Pray to the Lord of the harvest / What God is healing while not healing my health problems / Are you willing to show up? / Artificial preaching / Sales and deals / and more.

  • thurs 3

    A La Carte (May 21)

    One step becomes a three-day walk / Tolkien, foolishness, and the ordinary means of grace / The staggering beauty and burden of church life / Denominational health / Three truths to combat your news anxiety / Don’t do the Devil’s work for him / and more.

  • The Most Neglected Element of Worship

    The Most Neglected Element of Worship

    There are some elements of public worship that receive a great deal of attention. These elements are taught, practiced, rehearsed, and perfected until they are as good as they can be. In most churches, this includes the music, of course, and often the preaching. Why do these receive so much attention?

  • wed 3

    A La Carte (May 20)

    The pastor who refuses to back down / The missionary with Ebola / Why we don’t trust pastors / Rushing our quiet times / The other side of seminary / The remedy, the problem, and the church / Why we need to interpret the Bible / Kindle deals / and more.

  • tues 3

    A La Carte (May 19)

    The wrong lessons from the latest scandal / The blessing of being forgotten / If your chatbot offers prayer / Have tongues ceased? / Consider the small town / Thinking Christianly about complex topics / Book releases / and more.