Skip to content ↓

Weekend A La Carte (July 18)

My gratitude goes to Westminster Books for sponsoring the blog this week with news of their new referral rewards program.

Today’s Kindle deals include a handful of classics as well as at least one newer book.

Logos users will want to check out the sale on Zondervan products. There are some great deals!

(Yesterday on the blog: How To Talk About God in a Skeptical Age)

J. I. Packer (1926–2020)

J.I. Packer went to be with the Lord yesterday and Justin Taylor has written a thorough obituary. (See also: Christianity Today’s article, WORLD’s article D.A. Carson’s tribute, and John Piper’s tribute.)

Lord of the Rings: The Peter Jackson Remix

If you’ve read and watched The Lord of the Rings you’ll enjoy Keith Mathison’s reflections on what worked and what didn’t work in the transition from page to screen.

To the Friends Who Tell Me “No”

“Our culture is quick to assume that consistent and encouraging friendships must necessarily also be affirming. As I consider each of my closest friendships, however, I see clearly that this is not the case. My best and oldest friends are those who tell me ‘no.’”

Seven Lessons for Productivity

As he reaches the 1500th(!) episode of Ask Pastor John, John Piper offers seven lessons for productivity.

How to More Wisely Consume News

This is a valuable reflection on consuming news. “As much as the media landscape is a minefield of misinformation, manipulative clickbait, and partisan rants, good journalism remains. Finding it requires intentionality and discipline, yet it can guard us against a frenzy that undermines our ability to trust anything. To this end, I believe it’s helpful to assess media sources through a grid of biblical virtues.”

Spreading the Worst Infection

“This difficult time of Coronavirus provides an opportunity to consider what actions we are taking to avoid sin and to limit the impact of our sin upon others.” There is, after all, an even worse contagion out there…

The Fruit of the Spirit Are Ingredients of Happiness

Randy Alcorn: “What’s our greatest source of joy? Paul pointed to the Holy Spirit: ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23).”

Flashback: Doers and Delegators

If you are called to lead, you need to display godly character in your acts of service. Go low! Serve God by serving others! But understand that you can only lead skillfully and successfully if you are willing to delegate.

Humans are those strange creatures who can never be fully satisfied by anything created—though that never stops us from trying.

—James K. A. Smith

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 6)

    A La Carte: Rightly ordered desires / Ordinary wonders / For my good, not my comfort / Make room for special-needs families / Christmas spirit / Wisdom rarely makes you famous / and more.

  • New Dimensions Template

    Noteworthy New Commentaries from 2025

    There are few resources I rely on more than I rely on my commentaries. Over the years, I have developed an extensive collection and turn to them often. I try to keep tabs on new commentaries and thought I would let you know about some of the best options that were published in 2025

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (December 5)

    A La Carte: Doug Wilson vs public schools / Your church needs you to sing / Wicca’s origins and Christian Nationalism / Out of season / Amish millionaires / Two wedding aisles to walk down / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (December 4)

    A La Carte: Why I changed my mind on mixed martial arts / Misunderstanding porn / When time feels short / The Bible and friendship / Is God disappointed in me? / and more.

  • Thoughts

    Can Satan Put Thoughts Into Our Minds?

    Each of us is familiar with the experience of being tempted to sin. Sometimes these temptations arise from outside of us and sometimes they arise from within. Each of our three sworn enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil—has the ability to tempt us to do what God forbids or fail to do what God…