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Weekend A La Carte (August 6)

Blessings to you as you work, serve, and/or worship this weekend.

Today’s Kindle deals include a few newer books as well as a few older ones.

(Yesterday on the blog: How to Read and Understand God’s Word)

Closeness Comes Through Fire: How Suffering Conforms Us to Christ

Ed Welch makes some helpful observations here about sanctification and suffering. (Though I’m not so sure about using both Ignatius of Loyola and Martin Luther as examples of the same virtue in the same article!)

Why Taiwan Loves This Canadian Missionary Dentist

With a title like that, I couldn’t help but read it. It’s a great account of a missionary that isn’t very well known outside Taiwan.

The New Public Liturgy

This is a fascinating “video essay” from Carl Trueman. (Note: There are one or two b-roll images in the early going to show just a little too much.)

Sin is Only as Hidden as God Allows

This is so important to keep in mind. “If we have been nursing secret sin and we have not been exposed, that is because up to this point, God has not decided to reveal it. Nothing we do is unknown to God, and in his omnipotence, he could expose us at any moment if he so chooses. Sin is only as hidden as God allows.”

Magnanimity and A Book Deal

“It’s been hard at times then, having been disciplined by God regarding these things, to know the difference between true humility and small-heartedness. Beset with self-doubts and fear of my own pride, and sometimes just in ignorance, I’m often slow to admit I have anything to offer. I want to grab a basket and put it over my lamp because it’s safer. This way I won’t make mistakes. Won’t sin. Won’t be tempted to boast. Won’t fail.”

Clarity from Schilder on “Paradox”

“Some theologians have a reputation for being consistently clear. Klaas Schilder isn’t one of them.” Yet here’s one way in which he was very clear and very helpful.

Flashback: 7 Ways to Ruin a Prayer Meeting

Here are some ways you increase the likelihood that your prayer meeting will miss the mark.


  • thurs 3

    A La Carte (October 15)

    The mom God isn’t calling you to be / Facing dementia, and never cast out / Parents, meet your gospel tutor / Can you sin against a chatbot? / Our membership vows and our future / Not all Christian websites are good for your health / Kindle deals

  • A La Carte (October 14)

    Are we raising Pharisees? / In Canada, new push for euthanasia for people with dementia / Follow the parenting formula / He’s worthy of your all / Why do we get so excited about celebrity conversions? / Public executions, public criminal trials, and the formation of souls / The best possible outcome / Mark Carney’s…

  • tues 3

    A La Carte (October 13)

    Will my prayers undo God’s good plans for me? / When your feelings fail you / Prediction markets: gambling by another name / Calibrate your conscience / When God shows up and you miss him / Scrolling through life / Kindle deals / New books

  • Reflecting the Son – Love God with All Your Mind

    What does it mean to love God with all of our minds? Jesus not only talked the greatest commandment, he walked it better than anyone. How, then, did the greatest keeper of history’s greatest commandment love God with his mind?

  • Alice Cooper

    Is Alice Cooper a Christian?

    Alice Cooper’s new memoir Devil on My Shoulder talks openly about God. But is Alice Cooper a Christian? Here are some thoughts after reading his story.