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Weekend A La Carte (May 6)

Today’s Kindle deals include just a couple of minor deals, but be sure to breeze through everything else from this week. There were lots of good ones.

Just a reminder that I’d love people to participate in writing Mother’s Day Tributes. You’ve got a week left!

Let Worship Be Local Too

This is one of the best articles I’ve ever read on modern worship.

Wal-Mart’s Expensive New E-Commerce Operation

I rather enjoyed this long look at Wal-mart’s expensive new e-commerce operation that will allow them to compete with Amazon. Personally, I don’t like their chances.

The Tempted One

Christina Fox takes a look at Jesus’ wilderness temptations. “When we face temptation, we never do so apart from Christ. We are united to Him; He is our righteousness. He has defeated sin, death, and Satan. There is nothing and no one who can separate us from Him, not even our own weak flesh.”

Watching Lightning From Above

“At a safe distance, lightning can be one of nature’s greatest shows, but big electrical storms are even more incredible when seen from space.” Here’s some proof.

“Tabletalk” Magazine: 40 Years Later

Ligonier just marked their 40th anniversary of publishing Tabletalk magazine. Here’s a brief history.

The Worst Consequence of Skipping Church

I enjoyed reading this interaction with my article on “The Worst Consequence of Skipping Church.” Of particular interest is that she goes far deeper than I did into the flow of the book of Hebrews.

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

Ray Ortlund: “Here, Jesus is calling us to personal holiness, however costly and painful, as His path for us ‘to enter life.’”

Flashback: When Gifts Lose Their Luster

I have come to realize something about those times when I grow weary of good gifts: This weariness makes a statement about me, not the gift. The weariness is so often a direct result of my neglect. I have neglected to cherish the gift and honor the giver.

4 Ways We Go Wrong in Thinking about the Holy Spirit

Thanks to Zondervan for sponsoring the blog this week with an intriguing post from Michael Horton.

False freedom: “Be true to you.” True freedom: “Be true to him.”

—Matt Smethurst

  • 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.