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Weekend A La Carte (August 16)

A La Carte Collection cover image

I’m grateful to Focus on the Family for sponsoring the blog this week. They wanted to be sure you know about the Focused Pastor Couples Conference—a place to step away from the demands of ministry and be reminded that you’re not alone.

Today’s Kindle deals include some excellent and noteworthy titles.

(Yesterday on the blog: Should You Share the Gospel with Your Catholic Friends?)

Do We Need Another Pentecost?

A recent popular worship song declares, “We need another Pentecost.” But do we? Patrick Schreiner tells why we most certainly do not.

The Church Will Not Be Consulted

“In recent years it has become increasingly popular for churches of differing sizes, locations, and denominational traditions to make use of consultant services to find new ministers and staff for Christian institutions.” Joshua Heavin explains the phenomenon and expresses his concerns with it.

Redeeming the Time This New School Year

“Certainly, there is no formula for ensuring a life of faith for our kids and the relationships we desire to cultivate. It is by the grace of God, and yet as parents we are called to diligently shepherd their hearts. But it starts with us—with our hearts.” Kristen Hatton offers some family rhythms you may wish to consider as your family begins a new school year.

Why I Don’t Use the Term “Biblical Patriarchy”

Denny Burk explains why he doesn’t use the term “biblical patriarchy” but instead prefers to speak of “complementarianism.”

What Is a Marriage?

Sometimes we need to ask and answer the simplest questions. “It’s important to base our understanding on what the Bible teaches to ensure it aligns with God’s design. Lack of clarity about weddings and marriage leads to confusion in our personal lives, society, and the church.”

The Scandal of the Evangelical Heart

You may have heard of the scandal of the Evangelical mind, but have you considered the scandal of the Evangelical heart? The two are related to one another.

Flashback: When Pastors Need To Be Extra Cautious

This pastor discerned that one of the challenges of being a pastor—and particularly one who is paid to minister on a full-time basis—is to continue to have a realistic assessment of how the world works “out there.”

A sheep in the midst of wolves is safe compared with a Christian in the midst of ungodly men.

—C.H. Spurgeon

  • Weekend A La Carte (November 7)

    The Hutterites’ guide to technology / Searching for jobs, Gen Z feels like it’s staring into ‘the void’ / The gospel according to Peter (Thiel) / Scientism and the allure of control / Can science explain sparkling rivers? / What led to Christianity Today’s crisis?

  • I Regret to Inform You That Heaven Tourism Is Back

    I Regret to Inform You That Heaven Tourism Is Back

    I regret to inform you, dear reader, that heaven tourism is back. The genre possibly never went away entirely, but it did at least disappear from the bestseller lists for several years. Sadly, it has returned in Gabe Poirot’s 18 Days in Heaven.

  • A La Carte (November 6)

    Don’t despise the red flags / Your thoughts are shaping your life / Can’t you just love everyone? / Selfies are not the self: forming embodied youth in a disembodied age / Effective altruists and the spreadsheet gospel / 4 Applications for the order of love—from the home to the ends of the earth /…

  • A La Carte (November 5)

    When you feel guilty about your giving / The missing piece in John Mark Comer’s quiet time / A manifesto for phone-free church / The pull of Rome / 4 Misconceptions about spiritual warfare / Slouching toward Narnia / Kindle deals, and more

  • A Daring Suggestion for Netflix

    A Daring Suggestion for Netflix

    Netflix appears to have fallen on hard times and I have some suggestions that I’d like to think would help it: cut the sex, nudity, and profanity, and gain back the viewers it’s long been alienating.

  • A La Carte (November 4)

    Can I love my enemies while addressing wrongs and protecting myself? / Is missions too costly for kids? / Don’t stock the pantry with temptation / Churches face a shortage of worship leaders / AI brought a mathematician to Ecclesiastes / Discerning between godly and worldly grief / Harvest in fearful times / and more.