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A La Carte (September 11)

A La Carte Thursday 1

It’s another good day for Kindle deals. You’ll find a book for parents raising their kids in a confusing world, a book for perfectionists, and one for mothers. Keller’s Center Church is on the list as well.

Dave Harvey’s new book, The Clay Pot Conspiracy, is a good one. It’s on sale at Westminster today.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Most Exasperating and Least Rewarding)

Respectable Sins in Christian Ministry

Jen outlines several sins that have, unfortunately, become “respectable” in Christian ministry.

The Gospel in a Mental Health Crisis

This is a good and important read. “Why are we seeing such a sharp rise in mental health issues? Is this mainly due to raised awareness – that a new appreciation for the reality of mental health conditions means we diagnose them more readily? Or is it that mental health is in real decline – that, for whatever reason, we have a greater propensity to these maladies than previous generations?”

Not Old, Not Young, Not Done

Our 50s and 60s are two decades that bring unique challenges and opportunities. Christopher Ash offers encouragement for those in seasons of empty nesting, caring for aging parents, and retirement planning. He points to the joys of intentional service to Christ and others in this season, and revives hope that the gospel is sufficient for contentment in all things. (Sponsored)

Charlie Kirk is dead. And I am Sad (Sad and Angry)

Stephen McAlpine laments the death of Charlie Kirk and some of what it tells us about the world we are in. “Politically I am not as conservative as Charlie was, though I agree with the direction of many of his positions, but his ability to argue with someone and not lose his cool, was legendary. He never got rattled. And the behaviour of his interlocuters raised the question: If they – as they believe – are on the side of love and virtue and righteousness, why are they such abusive, disgusting people?”

Male Friendship Is Declining. Wives Can Help.

“In some spheres of life, we affirm that a man being away from home is part of a larger good. It’s good for him to go to work and earn income to provide for his family or go to the doctor for a checkup to maintain his health. Those are assumed to be necessary uses of his time, worth being away from home for.” But what about when it comes time for friendship?

Digging Deeper: Reading, Thinking, and Talking

“Christians, take a hard look at our lives, especially our use of technology. It is a blessing in so many ways, but are we losing something as well?” Much of this is worth considering.

Wrinkles That Testify

“Young-old? Middle-old? Oldest-old? These terms make me chuckle, and I also find myself sighing—loudly. I’m hitting the last year of young-old. A milestone, though it feels less like a triumph and more like an invitation to reflection. These questions surface: What does discipleship look like in the season of decline, when knees ache, energy fades, and names sometimes slip away? How do I finish this race with joy?”

Flashback: The Glory of Children Is Their Fathers

While our ultimate desire is to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” we all also want to hear our children say, “Well done, good and faithful dad” or “Well done, good and faithful mom.”

That demon of pride was born with us, and it will not die one hour before us.

—C.H. Spurgeon

  • A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    Reformation Heritage Books is offering Challies readers an exclusive 15% discount on their top ten recent releases. Use code CHALLIES at checkout. This offer is valid until January 27.

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    A La Carte (January 20)

    A La Carte: When protest enters the sanctuary / Why I ditched my scrolling habit / Take sports betting seriously / The world runs on urgency / Sanctification hacks / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Endure

    Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer

    I remember the days when my children were younger and would ask me to give them something—then ask me again, and ask me again. At that age, they had no ability to gain or purchase these things for themselves, so they were entirely dependent upon their parents to grant their requests (which were usually for…

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    A La Carte (January 19)

    A La Carte: Learning to struggle / When “Stranger Things” stopped being strange / “If God Is For Us” / Reading as stewardship / A sermon you need to hear / Excellent Kindle deals / and more.

  • Not a Hindrance But a Prerequisite

    Not a Hindrance But a Prerequisite

    Many Christians feel they are too unholy or too sinful to participate in the Lord’s Supper. They come to the table downcast, convinced that their sin makes them unworthy. They may refuse to participate at all.

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    Weekend A La Carte (January 17)

    A La Carte: Look to and learn from older saints / Don’t overthink your problems / Rebellion / When there is no good church / Teens and popular music / Where the gospel costs everything / and more.