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Weekend A La Carte (August 12)

Westminster Books has a solid deal on a set of books meant to protect children in local churches. Someone in every church needs to take on this responsibility!

(Yesterday at the blog I wrote about our culture’s shift in the way it pressures people to conform to societal expectations. Western culture has long been obsessed with guilt and innocence, but is now emphasizing shame and honor. Read more in The New/Old Way Our Culture Pressures Us To Conform.)

Answering Questions with Jesus

This is important: “Wherever you find yourself ministering to people in the church, assume questions, allow for questions, and answer questions. Let no one leave the church because an asked question was an ignored question.”

The Bible Is Not a Slideshow For Your Hot Take

Samuel James provides some good thoughts on Christian hot takes. “I’m not saying there’s nothing distinctively Christian to say about Robin Williams or about other public figures, like Chester Bennington, who commit suicide. What I am saying is that cheaply thought, cheaply written responses to these events by definition betray the Christian commitment to the centrality of truth.”

Sundar Pichai Should Resign as Google’s C.E.O.

I quite agree with David Brooks here: “Regardless which weakness applies, this episode suggests he should seek a nonleadership position. We are at a moment when mobs on the left and the right ignore evidence and destroy scapegoats. That’s when we need good leaders most.” (Also, see this.)

Theology Learned in the Flames of Adversity

We can learn from Luther what it means to learn truth in the fire of adversity.

Breaking News: Science Disproves the Bible

Another study has supposedly been shown to disprove the Bible. C. John Collins interacts with it to show how it doesn’t even come close. But even better, he provides a few thoughts on why the media is so quick to claim they’ve disproven the Bible. “Science and scientists serve a valuable role in our culture. But we do a disservice, both to them and to our own intellectual responsibilities, when we attach an authority to them beyond their discipline.”

How To Play an IMAX Film (Video)

“This video takes you behind the scenes to show you exactly how a bone crushing 400lb film print runs through a Mini Cooper sized projector. It’s epic.”

Al Mohler on North Korea

You may benefit from reading Al Mohler’s comments on North Korea, just war, and other pertinent issues.

Flashback: My Own Personal Bollywood

We can laugh at Bollywood and all they accept as realistic. But we should be laughing at ourselves as well.

Three Surprising Ways Bible Reading with My Kids Has Changed Me

My thanks goes to Matthias Media for sponsoring the blog this week with “Three Surprising Ways Bible Reading with My Kids Has Changed Me.”

In light of the cross, the greatest insult you can give God is to doubt His love for you.

—J.C. Ryle

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    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: Did Jesus freely live a scripted life? / Death, grief, and Frodo’s incurable wound / Cultural Christianity / The danger of an inward focused church / The stay-at-home mom / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Things Change and Things Stay the Same

    Things Change and Things Stay the Same

    The French language has an endearing little phrase that could almost have been drawn from the Bible’s wisdom literature. “Plus ça change,” they say, “plus c’est la même chose.” The more things change, the more they stay the same. Though I live in the 21st century, I read in the 19th, which is to say,…

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    A La Carte (March 17)

    A La Carte: Comfort in life’s disappointments / To women with passive husbands / Loved ones with dementia / When to preach Romans / Friendship / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Too Small To Bother God With

    At times we all live burdened lives, weighed down by the cares and concerns, the trials and traumas that inevitably accompany life in this world. And while we sometimes feel crushed by life’s heaviest burdens—the death of a loved one, the rebellion of a child, the onset of a chronic illness—we can also sometimes stagger…

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    Weekend A La Carte (March 15)

    A La Carte: The etiquette of speech / Steve Lawson’s repentance / It’s not too late to abandon Christian nationalism / Praying for dreams to come true / How marriage vows work / New gospel songs / and more.