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A La Carte (September 20)

wednesday

Today’s Kindle deals include a few minor deals that may be worth a quick peek.

Westminster Books has a selection of Reformation-related titles on sale. You should probably read at least one book on the Reformation before October 31!

Speaking of which, you can get a copy of the classic biography of Luther Here I Stand for a gift of any amount to Ligonier Ministries.

Setting the Tone in Your Home

“Mamas, you have been granted a special gift in the life of your family: you are the tone setter. It doesn’t matter if you have fancy decor or an immaculately clean house. It doesn’t matter if you work long hours or stay home all day long. When you are with your family, you guide the atmosphere.”

Remembering My Friend Nabeel Qureshi

You may enjoy this tribute to Nabeel Qureshi from a friend who knew him for a long time.

We Are Called to Be Faithful, But Only God Can Make our Efforts Fruitful

“As strong, capable, goal-driven women are wont to do, I also see my sisters and myself constantly reevaluating our calendars and our efforts. We routinely ask: am I spending myself in the way God would have me? Are my activities useful and effective? Am I actually getting anything accomplished with this task/ministry/activity/habit? Is it working?”

Puzzling Gravestones

Here’s a quirky one: “When Canadian doctor Samuel Bean lost his first two wives, Henrietta and Susanna, within 20 months of each other, he decided that the was best way to honor them would be to create a tombstone dedicated to a hobby they both enjoyed —solving puzzles.”

Young Men and Pastoral Qualifications (Video)

“Whether a young man desires to be a pastor or not, he should pursue the qualifications listed for pastors in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 because they describe lives that honor God and bring him glory.”

Five Lessons after 30 Years of Pastoring in Zambia

I enjoyed reading Conrad Mbewe’s reflections on 30 years of pastoring Kabwata Baptist Church.

What Christians Should Know About Cremation

I find more and more Christians considering cremation as an alternative to burial, at least in part because of the high cost of the latter. Joe Carter has a helpful FAQ on cremation here.

Flashback: How To Lose Your Zeal for Christ

Are you zealous for Christ? Do you have a genuine zeal to live for him and to advance his cause in the world? Or have you lost the zeal that once marked you? Here are 9 ways you may lose your zeal.

He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays.

—John Owen

  • The Phrase that Altered My Thinking Forever

    This week the blog is sponsored by P&R Publishing and is written by Ralph Cunnington. Years ago, I stumbled repeatedly on an ancient phrase that altered my thinking forever.  Distinct yet inseparable. The first time I encountered this phrase was while studying the Council of Chalcedon’s description of the two natures of Christ. Soon after,…

  • Always Look for the Light

    Always Look for the Light

    For many years there was a little potted plant on our kitchen window sill, though I’ve long since forgotten the variety. Year after year that plant would put out a shoot and from the shoot would emerge a single flower. And I observed that no matter how I turned the pot, the flower would respond.…

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    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: God is good and does good—even in our pain / Dear bride and groom / Sin won’t comfort you / Worthy of the gospel / From self-sufficiency to trusting God’s people / The gods fight for our devotion / and more.

  • Confidence

    God Takes Us Into His Confidence

    Here is another Sunday devotional—a brief thought to orient your heart toward the Lord. God takes the initiative in establishing relationship by reaching out to helpless humanity. He reveals himself to the creatures he has made. But what does it mean for him to provide such revelation of himself? John Calvin began his Institutes by…

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    Weekend A La Carte (March 16)

    A La Carte: I believe in the death of Julius Caesar and the resurrection of Jesus Christ / Reasons students and pastors shouldn’t use ChatGPT / A 1.3 gigpixel photo of a supernova / What two raw vegans taught me about sharing Jesus / If we realize we’re undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive /…

  • Ask Pastor John

    Ask Pastor John

    I admit it: I felt a little skeptical about Ask Pastor John. To be fair, I feel skeptical about most books that begin in one medium before making the leap to another. Books based on sermons, for example, can often be pretty disappointing—a powerful sermon at a conference can make a bland chapter in a…