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A La Carte (September 14)

friday

I found just a handful of new Kindle deals. Meanwhile, Westminster Books has some solid deals on classic works published by Banner of Truth. They also have a lot of Cruciform books on sale, including many of mine.

(Yesterday on the blog: How do You Choose A Bible Translation?)

Favoritism in the Church

“To prejudge someone is to determine his worth or worthlessness. The usual people of high value are the gifted teacher, the wealthy member, and the young family that will bring children or other young families. The needy who take up a lot of time and need a lot of discipling do not often find immediate favor in the church.”

Finding the Antichrist Today

Kim Riddelbarger offers a bit of clarity on the Antichrist.

D. A. Carson on the (Ambiguous) Claim ‘This Is a Gospel Issue’

Justin Taylor recaps and recommends a very helpful article by D.A. Carson.

Call Sinners to Do the Impossible

“We do not need to try to ‘protect’ Reformed teachings by over-qualifying gospel calls. Go ahead and proclaim the impossible to sinners. Then watch God do what only He can do!”

Rebirth of the Gods: The Normalization of Pagan Spirituality

This should be a helpful series. “We used to talk about the New Age. When I first began to think about how a worldview can shape culture, New Age was all the rage. Now noone even mentions New Age. So it must have failed, right? Actually, quite the opposite: it became normal. That phrase ‘spiritual but not religious’ is just one indication that people have accepted the paganism which New Age tried to establish.”

Five Counseling Myths in the Church

“Pastoral care and counsel—that is what we are considering. It is the word counsel that leads to some confusion and differences of opinion. With that in mind, here are a few myths I have heard.”

5 Ways to Be a Godly Grandparent

AiG has had a lot lately on being a godly grandparent. “You’ve done your job: you raised your kids and watched them leave the nest to start families of their own. It’s time to relax with, enjoy, and spoil the grandkids … right? Well, yes and no.”

Flashback: Whatever Is False, Whatever Is Dishonorable, Whatever Is Unjust…

What makes holy people holy? What makes unholy people unholy? To a large degree it is what fills their minds and their hearts.

One of the effects of being marked by suffering is learning to value the future. Not all the crying or pain goes away now, but he will make all things new.

—David Powlison

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    A La Carte (February 17)

    A La Carte: Abstaining from communion / Get married young / When the world shifts under your feet / Eliminating envy / Messiah complex / Making temptation flee / Kindle deals / and more.

  • How to Evangelize and Disciple in a “Live Your Truth” World

    Our culture lacks any coherent, unifying worldview. We’ve moved on from post-truth postmodernism to “Live your truth” metamodernism, where good vibes matter more than consistent ideas. In this world, few see the conflict between “trans-affirming” and “pro-woman.” And the same person using mushrooms to aid spiritual “connection” tells us to “trust the science” about human…

  • AI

    A Simple Way To Ensure You Use AI Well (And Not Poorly) 

    Every new technology introduces both benefits and drawbacks to its users and to the wider culture. The world being what it is, there are always plusses and minuses, so that even as a new tech gives with one hand, it takes away with the other. We are quickly learning that Artificial Intelligence is no exception…

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    A La Carte (February 16)

    A La Carte: God is glad to forgive you / Gen Z needs this doctrine / The draw of Eastern Orthodoxy / Rest for the restless / Finding love after loss / Kindle and book deals / and more.

  • Duty

    For Our Good, Not For Our Bondage

    Matthew Henry once said that when we are out of the way of duty, we are in the way of temptation. Yet Jerry Bridges warns that the spiritual disciplines are privileges to be used, not duties to be performed. So are they duties or are they not?

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    Weekend A La Carte (February 14)

    A La Carte: Satan wants you alone this Sunday / The discipline of unlearning / Asking a pastor to step down / Holy humor / Intentional thankfulness / and more.