A La Carte (September 8)

Sales & Deals

Today’s Kindle deals include a pair of new books from P&R that are well worth a look (The Ministry of Small Things and The Lord Saves Me). You’ll find some other good deals beneath them, plus a strong selection of general market books. If you didn’t check in yesterday, be sure to scroll down to yesterday’s deals as well.

Recommended Reading

Why America Now Worships Its Cold-Blooded Killers. This is a strange and troubling phenomenon, isn’t it? “Unlike the O.J. Simpson trial a generation ago, today’s trial watchers have the internet to seek out information and express their opinions. What is perplexing to many is the growing number of women who express support, not for the three precious souls whose lives Clancy ended, but for Clancy herself. Columnist Caitlin Flanagan writes, ‘What began as admirable compassion for a woman has turned into something strange: an almost exultant, fan-like celebration of Lindsay Clancy.’”

What Are Young Men Turning Away From? Michael Jensen has a thoughtful piece on the struggles of young men. “What does a dependable man look like? It’s not complicated, really. It means showing up and doing what you say you’ll do. It means doing useful things. It means accepting obligations, and it means using your strength for someone other than yourself. … The manosphere-pushing algorithms and the prevalence of violent porn are of grave concern. The manosphere partly works because it tells boys that they can matter. It gives them an apparent tribe, and a mission in life.”

How Skipping Church Helped My Soul. I enjoyed Peter Witkowski’s explanation of how, in an unexpected way, it was a Sunday he “skipped” church that proved most helpful to his soul. “In making this statement, I am not offering cover to those who have intentionally and sinfully neglected the gathering of their local church to play golf, to take in a baseball game, or to sleep in a little more. As I have written elsewhere, God’s plan for our spiritual growth, life, and vitality flows through and is facilitated by the local church. One can no more expect to grow in their faith apart from church than a tree can grow apart from its roots. Our goal should be forever and always to be in church.”

John Piper on Daily Vigilance and Lifelong Productivity. John Piper addresses a question many people have probably asked him (or wanted to, at least). “I admire you. I look at your life, this podcast, the books you have written, the sermons you have preached, and the way you seem to use every minute for God’s glory. I want that. But I cannot have it right now. We have two little ones at home and I feel like I am constantly fighting off distractions just so I can get the bare minimum done. I read productivity books, but I feel like a sluggard compared to you. How do you stay urgent, Pastor John? How do you manage the daily grind without losing your passion?”

Remember the Sabbath: Four Reminders for Achievement Addicts. You won’t need to be a sabbatarian to benefit from Kelly Needham’s thoughts on the joys and benefits of a weekly “Do-Nothing” day. “Most of the time, these days are precious gifts to my soul. Aiming to accomplish nothing, our Do-Nothing days consist of making pancakes, watching movies, reading books, doing puzzles, going to the park, taking naps, having extended and unhurried times in the Word, or whatever else seems like fun. Other times, I find that this purposeful ‘wasted’ time is the instrument God is using to kill my addiction to productivity. In these uncomfortable moments, here are four things I am reminded of.”

Why Early Marriage Is a Trajectory Decision You Can’t Ignore. I am generally an advocate of early marriage and appreciate what J. Warner Wallace says about it here. “I often tell young people that if you’re going to marry, you shouldn’t treat it as a casual, eventual, background decision. You should treat it as a central calling. Decide early that you are going to prioritize marriage if that’s the path you’re on. Instead of saying, ‘I’ll secure my job, my degree, my mission—then I’ll squeeze marriage in somewhere,’ reverse that. Let your worldview direct your marriage decision, and then let those two shape your mission, your education, and your career. In other words, don’t let marriage be something that just happens to you.”

New Book Releases

Most new Christian books are released on Tuesdays. Here’s a list of books that should be available beginning today!

Shepherding Time: A Pastor’s Guide to Time Management by Rush Witt & Joe Keller. I wrote a foreword to this excellent book on time management for pastors. “With biblical principles and pastoral care, Shepherding Time enables pastors to serve their congregations faithfully while maintaining their own spiritual health.”

The Sing! Hymnal, Lyrics & Liturgies. This is a new adaptation of the ultra-popular Sing! Hymnal. “Without musical notation, The Sing! Hymnal, Lyrics & Liturgies helps readers focus on the beauty of the lyrics, making it ideal for congregational worship, daily devotions, meditation, and memorization.”

Young Womanhood: Finding Joy and Purpose in the Body God Gave You by Amy DiMarcangelo. “Grounded in the hope of the gospel, Amy DiMarcangelo shows how young women can find greater joy and purpose in their bodies—and a deeper desire to worship the God who made them, body and soul, for his glory.”

We Will Be Changed: 9 Inner Glories the Spirit Is Cultivating in You by Alistair Begg. This actually released last week, but close enough! “In We Will Be Changed, trusted Bible teacher Alistair Begg offers hope and reassurance that the Holy Spirit is working in and through you. He is shaping your heart, transforming your character and forming your life into a testimony.”

Flashback

Go Ahead, Bring a Knife to a Gunfight. Perhaps you don’t have eloquence, but you certainly do have a smile. Well, as it happens, a smile of encouragement has changed the behavior of tens of thousands of wanderers, brought them back to God, and enthroned them in heaven. Don’t underestimate what may seem so small a weapon.