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Weekend A La Carte (August 2)

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My gratitude goes to Banner of Truth for sponsoring the blog this week. Banner publishes many wonderful books from the present day and days past, including The Works of John Owen and the slightly modernized adaptation, Gospel Life.

Today’s Kindle deals include excellent choices by Sproul, Tozer, Elliot, and more.

(Yesterday on the blog: 10 New and Notable Christian Books for July 2025)

Why I Don’t Like the Term “Homeschool”

“I think the debate within Christian circles of public vs. private vs. homeschool is tired and often unhelpful. If we recognized that parents are, after the Holy Spirit, their children’s primary educators, and then recognize that a full human life is nurtured within the home and family and then expands to neighborhood, church, village, and beyond, then, perhaps, our discussions would be on firmer footing. How ought a human person be formed for a flourishing life?”

The Remarkably Successful 7-Point Plan From 40 Years Ago to Normalize Homosexuality

Justin Taylor explains the 7-point plan from 40 years ago that very successfully normalized homosexuality. “God’s truth does not change, but culture does. Here was their plan, which has worked for a long time now, though it will ultimately not prevail as a rejection of God’s good and gracious design.”

Three Dodges That Can Derail Any Discussion

Greg Koukl explains three common dodges that can derail any discussion.

6 Seasoned Pastors on Best Practices for Men’s Ministry

“Over the past year, those who track religious statistics have been surprised by a trend so rare it hasn’t been recorded before: Gen-Z is the first generation in American history whose men are more likely to go to church than women are.” Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra investigates what six seasoned pastors are doing in their men’s ministries.

Work Hard, Be Humble

Paul Tripp: “Children of God should strive to accomplish great things in the name of the Lord. We should be visionaries and entrepreneurs. We should make radical plans and build bigger, better, more beautiful things. We’ve been placed by the Creator of heaven and earth to be the resident managers of his planet. We’re meant to steward the creation, enhance its beauty, protect it from the danger of wickedness, and in all of this, bring glory to the name of the Lord.”

Finding Hope Amid Severe Illness

“Through the trials of cancer and survivorship, I needed a hope that could withstand the roller coaster of my health struggles. Because of God’s mercy and grace, we have a better hope to which we can cling: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Flashback: What Grows in the Local Church

What grows in an aquarium? Plants and weeds, because the conditions that foster one fosters the other. What grows in the local church? Virtues and vices, because much of the context that fosters one can as easily foster the opposite. 

When God intends to do a great work He stirs up His people to pray for the thing He intends to do.

—Michael Haykin

  • Robert wolgemuth

    Robert Wolgemuth Was a Kind Man

    I don’t remember the first time I met Robert Wolgemuth, but I know it was when I was much younger and just beginning to get my bearings as a writer. At the time, I was beginning to consider whether it would be useful to retain a literary agent who would represent me to publishers. I…

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    A La Carte (January 21)

    A La Carte: The great Christian reset / Artists who refuse the hot take / A ministry of small things / The sin that so easily ensnares / The strict dietary laws / and more.

  • A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    A Special Offer On Ten Great Books

    Reformation Heritage Books is offering Challies readers an exclusive 15% discount on their top ten recent releases. Use code CHALLIES at checkout. This offer is valid until January 27.

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    A La Carte (January 20)

    A La Carte: When protest enters the sanctuary / Why I ditched my scrolling habit / Take sports betting seriously / The world runs on urgency / Sanctification hacks / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Endure

    Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer

    I remember the days when my children were younger and would ask me to give them something—then ask me again, and ask me again. At that age, they had no ability to gain or purchase these things for themselves, so they were entirely dependent upon their parents to grant their requests (which were usually for…

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    A La Carte (January 19)

    A La Carte: Learning to struggle / When “Stranger Things” stopped being strange / “If God Is For Us” / Reading as stewardship / A sermon you need to hear / Excellent Kindle deals / and more.