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A La Carte (September 12)

Today’s Kindle deals include a bunch by Matthias Media! I don’t think I’ve ever seen deals from them before. Many of these books are top-notch: The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne; How To Walk Into Church by Tony Payne; The Archer and the Arrow by Philip Jensen & Paul Grimmond. You’ll also find Crossway’s entire Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition Series on sale.

How Can I Know Which Bible Promises Apply to Me?

Stand to Reason: “Because of two recent posts on wrongly applying biblical promises to ourselves (Jeremiah 29:11 and Exodus 14:14), we’ve been receiving questions about how to determine which promises do apply to us.” That’s a great question.

Why Arminianism Won’t Preach (And Calvinism Won’t Sell)

I’m not sure I agree entirely, but these are some interesting observations (and challenges) by Michael Patton. “Thesis: Calvinists have a corner on theologically-themed conferences. Arminians have apologetically-themed conferences.”

Oddly-Named Towns

Here’s a list of particularly oddly-named towns in each of the 50 states. Here are a few from Alabama: Scratch Ankle, Screamer, Shorter, Smut Eye, The Bottle, Warrior.

Why Write a Book About Pot?

This upcoming book from Cruciform Press explores a question that’s sure to become only more relevant over time, in ever more churches.

Should Christians Worry in These Times?

Ligon Duncan writes about an appropriate response to troubling times.

This Day in 1972. 44 years ago today Rose Horton, missionary to Kenya, died. She was largely responsible for translating the Bible in Kambla and had been nicknamed “Happy” by her Kenyan friends. *

Do Some Christians Pray with More Power?

“All true believers are justified equally by the same righteousness of the same Mediator, Jesus Christ. But do all Christians pray with the same power or efficacy?” Mark Jones answers.

The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever

Yes, it’s about bowling. But it’s well-written and very entertaining. “In a bowling alley one night, Bill Fong came so close to perfection that it nearly killed him.”

It’s No Way To Run a Business

Alan points out that even though it’s no way to run a business, it’s the way the Kingdom of God operates.

Flashback: Do You Have a Personal Relationship with Satan?

However, as much as we emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we tend to view Satan and his evil forces as an abstraction. We believe that we need to relate personally to the Savior but that we can relate impersonally to the enemy as if Jesus is a person while Satan is merely an idea.

Loss of interest in the word of God is loss of interest in God.

—John Piper

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    Weekend A La Carte (December 6)

    A La Carte: Rightly ordered desires / Ordinary wonders / For my good, not my comfort / Make room for special-needs families / Christmas spirit / Wisdom rarely makes you famous / and more.

  • New Dimensions Template

    Noteworthy New Commentaries from 2025

    There are few resources I rely on more than I rely on my commentaries. Over the years, I have developed an extensive collection and turn to them often. I try to keep tabs on new commentaries and thought I would let you know about some of the best options that were published in 2025

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (December 5)

    A La Carte: Doug Wilson vs public schools / Your church needs you to sing / Wicca’s origins and Christian Nationalism / Out of season / Amish millionaires / Two wedding aisles to walk down / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (December 4)

    A La Carte: Why I changed my mind on mixed martial arts / Misunderstanding porn / When time feels short / The Bible and friendship / Is God disappointed in me? / and more.

  • Thoughts

    Can Satan Put Thoughts Into Our Minds?

    Each of us is familiar with the experience of being tempted to sin. Sometimes these temptations arise from outside of us and sometimes they arise from within. Each of our three sworn enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil—has the ability to tempt us to do what God forbids or fail to do what God…