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A La Carte (September 23)

A La Carte Collection cover image

Good morning from somewhere between Romania and Germany. I am making my way home after a wonderful weekend with hundreds of young believers in Zalău.

Today’s Kindle deals include several volumes in the excellent Preaching the Word commentary series along with Urban Legends of Church History and a book by Randy Alcorn.

Can I Submit to My Elders Thoughtfully?

William Boekestein explains how to submit to elders thoughtfully (rather than blindly or rebelliously).

Appreciate the Days He’s Ordained

Melissa wonders “why we don’t appreciate our day-to-day triumphs and struggles more. Why don’t we live in the grateful knowledge that God’s plan has allowed us all of these years together, so many funny moments, so many opprotunities to grow together, to love each other through unlovely times, to have fun together, even to suffer together? We are so easily sidetracked by stress, exhaustion, irritation, and ingratitude. We forget how to just enjoy each other and live in the beauty of the love God placed in our hearts so long ago.”

How Does Your Dog Smell?

This is a brief celebration of God’s creative genius.

Living with Hope in Mental Illness

Justin says, “In this day and age, people are easily and haphazardly diagnosed with mental illnesses. There are times that sin (e.g. anxiety) is labeled as mental illness. But I believe that there are also times when mental illness proves to be real.” He explains how he has battled through episodes of mental illness.

Freedom to Lament

Barbara explains how we need to offer ourselves and others the freedom to lament.

Exposed to Hope: The Evangelism of Welcome

“Both my husband and I had been invited in, nurtured, and cared for by Christians; and when we married, we determined that we would do the same. And we did. Hurting children, lonely adults, and a long and steady stream of international students filled our home for over thirty years. We provided hospitality, comfort, a listening ear, and Bibles in their languages. And for those who asked, we explained the gospel message.”

Flashback: The Depth of My Depravity

You don’t know how deeply sinful you are by your unrighteousness deeds, but by your rejection of God and his grace. That is the most serious, heinous, and damnable sin of them all.

As good orthodox Christians, we have the privilege of denying that perfection is possible, and we self-indulgently make altogether too little effort to reach the unattainable goal.

—J.R. Miller

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    Weekend A La Carte (July 12)

    A La Carte: Where art thou Rob Bell? / The case against in vitro fertilization / Praying and weeping for those suffering in Texas / Greet each other with a holy hug / The example of Jimmy Swaggart / and more.

  • Thriving Marriage

    Thriving Marriage

    I have often wondered about the best time to write a book about marriage. When a couple is young, there is so much about marriage they have not yet experienced. They can still impart wisdom and teach lessons, of course, but there is so much of marriage that remains unknown to them. Yet when a…

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    A La Carte (July 11)

    A La Carte: Falling out of repentance / Tattoos as confession / The Epstein List and secret sins / Teaching generosity / Lessons from a former youth pastor / Bedbugs in the bowels of the city.

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    A La Carte (July 10)

    A La Carte: Questions for a maturing marriage / The lesbian seagulls that weren’t / But mommy, why? / A time to be tired / The modern rise of Stoicism / and more.

  • The Stranger

    The Stranger: A Short Film For You

    Based on a true story and inspired by the truth that character comes before competence, “The Stranger” is an honest, light-hearted and meaningful picture of what it means to truly serve others.

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    A La Carte (July 9)

    A La Carte: The singer who changed the course of my life / Stay on the line / Incompatible thick communities / Lulla-Bible? / The solution is not megachurch / Who were the Anabaptists? / and more.