This was one of those rare weeks in which I collected so much good material that it only seemed right to create an extra A La Carte column. I hope you enjoy the extra reading!
Before You Japa: 7 Things To Consider
I enjoyed this evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks of japa—”a Yoruba word which means ‘run swiftly’ or to flee from danger, but which is now a Nigerian slang for emigration.” It must at times be difficult to remain in a context in which so many are leaving.
The Funnies
Every Saturday I look forward to receiving Chris Martin’s “The Funnies,” a modern-day answer to the Saturday comics I enjoyed long ago.
Just War and Our Cultural Conflict
Kevin DeYoung continues his series on the culture war. “The answer to the question ‘Should Christians be engaged in the culture war?’ is quite simple: You are whether you mean to be or not.”
Count it all Joy
Guy Richard: “It is relatively easy to ‘count it all joy’ when things are going well around us. When God’s will matches our own will for our lives, it is easy to be a Christian and to ‘count it all joy.’ But when those two things don’t add up—when God’s will for our lives and our will for our lives don’t match—that is when things get hard.”
Lord, Help Me See the Ways to Die Today
Trevin Wax: “A few months ago, I began asking the Lord every morning to give me chances that day to die to myself, and for the Spirit to help me recognize those opportunities. He has never failed to answer this prayer. Not once.”
The Agony of Church Discipline Carried Out
“As my wife and I walked into the sanctuary, we were met with the same fellowship we always get. But on this occasion, there was a sense of angst as everybody waited for the elders to speak. You see, this wasn’t Sunday service. It was a members-only meeting. And just about everybody in the room—including my wife and me—knew what this meeting was about.”
